The setup - Although veterans of many cruises, we never had the gate-drive experience. Everything but the dog in the SUV - bypassing the hassle and discomfort of airports, airlines and transfers - seemed a good idea. From Memphis was the logical choice to sail on the Carnival Triumph Eastern Caribbean from New Orleans. (7 days-24. July 31)
Boarding - doc we printed online boarding pass has been exposed from 12:30 puntil 2:30 p to 4:00 clock with the ship. We, therefore, on a pier side for parking and unloading open at 12:20 p. - - And for once we parked the SUV in line for about 45 minutes in 95 degree heat and humidity of New Orleans summer. (? What torture organized logistics for the little genius') from the parking lot on the ship took 80 minutes - while the lines were long with many switch back to standard.
We were told the parking / unloading point that, yes, we haveare our own luggage on board, if so inclined tow. But just before the terminal building blessed with air conditioning we have been isolated from the flock of Colonel Klink, and said that three of our bags were huge and must be controlled. He pointed to a small airline type "hand luggage-must-fit-in-here-we-or-random-your-mother" warning signs with the size of the test recording the volume of which was just sufficient to contain a media lunch. I think "They have luggage racksCruise ships now? So why not sign again with the point of discharge? "
Holidays - Once aboard, we headed to our ocean view cabins on deck. The cabins are very spacious and very comfortable - more so than on most ships - is something established for the Carnival. Our decision not to splurge on a cabin balcony was justified. overall atmosphere of the ship seemed spacious.
Our room steward was Jorge from Peru - a very kind man who seemedeager to please - as most of its employees.
Looking forward to our cabins were good gifts of travel and hotel manager of the local Business Development Manager, fruit basket, wine, etc. They were very grateful and are consumed quickly.
Depart - 17:00 to be noted that the walkway was down, but we had sailed before, an announcement from the captain said that because of the weather - tropical depression Bonnie - and the heavy traffic at the mouth of the river, would be sailingclock to 03:00 Sunday morning will be postponed. But we were reassured that the ship would still reach the gates on time. And he did.
Eating and Drinking - Even though we have formally requested a large table for eight or four of us were sitting in a booth. The booth was comfortable and cozy, but that was a disappointment for us - we take people to cruise around. The main house "d was apologetic and said he would try to remedy the situation, but not. Understandably, most people want tablesreserved for their group of friends and family, especially during the summer months when traveling with children. My theory? Probably we had originally booked a large table ... I have seen tripping and stumbling my way up to the catwalk sporting a lime green and vampires suck! tank top with "Bite Me" tattooed on my jugular. I'm sure there and then decided it was best to isolate us from the other guests.
The food ranged from averagevery, very good. The biggest improvement of food service Carnival is in the presentation. Main dining room has been elegantly and gourmet in appearance. But in reality, most dishes taste about half the stars were earned that nickname behind. Some exceptions: refrigeration avocado soup, steak salad Mongolia, New Zealand, lamb chops and the Chocolate Factory souffle was to die.
Fish dishes, while well seasoned and beautifully presented and served continuously dry overcooked.To think that there can be only on the supply available frozen rather than fresh, I went for a test. If the security guard at the Aquarium of Atlantis looked the other way I drew a rare fish trigger ... smuggled back into my camera bag ... There were chefs ship 15 minutes before dinner. Yes, it was dry and overcooked.
Just when I had to give the problem Fish Over-cooked, there appeared a glimmer of hope. We are five ... just around the corner fromCasino ... sushi Cart! But here are the delicious flavors of the south optimized. The fried chicken, sandwiches Tuna'Cado were fabulous!
Entertainment - We have in most of the shows, and most were pretty good, especially the production of big events before. Carnival is one of the few remaining lines or full live orchestra, instead of songs recorded for this use complex shows. The sound quality was excellent in all locations. stage effects and mechanism, ashydraulically manipulated sections of the stadium (almost invisible) that move the artists to "fly" were actually worked or not excessive. lines of the site all sites were good. Smoke machines, flash pots and laser flashes were used sparingly and no more. Well, maybe the smoke machine does not add much, Bingo ... the caller was new and could not find off-key.
The show Big Easy was one of the best productions I've seen shows on a cruise ship ... And for someone whoship has worked as an animator for 12 years. Ready for an audience primarily centered in New Orleans designed, my first thought was "This is a low blow is - as with the Star Spangled Banner at a meeting VFW -. Guaranteed standing ovation But as the entertainment choice of music, performances, costumes and special effects were outstanding unfolds. A very enjoyable experience.
Comedy - Todd Justice has started strong, but we began to lose half of the show.Todd looked at his watch - a momentum killer safe. Not a good idea, unless it is part of the conspiracy. It was not.
Magic - a large production / Arts Illusion Magic Show in the main exhibition space was a bit 'boring and just ok. A show of close-up magic was scheduled for exhibition in Venice. Although we arrived 20 minutes earlier, there was a free place to find. He was already standing room only and many were sitting on the floor. This show must be in a larger city. Wenot stay.
Specialty Act - funny show this week, Asad, the hypnotist. For volunteers who were spectators far below, gave many of the old tried and tested, but still fun with some innovative ideas such as ... "They desperately want to kiss the person next to you, but they have terrible bad breath."
Asad was a very original closure. Shortly before the release of the volunteers gave them a last suggestion ... "I remember somethinghappen on stage tonight ... until the next time in a mirror. Then suddenly remember everything in vivid detail. "Sure, right after the show to friends and family entities controlled ignorant sadists in the toilets of" powder their noses. "Screams could be heard up to three decks.
Atmosphere on board - ships, good food and the staff is committed to the beautiful, the Carnival even more adamant about the merchandising and sales promotion board -as all shipping companies in the mass market category. The trade-off is lower prices.
But Carnival can be a bit 'rude about it sometimes. They did a cruise snob, a bit ', if for the umpteenth time, you must find the length of the vessel to a stairway or an elevator stuck-bullying, I have received from one deck to another place for a walk feeling photographer to establish a half-dozen stations photo-op.
This has always seemed a major are placed in the middleStairs or walking down the street during rush hours-about-the-boat-hours. One night, about a dozen such facilities have been testing, all of which spread to the congestion and thus secured shopping crowds on board ... where the language of silver to put sales people on guard!
(Biz Op - anyone could make a fortune selling repellent spray of color photographs could be ... and odorless, but make the wearer appear constantly blurred ..)
They also feel that for the two hours beforeDeparture from Key West, had a passenger under the direction of an average of 30 minutes to be back on board ... and start to get to my place.
Why CCL may take its cue from the good folks at Disney? Disney has learned so much in-your-face merchandising and crowd control. Carnival executives, do you understand? Can you say Fast Pass?
Shore Excursions & Ports - there were three stops on this itinerary.
Freeport - There's a reason why it's called "Free Port". It iscompletely free to do anything of any. beaches and shops are a long taxi ride from the ship and return home to write something if you do. We stayed on the ship.
Nassau - An error that we take our own fault hesitation - do not buy tickets in advance at the Aquarium & Water Park Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau. Unfortunately, we waited until the day of arrival and everywhere we went, the Excursion Desk, the Atlantis hotel itself, the other near ParadiseHotels in Iceland - the story was the same - sold out sold out, sold out.
But our girls are not intended to take no for an answer and gave the go-ahead for our driver to do what we're doing Water Park are held.
Tito was the man ... a fast talking and (apparently) guy online. With a smile a mile wide, a mouth full of gold teeth and opened the boom box with a subwoofer in the back of his Toyota truck, was an instant hit with our 18 years of age. In the meantime, I'm testing thevan to ensure that doors can be locked and unlocked from the inside.
To add to my nervousness during the race on the streets of Nassau around sub-woofed Oddjob, my wife is flashing around hundreds of dollars in cash - counting slowly all - right in the open for all to see - so sure we have enough pay for this water park bootleg, goes beyond to score for us. (Tito explained that it was not plastic.)
In the meantime, I'm thinking to panic, "MyGod, is lost to drag on a side street where there will be stripped naked and robbed of everything ... with a gun ... and left. "(Robbery would be profitable ... but it was not enough for doctors to walk back through the Straw Market ... naked.)
After numerous phone calls and surreptitiously alley an appointment with local officials, we had the pass-U ... and Tito had our money. For a miracle we do not have to set fraud alerts at the aquarium /Water Park.
Key West - coming here meant more trade and / or free access to low-cost Internet connections and mobile phones. You can connect through the system of the ship, but it is an expensive way for your custom Facebook.
We booked the parasailing trip, which was a hoot. The starting point is a short walk through the dock the ship.
Sea Days - We enjoyed our time on deck, swimming pool, water slides and the Jumbotron (big screen outdoors).Yes, Agnes, my humble self have, in accordance with the kids and left the giant slide. It 'was a thrill. Above all, the sudden stop at the water trough at the bottom. I was a regular for three days later.
Who gets to decide what is shown on the Jumbotron giant ship - Question? It is also sometimes spot for Carnival or backing tracks sophisticated dishes like the hairy chest competition - sometimes a movie or concert video - but every morning was adjusted to a local television stationDenver. (Denver?) I was looking around for a giant remote control.
The Spa - the last day of the cruise on my wife booked me for the final restoration - a hydrating facial with a full body massage. Even though I had a good six to eight weeks for a few hours younger. But like the poor victims of the hypnotist, when I looked in the mirror the next morning ... there and stared at me, and family 63-year-old Catcher's Mitt with his ears. I crieda.
Conclusion - On balance, it was a good trip and a positive change. If I turn on Carnival Cruise? Yes, definitely. I would do anything differently next time? Yes, a couple of things. First, I would always want on a large table for eight or more to survive in the dining room - we simply have too much fun swapping lies with new people we never see again. Second, the book would certainly be more shore excursions you want two or three in advance. Finally, wecurb our board a bit 'of extravagance. Ah, I wish to bring a case repellent photographer. - LEC
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