Carnival Triumph 2013 4-Day Review
Day 1        June  27, 2013            Galveston, Texas                                              Departure:   4:00PM
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Carnival Triumph Docked in Galveston

Terminal With Ship in Background

Embarkation:   I arrived at the cruise terminal in Galveston at 10:15 in the morning. The drop off/pick up driveway at the terminal was busy because many disembarking passengers were waiting to be picked up and some embarking passengers were being dropped off.  Terminal 1 in Galveston underwent some major interior work since I had last been in the terminal (2011).  

    The place where people entered the cruise terminal was different than before.  The entrance was now closer to Terminal 2.  First was a boarding pass and photo id check.  Next, was a security check for weapons.  After the security check VIP guests (Platinum and Diamond) and Faster to the Fun guests were instructed to go up a special escalator. General guests were instructed to walk to a further escalator.  I was able to use the VIP line today because of a family member who turned VIP on this trip.  When reaching the top of the VIP escalator there was no instruction from terminal staff of where to go. The entire upper level of the terminal was different and there were very few recognizable landmarks.  A staff member finally realized that we looked lost and they helped us find the VIP check in area. 

    The check in was a little different this time.  We still received our Sail & Sign cards at check in and had to show our passports, but our picture for the A-Pass machine was taken from the check in desk.  After checking in we were instructed to sit down in the VIP lounge and wait to be called in.
Here are some pictures I took from the windows in the VIP lounge:

Carnival Triumph - View From VIP Lounge

Bottom of Ship's Front - From VIP Lounge

Front of Carnival Triumph

    The VIP area of the cruise terminal had a good view! There was water, coffee, and lemonade for people to drink.  Around 11:15am the terminal loudspeaker announced that it was time for VIP guests (Platinum and Diamond) to board.  A terminal representative led the way and brought us to the Sail & Sign card scanner.  Our cards were scanned and we were told to keep them out to show the ship's security.  The photo gallery backdrops were set up, but we chose not to take a picture.  The walk to the gangway was the exact same as previous times.  However, the gangway is brand new and bigger.  We were on the ship by 11:30am for sure! 
 Once on the ship we were told to show our Sail & Sign cards to security and then go to lunch.  Here are some pictures I took during the walk to lunch:

Lido Deck - Looking Towards AFT

Lido Deck - Red From Rum Bar

Lido Deck - Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

Renovated Pool

Renovated Area of Lido Deck

Blue Iguana Cantina

Blue Iguana Cantina on Lido Deck

South Beach Club - By Deli

Looking Inside Deli

    The ship's lido pool area looked completely different than before!  The ship's buffet had some changes, but for the most part looked the same.

Lunch: Comfort Kitchen

First Lunch in South Beach Club: 
    The first lunch of the cruise was very good!  I had a Pastrami on Rye sandwich from the deli and then I went and got food from the Comfort Food line. I have never sailed on a ship with a Comfort Food line before.  There was not a Taste of the Nations or Chef's Choice line anymore on the Triumph.  
    Some of the crew in the lido buffet were slow to clean tables and not as friendly as other crew members. 

To the left you will see a picture of my plate when I ate from the Comfort Food line.

AFT Pool Area: Retractable Roof Open

Looking Toward Starboard on AFT Pool Area

Tables Outside & Ice Cream Station Outside

On Lido Deck - Looking Towards Waterslide

Lido Deck Balcony Stateroom

Close Up View of Beds in Stateroom

Stateroom:  Since I was VIP and my ship offered Faster to the Fun (FTTF) I was able to go to my room immediately and not have to wait.  My room was located on Deck 9 which is the Lido Deck.  The room had new carpet, a new TV, and new bedding. The room also had a new luggage mat that was not big enough for a normal sized piece of luggage.  The room was nice, but the location was not.  I will go into the location problems later on this day's review.

Couch & Folded Up Rollaway Bed

Beds & Luggage Mat

Here are some pictures taken from my balcony on the first day while we were docked:

Looking Towards Bridge Between Galveston Island and Pelican Island

Little Boat With Pelican Island In Background

View From Balcony Towards Back of Ship

On Balcony - Ship Passing

NS Artic Passing Carnival Triumph

Ship Has Passed Us

Stateroom Bathroom:  The toilet, sink, and shower in the bathroom had low water pressure.  Here are some stateroom bathroom pictures:

Bathroom in Stateroom

Shower in Stateroom Bathroom

Sink in Stateroom Bathroom

Stateroom Freebie Basket:
    Typically in the stateroom's bathroom there is a basket that has some free samples.  The free things in the basket are always varying and different by cruise.  On this cruise my basket was stuffed with free samples.  Our basket included items such as  three toothpastes, chocolate turtles, and some different types of lotion.  This was the biggest freebie basket that I have ever had!

Freebie Basket in Stateroom

On Deck 9 (Lido) there is a front observation area above the bridge.  The door to this area was located on the port side of the ship in the front.  This area was  almost always  empty and private.  Here are some pictures I took from the front area of the ship:

From Balcony - 2 Little Ships Passing

View of Galveston From Front of Ship

"Mouth" of Ship With Terminal 2 in Background

Deck 9 Front Area

Galveston's Terminal 2 Area

Front Area - Stairs to Deck 10 Front Area

Looking Down At Pier From Front of Ship

Gangway at Terminal 1

Looking At Harborside Drive and Galveston

Galveston, Texas

Deck 9 Front Area - Door to Enter Insides

Touring The Ship:  On the first day I walked around the ship and looked around.  Here are some pictures I took while walking around:

Elevator/Staircase Area

Lower Level of London Dining Room

London Dining Room on Carnival Triumph

Port Side of London Dining Room

Lights in Ceiling of London Dining Room

Looking Down From 2nd Floor

Stairs Down to 1st Floor of London Dining

2nd Floor of London Dining Room

2nd Floor of London Dining Room

View From 3rd Floor of Rome Lounge

Club Monaco Casino on Promenade

Slots in Club Monaco Casino

Brand New - Alchemy Bar

Alchemy Bar

Big Easy Piano Bar

Piano & Windows in Big Easy

Piano in Big Easy

Deck 9 - AFT Area Looking Toward Pizzeria

My touring brought me to the outside decks of the ship.  The pool area on the Lido was starting to get crowded and it was only about 1:00pm. I think many people skipped their first lunch to go to the pool.  Here are some pictures taken from outside:

Big Screen & Ship's Funnel

View of Galveston, Texas

Galveston, Texas - Pleasure Pier in Distance

Looking Down At Terminal & Gangway

Lido Deck - Looking Towards Waterslide

On Deck 10

Deck 10 Looking Towards Back of Ship

Deck 11 - Jogging Track

Looking Towards Back of Ship

Deck 11 Jogging Track Area w/Funnel

Looking Down At Lido Deck

Harbor Area of Galveston, Texas

Bus Arriving At Terminal

Galveston, Texas

Looking at Galveston, Texas

Retractable Roof is Open

Pelican Island - Industrial Looking Area

Zoomed In On Pelican Island

2nd Floor of South Beach Club

A Pool & Waterslide

Funnel & Screen Which Advertises Red Frog

Mini Golf Course

Small Ships in Water

This ship is moving very fast

Lido is Crowded With People

Part of Ship With Galveston

Outside Decks of Ship

Big Screen Theater & Tail of Ship

View From Front of Ship of Terminal 2

View from Balcony in Mid-Afternoon

The Ship Had A Smell: The ship did have a strong smell of disinfectant spray.  A few areas still had a weak smell of sewage.  Overall, the ship was clean but some places had bad odors.  Consider packing a dust mask if a moderate disinfectant smell bothers you.

Ship's Atrium

Alchemy Bar in Promenade

Hollywood Dance Club's Outside Area

Alchemy Bar

Elevator Area

Looking Down in Atrium From Deck 9

Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar Area

Sauce Bowls

Moving Window Washer - Not Washing

Looking At Galveston - Big Cornet

Waterslide

Coast Guard Ship Driving By

Table & 2 Chairs on Balcony

Starboard Side of Ship by Gift Shop

Ship's Atrium

Club Monaco Casino

Shopping Desk & Future Cruise Desk

Muster Station Drill:

    The Muster Station Drill was held at 4:00PM. This drill was required for all guests and crew members.  The muster stations on the Carnival Triumph were located on the port and starboard side of Deck 4.  The cruise director, Jen, made announcements prior to the drill to warn people about the drill.  At the muster stations the crew made people form single file lines.  There were about 5 or 6 lines by the time all of the passengers arrived.  The crew used a clicker device to count passengers in attendance at the drill.  The crew members also demonstrated how to wear and put on the life jackets   Then the cruise director talked about smoking areas, environmental policies, and emergency procedures.  Then the muster station drill was over!  The ship's starboard side was dismissed first and the port side guests had to remain in place for a few minutes. 

World's Way Promenade

Sail-A-Way From Galveston:  The ship was delayed by about 30-45 minutes because of the Muster Station drill taking place at 4:00PM.  Due to the ship not turning around in the morning the ship had to turn around for us to be able to leave Galveston, Texas.

Backed Away From Terminal 1

Terminal 1

View from Front of Ship As Ship Turns Around

Enjoy some pictures that I took during Sail-A-Way:

Part of Terminal 1 & Part of Terminal 2

Terminal 2

Gangway of Terminal 2

Side view of Ship with Galveston

The gangway of terminal 2 and the old gangway of terminal 1

Side View of Ship As Ship Turns Around

Front of Ship With Terminal 2 Gangway

Front of Ship With Terminal 1 in Background

Terminal 1 with Galveston in background

Oil Rig Museum and Galveston in background

Terminal 1 Gangway

Terminal 1 in Galveston, Texas

Banner on Terminal Welcoming Triumph back to Galveston after long time away

Galveston, Texas

Harbor House Hotel and Pier

Oil Rig Museum

Coming up on a pier with tractors

Passing A Docked Ship

Back of Docked Ship & Tractors on Pier

Tractors on Pier

2 Ships Docked By Each Other

Front of Ship

Coast Guard Station?

2 Ferries Moving Across Water

View of Pelican Island Side

Ferry Station in Galveston

2 Highrise Towers

2 Ships

Seawolf Park

Getting Close to End of Island

Tip of the Island

Dinner in London Dining Room:  Your-Time Dining was held in the London Dining Room on Deck 3.  I do not know what the Deck 4 area of the dining room was used for.  The dining room was scheduled to open at 5:45PM, but on the first night it opened at 5:30PM.  The service in the dining room was excellent!  Out of all of the departments on this ship the dining room crew members were the best! The food was very good and a reasonable portion.  The pictures that I posted are in photo gallery format which means that no captions are included. I did not include any names of food items because I do not remember the names of all.   Enjoy the pictures:

Welcome Aboard Show: The Welcome Aboard Show was the old style show.  The old style show had the large inflatable ship and FUN letters on the stage.  The Triumph dancers and singers were very good!  The show was worth seeing and I wish there would have been a second showing because I would have gone to see it.  After the dancers finished their act our cruise director, Jen, came up to the stage and spoke.  She did a great job and had a catch line "shake your booty". One memorable part of the welcome aboard show was when she asked if anybody was celebrating a divorce and almost half of the people clapped.  This show was very good and worth seeing!

Rome Lounge

Rome Lounge - Looking Towards Back

Ceiling of Rome Lounge

Stateroom Nightly Turndown:   After dinner & the show the stateroom was turned down, a towel animal was left, and the steward left chocolate mints & a copy of the Fun Times for the next day.  The rollaway bed was also laid down so the room was very crowded.

NOISE AT NIGHT:    The main disadvantage of this room was that my floor had  people passing from the Lido deck at night whom would use my hallway as a shortcut. People were loud and sometimes would beat on our door.  Since our room was close to the atrium we were able to hear the singer at the bottom of the atrium.

Towel Animal For Night

Rollaway Bed is Set Up

Sunset

Here are some pictures I took of the ship at night:

Guy's Burger Joint At Night

Side View of Guy's At Night

Atrium at Night

Up Next:

Carnival Triumph 4-Day 2013  -  2nd Day of the Cruise & Sea Day
Click Here to View Day 2 of the Cruise REVIEW 

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