Reports of raw sewage leaking from the walls is probably and extreme exaggeration, some areas with soggy carpets, probably. You would be surprised what can be done in a 30 day drydock and isn't a matter of IF they can get it cleaned, they will get it cleaned and it won't sail unless it is cleared by CDC. Keep in mind that the whole ship was not affected, only areas. Those areas will be priority, cleaning, replacing, doing whatever necessary, other areas will be cleaned and sanitized. United States has some excellent drydock facilities and keep in mind they are capable of completely rebuilding sections of a ship, this is just minor repair to them. They will already be working on it as it is being towed to drydock. And there will be plenty of people onboard once it is in drydock each working in their respective areas all at the same time, it is actually very interesting to see how well orchestrated and smooth a refurbish proceeds. Looks like Triumph was last drydocked the end of 2011 so this would be a little early for a refurb but they very well may do it under the circumstances .
Any added amenities will most likely be in the form of onboard credits, per passenger or per stateroom, if your sail date was changed or you were inconvenienced in other ways but don't expect free flowing bars and lavish gifts, that's not the way they work. Food will be the same menu that would normally be served and it will be as good as it always is, and a good crew normally trips over itself anyway, I have had some of the best funnest cabin stewards ever on Carnival.
Just go with an open mind, expect what you paid for and appreciate whatever comes down on top of that and you will have a great time. No such thing as a bad cruise, some are just better than others.
To address some questions from your first post. Michael can give you a great rundown on Coz. It has been several years since I have been there so not much help on that.
We hope to have a minimum of luggage for a 4 day cruise in basically warm weather (should we bring beach towels for the pool?)
We travel with 21in carry-ons for a 7 day so for 4 days you will have plenty of room. One formal night, pantsuit for the wife, slacks
and sport coat for you, rest short sleeve shirts, shorts and a pair of slacks for the non formal nights, throw in a few pieces of underwear
and your good to go.
Beach Towels will be provided, either on deck or in your cabin, if they are in your cabin, DON'T loose one, you'll buy it, leave it on the floor in the
bathroom with the rest of your towels, your cabin steward will replace it with a fresh one. If they are on deck there will be a hamper to dump them
in when your done with them.
Is it usually worth upgrading to a balcony? I know there are many different kinds of rooms on numerous floors and while I don’t think we would be willing to pay another 500 per person to upgrade I think we would be willing to do something.
If the price is right it is always worth upgrading in the Caribbean. If this package was handled through a travel agent, contact them and see what they can do. If you go for a suite ya, it could be 500pp but if you just go for a balcony you will get about the same cabin you would get with an outside, it will just have a hole in the wall and could be as low as 100-150pp, again if there is a travel agent of record that is your path, if not then you can contact Carnival Customer Service directly, Michael can probably give you best advice on that, he is a Travel Agent.
As far as location, stay away from under the disco, or the kitchen, casino us usually no big problem, first deck under the lido can get noise at night when the deck crew straightens all the deck chairs and if they stack them it will be a little noisy in the morning when they unstack them, but this usually doesn't last long, stay away from the bow unless you like roller coasters, it can get a little bouncy sometimes. Aft cabins are usually cool and mostly a smooth ride, best cabins for a good ride will be mid ship, so if you go for a balcony go with mid ship, lowest balcony deck for the best ride. I have never been on the Triumph so can't get specific as far as prime real estate, my comments are based on general recommendations that would work on any ship.
Having heard about food I want to make sure I try and preplan as much as possible to get what we really like. I have read it is usually best to eat in the main dining rooms? Better to choose the late dinner time if possible? Better to stick to certain foods ie. steak rather than seafood or vice versa? Better to eat breakfast in the sit down restaurant than the buffet? My understanding is that you can basically snack anytime you want anywhere you find food on the ship as well. We are not big drinkers so I doubt we will run up much of a tab for liquor but I have been told there may be a soda/coffee card we can purchase? Worth it? Does this cruise offer upgraded dining for a price? Is it worth it?
First, you won't starve. That said, we do personal choice style dining but that is not for everybody. Being your first cruise, main room, late seating would be a good choice, but that choice should have been made when you booked the cruise, go up to Carnival's site, set up an account and see where you are with your booking. Seafood usually works, but don't be afraid to experiment, you can always just order another dinner if you don't like the one you get. Steaks in the main room are iffy, especially if you like them a certain way, I never order a steak in the dining room. Specialty restaurant will usually be 15-20 charge and the food is cooked to order so if you like a rare steak that's the way you get it, it is usually always worth it, but make your reservation as soon as possible after you get onboard, formal night usually fills up first. Main room breakfast, don't know, we always eat breakfast in the buffet no matter what ship we are on, just easier. Lunch usually starts around 11 and goes till 2 or 3 so there is always something to snack on.
I have heard that tipping is now included but I guess some people tip beyond that for great service?
Bar tips are added to the tab when you get the drink, soft drinks are considered bar, 15%. We usually tip the
cabin steward extra if they have done a good job, and they usually do, for a 4 night I would tip 20-30
depending on how I felt the service was. Usually tip the specialty restaurant waiter extra as well.
Main dining? your call, really depends on the service but remember you have a waiter and a busperson
so I would guess 10 and 5 if they were good but then we do personal choice so we see a different waiter every
night and I usually keep a 5 in my pocket for a good waiter. Keep in mind, you actually have already tipped
these people so the extra is for the going above and beyond.
