Question for the Carnival experts out there!

[Diva]

Hi,

This will be my first cruise with Carnival on the Triumph and since I am one of those "need-to-know-as-much-as-possible-in-advance" kind of people, I have a few questions for all those Carnival experts out there!

1. What's the best time to get to the port for check-in to avoid excessively long line-ups? From a previous post, I was told that arriving at the port by 11:00 AM meant being onboard by 1:30PM...
2. Since we don't know what dinner seating we have until we check-in (we requested late seating second sitting), as soon as we get onboard, are we supposed to head for the restaurant to secure that we want Late Second Seating? I definitely DON'T want to be stuck with anything else but dinner at around 8PM (late seating second sitting)...
3. Since Carnival doesn't have "Anytime Dining" like Princess, how does it work if you want to have breakfast or lunch in the diningroom? Do you also have an assigned seating for that also?
4. We are not into snorkeling, (etc) so which would be the best nearby beaches to go to in St. Thomas and St.Maarteen?
5. We are not into historical sightseeing - we just like to "stroll around" but since that will probably not work well in San Juan after 5PM, is there anything else to do? Is there a Carlos and Charlie's in Old San Juan? Whenever I've stayed in Puerto Rico, it's been in the Isla Verde area.
6. Has anyone taken the Triumph recently? If so, what did you think?

Thanks in advance!

 

[redcrown]

Not an expert but here is an attempt to answer some of the questions.

When you get your sail and sign card, it will tell you what time you have for dinner. if it is not the late seating, then head to wherever Maitre'D is to request the change as soon as you can.

I always try to get to the port between 11 and 11:30 and am usually on by 1.

Sea days, then you will have assigned dining , but port days, they have open seating for breakfast and lunch as I remember.

St Thomas we usually do Megan's Bay. Take a taxi out and there are plenty that will bring you back. In St Maarten's we go to Orient Beach if we are doing beaches/

In San Juan, there is a new Senor Frog's close to the pier if I remember correctly in Old SJ

Hope this helps some



Post Edited (07-18-03 21:32)

 

[DianeD]

This past December we sailed on the Triumph. We chose this ship for the great price we got, the possibility of an upgrade (which we received) and the fact that it is relatively new.

I really enjoyed this 7 day Western Caribbean cruise, despite bad weather. This was my 12th cruise and our 5th Carnival cruise. I found this ship easy to maneuver about. I had never had an aft cabin, but it worked out well as the elevator took us to the dining rooms and clubs easily. I think the food was as good as any other ship we've sailed (Princess, Norwegian and others). The clubs were terrific, particularly since our age group was 18 to 50. The casino was smaller than other ships I've been on, but we're not big gamblers -- rather spend the money elsewhere. They have a really nice sports bar that has an oceanview -- my "honey" didn't miss his beloved football games - thank goodness!

We requested late seating and ended up with early. We just went with it. For other meals, we pretty much set our own pace and just went to the dining room when we were ready - I know, you're supposed to go at your assigned time, but it was never an issue. We always ordered room service for breakfast -- they have a pretty good menu. They also have a New York style deli and the reubens and other sandwiches are very good. Of course, Carnival is known for their 24 hour pizzeria and it is excellent.

I still feel that Carnival has some of the best shows and we enjoyed most of them. There was a great comedian was saw several times. I say "several times" because he was supposed to get off in Grand Cayman, but because the weather was so bad we had to skip that port as they would not allow us to be tendered in. It wasn't a big deal for us as we've been there before (I did ask for a refund for that particular port charge and received it). So, the comedian put on several more shows for us!

The previous poster provided you with some "beach" advice. Like you, we like to stroll around at the different ports.

As far as boarding, we always get to the port early (11-11:30) before the shuttles start to arrive. The boarding process went quickly and we were the first ones at the pool bar enjoying a Bahama Mama and listening to the great island music!

I think you'll enjoy the Triumph - happy cruising

48 days - Star Princess (Alaska Inside Passage) :dance

 

[Telegalc]

San Juan is fantastic after dark!

We have sailed out of there 3 times. Twice we have gone in a day early and really enjoyed the night life there. The last time we were there was 2001. There was no
Carlos and Charlies at that time but lots of entertainment just walking the streets and checking out the clubs - plus the Wyndham in Old San Juan had music outside and old-young-etc. had a fantastic time. I am looking forward to Carlos and Charlies in Cozmel..... Have been there before plus in Aruba. Lots of fun. You will enjoy Old San Juan !!!!!

Have a great time!!!!!