Carnival Triumph 2016 4-Day Caribbean Cruise Review
Day 1 Part 1 June 16, 2016 New Orleans, LA Departure: 4:00PM
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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.
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.
First Look At The Erato Street Cruise Terminal
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Going Up The Parking Garage Ramp - View Of Ship's Front
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A View Of The Ship From The Parking Garage's Windows
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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 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.
View 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.
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.
View Ship's Back Half As I Walked Up The Gangway
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View Of The Ship's Front Half As I Walked Up The Gangway
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Crossing Over From Land To The Ship
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On The Ship - Looking Back At The Gangway
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A Better View Of the Cruise Terminal
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Deck 3 Area Closed Due To Gangway Operations
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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:
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:
Looking At The Ship's Lido Deck Main Pool
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On The Lido Deck - Looking Towards Atrium Entrance
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Side View Of The Lido Deck Main Pool
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Towel Human On The Lido Deck
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South Beach Club Walkway & Seating
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Seating In The South Beach Club
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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:
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:
Two Chicken Tacos From The Blue Iguana Cantina
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Wrapped Burrito From The Blue Iguana Cantina
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Burrito Unwrapped
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Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
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Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
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Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar
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Assorted Foods From The Comfort Kitchen Buffet Line
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Food From Chopsticks (Chinese Food)
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Food From Chopsticks (Chinese Food)
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Deli Menu (Click To Make Larger)
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Looking Inside The Carnival Triumph's Deli
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Pastrami on Rye Sandwich From The Deli
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Dessert Station For First Day's Lunch On The Lido
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Dessert Station For First Day's Lunch On The Lido
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Dessert Station For First Day's Lunch On The Lido
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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:
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:
Deck 11 - At The Back
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Looking Below At the AFT Pool - View From Deck 11
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Looking Down At The AFT Pool & Hottubs
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Looking Down The Mississippi River
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A View Of A Ship Sailing Downriver
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View of New Orleans Skyline & Other Cruise Terminal
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Zoomed In View Of The Julia Street Cruise Terminal
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Dumpster on the Pier Below
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Zoomed In View Of the Buildings Downriver
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Erato Street Cruise Terminal
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Luggage Crates & Vehicles Below
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Sign Forbidding Smoking Due To Refueling Operations
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A Look Up At The Ship's Funnel
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Lido & Panorama Deck Lounge Chairs
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Looking Down At The Gangway
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Looking At The Ship's Lido Deck
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The Waterslide
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Oceanview 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:
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:
Stateroom Beds
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Couch Bed
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Stateroom Bathroom
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Stateroom Shower
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Bathroom Sink
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Hairdryer and Towels
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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.
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.
Jewelry Shops On The Promenade Deck
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View Of The Atrium From Deck 5
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Logo Item Gift Shop On The Promenade Deck
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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:
Looking In Cherry On Top
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Another View Of Cherry On Top
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World's Way Promenade
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Stage Area Near Casino Bar On the Promenade
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Internet Cafe - Located By Cafe Vienna
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Computer At The Internet Cafe
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Cafe Vienna - a coffee bar where cruisers can purchase hot beverages & pastries
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Looking Towards The Alchemy Bar On World's Way Promenade
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Many Seats Along The Promenade
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Carnival Triumph's Alchemy Bar
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World's Way Promenade
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Entrance To Club Rio - The Aft Lounge
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Stage
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Seating Areas & Booths
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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.
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.
Paris Dining Room Entrance - Deck 3 Level
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Seating In The Paris Dining Room
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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 |
