June 7th - First Triumph Cruise out of NY - Review

[Kurbanfan]

your opinion is your opinion but as a person that has taken 2 cruises so far and both with carnival I can tell you she isn't bashing carnival just because she's been on other lines.....

 

she's bashing carnival because THEY SCREWED UP BIGTIME on this cruise. I've only sailed carnival and even I am looking at other lines and not sure if I want to go back!

 

ROFLMAO!!! I see call it as I see it;)

[aqhacruiser]

Great pics and review and your girls are adorable!:) I've never sailed Carnival but I would consider one of the newer ships in the future out of NY. We are sailing the QM2 this fall and winter and I'm curious to see how it compares to the Ex. :)

[nybumpkin]

Great review, Michele, and loved your pictures! If we do a Canada cruise again I'll have to look into the tour you took in Saint John.

 

Of our 9 Carnival cruises, we've had 8 very good to excellent experiences with Camp Carnival. The one not-so-great experience was a 4-day Canada cruise on Victory in 2006. The staff just wasn't engaged with the kids and acted as if they couldn't wait to be off duty. Youngest son (then 6 years old) got called on the carpet for acting up - when I asked him about it, he said he was bored. Up to then, "bored" and "Camp Carnival" never would have been mentioned in the same sentence. I don't think it was a function of it being a shorter cruise or going to Canada - we did three 5-day Canada cruises with great Camp Carnival experiences on all of them. I think it was a function of the Camp Carnival director's attitude, which worked its way through the staff. Fortunately, in our experience, that cruise was the only "clunker" when it came to kids' activities.

 

Victory has the same layout as Triumph, and the buffet lines were long on our cruises as well. We ended up trying to get to the buffet right at noon, before the lines got bad. Next year, when Glory takes over this run, I'll be interested to see whether the lines improve - being a larger ship, Glory has more buffet lines.

 

Michele, what did you think of Jorge Solano as cruise director?

[crusinmama06]

Actually I think you mean Nova Scotia as Newfoundland is hundreds of miles from here. But you are right in saying that it is a rare day that you can see it from St. Martins.

 

Ooops YES Nova Scotia not Newfoundland. :o Seeing NovaScotia would have been a heck of a sight, huh? :D

 

Which is why I started the way I did. I don't know her enough to make that judgement, however (and this should probably be attributed to the pilers-on, and not to the OP) the RCI thread about this cruise seemed like a "cool, let's slam Carnival thread" I apologize if I read you wrong. ::hands OP a rose::

 

The reason I started the thread on the RCCL board is pretty simple...when I made the decision to switch from RCCL Majesty to Carnival Triumph, I posted about it on both boards. I asked for opinions on BOTH boards. So when I came back, people asked me to share my experience on, once again, both boards.

 

Naomi John - the 6-8 year olds, nope, didn't notice them this time. Since this was the first cruise that my oldest moved up a group (9-11), I didn't pay as much attention to the 6-8's.

 

ALSO for anyone with 9-11's - if your child wants to do the scavenger hunts and "unsupervised" activities with the 9-11's, they need "sign out privledges" - this was a big deal before I left. I ended up giving her sign out privledges with conditions - she had to wait for me to come get her at the assigned time.

 

For the person who asked about my other reviews, here is my last one from February...RCCL Independence

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=924211

[crusinmama06]

Ooops YES Nova Scotia not Newfoundland. :o Seeing NEWFOUNDLAND would have been a heck of a sight, huh? :D

 

Corrected myself. Geesh I am tired...lol.

[mommyx2]

Hi Michelle, Loved your review and pixs. We are taking our kiddos in Ocotber on Canada/New Englad and have a day in St. John. I would love to know the tour guides you all used. I love using private tour guides I learn about from fellow CC'rs. PLease share his info, I know my kids would love it as well. Thanks

Tami

[nothriver]

I really enjoy your trip reports, Michele. Thank you so much for posting! I hope to do a NE/Canada cruise some day.

[crusinmama06]

Hi Michelle, Loved your review and pixs. We are taking our kiddos in Ocotber on Canada/New Englad and have a day in St. John. I would love to know the tour guides you all used. I love using private tour guides I learn about from fellow CC'rs. PLease share his info, I know my kids would love it as well. Thanks

Tami

 

We booked the tour on ShoreTrips.com - it was called the "Fundy Shore to the Fundy Coast Tour". The tour operator was Freedom Tours. I asked them how many tour guides they had - my tour guide said "about 20" - he said they rotate. Our tour guide was a retired teacher.

 

It was funny because when he first started talking to us, I thought "Wow, they have an interesting accent in New Brunswick" - only to realize later he was originally from SCOTLAND. I'm a doof. :o

[Craving A Cruise]

I loved your review Michele! It took a long time to read the entire thing....but it was so worth it. :) Thanks also for sharing all those wonderful photos!

[Nicole721]

I could be wrong, but after reading the comments in the RCI thread, the OP seems a little snobbish to me.

 

Snobbish? I'm not sure I'd go that far, but some of the comments in the RCI thread rubbed me the wrong way, too.

 

OP- hope you enjoy your future Royal cruises.

[ckekjhaze]

Thanks so much for the review! We will be going on our first cruise on the Triumph and we are hanging on your every word and pic!!

Kathy

[petesweet]

We booked the tour on ShoreTrips.com - it was called the "Fundy Shore to the Fundy Coast Tour". The tour operator was Freedom Tours. I asked them how many tour guides they had - my tour guide said "about 20" - he said they rotate. Our tour guide was a retired teacher.

 

It was funny because when he first started talking to us, I thought "Wow, they have an interesting accent in New Brunswick" - only to realize later he was originally from SCOTLAND. I'm a doof. :o

 

What a wonderful site! Thanks. That just solved my dilemma about shore excursions in Halifax and Sydney in "one fell swoop."

Loved your review as well.

[crusinmama06]

OP- hope you enjoy your future Royal cruises.

 

And Princess and Celebrity and Disney....;)

 

I do cruise them all so I can experience what's out there.

 

What a wonderful site! Thanks. That just solved my dilemma about shore excursions in Halifax and Sydney in "one fell swoop."

 

Loved your review as well.

 

You're welcome. :D

[caribbeanboy]

And Princess and Celebrity and Disney....;)

 

I do cruise them all so I can experience what's out there.

 

 

 

You're welcome. :D

 

For exact the same reason I cruise the different cruise lines and not just one cruise line.Variety is the spice of life;)

[thomasale]

I could be wrong, but after reading the comments in the RCI thread, the OP seems a little snobbish to me.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

 

Seems pretty much to sum things up...however, the most detailed review I have ever read! I have NO experience with Camp Carnival. I am a loyal Celebrity cruiser with experience on alot of lines. It just so happens our family (16 of us ages 13 through 65) went on the Triumph this past February. This too was only my third cruise on Carnival. We booked it base on price and itinerary. (7 day Eastern caribbean) we experienced long buffet lines the first day and from that day on either ate in the dining room (breakfast and lunch) or had burgers, pizza, deli etc. We ate in dining room every night and like the OP had a great experience there.

 

I NEVER thought I would say this but based on VALUE our experience with Carnival was OUTSTANDING and I would now book another on them in a skinny minute...will they be my fave????No way but still a good option when needed and the BEST VALUE afloat IMHO.

 

Great review and beautiful children BUT realize they are only the center of YOUR world. Thanks for all the pics and opinions!

[zales]

Loved your review too Michelle. One question, is it me or the balcony looked a tad small, I didn't notice much leg room?

[crusinmama06]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

 

Seems pretty much to sum things up...however, the most detailed review I have ever read! I have NO experience with Camp Carnival.

 

Great review and beautiful children BUT realize they are only the center of YOUR world. Thanks for all the pics and opinions!

 

Wait, let me get this straight. Because you enjoyed your ONE Carnival cruise, I must have Narcissistic Personality Disorder after my 3 Carnival cruises because I didn't?

 

Oh yeah, this is classic. I thought I had seen it all on Cruise Critic, I am sorry to say, I haven't.

 

Where did I say that my kids should have been placed upon a pedastal and worshipped? They were one of 640 kids on that ship. All I asked for was a little common sense from the counselors.

 

Where does it say that my kids should be allowed in the adult hot tub - yep saw kids in there, not mine.

 

Where does it says that my kids should be allowed in the casino? Saw kids in there too.

 

My job as a parent is to ensure that my kids have a good experience but not to infringe on others. I was diligent with this. They were constantly told to be mindful of the other passengers. The other parents on this ship felt the rules didn't apply to them. THAT is the definition of being Narcissistic.

 

You have no idea how sorry I am for even bothering to take the time to do this review for this board. The review is an OPINION. You don't have to agree with it. Heck, you don't even have to read it. But trying to label me as selfish and narcissistic because I didn't enjoy this ship, yeah that's rich.

[mex25]

Michelle

 

Fantistic review -the good,the bad and the ugly-mostly ugly as Carnival was unbeleviably BAD:eek:

You have been a tremoundous help for my up comming cruise -RCCL AOS 6/21;)

As well as this review which re affirmed the real truth about Carnival-the worst of the fleet.

had one of my wife's cousins telling us about his upcomming cruise on Carnival......:rolleyes:

 

Thanks again Michelle for your blogs and wonderful presence on cruise critic:)

[crusinmama06]

Loved your review too Michelle. One question, is it me or the balcony looked a tad small, I didn't notice much leg room?

 

Yes, the other CCers with us had an AFT extended balcony and there was lots and lots of leg room. When they came up to my balcony, they did comment how there was very little leg room.

 

I am short so I didn't need alot of leg room. But the other CC person was 6'3 - so he noticed the difference.

[nrdsb4]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

 

Seems pretty much to sum things up...however, the most detailed review I have ever read! I have NO experience with Camp Carnival. I am a loyal Celebrity cruiser with experience on alot of lines. It just so happens our family (16 of us ages 13 through 65) went on the Triumph this past February. This too was only my third cruise on Carnival. We booked it base on price and itinerary. (7 day Eastern caribbean) we experienced long buffet lines the first day and from that day on either ate in the dining room (breakfast and lunch) or had burgers, pizza, deli etc. We ate in dining room every night and like the OP had a great experience there.

 

I NEVER thought I would say this but based on VALUE our experience with Carnival was OUTSTANDING and I would now book another on them in a skinny minute...will they be my fave????No way but still a good option when needed and the BEST VALUE afloat IMHO.

 

Great review and beautiful children BUT realize they are only the center of YOUR world. Thanks for all the pics and opinions!

 

 

You have got to be kidding. You're diagnosing psychiatric disorders based on one cruise review, which, by the way, was VERY balanced with both good and bad impressions?! Sorry, completely inappropriate and against board rules by a mile.

 

Michele, thanks for the review. Sounds to me like you have MORE than given this cruise line a chance, and for you and yours, it might not be the best choice. So what? Doesn't mean you have a personality disorder, but I think you already knew that didn't you?:D

 

I agree with the poster who said variety is the spice of life. I would never stick to only one line. It's fun to try out different lines and different ships. Of course, that's not playing it "safe," but playing it safe gets boring to me. Different strokes for different folks. I've loved all 5 cruise lines I have tried and hope to try at least five more!

[malittlefoot971]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_personality_disorder

 

Seems pretty much to sum things up...

 

 

I pasted what was at that link and I'm not sure but it looks like you fall under this category as well if michele does. Hell I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that 99% of the CC posters do too. (assuming michele falls into this category). I met her on this cruise and she was a very friendly down to earth person that KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT! When I go to a land based place I EXPECT people to do their jobs. Not because I'm a "god complex" but because that's what I paid for and whatthey are being paid to do! PERIOD As far as being "preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige" it couldn't be further from the truth

 

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the diagnostic classification system used in the United States, as "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy." [1]

The narcissist is described as turning inward for gratification rather than depending on others, and as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige.[2] Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness. It is also colloquially referred to as "the god complex".

 

 

 

Great review and beautiful children BUT realize they are only the center of YOUR world. Thanks for all the pics and opinions!

 

I agree thatthey are the center of HER world as my 2 are the center of MY world. Having said that we are both sane enough to know that the crew members have a job to do. PERIOD! if they can't do it correctly they need to look for alternitive employement. I was there and saw how this little 5 year old was effected by them. NO 5 year old should have to be exposed to such crap! I can't speak for Gabby but I'm sure it ruined her cruise. no 5 year old should be reduced to tears on a FUN SHIP. Carnival markets their line as a family oriented kid friendly environment. I'd say they dropped the ball but to me it's as if they never had the ball in their hands on this ship. I kept telling DW that I was glad our 2 were at home with nana and pap. I would have wanted off the ship before the first full day was over. When we take our children on vacation it IS their world that it revolves around. If they aren't happy (either of them) then the parents aren't happy. That goes for any GOOD parent.

[malittlefoot971]

Yes, the other CCers with us had an AFT extended balcony and there was lots and lots of leg room. When they came up to my balcony, they did comment how there was very little leg room.

 

I am short so I didn't need alot of leg room. But the other CC person was 6'3 - so he noticed the difference.

 

That was me and I had to move my chair forward on my balcony to place my feet on the rail. On her balcony I wasn't even able to stretch my legs out comfortably w/o hitting the glass and rail. It was a HUGE difference and I was glad I spent the little extra and grabbed the aft extended balcony. Michele's balcony would have given me something else to be dissapointed in.

[caribbeanboy]

I love love that Build A Bear story.............they are actually just fooling you b/c they know that once your child see one of those bears it's basically one less on the table!

[zales]

Thanx for your responses Michele and MaLittlefoot971:)

[quickrate]

Snobbish? I'm not sure I'd go that far, but some of the comments in the RCI thread rubbed me the wrong way, too.

 

OP- hope you enjoy your future Royal cruises.

 

I don't think Michelle comes across as snobbish but I do think that the people on the RCI board spend alot of time bashing Carnival and I'm not sure why they waste their posting time putting down other cruiselines. Why is it necessary to bash other lines?! Don't get it!:(