hbooden

We were on the victory (hubby smokes). We stayed on deck 7 mid ship and it was very convent for him. 2 decks down the stairs by us and he was in the casino and could smoke. There was a really nice outside area on deck 10 with lots of chairs, tables and couches, and there was an area on deck 3 just outside the lobby. Very few people went out there so it was nice and quiet. They had some deck chairs out there too.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Hi! I'm sailing the victory in September and I'm a smoker my friend is not...so I don't want to make her sit in the casino etc...deck 10...are there servers out there? Or are we at least close to a bar? Any info would be lovely thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I love this! Sailing her in September [emoji898] my only question is is half of the trident bar still smoking? And is this an outdoor bar?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

As the parent of a special needs adult (now 28) who has been on every cruise with me since she was 7, I hear your concerns. We just completed cruise #21 on Carnival. Contact Carnival's Special Needs Dept. They will work with you, contacting the kid's clubs, making special muster drill arrangements, diet if needed, etc. When you board, go to the kid's club and meet with the counselors and explain your child's needs. They are great! The waiters in the dining room are also great at distracting/entertaining children. Bring what you need to keep your child's attention - coloring books, iPod with EarPods, movies with EarPods, ipad, etc. so you won't disturb the others in the dining room. You can also ask for a table just for your family, which is what we do each and every cruise. (done through Special Needs Dept.)

This is so what I was looking for! I think I am most concerned about potential kids club and dinners. I didn't even think about contacting their special needs dept at all! Thank you [emoji175]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Carnival is VERY "family friendly", and the kid's club counselors are good with ALL kids...so don't worry about that. Your entire family will have a blast!

That's awesome thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hi you guys! I have my first carnival cruise scheduled with a girlfriend this September...but I love the fact that carnival ships have adjoining rooms and am thinking about doing a cruise with the kids sometimes.

My youngest (would be at least 8 by cruise) has some issues. He's loud and a little silly (long story acts autistic sometimes but he's not) anyhoo...anyone have experience with a kid like this on a cruise? Kids club? Main dining room? All 3 of my boys are great but I don't want to be that family if that's how it is on carnival. [emoji175] any experiences would be great to hear!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Anyone have links to current menus???

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Have appropriate expectations for this cruise. It will not be like a 12 night or even a 7 night. DH and I did this run in January (see signature) and it confirmed our suspicion that short cruises are PARTY cruises! Expect lots of drinking, especially now that they have Cheers. This was the only cruise where we had to call security because people we having a hall party (pulled out tables and stools like a southern front porch) at 11:30 at night. I'm all for a good party, but there are plenty of appropriate venues for such a gathering, but one is definitely not the hallway for the cabins. Hubby and I were on a romantic getaway and we couldn't relax and sleep from all the noise. This was the same cruise that the guy next door proposed to end a screaming balcony fight with his girlfriend; the next morning, their door was propped open and security was stationed outside, so heaven only knows what went on up on deck after we went to bed. That said, we still had a wonderful trip - one of our best ever because we aren't afraid to call security to curtail inappropriate behavior, and we got some good laughs from the newly engaged couple.

 

 

 

So, things to do... Try a variety of martin's at Alchemy. Take in tea on your sea day (3-4 pm MDR). Use serenity deck if you want quiet relaxation. And in the evenings, we like comedy club, piano bar, and the 80's show (but the 70's is not good).

 

 

 

In Key West, depending on your mood, pub crawl gets lots of positive reviews. If you are looking more to explore and get the feel of Key West, the hop on/off trolley is the deal We liked Hemingway house, Butterfly garden and just shopping and walking the streets.

 

 

 

In Cozumel, tons of great beaches. We really enjoyed Money Bar - for like $80 we had 4 virgin daiquiris and 4 adult beverages, calamari, tacos and something else. You can get a massage for like $30, it's a short cab ride from the pier, and there is great snorkeling. Not much of a sandy beach because it is on the coral shelf.

Oh wow!!!! Thank you! This is all great advice!!!! [emoji175]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Don't forget to hit the comedy club after your chocolate melting cake (ask for 2 scoops of ice cream!)

2 scoops sounds good! The comedy show is that good?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Chocolate melting cake at dinner in the main dining room...everyone seems to enjoy that.

 

I have 7 kids. So when my wife and I can get on a 3-5 day cruise we usually do a lot of nothing. We run like crazy during regular life so vacation isn't jam packed with an itinerary.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Wow! lol I have 3 so does my friend. Nothing sounds pretty good!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

So I cruised with my husband on NCL for a 12 night and it was heaven. Cruising on a 4 day on Victory with a girlfriend in 2017 (Key West and Cozumel).

Looking for Tips? I knew on NCl not to miss the chocolate croissants from Room Service for example. What should we make sure to eat? any activities we should make sure to do?

Background - both of us have cruised but never a short Carnival. We are both mom's so not used to being without kids to take care of so looking for some relaxation and no kids events ;):)

The shows that we saw were 2nd city and a Motown review one. They were both a lot of fun! Didn't see any more😜

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

My favorite ship. THanks for the review.

 

 

 

Was Jenny still the hotel director?

Sorry holidays kept me away 😜 yup Jenny was the hotel director!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

My husband and I were first time cruisers so we have nothing to compare this to 😜 but here is a quick review for all those first timers!

We loved our trip! Honestly. We booked this when it was a 9 day and were lucky to be upgraded to a 12 night.

Sailing out of nyc I don't think there is a better port to sail out of. Even though it was December it was warm enough to be deck side and watch the city go by. Amazing.

We didn't do many shows but what we did see was great.

Favorite bar? Ended up being the atrium bar. Marisol was a great bar tender. She's only on until feb and then going to the star after a vacation. She was great. I used the Bali hai bar too (I smoke). It was ok. My only beef? As a former server/bartender I hate being up sold without my permission. Petty but true. My husband wanted a margarita he was given an ultimate (they do taste different and if he wanted ultimate he would have asked). Then I ordered (different day) an absolute Bloody Mary. I was given a grey goose. I love some goose but it's wasted in a Bloody Mary. Not a huge deal...I am just saying watch that you are getting what you order 😄

Dinners were fine actually the strip steak was amazing in the main dining room (I had it a few times). We also did the buffet for some dinners cause we didn't want to be fancy at dinner. Buffet was always good. Not blown away usually but it was good. Dining room service was hit or miss. Never was horrible but was not anything to write home about. Maybe the fact that most staff were so amazing made the so so dining room service stand out more? Again nothing to complain about but nothing to gush about either:) we did have one dinner at moderno and I highly recommend. Service was fantastic. Salad bar was great and meat was just delish.

Overall we enjoyed. I just mainly wanted to thank cruise critic. I knew to order the chocolate croissants every day with our morning pot of coffee! And I knew a few more tricks thanks to reading here!

If anyone has any questions ask away!!!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

We are going to be in port all day and are leaning towards renting a car...is there a place you like to rent?

And if you have a car...where would you go? We aren't in sure need of a beach day 😄 probably going to want to have a nice lunch see some sights shop? Also not really into seeing the planes. Any suggestions?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

May I ask what car rental you went with? Are there rentals near the ship?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

😳 the most random and well craving worthy question I have asked to date...is their yummy caramel sauce to go on the ice cream? Now I really want some ice cream 😄

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Most kids here don't get a lot of time off in feb except around Presidents' Day so some family's might take the long weekend and cruise 😄 I went to disney once in feb and it was people with non school age kids and a lot from the uk. Hope this helps!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Thanks everyone! I was scared to ask on my own thread for fear of starting the smoking wars again! Thanks for your answers:)

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I have only been on the Jewel and the Pearl both sister ships, and they had a cigar lounge on deck 6 and the Promenade deck on 7, the door to that deck was near one of the restaurants.

Thank you :) do you know if the promenade had a smoking section?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

My dh smokes and we were just on the Jewel. It was easy to get to a smoking area. We were on deck 5. Up one floor was the casino, where you can smoke.

 

The main deck, which opens to the outside, we went to a lot for smoking.

 

The pool deck, which the seating on one side is smoking and one side non-smoking.

So I will be on the gem which is sister (right?) to the jewel. My question is on the floor with the main dining rooms and bars...is there a smoking area near by? Thanks for your answers :)

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Yes, shorts are fine there. My bf generally wears shorts with a polo. He always looks neat, but he's more comfortable in shorts and has to wear his police uniform every other day of his life, so I am certainly not going to bust his chops about it lol. Magenta was perfectly fine with me, and I think the longest we ever waited for a table was maybe 10 minutes. Enjoy your cruise!!

Thank you :)

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Ok so your bf sounds like my husband. :) no dressing up (years in a jacket and tie at school will do that to you). So magenta is the dining room that has the less strict dress code?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

As long as we are beating the horse fully... Everyone keeps saying the casino. I prefer to smoke outside no matter what. Are there designated areas outside?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app