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Triumph - 9/15 - 9/20

Jgilbert813

By Jgilbert813,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Jgilbert813

Jgilbert813

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I just got back from a wonderful 5 day stay on the Carnival Triumph with my wife, 18 year old son (his birthday cruise), mother-in-law, and my parents. We booked 3 balcony cabins on the Lido deck.

 

Now for a little back story, my wife and I took a 4 day on the Carnival Ecstacy out of New Orleans (our 1st cruise) last year and it almost turned us off from cruising for good. It was a bad experince all around - bad shipmates, horrible service in the dining room, and bad weather (not Carnival's fault at all). But I have to say that I am soooo glad that we decided to give it one more try.

 

First, I have read many negative (at least in my opinion) reviews and comments about the Triumph. I found none of them to be the case. I didn't think the ship felt dated, at least not to the Ecstacy which I felt very dated. I found the service to be exceptional, especially in the dining room. Our head waiter, Kadek, was great at accomodating all 6 in our party and had our names down by the time the appetizer came on the first night. We even switched seats each night and he never missed a beat :). Our room steward, Mr P, was wonderful as well. I had brought a small cooler and meant to ask him for extra ice when he introduced himself the first night but forgot in all my cruise excitment. When I got back to the room after dinner, the cooler was set up and was full of ice. It is sometimes the small things that make all the difference.

 

The quality of the food was very good overall in my opinion. Our group managed to try the didja's each night, which was very fun. The Spicy Alligator Fritters were probably the biggest hit. My Dad and I found that ALL the soups that they presented were superb. I truely enjoyed the Roast Pumpkin Soup, while he found the Wild Mushroom Soup to be great. Only one time did something come from the kitchen that we didn't like. My M.I.L. got the Jerk Pork Loin and it was to spicy for her, we asked Kadek for a different entree and within 2 minutes it was in front of her. Again, great service. We did eat a couple of lunches in the South Beach Lido restaurant, and found the quality to be fair, and the variety to be good. A standard buffet, not great but not awful either. Breakfast on the Lido deck was good as well. The first day, they offered Sausage and Egg Burritos that my wife found really good. The last 2 days we ate breakfast in the MDR and were blown away by the omlets. Super fluffy and delicious.

 

The shows were good fun. The musicals were well sung and had great music. The settings and costumes were beautiful. We did get a chance to see the magic show which was a lot of fun. There were some big illusions that impressed me for being performed on a smaller stage at sea. We didn't get a chance to see the burlesque show but heard from shipmates that it was good.

 

The other shipboard entertaiment was fun as well. My parents played bingo every chance they got, and I ended up winning the progressive trivia (so much fun). The live music all around the ship was incredible. From the singer in the lobby, to the various bands on the world stage - just great.

 

I do have some pictures that I will be submitting soon, but for now just a quick review will have to do.

 

Well, I hope that this quick review is enough to put some fears at bay. The Triumph is a great ship, with a great crew.

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marsh-angler

marsh-angler

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We were on the same sailing. I must have seen you in the Piano Bar while the progressive trivia was taken place. DW and I stopped in there while waiting for the past guest party to start. We enjoyed this cruise also, good weather at sea and in the ports, good food and met new friends. I did go to the magic show in the casino, there were a couple of dealers that could make my chips disappear, LOL.

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ams3021

ams3021

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We will be on the Oct 27 cruise and I am so excited, it's our first cruise. Like everyone else has said I have heard some bad reviews about the Triumph, so it is really great to hear positive things about the ship. Thanks for the review and I can't wait to see the pictures.

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TxStacey

TxStacey

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Looks like Triumph has become a favorite since moving to TX

I think what it is, is that the Triumph is a much nicer ship than the Ecstasy, that it replaced for the 4-5 day runs.

People that are used to cruising out of Galveston for the shorter cruises are accustomed to the older, smaller ships. I really do think Carnival is finally realizing that there is a huge cruise market out of Galveston and that it behooves them to put the nicer ships there.

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Babyblue

Babyblue

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Been on the Triumph twice so far and going again here shortly! Think she is a great ship!

Thanks for the review!

Taking my niece and her family and it will be their 1st cruise so I think the triumph will be a great first ship for them! Not too big like the Magic( which I love) and not too small like the Ecstasy.

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