In Between "Poor" and "Good" Lies this Cruise

Carnival Victory Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 11
Helpful Votes: 381

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Carnival Victory

4 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 27, 2017

Ship: Carnival Victory

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 1374

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

   This was the worst and the best of cruising on Carnival. First, PLEASE believe me that I always go into every situation hoping for the best but...somehow, some way or someone turns my attitude sour. From the beginning when I got that robocall announcing the delay in embarking, I got that ol' bad feeling...

   On this cruise, the entertainment and the food were disappointing. The crew and staff were outstanding. Every bartender and waiter who took my sail-and sell-card remembered my name. Every steward who helped me, even those who merely answered a question, remembered my name. Adi, my cabin steward, was first class. Wesner, my dining room waiter, remembered my name and my drink. All of this adds up to a high "Jack Factor" score, named after my buddy Jack who only sails on Carnival because he loves being addressed personally on cruises. Personally, I don't care what you call me as long as you bring me my drink immediately. The first night's show was cheesy, with dancing that resembled cheerleaders imitating modern dance. The set was minimal, with a muslim backdrop with painted portholes suspended between poles representing a ship's hull. Laughable. The singers were tolerable--in this show the guy was more talented than the girl. "Matey," the Cruise Director, was along to "entertain" with his "magic" and his "personality" as emcee. The best of all was the band. More entertainment criticism to follow. 

   The food was in general--from my memory of previous Carnival cruises--downhill. There was less of everything--from choices on menus and buffets--to quality of ingredients. The pizza was below average (for me, it was inedible), the burgers were abominable and the eggs (and salmon) Benedict were abhorrent. I expect poached egg, not hard-boiled. I do NOT expect Hollandaise sauce to be a solid, with a crust, that lets knives bounce atop. Then, the worst disappointment was Chef's Table which I was SO looking forward. They repeated the same damned menu I had aboard Carnival Elation in 2015! They couldn't come up with some innovations? Why shouldn't they update the cuisine? Why is there NOTHING fresh, including CANNED mangoes and canned magicians? Highlight: galley tour. Lowlight: I can't believe that the ONE night that MDR serves Escargot Bourguignonne, my favorite, was Chef's Table night.

   As far my cabin, it was fine, except the location noted below. Clean, fresh decor is delightful with the fake louvers on the door, the photo wall graphics and the blue stripes on the duvet. Best: those new flat-screen HD TVs are wonderful for checking your own videos.  

   The reasons I bought this cruise were threefold: 1. So cheap they threw in a fourth night for free. 2. It was SO cheap they charged the single supplement and it was STILL under my budget.  3. Two years before I started collecting ship models I was aboard Victory. I managed to find (or buy aboard) one from every ship I've traveled aboard--except Victory. The only one to get a model of that ship--is go aboard. That $30.00 model wound up costing me $533.00 excluding drinks. 

 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Too many misses, not enough hits. Wagyu was delicious at Chef's Table. Burgers, EVERY ONE, was overcooked. They REFUSED to cook one medium-rare. Indian stew excellent. Fish dishes, particularly the salmon, tasted of the freezer. Chocolate desserts uniformly EXCELLENT! The wheat toast was not crisp and wimpy. The chicken diavolo had an assertive sauce that hid a rubber chicken that was better for the soup pot. (To which I donated) The lamb shank tasted strong and game-y, almost like mutton--completely dominated the sauce that lacked spice and character. In my Thank God for fresh fruit!

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
There were plenty of things to do, mainly shopping. Or gambling. Or shopping. Or play shuffleboard. Or shopping. Or watch them fold towels. Or go shopping. Or play Trivial Pusuit. Maybe go and buy something.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
First night, the set was minimal, with a muslim backdrop with painted portholes suspended between poles representing a ship's hull. Laughable. The singers were tolerable--in this show the guy was more talented than the girl. "Matey," the Cruise Director, was along to "entertain" with his "magic" and his "personality" as emcee. The best of all was the band. The "Vroom" show was also a girl/duo singing hits through the decades with more cheerleader/dancers in the background. The sets were more elaborate--a few geometric shapes thrown around the stage. The most insulting to my adult sensibility was the dancing Beatle dolls. Not cute. Stupid. As far the comics, Percy Whatisname was the type who cues you when he's being funny by laughing to himself. They woke me up when it was time to empty the room. The other comic Manny Hispanicname was was the type who likes being funny out in the crowd like Don Rickles. Then he goes onstage and repeats every great bit ripped off from George Lopez, Cheech and Chong, Robert Klein, Seinfeld, Milton Berle...Ecccch. I'm all for recycling but...The others were fine, music in the background, piano player doing his thing.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Wesner, Adi were my favorites. There was one bartender whose name I just didn't get...but he plays a part in the video I'm making about this cruise.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
A lot like Carnival Destiny, that became Sunshine. Weird getting around the galley to the dining rooms, the old thing about "you can't get there from here." I like the "secret decks" which I'm NOT going to reveal. Cleanliness is not a problem, although Carnival does't seem to be anal about hand sanitizing as the "Washy Washy" crew on Norwegian.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Cabin fine. Location abysmal. Mostly quiet, quite comfortable. The problem is the garbage/sewer plant right below our end of the deck that infuses the air with a smell that varies between noxious and toxic. Thankfully the air conditioning and ventilation system keep the quality inside the cabin.

Ship tip

Get a stateroom toward the aft end BUT NOT ON THE FIRST DECK!

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

5 out of 5
Go to Coopertown. Eat alligator tail.

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5
Go to Fish Fry. Eat conch salad.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

5 out of 5
Park your @ss near the pirate ship bar. Ogle the eye candy.

Traveler Photos

Half Moon Cay, from tender Appetizer, Chef's Table Appetizer, Chef's Table Old interior decor, ship art on panel Appetizer, Chef's Table Crab stack, Chef's Table Lavosh, Chef's Table Atrium ceiling Ingredients, Chef's Table Duck textures, Chef's Table Sea bass, Chef's Table Nassau Pirate ship bar, Half Moon Cay
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3 Comments

sradjuster    7 years ago

grandmarnnurse    7 years ago

I sailed the Victory in the Fall of 2004 to take a cruise from NY to Nova Scotia. Back then, the ship was very nice, and food was great. Entertainment on these older smaller ships is never all that great. I found that the newer mega ships of Royal and NCL have far superior entertainment.

cbelc2    7 years ago

Loved the warm chocolate melting cake!

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