This was our second Carnival Cruise. To date we have been on 17 cruises spanning about 20 years, and most of the cruise lines. Our first impression of Triumph was not good. We were travelling with another couple, one of whom was handicapped. The embarkation process was smooth. Leaving late afternoon from Miami is a major traffic hassle. So give yourself extra time should you choose this cruise.
Our first real exposure to a crew member was at the boat drill when a snippy young lady refused to call the elevator for the handicapped person travelling with us. We were on deck 8 and the boat drill was on 4. There was no way he could go down 4 flights of stairs. She advised us to go to the purser's office to arrange for the elevator. Impossible at the time, so he was forced to waive the boat drill despite her protest.
The ship needs some work. We found the overall appearance to be less than clean. Our stateroom had stained carpets, dirty linens and a bathroom with obvious traces of the previous occupants. The design of Triumph makes it necessary to do extra walking. To get to the Paris dining room requires 2 elevators to get around the kitchen located amidships. A ride down to deck 5, a walk to the rear of the ship and then an elevator ride down to deck 3. A major complaint was the foul sewer odor on the starboard side of the ship anywhere from decks 3-5. The walk to the London dining room required passage through the odor. Not a great appetizer. We found the photographers a nuisance. They always caused lines and delays getting on or off the ship. Their portrait locations caused detours due to crowding. At one point I filed a complaint with the purser's office when the photo shop blocked emergency exits to prevent photos from being stolen. Given the recent Princess fire this was a major mistake.