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Carnival Triumph 2016 4-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 1   Part 1         June 16,  2016                        New Orleans, LA                                        Departure:  4:00PM
Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!         

Arriving At The Cruise Terminal and Parking:
          ​Each time I cruise, I try to spot the ship's funnel before approaching the cruise terminal. When I spotted the Carnival Triumph's funnel behind the cruise terminal, I was excited that the long drive to New Orleans was over and the cruise vacation was about to begin! We arrived at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal around 9:40am. The roadways surrounding the cruise terminal were busy as disembarking passengers left and embarking passengers were trying to get parked. There was virtually no line to pay for parking at the cruise terminal's garage. The Port of New Orleans charges $20.00 per day to park in the cruise terminal's parking garage. After paying for parking, the attendant directed us to go up a spiral ramp to a luggage drop off zone. Upon arriving at luggage drop off, a luggage steward examined our boarding passes and took the luggage from the trunk of our vehicle. The steward then told us we could park on the 4th, 5th, or 6th floors of the parking garage. Dropping off luggage was extremely easy and took no more than a few minutes. However, finding a parking space was hard. There were no available spots on the 4th or 5th floors when we drove through the garage, but luckily we managed to find a spot on the 6th floor. After unloading our carry on belongings, we took the elevator down to the ground floor to check-in.
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
First Look At The Erato Street Cruise Terminal
Carnival Triumph
Going Up The Parking Garage Ramp - View Of Ship's Front
Carnival Triumph
A View Of The Ship From The Parking Garage's Windows
Staggered Check-In:
             Carnival ships out of New Orleans now operate on a staggered check-in system. While completing online documents and paperwork, each stateroom is required to select a check-in window. These time windows indicate the time a stateroom's occupants can begin arriving at the cruise terminal to check-in. The goal of this process was to reduce crowding and lines. 
               Once we arrived on the ground level of the cruise terminal, the check-in process began. At the front door there was an employee checking boarding passes and passports. After a quick check, we were allowed to proceed up the escalator to the 2nd floor. There were photographers from the ship taking embarkation day photos of passengers. We declined to have our picture taken because we wanted to hurry to the check-in counter. The next step in the process was to get passports scanned. This took a few minutes because some of the passports took a longer time to scan. Following the scanning of our passports, we were directed to a security checkpoint. There were multiple checkpoints open and this took only a few minutes to get through. 
​                 Following the security checkpoint, Platinum & Diamond guests were sent to special check in tables that were adjacent to the check-in tables for General Embarkation guests. Since I was fortunate to travel with a family member that is Platinum, we were able go through the priority check-in lines. In past years, check-in for priority guests was held in the Captain's Lounge, but this is no longer the case. There was no line at the priority check-in tables and we were checked in within a few minutes. I noticed the lines for the general embarkation check-in were short too. The lady that checked us in was extremely friendly and recognized us from the year before! During this time we received our Sail & Sign Cards and instructions to wait in the Captain's Lounge for boarding to begin. 
Carnival Triumph New OrleansView Of The Ship & Pier As I Walked Up The Gangway
Embarkation and Boarding: 
​           After waiting for over an hour for boarding to start, the moment to board came around 11:40am. The Platinum and Diamond guests sitting in the Captain's Lounge were allowed to board first. Following Platinum & Diamond guests were guests who purchased Faster to the Fun and then general embarkation. Since I was in the same stateroom as a Platinum guest, I was able to board with the people in the Captain's Lounge!! 
           Following the announcement that Platinum and Diamond guests could board the ship, I raced up to get in line. Before being allowed on the gangway, we had to get our Sail & Sign cards scanned and show our boarding passes again. I enjoyed walking up the gangway and looking at the ship as I finally became closer to getting on.

Carnival Triumph Docked In New Orleans
View Ship's Back Half As I Walked Up The Gangway
Carnival Triumph Docked In New Orleans
View Of The Ship's Front Half As I Walked Up The Gangway
Carnival Triumph
Crossing Over From Land To The Ship
On the Carnival Triumph
On The Ship - Looking Back At The Gangway
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
A Better View Of the Cruise Terminal
Carnival Triumph Deck 3 Area
Deck 3 Area Closed Due To Gangway Operations
Finally Onboard The Carnival Triumph!
         The cruise terminal's gangway led us onto Deck 3 (Lobby Deck). We entered the ship through the atrium. There were many crew members around answering questions and giving directions. The elevator area was not crowded yet so we managed to get into an atrium elevator right away to go up to the Lido Deck. Here are some photos I took as I walked across the Lido Deck in order to get to the buffet: 
Carnival Triumph Lido Deck Pool
Looking At The Ship's Lido Deck Main Pool
Carnival Triumph Lido Deck
On The Lido Deck - Looking Towards Atrium Entrance
Carnival Triumph Lido Deck Main Pool
Side View Of The Lido Deck Main Pool
Carnival Triumph Towel Human
Towel Human On The Lido Deck
Carnival Triumph South Beach Club Lido Buffet
South Beach Club Walkway & Seating
Carnival Triumph South Beach Club Lido Buffet
Seating In The South Beach Club
First Lunch Onboard
          The Carnival Triumph's Lido Deck buffet is known as the South Beach Club. Cruisers had many different lunch choices including the Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy's Burger Joint, Chopsticks (Chinese food), Pizzeria, Deli, and the Comfort Kitchen main buffet lines. I started my cruise with tacos from the Blue Iguana Cantina and a Pastrami on Rye sandwich from the deli. I enjoyed the tacos and the Pastrami on Rye was extremely good!  Those who have read my past reviews know I love taking photos of my food and the food of others at my table. Here are the food photos from the first lunch onboard:
Carnival Triumph Blue Iguana Cantina
Two Chicken Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
Carnival Triumph Blue Iguana Cantina
Wrapped Burrito From The Blue Iguana Cantina
Carnival Triumph Burrito
Burrito Unwrapped
Carnival Triumph Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
Carnival Triumph Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
Carnival Triumph Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
Carnival Triumph Comfort Kitchen Foods
Assorted Foods From The Comfort Kitchen Buffet Line
Carnival Triumph Chopsticks Food
Food From Chopsticks (Chinese Food)
Carnival Triumph Chopsticks Food
Food From Chopsticks (Chinese Food)
Carnival Triumph Deli Menu
Deli Menu (Click To Make Larger)
Carnival Triumph Deli
Looking Inside The Carnival Triumph's Deli
Carnival Triumph Pastrami on Rye Sandwich
Pastrami on Rye Sandwich From The Deli
Dessert Station on the Carnival Triumph
Dessert Station For First Day's Lunch On The Lido
Carnival Triumph Lido Buffet Dessert Station
Dessert Station For First Day's Lunch On The Lido
Carnival Triumph Lido Dessert Station
Dessert Station For First Day's Lunch On The Lido
Afternoon Walk Touring The Outside Decks:
              After eating lunch it was time to walk around the Carnival Triumph. We went from the Lido Deck (9) to one deck above (10) to start our tour of the ship. The weather was hot, but nice, as we walked around the ship's outside decks.  Here are some pictures:
Carnival Triumph Deck 11
Deck 11 - At The Back
Carnival Triumph AFT Pool
Looking Below At the AFT Pool - View From Deck 11
Carnival Triumph Pool & Hottubs
Looking Down At The AFT Pool & Hottubs
Carnival Triumph Mississippi River
Looking Down The Mississippi River
Ship Sailing Down The Mississippi River
A View Of A Ship Sailing Downriver
Julia Street Cruise Terminal
View of New Orleans Skyline & Other Cruise Terminal
Julia Street Cruise Terminal
Zoomed In View Of The Julia Street Cruise Terminal
View Of the Pier
Dumpster on the Pier Below
New Orleans
Zoomed In View Of the Buildings Downriver
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
Luggage Crates & Vehicles On New Orleans Pier
Luggage Crates & Vehicles Below
Picture
Carnival Triumph No Smoking Due To Fuel Operations Sign
Sign Forbidding Smoking Due To Refueling Operations
Carnival Triumph Funnel and Seaside Theatre
A Look Up At The Ship's Funnel
Carnival Triumph Lido Deck
Lido & Panorama Deck Lounge Chairs
Erato Street Cruise Terminal
Looking Down At The Gangway
Carnival Triumph Lido Deck
Looking At The Ship's Lido Deck
Carnival Triumph Waterslide
The Waterslide
Carnival Triumph Oceanview StateroomOceanview Stateroom
Stateroom:
         My stateroom was an Ocean View room located close to the front on the ship's Main Deck (Deck 2).  Our room was located extremely close to the front elevator/stairwell area and the ship's atrium elevators. This location was great, but during the evening the location was a nightmare because the noise from the atrium was too loud. I will discuss this more later in the review. 
              The stateroom contained two twin beds, a flat screen TV, small vanity area, three closed closet spaces, and a sofa bed. The room was a good size and had plenty of floor space. The stateroom was mostly clean when we walked in, but it appeared the stateroom steward forgot to clean the bathroom floor because it was dirty. We had two minor problems with the stateroom on the first day. The first problem was the air conditioning vent was blowing lukewarm air. The second problem was the stateroom's bathroom was only running cold water. Thankfully we did not have to discuss these issues with Guest Services because after the ship departed New Orleans the stateroom cooled down and the bathroom's water was able to come out hot. I do not know if the surrounding staterooms had the same issues on the first day, but I am glad the problems were resolved after sail-a-way.  
Here are a few photos of our stateroom and bathroom:

Carnival Triumph Stateroom Beds
Stateroom Beds
Carnival Triumph Couch Bed
Couch Bed
Carnival Triumph Stateroom Bathroom
Stateroom Bathroom
Carnival Triumph Stateroom Shower
Stateroom Shower
Carnival Triumph Bathroom Sink
Bathroom Sink
Carnival Triumph Stateroom Hairdryer and Towels
Hairdryer and Towels
Walking Around The Ship's Promenade Deck:
           After looking at our stateroom we decided to tour the inside areas of the ship. Our first stop was the ship's Promenade Deck (Deck 5). The Promenade Deck has many of the Carnival Triumph's bars, nightclub, and lounges. The Carnival Triumph's Promenade walkway is known as the World's Way Promenade. 
Carnival Triumph Shops
Jewelry Shops On The Promenade Deck
Carnival Triumph Atrium
View Of The Atrium From Deck 5
Carnival Triumph Shops
Logo Item Gift Shop On The Promenade Deck
             Note:  One of the things added during the Carnival Triumph's March 2016 dry-dock was a feature called Cherry On Top. This new feature was located on the Promenade Deck between the onboard shops and the Club Monaco Casino. Cherry On Top offers sweets cruisers can purchase for a small charge. The first two pictures below are of Cherry On Top:
Carnival Triumph Cherry On Top
Looking In Cherry On Top
Carnival Triumph Cherry On Top
Another View Of Cherry On Top
Picture
World's Way Promenade
Carnival Triumph Stage
Stage Area Near Casino Bar On the Promenade
Carnival Triumph Internet Cafe
Internet Cafe - Located By Cafe Vienna
Carnival Triumph Internet Cafe
Computer At The Internet Cafe
Carnival Triumph Cafe Vienna
Cafe Vienna - a coffee bar where cruisers can purchase hot beverages & pastries
Carnival Triumph Alchemy Bar
Looking Towards The Alchemy Bar On World's Way Promenade
Carnival Triumph Promenade
Many Seats Along The Promenade
Carnival Triumph Alchemy Bar
Carnival Triumph's Alchemy Bar
Carnival Triumph Promenade
World's Way Promenade
Picture
Carnival Triumph Club Rio Aft Lounge Entrance
Entrance To Club Rio - The Aft Lounge
Carnival Triumph Club Rio Aft Lounge
Stage
Carnival Triumph
Seating Areas & Booths
A Quick Look In The Paris Dining Room: 
              After touring Deck 5 we walked down to Deck 3 to take a look at the Paris Dining Room. The Carnival Triumph has two main dining rooms onboard, the London Dining Room and the Paris Dining Room. The Paris Dining Room is two levels and is located at the back of Decks 3 and 4. This was not the dining room that we were assigned to, but I wanted to take a few pictures for the review. The Paris Dining Room accommodates guests that have assigned early and late seating for dinner. The tables were in the process of being set for the night's dinner when we walked in. 
Picture
Paris Dining Room Entrance - Deck 3 Level
Carnival Triumph Paris Dining Room
Seating In The Paris Dining Room
Carnival Triumph Paris Dining Room
Hostess Station In The Paris Dining Room
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Keep Reading For Day 1 Part 2's Review
​The next part of Day 1's review is now available. In this next part of the review I discuss the muster station drill, sail-a-way, first night's dinner, stateroom turndown, the Welcome Aboard Show, and nighttime on the ship. To continue with this review: 
Click Here To Continue To Day 1 Part 2's Review
Click Here To Return To The Review's Main Page
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