Carnival Cruises Reviews

Hi Mrs Rollo My husband and I stayed in Barbados for three days before the cruise, not at the hotel you have booked so sorry I cannot give you any feedback on this. We stayed at the Almond Casuarina Hotel in St Lawrence Gap, was not really impressed with this hotel but it was OK for 3 days (would not want to stay any longer than that). As we were only there for 3 days we did not do anything other than lie on the beach and relax before our cruise. Took a walk around St Lawrence Gap but not much else. Bridgetown is well worth a visit really enjoyable. Carnival Victory is a lovely ship - huge so be prepared to get lost for the first couple of days. Tip do not take any electrical equipment on board (iron, hair dryer/straighteners/tongs) these will be confiscated (returned to you when you leave the ship on your last day). There is a hairdryer in your stateroom and a laundry room on every deck so you do not really need these. I had a few very bad hair days (frizz from heat and humidity) so took several trips to the hairdressers - very reasonable so you do not need to worry about this. If you like to use the SPA it is very impressive - but very very expensive. The resturants are great and the food very good - you must order the chocolate pudding - it is delicious. We only ate in the main dining room in the evening, for breakfast we went to the buffet on Lido deck - great choice for both breakfast and lunch. Another tip - go for breakfast early before 8.30 if you can its tends to get really busy after that. If you like a midnight snack the pizza bar if open 24hours so you will never be hungry. Dress code is casual in the dining rooms but the guests (when we were on board) really made an effort on the two formal nights (expecially the ladies....) so take a nice dress. Entertainment on board was very good. If you fancy a sing a long - go to the Irish Sea Bar, if you like something a bit quieter have a drink in the lobby bar and watch the world go by. There is a karaoke bar (my idea of hell but some like it) and they have a competition every evening - the winner then joins the cast for the show on the Saturday evening - must admit some of the singers were very good. You can of course choose to lose a few pounds in the casino or stroll on the decks - something for everyone - whatever floats your boat. Drinks on board average $7 per drink - quite expensive but we only had a few in the evening so OK. If you are a wine drinker suggest you buy the wine packages - will work out cheaper. You can book excursions on the ship - you can do this via your tv, these can be a bit pricey, but if you want a planned escorted excursion then I would just go for it. We did not book any excursions but used the local taxi drivers - for reference we paid $25 dollars each for a three hour tour of the island (every island) - if you are travelling with companions or you find someone to share with you can get this price down to $20. The drivers will take you to all of the islands tourist highlights (butterfly farm, rainforests, best beaches) and most of them are very knowledgable. Tip ask them to tell you exactly what sights you will see and if you want to go somewhere else then tell them and negotiate a price. They will also drop you off at a beach and come back for you if this is what you want. If you like snorkelling or scuba you will have the opportunity to do this on every island - again you are better going for the planned excursion for this type of activity. A catamaran trip is always good fun but remember to put on plenty of sun screen and be prepared for the guests that have one to many rum punches (inevitable). On Dominica take a trip to the Rainforest and Waterfalls - spectacular. San Juan is a lovely port - lots of shops and restuarants - you must go and walk around the fortress a great way to spend a couple of hours - very informative. If you love jewellery diamonds and emeralds you are going to have a great shopping experience - every island is full of jewellers selling some really nice pieces. Not sure what the weather will be like but I would take a brolly (it rained every day in July!!) Oh...try to make sure you take adequate toilteries - we ran out of toothpaste and it cost us $6 for more....ouch!! Hope this is useful - have a great time on your holiday.

Hi, I went on Carnival Victory last September and didnt get any of my electrtical equipment confiscated! It was just delivered to our cabin door in my suitcase! They do like to confiscate alcohol bought ashore though.....

Thanks Mrs Doyle, I will risk straighteners in my case.I will use them the first week before cruise as we are staying at Escape at the Gap in Barbados. I do know they will confiscate alcohol, even PO have started not allowing alcohol to be taken onboard.Thanks again.

Hi Mrs Pyatt. Yes they confiscate most electrical equipment including our travel iron, hair straighteners were in hand luggage, the iron was in out suitcases - so regardless of where you put these they scan your luggage and confiscate this type of equipment which you get back when you leave the ship. I have no idea about "gas powered" tongs or hotbrush - they are not keen on anything that can "heat up" in your cabin in case of fire which you can appreciate would be a bit of a risk. Your only option is to take them and see what happens. I have the hair from "hell" if I do not use straighteners - but I just washed and dried my hair in the cabin and then went to the hair salon to get it straightened $19 a go which was not too bad and better than the alternative of staying in my cabin for seven nights. Have a great time on your cruise.