SMSACE6'S limited but good review of Carnival Victory Oct26-31

[SMSACE6]

yes it will be a very limited review, because I actually did not do much of

anything on this cruise due to a sudden flare up of some painful back issues.

It kept me very low key, but I still had a great cruise, albeit a quiet one.

 

I had a porthole room on Riviera deck 1206, it was a good room, clean (shh. well there was a bit of dust on the tv stand), but I have dust on my tv stand

back home too. It was not an issue for me at all. I saw no cracked tile in the

bathroom, only a few bits of grout were a little dark, still no biggie to me, just

mentioning it since so many do seem to mention it. I had a flat screen tv in

the room also. Steward was great, and for a forward cabin on Riviera deck this

cruise was one of the smoothest I have ever had. I heard the waves some

nights, but not loud enough to disturb me, and certainly felt minimal ship/ocean movement.

 

The food was good to very good. I thought that the buffet was not bad at all for a buffet. It was crowded, and the lineups were not so much long, as they just did not seem to move very fast. I noticed a lot of peeps pondering what food they would take for quite a while before actually choosing something. perhaps this slowed things down a bit, but again, not enough to be a negative. I also did not miss guy burgers or blue iguana. I did have a couple of burgers from the grill, and found them to be pretty decent. The best food was to be had in the MDR, and I found both the food and service to be excellent. I had your time dining, and had different wait teams on the three occasions that I went to the dining room, and they were all great. I was always in and out of there in about and hour. That works for me, especially when I am alone. I forgot to mention, that I cruised solo again, and this is not something new for me. I actually enjoy my me time very much.

 

more to come

[SMSACE6]

Please forgive my formatting and typos, this is the first time that I am posting a review here on the forums boards.

 

I spent a lot of time relaxing on deck three just outside from the atrium, deck three, and they had both loungers and armchairs out there, and it was never crowded or noisy. It was a great place to read, and listen to the ocean.

I also spent some time in the casino, and finally scored 1000 points and a drinks on us card on day 4 of the cruise, so I had one evening and a whole day to make good use of it:D

 

I thought the ship was clean and well maintained. I even liked the décor in some places. I liked the green atrium, and enjoyed the atrium bar for mai tais,

and bahama mama's. The promenade was a little garish with those red pillars and blue lions outside of the casino, but it grew on me. I am one of the few who actually like the old Farcus décor, and yes I know that I am weird!:eek:

 

Going backward a bit, I had fttf, and it did seem to go as it should on boarding day. They called milestone, diamond and platinum first, then fttf. I saw not rushing, pushing or anything like that, it was all very orderly. Now...fast forward to debarkation day. Having zone 1, meant I could get off right after self assist. What I was not expecting was for half the ship to be self assisting. This resulted in mass pandemonium down in the customs hall by the time I got there and the customs line was LONG. very LONG. I booked fttf for early debark to avoid lines which wreak havoc on my back, and my back took a beating this day. In fairness though the Miami port staff did a great job of directing lines, and the lines did move quick enough. I am thinking that I might not book fttf again though because of this.

 

more to come.

[SMSACE6]

Ports of call were Grand Turk and Amber Cove.

 

way back when I booked this cruise, I posted over on the ports of call board, a question about how long it would be to walk down the beach to Jack's shack, and I got lots of replies and realised that while not long or difficult for most, this would be impossible for me. Some one then suggested I take a cab there, which are reasonably priced. So that was my plan. I am sad to say I did not make it. By the time I hobble that pier, I was just in too much pain, and had lost my appetite completely. I rested a while and and then hobbled back to the ship.

 

Once back on board, I noticed that the casino was open! I have never seen this before on any ship or cruise line, while docked in a port. Can anyone tell me why this was an exception today? just curious, and yes of course I had to go in make a deposit. I also went up to Serenity later and enjoyed a mango swirl up there on an almost deserted deck, but boy was it hot! and very little shade. Nice looking hot tubs though.

 

more to come

[SMSACE6]

Entertainment. sorry I did not see much, did not go to piano bar, or to the comedians. I saw part of one show, and thought it was quite good. I had come in late though, and had a very uncomfortable seat and poor view, so I only stayed about 20 mins. What I saw was good. Also I enjoyed the latin music that they played in the atrium. There was also a good singer with guitar, and the band outside the casino were pretty good too. Sorry I forget the names.

 

I missed dinner on elegant night. I was just not hungry again. Im sure anyone who lives with chronic pain will understand how it can dim your appetite, so that evening I just did have the will to get dressed up for it. Too bad because I really did want to try those new menu items that replaced the lobster on cruises less than 6 days. But the three days that I went to the mdr were all great, food and service. No complaints on the food. I also enjoyed the grill, the deli, chopsticks and and room service. That room service chocolate cake really is THAT good! wish I had known earlier, I would have ordered a piece every day. Also when the buffet got crowded, I went upstairs and found lots of empty tables. Never a problem.

 

more to come.

[SMSACE6]

Ok now on to Amber cove.

 

When we were pulling into Amber Cove, my heart sank when I saw that pier. That is one LONG pier. I knew I could not walk that one, and I almost cried thinking that I had come all this way from Canada and would not see it. Then just as they had finished tieing up, I saw them. BIG TAXI. They were bicycles with a little buggy behind them, and it was a no fee service. I was so relieved to see them, and my heart picked up again, and so once the crowd had gotten off, I got off and took one of those buggies into the port. I tipped him 5.00 each way, and think they deserve every cent if not more. This just made all the difference for me getting to see Amber Cove.

 

there are lots of waterfalls, and some cabanas out on the water, but I don't think the cabanas were available yet because I saw no people in or around them. The pool was open and looked beautiful. I wished I had brought my swim wear, oh well another time I hope.

 

There still are not a lot of shops open, maybe 4 or 5, but there are lots of buildings with signs in the windows saying retail coming soon. In the duty free shop they had Dominican republic coffee which I bought along with some souvenirs.

 

The hills surrounding the area are pretty with palm trees, quite lush looking.

There is no beach per se; but I did see a small one to the left of the port area, but I saw no hotel, or chairs, and it was small, so not sure what the swimming is like there or if you can swim there or not, or how to get to it, it is outside of the amber cove complex.

 

All in all Amber Cove is very nice, and has lots of potential.

 

I took another big taxi back to the ship. Thank you big taxi for making my day.:)

[SMSACE6]

I will add things as I think of them.

 

I am not one who really cares who the cruise director is, but I do notice them. Marcelo Alvaredo? was quite ok. I only ever saw him on the tv in my room, but I also did not go to the places where he would be seen. His announcements were not too frequent or annoying in any way. I thought he was doing a fine job.

 

One thing, and probably the only thing that malfunctioned for the want of a better term, was that one night I put the continental breakfast door hanger out on my door for room service breakfast next morning. Next morning I waited and waited, past the delivery time, then called room service, and could not get through, and when I looked outside the door, there it was, still hanging there. No big deal though, I just braved the crowds and went up to lido:)

 

So really I have no complaints of any worth. Clean ship, the ship's crew are pretty much mostly sincere in trying to make your cruise the best. I cant say enough good stuff about the staff. Great room steward, dining staff, bar serviers, casino staff (sorry don't know about the tables). Drink service in the casino was excellent.

 

At some point down the road I may revive this to add some photos. But first I have to upload them to photobucket.

 

Thanks for reading, my totally mixed up and out of order review.:D

Edited November 1, 2015 by SMSACE6

[funship freddy]

Thanks for the review. I have been on Victory (years ago) and will be sailing again January 2016. glad the food was good. This will be a Boy's cruise so the food just needs to be ok. Platinum so no need for FTTF. :):)

[SMSACE6]

thanks. Enjoy the Victory. She is now right up there among my favorites:)

[SMSACE6]

Just thought of one more thing. Room temperature!

 

There was a gadget, but you could not adjust it to cooler, only to warmer. Now come on...who wants a warm room when you can bake all day on deck.

I would have preferred the room just a tad cooler, but it was not really bad, and just like on the Freedom, for some reason, by 3am, the room seemed to a better temp. Almost seemed they were controlling the temps centrally somehow. Perhaps they are. Anyhow....room temp was decent but could have been better.

[jimbo5544]

Very much enjoyed reading your review, especially in regards to Amber Cove. Sorry you were not able to enjoy your cruise as much as you would have liked to.

[SMSACE6]

Very much enjoyed reading your review, especially in regards to Amber Cove. Sorry you were not able to enjoy your cruise as much as you would have liked to.

 

Thanks Jimbo. I do hope to get back again to Grand Turk and Amber Cove, and hopefully in better condition (something for me to work on) and I like to stay positive. You seem to know a lot, so do you have any idea why the ship's casino would be open in Grand Turk? I am just curious, since I have never seen this anywhere else. Thanks.

[jimbo5544]

Thanks Jimbo. I do hope to get back again to Grand Turk and Amber Cove, and hopefully in better condition (something for me to work on) and I like to stay positive. You seem to know a lot, so do you have any idea why the ship's casino would be open in Grand Turk? I am just curious, since I have never seen this anywhere else. Thanks.

We have been there a few times but to be honest never noticed it (or passed through during the time we were at the dock0. My guess (and that is all it is) is that because they control this port (and built it up) they have the option of keeping it open while in port. In other ports, they pay for time there (and a certain formula based upon headcount and length of time in port is contracted).

[LMaxwell]

Thabks for posting this. Exterior lower promenade decks are some of my favorite spots to relax. Good to know there are loungers and should find shade under the lifeboats.

 

When you say you had a porthole was it an interior with a porthole or oceanview? I'm deck 2 oceanview and thought they were all picture window?

[SMSACE6]

We have been there a few times but to be honest never noticed it (or passed through during the time we were at the dock0. My guess (and that is all it is) is that because they control this port (and built it up) they have the option of keeping it open while in port. In other ports, they pay for time there (and a certain formula based upon headcount and length of time in port is contracted).

 

sounds like a good possible reason, thanks:)

[SMSACE6]

Thabks for posting this. Exterior lower promenade decks are some of my favorite spots to relax. Good to know there are loungers and should find shade under the lifeboats.

 

When you say you had a porthole was it an interior with a porthole or oceanview? I'm deck 2 oceanview and thought they were all picture window?

 

it was a 1a category, and truly only two little portholes, but still a good deal for me, and still lets me look out in the morning to see if we are near any land. They are truly good deals for solo travellers, who want to pay the lowest possible price.

 

Oceanview, should only be oceanview, which has a single larger window, and a much better view. I had a deck two oceanview on Liberty six years ago and loved it. They are still large rooms, and the window is quite large, and much better view than portholes. If your booking shows oceanview, than that would not mean portholes. Enjoy the Victory.

 

I am having trouble uploading photos to photobucket, but will persevere and try to get some photos up eventually. Are you going to Amber Cove? or you going the western route?

 

Also that oceanview deck 2 on Liberty was a quiet room, with very little motion felt, loved it.

Edited November 1, 2015 by SMSACE6

[SMSACE6]

I am going to try to add some photos

 

guess it did not work

 

I will keep plugging away at it.

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited November 2, 2015 by SMSACE6

[jimbo5544]

I am going to try to add some photos

 

guess it did not work

 

I will keep plugging away at it.

 

 

 

 

 

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It is frustrating. I have found that tinypic dot com works well for me. Maybe give it a try.

[SMSACE6]

thanks, I am still perservering. Photobucket has changed I think, nothing seems to work.

[gramgoingcruising]

Thank you SMSACE6 for your wonderful review. Sorry you had back pain during your trip. Never fun. Your review covered all the areas I would be interested in and was nice to read to the point information and not All the negative. Will be waiting to see your pictures. Thanks again for taking the time. Gram

[LMaxwell]

Thank you for taking the time to share the information. Also looking forward to pics if Phobotbucket will cooperate with you

[jimbo5544]

thanks, I am still perservering. Photobucket has changed I think, nothing seems to work.

Tinypic will work with whatever your holder of the pics is. That is one of the reasons I switched to using it.

[SMSACE6]

[SMSACE6]

Woohoo! more photos of Amber Cove to come!:)

 

I am still going to check out tinypic, thanks

[SMSACE6]

 

[SMSACE6]