North Palm Beach Life - Carnival Victory

Celebrating the Season in Key West and Cozumel

By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
December 21, 2018

Taking a holiday cruise has become one of our new traditions. What better way to escape the hustle and bustle that goes with the season than sitting back on your balcony and watching the blue waves roll by?

This year we chose a five-day, four-night cruise on Carnival Victory. First, because Carnival lives up to its motto, "The Fun Ship," and second, because it made stops at Key West and Cozumel. It has been several years since our last visit to Key West and we wanted to go back ... by sea, this time, instead of a day's drive from Palm Beach.

Launched in 2000, Victory has since has had several makeovers and has features you'll find on most newer Carnival ships, including the Blue Iguana Cantina and the Alchemy Bar. The ship accommodates over 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew.

The holiday vibe was present throughout the ship, with a Christmas tree in the nine-story atrium and a lighted gingerbread village on Deck 5. The Carnival singers and dancers also staged a holiday show that featured the big man himself -- Santa.

A special shout-out to our wait staff in the Pacific Dining Room. Fortunato, Wendy and their assistant took great care of us, and then turned entertainers (see the video below).

On a more somber note, the ship's return to Miami was delayed when they discovered one of the passengers missing. After an extensive search of the ship, it was determined from camera footage he had gone overboard in the early morning hours. Later reports deemed it "a deliberate act." Our hearts went out to his family.

For more about our time in Key West and Cozumel, see the links on the right.

Carnival Victory celebrated the season with a holiday show, Christmas trees and a gingerbread village Santa even made an appearance!