My husband and I and two friends went on the Cayamo music cruise on the Carnival Victory out of Miami visiting Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The Miami airport is one of the worst in the country if the cruise lines got together and demanded a change in management it would improve things greatly. We stayed at the Embassy Suites at the airport and used their shuttle service from the airport and to the port. Good hotel; efficient service.

Embarkation was a complete zoo, it took almost an hour to get on the ship. The only good part was that one of the bands played for us while we were waiting. This was a special trip organized around singer/songwriters like Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin and a whole bunch of excellent performers. There were impromptu jams all over the ship and that part of the cruise was exceptional and not at all usual for Carnival, I'm sure. We have sailed regular cruises on NCL (transatlantic) and RCCL(western caribbean) and I will compare the usual cruise ship features.

Carnival's ocean view room on the Riviera deck was exceptionally roomy, clean and comfortable. Much better than the ocean view rooms on the Jewel and Enchantment. Plenty of storage. Interactive TV was not too wonderful, though, took many tries to check our room charges. Don't bother with the internet service on the Victory, it was much worse, but they did reimburse my husband for his futile attempt to get email. Unlike the Jewel and Enchantment the cell phone and internet service on Victory were awful instead of just cumbersome as on the other ships. Wait and check your email in port. The decoration of the ship's public areas (except the hallways on the cabin decks which were very nice) was appalling. I am sure there is medication for whatever that poor decorator suffered from and I wish he had taken it before inflicting himself on the Victory. The public areas were also very cold. Read more