Just off the Victory - Review (long)

[P5Girl]

This was my 3rd cruise with Carnival.

 

Embarkation was a mess. It took about 2 - 2.5 hours. Once on the boat we went up to the Lido to have lunch. It was packed, no tables and very long lines. I was not feeling very well, I was battling a cold so I decided to take a nap instead. One thing I noticed was the drink servers were really aggressive and were constantly asking if you wanted a drink. Every few minutes someone would come around. Personally, I did not like this.

 

We had an oceanview room on the Main deck Room 2272. It was very nice and slightly larger than our balcony room we had on the Legend and the OV room on the Spirit. The location was great, right near the stairs.

 

I really liked the decor of the boat. Everything looked clean and I liked the layout of the ship.

 

We chose the 8:00 dinner, but we were moved to the 8:30 for some reason. Carnival placed us at a table with 3 other couples. They did a great job, we all got along very nicely. We had an excellent waiter and the food was surprisingly better than I remembered from my last two cruises.

 

We met our room steward that evening. Again I was plesantly surprised with him and the service we rcvd.

 

The first evening we went to bed early - we were expecting it to be somewhat noisy with people talking, possibly music because of the room location but it really wasnt. However, every night/early morning of the cruise we were woken up at about 4:30 in the morning with what sounded like a train running over us. Alot of banging and noise from the deck above. It sounded like lawn chairs being dragged around on the deck, it was very very noisy and went on for about 30minutes to an hour. Becuse we had the late dinner, then would go to the late shows we did not get very much sleep during the night because of the noise. We took alot of naps during the day. I reccomend you stay far away from the Main floor. I asked 2 neighbours on my floor and they were awakened by the noise as well.

 

Our first stop was Cozumel, -we had originally planned on doing the Mayan Ruins, but because I was sick, and running on little sleep I did not think I could last without a nap for 11 hours so we stayed around the pier.Alot of shopping, alot of the same stuff, but some really good deals on alcohol. We did the sunset catamaran (through carnival excuriosns) which was nice, and then had dinner at Ponchos which was really good. Quite pricey, but a very good mexican meal and the best daquiri I have ever had.

 

The next day we were at Grand Cayman. Tendering was quite fast, and easy. There is no need to pay 25$ per person through carnival to go the beach, you can take a 3$ cab ride to the beach aat Royal Palms (I think that is what it is called) and stay there for free or you can walk there like we did. It is very safe and you are on the main road the whole time. There is a bar, and plenty of lounge chairs. Remember to bring your snorkel gear and underwater cameras because there are turtles. If you are thinking about booking a stingray tour through carnival... once tendered in land there are people offering the same tours for 35$. (or you can book online).

I think Grand Cayman had the best deals and nicest selection of Jewelry. We were interested in purchasing a Tag watch, and they had the best prices. (at Kays, they will give you a 5% disount on any Tag that is over 1200$).

 

Jamaica: Wow, I what to say about Jamaica. Firstly, we booked with Peat Taylor whom i HIGHLY reccommend. He and his son met us at the pier, and then we went to Dunns River which was a blast! A must do for all. Unfortunately, the locals there are very pushy and leaving Dunns river watch out when you have to go through the shops. Do not give anyone your name when they ask, otherwise they will carve it on wood and it is yours for the buying. Do not hold anything, again it will be considered that you want it and you will have a hard time giving it back. One local practically yelled at us when we told him we were just looking thanks. He said we were wasting everyones time and we should just take the highway if we werent interesting in buying anything. I bit my tonge and did not respond and quicly rushed through to the exit. We went through fern gulley which was beautiful. There are 2 men who live in caves on the mountain. There are 2 "fern men" you can take pictures of for 1$. The views on the mountain are spectacular. Jamaica is really a beautiful place.

 

Back to the boat. The shows were good, but very similiar to the other cruises. SAme jokes etc..

 

The casino....oh boy....the slots were the tightest I have ever witnessed. It seemed that most people were winning day 3,5,6 of the cruise but very few people seemed to be winning. I played the tables, and was content with that. The casino was very smokey so I did not play as much as I usually do. I usually put aside 5-600$ for the casino and wound up only spending 200$ and not because I was winning. Staff was very nice though.

 

the Pool(s)/lounge chairs: Again plesantly surpised with the number of lounge chairs available. I don't think we ever had a problem finding one. Yes there were some people savign the chairs with towels, but it wasn't as bad as i have seen. Also, there were very few children in the main pool and the hot tub. Had a great time just lounging.

 

Food, food and more food: The food at all locations were good. I love the burgers and had one every other day. Pizza was as good as I remembered as well. Staff seving the food were excellent, especially those at the Deli who always smiled when I asked for a grilled cheese. The lineups were OK. Some days and times alot slower than others, but nothing crazy. I found the worst days/times to be when we were leaving a port.

 

Room Service: Very fast, did not always have the order right. Food was blah, but the brownies were very good.

 

CD: I really liked our cruise director Skip. He was funny and on the ball at all times. Great one liners, had quite a few laughss

 

Debarkation: MESSY. If you decide to get there early, do not sit down and wait. Wait outside and start the line. OR sleep in, go for breakfast first and wait until the line dies down. This was definitely the worst debarkation I have been through. Long and slow, and poeple cutting in line.

 

Even though I was sick for most of the cruise, and did not get much sleep the service made this cruise most enjoyable and my favorite out of the 3 I have been on. The ports were great, the boat was beautful and easy to navigate and I would definitely reccomend it - but stay away from room 2272 and anything near that cabin.

 

If anyone has any question feel free to ask or email me. (protege5girl@hotmail.com).

[cyndij]

Thank you so much for your review. Our group sails on the Victory Eastern itinerary on July 10th. Can't wait!

[serene56]

ahhh, the brownies... if you take baggies with you order brownies the night before you gotta get off the ship so youhave a nice little treat for the plane ride home.

[Freezin' in Minny]

P5Girl:

 

I was also on this cruise with DH and 2 DS. I couldn't agree more about embarkation being a mess. What I attribute the problem to was that the Miami marathon closed down a good part of the downtown area from 6 am to around noon. There was a Miami heat game that afternoon as well. We flew in a day early and had planned on getting to the ship around eleven, but we were unable to get a cab because of the marathon traffic until well after noon. Oh well, it was worth it. We had an outstanding time! :D

[gymbrat33]

p5Girl,

 

I'm glad that you enjoyed the cruise. I sailed on the Victory last March and didn't encounter any noise(except for the springbreakers running down the hall at 2:00 a.m.). I was in cabin 2260. I cannot believe that Carnival didn't refund the money for the excursion.

[wantacruise]

Thanks for the positive review. My DH and I will be on the Victory June 5th--Western. We are already looking at excursions and trying to figure out what we want to do in each port. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

[James&Rob]

Thanks for the review We will be on the victory March 6 Is there still a midnight buffet on the victory Ive heard that it has been stopped thanks again James

[lcpagejr]

Great review!! We were on the Victory 2x last year and enjoyed both cruises. Glad to hear she is still doing well. I would agree with everything you said...especially the "pushing" of the sailway drinks... Our cabin was on the 8th FL , for both cruises, and we found it to be very quite.

[lcpagejr]

James,,

 

When we were on the Victory over Thanksgving...I did notice they cut back on the daily midnight buffets. They would have some food out by Trident Bar/Pool in the back of the ship by the Pizza area around 11:30...but the normal buffet area was only set up a couple of times...One for the Gala Buffet and another time on a theme night (i.e Mexican Fiesta).

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

T I was not feeling very well, I was battling a cold so I decided to take a nap instead.

 

AH-HAH! So it's YOUR fault! ;) I picked up a really nasty cold on this sailing, which made for an interesting return trip. :(

 

Glad to hear you had a good time! My own review coming soon . . .

[P5Girl]

I was usually at the shows at midnight so I did not notice if there were buffets. I know a few nights they had them for sure, (once i unpack i will check the capers i took home)....not sure about every night.

 

La croisiere....I noticed alot of people coughing and sneezing. Even had 2 blackjack dealers sneeze at the table, into their hands and then continue dealing the cards...yuk. Hope you are feeling better!

 

Just a warning for anyone sailing the victory...watch out for those darn seahorses on the stairs...i have sooooo many bruises from them!