My husband has suprised me with a cruise for our 10th anniversary. This is the first time we are going away - without the kids (12 & 8). I have been on some other forums and found alot of negativity about the Triumph. Now, I find this forum and hear nothing but good things. I am confused. I have done alot of research but have some other questions that I would like answered.

Our ports of call are Cozumel, Grand Caymen and Ocho Rio. Can anyone offer any advise or price comparisons with regards to doing the excursions with the ship or on our own.

Are drinks really that expensive? Will there be alot of kids on the ship at that time? What are some of the highlights - entertainment wise? The food - is it better than a "high class cafeteria food"? (that is what I have read on other sites.)

Thank you in advance for any advise any one has to offer.

Is anyone out there going to be on the same cruise? It would be nice to "hang out" with someone a for the couple of days we are at sea.
(we are very social)

Rita - I have read your reviews and they were very settling compared to others that I have read...thank you!

Talk to someone soon...

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! And what a nice surprise from your husband! I think you could figure out from the spectrum of reviews that your expectations and your tastes have a lot to do with whether you will enjoy the cruise. Another more important factor is your attitude - if you go planning to have a good time, and remembering that nothing is perfect, you will enjoy it. If you go planning to look for things that bother you, you'll end up miserable.

As far as food goes, I have discovered that this is a highly subjective thing. Don't expect it to be the best food you have ever eaten, but expect it to be good most of the time, and you may have some pleasant surprises. (I have my personal opinions of the food on Triumph, mostly positive, and at least several years ago, I found my expectations were surpassed.) The "high class cafeteria food" probably applies, to some extent, to the buffet, but I think you will find that dinner in the dining room will be quite a bit better than that.

My personal recommendation regarding shore excursions is to purchase them from the cruise line, especially if this is your first time on a cruise, or in any of the ports of call. It will probably be more expensive than something you can buy onshore, but if something happens where you get back to the ship late, if you are on the cruise line's excursion, they will wait for you; if you are on your own - you may be really on your own! I also recommend purchashing a shore excursion through the cruise line in Jamaica, whether you have been there before or not.

Have a wonderful time! Relax and enjoy.