Triumph 2-4-12 Solo Review

[maxbroadway]

I just got back from the Triumph 5-day itinerary to Progresso and Cozumel. I took the 4-day version about a year ago on the Triumph out of New Orleans. Since the ship hasn't really changed since then, I won't be posting new pictures of it. You can read my previous review at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1390446 . It has a bunch of ship pictures.

 

I booked this cruise just two weeks before departure when the rates dipped down as low as I've ever seen them. They jumped back up just a few days later, so it pays to check frequently.

 

As often happens this time of year, fog delayed the Triumph's arrival into port which threw off the whole embarkation timeline. The email, robocall, and text I got from Carnival said checkin would begin at 2:30, but they actually started earlier than that. When I arrived at the terminal around 2:00, the security line was quite long (about 30 minutes), but the checkin line was breeze. I was seated in the waiting area about 3:00, and they were already up to Zone 5. Unfortunately, the gangway broke and boarding was delayed by about 40 minutes. I had Zone 18 and ended up on board about 4:45.

 

I was impressed with the improvements made to the Galveston terminal. The signage was greatly improved, and they seem able to cope with large crowds about as well as you could expect. I also liked how they are doing the Sign and Sail picture in the terminal rather than when you board the ship. It seemed to speed things up a bit.

 

The muster drill started about 6:00 and took about 30 minutes. Several posters have asked if it has changed since the Costa accident. I didn't notice any obvious changes, but all of the staff seemed to have a slightly heightened sense of attention to it. My luggage was waiting when I returned to my room, so I got unpacked before dinner.

 

Because of the delay, dinner was open seating for everyone. I was signed up for Anytime Dining anyway and went down about 7:15. There was a very short line. Each night the hostess asked if I wanted to be seated with others, and I always said yes. I'll write more about Anytime Dining as a solo later.

 

I had the fresh fruit cocktail, the marinated pork steak, and WCMC. This is a typical first night menu for me, and everything was as good as I expected.

 

I went to the Welcome Aboard show primarily to get a preview of the comedians. Both were quite good, and I went to each of their shows later in the cruise. I also spent a little time in the Big Easy piano bar. I had not spent any time in the piano bar on my prior two cruises because of all the smoke, but this venue is now non-smoking. Loraine did a great job. Unfortunately, her break hit about 3 songs after I got there, and I called it a night.

 

I have all the Fun Times, and I will attempt to post them below.

[maxbroadway]

Here's the Fun Times for Saturday, Feb. 4. Some of these things didn't happen because of the fog delay, but the evening activities went off pretty much as planned.

 

 

 

 

[airlink diva]

keep it coming! Since I sail solo alot, love reviews from solo cruisers!

[maxbroadway]

Sunday was one of our two sea days. It normally would have been Elegant Night, but they moved that to the next day because of the Super Bowl. I cruise to relax, so my daily activities usually happen everywhere except the Lido pool area where the "action" is.

 

I love to start with a leisurely breakfast in the MDR. On this cruise I ate there every morning except Progresso day. I normally get Eggs Benedict but I mixed in a waffle one morning just for variety. I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered for breakfast in the MDR. If you're in a hurry, you probably should head for the buffet. Otherwise, make sure to do breakfast in the dining room.

 

Speaking of the buffet for breakfast. The made-to-order omelets are done in the area that houses the deli the rest of the day as well as at the end of the buffet line to the right when you're facing the big screen. I noticed that if the line was long at one station, it was usually short at the other. The lines were never very long, though, anytime I went through the buffet, and tables were always available during breakfast and lunch. I never went up there during dinner, so I don't know about that.

 

I spent much of the day reading out on deck 3 where it's peaceful. I did take some time out to play bingo once. I also went to Last Man Standing which is a different way of doing trivia. Instead of everyone writing down their answers, you stand in a location based on your answer. Everyone with the wrong answer is knocked out, and the game proceeds until one person is left. They repeated the whole thing several times, and it really was fun.

 

This was the one day I ate lunch in the MDR. I had a burger which I could have gotten at the Lido grill, but it was nice to have the table service. Plus, I got dessert as well. I also went to afternoon tea which they had at 3:00 on both sea days. It was kind of fun, but would probably mean more to families. They did have some very nice pastries, so it would be a nice snack for folks with late dining.

 

Tonight was the Super Bowl, and I thought they did a very nice job with it. They showed it on both the big screen by the pool and in the Rome Lounge. It was well-attended but not packed. They set up a nice buffet of snacks - hot dogs, chicken tenders, steak sandwiches, shrimp, etc. - so this was my dinner.

[maxbroadway]

Here's the Fun Times for Sunday, Feb. 5, the first sea day.

 

 

 

 

[firefly333]

I was on the cruise before you. If I had known your price was cheap too, I might have stayed on.

 

We got a letter the night before saying the dock was broken and we would disembark on deck 0. Then we were delayed by the fog, and got off on deck 3 after all??!! I assumed the later disembarkation gave them time to fix the dock. I guess it broke again from what you said.

 

I was off and to my hotel by 1 pm .. so maybe we got off earlier than they predicted.

[kwbrad]

I was on the cruise before you. If I had known your price was cheap too, I might have stayed on.

 

We got a letter the night before saying the dock was broken and we would disembark on deck 0. Then we were delayed by the fog, and got off on deck 3 after all??!! I assumed the later disembarkation gave them time to fix the dock. I guess it broke again from what you said.

 

I was off and to my hotel by 1 pm .. so maybe we got off earlier than they predicted.

 

Hey Fire, are you planning on writing up your trip? Did you happen to save your fun times?

[kwbrad]

Thanks for the review, looking forward to reading the rest!

[wanman]

Thanks for the review. I just can't get myself to do a solo cruise. I am an outgoing person and love to talk, but afraid what others will think.

[Pooh72]

Great start. I can't wait to continue reading your review. I need to watch the rates more. I would love to score an inexpensive last minute get away. :)

[firefly333]

Hey Fire, are you planning on writing up your trip? Did you happen to save your fun times?

 

I might have them, but no scanner.

 

No way to post them on here.

 

I came soooooo close to winning the first slot pull tournament. I was in the finals and ahead until the last few seconds. Came in 2nd :( I could taste the $500.

 

I got a white tee shirt. The highlight of my cruise!! lmao .. I wanted to win finally. Good cruise.

[kwbrad]

I might have them, but no scanner.

 

No way to post them on here.

 

I came soooooo close to winning the first slot pull tournament. I was in the finals and ahead until the last few seconds. Came in 2nd :( I could taste the $500.

 

I got a white tee shirt. The highlight of my cruise!! lmao .. I wanted to win finally. Good cruise.

 

Went on a cruise with the family on Conquest this summer, and I won the first slot tourney, and my dad was just like you in the second tourney, was ahead at the end until the last second. He got a cap, I think. But we do love our slots. Hoping the casino is fun on the Triumph. Do you remember who the host is right now? (I know that could change by May, but might not)

[firefly333]

The host must have needed sleep because she was a bit crabby and kept yawning and having to cover her mouth. I didnt catch her name

 

OP did you catch her name?

[kwbrad]

The host must have needed sleep because she was a bit crabby and kept yawning and having to cover her mouth. I didnt catch her name

 

OP did you catch her name?

 

 

Ok, so maybe she will go on vacation before we go :)

[SMSACE6]

Thanks for the review. I just can't get myself to do a solo cruise. I am an outgoing person and love to talk, but afraid what others will think.

 

I used to feel that way too. But after my first cruise with family, I desperately wanted to go again, and the family could not go anytime soon, and my friends dont like cruising, so I did my first solo cruise, and have done two more since then.

 

I almost always meet people on the cruise, and get to know them well enough to go to the shows with, or to lunch etc. And if anyone happens to see me alone somewhere on the ship and think "poor lady, all by herself", well so be it. I happen to like my alone time very much, and dont care anymore what anyone else thinks of me.

 

Only drawback to solo cruise is paying 200pc fare, but I have finally accepted that aspect of solo cruising. Cant wait till my next one in October!:)

[SMSACE6]

Nice review maxbroadway! Hope there is more to come!:)

[wanman]

The host must have needed sleep because she was a bit crabby and kept yawning and having to cover her mouth. I didnt catch her name

 

OP did you catch her name?

 

Was she the the Romanian? She was really nice on my cruise, but at the second slot tournament she seemed a little short and looked tired, but still was nice.

[maxbroadway]

First, let me apologize for starting this thread and then disappearing for a week. Work got a bit crazy, but I'm back on track now.

 

I just can't get myself to do a solo cruise. I am an outgoing person and love to talk, but afraid what others will think.

 

I'm sorry you feel this way, but I understand. One suggestion is to think about when you've seen people alone on other cruises. Did you assume they were cruising solo or just think the rest of their group wanted to do something else at that moment? I actually think cruising is the best way to travel solo. You never have to eat a meal alone if you don't want to, almost every activity includes other people who haven't met each other before, and you can be alone as much or as little as you would like.

 

Firefly - I spent quite a bit of time in the casino but never really dealt with any of the staff so I don't know about the host.

 

I'll be back later today with a report on Progresso. Stay tuned.

[douglinc@msn.com]

We were on this same cruise, really enjoyed it. Except for the fog in Galveston.

 

Doug

[dfmeeks]

Looking forward to reading the rest of your review! I'll be on her in a few weeks!

[Border Granny]

Yea Max! You're back! My daughter (kwbrad) and I are on the Triumph for the first time in May and we are always looking for recent reviews. Can't wait to read the rest.

[willhan59]

we were on the same cruise also and had a great time, we also won the free cruise on the last night, (I was the one running down the aisle whooping and hollering on the way to the stage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[maxbroadway]

Congrats on the free cruise!! If you need a chaperone to go with you, let me know.:D

 

Here are the FunTimes for Progresso Day which became Elegant Night because of the Super Bowl falling on the first sea day.

 

 

 

 

[maxbroadway]

Progresso was the one day I didn't eat breakfast in the MDR. I had an excursion booked (more on that in the next post) and didn't want to get tied up. It turned out that I had plenty of time.

 

The buffet breakfast is decent, but I definitely prefer the MDR in terms of quality. Waiting in line for a fresh omelette would probably improve things, but I didn't bother for this one day.

 

Here are some pictures of the pier area in Progresso:

 

 

The large round building is the Duty Free shop. Behind it are several bars/restaurants and quite a few stalls selling various crafts and other souvenirs. The excursions meet you near the Duty Free shop and then lead you past the other shops to the bus area.

 

 

The pier in Progresso is one of the longest in the world at 4.5 miles. They have free shuttle busses that take you into the town from the same place the excursions pick you up. In this picture you can barely make out the coast. Our guide said most of the beach houses are weekend getaways.

 

 

This band was playing outside the Duty Free shop. It was nice to sit and listen for a few minutes before leaving on the excursion.

 

One aspect of cruising that does not appeal to me is dropping into a place for a few hours and experiencing an American version of the country (e.g. Cozumel) rather than the real thing. I know a lot of people don't care for Progresso, but I like the chance to see a place that hasn't been totally homogenized.

[maxbroadway]

I booked the excursion to the Dzibilchaltun Mayan ruins through Carnival. I'm pretty sure the same tour is available from outside vendors for lower cost, but I feel more comfortable going through the ship when I'm solo.

 

I wanted to see and learn about the Mayan Culture, but the more famous sites like Chichen Itza required too much travel time out of the time we were in port. The trip to Dzibilchaltun took about 30 minutes each way, and we had about 3 hours of free time there. We actually left the pier early because enough people had checked in to fill the first bus, so if you're up and ready to go don't wait.

 

We had two guides, Jose and Victor. Jose gave us a lot of history and background on the trip to the ruins, and Victor took over on the way back. For me their information really added to the overall trip because they are part of the Mayan culture, and their pride really came across.

 

At the ruins, we had a quick restroom break after getting off the bus. The restrooms were very nice. Bring some small bills to tip the attendants. They have restrictions on bringing large bags into the park, but free lockers are available.

 

The tour company provided a small bottle of water on the bus, but you should bring your own as well. Even in February it was quite hot if you aren't in the shade. You'll also want sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy shoes. I was amazed at the number of people who wore flip-flops to the ruins.

 

Here are a few pictures I took. Many more are posted at Triumph February 2012 Album.

 

 

This is the cenote where you can swim or just stick your feet in the water.

 

 

This is the tallest structure on the site. You can climb all the way to the top and get a great view of the whole area like the one below.

 

 

 

This is a temple that is about a 10 minute walk from the main set of ruins. It is well worth the time to walk down and see it. Your guide will show you a picture of how the sun lines up with the different windows on the Equinox and Solstice.

 

We got back to the ship about 1:30. They will stop in town to let you off if you would like, and you can take the free shuttle back to the ship.