Quick trip report Carnival Triumph 5 nights October 13 - 18

[Naomi John]

As this was my Family’s 7th,(well my 8th, DH and DD 7th), cruise and the 3rd on the Triumph, (first two were out of New Orleans), this will not be a day by day review. I didn’t take many pictures, sorry. I did scan the Fun times and Camp Carnival Schedule for 6-11 year olds.

 

This was our 2nd time out of Galveston, and once we were checked in, I remembered why we haven’t left out of Galveston in a while. We spent Friday night with family in Sugarland, and drove to the port Saturday morning, arriving about 10:30 AM. We used the covered parking at Galveston Park and Cruise.

Check in was very easy and by 10:45 AM we had our S&S cards and Zone 5 card. Then the wait began. They did not start calling zones until 12:30 PM. I received two different reasons for the delay. Reason #1: Because the Disney Ship also docked, both ships had to go through full immigration check, and the Port did not have enough personnel. This reason seemed logical to me. Reason #2: A passenger from the previous cruise decided not to get off the ship and was hiding. Not too sure about this one. Either way, debarkation and embarkation was delayed. The bonus was once we boarded we were able to go straight to our rooms and drop off the carry-ons. I hate dragging them around on the lido deck. A crew member advised us the delay has been occurring every Saturday since the Disney Ship arrived.

 

As stated, we were able to get to our rooms once we boarded. We had stateroom 8248, balcony port side forward. Nice location, one deck below lido and easy access to the elevators and stairs. It had the king size bed, a sofa that converted, and one upper bunk. The cabin had the usual three closets, three drawers under the vanity, a small cabinet and one larger cabinet under the TV. No night stands. The balcony had two chairs and a table. Our steward was Chito, love him. Ice chest remained full, interacted with the family, and had fun with our towel animals and DD dolls.

 

The safety drill was the same, no life vests. I did not like it when the ship started to sail in the middle of he drill. We wanted to see the Disney Ship sail off and missed that as well. After we were released from the drill, we headed to deck 9 fwd to the observation deck above the bridge to enjoy the remaining sail-a-way.

[Naomi John]

We had late seating for dinner in the Paris Dining Room which was the aft dining room. I do not understand dinner seating. Every time we have had an aft stateroom, we’ve had fwd dining and vice versa. Anyway, we were at a table for 10 on the second level behind the piano. Our server was Edgar and he greeted us by name upon arrival. Our table mates were two families of three. A man with a 14 year old boy and 12 year old girl, and a couple with a 9 year old boy. We connected with the couple and their son. The other three never returned after the first night. A couple complaints about our dining experience: I never obtained Edgar’s assistances names, Edgar seemed way too busy to get to know him and when the waiter’s performed, it was always near the main entrance of the dining room and not at the tables. Minor I know, but it made the experience different and a little disappointing. The food was good and service was fine, just so impersonal.

We enjoyed the usual activities on sea days. DD spent the majority of her time at Camp, I hunted down trivia games, and DH enjoyed his bean bag toss and waiting for various free raffles. We also spent time on lido sunning ourselves, enjoying the pools and slides.

Next up Progresso.

[KirkNC]

So far so good, welcome home.

[Naomi John]

We chose to do a Carnival tour for Progresso called Salsa and Salsa. The tour started at the pier with an air conditioned bus to Merida. We first stopped at the oldest Cathedral in Mexico.

 

 

It has a 25 feet crucifix made from birch.

 

 

More photos from the Cathedral.

 

 

[Naomi John]

After the Church, as Merida is the Capital of the Yucatan State, we toured the governor's office where there were wonderful Murals on the walls telling the story of the Mayan and Spanish Conquest.

 

 

 

[Naomi John]

We walked from the main square to a little quaint hotel to begin our lesson in Salsa making. We made two Salsas and Guacamole.

 

The Salsas were: Chiltomate made with Roasted Safadet Tomatoes and Habanero Chili, and Drunken Salsa made with roasted Safadet and Green Tomatoes, Pasilla Chili Pepper and beer and tequila.

 

It was a lot of fun, and it helped they gave you three free drinks, the margaritas were very good.

 

 

 

 

Then we had Salsa dancing in the court yard, and a little relaxation.

 

 

 

At about 2:00 PM we boarded the bus and returned to the pier. It was a great time. I will say I thought it was a little pricey, about $80 for each adult and $70 for our DD.

[Naomi John]

So far so good, welcome home.

 

Thanks

[Naomi John]

Progresso was also the night of the Chef's Table. We did this in October on the Elation. We decided to book it again. DD ate with our table mates and DH and I went off for the fun. I have to compare the two experiences as there was a different menu from Elation. I can honestly say I liked the Elation menu better. I have attached the menu.

 

It begins in the main lobby where the head chef greats you and escorts you to a part of the galley. There we had champagne and bite size appetizers. I did not care for the Olives or dates. The Crudo was good, and Jam fritters were OK.

 

After the galley we went to the Library where the table was. The Chef explained each dish, and while we were eating, gave us a little back ground on him and some of the ships life. I think this was part of my negative experience. He just kept talking. On the Elation, the Chef would explain the dish, then leave to allow us to enjoy it. Another part I did not care for was in the middle of the meal, (i think after the cornish hen), the table magician came in and performed way too many magic tricks. It got really boring after the third trick, I was ready to eat some more. At least the wine was flowing and a very sweet young Asst. Team Waiter named Vitaly kept us well cared for. I also missed the fact there was no real salad and we received short ribs as the meat course instead of a nice steak like on the Elation. The food was very good overall, just the experience was not the same and a let down for me. This is my interpretation of the Chef's Table. Someone else might have enjoyed the things I did not.

Chef's Table0001.pdf

[Naomi John]

DD spent a lot of time at Camp Carnival. She did every scavenger hunt, ate dinner once and participated in swimming under the stars. She appeared to have a great time. 6-8 and 9-11 schedules attached.

 

Diane, from Canada, was one counselor for Camp Carnival. We met her on embarkation day when we dropped off our child’s paperwork during the camp open house, (after 8 cruises, we did not need to go to orientation). I will attempt to make a long story short. Our Daughter was interested in the “Fun at Sea…’til 3:00” party Cozumel Night, as she participated in it before. I advised it was either the party, or unlimited soda card, (she asked about it prior to the cruise and said all she wanted was one or two a day like her friends did). She chose the party, so we paid for it at that time, (embarkation day). During the cruise, my daughter helped the counselors explain and promote the party to others; however, they did not have enough children sign up to have the party. Diane, felt bad as she knew what our daughter gave up. Not only did Diane, (who was off from her duties), offer to and bring our Daughter to the “New Magic Show with Anders” that night, but she managed to have her participate and be part of the show. She then arranged to have Anders come to Camp the next night so our Daughter could get a picture with him, (she forgot her camera the night before). IMHO, Diane should get employee of the month for this alone.

 

I think Sparkles and one of her Guest Hosts named Lexie made an impression on DD as she had to hug them good-by the last day.

 

 

Anders the Magician

 

 

 

 

CD Sparkles and Lexie

 

 

Camp 6-8.pdf

Camp 9-11.pdf

Camp Info (2).pdf

[Naomi John]

This was probably the easiest debarkation I have ever done. The ship docked at 8:15 AM and began self assist at 9:00ish. We were off the ship and at our car by 9:30 am.

 

That's all. I attached the fun times. If you have any questions fire away.

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