| CARNIVAL VICTORY |
| Carnival |
CARNIVAL
VICTORY
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
VICTORY
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEWS
Click here for:
Page 2 (Public Areas and
Amenities)
Page 3 (Dining and Drinking)
Page 2 (Public Areas and
Amenities)
Page 3 (Dining and Drinking)
OVERVIEW
and
NAVIGATION
and
NAVIGATION
THE SHIP A gross tonnage of 101,509 on a hull that is 863 feet long and 116 feet wide almost by definition
means that a ship must be tall and boxy. And so CARNIVAL VICTORY is. She towers over the water.
Indeed, her funnel nearly touches New York's Veranzano Narrows bridge as she passes under. Her shape is
practically rectangular with a short bow protruding from one end. This gives her more space for public rooms and
for passenger cabins. As a result, one does not feel overcrowded even with more than 3,000 other passengers
aboard.
As Captain Casula pointed out, this ship was not designed as an ocean liner such as the FRANCE or the
MICHELANGELO for the purpose of crossing stormy seas. Rather, it was designed as a cruise ship to take
people on leisurely trips in calm seas. Accordingly, VICTORY stays in the Caribbean in the winter and on the
calm, but often foggy, run from New York to Canada in the summer. If by some chance she meets a heavy storm,
she turns her bow into the waves and rides it out.
The ship has remarkable maneuverability. She is propelled by two variable pitch propellers connected to propeller
shafts. There are two rudders which can operate independently. At slow speeds, however, maneuvering is done
by three bow thrusters and three stern thrusters. These allow the ship to dock without tug boat assistance in winds
of less than 25 knots. In St. John, Captain Casula was able to turn the ship 180 degrees essentially in her own
length in a matter of a few minutes.
With a maximum draft of only 27 feet, the VICTORY is able to go along side in most cruise ports. Occasionally,
she does have to tender and in such situations, she uses tenders provided by the port rather than her lifeboats. On
her Canada runs, the ship docks.
means that a ship must be tall and boxy. And so CARNIVAL VICTORY is. She towers over the water.
Indeed, her funnel nearly touches New York's Veranzano Narrows bridge as she passes under. Her shape is
practically rectangular with a short bow protruding from one end. This gives her more space for public rooms and
for passenger cabins. As a result, one does not feel overcrowded even with more than 3,000 other passengers
aboard.
As Captain Casula pointed out, this ship was not designed as an ocean liner such as the FRANCE or the
MICHELANGELO for the purpose of crossing stormy seas. Rather, it was designed as a cruise ship to take
people on leisurely trips in calm seas. Accordingly, VICTORY stays in the Caribbean in the winter and on the
calm, but often foggy, run from New York to Canada in the summer. If by some chance she meets a heavy storm,
she turns her bow into the waves and rides it out.
The ship has remarkable maneuverability. She is propelled by two variable pitch propellers connected to propeller
shafts. There are two rudders which can operate independently. At slow speeds, however, maneuvering is done
by three bow thrusters and three stern thrusters. These allow the ship to dock without tug boat assistance in winds
of less than 25 knots. In St. John, Captain Casula was able to turn the ship 180 degrees essentially in her own
length in a matter of a few minutes.
With a maximum draft of only 27 feet, the VICTORY is able to go along side in most cruise ports. Occasionally,
she does have to tender and in such situations, she uses tenders provided by the port rather than her lifeboats. On
her Canada runs, the ship docks.
The CARNIVAL VICTORY's bridge is
a wide expanse dominated by
navigational controls and fire control
panels.
a wide expanse dominated by
navigational controls and fire control
panels.
There are windows in the floor of each of the bridge wings
so that the captain and the pilot can look down and see
the ship's position vis the pier. The emblems drawn on the
pier were drawn on previous voyages and allow the
captain's of the ships that drew them to know the correct
location for mooring their ship.
so that the captain and the pilot can look down and see
the ship's position vis the pier. The emblems drawn on the
pier were drawn on previous voyages and allow the
captain's of the ships that drew them to know the correct
location for mooring their ship.
A navigational displays a chart of the vicinity and a
radar scan of the other ships in the area. It also
displays the VICTORY's course and speed and the
course, speed, and closest point of approach of the
other ships as well as their Automatic Information
System data (e.g. name, registry, type of ship).
radar scan of the other ships in the area. It also
displays the VICTORY's course and speed and the
course, speed, and closest point of approach of the
other ships as well as their Automatic Information
System data (e.g. name, registry, type of ship).
OVERVIEW A cruise on the CARNIVAL VICTORY is an opportunity for light-hearted fun and relaxation in
comfortable surroundings. The ship is modern, well-maintained and has a wide variety of amenities. As the advertising
proclaims, the aim is to have fun.
The ship is not positioned as a sophisticated luxury vacation ala Cunard, Celebrity or Crystal. However, it is not Las
Vegas shock and awe either. VICTORY looks like a modern four-star hotel. Furthermore, while there is a poolside
"hairy-chest competition," there is also a very acceptable afternoon tea, a classical trio, and a jazz ensemble.
PASSENGERS CARNIVAL VICTORY's master Gianpaolo Casula, a 31-year veteran of the line, pointed out that the
genius of Carnival's founder Ted Arison was that he opened cruising to everyone. Before Arison, cruising was the
domain of millionaires. While the ships have become larger, more sophisticated and have more amenities, Carnival's
philosophy has remained the same and it prices its cruises to be affordable. As a result, on a Carnival cruise, one sees a
wide spectrum of the middle class and a diversity of ethnic groups.
The average age of the passengers is between 35 and 50. However, the mix of ages varies with the itinerary. Cruises to
Alaska tend to have an older crowd. The short summer Canada cruises have more families with young children.
Caribbean cruises, especially around college Spring-breaks, tend to have more young singles and teens.
The low fares also attract family reunions and groups. There is an extensive children's program and facilities for children.
SERVICE Hospitality is also a key part of Carnival's success story. The service on VICTORY was good and
efficient without being sycophantic. No one attempted to Shanghai passengers into the various activities and no one
pressured passengers into buying drinks or other items. Included in the occasional announcements by the cruise director
were mentions of various sales and specials that were going on around the ship but these were more informational than
advertising.
DRESS CODE Although there are published rules, people essentially wear what they want. Formal nights may bring
out some jackets and ties but actual formal wear is, with some exceptions, the province of the officers and the staff.
comfortable surroundings. The ship is modern, well-maintained and has a wide variety of amenities. As the advertising
proclaims, the aim is to have fun.
The ship is not positioned as a sophisticated luxury vacation ala Cunard, Celebrity or Crystal. However, it is not Las
Vegas shock and awe either. VICTORY looks like a modern four-star hotel. Furthermore, while there is a poolside
"hairy-chest competition," there is also a very acceptable afternoon tea, a classical trio, and a jazz ensemble.
PASSENGERS CARNIVAL VICTORY's master Gianpaolo Casula, a 31-year veteran of the line, pointed out that the
genius of Carnival's founder Ted Arison was that he opened cruising to everyone. Before Arison, cruising was the
domain of millionaires. While the ships have become larger, more sophisticated and have more amenities, Carnival's
philosophy has remained the same and it prices its cruises to be affordable. As a result, on a Carnival cruise, one sees a
wide spectrum of the middle class and a diversity of ethnic groups.
The average age of the passengers is between 35 and 50. However, the mix of ages varies with the itinerary. Cruises to
Alaska tend to have an older crowd. The short summer Canada cruises have more families with young children.
Caribbean cruises, especially around college Spring-breaks, tend to have more young singles and teens.
The low fares also attract family reunions and groups. There is an extensive children's program and facilities for children.
SERVICE Hospitality is also a key part of Carnival's success story. The service on VICTORY was good and
efficient without being sycophantic. No one attempted to Shanghai passengers into the various activities and no one
pressured passengers into buying drinks or other items. Included in the occasional announcements by the cruise director
were mentions of various sales and specials that were going on around the ship but these were more informational than
advertising.
DRESS CODE Although there are published rules, people essentially wear what they want. Formal nights may bring
out some jackets and ties but actual formal wear is, with some exceptions, the province of the officers and the staff.