Since we live in Florida our cruise adventure started with a drive through the Everglades.  We arrived at the Miami Pier at 12:30.  We chose to park shipside ($140) and joined a long line waiting to check in.  Carnival employees do a good job keeping the lines moving.  The only long wait was to actually board the ship.  For some reason the picture for our sail and sign card was made onboard as we entered the ship.  Since there were only a few cameras and many guests coming onboard there was an unexpected (for us) logjam at the doors.  I don't remember this from other Carnival cruises.  Don't they usually take pictures at the desk?

Finally walking onboard through the atrium I noticed that the maitre d' was on duty, so my DH immediately took care of changing our table assignment to a table for 2.  That done, we headed to the Upper deck forward to our veranda cabin.  The cabin was very similar to other Carnival ships.  Well organized, plenty of room for storage, comfortable beds, and roomy shower.  I was interested to note that the mini-bar had been removed.  Since I only use the mini bar to refrigerate my water bottles - that wasn't much of a disappointment, and the extra storage space was good for luggage.  I was surprised to find a bit of mildew on the grout in the bath.  Later my DH brought this to the attention of our room steward, and he made an effort to clean it using an abrasive cloth.  What the shower really needed was an application of bleach, but maybe they don't use that on board.  In all other respects the cabin was very clean. Our tummies were telling us that it was time to visit the Lido Deck (which we call the "Feedo" Deck) for lunch.  The Lido on the Triumph has the central main buffet areas with two lines.  By the time we went to lunch there were no lines, and we enjoyed our first meal of salads and chicken marsala and roast beef.  Inside the dining room we also discovered a Deli station and a Chinese Food Station.  At the main pool there was an international buffet and a buffet with the usual hotdogs, hamburgers etc.  Next to the aft pool there is another grill station where they are also grilling chicken and veggie burgers and of course the famous Carnival 24 hr. pizza station.  If the dining areas are full, take your meals upstairs in the mid section of the deck.  The tables up there are mostly empty.  All around the Lido you will find the ice cream and yogurt machines.  Sadly, no toppings of any kind were available.

The boat drill was conducted efficiently and quickly, and by the time we were back in our cabin, the luggage had started to arrive.  We made quick work of unpacking and stowing luggage, and then went out on the balcony to watch our departure from Miami. Read more