Carnival Cruises
A fun ship for a family-friendly first cruise adventure
The Ship. Carnival Victory’s sister ships are Carnival Conquest, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sunshine (originally named Carnival Destiny), Carnival Valor, and Carnival Victory. The ship has extremely short bows (the front), but still looks balanced overall. From a safety viewpoint, passengers can embark directly into the lifeboats from their secured position without having to wait for them to be lowered, thus saving time in the event of a real emergency.
This is a large, family-friendly resort ship with upper exterior decks full of sports and waterpark attractions (note that sunloungers don’t have cushioned pads). The layout is logical and fairly easy to navigate. The theme of the interior decor is the oceans of the world, with seahorses, corals, and shells proliferating.
There are three decks full of lounges, 10 bars, and lots of rooms to explore and play in (including an expansive South China Sea Club Casino, with gaming tables and slot machines). There is a double-width indoor promenade, with statues of Neptune at both ends, and a glass-domed rotunda atrium lobby spans nine decks. On the lowest level is a square-shaped bar, which faces glass-walled panorama elevators.
Niggles include standing in lines for shore excursions, security control when re-boarding, and disembarkation, and well as for filling in sign-up sheets for fitness equipment.
Don’t go for the cuisine because it’s really not that good. The real fun on this ship begins at sundown when lights, razzle-dazzle shows, and late-night high volume sounds abound.
Accommodation. The price you pay depends on the grade, location and size you choose. Over half of all cabins have outside views and, at 225 sq ft (21 sq m), are quite large.
Standard cabins are of decent size and have all the basics, although the furniture is angular, and the decor is bland; the bathrooms, however, are quite practical. Soundproofing could be better.
Cabins with balconies (those overlooking the stern are really nice) have glass rather than steel balustrades for unobstructed ocean views, and bright lighting. Note that the partition between each balcony is open at top and bottom, so you will hear noise from neighbors.
Eight penthouse suites each measure only 483 sq ft (44.9 sq m), and are small when compared to the suites aboard the competitor’s ships.
Dining. There are two main dining rooms, the Atlantic (forward) with windows on two sides and 706 seats, and the Pacific (aft) with windows on three sides and 1,090 seats. Each spans two decks, and features a dozen domes and chandeliers. Tables are for four to eight, and even a few tables for two. The dining room entrances have comfortable drinking areas.
Choose either fixed-time dining (6pm or 8.15pm) or flexible dining (during opening hours. Although the menu choice looks good, the actual cuisine delivered is adequate, but quite unmemorable. Note that the two main dining rooms are not open for lunch on port days.
The food really is pretty starchy and non-memorable (it’s mass catering, after all), with simple presentation and few garnishes. Many dishes are disguised with gravies and sauces. The choice of fresh green vegetables, bread and bakery items (these are thawed and then baked from frozen ‘starter’ dough), cheeses, and fruit is limited, and there is heavy use of rice, canned fruit, and jellied desserts. The waiters sing and dance, so think ‘foodertainment’ rather than food quality. Also, there are no wine waiters, and the wine glasses are small. For something really simple, an ‘always available’ list of ‘Carnival Classics’ includes mahi-mahi (fish), baby back ribs (beef), and grilled chicken.
A casual ‘international’ self-serve buffet-style eatery (the Mediterranean Lido Restaurant) has seating on two levels. It includes a deli (for sandwiches and wraps), a Yangtze Wok, a Mississippi BBQ, a seafood shack and a pizzeria (Pizzeria Arno), which often provides over 800 pizzas every day.
The one reservations-only, extra-cost dining spot is The Steakhouse. It features prime USDA steaks and grilled seafood items (perhaps worth paying extra for, if the budget allows). It has fine table settings, china, and silverware, as well as leather-bound menus, and a design theme set around Scarlett O’Hara, the heroine of Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel Gone With the Wind.
Entertainment. The three-level Caribbean Main Lounge (showlounge) is stunning; it has a revolving stage, hydraulic orchestra pit, and seating on three levels, the upper levels being tiered through two decks. A proscenium arch over the stage acts as a scenery loft. Other entertainment spots include the Club Arctic (disco), Adriatic Aft Lounge (for cabaret and late-night adult-only ‘comedy’), and the Irish Sea Piano Bar (good for singalongs).
Spa/Fitness. SpaCarnival spans two decks, with 13,700 sq ft (1,272 sq m), and is located directly above the navigation bridge. Flower-level facilities include a solarium, body treatment rooms, sauna and steam rooms for men and women, and a beauty parlor; the upper level consists of a large fitness area with ocean-view windows, and an aerobics room with instructor-led classes, some at extra cost.