Just back from the victory

[wentworth]

Just back from the Victory yesterday. Overall the cruise was great.

 

Ship is in excellent condition with workers constantly cleaning.

 

Had a 7th floor balcony room with an outstanding steward.

 

Our dining room staff were great and sevice was excellent. We were

orginally given table on the upper floor dining #5638 which was located

in back of dining room with beautiful view of water. However, immediately

after sitting down the ship started to sway and we new this would not

be where we would eat. Went back downstairs to talk to Maitre'd and

lo and behold another party was complaining that they EXPECTED seating

near the windows. They problem was solved immediately as we switched

tables!! Food was good.......and a few nites the food was excellent.

 

Loved all the ports. The only shore excursion we booked ahead of

time was the train ride in St. Kitts. Nice two hour train tour thru the

island with complimentary drinks (banana daiquiris, rum punch and my

husband ordered a rum and diet coke) Tour was narrated by a local

woman and we were also entertained by a 3 person choir.

 

On each of the other islands we were able to "negotiate a short tour"

with time at the beach (although not in Dominica-- no beaches). Taxis

were very friendly and loved to talk about their islands. We tried to take

the local bus in Antigua to Darkwood beach as suggested on the ports

board. However, it was the day after election and EVERYONE was

celebrating in the streets with no buses running. We ended up taking

a taxi for $32.00 and got him to include a tour along the way.

 

We took our tours in the morning and planned on being back on board

around 1. This worked out great for us and left time for an afternoon

nap before dinner and the evening activities.

 

 

Our plane home was 1:45 US Airway. We were given zone 17 for

debarking. AFter paying $15 per suitcase per flight, we decided not

to do LEX which is $20 per suitcase extra. I think this was our

BIGGEST MISTAKE. We had discussed hanging around the ship till

the last minute to pass the time before our flight. However, our zone

was called at 9:50 and we decided to get off. We arrived at the

airport at 10:40 carrying our own luggage. THE TERMINAL WAS CHAOS.

We had to go thru agriculture clearance with luggage then find the END

of the US Air line. We finally go to our gate at 1:03 just in time to

start boarding our plane!! Thank god we did not take our time to

debark. I cannot stress enough how messed up San Juan airport is.

People actually missed their flights after begging security to let them

ahead in the lines which they would not do. There are not enough

seats at the gate waiting areas. People were all over the floor.

 

Leave yourselves plenty of extra time for your flights.............you will

need it.

 

We loved the itinerary on this cruise. Cruise director is Wee Jimmy

who did a fine job. Did not have any problems with rude people.

Luggage arrived right away.

 

Anyone heading out on the Victory...........you'll enjoy it!!!

[NCTribeFan]

Thanks for writing.

 

Any photos?

 

I will never understand why people think all airports in all ports, that you can just get there, check in, get through security and to the gate in about an hour.

 

My 2nd cruise was a repo (Tampa-San Juan). Of course, being a newbie back then, we had ALL this time between disembarking and flying home that I seriously considered getting a cab for a tour. Boy, was I glad we didn't. But there was no problem with seating.

 

We will fly down and arrive at about 1 pm on Saturday before we sail Sunday, and we aren't coming home until Tuesday afternoon, so I'll have plenty of extra time. Plus, no ships arriving in port on a Tuesday. I think a lot of people totally forget to consider that there can be multiple ships returning to port on a given day. That means way more people at the airport. And I think we should realize that the vast majority of people will be flying home, except for the few locals. Not many people driving back home from San Juan! :p

 

Please explain a little more about your original dining assignment. What do you mean about the ship swaying? And could you really not feel the movement simply by changing tables? You would still be in the aft of the ship. I love having a table by the aft windows! :confused:

 

I have indendent excursions booked in each port. They are all new to me except St Thomas, and I intend to tour each one and see as much as possible. It will be exhausting, even if we are just riding in a van most of the time! But I don't know when I'll ever get the chance to go back, so I want to see the islands.

[Denise40]

We will be on the Victory on 8/30/09. I can't wait. We will be flying in that afternoon and we will return back home on Monday, the day after we get back to SJ. THis will be the first time that we will be doing a port a day. Should be interesting. Thanks for the review. We will be in a balcony cabin 7337 along with another couple (our TA/friend) with connecting balconies.

[wentworth]

NCtribefan

 

This was our ninth cruise and other than last year on our final day

aboard the Legend have never experienced the ship swaying so much.

 

Our first seating arrangement was Pacific dining room upper level in the

aft near the windows. We were told by the people we switched seating

with that that was "prized seating" and what did we do to get it? I told

them I wasn't sure but we would not be able to eat there.........too much

turbulence for our stomachs. We were then moved down stairs to a

booth on the "outer edge" of the first level. Much better seating for us..

not as much motion, although most nights it was not easy to navigate

the dining room with the sway. I did start taking ginger pills that evening

which helped my stomach.

 

We never planned on getting to the airport with only an hour to spare.

However two and a half hours in lines that never ended until you reached

your gate is a bit much. Miami and Ft. Lauderdale have as many ships

to deal with and no where near as much confusion. It would be nice if

everyone could fly the day after, but we took the day before and could

not get more time.

 

Sorry, no pictures to post. Hope you enjoy your cruise and have a

great time!!

[NCTribeFan]

That's really interesting about the dining room. We were on the 2nd level, all the way back on Glory and I never felt a thing. That was my 2nd cruise with taking Ginger (I start it the day before sailing) and I'm really convinced it has cured me. Three cruises now and absolutely no problems. I sort of figured that with the ports all so close together on this itinerary that the ship won't be moving at full speed, and maybe the motion will be less. Maybe I'm totally wrong and moving more slowly actually makes it more noticeable! I hope not! I have a cabin all the way in the bow.

 

All I meant was that it's fairly well known that there can be huge backups at the San Juan airport and people who don't realize that can be in big trouble if they don't allow enough time. Many people on the San Juan board insist that it isn't always like that, but who wants to take that chance? And that people don't think about the fact that there may be 8,000+ people arriving in port at about the same time with most of them heading to the airport that morning! Yikes! I don't care how efficient you are, that's a lot of people to handle at once.

 

I'm so looking forward to this! And I'm really looking forward to the 2 post-cruise days at the Marriott Stellaris to just rest and relax after all those shore excursions.

 

It's a college graduation surprise cruise for my daughter. It's been just the 2 of us since she was three, and we've been sailing since she was 15. I'm having such a hard time not talking to her about it. Good thing she's off at school, because I spend all my non-working time on the internet reading about all the islands. Cannot wait to see Dominica. And Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and St Kitts! And to have another day with Papa Bear in St Thomas.

 

I cannot wait! :D

 

I've read some reviews that people thought the shows on this ship were very amateurish. Did you go to any? I have no interest in the seaside theatre, but we may be so tired in the evening that lying in a chair watching a movie may end up being appealing. Did you do any of that and what did you think?

[vacruizer]

Thanks for you review!

 

My parents just came back from a Princess cruise out of San Juan and swore they would never again do anything there because of the airport. They had a late afternoon flight so plenty of time but my elderly mother ended up sitting on the floor half the day because of the lack of seating and crowds. She also felt they were really unorganized and not prepared to handle the number of passengers they were dealing with and that if San Juan wanted the tourist business that maybe they should make their airport a little more friendly.

[wentworth]

That's really interesting about the dining room. We were on the 2nd level, all the way back on Glory and I never felt a thing. That was my 2nd cruise with taking Ginger (I start it the day before sailing) and I'm really convinced it has cured me. Three cruises now and absolutely no problems. I sort of figured that with the ports all so close together on this itinerary that the ship won't be moving at full speed, and maybe the motion will be less. Maybe I'm totally wrong and moving more slowly actually makes it more noticeable! I hope not! I have a cabin all the way in the bow.

 

All I meant was that it's fairly well known that there can be huge backups at the San Juan airport and people who don't realize that can be in big trouble if they don't allow enough time. Many people on the San Juan board insist that it isn't always like that, but who wants to take that chance? And that people don't think about the fact that there may be 8,000+ people arriving in port at about the same time with most of them heading to the airport that morning! Yikes! I don't care how efficient you are, that's a lot of people to handle at once.

 

I'm so looking forward to this! And I'm really looking forward to the 2 post-cruise days at the Marriott Stellaris to just rest and relax after all those shore excursions.

 

It's a college graduation surprise cruise for my daughter. It's been just the 2 of us since she was three, and we've been sailing since she was 15. I'm having such a hard time not talking to her about it. Good thing she's off at school, because I spend all my non-working time on the internet reading about all the islands. Cannot wait to see Dominica. And Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and St Kitts! And to have another day with Papa Bear in St Thomas.

 

I cannot wait! :D

 

I've read some reviews that people thought the shows on this ship were very amateurish. Did you go to any? I have no interest in the seaside theatre, but we may be so tired in the evening that lying in a chair watching a movie may end up being appealing. Did you do any of that and what did you think?

 

We only went to the first show.......and I can't remember the name of

it but was about the decades of music. It was only ok, nothing special

in my opinion. Loved the piano bar and went dancing a couple of nites.

Skipped the past guest party. Noticed most people dressed for the two

formal diners.

 

vacruizer......so sorry you mom had to sit on floor. Why didn't someone

offer her their seat? Your right, San Juan needs to do something with

the airport situation, its their problem.

[just G]

Just back from the Victory yesterday. Overall the cruise was great.

 

Ship is in excellent condition with workers constantly cleaning.

 

Had a 7th floor balcony room with an outstanding steward.

 

Our dining room staff were great and sevice was excellent. We were

orginally given table on the upper floor dining #5638 which was located

in back of dining room with beautiful view of water. However, immediately

after sitting down the ship started to sway and we new this would not

be where we would eat. Went back downstairs to talk to Maitre'd and

lo and behold another party was complaining that they EXPECTED seating

near the windows. They problem was solved immediately as we switched

tables!! Food was good.......and a few nites the food was excellent.

 

Loved all the ports. The only shore excursion we booked ahead of

time was the train ride in St. Kitts. Nice two hour train tour thru the

island with complimentary drinks (banana daiquiris, rum punch and my

husband ordered a rum and diet coke) Tour was narrated by a local

woman and we were also entertained by a 3 person choir.

 

On each of the other islands we were able to "negotiate a short tour"

with time at the beach (although not in Dominica-- no beaches). Taxis

were very friendly and loved to talk about their islands. We tried to take

the local bus in Antigua to Darkwood beach as suggested on the ports

board. However, it was the day after election and EVERYONE was

celebrating in the streets with no buses running. We ended up taking

a taxi for $32.00 and got him to include a tour along the way.

 

We took our tours in the morning and planned on being back on board

around 1. This worked out great for us and left time for an afternoon

nap before dinner and the evening activities.

 

 

Our plane home was 1:45 US Airway. We were given zone 17 for

debarking. AFter paying $15 per suitcase per flight, we decided not

to do LEX which is $20 per suitcase extra. I think this was our

BIGGEST MISTAKE. We had discussed hanging around the ship till

the last minute to pass the time before our flight. However, our zone

was called at 9:50 and we decided to get off. We arrived at the

airport at 10:40 carrying our own luggage. THE TERMINAL WAS CHAOS.

We had to go thru agriculture clearance with luggage then find the END

of the US Air line. We finally go to our gate at 1:03 just in time to

start boarding our plane!! Thank god we did not take our time to

debark. I cannot stress enough how messed up San Juan airport is.

People actually missed their flights after begging security to let them

ahead in the lines which they would not do. There are not enough

seats at the gate waiting areas. People were all over the floor.

 

Leave yourselves plenty of extra time for your flights.............you will

need it.

 

We loved the itinerary on this cruise. Cruise director is Wee Jimmy

who did a fine job. Did not have any problems with rude people.

Luggage arrived right away.

 

Anyone heading out on the Victory...........you'll enjoy it!!!

 

 

I am sailing on May 24th. thank you so much for sharing!! I have never flown into or out of San Juan - and was thinking about doing some kind of tour when the ship docked - our flight is at 2 p.m. NOW, I know to just get to the airport and not try to see anything else.

Also - was the train ride worth it?

[wentworth]

just g

 

We enjoyed the train ride. Saw a lot of St. Kitts and learned much

of the history of the island thru the tour guide. Weather was warm,

but cloudy so it was a perfect day. On the flip side, our 35 yo daughter

and granddaughter slept the entire ride. Not sure it was from boredom

or exhaustion from late nite.:) The train is two decks with open deck

on top. We rode on the upper deck and I believe most people did.

 

The curved stairs are a little tricky to manuver.

[DOTTE]

Did you use the Carnival transfers to get to the airport? I don't remember ever having to go thru the agriculture clearance before...always before we have used Carnvial transfer.

 

We're flying AA and they keep making our flight earlier...right now we're supposed to be leaving San Juan at 11:50AM. Who knows how many more times they will change it.

[wentworth]

Did you use the Carnival transfers to get to the airport? I don't remember ever having to go thru the agriculture clearance before...always before we have used Carnvial transfer.

 

We're flying AA and they keep making our flight earlier...right now we're supposed to be leaving San Juan at 11:50AM. Who knows how many more times they will change it.

 

No, we just grabbed a taxi at the port. The cost was $22. I didn't

remember the agri clearance before either. The only way we knew we

had to get into the agri line was from others already in the US Air line. Lots of people did not know they had to do this and had to get out of the

US Air line, get in the agri line and then go all the way back to the end

of the US Air line. What a mess!! Lots of confusion .

 

If your flight leaves at 11:50 I would definitely go to pursors desk and

get early debark zone number. I really would recommend the LEX

program even though its $20 per bag. It would save you the two lines

and you would just need to go thru the security line which in itself was

the longest one I have ever been in. In fact it snaked around the

airport and the end of the line was right near where we had gotten into

the US Airway line!!!

[Aplmac]

You guys want Victory pictures re. the Puerto Rico-down-to-Barbados-and-back cruise?

 

Suggest you go here...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=880248

for a well-illustrated review thread on the subject..

 

 

VICTORY docked at St.Thomas USVI

 

 

.

[DOTTE]

No, we just grabbed a taxi at the port. The cost was $22. I didn't

remember the agri clearance before either. The only way we knew we

had to get into the agri line was from others already in the US Air line. Lots of people did not know they had to do this and had to get out of the

US Air line, get in the agri line and then go all the way back to the end

of the US Air line. What a mess!! Lots of confusion .

 

If your flight leaves at 11:50 I would definitely go to pursors desk and

get early debark zone number. I really would recommend the LEX

program even though its $20 per bag. It would save you the two lines

and you would just need to go thru the security line which in itself was

the longest one I have ever been in. In fact it snaked around the

airport and the end of the line was right near where we had gotten into

the US Airway line!!!

 

The $20 a bag is worth it not to have to worry about getting all our luggage to the airport and having to also worry about standing in the agri line.

 

I know every time we've flown out of San Juan it's been a mess. I'm kind of worried about this early flight...never had one this early before.

 

Thanks for the heads up.