Just Back From Triumph 7/24/04! Review.

[Tropicalconcrete]

O.K. so here's another review. Some backround info first. We were a group of 12 celebrating my 43rd and MIL 70th birthdays. Youngest was my daughter age 6 and oldest was FIL age 73. Three families in early 40's with inlaws and some kids 18 and 20. We have all cruised before.

 

So, now that the baseline is done here goes. There is no point doing a minute by minute so we will just look at the different areas.

 

1. Embarkation: This was good and simple. Took about an hour from arriving til onboard. By 12:30, staterooms were ready (Panorama Deck 1059, 1060 and 1061).

 

2. Food: I had heard time and time again about how good the food is. Well, not really. It is ok but nothing to write home (or here) about. The SouthBeach Cafe was like an assembly line at a cheap lunch room with industrial foods. The dining room was a 5 of 10 in terms of quality. Everything was ok but nothing was done to perfection. The pizza and burgers were good and my daughter and I visited them alot but sometimes I think they seemed so good because the other food was not? The frozen yogourt is GREAT! Best part of the cruise dining. The diningroom staff could not have been nicer. We had Sang as our waiter and he went out of his way to make things right. After the first night, he had cheese fries ready each time my youngest walked in.

 

3. Daytime Activities: If you want to become deaf in a week, go on the Lido Deck. The music was so loud, it rattled the hand rails. I spent all of five minutes there the whole cruise. The contests were sort of corny although people did seem to enjoy them. I didn't do Bingo but the older kids had some fun. The daytime (newlywed, family freud, etc) shows were ok if that's your thing but seemed a little corny to our group.

 

4. Camp Carnival: This was a hit with my 6 year old. She made some great friends and had a good time. She always wanted to go back after diner and play til 10:00 pm. We actually had drinks and cigars with the other kids parents in the Oxford bar a few nights. Staff seemed to really have fun.

 

5. Nightime Activities: My wife and I are blackjack player so we didn't go to the night shows but some of our group did including the seniors and they were not that inpressed. They reported as just so so. The casino was fun and we covered our sail and sign bill with winnings so can't complain! Rudolf and Ellie and great dealers and really want you to win. The midnight "gala" dinning, was poor. Again, the food thing wasn't good (and I'm being nice).

 

6. Staff: These people were great. They work really hard to make the cruise a pleasurable experience. Our cabin stewart Ann Marie, was a doll. The wait staff in the casino and bars called us by name from day two. These folks work their butts off. They are to be complimented.

 

7. Ports of Call: San Juan is useless and should be discontinued. By the time you get there, thing are closing and you are hungry so you spent most of your time looking for a place to eat and then back to the ship. Also, there are alot of beggars and disabled peolpe on the streets and they scared my kids.

St. Thomas is pretty. We went to Saphire beach and snorkled for a while. The Iguanas running the beach are quite a site and the kids loved chasing them and being chased back. Then we went to Paradise Point which has a great view of the harbor plus a great drink called the Bushwacker! After this it was shopping at the docks. Seemed to me that there were 200 stores all selling the same things.

St. Martin was also nice. We spent the morning in Marigot at a craft sale on the docks and in the afternoon, spent time at Great Bay eating, shopping on Front street, walking the beach and smoking Cuban cigars.

I think they could do better by getting ride of San Juan and staying in the other ports longer or adding somethine else.

 

8. Days At Sea: These were fun and the family had a great time being with each other (just find a quiet deck like the back area on deck 9). The slide is great for the youngers kids.

 

9. Disembarking: We chose the option of early dismisal and it is the only way to go if you can. The ship got to Miami around 5:00 am, we were released at 7:30 and in our car by 8:30. The rest of the family from the north got to change to an earlier flight.

 

10. Cruise Director Carlos: All I can say is "I wished he would have shut up every once in a while!

 

Now, all that that has been said and done, let me sum up my (and the rest of my crews) feeling about this trip. We had a great time being together and always make the best of times when together. We have all agreed though, that we will NEVER sail with Carnival again. Why you ask? Well it's there passengers and the level of quality (or lack of) that they provide. I know I'm going to get flamed for this but, IT IS A WAL-MART cruise. I have never been so nickel and dimed in my life by a company. Buy this, buy that, play this play that (all for a $). We got the felling that we were sailing on the Blue Light Special. There is absolutly NO refinement of any kind on this cruise. You see the commercials and think that that is how it will be but in reality, you are a herded peice of cattle that needs to be moved, fed and gotten back off the ship. There is absolutely NO class at all aboard this ship.

I sailed Carnival years ago and remembered the party days and although many have said that it has changed, it has not. I know that this level of cruising is very popular and a big money maker for CCL but, if you want any class or refinement, try another line. It's like going to diner at the early bird special in a retirement community. They have fantastic people at Carnival but it's the wrong crowd for us. We will be trying Princess in a few months and maybe that will be different. Lord I hope so. Don't want to have to go to Silver Seas.

 

OK so now go ahead and let me have it. You people are great and I feel like your family here on this board and I thank you for all your help but, this was just a huge disapointment for my group. I know alot of you love Carnival and I am glad for you.

[finoky]

Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your next cruise whichever line you decide to take.

[gymbrat33]

I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy your cruise. Carnival is not the only line that tries to sell you merchandise. That is how they make their money.

 

 

I've sailed Carnival 4 times and love the relaxing and friendly atmosphere.

[Cruising89143]

quote:

 

Carnival is not the only line that tries to sell you merchandise. That is how they make their money.

 

 

While Carnival is not the only one that does this, they are by far the worst at it. They could cut back as they list this same stuff in the Capers.

[Bunkie103]

Ba-bye now!

[Cruising89143]

quote:

 

Ba-bye now!

 

Now that was spoken just like a real adult.

[MrPete]

Well it's their passengers....... I know I'm going to get flamed for this but.....

 

You're not alone in your thinking. The pendulum is definately swinging. It's getting worse as time goes on.

 

I have one more Carnival cruise to go, and then I'm moving up.

[yarlenna]

Carnival's food is good compared to other mass market cruise ships' food. Compared to gourmet restaurants it isn't all that great. Do consider how many meals they are churning out in how many minutes. It isn't restaurant grade, but banquet grade. There is a very limited menu and everything is mass produced. When you consider that a cruise can be had for less than $100 per person per day - sometimes much less - then you get a realistic idea of what they are spending on your food. OK you also need to figure in housekeeping, fuel, entertainment, port fees and taxes, upkeep and all that. It ALL comes out of your cruise fare. Doubtless you paid more than minimum - there are only a few minimum inside cabins. BUT they must figure to make a profit on their least expensive cabin. The last time I had a gourmet meal in Vegas, it set me back $100 per person. That was one meal! I certainly don't expect to get three meals, plus snacks, plus room, plus entertainment for that same price.

[yarlenna]

Cruising may not be for Tropicalconcrete, unless they want to try one of the upscale lines like Crystal or Silver Sea.

[Eds]

I enjoyed reading it and it seemed fair. The summary was different than most of the rest of the cruise and I was suprised by it. I have seen it many times and I always wonder whether people are just being picky or looking for it. I think your review said enough to prove you tried being fair. If you get flamed, that's not fair.

 

I'm concerned about the same issues you talked about. We'll see in just a few weeks as I do the Triumph cruise.

[Fiddlemama]

Hi Eds - My teens and i are going on a Triumph cruise March 19, 2005. I would be interested in your review - feel free to email me

[kkorman]

Carnival does not live up to the brocure, but it usually is a good time. I cannot stand the nickle and diming, but unfortunately it is on all the lines. Try another line in the Carnival family for some refinement (Princess or HAL). Carnival is for beginning cruises and the others are for a more mature cruiser. Nothing wrong with that, but Carnival can get tiring. I do not think it is meant for repeaters, though I have sailed a bunch of times on them.

 

One's expectations need to be managed when doing a cruise. Obviously, they were too high. That can be blamed somewhat on the boards. You hear so much positive that sometimes you need some balancing out to keep them in place.

[Randy & Carmen]

Well..........I was on Triumph in March and had the time of my life....KNOWING that Triumph is considered one of Carnival's main party ships;) ......I had heard reports about that it is definitely known for partying at sea so I can see how you might not have liked that.......I actually enjoy it:D ......Anyway, I will agree with you that I wish they would get rid of San Juan if they are only going to be there at night:rolleyes: ......during the day may be different....AND.....I was in cabin 1050 and Ann Marie WAS a doll:D .......I wanted to take her home with me!.....Good luck on your next cruise.

[robbyxoxo]

:) another reviewer who shares my thoughts concerning Carnival sailings.....i soooo agree with you on the whole misrepresentation thang!....the Carnival commercials make it seem allll so classy and cutesy and all that....but in reality its quite different!......they never show in the commercials all the times you are being herded around from line to line.....

[atonal1]

I enjoyed reading it and it seemed fair. The summary was different than most of the rest of the cruise and I was suprised by it. I have seen it many times and I always wonder whether people are just being picky or looking for it. I think your review said enough to prove you tried being fair. If you get flamed, that's not fair.

 

I'm concerned about the same issues you talked about. We'll see in just a few weeks as I do the Triumph cruise.

I get to go even sooner. I'm going in with an open mind, so we'll see.:)

[Bunkie103]

Definitely go with an open mind! Where else could you spend that kind of money and have unlimited meals....okay, it's mass produced, but darn good considering and if you don't like it you can order something else...no charge. No reason for anyone to be hungry any time. We had a ball and you will too. :D

[FlorenceItaly]

You may want to try HAL for the type of experience you described. It is similar to what I found on HAL. I sailed HAL for the first time last month(solo, btw) and loved it so much, I came home and booked another HAL cruise to Alaska next month(solo again). Before HAL I had only cruised Carnival and RCI. I will still cruise Carnival and RCI, but those are what I consider my "party" cruises, and generally with my husband/friends/family. Although, I would love for my dh and I to sail HAL together, but he has limited time off. For me, each cruise is a different experience, and I book accordingly. I have not sailed Celebrity or Princess YET, but are booked with them...Celebrity in April, and Princess in Sept of 2005.

 

Marie

PS I am 41...imo, HAL gets a bad wrap for being for only "mature adults(old!)

Last month, there was a wide variety of ages.

[Fiddlemama]

Since this is our first cruise I know we will enjoy it. I look forward to the partying atmosphere. Last March my 16 y/o daughter and i went to Jamaica for a week and had a blast! We stayed in Ocho Rios at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort. There were many negative posts at http://www.tripadvisor.com but to us they were unfounded. That was our 1st "exotic" vacation and only the 2nd vacation ever (Disney in 2000 was our first). My former husband did not believe in spending money on vacations. Since we are still novice travellers we probably do not have the high standards or expectations of the more experienced. atonal1, your cruise is a western carib too, right? would you, could you get copies of the "Capers", menus, shorex descriptions and $'s for me and I will send you a SASE to mail to me? I look forward to your review!

[atonal1]

atonal1, your cruise is a western carib too, right? Yes it is. would you, could you get copies of the "Capers", menus, shorex descriptions and $'s for me and I will send you a SASE to mail to me? I look forward to your review!

I sure will.:)

[Fiddlemama]

Thanks!

[jaboes]

Thanks for the review. We sailed the Inspiration last year (first time) so many of your observations of Triumph were similar to our experience on the Inspiration. That being said, we had a great time so I agree with the comments in terms of "managing expectations." I am not so enthused about the itinerary -- appreciate your honesty about Puerto Rico. Again, thank you for your honesty.

[tatania_starstrider]

Thanks for the review, Tropicalconcrete. I suspect I'll come away from our Triumph sailing in a couple weeks feeling the same way, as this is my first Carnival cruise after RCI, Princess and HAL. I'm not expecting anything but was hoping my sister's family (their first cruise) would be impressed with cruising. If the atmosphere is like you say, I have a feeling this will be her last cruise as well.

[judithdh1]

Well..........I was on Triumph in March and had the time of my life....KNOWING that Triumph is considered one of Carnival's main party ships;) ......I had heard reports about that it is definitely known for partying at sea so I can see how you might not have liked that.......I actually enjoy it:D ......Anyway, I will agree with you that I wish they would get rid of San Juan if they are only going to be there at night:rolleyes: ......during the day may be different....AND.....I was in cabin 1050 and Ann Marie WAS a doll:D .......I wanted to take her home with me!.....Good luck on your next cruise.

 

DITTO!!!