Review of Carnival Triumph Cruise to St. John and Halifax, Canada July 18, 2009-July 23, 2009 Please note this review is based upon the experience of me and my family members who sailed on The Carnival Triumph from July 18, 2009-July 23, 2009. Others may have different experiences. Embarkation: We had a service drop us off at the pier in NYC. We arrived around 12:00. Not many people in the drop off area-we were able to secure a porter for our luggage and off we went upstairs. Lines to check in were long, but moved quickly. We were assigned out boarding numbers and waited about a half hour. We were on board by 12:45. Prior to boarding there were some announcements about trouble with the gangway which was why there seemed to be a delay in boarding passengers. Also, the photographers were actually set up inside the boarding area before the gangway which was a new experience. After boarding we met up with the rest of our party and found our way to the Lido Deck for lunch. Lunch was fine. We were able to find seating for everyone. The lines were a little long, but not overly lengthy. An attendant came around offering juice, water, or ice tea from a cart which was a nice touch. Lifeboat Drill: Usual chaotic mess. Just goes with the territory I guess! One would think after all the years of doing the drills; the cruise lines would have found a way to make it easier. Part of the overall cruise experience!   Room: We had ocean view rooms on deck 1 port side in the aft section. Room size was fine. Bathrooms seemed bigger than on previous cruises. Shower head was wonderful it felt like a nice and relaxing massage. We were allowed into the rooms after 2:30 on the first day. Room steward (Noel) came around to introduce himself. Room was always clean. Towel animals and chocolate on the beds every night. Room was cleaned twice a day. I am a sound sleeper so this did not bother me, but some other members of our party felt the rooms were too close to the engines which we didn't realize when we booked and could hear the sounds each night. We know now for next time to study the location charts more diligently! But it didn't impact our cruise experience.   Dining: We had the main seating in the upper deck of the Paris Dining room. Food was excellent and service fantastic thanks to our waiter Juan and bus boy Felix. Never a bad meal. We all tried different items and everyone enjoyed the food.  The chocolate melting cake was simply decadent and sweeter than anything imaginable, although my personal dessert favorite was the cappuccino pie as I am a mocha lover! We did breakfast and lunch a couple of times in the main dining room and the food was fine, plus it was nice to mingle with other people. The spinach fettuccini was delicious for lunch. We also did breakfast and lunch in the South Beach Buffett. Once again good food. While the lines sometimes were long, they moved pretty quickly. We were always to find tables, if not in the buffet area toward the back of the ship or up one flight of stairs in the South Beach Buffett. Members of our party also had the pizza and enjoyed it, as well as sandwiches from the NY Deli which they said were good. Room service was also used. Always delivered in a timely manner. So many food options, it was hard to try everyone.   Entertainment/Activities: There was a different show each night. The magic and illusion show was great. The welcome aboard show was fumy. Jorge was the cruise director and he was quite amusing. The comedian Happy Cole was particularly funny. There were two Broadway style review shows, one about different cultures and one about the Big Easy which were ok. Just fun to sit and watch and relax. There were activities constantly aboard the ship. Trivia games, bingo, ice sculpture. Always something to do or not to do if one so chooses!   Excursions: St. John-Very welcoming town. Friendly people. We did the trolley tour which went to the Reversing Falls. Quite a site. The tour also provided insight into the history of the town. We walked around the harbor. Upon exiting the terminal we made a left and walked to a shopping plaza with arts and crafts, stores, and restaurants. Very nice. Halifax-We did the whale watching and nature tour. Saw many whales and seals. It was fun to try to guess which area the whales would appear next. I also went to the Maritime Museum which I loved as I am a shipwreck buff. Upon exiting the terminal walk to the right and follow the promenade-maybe a 5-10 minute walk to the shopping/restaurant area around the harbor and the Maritime Museum is also there. Other info about ports: American dollars were accepted, change was given in Canadian currency. In both ports upon exiting the gangways, information and directions about meeting the excursions were readily available and visible. Very easy to find the meeting places for the tours.   Ship: The Triumph is very clean. Lots of care given to the ship. I actually saw an attendant scrubbing the stairs with a small brush. I thought the ship was very tastefully decorated. Due to the layout of the ship it is easy to sometimes get lost, especially when trying to find the Paris Dining Room on decks 3 and 4. As other people have mentioned Deck 5 will help one to navigate to any other part of the ship. I did miss not having a promenade which went around the perimeter of the ship. You could walk upstairs on the upper decks. The small promenade on Deck 5 was usually closed due to winds or cleaning. I always found it to be very peaceful to sit and read in the seating area by the lobby bar between the excursion desk and the guest relations desk.   Pool: We were always able to find chairs by the small pool deck in back of the South Beach Buffett. Also on the top decks, people would just help themselves to the deck chairs stacked against the wall and set them up.   Disembarkation: It seemed like there was a long wait for self assist people to get off the ship, but once those passengers had been called, the rest of the disembarkation process was pretty smooth. If you are being picked up, make sure you know if you are being met on the upper level or the lower level of the terminal.   Staff/Service: Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Always a greeting and a smile. Trays were removed very quickly, and tables cleaned in the buffet areas. The staff was great.   Other: One member of our party had injured her foot a couple of weeks prior to sail date. We were unable to get any concrete answers from either our travel agency or the carnival staff about the procedures for the lifeboat drill for someone who required assistance with stairs. We did speak with the purser's desk after boarding and they were able to tell us where to meet for people who could not do the stairs but in the end  we just  took the elevator up to the floor about a half hour prior to the drill.   Weather: Mostly good and warm except for one day when it was chilly and windy. Pack a jacket or sweatshirt just in case! Seas were for the most part smooth, every now and then one felt the ship sway.   Overall Impressions: Very relaxing and wonderful cruise. Something for everyone. Staff was terrific. I enjoyed being pampered. Bottom Line:  Would I sail Carnival again: Yes Would I sail the Triumph again: Yes Would I sail to Canada again: Yes