Triumph Review July 2-7 NY to Canada

[ANewCruiser]

We just got back, so things are still fresh in my mind.

The cruise was wonderful!!

We did have a few complaints, but overall a very good time.

I will try to give a brief overview, but will be glad to answer any questions.

 

Embarkation- We got to the pier around 10:45. Perfect timing. We were about 5th in a line for pre-check in . They then sit you in a large room in rows. About 11:30 we were lined up-very orderly by rows into the next large room for check in. We had Skippers Club check in,but it was not really necessary if you get their early. We then were taken to a line to board and were on the ship by 12 noon! Yummy hamburgers and 1st drink of the day by 12:15!!!

Very smooth.

 

Dining Room Assignment- A problem here. We told our TA when we booked last Dec. we needed early seating. SNAFU- We got the late! (8:30).So we were told to report to the Matre D at 1:00. The line was long for this, but we got on it. Most people were there to see where they were eating and all wanted tables by windows. What happened next reminded me of "Dorothy going to see the Almighty and Powerful OZ!!!" He spoke from a raised platform directed by an assistant to what side you are to speak from. It was quite intimidating. He did change us to 5:45. Well when we did report for dinner, we were sitting with another couple and their 8 yr old. These people did not talk!! Not friendly at all. The child spend most of the time playing game boy. After two nights of stuggling to make conversation, we nixed the dining room and went to the buffet. I didn't want to beg to OZ to ask for another change!!!

Needless to say.. we did not tip the Matre D. Sorry!!

 

Room- Abolutely gorgeous. We had a Cat. 12 Balcony Suite. Nice-very nice.

John was our Steward. He was courteous and accomodating. We tipped him well as he earn it. Room was very clean and ice was always there for us. BEWARE- I heard on this message board about charging for a bottle of water left in the room. They did it to our S&S account 1hr before debarkation. I made sure this was taken off!!

 

Entertainment/Casino - We enjoyed all the shows. "Not so Newlywed game" was a hoot! Cruise director was Matt Ross- very funny guy.

Casino was fine. Slots were good. I won two big payouts on 5c machines. I usually play 25c but not too many video 25c machines. Came home with more then I spent and two Ocean Players Club tee shirts!

 

Ports of Call- St. John - We did the St. John Highlights tour. It was ok.

Ate lunch at Steamers -right by the pier. Delicous!! Recommended!

Halifax- Beautiful city- We did the Peggys Cove tour. That was ok too, but DH is ready to move to Halifax!! Very pretty city. Safe, lots to do, casino:D !

 

Day 4 at sea- Fog/ rain. Time to rest. spend more money in casino. More Drinks of the Day!! Had no idea what they were called but good each day!!

 

Debarkation- 8:30 was take off your own bags. We chose general debarkation because Limo was not coming until 10 am. The ship was cleared by customs at 9am. They no longer call by color or floor. It was "everyone off at once". So we held back about 1/2 hr. in then Rome lounge. and there still was a long line, but it moved. Then we quickly found our bags and had to wait about 45 min. because the limo was late due to Security in the NY tunnels.

We here home by 11:45.

 

Thanks to all of you here at Cruise Critics for all of your advice and tips that I spent months reading to get ready for a great cruise experience. I will definatly recommended this cruise. As for the dining experience, I am not hard to please, so maybe I would stress more to my travel agent next time about the seating. As for the stick in the muds we sat with ..I know Carnival has no control over this.

Thanks again, ANewCruiser-( who is ready to go again!!)

[Deb&Bert]

Sounds like you had a great time..

We are leaving for the 4 day in Aug. and I can't wait.

Did you take fall type clothes??? I am having a hard time trying to

pack.. We always do the Caribbean cruises so this is a first for us.

 

Did you do a tour in halifax. Or just walk around.. We are thinking

about renting a car.

 

Thanks alot

Deb

[MrPete]

There she is!

 

 

http://live7.truelook.com/face/newface.jsp?func=live&name=/strends/esb/NorthView&pan=-66.41339&tilt=-6.1866074&panfov=12.458864&tiltfov=9.710978&overlay=default&skin=default&useapplet=true&time=1120770837382&width=640&height=480&quality=65&catalogname=catalog&zoom=3.7483354&imagemap.x=128&imagemap.y=144&imagemap.w=311&imagemap.h=165

[SanFranBayCruiser]

I've done this cruise twice myself and loved it both time. Didn't know there is a casino in Halifax!! :D Is it close to the pier??!?!?

[ANewCruiser]

Deb and San Fran,

I am so glad I brought capri pants along, because in the ports it was cool: 70 ish, but on the ship it was chilly. Especially on the upper decks! Brrrrrrrrr. Very windy too! My DH had to buy a sweatshirt and he is always overheating. I had a light sweatshirt jacket.

We did the Highlights tour in Halifax and you certainly would have time to do that and also tour the city on foot. As far as renting a car. Yes if you want to go to Peggy's cove- its about 35-40 min. away by bus. But getting around the city. Not needed. You can walk the harbour- they have a nice paved walkway or walk through the city- a short distance from the pier. They also have a free city bus service called the FRED Bus. I don't know what FRED stands for though. We did not utilize this. We walked. If I do go back someday, I would have like to do the Titanic tour.. but was and still would be hesitant doing this while on a cruise.

The casino was at the end of the harbour walk about a 15 min walk from the pier.

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Good to know! Thanks for sharing that tidbit and your review!

[justloud]

I am soooo glad to be reading posts from the Triumph as we are going on the 25th. Very glad to hear you had a good experience. Did you have any children traveling with you? Another post said the water slide was closed on their cruise, was it on yours? Were people able to use the pools or was it too cold? Thanks again for posting!:)

[ANewCruiser]

The slide was open all days.

No, we did not go on it. Our children 13 and 15 are in Florida visiting with my sister. I am flying tomorrow to pick them up and spend a few days there.

This sailing had a nice mix of couple-various age groups and also families with children(all ages)-but all well behaved. We also saw some single travellers.

[MrPete]

They also have a free city bus service called the FRED Bus. I don't know what FRED stands for though. We did not utilize this.

 

Free

Rides

Everywhere

Downtown

 

When you go in reverse, you board DERF.:eek:

[derf5585]

Free

Rides

Everywhere

Downtown

 

When you go in reverse, you board DERF.:eek:

 

An acronym for "Flipping Ridiculous Electronic Device";

1. The personal name most frequently used as a metasyntactic

variable (see foo)

from

http://dict.die.net/fred/

[joleda]

Thanks for the post. We will be on her for a second time in 2 weeks. Never went north before. Is there music poolside like in the warm climates? I have heard it is much less "fun Ship" then the caribbbean. We just got off of the Valor 3 weeks ago and are taking this 5 day quickie the 21st. My dad and half sister will be traveling with the 4 of us.. Dad was on the Majesty 10 years ago. Never on a mega ship. His Daughter has never been on a cruise. I was hoping to still see the great time we have poolside on all of our past cruises. How was the fog? I hear the horns blow quite often.

 

Thanks!

[MrPete]

Is there music poolside like in the warm climates? How was the fog? I hear the horns blow quite often.

 

Thanks!

 

There is a bandstand, and they play the music.

 

Was lucky on both my runs north, and never encountered fog. Ergo, no horn for me!

 

Didn't notice any difference from a Caribbean cruise, where all appeared to be having a good time.

[joleda]

Thanks Pete. Sounds good. I just want them to have a great time like we always do. Being it's going north for our first time I was unsure what to expect. I have never been on a bad cruise anyway! Just get me on a ship! The horn wouldn't bother me anyway, I sleep pretty soundly after a few drinks. I know my dad probably would think it's cool. It still didn't sink in that we booked this after being back only 2 weeks from the Valor! Bags are still out from that one!

 

Dave

[ANewCruiser]

Joleda,

Yes, we had music on the Lido deck, but on our last sea day, it was rainy and foggy, so we were in the Lobby Bar enjoying piano music- sorry I am old!

 

Fog horn- two nights in a row it was going off every 1 to 1.5 min. We met a couple from the Spa deck who said it was really loud up there.

We were on the Empress deck and you did hear it but I eventually fell asleep. Don't worry - all in all we had a wonderful time. It was part of the sounds of sea! ;)

[ckruzer]

Excellent review. I too have sailed the Triumph (twice) but to the Caribbean...one of the nicest of the Carnival fleet. Question: How was debarkation at the ports? With all of the security, did it take long to get off the ship?

[ANewCruiser]

ckruser-

Debarkation at the Canadian ports was simple. They punch your S&S card into a machine to get off the ship. To get back on you show a passport or photo id to get on board then you punch back in with your S&S card and go through xray.

Debarkation in NY- As I said in my original post, we chose general debarkation and we didn't even attempt to go down too early. The line was long and up through the stairways, but it moved. At the exit, they punch out your S&S card and you then walk off the ship and through the big room with all the bags organized by color of your luggage tag to find yours. Then we walked right through the customs area and were not even checked there.

[mwoodrowe]

was the pool open when you got on board? i am traveling with a 10 year old and i am sure he'd be happy if it was open. thanks beth

[ANewCruiser]

mwoodrowe,

yes the pool, whirlpool and slides were all open at embarkation.

Have a great time!