We are 3 in our family traveling on our first cruise from the UK, tired and a little bit jet lagged from our flights on the Saturday as we drove to the pier 4 our first site of Carnival Victory is seared into my memory I was overwhelmed at the size of her and felt a lump in my throat as my little boy looked at me and said " wow Mum its beautiful" and I thought yes she is! embarkation was swift and we were on the ship within 25 mins and straight up to deck 9 the Lido rum punch in hand ( and no its not free) but who cares you are on your holidays. Our little boy was straight in the pool and so was I it was hot and the water all though a little on the green side was cool (they don't fill the main pool until the next day ) our first night was casual but we still made an effort when we got to our suite it was lovely lots of room separate dressing area our whirlpool bath did not work but we didn't even bother to say anything I was just in heaven. After dinner and muster drill which was very hot and after telling my son for the 15th time that we were not going to get a go in the life boats as part of the drill we set sail and it was very smooth you could not really feel it as we pulled out of San Juan and into the dark night everyone was dancing and having fun on the lido deck there was American football playing on the wide screen. Then the American effect began as we came to name it, people talk to you yes they do !! and you start talking back first it was our accent that drew them but by the end of the cruise we had met so many different people from all walks of life as well as one other British couple with a little boy our son's age, but it would not had mattered if we had not as we felt so comfortable every where we went, The crew can't do enough for you nothing is to much trouble. The Pacific dining room was a rush to get to every night after excursions so next time i would rather do an 8pm dinner instead of 6pm but it probably suited our son as he was always ready to eat after so much fun filled sun filled days!! we were tired because we tried to do so much, would we cruise again like a shot waking up early and coming out onto our balcony we saw dolphins and flying fish along side the ship one morning how can you beat that. I loved the glamour of formal nights we spent $300 on photos (my other half won on roulette so he was happy and our son was just happy and kept telling me he did not want to leave), but what great memories and nearly every one we saw had dressed up I am so glad we brought along the best of British black tie I got compliments on my dresses!! My other half looked handsome in his DJ my son looked lovely in his suit and it was just so romantic I loved it. My only small moan and it is small is that a lot of the bar staff do not not have very good English so making them understand your drinks was a bit of a pain but apart from that well done Carnival Victory !! and to all the Americans who made us feel so welcome thank you can't wait to do it again.

PS the beds on this ship are fantastic my creaking back was in bliss !!