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Carolyn Siebels

Age: 36
Occupation: homemaker
Number of Cruises: 5
Cruise Line: Carnival
Ship: Triumph
Sailing Date: June 6th, 2005
Itinerary: Bahamas

Just returned from one of the best vacations ever! I had read both positive and negative reviews about this ship before my vacation and was not sure what to expect. I have never been compelled to submit a review in the past but, loved this cruise so much that I decided to share. I live only a few hours away from Norfolk, Va so, we drove to the departure port.
Had photo ID and certified birth certificate ready and the embarkation was very smooth. Decided to take the stairs to our room on the 6th floor because the elevators are so packed during arrival.

Dining the first evening is not at your assigned tables and is casual. We wore shorts. The next day we were out at sea all day. This is the first cruise I could feel the ship moving but, it wasn't too rocky. We had secured our reservation just a few weeks before through a travel agent. We booked an interior room with no window just to save money. Through the agent, we were able to automatically receive an upgrade if available. We were lucky. Our room was on the front corner of the ship and had a window. My family all had rooms with balconies but since ours was a corner room, we actually had more square footage compared to their rooms. We didn't spend much time in the room though and there was a lot of walking. My parents are in their late 60's and were on board as well. While we took the stairs most of the time, they used elevators and had no complaints about the large size of the ship. I actually felt like the walking helped since we were eating so much on board. My advice - get involved and go to the shows, etc. on board. There were great movies available on the cabin TV but we ended up so busy that we were not able to watch them. On to the daily activities, the gym on the spa deck has a great view while walking on the treadmill. Staff was very friendly.

The spa on board offers facials, massages and beauticians. The prices are higher the first few days. During the last day or two they offer special, lower rates. My husband and I bought soft drink cards for $33 each person. They allowed unlimited soft drinks while on board. I felt like they were a great investment since we drink at least 3 soft drinks a day. I found the Lido deck buffet has a good variety at breakfast but I prefer the dining room service. In the dining room, you are seated with different people each morning but, you feel like you are in a high quality restaurant and don't have to wait on yourself. Same for lunch. We did eat at the NY Deli on the Lido deck (excellent Reuben’s), the pizzeria (specialty pizza's take 10 minutes to cook but pepperoni and cheese are always available) and grill by the pool served burgers and hotdogs that were really good. During dinner in the London Dining room, I always order 2,3 or even 4 items for each course. That was there was always something I enjoyed. My family would only order one dish and were not always pleased with the quality of food. I like my steak cooked medium and found you do not have that choice in the dining room. The steaks were all cooked one way and I found them to be overcooked and dry for my taste. The salmon was wonderful as well as the pasta dishes I tried. Cakes were dry but other desserts were delightful.

The pool area always seems to be the happening spot on the ship. Every day there was a huge crowd but I was always able to find a chair. Usually they have a band playing live music in the center of the deck each day.

In Nassau, we did not schedule an excursion from the ship. We decided to explore on our own. So glad we did! When we entered the marketplace, there are taxi and van drivers who offer their services. Although onboard they advised not to use these drivers, we took our chances. We got a van for the 6 of us and our driver was a local named Big "T”. For $20 each person, he drove us all over the island, showed us sights and explained in detail all about Nassau and the Bahamas. He saved us money too!!!! When he took us to Atlantis (Paradise Island) he told us that after 5pm they do not charge to view the underground aquarium or the Digs. He personally took us through the casino, aquarium, Digs and around the resort before returning to the market. Best tour I've ever had - - At the straw market - never pay the price they are asking. We found Louis Vutton wallets for $25 each. We finally were able to talk one seller into giving us 2 wallets for $32. Even in the shops in town, we always offered a lower price and got it. Don't be shy! Once you go through a few shops, everything is the same. Good prices on alcohol - Many were 1/2 price compared to the states. Found it to be much cheaper to buy a phone card for $10 in a local store. This allowed us 20 minutes of calls to the US. Thing is, the calling card we bought in Nassau, we could not access in Freeport. My suggestion is to buy a $5 card in Nassau and $5 in Freeport if you are one who calls home. Calls on the ship are $7-$9 per minute. Atlantis (Paradise Island) seemed much like Las Vegas to me. Luxury resort but not as fascinating to me as learning about the real culture in this area.

The next stop was in Freeport. We had scheduled a snorkeling excursion at each stop and both were cancelled (the information desk could not tell us why) When we arrived in Freeport, the area looked depressing to me. There was a small colorful market but besides that, most of what I could see looked like an industrial park. I did find this island to have fewer "tourist traps" and I really enjoyed our time there. They have a local band playing under a shelter right outside of the ship. There is a local "show" next to the band that we were able to watch right from the ship balcony. A local man did the limbo to the music and went further down than what I thought was humanly possible. He received tips from those around him after the performance and he was well worth a few bucks. He was also posing for pictures after the show. We took a cab about 5 minutes into town. Cost was $4 per person for the one-way trip. So glad we did. The shopping area the driver took us to was very quaint. There was a band of 5 or 6 men dressed in tribal type costume playing drums. They walked through the streets outside the shops while we where there. We danced with them and they actually allowed us to play their instruments. Women constantly come up asking to braid your hair (for around $50) I never did this but many of the younger people on board came back with braids. (25yrs and younger) One last thing about Freeport, we found some of the same jewelry and carvings sold in Nassau at a much lower price in Freeport. There are also nicer women’s clothes in Freeport. On board, the magic show was the best we've ever seen. Worth making plans around to make sure you are able to catch this one.

They have an adult only show at midnight that was terrible. Raunchy humor and just a few illusions. The earlier magic shows were top notch and will impress everyone in your party. Other variety shows on board were average. Pictures are taken all over the ship on both formal nights. I suggest taking as many as you can. We stopped everywhere we saw a camera. The pictures are then displayed the next day for purchase. The 8x10 are $20 and small pictures taken in the dining room are only $8. You can also get 4 wallets made of your 8x10 for only $5. You are not obligated to buy any of the pictures and they are fun to look at. We actually took home 4 large pictures that where better than any taken by our local photography studio. Very top notch quality. You are even able to have one printed and enlarged on canvas if you like. (They have an impressive photo system there on the ship). The late night buffet was not as nice as others I have seen. Not a large variety of food, very unimpressed.

Another tip – The casino uses their playing cards for only a day or two and will then sell the decks for $1 a piece to those on board. Nice quality and a bit unusual. Great gift for teen-agers who are into the Texas Hold ‘Em craze. Was disappointed that they did not have a Poker Tournament- only slots and Black Jack. (two tournaments of each and cost was $20 entry fee – winner takes $500). Dance clubs at night were not too crowded. Mix of people. Although I have heard there are a lot of children on Carnival, I didn’t see very many. The majority of people I saw on board where about 30-50 yrs old. I have traveled on Holland America and Carnival in the past. I believe the Carnival atmosphere is much more relaxed than Holland America and you will find more average income people aboard this line. I happen to enjoy the carefree feeling this ship offers. On a scale of 1-10 (1 least and 10 best) my husband and I both rated this cruise a 9. Keep in mind, your attitude has a lot to do with the experience you have. Relax and enjoy. I am already looking to book our next Carnival cruise to take our 14yr old son with us!