Carnival Victory Review (with a toddler) - Feb 3-8 2014

[*Cassie*]

A little about us first. This was the second cruise for my husband (Andrew) and myself (Cassie) and the first for our daughter (Sophia, 14 months). We had a great time, however, cruising with a toddler is much, much different than when we cruised alone (although that pretty much goes for trying to do anything with a toddler...). Our cruise was on the Victory out of Miami and sailed to Grand Turk and Little Stirrup Cay. It was so nice to escape the Illinois winter and enjoy the gorgeous Caribbean weather!

And then we came home to this… Ugh…

 

 

 

Pre-cruise

We are from central Illinois and debated and debated on whether to fly or drive. We were worried about the whole car seat and public transportation debate plus we drove to Charleston, SC last summer with Sophia without any problems, so we eventually decided to just drive. Not sure we'll be doing that again, though. That was a very long drive!

We actually started our vacation on the morning of January 31st with driving down to my in-laws. They were going to watch our dog for us while we were gone. That was a 4 hour drive. The next morning (2/1) we started our long drive. I sat in the back with her to keep her entertained with toys and she thankfully did really well overall.

 

 

We drove around 8 hours and spent the night in Macon, GA. The next morning we got an early start to drive the rest of the way to Miami, another 8 hours. Along the way we had to make a stop at the Florida welcome center. I read on here that they hand out free Florida orange juice and grapefruit juice, so we had to try it out. And of course stopped for a photo op. Not sure why they had to leave that huge lift thing right in front of the sign, though.

 

 

Edited February 14, 2014 by *Cassie*

[*Cassie*]

We stayed at the Ramada Hialeah Miami Airport Hotel. It was the best deal I could find that was fairly close to the port. I actually was thinking it was closer but we still had a bit of a drive the next morning. The room was nice enough, nothing fancy, though.

 

 

Our lovely view!

 

 

We spent the rest of the night watching the Super Bowl before going to bed all excited for the next morning!

 

 

Up next… cruise day!!!

[Waterfreak2009]

Looking forward to reading this, were leaving the 25th, driving from IN. Sail on the 27th on Victory. Were also taking our 2yo daughter. Our 3rd cruise, first for her though. :)

[*Cassie*]

Looking forward to reading this, were leaving the 25th, driving from IN. Sail on the 27th on Victory. Were also taking our 2yo daughter. Our 3rd cruise, first for her though. :)

 

Hope you have a great time! Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[*Cassie*]

Embarkation Day

 

 

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

The next morning we got ready and took off to find some breakfast. The hotel didn’t have breakfast so we found a Dunkin Donuts just down the street. After eating we still had some time to kill, so we went back to the hotel and then packed up and checked out then headed over to the port!

 

She’s ready to go! Too bad she didn’t stay in this cute outfit for long…

 

 

 

Our first sighting!!! Bad pic taken on my phone, but still so excited to see it!

 

 

 

We decided to park at the port. The price is a little outrageous ($20/day) but it was very convenient so we went with it. They had both a garage and outdoor parking lots. We found a spot in the garage. Then once you walk up near the ship, you drop your luggage off to the left of this picture, then enter the building on the right.

 

 

 

We don’t have Passports and chose to just go with our birth certificates again. We didn’t have any issues at all and quickly moved through the security. Then on to get signed in. I believe we pulled up to the port a little after 11:00 and were walking onto the ship right at 12.

 

 

 

We went straight up to the Lido buffet for lunch. It was getting pretty crowded already, but we found a nice spot to sit at and watch Miami in the distance.

 

 

Edited February 15, 2014 by *Cassie*

[*Cassie*]

I went off to grab a little of this and that from the buffet (Italian) for Sophia and myself, while Andrew stayed at the table with her and then he got his food after.

 

 

 

After lunch we still had some time before our room would be ready, so we made our way to the back of the deck and found a place to sit and enjoy the view and soak in the warmth!

 

 

Andrew stayed with Sophia while I snuck off to take a few pictures up at the deck above us.

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

The Serenity area is right behind the entrance to the water slide. Oh how I would have loved to have spent some time back here. It was so nice and quiet! I secretly would love to do a solo cruise one day and just enjoy some quiet alone time. This would be the perfect spot for that!

 

 

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

I think we went to our room right around 1:30. We stayed in an interior room on deck 2.

 

 

 

 

 

We hadn’t asked for it, but they gave us a small crib for Sophia. We’re a co-sleeping family, so she didn’t sleep in it, but it was nice to keep her corralled in while we were trying to get ready.

 

 

[*Cassie*]

There are two closets that have a few hangers. I wish I would have thought to bring some of Sophia's child size hangers, but it wasn't a big deal since there were also drawers.

 

 

Thanks to someone on here for mentioning bringing a hanging organizer. It really came in handy!

 

 

 

The very pink bathroom:

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

We then went back to the Lido deck until Muster Drill. Miami is so beautiful!

 

 

We decided to also bring along our Ergobaby carrier and I’m so glad we did. It really came in handy to be able to move around the ship easier than with the stroller.

 

 

 

A couple ship photos while we waited:

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

After the Muster Drill, which seemed to take forever, we went to the forward “secret” deck on 7 for sail away.

 

The port was full today; Carnival Ecstasy, Norwegian Pearl and something else, and a couple Royal Caribbean ships were there with us.

 

 

 

Then we moved on to the Lido for the sail away party.

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

It was way too loud out there, though, so we found a quiet booth to watch Miami disappear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wrigley80]

Very nice start to your review. Where are you from in Illinois?? Were up by Rockford.

 

I have a client cruising on the Victory on Monday

Edited February 15, 2014 by wrigley80

[*Cassie*]

We then went back to our room. Our bags had all arrived so we unpacked and then got ready for dinner. We first went to check out what was at the Taste Bar, which is right next to the casino. Tonight was the Blue Iguana Cantina. They had a chicken, avocado, and lime tortilla soup and a roast pork, green chili salsa, aged cotija cheese, tortilla. We decided to pass on that and move on to the dining room.

 

 

We chose the Anytime Dining in the Atlantic Dining Room. We got there just before they were getting ready to open, so we sat to wait for just a couple minutes. I took that as a photo op. I’m a stay-at-home mom and don’t often get the opportunity to dress up, so I was looking forward to getting to pull my dresses out for the dining room.

Unfortunately this would be the only night to do so…

 

 

 

Sophia, of course, had just really discovered her voice this week and started to get a little loud with her jibber jabber a few times and we got a few stares, so we decided that would be our one and only night eating in the dining room. :(

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

I was happy they gave us our own table for 4 and pulled a high chair up for Sophia.

 

 

We also had a great view!

 

 

For starters, Andrew had a duck dish, can't remember it's exact name:

 

 

I had the chips and spinach dip. It was good, but too watery. I prefer a creamier dip.

 

 

I got Sophia the fresh fruit, but I shared with her. We both love our fruit and really enjoyed that each day of the cruise.

 

 

[*Cassie*]

Then Andrew had the lasagna. He went on and on about how good it was.

 

 

I had the Flat Iron steak and veggies. It was really good, too.

 

 

Sophia had the chicken nuggets and fries. She loved the nuggets. I wish they would have these at the grill.

 

 

And for dessert, Andrew had the Black Forest Gateau cake.

 

 

I had the strawberry cheesecake. Yum! Although thinking back I really wish I would have ordered the warm chocolate melting cake since we never got a chance to go back. Oh well, next time!

 

 

[*Cassie*]

As we were finishing dinner I could tell Sophia had reached her sitting still limit and wanted to get down and run. As we left the dining room we noticed the library was empty, so we went in there and shut the door and let her work off some energy for a bit.

 

 

We then walked over to the Lido to see what kind of options they have on the buffet for dinner. They had the lasagna that Andrew liked so much, and the Flat Iron steak, as well as several other things, so we decided that we would just stick with the buffet the rest of the cruise.

 

While there, we noticed this amazing looking dessert. I can’t remember now what it was called, but we had to split one. It was some kind of chocolate pudding with whipped topping. Might possibly have been my favorite dessert the whole cruise. Delish!

 

 

We walked around a bit and then went back to our room and discovered our first towel animal had arrived!

 

 

We were really bummed the Welcome Aboard show wasn’t until 10:15. That’s way past Sophia’s bedtime, and who are we kidding, our bedtime as well these days. We just hung out in the room for a bit and then decided to make a pit stop and get a snack before putting Sophia down to sleep.

 

I think the pizza had been sitting out for awhile. It wasn’t so great, but it worked. Then we crashed for the night.

 

 

[*Cassie*]

Very nice start to your review. Where are you from in Illinois?? Were up by Rockford.

 

I have a client cruising on the Victory on Monday

 

We're in Bloomington, so just a couple hours south of you. We're all snowed in today so I'm really missing the cruise right now. But I guess it gives me a chance to work on the next day of my review.

[tonic67]

Your daughter is SOOO Cute OMG.

 

Subscribing so I can read more.

 

The shoe holder thing, is that an odd size or did you cut it. Where'd you get it? Thanks.

 

Awesome review so far. Keep it coming.

 

Thanks again.

[*Cassie*]

Your daughter is SOOO Cute OMG.

 

Subscribing so I can read more.

 

The shoe holder thing, is that an odd size or did you cut it. Where'd you get it? Thanks.

 

Awesome review so far. Keep it coming.

 

Thanks again.

 

Aww thanks! I think she's pretty cute but I guess I'm a little biased. :)

 

No, I didn't cut it. I think it's pretty standard, not sure. I got it several years back. I'm thinking Walmart, but not positive on that.

[*Cassie*]

First Day At Sea

 

 

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

The next morning we were up around 7, our usual. No sleeping in on vacations with a toddler. Sophia played with her toys in the crib while we showered and got ready to go get some breakfast.

 

 

So one thing I noticed missing from our last cruise was the trays at the buffet. Not sure why they got rid of them, but it is now much harder to carry your silverware, drink, plate, bowl, any topping bowls, etc. Especially if you’re getting food for your little mini human as well! So you have to get creative with sticking your silverware in your pocket and do your best with balancing everything. We made it work.

 

 

Breakfast happens to be my favorite meal on the ship. Oh how I miss it! It’s so hard to go back to a bowl of cereal after having all of this for a week!

 

 

[*Cassie*]

After breakfast we went up to Camp Carnival. From 8-10 they have open play time for the under 2 year olds. There isn’t much for the under 2 cruisers, but here is what is available:

 

 

 

 

 

I saw a pamphlet on the age 2-5 year olds, so I grabbed that out of curiosity to see what they would have for her for our next cruise. Here is that info if anyone is interested.

 

 

 

 

[*Cassie*]

It was so nice to be able to set her free in a big enclosed room and let her play. Andrew brought her over to the toys and I had to fill out a form for her. Not sure why since we never left her there, but I guess just in case we came back and wanted to maybe. I think we were there for probably around an hour and she had all the toys to herself for half of that. Two other families then came to play.

 

 

 

The seas were pretty rough this day and I was really feeling it, especially up here on deck 11. It wasn’t helping sitting still, so I wanted to move around and hope that would feel better.

We decided to go check out the mini golf course. It was super windy up there, though, so we decided against that. And unfortunately we never made it back.

 

 

Lots of people out soaking up the warm sun.