Victory April 2 '06 Anyone? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

sharoncruises · 02-22-2006, 02:33 AM

Newbie to CLF and love it!

Have a group of 22 - mostly middle agers and 6 kids ages 7 to 16 - would like to meet and greet anyone else going on this cruise. Also would love to hear from anyone who has visited San Juan arriving at 5pm as to what to do. Kids put a crimp in the barhopping scene. Has anyone done the Bio Bay tour? Any info will be greatly appreciated!

djgifford · 02-22-2006, 07:57 AM

Welcome..I am not going on this one...sounds like a lovely cruise. Hopefully, someone can come by and speak to San Juan for you,,,I have only been there once...did a cruise prestay...we didn't really do anything at night...Can the kids stay on board in the Camp Carnival??

canner · 02-22-2006, 08:32 AM

Was on the Victory last Oct ... Did not do the Bio tour though heard it was lots of fun ...

We did the city tour ... was nice to see both old and new San Juan ... then they drop you off to do some shopping ... that was also great fun ... So if you do no do the Bio tour then I would do the City Tour ...

I will not be on the Victory with you, however I will be on her again Dec 10th ...

Candy

samiam0403 · 02-28-2006, 01:02 PM

Sharoncruises,
I'm also new to CLF and will be cruising with DH on the Victory on 2 Apr! This is our 3rd Carnival cruise (this one's for my birthday - 33rd) and we're very excited! I think we're planning on just wandering the town in San Juan; doesn't seem like there's a lot to do with the late arrival.

sharoncruises · 03-01-2006, 03:26 AM

Thanks to everyone for all of the comments. Nice to meet you samiam! I think most of our group plan on doing the same while in San Juan. i did read on one of the other boards that you could get a taxi tour for $10pp when you get off of the ship, also there are free trolleys for getting around. St. Marteen seems to have alot to offer and haven't found much info on private tours. We did find a great deal in St. Thomas. Godfrey tours has offered a full day private group charter for $25pp for 20 people or more. Includes full tour of the island with stops wherever we want, plus drop off and pick up for both shopping and beach time. Don't have to all go to the same beach, choice of the best 3 or 4. We have some folks who want to skip shopping/beach in St. Thomas in favor of being dropped off/picked up at Red Hook to take the $5 ferry to St. John and he is willing to do that as well. Sounds much better than any of the ship's tours. The bus carries 27 and our group is 22, so there is extra room if you would like to join us! We don't pay until arrival, just have to reserve with # of people in advance. We're all excited too - 33 days and counting!!

samiam0403 · 03-01-2006, 10:20 AM

Nice to meet you too, Sharoncruises! Thanks very much for the invite for St. Thomas; we don't have any plans currently, so let me talk it over with my husband. I did want to let you know one thing that's going on in San Juan while we're there though. The first Tuesday of each month from Feb to May, they have "Gallery Nights." During this time, San Juan's Museum of Art and History (located at 150 Calle Norzagaray ) and eighteen other art galleries and exhibit halls open their doors to display the best works of Puerto Rican artists. I've heard that the galleries all have free appetizers, drinks and music and are open from 6:00 until 9:00pm. DH and I will be looking for this area definitely!

sharoncruises · 03-01-2006, 11:22 PM

Samiam,

Thanks for the info on Gallery Nights - sounds wonderful! I think you just solved our quest for something different to do. Will definitely be checking out the locations of the art galleries before we go. Appreciate you passing along this great tip. Aren't these boards wonderful?

If you haven't checked it out yet, go to carnivalconnections.com. If you click on cruise talk there is a thread for the Victory and it has a few folks that are going on the 4/2 sailing also. We've met one very nice couple with 2 kids that will join us on the St. Thomas tour, and we are making plans to meet between the life boat drill and dinner. You are welcome to join us too if you'd like.

samiam0403 · 03-03-2006, 10:25 PM

Sharoncruises,
We'd love to join you for your meeting! We're planning on sneaking on as much alcohol as possible...so we might be pretty happy at that point.

And I talked it over with my husband, and if you don't mind, we'd love to tag along on your group tour in St. Thomas. We're currently looking at Sapphire Beach; from what I've heard, it sounds like one of the nicest beaches there. If you'd like to e-mail me and talk more off-line, my e-mail address is Samiam0403@aol.com. We've cruised a few times in the past and while we enjoy each other's company, it's always nice to know other people on the boat to chat with! Look forward to meeting you!

sharoncruises · 03-04-2006, 04:04 AM

Samiam,

Great - glad you can join us, the more the merrier! Our favorite cruises are the ones with a group - so much more fun when there's someone you know to hang out with!! Will email you on the "meet and greet" whenever we figure out a place and time. We've done about 30 cruises over the years but have never been on the Victory. About half of our group are first time cruisers and I know they won't want to go "inside" until dinner, so we need to congregate someplace on deck. Anyone whose been on the Victory have any ideas on a good meeting spot?

sharoncruises · 03-06-2006, 02:04 AM

Candy,

Thanks for your reply and your excellent review posted on the Victory. Sounds like you had a great cruise and hope your upcoming cruise in December is even better! Was wondering if you could help me with a quick question? Looking for a good meeting spot on deck to hook up with some other folks between the life boat drill and dinner. Have any suggestions? I know, big ship, lots of people, trying to get 28 people together out of 3000 may be like looking for a needle in a haystack! Since you sailed on the Victory lately just thought you might remember some favorite place on deck a little away from all of the hustle and bustle that we might pre-arrange to meet each other. Greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have. Thanks!!!