Supplement to Travel Trade
December 2001

Carnival Victory:

A Tribute to the Seven Seas

By Ethel Blum

The fifteenth ship in the Carnival fleet, and third in its 100,000-ton-plus series of vessels, the Carnival Victory debuted in New York last month to rave reviews by travel agents on 2-night voyages and passengers taking the 4-night inaugural Labor Day cruise.

Although Carnival Victory is the third in the Destiny class, she's more like the Triumph in design. But, Victory stands out with imaginative decor inspired by the world's great bodies of water. Design architect Joseph Farcus uses the sea as his palette, drawing inspiration from the waters that first attracted explorers and from the writers who chronicled their discoveries.

Among the satisfied clients on the inaugural cruises were Connecticut residents Carrie and Colin Vermino, who had sailed Victory's slightly older sisters, Destiny and Triumph, out of New York in past years. They book Carnival inaugurals as soon as they are announced, closing their greeting card shop for these long weekend cruises.

The Verminos sailed with two other couples and all were planning to rebook before the ship headed south in October. That's how much they liked the Carnival Victory, which they rated as the best of the three.

Travel agents were equally enthusiastic. They sounded their approval of the "New Carnival" by booking over 1,000 groups during the two pre-inaugural cruises.

What's not to like? The Carnival Victory is a beautiful piece of art offering a superb resort vacation that floats to interesting ports of call and offers something for everyone.

The voyage begins with embarkation in the Oceanic Hall and Seven Seas Lobby, a 9-deck atrium in the center of the ship. The watery theme is captured in opaque blues and greens and in translucent panels creating shimmering illuminated domes.

Hand-made glass mosaics of sea creatures, playful dolphins woven into carpet designs, weathered copper work and yacht-quality wood finishes combine to enhance the environment of this unique vessel. The theme is carried throughout the rest of ship in recurring shades of green and images of seahorses. These images are everywhere -- at the end of stairways, supporting shell-stone tabletops and leather barstools and set in door handles.

Neptune's Way, the promenade on Deck 5, is the main access route, but it could well be considered an entertainment complex in itself. The walkway is lined with seating areas along the ocean side, with refreshment and entertainment venues tucked along the inboard side.

Colorful glass panels created by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi add charm, portraying highly stylized, brightly colored sea life. The ceiling, which starts with the colorful glass atrium dome, extends the length of the promenade.

A walk aft takes you past the enlarged shopping area, Aegean Bar, South China Seas Club, Trident Bar and Coral Sea Cafe before reaching the Virtual Sea Game Room, Club Arctic, Caspian Wine Bar, Odyssey Hall, Irish Sea Bar, Black & Red Seas Club, the magnificent glass Vistosi sculpture of a multi-colored fish in the second atrium and, finally, the Adriatic Lounge.

Halfway down the promenade is the Coral Sea Cafe, which serves cappuccino and other trendy coffees and shakes, as well as sweets for nominal charges. The area proved so popular on the Destiny and Triumph, it was expanded to almost twice the size and seating capacity. Museum-like displays of coral in vertical glass cases and stand-up tables separate the seating area from the promenade. Latticework teak beams that look like palm fronds create the atmosphere of a sophisticated beach cabana.

The Virtual Sea Game Room is designed to give the impression of diving into an aquarium. Giant undersea creatures -- an anglerfish, angelfish, squid and shimmering schools of fish -- are painted in wild fluorescent colors on stainless steel walls treated to achieve an iridescent bluish-purple color. The curved ceiling is done in a special glittery paint to resemble the surface of the water as a diver might see it 20 feet below. An assortment of games and virtual reality machines line the walls.

The South China Seas Club has huge blue-glazed Chinese style Foo dogs standing guard at entrances to the open casino, which resembles a Chinese Pavilion in Macao. Oriental scrollwork, lanterns and chandeliers make this casino a stop even for non-gamblers.

The Aegean Bar, the sports bar adjacent to the casino, commemorates the first Olympic Games. Hand-painted murals of the ancient games adorn the otherwise simple bar.

Portraits of Russian Czar Nicholas II and his wife, Alexandra, set the tone for the Caspian Bar, which specializes in caviar. As expected, the Irish Pub is a convivial piano bar decorated with Irish landscapes. The Red and Black Seas, the jazz club, is themed in the style of dance clubs of the '20s and '30s. The Adriatic Lounge aft serves as a second showroom and is well-suited for private parties and meetings. Its dZ<caron>cor is a departure from other rooms in its simplicity. Farcus said the yellow-and-white room is of the period when the Trieste area of Italy was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Club Arctic is a really cool disco -- literally and figuratively. Windows with cracks resemble ice walls reflecting northern lights. Hundreds of video monitors cover the room.

Two of my favorite rooms are located down one deck from the promenade. The Ionian Room is connected to the disco by a winding stairway. During the day, it's a quiet place for reading or conversation. Soft piano music adds atmosphere for afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails.

The Ionian Room also houses the Internet Cafe, which has 12 individual stations with access to E-mail and the Internet for 75 cents per minute.

My other favorite is the almost mid-ship Indian Library. Liberal use of wood and rich colors lend a British Colonial feel to the dZ<caron>cor. This intimate room is designed for quiet relaxation and small group events.

The Pacific and Atlantic dining rooms incorporate a variety of aquatic-themed elements. Mermaid and mermen-themed statues, seahorse-shaped door handles, banister caps and hand-painted curtains feature a fish motif, creating a mood that is sophisticated, yet warm and welcoming.

Dining room menus feature a wide variety of seafood, beef and poultry dishes, as well as vegetarian and spa cuisine. Presentation is almost picture perfect. Guests are accommodated in two assigned seatings, but many prefer the informal atmosphere of the casual self-serve two-level indoor/outdoor Mediterranean Restaurant on Lido Deck. It serves casual breakfast, lunch and dinner as alternative dining venues.

The Mediterranean Restaurant has the look of an Italian piazza, with colorful blind lattice windows and faux balconies to enhance the mood. Housed within the restaurant are several specialty dining areas, including The East River Deli, serving New York-style overstuffed sandwiches and salads; Yangtze Wok, offering Asian dishes, and Mississippi BBQ, featuring traditional American favorites. The area also includes the 24-hour Pizzeria Arno and the traditional nightly buffet.

The poolside restaurant, Seaview Bistro, is popular for alternative casual dinner service. If anyone is still hungry, I counted six frozen yogurt and soft ice cream stands, as well as 24-hour room service, to satisfy a grumbling tummy.

Carnival expects to carry a record 250,000 kids in 2000, and the Victory is ready to accommodate its share.

Focal point of the Camp Carnival program is Children's World, an enclosed 1,300-square foot indoor play area on Spa Deck 11. In addition to a climbing maze, spin and sand art machines and toys and games galore, the colorful room has a bank of computers loaded with educational software, as well as a 16-monitor "video wall" continuously displaying favorite movies and cartoons.

An outdoor children's area with a wading pool is one deck above Children's World. Camp Carnival activities are supervised by a 10-member youth staff and provided on a complimentary basis for ages 2 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Babysitting is also available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. for parents who want to spend a romantic evening without the kids. Cost is $5 per hour for the first child and $3 per hour for each additional child in the same family.

Carnival keeps a few steps ahead of changing lifestyles and the spas on its newbuilds reflect this attitude. Carnival Victory devotes the aft section on Spa Deck 11 and Sun Deck 12 to the Nautica Spa which, in addition to services and facilities, offers fitness buffs the chance to work out while gazing through picture windows with panoramic views of the sea.

The two-level spa has a full gymnasium with 16 Keiser progressive-resistance exercise, treadmills, bikes and stair climbers. There's a 2,000-square foot aerobics studio, separate men's and women's saunas, steam rooms and locker facilities, whirlpools and 10 private massage/treatment rooms.

There are instructor-led classes, as well as hair and spa facilities. The spa is so busy that agents will make points by suggesting clients set up appointments as soon as they embark.

The three-deck Caribbean Showroom is aptly named for the company's main cruising area. Hallmarks of the Caribbean are incorporated into its decor -- marine life, palm trees, balmy waters, coral, sand and sea colors. Stylized, gilded cast relief palm trees flank the windows and stage. The ceiling features cast coral beams finished in a sculptured design of fish riding the waves. Seating is on sofas with good sight lines from almost every seat, including the top balcony.

When it comes to entertainment, Carnival continues to excel. The Victory is presenting two new dazzling Las Vegas-style revues. Staged in the Caribbean Lounge, shows feature two singers, 16 dancers, a 10-piece orchestra, lavish costumes and elaborate sets. High-tech capabilities include a retractable orchestra pit, a multi-million dollar sound system, specialized lighting and overall acoustics that rival the best land-based theaters.

Also worth mention: the spectacular works of art throughout the ship; the outdoor jogging track; seven whirlpools; four swimming pools; the Siren's Pool Bar area with a retractable roof; the tremendous outdoor tiered sunning area with padded comfortable lounges; and the friendly and courteous service throughout the ship.

Staterooms and suites occupy five full decks and extend over onto parts of Deck 9 and 10. Staterooms are among the largest at sea. Choices range from 444 with private balconies, 331 outside standard cabins without balconies, 14 outside with large window walls and 526 insides.

Sizes range from about 220- to 260-square feet. Warm wood tones and soft colors highlight cabin dZ<caron>cor. 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. Almost all twin beds convert to king-size 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 adds warmth to rooms.

The 42 suites measure 340-square feet and the eight penthouse suites (which are not topside but on Empress Deck amidships) 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, rich furnishings, burled wood furniture, granite tabletops and more.

Suite bathrooms have granite flooring; handmade Murano glass-tiled walls, combination shower/whirlpool tubs, twin sinks in the dressing counter and amenities that include robes.

Twenty-seven cabins in several categories have been modified to accommodate physically challenged guests. There are 14 connecting cabins suitable for families of up to six or eight. New on all Carnival ships is the super-sized amenity welcome kit in all cabins and suites. Robes, however, are limited to suites, and passengers are advised to bring their own shower caps.

Carnival Victory sails from Miami on weeklong alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages.