The Carnival Triumph sails out of both Galveston and New Orleans depending on what time of year it is and it stops at ports like Belize, Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, Nassau, Key West and Progreso. The ship was built in 1999 and is one of the two ships in the Triumph class with Carnival. It is considered a small to mid-sized ship by today’s standards at 102,000 tons, and is able to hold around 2,800 passengers.
The Carnival Triumph packs a lot of punch onto its 893 foot long decks. There is a wide diversity of ethnic foods, dining options, entertainment venues and lounges on board, so there is pretty much something for everyone. There are also many updates to the ship like the huge 12’x22’ TV screen over the pool that has become almost customary on Carnival ships
The Cabins
The cabins on the Triumph are typically what you would expect and come with a basket of soap, toothpaste, razors and shampoo. You will still want to bring your own though, because this basket is not re-supplied when all of its contents are empty.
The Empress Deck has some of the nicest cabins which also happen to be nice and quiet as well. The reason for this is that there is at least one deck above and below this deck that buffers you from the noisy parts of the ship. This deck is also where the high dollar room are located like the suites and penthouses, but if you want excellent service you can book an interior room right across from one of the suites and save a few bucks at the same time.
What cabins to avoid
Some passengers have complained about noise issues on Deck 6 (Upper Deck) because this part of the ship is right on top of the busiest parts of the ship. If you are a light sleeper or plan on turning in early during your cruise you may want to avoid rooms on this deck, but if you will be one of the ones contributing to the noise then it really doesn’t matter.
Dining Options
If you love to eat then you will love dining on the Triumph. Besides being able to eat pizza or ice cream 24 hours a day, there are also other great eateries for those who have a more ethnic pallet. The Hong Kong Noodle Co. offers a great authentic selection from the far east, while the New York Deli offers a western selection of pastrami and bagels.
The Coney Island Grill is where you can eat as many hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza that you could ever want, but save some room for the Sushi Bar or Vienna Café for more delectable dining.
The 2 main dining rooms are the London and the Paris which are both spacious and take up 2 floors. The menu offers everything from lamb and turkey to lobster tail, and the staff on the Carnival Triumph making formal dining fun with their silly antics and singing.
The South Beach Club restaurant on the Lido deck is spectacular with an open view of the clear blue sky and bright vibrant colors all around. Carnival has really tried to combine lounging and dining to the typical buffet rush is not so stressful.
Another dining option is the Chef’s Table which will allow up to 12 cruisers to eat a 4-5 course meal with a master chef. You will dine either at the library, lounge, or some other part of the ship and be able to eat like a king or queen, but you will also have to spend like you are a king or queen as well at $75 a person. But for special occasions it can be well worth the unique experience.
Fun and Entertainment
When it comes to entertainment the Carnival Triumph offers something for the whole family. The 3 story twist water slide is always a crowd pleaser and the kids will line up for this one when they are not having fun at Camp Carnival, Circle C or taking part in one of the many activities planned for the kids.
But if you’d rather enjoy a more relaxing cruise, there are 4 swimming pools and 7 hot tubs to enjoy. And if certain pools are too noisy or crowded, it usually a little less crowded on the spa decks or adult’s only section.
The Triumph is all about audience participation and if you really want to break out of your shell this is the time to do it. There are talent shows for the passengers to participate in as well as twists in the newly wed game.
There are 2 main shows to enjoy in the Rome Lounge and you should get there early if you want to get a good seat. On the upper deck there are a few seats that have obstructed views, but I usually prefer a seat in the middle on the upper deck as you have a great view of the whole place. But those seats are taken fast so you will have to plan in advance.
Don’t forget about the 9 hole mini-golf course as well as the other fun past times too. Whether you want to play some ping-pong, shuffleboard, or just jog around the padded track, there are many venues for having a great time at sea in the Triumph
