The Setup – Though veterans of many cruises, we had by no means had the “Drive Port” expertise. Simply throwing the whole lot however the canine into the SUV – bypassing the effort and inconvenience of airports, airways and transfers – appeared like a good suggestion. From Memphis the logical selection was Carnival’s Triumph crusing to the Jap Caribbean out of New Orleans. (7 days-July 24 to 31)
Embarkation – Docs we printed out on-line indicated boarding was from 12:30p to 2:30p with ship crusing at 4:00pm. So, we acquired in line for pier-side unloading and parking at 12:20p. As soon as parked and out of the SUV we stood in line for about 45 minutes – outside – in 95 diploma mid-summer New Orleans warmth and humidity. (What logistical genius organized for that little little bit of torture?) From parking to boarding the ship took a complete of 80 minutes – throughout which lengthy strains with many swap backs had been the norm.
We had been advised on the parking/unloading level that, sure, we might schlep our personal baggage aboard if that’s the case inclined. However, simply earlier than getting into the blessedly air conditioned terminal constructing, we had been singled out from the herd by Colonel Klink and advised that three of our baggage had been outsized and should be checked. He pointed to a bit of airline sort “carry-on-bags-must-fit-in-here-or-we-stab-your-mother” warning signal with measurement testing receptacle, the quantity of which was simply sufficiently big to carry a medium sized lunch field. I am considering, “they’ve overhead bins on cruise ships now? So why wasn’t that signal positioned again on the unloading level?”
Lodging – As soon as on board we had been directed to our ocean view cabins on Deck One. The cabins had been very spacious and fairly snug – bigger than on most ships – one thing for which Carnival is famous. Our determination to not splurge on balcony cabins was justified. General ambiance of the ship appeared spacious.
Our room steward was Jorge from Peru – a really gracious man who appeared wanting to please – as did many of the employees.
Ready in our cabins had been bon voyage items from the Resort Supervisor and our native Enterprise Improvement Supervisor, fruit baskets, wine, and so forth. They had been significantly appreciated and shortly consumed.
Departure – Noticing at 5pm that the gangway had been retracted however we had not but sailed, an announcement by the captain defined that because of climate – tropical melancholy Bonnie – and heavy site visitors on the river’s mouth, crusing can be delayed till 3am Sunday morning. However, we had been reassured that the ship would nonetheless attain ports on time. And it did.
Eating – Regardless that we had formally requested a big desk for eight or extra, we had been seated in a sales space for 4. The sales space was snug and comfortable, however this was nonetheless a disappointment for us – we cruise to satisfy individuals. The maitre ‘d was apologetic and mentioned he’d attempt to treatment the scenario, however didn’t. Understandably, most individuals need tables reserved for simply their group of household and buddies, particularly throughout the summer time months when touring with children. My idea? They most likely initially had us booked for a big desk… then they noticed me tripping and stumbling my manner up the gangway sporting a lime inexperienced Vampires Suck! tank high with “Chew Me” tattooed over my jugular. I am positive they determined then and there that it was finest to isolate us from the opposite diners.
The meals ranged from common to very, excellent. The largest enchancment to Carnival’s meals service is within the presentation. Major eating room choices had been fashionable and connoisseur in look. Nonetheless, in precise style most dishes had been a few half star in need of deserving of that sobriquet. Some exceptions: the Chilled Avocado Soup, Mongolian Steak Salad, New Zealand Lamb Chops and the Chocolate Souffle had been to die for.
Fish dishes, whereas properly spiced and elegantly introduced, had been persistently served dry and overcooked. Pondering that it may be because of solely frozen provides being obtainable relatively than contemporary, I launched into a check. When the safety guard on the Atlantis Aquarium was trying the opposite manner I scooped up a uncommon Triggerfish… smuggled it again in my digicam case… gave it to ship’s chef fifteen minutes earlier than dinner. Yep, served dry and overcooked.
Simply after I was about to surrender on the Over-Cooked Fish difficulty, a ray of hope appeared. There on deck 5… simply across the nook from the on line casino… the Sushi Cart! However even right here the delicacies are tweaked for southern tastes. The Hen Fried Tuna’Cado Rolls had been fabulous!
Leisure – We took in many of the exhibits and most had been fairly good, particularly the massive manufacturing exhibits. Carnival is without doubt one of the few remaining cruise strains to nonetheless make the most of full reside orchestras relatively than recorded tracks for these advanced exhibits. Sound high quality in all venues was glorious. Stage results and mechanics, reminiscent of hydraulically manipulated stage sections and (almost invisible) cable lifts enabling performers to “fly” had been efficient and never overly exploited. Website strains in all venues had been good. Smoke machines, flash pots and laser strobes had been used sparingly and never overdone. Nicely, perhaps the smoke machine did not add a lot to bingo… the caller was new and could not discover the off button.
The Huge Simple Present was among the finest manufacturing exhibits I’ve seen on a cruise ship… and this coming from somebody who labored ships as an entertainer for 12 years. Clearly crafted for a predominantly New Orleans centric viewers, my first thought was “this can be a low cost shot – like taking part in the Star Spangled Banner at a VFW assembly – a assured standing ovation.” However because the present unfolded the selection of music, the performances, costuming and particular results had been excellent. A really fulfilling expertise.
Comic – Todd Justice began out robust however started to lose us half manner by way of the present. Todd saved taking a look at his watch – a surefire momentum killer. Not a good suggestion until it’s a part of the act. It was not.
Magic – A giant manufacturing/phantasm sort magic present in the principle showroom was a bit repetitive and simply OK. A detailed-up magic present was scheduled for the Venezia Lounge. Though we arrived 20 minutes early there was not an empty seat to be discovered. It was already standing room solely and plenty of had been sitting on the ground. This present must be in a bigger venue. We didn’t keep.
Specialty Act – Funniest present of the week was Asad, the stage hypnotist. To viewers volunteers who had been deep below, he gave lots of the previous tried and true however nonetheless humorous options with a number of novel twists reminiscent of… “you desperately need to kiss the particular person subsequent to you however they’ve horribly unhealthy breath”.
Asad had a really authentic closing. Simply earlier than dismissing the volunteers he gave them one remaining suggestion… “you’ll not keep in mind something you will have carried out on stage tonight… till the subsequent time you look in a mirror. Then you’ll abruptly keep in mind the whole lot in vivid element.” In fact instantly following the present sadistic family and friends steered unsuspecting volunteers into the restrooms to “powder their noses”. Screams could possibly be heard three decks away.
On-Board Ambiance – With stunning ships, good meals and employees wanting to please, Carnival remains to be all about relentless on-board merchandising and gross sales promotion – as are all cruise strains within the mass market class. The trade-off is decrease fares.
However Carnival generally is a bit crass about it generally. You do not have to be a cruise snob to really feel a bit put out when, for the umpteenth time, you must stroll the size of the ship to search out an unblocked stairway or un-mobbed elevator to get from one deck to a different because of photographers having arrange one other half dozen Picture Op stations.
These at all times gave the impression to be positioned in the course of a significant staircase or thoroughfare throughout peak stroll-about-the-ship hours. One evening about twelve such setups had been in proof, all at choke factors with correspondingly backed up crowds spilling over into on-board retailers… the place silver tongued gross sales individuals lay in wait!
(Biz Op – Somebody might make a fortune promoting Photographer Repellant. It could possibly be spray-on… colorless and odorless however making the wearer seem consistently out of focus.)
Additionally take into account that for the 2 hours previous to departing from Key West, passengers needed to stand in line for a median of half-hour to get again aboard the ship… and you start to get my level.
Why cannot CCL take a cue from the nice individuals at Disney? Disney has mastered each in-your-face merchandising and crowd management. Carnival execs, are you listening? Are you able to say Fastpass?
Ports & Shore Excursions – there have been three stops on this itinerary.
Freeport – There’s a purpose why it’s known as “Freeport”. It’s completely freed from something to do. Seashores and purchasing are a protracted cab experience from the ship and nothing to put in writing dwelling about when you get there. We stayed on the ship.
Nassau – One mistake that we are able to solely blame on our personal procrastination – not shopping for tickets upfront to the Atlantis Aquarium & Water Park on Nassau’s Paradise Island. Sadly, we waited till the day of arrival and all over the place we went, the Shore Tour Desk, the Atlantis resort itself, different close by Paradise Island motels – the story was the identical – bought out, bought out, bought out.
However our decided ladies weren’t taking no for reply and gave the go-ahead to our cab driver to do no matter it took to search out us Water Park passes.
Tito was the person… a quick speaking and (apparently) linked man. With a smile a mile huge, a mouth stuffed with gold tooth and a cranked up increase field with sub-woofer behind his Toyota mini-van, he was an prompt hit with our 18-year olds. In the meantime, I am testing the van doorways to verify they are often locked and unlocked from the within.
So as to add to my nervousness, whereas careening by way of the backstreets of Nassau in Oddjob’s sub-woofed experience, my spouse is flashing round a whole lot of {dollars} in money – slowly counting all of it out – proper there within the open for all to see – ensuring we had sufficient to pay for these bootleg water park passes he’s about to attain for us. (Tito made it clear he did not take plastic.)
In the meantime, I am about to panic considering “My God, he’ll pull right into a again alley the place we’ll be stripped bare and robbed of the whole lot… at gun level… and left stranded.” (Theft can be survivable… however I wasn’t sufficiently medicated for strolling again by way of the Straw Market… bare.)
After quite a few furtive cellphone calls and a again alley rendezvous with native underground operatives, we had the passes… and Tito had our money. Miraculously, we didn’t set off any fraud alarms on the entrance to the Aquarium / Water Park.
Key West – Arrival right here meant extra purchasing, in addition to low cost or free Web and cellular phone connectivity. You may join through the ship’s system however it’s a expensive solution to feed your Fb behavior.
We booked the parasailing tour, which was a hoot. The departure level is only a quick stroll throughout the pier from the ship.
Sea Days – We loved our time on deck, the swimming pools, water slide and the JumboTron (large outside video display screen). Sure, Agnes, yours really acquired in keeping with the children and went down the large water slide. It was a thrill. Particularly the sudden cease within the water trough on the backside. I used to be common for 3 days afterward.
Query – Who will get to resolve what’s proven on the ship’s large JumboTron? Generally it featured commercials for Carnival or playbacks of intellectual fare such because the Furry Chest Contest – generally a film or live performance video – however every morning it was tuned to an area TV station out of Denver. (Denver?) I saved trying round for a large distant management.
The Spa – On the final day of the cruise my spouse booked me for the last word makeover – a hydrating facial with full physique therapeutic massage. Admittedly, it did make me look a superb six to eight weeks youthful for a number of hours. However, just like the poor victims of the hypnotist, after I regarded within the mirror the subsequent morning… there staring again at me was that acquainted 63-year previous catcher’s mitt with ears. I screamed too.
Conclusion – All in all it was a superb cruise and a welcome change of tempo. Would I cruise on Carnival once more? Sure, positively. Would I do something in another way subsequent time? Sure, a few issues. First, I would insist on getting that enormous desk for eight or extra within the eating room – we simply have an excessive amount of enjoyable swapping lies with new individuals we are going to by no means see once more. Secondly, I would be certain that to e book the 2 or three most desired shore excursions upfront. And lastly, we have to rein in our on-board profligacy a bit. Oh, I would additionally convey alongside a case of that Photographer Repellant. – LEC