Ernest Hemingway loved it so much that he lived here for 11 years with his unusual six-toed cats. It was here that the author wrote some of his best-loved work, including “A Farewell to Arms” and “Death in the Afternoon.”
President Harry S. Truman so enjoyed the island’s charms that he spent 175 days of his presidency here in what became known as the Little White House.
Now I am going to be visiting this popular place and I am going in one of the best ways possible – on a cruise aboard the Carnival Victory to Key West.
The ship will dock right in the downtown area of Key West, within easy walking distance of the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House and many other main attractions.
Known as the Conch Republic, Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States. With its balmy weather and Bahamian atmosphere, Key West is famous for hosting a party every day to celebrate the sunset.
My cruise will be a short one. Departing Miami, we will spend one day in Key West, one day in Mexico’s Cozumel and one day at sea. I have never been aboard the Carnival Victory so am looking forward to learning more about the ship.
Major Renovation Recently Completed
Part of the Destiny class of cruise liners, the Carnival Victory was launched in 2000 as one of the largest cruise ships at that time. She underwent a major renovation in January 2018 and sails year-round out of Miami on three-and-four-night trips to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Loyal fans have told me that the Victory is an inexpensive fun ship that appeals to families, honeymooners and first-time cruisers. New features include Guy’s Burger Joint, Alchemy, RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, Cherry on the Top candy and gift shop and more. I’ve enjoyed some of those venues on other Carnival ships and am looking forward to seeing them on the Victory.
I’ve checked out the Carnival website to see what my cabin looks like. I will be in cabin 7337 just off the elevator on Deck 7. My cabin has two twin beds which will be pushed together to make a full-size bed since I am traveling alone.
My room has two of my favorite features on any cruise ship – a balcony and a small fridge. Sitting on my balcony and watching the ocean roll is one of my favorite parts of cruising. The fridge comes in handy because Pepsi is my morning caffeine and ice water is necessary to stay hydrated on busy trips.
My cabin also has three closets, a bunch of drawers, modern thermostat, safe, big picture window and door that opens out on the balcony, large flat screen TV which I will probably never turn on, and a bathroom with a shower.
Though the wonders of the Internet, I’ve already set up my shipboard account, filled out the necessary paperwork, paid for a shuttle bus from the airport to the ship and back again, printed out my ship boarding pass and luggage tag with my name and ship cabin number (I’m taking only carry-on luggage) and am ready to go.
So, all I have to do when I arrive at the ship is show my boarding pass and walk aboard. My room key will be waiting in a sealed envelope outside my cabin door when the cabins are ready for occupancy at 1:30. A lunch buffet will be served until cabins are ready.
Being able to do all those registration details online is such a huge timesaver and a pleasant welcome to start a cruise. I remember long waits in ship terminals, lengthy lines of passengers having to fill out paperwork at terminal counters to get a cabin key. People would be tired and grumpy before they even got to board the ship.
Technology certainly has improved some important parts of booking a cruise and arriving for embarkation.
Hope you come along for the trip to see what else we discover about the Victory and the cruise itinerary. Maybe it will encourage you to give the grand old ship a try.
Her website photos are beautiful and I’m looking forward to exploring it myself. The Victory must have been given that winning name for a reason.
Courtesy photos
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
