Carnival Triumph Review
Triumphant Cruise to Paradise via New Orleans!
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On April 30th at 3:30 am we got up to get ready for our cruise. We left at 5:30 for New Orleans from Fort Smith, AR. It took about 9 hours and it was a beautiful drive. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Metairie because they had a park, cruise and stay package. We parked all week for free in a covered parking garage, they dropped us off and picked us up from the terminal and on top of that they had a free hot breakfast that was incredible. We will probably stay there again even if we come a day early to sight see, because that same shuttle takes people to and from New Orleans all day. It only took an hour from being dropped off at the terminal at 11:30 to sitting down to lunch on the Lido deck. It was very well organized and everyone was very friendly. The buffet line was very slow, but considering how many of us there were, it wasn't too bad.
Our cabin steward was Troy and he did an excellent job. We saw him every day and he always called us by name. Our dining room staff, Augus and Noyman were very attentive and funny. Augus has been with Carnival for 20 years and was very good at his job. Noyman was fairly new, but learning very quickly. Dinner in the dining room was wonderful every night. The food was great and so was the company. We sat with 3 couples from New Orleans. There was a large number of people from New Orleans on our ship. Even people that weren't from there were because they had left due to Katrina and were coming back for the cruise. I would say about 2/3 of the people were from New Orleans. We enjoyed the shows and Lenny Halliday was a great Cruise Director. Chicken was a pretty great Assistant Cruise Director as well.
One day we decided to eat lunch in the dining room and we ended up being seated with some very rude and demanding people. A couple of them ordered Sushi then when it came they insisted that they didn't order it. One lady wanted more bread so she waves and yells "Bread here". I can see how some people might have trouble with their dinner companions if they have to sit with people like this. We have been lucky so far with all 3 of our cruises.
Cabin Review
Interior
This was our first outside cabin and it was great. Very roomy and a great view. Pretty quiet and very close to the dining room. We just walked around the corner to the stairs and went up 1 flight to the dining room. The nearest elevator took us right to the Lido deck between the Aft pool and the buffet. We had a gorgeous view of 2 out of the 3 ports as we pulled in.