This was our first cruise for my wife and I, along with being our honeymoon. To be honest it was our first real vacation together. Except for weekend trips around the state. We had a couple of mishaps at the beginning, but over all we both had one of the best times in all our years together.

We had booked our own airfare rather than going through Carnival, saving ourselves several hundred dollars. We did however purchase from Carnival a pre-cruise hotel stay and transfers. We had a room at the Sheraton Biscayne Bay Hotel, which was very nice. It had a wonderful view of the bay and also of the cruise ships docked at the pier. A nice feature at the Sheraton is that you can pre-register for your cruise in the hotel lobby.

After arriving at the Miami Airport we were to be met by the transportation arrange through Carnival. We spent over an hour searching for the transportation company, but they were nowhere to be found. Plus the phone number on the voucher was a recording. So we found a cab and made our way to the hotel at a cost of $30.00 (which we did get reimbursed for after writing a letter to Carnival upon our return home). The next morning when we did our registration for the cruise, we were told we needed to be out in front of the hotel with our luggage by 11:30 am. The shuttle was to leave promptly at noon. Unfortunately it didn’t arrive at the hotel until 1:15 pm.

Before leaving home I had also made arrangements for a Romantic High Seas Gift Package and for a tuxedo rental. When ordering, I had asked if it were possible for them to make the wine in the package a bottle of non-alcoholic wine. I was told that they only came with alcoholic wine, but all I would need to do is to contact room service after we arrived in our cabin. Well, it sounded simple enough, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite that easy. It took us two days and about a dozen phone calls, but upon our return to the cabin after our day in Cozumel we had the bottle of non-alcoholic wine. These were both minor problems and from here on out everything went pretty much as planned. As for the tuxedo it both fit and looked great, and was much easier than taking a suit along and a suitcase.

Amenities
Carnival provides in all their cabins a small care package that contains several items that passengers probably tend to forget on occasion. When booking a cabin with an ocean view or balcony you are also provided with robes for your use while on the ship.

Service provided by the crew
Other than a couple of times when asking a question of a crew members in one of the service desks or shops. Then being told we needed to go to a certain area and then again being told we needed to be somewhere else. Our over all experience with the crew was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and always tried to be as helpful as possible.

Daniel our waiter in the dining room was wonderful. He always did everything he could to make our experience on the ship the best possible. If he saw a problem with an item on the menu whether it was appearance of the preparation to the item. Daniel was very quick to bring it to your attention. Offering you the chance to change our order or serving you. Then again letting you know if you had a problem that he would be more than willing to do what ever it took to correct it, or get you anything else you wanted. One evening Daniel and a few other staff member presented us with a honeymoon cake. No one else at our table wish a share it with us. So we only ate a small portion. Daniel asked us if we would like, he would have the rest sent up to our cabin. To our surprise, when we retuned to our cabin at the end of the evening. He had sent us a whole new cake. We are sorry to say, that Daniel is no longer with the Triumph. He switched to the Victory right after our cruise. Every night after most passengers have about finished eating. The service staff performs a song and some night includes a little dancing.

Our room steward Inga was just fantastic. Every time we saw her she always asked us how we were doing, and if there was anything she could do for either of us. We could not of asked for a sweeter person. She along with her assistants straightened and cleaned our cabin, and replaced the towels at least twice a day. It was very nice to simply get up in the morning and leave the room and have her there to take care of everything. Plus, at the end of the day to return to our cabin and have the bed turned down and mints on the pillows. We really enjoyed all of the cute little towel animals at the end of each day too.

Dining
Whether it was the formal dining room the buffets or even the small specialty shops. All of the food was delicious. We ate breakfast at the South Beach Club every morning, and also lunch except for a couple of day. On those days we tried the pizzeria, New York Deli, and the Coney Island Grille. We couldn’t think of anything bad to say about any of the food. The service was good and reasonably fast, and there was enough staff to keep everything looking neat and clean.

Cabins
Our cabin was actually a little larger than we expected, and as I said earlier was always keep clean and straightened. We had plenty of closet and draw space. We were worried about the fact that they slide two single beds together to make a king size bed. Surprisingly it was quite comfortable. They most use a mattress pad, because you can barely feel and seem between the two beds. It is definitely worth the extra money to have a cabin with a balcony. You cannot only see different things while you are at sea, but also at all the ports. It is also nice for checking out the weather anytime of day before going a shore or up on deck. Not to mention the fact that you have some fantastic views of sunset right from your own cabin.

As for what a lot of reviews say about the carpet in the hallways. Yes, the carpet is water stained. Now let remember the number of people who use those hallways, and also remember that those same people are not going to dry themselves off before going to their rooms like they would if they were at home. Many people also talk of the smell of urine in the hallways. Well, we don’t really know what to say about them. Only that we never notice anything that even smelled remotely close to urine. Maybe a slight musty smell, but it was nothing that should bother anyone.

Entertainment
Whether it was the magician, dancers, singers, or the comedian. They were all enjoyable shows. Now as for the shows where the guests are part of the show. Well some were entertaining, some were down right funny, but there was a dud or two. The band that played poolside was pretty good. Although it did sometimes seem a little loud, but only if you were trying to carry on a conversation.

Cozumel
We definitely agreed that Cozumel was our favorite island that we visited. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and pleasant. We started our day out with an early excursion. We chose the four hour All Terrain Truck Eco Adventure & Snorkel. Our tour guides Lewis and Niko met up with us and led us to a big camouflaged Kodiak truck with a yellow canvas roof and nicely padded seats. They also had water, pop and beer, which was included in the price. Jose our driver took us to the Punta Sur Eco Park, driving by some nice scenery, while Lewis was telling everyone about some of the islands history. Upon arriving at the park we were shown several beautiful plants, which are used as medicines on the island still today. We were shown turtle nests and a large replica of a Mayan structure, which is used for the education of children on the island. Teaching them about the turtle and explaining that the turtles need to be saved. Then we were off to a Mayan lighthouse and a chance for a close encounter with some crocodiles. Next we were taken to the beach and give snorkel equipment and provided with beach umbrellas and mates. The snorkel out over the reef was both amazing and quite beautiful. Back on the truck we were taken to a lighthouse that you may climb the 133 steps to the top, and what a fantastic view it is. Finally it was back to the pier, but on the way it was party time as Lewis and Niko got the party started with some good party tunes. After our return to the pier we were offered the chance to ride into town for shopping on the truck. This excursion was worth every penny, and we would both recommend it to anyone.

Then after lunch on the ship we took a cab ride to town for a little shopping. There are some very nice little shops and lots of jewelry stores. No visit to Cozumel would be complete without a visit to Carlos’N’Charlie’s. Known for there barbecued ribs, and being a great party place. After your return home, you can go to their web page to check for pictures of yourselves during your visit.

Grand Cayman
This was our number two island. Most of the people of Grand Cayman were pleasant. On this morning we started out early on the Stingray Sandbar, Hell & Turtle Farm Experience, a four-hour excursion. Our guide showed us some of the local scenery and talked of the history of the island. Our trip to the turtle farm was both fun and educational. As for the experience of the town called Hell. Although Hell was a unique place, and also someplace you can tell people about. It definitely wasn’t what we expected. Seven Mile Beach was beautiful and very scenic, but we were only given five minutes at the beach. Now going out on the sandbar to swim among all of those stingrays, what an unbelievable experience. That was something neither of us will soon forget. The water is shallow enough for about anyone of any age or size, at only about three to four feet deep. We didn’t find the shopping here to be as much fun as the other two islands, but the town itself was quite nice.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Here again we were on the early three and a half hour, Highlight Tour A. This excursion starts out with a bus ride up a mountainside through the forest. Next we were off to Shaw Park Garden, the former sight of a resort from the early 1900’s. The waterfalls, plants, and flowers were all very beautiful. On the way we were told that our drive had a PHD, Pot Hole Dodger. Finally we were at the bottom of Dunn’s River Falls looking up. The six hundred-foot climb was actually pretty easy, with your largest steps up only being about a foot and a half. After the excursion our guides offered to take us to one of the local shopping center, and after returned us to the pier.

The Jamaican people we had contact with were all pleasant. There were a few we saw in passing that just didn’t look to be all that friendly in appearance though.

Summary
We would recommend this cruise to people of all ages. There is plenty to do on this ship whether you are at a port or a day at sea. Don’t hesitate, book this cruise you won’t regret it, and remember to get the balcony. It’s well worth the extra cost. We believe that anyone who doesn’t have a good time on this cruise is simply looking for any thing they can to complain about. So just go out and have a great time, we sure did.