Victory 10/8 Review - A Short One!

[2IfByC]

I could go on and on about the ups and downs of our Inaugural Family Cruise on the Carnival Victory 10-08-06 of of Norfolk. Instead I will spare everyone my long-windedness :) and submit this.... please feel free to ask questions if you need more information.

 

This was my 3rd cruise with DH – our first with our kids (16, 11, 2-and-1/2). We chose Carnival because of their “family friendly” reputation and the fact that we could drive to the port. Here goes:

 

THE GOOD: Service was outstanding- the best we’ve had in the dining room; the stateroom was spacious with tons of storage; the ship was very clean and well-maintained (with only one or two minor exceptions). Every crew member we met or passed in the hall was very friendly… especially to our little girl. It was just a delightful crew. Finally, we loved being able to wait in our stateroom during the hours of disembarkation.. instead of being herded into a common area with limited bathrooms and no food for hours.

 

THE BAD: Cruise Director Malcolm just wasn’t that great in our opinion. He tried, but he just didn’t have the quick wit or sense of fun that we’ve found in other CD’s. He just seemed to lack the spark we expect in a CD. The entertainment staff (the folks who ran the various activities) were not so hot, either. Not funny or that engaging. Also, the lines and the layout of the buffet were RIDICULOUS. We always had a 5-10 minute wait to get food at the buffet… regardless of the time of day. In addition, the layout of the Victory was very confusing and a bit odd. We knew from research that deck 5 was the key to navigating the ship… still it seemed like a very choppy layout and the food and shopping areas were always packed.

 

It would have been nice – since we have a toddler – if the Carnival rep who helped me book told me our rooms were right above the Caribbean Lounge (Theater)… as the shows were VERY loud in our stateroom at night and it was hard for my little one to sleep. Before anyone tells me I should have checked deck plans.... I did. On our RC cruise we were also above the theater... we never heard a peep. (Maybe the answer is to have DH spring for a Suite higher up next time around;) )

 

And last, the weather was also bad and the ship was REALLY rocking (in 7-12 foot waves) the first 18 hours… but that’s not Carnival’s fault… we just need a bigger ship!

 

THE SO-SO: The food was OK. Not great. Not terrible. Just OK. A few exceptions at dinner-time where it rose to the level of great.

 

THE UGLY: Embarkation was terrible. I know the ship doesn’t regularly cruise out of Norfolk, but the lines were long and slow and things seemed very disorganized. Our FastPass meant nothing. The entire process of getting our family and our luggage to our stateroom took hours. We missed many of the Welcome Aboard activities because we were standing in line to get on-board… and we arrived at the pier early!

 

DO IT AGAIN? Maybe. You definitely a great value cruising with Carnival. And the service and crew were wonderful. But we found there was more to do on a Royal Caribbean ship and since our kids didn’t really go to Camp Carnival or the O2 lounge like we thought they would… we will probably try a different line next cruise. We’re not ruling out a future Carnival cruise, just not planning on it at this point.

 

As far as the Bahamas, we spent 2 days at Atlantis. It was heaven and our kids were overjoyed. Freeport was, as I had read on other boards, a big bust. I'd be glad to help anyone with ideas/info/answers about what we did specifically and how.

 

Hope this is helpful.

[direfun2000]

Did they have a piano player in the piano bar? Did you go?

[habby]

Did they have a piano player in the piano bar? Did you go?

 

Funny, that was my first question, too. We spent much too much time and money in the casino in the past (not that we didn't have fun) and I was hoping the piano bar and/or karaoke bar would be cheaper.

 

Of course, direfun, we're going to be expecting a report on this when you get back!!!

 

 

And to 2IfByC, thanks for a great short review. Gives us the chance to ask specific questions. (If I come up with another one, I'll ask)

[2IfByC]

Did they have a piano player in the piano bar? Did you go?

 

With all three young 'uns on board with us we didn't have chance to get to the piano bar on this trip.... BUT we did walk by and hear some delightful tunes coming from the piano. Wish we could have stopped in.

 

The jazz group that was playing in the lounge across from our Dining Room was WONDERFUL. My toddler stopped and danced almost every night on our way to/from dinner.

 

And the trio playing in the main Lobby (piano, flute and violin) was really teriffic also. We sat and listened to them several times.

[habby]

piano bar on this trip.... BUT we did walk by and hear some delightful tunes coming from the piano. Wish we could have stopped in.

 

The jazz group

And the trio playing in the main Lobby (piano, flute and violin) was really teriffic also. We sat and listened to them several times.

 

Thanks for the heads up!! Hopefully there will still be some good tunes in April (at least for now I know there's a chance!)

[nybumpkin]

Thanks for the heads up!! Hopefully there will still be some good tunes in April (at least for now I know there's a chance!)

The jazz group in the Ionian Lounge (Michael James trio) are aboard until January. We liked them a lot too.

[Arizona Laura]

What cabin were you in?

Sorry to hear about the negs.

Going to be on the Victory in Jan.

First cruise so I won't have anything to compare with.

A little nervous about bad weather or motion sickness but you don't know till you try and always can consider patch, Dramamine etc..

Next time will probably try bigger ship too but then you hear negs about that as well.

Thanks.

[2IfByC]

What cabin were you in?

Sorry to hear about the negs.

Going to be on the Victory in Jan.

First cruise so I won't have anything to compare with.

A little nervous about bad weather or motion sickness but you don't know till you try and always can consider patch, Dramamine etc..

Next time will probably try bigger ship too but then you hear negs about that as well.

Thanks.

 

Hi Laura,

 

First let me wish you a wonderful cruise. I'm sure you will have an amazing time. And I am sure you will love the Victory. I know it's always a little tough to read negative things about a ship you've already booked... but I hope you got the impression from my brief review that we really did have a great time... I just wanted to give a balanced, accurate account of our trip.

 

We were in balcony cabins 6230 and 6234 port-side (we LOVE portside) toward the front of the Victory. **The "secret" deck on deck 6 all the way forward is really a quiet, deserted spot to enjoy. Make sure if you go out there you look back up at the bridge and wave to the Captain and crew!:cool: **

 

Like I said this was our thrid cruise. I had a one-day queasy problem on our first one (Princess) years ago. For our RC cruise last year I just took a Bonine tablet once a day - starting the night before we left - and never had a problem. I should have done the same thing this time, just as insurance, but in my last minute packing I put the Bonine in my suitcase which didn't get to our stateroom until 8:00pm after we were at sea. Remember the Purser's desk does have medicine if you need it. And I did see many people with those patches. Regardless, I wish you smooth seas.

 

Of course you'll always hear both sides of the big ship/smaller ship debate. I'm sure you'll be hooked on cruising after your Victory trip and you'll be able to try different ships and figure it out for yourself. As for us, we've never had a negative experience on a bigger ship... we've never felt herded or crowded or cramped.

 

Let me know if there's anything else I can tell you about our cruise.

 

Bon voyage!

[habby]

Laura,

 

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Of course, you know that we're going to want to hear all about it. Which itinerary will you be doing? I know Victory does Eastern, Western and Canada. We're going West this time.

[Arizona Laura]

Thanks.

I am pretty new to the CC and sometimes I am taken back how rude some of the replies are. Very sarcastic but then some are very warm and sincere. On the whole is positive...Thanks for being so kind.

We are going to Eastern Caribbean and planning our excursions finally.

We have hired Bernard for St Martin and are planning our itinery with him.

We are still planning San Juan and St Thomas.

I am going with a nice group of people..all kinds..so it should be great fun.

I can't wait to go..and have learned alot on this site so many thanks to everyone...Laura

PS Cannot wait to try Miami Vice and Kiss on the Lips....

[habby]

Thanks.

I am pretty new to the CC and sometimes I am taken back how rude some of the replies are. Very sarcastic but then some are very warm and sincere. On the whole is positive...

 

PS Cannot wait to try Miami Vice and Kiss on the Lips....

After you've been here a while you get to know personalities, and who is kidding when. A lot of it is better than a soap opera!! There are lots of stories behind lots of things people post that only make sense to a handful. You'll learn how to ignore a lot.

 

Anyway, Miami Vice and Kiss on the Lips ........... YUMMY!!:)

[arcone]

We will be on the Victory in less then a "MONTH" who counting? me :p Me :) ME :D . How was the disembrakation on each port of call. Also was the line on getting back on the ship?

Also is there table and chairs on open deck? Is there hot chocolate by the coffee urns? or is there hot chocolate packs and you add the hot water? Did you have help finding your cabin?

Is the Victory a small ship? We are taking our digital camera was there a machine available so that you could have picture made on the spot from your digital card? Thanks

[volfan22701]

as the OP. it was our first cruise, and we had a blast. loved the ship and the whole experience. agree the first night, and morning the sea was very rough. quite a sight to see water coming out of the pools and running across the deck. my son loved malcolm, but agree he was a bit corny, although we have no other CD to compare to. loved Nassau, but Freeport was not much, and wouldn't want to go back.

i think there was hot chocolate machines next to each coffee machine. did not have any myself, but my wife did.

as to whether the Victory is a small ship, i guess it depends on what you have been on. it sure seemed large to us, had no trouble finding my way around though.

 

this cruise hooked us, and we have started researching our next one.

it will be a Carnival also, because of the treatment we received on the Victory.

[VentureMan_2000]

Pretty fair report... thanks for sharing.

 

Give Malcom a big Whooo-Hooo for me... :D

[LHP]

Thanks for pointing out the good and the bad to help others in the future.

I agree the Carnival rep should have used a little common sense about your cabin location. And yes looking at those deck plans is nice, but they are not always accurate. One time a stateroom showed 1 upper (on the website and in their booklets) and it turned out to be a 2 upper. Not a problem for us, but accurate info helps.

 

Sounds like you still had a good time.

Happy Cruising!!