| Overview
Carnival Victory boasts some of the best nightlife at sea, with entertainment focused on the casino, Vegas-style shows and theme bars. At 102,000 tons, the Triumph-class ship is one of the largest cruise ships afloat but the only crowds you'll find are in the casino and show lounge. Navigating the vessel is easy once you figure out you can get anywhere from Neptune's Way on the Promenade Deck 5, forcing passengers to walk by the tempting casino. A full list of activities and entertainment are offered each day including ballroom dancing, classical music concerts, tea time, art auctions, hairy chest and knobby knees contests, blackjack and slot machine tournaments, bingo and karaoke.
Public Rooms
The Ocean Halls atrium and Seven Seas Lobby welcomes each passenger with a nine-deck high Tiffany-style glass dome in shades of green and blue located mid-ship.
The two-deck-high Caribbean Lounge is the venue for the Victory's nightly Las Vegas-style floor shows and reviews. This state-of-the-art theater boasts laser lights, high-tech special effects and sound system, a video projection system, revolving stage and a retractable orchestra pit. Two, brand-new shows have been created especially for the Carnival Victory -- "Vrrroom" and "Livin' in America." Get there early to get the best seats on the second level. Some seats have limited or obstructed views of the stage. The Irish Sea Bar is a pub-style sing-along piano bar with a rotating piano - another place you want to get to early if you want a seat. Passengers in the mood for a high-octane dance club will find the entrance to Club Arctic dance club nearby. You won't be able to miss the 500 video monitors and neon lights. A winding staircase leads down from the disco to the cozy Ionian room which is decorated with plush leather chairs and ancient Greek pottery replicas. This cozy bar is spoiled in the evenings by loud disco music and cigar smoke. Voyeurs will like the view of the dance floor above through the glass ceiling.
At the aft of the Promenade Deck is the classic Adriatic Lounge. Decorated in pale-yellows with columns it gives the feel of a palace salon. Late-night comedy shows, art auctions and live dance music are among the activities and entertainment that take place here. The Aegean Sports Bar features multiple television monitors that show most of the major professional sporting events. The South China Seas casino is one of the largest afloat, with every imaginable type of slot machine and table game, all with a Chinese flair. Additional public rooms along the Promenade Deck include the Coral Cafe, offering pastries and specialty coffees; the cave-like "Virtual" Sea video game room; and the Caspian Wine Bar.
Cabins
Cabins are typical Carnival fare with the only hint of the "sea" theme in the artwork on the walls. There are 444 balcony 210 sq. ft. cabins. Balconies have safety-glass panels, affording unobstructed views of the water. The 327 outside standard cabins without balconies are an ample 220 square feet. The 530 inside cabins measure a generous 195 square feet. Bathrooms in all categories have showers, a hair dryer and a medicine cabinet. Carnival now offers free toiletry/amenity kits on all of their ships that include a his/hers disposable razor, Irish Spring soap, Thermasilk shampoo and conditioner, breath mints and chocolate. Carnival is now providing the use of terry cloth bathrobes in all oceanview cabins. All cabins have color television, radio, direct-dial telephone and individual climate control, and ample closet and drawer space. Reading lights and cabin lights can be controlled from a panel over the beds. Most cabins have twin beds that can be converted to a queen bed upon request. Self-service laundry rooms are available on each stateroom deck with washing machines ($2.00 wash), dryers ($1.00 for 45 min.), iron (bring a glass with you to fill iron for steam) and ironing boards. Self-service ice machines and soda machines ($1 per can) are available on stateroom decks.
Family
The Camp Carnival program is one of the best children's programs afloat. There are age-appropriate activities available for the various groups. There is an outdoor area with a kiddie pool and playhouse for the younger kids. Children's World features arts and crafts (including spin art and sand art machines), an activity wall and a bank of educational computer games. All age groups are supervised by experienced counselors, and regularly scheduled activities take place between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Baby-sitting services are available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., at an additional charge. Carnival offers Fountain Fun Cards to all guests under the age of 21. These cards cost one flat price and they are valid for unlimited fountain soft drinks.
Gratuity
$3.50 per person, per day, for the cabin steward. $3.50 per person, per day, waiter. $2.00 per person, per day, for the busboy. Carnival adds an automatic 15 percent gratuity to all bar and wine bills.
Entertainment
The three-deck-high Caribbean Lounge is the venue for the Carnival Victory's nightly Las Vegas-style floor shows and reviews. This state-of-the-art theater boasts lasers lights, special effects and a sound system to rival any land-based show room. This lounge also has a video projection system, a revolving stage and a retractable orchestra pit. A word of warning -- be sure to get there early to get the best seats. Some of the seats have limited or obstructed views of the stage.
One of the most popular places on the ship is The Irish Sea Bar, the sing-along piano bar. Get there early if you want a seat. Later in the evening, it was standing room only -- in the hallway! Passengers in the mood for a high-octane dance club will find the entrance to the Club Artic Dance Club nearby. More than 500 video monitors cover practically every square inch of wall space.
The Caspian Sea is a classic wine and caviar bar that takes its air of elegance from the famous L'Hermietage, with rich gold leaf and fancy stonework. Behind the bar is a painting of Czar Nicholas and Alexandra, and the floor is done in a series of marble mosaics of intricate design.
Other gathering spots include the Sirens' bar aft on Lido Deck, the Juice Bar adjacent to the Nautica Spa, and two poolside bars near Triton's Pool on Lido Deck.
Dining
The Atlantic and Pacific Dining Rooms are each two-decks high, with two seatings for all meals. Carnival has upgraded and expanded their menus to include more contemporary and gourmet dishes including Lobster Night, but they still offer plenty of meat and potatoes. Carnival also offers vegetarian entrees and low-fat, low-sodium Nautica Spa selections each evening. The nightly entertainment by the waiters is part of the "Fun Ship" experience and many guests enjoy it. Service in the dining room was efficient and will improve with time. The Mediterranean restaurant in villa-style on the Lido Deck is two-decks high and offers breakfast and lunch buffets, and casual dinners. The breakfast buffets included the usual array of hot and cold breakfast dishes, as well as made-to-order omelets. The lunch buffets feature different selections each day, plus a salad bar and fresh fruit, free iced tea and lemonade all day, as well as soft ice cream and frozen yogurt machines. The Yangtze Wok features stir-fry and other Asian fare, and is located on one side of the buffet. The popular East River Deli is located on the other side of the buffet, and offers freshly carved deli sandwiches, as well as potato salad, cole slaw and kosher-style pickles. Pizza and Caesar salad are available 24-hours a day. The Grill serves up grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts and french fries all day. There is also complimentary 24-hour room service with a limited menu of cold sandwiches, salads and desserts. Carnival has a newly expanded children's menu, with such items as hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken nuggets, pizza and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Fitness and Recreation
The Carnival Victory's 15,000 square foot, two-level Nautica Spa is one of the largest at sea. Carnival also offers four swimming pools and one-eighth mile padded jogging track and a golf driving net. Golf lessons are available with a PGA pro through Carnival's Fore! Golf Program. The King of the Sea pool area is one of the most popular features onboard with its winding 214-foot-long water slide and layered deck area for great views of the pool and dance floor. Siren's Pool, another popular pool area has a retractable glass ceiling and close proximity to the pizzeria and BBQ stands. Topless sunbathing is allowed on the top deck near the main funnel.
The gym, with floor-to-ceiling windows, houses a selection of treadmills, Stairmasters, stationary bikes, rowing machines, and free weights. Men's and women's saunas, steam rooms and locker rooms, and two coed whirlpools and an indoor pool. In addition to the gym, the spa offers a 2,000 sq.ft. mirrored aerobics room and juice bar. Personal trainers are available for an additional charge. The spa and salon, operated by Steiner's of London, offers various types of treatments including massage, facials, and manicures.
Fellow Passengers
Over half of the passengers are aged 20-45; groups of singles, couples and families. This ship carries more families and children in summer and school vacation periods
Dress Code
Overall, this is a more casual ship than most. There are two formal evenings per week (around half the men opt for dark suit) and the rest are casual. For men, this means slacks and a shirt (dress or polo). No jeans or T-shirts in the dining room. Women tend to get a bit dressed up most evenings. Daytime attire is shorts and T-shirts. |
