This was our family's first cruise and we chose the Carnival Triumph simply because we booked late and it was the only cruise available Christmas week. It could not have turned out any better. We are a family of 5 with kids ages 14,11 & 10.

Embarkation was very easy. While there was a long line to wait in, it was always moving. We really didn't keep track of how long it took to get on the ship as the line just kept moving in the right direction. Since we live in northern NJ near New York City and usually vacation at the Orlando theme parks during Christmas vacation, waiting in line for anything is in our blood. I have read many reviews complaining of the long lines to get on the ship and at the buffet line on the ship. These lines are nothing. Try waiting on line for 1 1/2 hours to ride a 6 minute roller coaster at Universal in Orlando.

We chose oceanview adjoining cabins on the Riviera deck a little aft of midship, 1362&1364. We were pleasantly surprised over how large the cabins were. Kids had 2 twins and a sleeper couch. Wife and I had twin beds pushed together to make one bed. Fortunately for us, the Triumph had just been in dry dock at end of October and all beds and linens were new. We all slept like a rock every night. By far the most comfortable beds we have ever slept in other than our beds at home. Cabins were spotless and always made up the moment we were out of the room. Room steward was pleasant but nothing to write home about. He charged us for a water bottle that we never had, but a trip to the Purser's desk cleared it right up. Kids loved the towel animals each night. They took pictures of them and wanted to by the towel folding book. The ship is extremely stable on the bottom passenger deck. We never felt it moving in our cabins. Location of the cabins were great because we were a short walk from the aft elevators that would take you right up to the buffet and ice cream on the Lido deck, but it was a hike to the Rome Lounge in the front of the ship. The food was much better than we expected. Although we had booked a later seating, we were switched to the earliest seating at 5:45 in the Paris dining room. We usually didn't get to our table until 6:00 where we were cheerfully greeted by our waiter Alex and busboy Glenford. There were only a few minor complaints. We were seated at a booth for 4 people with a chair on the end. It was a little cramped but doable. While Alex brought us whatever dishes that we wanted, he could never remember to bring the kids glasses of milk each night until we were almost done with the meal. But other than that the food was always hot and very good. We ate in the dining room every night and did the Lido deck for breakfast and lunch when on ship. 24 hour pizza and ice cream is included and was great. Read more