Just retuned from the Victory

[Maddie44]

Just got back for the Western Caribbean, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica.

We (a family of 11, 8 adults and 3 children) had a wonderful time on the Victory. We stayed in the cat. 12 suite and the kids had the 9A balcony cabins all on deck 7. Loved having the extra room in the suite. A few minor things broken but over all a beautiful cabin. Had to have them put duck tape on the hose of the hair dryer because it was split in three places, a draw broken that when I pulled it out it fell on my big toe (ouch that hurt) radio didn't work but I didn't miss it. The cabin stewards were wonderful......

 

No frigs in the balcony rooms. I though I read there was but nope!! So, plan to bring a small fold-up cooler to keep things cold.

 

I though the ship was beautiful and had no problems getting around. The food was very good. We ate in the Atlantic dinning room, first seating. The waiters were GREAT! They really catered to the children, making them feel special. After the first night, they knew exactly what we wanted to drink and had it waiting when we sat down. They always brought extra meals for us to try out. We had no problem asking for two different dishes, like Filet and Lobster tail, so we had a surf and turf. I cannot say enough about the waiters. They always had a smile on their faces and made us all feel special!!!

 

Out of the three Islands, I liked Cozumel the best. Maybe it was because we were there longer and we did not feel rushed. It was very clean and the shopping was great. Not pushy at all. We went to Paradise Beach. It was beautiful and had many things for the adults and children to do. We said Hi to Tom!! Ladies…Tom is one nice looking guy…(smile) He was walking around talking to everyone.

 

I was very disappointed in The Grand Cayman’s. I know they had a lot of damage from the Hurricane but no excuse for the trash on the side of the road, cans, bottles etc. We went to 12-mile beach, it was nice. Everything was an extra cost, chairs, umbrellas, and mats. It can get pricey if you have children.

 

Jamaica was beautiful. We did not book any tours with Carnival. We hooked up with Orville Taylor tours when we walked off the ship. You can save a lot of money booking on your own. We did the Dunn’s Fall and some shopping. Only one from our group climbed the Falls. He said it was great. The rest of us went down the stairs. Going down was ok but climbing the stairs on the way back was a little tiring.

A young couple from our group did the Catamaran party boat, right when you get off the ship. They did not book it but got right on with no problems. They said it was the BEST thing they did. They went to the Falls and Margarita Ville. Great Island music, dancing and just having a ball. I wish we did it.

 

It was our first time on Carnival and would book again. Hated to come home!!!!

 

Next cruise “Bermuda” in May!

Maddie

[jerrymac]

Thanks for the review! Going back on the Victory April 3rd!

[mathgal]

Hope this doesn't get posted twice...my last post just got lost in cyberspace!

 

Are there midnight buffets each night on the Victory? Also wondering if there is a Grand Gala Buffet and if so, which night? Also...was there anything special going on the night the ship stays late in Cozumel? When we were on the Paradise this past June there was a Mexican deck party & late night Mexican buffet.

 

Thanks for the review! We are looking forward to our cruise on the Victory in June!!

[Maddie44]

Hope this doesn't get posted twice...my last post just got lost in cyberspace!

 

Are there midnight buffets each night on the Victory? Also wondering if there is a Grand Gala Buffet and if so, which night? Also...was there anything special going on the night the ship stays late in Cozumel? When we were on the Paradise this past June there was a Mexican deck party & late night Mexican buffet.

 

Thanks for the review! We are looking forward to our cruise on the Victory in June!!

 

 

Yes there were midnight buffets every night on the Lido deck. I never made it to them but the kids did. I think (can't remember) the Mid-night Gala buffet was Friday night, when we left Jamacia. My daughter-in-law was telling me about it. She said it was amazing!

When we were in Cozumel, it was Carnival Week. There was a 4 hour Parade, with costums and floats, music and dancing. We had a great time.

My son said, there was a party going on, on the Lido deck.

I spent most of my nights in the casino. I won $800.00 the first night on the slots but gave most of it back by the end of the cruise. (sad) The way I look at it is I was playing with their money! (smile)

 

P.S. Chair hogging was rediculous!!!! If you didn't get up and save a chair by 7:00am you didn't get a chair. One day I was up there at 7:30 am and all of the chairs had towels on them with no-one in them!!!! Either they went back to bed or went to go eat. Most of the chairs were empty for hours. That was my only complaint. And the cruise people didn't do anything about it! So get up early if you want a chair!

[mathgal]

Chair hogging was rediculous!!!! If you didn't get up and save a chair by 7:00am you didn't get a chair.

 

This seems to be a problem on all ships!

 

Being a fair-skinned redhead, I'm usually looking for a chair in the shade. Do you recall if there were any places where there were deck chairs in shaded areas? On the Paradise I enjoyed having my deck chair on the outer part of the Lido deck where I could lay and read and watch the ocean go by!

[FRANCOIS]

I am leaving this week end and booked it 4 days ago ... so I dont have much time to read like I did for the cruise I did with my wife on the Golden Princess the firt week of December 04, and this time we bring the kids.

If you dont mind I would have few questions;

1-What time is the best to be boarding on boarding day?

2-Is it painfull?

3-Seating, I have been assign at 18:15 what kind of table is there? 4,6,8 people?

It is not that I dont like people but my 2 kids are terrible!

4-spa level, have you seen it?

5-To go to Paradise beach, what did you took? taxi or tour?

6-any suggestion for beaches at Jamaica and Grand Caymans?

I did the southern carribean on December so we are a bit tired of island tours we are looking for sun fun and relaxation!

 

Thanking you in advance

 

Francois

[runner15km]

A taxi to Paradise for 4 is about $14 ea way. If you want to use beach toys the charge is $5.

Sea Grape Beach in Grand Cayman the taxi was $4 for each person. Thet charge $15 for a chair and includes a soft drink. If you don't mind using your towels the beach is free.

In jamaica we went to Turtle Beach and they charge $1.00. It is in walking distance from the ship. Stay to the left as you pass through security.

[Maddie44]

This seems to be a problem on all ships!

 

Being a fair-skinned redhead, I'm usually looking for a chair in the shade. Do you recall if there were any places where there were deck chairs in shaded areas? On the Paradise I enjoyed having my deck chair on the outer part of the Lido deck where I could lay and read and watch the ocean go by!

 

Yes there are deck chairs on the sides of the ship and some of the chairs by the pool are in the shade most of the day. Can get pretty noisy by the pool with the slide. This is where they have a band playing all day. They also have tables and chairs on the sides that are in the shade.

The pool and area at the front of the ship is the most quiet area. Also is where the best buffet is. Roast Beef, BB Ribs, Pizza and nice Salads etc. On the right side is the deli buffet, great Hot Pastrami sandwiches!

Have Fun

[FRANCOIS]

thank you mike

[Maddie44]

I am leaving this week end and booked it 4 days ago ... so I dont have much time to read like I did for the cruise I did with my wife on the Golden Princess the firt week of December 04, and this time we bring the kids.

If you dont mind I would have few questions;

1-What time is the best to be boarding on boarding day?

2-Is it painfull?

3-Seating, I have been assign at 18:15 what kind of table is there? 4,6,8 people?

It is not that I dont like people but my 2 kids are terrible!

4-spa level, have you seen it?

5-To go to Paradise beach, what did you took? taxi or tour?

6-any suggestion for beaches at Jamaica and Grand Caymans?

I did the southern carribean on December so we are a bit tired of island tours we are looking for sun fun and relaxation!

 

Thanking you in advance

 

Francois

 

We got to the pier at 11:00 am. The lines short. Took about 30 min to get boarded. After that the lines get longer.

LOL, no it's not painful... Get there early!

 

I'm assuming you ment 8:15 pm is your dining time. You'll probably be in Pacific Dining Room, middle of the ship. We were in the Atlantic Dining Room, aft. They had tables for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. Good Luck.

We asked for the 6:15 pm dining time but didn't get it. They gave us the 5:45 pm time but said we could sit at 6:15 with no problem. We were a party of 11 so we didn't hold any other table mates up.

 

I just walked past the spa didn't go in so I can't comment on that.

We

 

We never booked with the ship. It's about have the price if you wait until you get off the ship. They're always taxi's, Vans and tours you can get on your own, at the piers.

We took a Van (11 of us)to Paridise Beach. You have only 4 so take a cab.

At Paradise beach you get with the addmission price, lounge chairs and umbrella's, water matts, use of the water trampoline, Ice mountain and kayaks. You can rent Jet ski's there if you want. They have changing rooms, food and some shops there also. The shop run by U.S.A. you can't bargain with but right next door, bargain, bargain bargain!!! About half the price is what you'll pay!

In Grand Cayman, we took an air condition tour of the turtle farm, a little site seeing of the Island, (not much to see) Construction everywhere because of the Hurricane. Everything is brown and most of the trees and roofs of the building are down. My heart goes out to these poor people. This tour took around an hour and then they will drop you off at the beach and pick you up when you want to go back to the pier. We went to 12-mile beach. You can see the ships from the beach. Didn't do any shopping because got back too late. A word of advice, don't wait too ling to take the tender back to the ship. Our ship was leaving at 4:30. We got back to the pier around 3:00 and the lines were long and hot!!!!! No shade!! Took about an hour to get on the ship. Someone on our ship waiting too long and as we were leaving the ship had to stop as they brought 3 people by a small boat to our ship. If we were any further out they would of been stuck in Grand Cayman!!

We didn't go the beach in Jamacia, We went to Dunn's Falls. Beautiful!! If you have small kids I wouldn't climb the Falls. Can get a little dangerous at places. And don't stray from the other people in the group climbing the Falls. We saw someone take a pretty good fall. She spained her foot. Stay with the guides!

Have fun!

Hate being home, it snowed today!!!

Temp. at these Island were running in the mid to high 80's

[Marco56]

Maddie thanks for the review!

Do you remember who the cruise director was ? How would you rate them or the comedians?

[Maddie44]

Maddie thanks for the review!

Do you remember who the cruise director was ? How would you rate them or the comedians?

 

Sorry, I can't remember his name. I have a very poor memory for names!

My son went to the comedy show, said he was great. Didn't stop laughing the whole show.

Have fun!

[LSUtraveler]

I am leaving this week end and booked it 4 days ago ... so I dont have much time to read like I did for the cruise I did with my wife on the Golden Princess the firt week of December 04, and this time we bring the kids.

If you dont mind I would have few questions;

1-What time is the best to be boarding on boarding day?

2-Is it painfull?

3-Seating, I have been assign at 18:15 what kind of table is there? 4,6,8 people?

It is not that I dont like people but my 2 kids are terrible!

4-spa level, have you seen it?

5-To go to Paradise beach, what did you took? taxi or tour?

6-any suggestion for beaches at Jamaica and Grand Caymans?

I did the southern carribean on December so we are a bit tired of island tours we are looking for sun fun and relaxation!

 

Thanking you in advance

 

Francois

Only other suggestion in Jamacia. Think about going to Sunset Beach. Twenty bucks gets you all you want; beach, pool, drinks and all you can eat. Great place and close to the ship.

[Marco56]

Thanks again Maddie!

I did this ship last year and had a great time. I have never understood why it usually gets such negative reviews. It is always nice to see someone else enjoyed it as much as my family and I did. We sail 5-8 and are even more anxious after reading you're review.

[Marco56]

Francois I recently spoke to a couple who cruised with thier 7 and 10 yr old and they said there kids really enjoyed the water slide and beach at Magartitaville. Dont know how old your kids are but hope this might help.

[Maddie44]

Thanks again Maddie!

I did this ship last year and had a great time. I have never understood why it usually gets such negative reviews. It is always nice to see someone else enjoyed it as much as my family and I did. We sail 5-8 and are even more anxious after reading you're review.

 

Marco56,

Some people expect way too much for OTHERS to MAKE them have fun.

The Victory is a beautiful ship and the staff are wonderful! I found them always to be smiling and polite to me. If I needed anything they always got it for me and my family. Sometimes the language barrier is hard for them to understand what we are saying and some people take that as them not being friendly, not true!

Have fun on your up-coming cruise,

Maddie

[wantacruise]

Hello!

Thanks for the good review. I'll be on the Victory in June!! Just a quick question--did you book Orville Taylor ahead of time or at the pier when you got off the ship?

[Ms_Pammy]

Out of the three Islands, I liked Cozumel the best. Maybe it was because we were there longer and we did not feel rushed. It was very clean and the shopping was great. Not pushy at all. We went to Paradise Beach. It was beautiful and had many things for the adults and children to do. We said Hi to Tom!! Ladies…Tom is one nice looking guy…(smile) He was walking around talking to everyone.

 

 

Jamaica was beautiful. We did not book any tours with Carnival. We hooked up with Orville Taylor tours when we walked off the ship. You can save a lot of money booking on your own. We did the Dunn’s Fall and some shopping. Only one from our group climbed the Falls. He said it was great. The rest of us went down the stairs. Going down was ok but climbing the stairs on the way back was a little tiring.

A young couple from our group did the Catamaran party boat, right when you get off the ship. They did not book it but got right on with no problems. They said it was the BEST thing they did. They went to the Falls and Margarita Ville. Great Island music, dancing and just having a ball. I wish we did it.

 

It was our first time on Carnival and would book again. Hated to come home!!!!

 

Next cruise “Bermuda” in May!

Maddie

 

Do you mind telling me what you paid for Orville? also the Catamaran party boat that goes to the falls do you get to get off and climb them?

 

We are scheduled on the same cruise in May!!!

 

thanks so Much

[Maddie44]

Do you mind telling me what you paid for Orville? also the Catamaran party boat that goes to the falls do you get to get off and climb them?

 

We are scheduled on the same cruise in May!!!

 

thanks so Much

 

I'll have to check on the cost of Orville, our son paid it for us.

And yes, they let you off at the Falls and you get to climb. I think it was about an hour and a half you had to spend there.

Maddie

[kdcruiser]

Do you mind telling me what you paid for Orville? also the Catamaran party boat that goes to the falls do you get to get off and climb them?

 

We are scheduled on the same cruise in May!!!

 

thanks so Much

 

 

 

We are on the Victory March 13 with a group of 18. My kids are VERY excited as we did not go with Carnival last time and they really missed it. We have just booked Orville Taylor through his website. We sent a confirmation to him as requested. Cost is $55 for family of 4 (a bit more if there are fewer people) - admission to Dunn's River Falls is an additional $10 per person and if you want to go tubing it is $20 per person extra. He will personalize what you want to do with advance reservation. Don't know if yoiu can just book him at the pier. Have heard nothing but good about him and look forward to our day in Ocho Rios. Will post here once we return to let you know how things went.

[FRANCOIS]

thank you Maddie44 and Marco56 for your very helpfull infarmation.

 

I will be there next tuesday! looking for it !

 

Best to all of you

 

Francois

[mathgal]

Only other suggestion in Jamacia. Think about going to Sunset Beach. Twenty bucks gets you all you want; beach, pool, drinks and all you can eat. Great place and close to the ship.

 

 

Sunset Beach Resort is in Montego Bay, not Ochos Rios. This seems to be a popular spot for those ships stopping in Montego Bay (Conquest for example) but would be too far to drive for anyone cruising on the Victory.

[Lindajlamarre]

Can anyone tell me if the river tubing tour with Orville is the same tour as with Chukka Cove? We did the river tubing thru the ship which uses Chukka Cove. Hopped into a van and road up to the site where we began our river tubing experience. Lasted for about 45 min (time in the water) and was a relaxing ride down the lazy ol'river....(cost apprx $60/pp thru the ship!). Anyway, I'm wondering if it's the same tour...I think I've heard of a different river tubing tour that sounded more "challenging"? Anyone know of any other river tubing adventure?

 

Re the Falls...do you have to walk up any stairs just to "look" at the falls?

 

Is there enough time to do the Falls, river tubing...and time for a few belts somewhere???

 

Lurking Linda