Supplement to Travel Trade
January 2002

Carnival Triumph

Like a Tour of the Great Cities

By Ethel Blum

The Carnival Triumph is a vessel designed to pay homage to the world’s greatest cities. With little effort, passengers pass from room-to-room, city-to-city, on an impressionistic experience made possible by ingenious design. Based on the visible and verbal reaction by my fellow 2,998 passengers, Carnival has done it again with an innovative theme that appeals to a broad range of vacationers.

Like other vessels in the Carnival fleet, the ship is awesome. The few minor and major changes from Destiny are not enough to turn passenger preferences from one to the other.

The Fincantieri shipyard calls the changes 700 “modifications that have improved the Triumph with respect to the prototype.” First, and most noticeable, is the color scheme. Carnival Triumph is softer with more beige and pastels, an abundance of rich woods, enhancing glass, fine upholstery, velvets, leather, museum-quality art works, basket-weave woodwork, global motifs and subtle lighting in most areas.

Then, there’s the additional deck offering 60 cabins, most with verandas, and two super-deluxe suites, also with private verandas. While spaciousness on a ship this size is a given, Carnival has a way of making big — really big — ships more spacious with a few changes.

A good example is the additional deck space made possible by moving the bars in the swimming pool areas to the sides and eliminating the swim-up bar. This allows for additional sunning space and elbowroom between chaise lounges. And, the waterfall proved so popular on the Destiny, that Carnival built two on the Triumph.

There’s more open deck space as well, and additional entrances have been added to Club Rio (aft lounge) and to Venezia (jazz club) to ease passenger flow and reduce congestion during busy hours.

“The phrase ‘Today’s Carnival’ describes the new level of quality and sophistication offered in all facets of the Carnival cruise experience,” said Carnival president Bob Dickinson.

He isn’t exaggerating. Carnival Triumph is an excellent example of “Today’s Carnival” and there’s little — except, of course, the “fun” — to remind you of the “Old Carnival.”

Each room is themed to a major city, with history or romance as its hallmark. The names fit the functions of the rooms and designs emphasize features associated with each.

Two elegant atria, the Capitol and the World Hall, are the centerpieces from which the rest of the ship emanates. Soaring nine decks through the heart of the ship, the Capitol begins on Deck 2 and is crowned by an immense skylight. An enormous convex globe highlights the Northern Hemisphere and graces the ceiling where the Capitol narrows. The globe wraps around the wall and stretches toward the skylight.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the superb artworks that enhance Triumph’s décor. My favorites are Murano artist Luciano Vistosi’s three-dimensional, map-like glass murals, depicting the Earth’s continents. Positioned along the 525-foot-long World’s Way Promenade, they are composed of blue, green and yellow glass representing the various oceans, deserts and landscapes of the world.

World’s Way is Main Street. A doublewide promenade and an extension of the Capitol’s glamour and elegance, it is an entertainment complex unto itself. World’s Way encompasses street-side seating areas along the windows and refreshment and entertainment venues tucked along the inboard side. It is the place to meet and be met, especially at the midship bar, World’s Bar, a cruciform-shaped bar composed of backlit Venetian glass panels and stone trim supporting a polished stone and walnut top.

It’s an avenue of choices. Aft is the California Wine Bar, which showcases elaborate glass chalices displayed behind the bar and in internally lit octagonal pillars. If it’s a quick late-night or mid-afternoon snack, there’s the Vienna Café with an array of pastries and coffees.

Excitement and video games intrigue you? Head for Underground Tokyo.

It doesn’t matter which way you go on World’s Way, there’s an excellent chance you’ll find a favorite. Anchored forward by the upper level of the triple-decked Rome Lounge and aft, by Club Rio, there’s an entertainment venue or quiet corner for every passenger.

Rome Lounge is the sophisticated and very elegant venue for Carnival’s award-winning production shows and nightly acts by specialty performers. Inspired by the classical lines of the Coliseum, Ionic columns flank the stage and decorate the walls.

Keystones are cast relief faces of Roman actors positioned at the apex of each arch. A stunning, hand-made Venetian glass chandelier is suspended from a large center-ceiling dome. The arms of the chandelier are covered with Venetian glass flowers and incorporate rose, gold, garnet and light green fiber-optic lights that can be used for special lighting effects at show time.

Far aft is Club Rio, home of the perennially popular adults-only midnight comedy act and a venue for passengers who prefer mellow music for pre- and post-dinner dancing. The room also is used for a variety of daytime activities. Club Rio is designed on the diagonal, with clear views of the stage, which is positioned in the corner of the room just off World Hall. Seating is on sofas, banquettes and chairs on different levels arranged around the front and sides of the stage.

Extensive use of Brazilian rosewood panels are arranged in a box pattern with small purple, red, ultramarine, yellow or amber convex glass tile with a mirror backing in the center of each. Cherry wood, handmade Tiffany-type glass tiles, rosewood panels and bright fabrics add pizzazz to the colorful Club Rio.

In between the two major rooms are more intimate lounges, bars and some quiet and not-so-quiet areas. Some of the areas on this deck passengers should not miss include:

• Venezia Lounge offers upbeat music and dancing enhanced by symbols of ancient Roman gods that suggest romantic Venice.

• The Big Easy Bar, an intimate New Orleans-style piano lounge, features oysters and jazz, two of New Orleans’ trademarks. This distinctive piano bar is a nightly hang out for the 30s and 40s crowd.

• Hollywood Dance Club, the double-deck disco where the action focuses on a sunken dance floor, moves to its own beat until the wee hours of the morning. The room incorporates a multitude of elements to entertain and dazzle dancers. The tinted step-down glass dance floor is suspended between the dance club and the Oxford Bar one deck down, allowing guests below to get a sense of the action above in a quieter setting that encourages talk.

• Club Monaco features a glittering and glistening casino atmosphere.

• The Olympic Bar was named to honor the Games and their ancient Greek birthplace. Accessible from the Capitol and from Club Monaco, it caters to sports fans who revel in cheering for favorite teams on strategically placed giant television screens and to gaming enthusiasts looking for a breather from the adjacent room.

The Olympic Bar is definitely worth a visit, even for non-sports fans. More than 100 souvenirs, medals and printed pieces are preserved here.

New on board the Triumph is Carnival’s first golf program where guests have the opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction from professionals.

Atlantic Deck, one deck down, is anchored forward by the balcony level of the Rome Lounge and aft by the upper level of Paris Dining Room with the Oxford Bar directly below the disco. The London Dining Room takes up the midship space, with the Washington Library, a very British-style reading room, taking the space between huge photo galleries.

Lobby Deck also is devoted entirely to passenger facilities. The main level of Paris Dining Room is forward. The main level of London Dining is midship, but it is the Capitol Bar and Lobby that is the center of activity and headquarters for the business of the vessel — information, shore excursions, etc. Forward is the main level of the Rome Lounge.

Both Paris and London restaurants are double-decked, sophisticated eateries where passengers come to dine, not merely to eat. Tables are spaced outside of eavesdropping distance and there are a number of tables for two, which afford intimacy. Large oval-shaped tables accommodate up to 10 or 11 for family or friends traveling together.

The décor is only slightly different in the restaurants, but differences in size are noticeable. Paris can accommodate 1,114 guests at each of two sittings, while London has seating for 706. The style in both combines art nouveau with soft and easy-to-live-with colors and fabrics.

Each has Venetian glass chandeliers hanging from domes. Similar to previous newbuilds in the Carnival fleet, service areas have been moved to inconspicuous locations, cutting down on clutter, noise and dirty dishes in passenger sight lines.

Food and service on “Today’s Carnival” are totally different from Carnival ships of yesteryear. On the Triumph (and other Carnival ships I have sailed in the past few years) food has been upgraded and menu choices expanded to a point that quality, presentation and service are comparable, and in many ways, superior to what I have experienced on some premium or upscale vessels. Variety is the key — and “impossible” doesn’t seem to be a word in the Carnival lexicon. Presentation is excellent and choices are varied from five course entrees to vegetarian, low calorie or always-on-the-menu items like chicken, salmon and steak.

The two-deck South Beach Club is Triumph’s answer to Lido self-service dining. It offers indoor-outdoor dining alternatives in a casual atmosphere on a 24-hour basis for pizza and salad, extended breakfast and lunch hours, as well as casual suppers. Here you’ll find Hong Kong Noodle, a Chinese specialty area, and a New York Deli, which replaced the Italian bar on the Destiny. There’s also a deckside Coney Island Grill.

South Beach Club is a popular alternative to the London and Paris dining rooms. This expansive area encompasses half of the Lido Deck and a balcony on Panorama Deck and offers indoor and outdoor seating and a wide array of food and beverage choices. Of course, there’s ice cream and frozen yogurt almost all day and into the night and the famous midnight buffet remains a Carnival hallmark.

Seating is arranged to lend an intimate feel with banquette, table and chair groupings positioned around columns cleverly disguised by a bevy of four cast relief mermaid statues poised on a clear mirror platform.

Service on board Triumph, as well as other Carnival ships, has been tweaked. There was a concerted effort on the part of the entire staff to address guests by name.

Another important adjunct in today’s market and especially in “Today’s Carnival” agenda is facilities for junior cruisers. Triumph, like the Destiny, devotes a two-deck-high, 1,300-square foot indoor/outdoor area to Camp Carnival. It is home to state-of-the-art jungle games and fun zones, both indoors and outdoors, including a video wall. For 13- to 17-year olds, there’s a complete program, teen disco, sports, makeovers for girls and a large staff of counselors to supervise activities. There’s complimentary baby-sitting for kids whose parents want to go ashore.

Camp Carnival has its own deck area and wading pool and is located far enough away from adult passenger facilities, so the patter and chatter of little ones doesn’t intrude.

Carnival takes gymnasiums and spas seriously and has been an innovator in devoting substantial space to these facilities. On Destiny-class vessels (Triumph included, of course), the Nautica Spa is as good as it gets. It is a “real” spa at sea with an ocean-facing supervised gymnasium equipped with every type of new workout machinery, massage and treatment rooms, sauna and steam areas, two 12-person whirlpools and hair salon.

Staterooms and suites occupy five full decks and extend over onto parts of Deck 9 and 10, which is the new partial deck on the ship. Cabins are spacious — 444 with private balconies, 331 outside standard cabins without balconies, 14 outside with large window walls and 526 insides. Cabins are probably the largest at sea, measuring from 220- to 260-square feet.

Warm wood tones and soft colors highlight cabin décor. A special paint process, featuring peach, yellow, beige, pink and gray mottling, has been developed for cabin walls, creating a soft hand-painted look. Each cabin has an accent wall similarly done in gray, beige, metallic silver and gold flecks. The pink, gray, light purple and black patterned carpet complements wall colors, as do the warm peach and lilac-print bedspreads.

Each stateroom has television, halogen reading lights and three-way light switches with controls from the doorway and bedside. There are built-in hair dryers in bathrooms and more than enough storage space, even for heavy packers.

Almost all twin beds convert to king-size configuration and most outsides have a separate sitting area with a small leather sofa and an adjustable-height coffee table that can be raised for room service. Specially commissioned artwork on walls adds warmth to rooms.

The 42 suites measure 340-square feet and the eight penthouse suites (which are not topside but on Empress Deck, dead center of the ship) are a whopping 430-square feet. Each suite features all of the amenities one expects in these accommodations, including large private balconies with solid side panels for privacy, bathroom amenities including robes, rich furnishings, burled wood furniture, granite table tops and more.

Most impressive are the bathrooms, which feature granite flooring; handmade Murano glass-tiled walls, combination shower/whirlpool tubs and twin sinks in the dressing counter.

Carnival has a well-earned reputation for on-board entertainment and it doesn’t miss a beat on the Triumph. Two new high-energy production shows that blend costumes with futuristic special effects dazzle and transform passengers to a Las Vegas or Paris theater.

Taking its cue from the vessel’s global theme, the first show, “Wonderful World,” makes a magical journey to a variety of international venues. The second show, “Century Cafe”, is a tribute to memorable songs of the past 100 years.

On other evenings, there are guest entertainers who never repeat performances during a voyage — including comedians, specialty acts and magicians who are rotated within the Carnival fleet. Daytime activities run the gambit.

Carnival Triumph is operating a series of 4- and 5-night cruises from New York to the Canadian Maritime Provinces through Oct. 11. Four-day cruises call at Halifax. Five-day cruises add a call at Saint John. Beginning Oct. 23, the Carnival Triumph moves to her homeport of Miami to sail year around on 7-day alternating weekly to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.