Also on Glory Review 6/18-25

[mykids3]

My husband and I (both 31) cruised for our 3rd cruise, but first on Carnival, this past week. We had a wonderful time as we believe it is better to be on a cruise of any kind than not at all! As the parents of 3 children, this was a welcome escape from the pressures of a travelling job and a major move coming up this summer. That being said there were many things that we liked and some not so much!

 

Things we liked:

We were surprised that Mears Travel got us to the pier so early! We were there and checked in and in line by shortly after 11am and then on the boat no later than 12:30. Room not ready, but no problem as food was already everywhere! Remember to pack your swim suit in your carry on bag as your luggage will not be to your room before later in the afternoon. We always forget that.

 

Staff was friendly and helpful. Our room steward was polite and always greeting us with a smile. He paid attention to when we left and our patterns at night and always had our room ready for us. Took the advice of leaving a tip halfway through cruise and all of a sudden we had towel animals! He was very prompt when we had a drain problem in our shower on the first day. Our room was also the largest we've ever had--and it was in the "worst" location we've been in--Riviera Deck 1. Dinning staff was ever attentive--be sure to ask about their homes. Many of them have incredible stories to tell! We were able to get a table for two once on the boat with no problem. Sat next to a table of 4 who were just charming! But having just the table for 2 took away the temptation for me to "play hostess" as my husband calls it and just spend time with each other--and then talk to people around us if wanted.

 

Lots of seating around the pool--however it does fill up quickly on sea days and people do save like crazy. We got to where we would drop our stuff, go eat breakfast and then get to our chairs just to catch a seat by the main pool. Because of the ship's design, the main pool feels like the only pool and the only place to sit. The ship is huge and has lots of nooks and crannies to find peace in. I was amazed that as I sat and read my book late into the afternoon (around the early dinning time) the staff would pick up all chairs around the decks, never dumping me out of mine, but I still felt the pressure to move.

 

We would definitely recommend the Emerald Room Supper Club. We booked as soon as we were on the ship (they have stations all around the ship to take your reservation) and really enjoyed the peace and quiet. Service and food was superb. We were entering into a tropical wave the night that we ate in the Emerald Room and the restaurant is on the 10th deck--a bit shaky up there! By the middle of our dinner I was loosing color fast according to husband. By the time our steaks arrived I really couldn't stay and eat. The staff was extremely gracious and speedy in getting us out of there. They even sent my food and a fresh fruit salad with silverware down to our cabin within only a few minutes of our arrival. It was nice to finish my dinner once I took some medicine and felt better. It was still warm!

 

We used the internet cafe to keep up with the children and the sale of our house while we were out of cell range. It was a much faster connection than on our previous cruise. A few minute plans were offered, but we just paid the 75 cents/minute as the first plan started at $55. Worth it for all the parents of those teens who were instant messaging their friends back home! Amazing that we can even do that from the middle of the ocean!

 

On the whole we really enjoyed the cruise! But it is sometimes easier to name the things that we didn't--so take these as you will!

 

I have to agree with the comments about the number of teens on our boat during this week. And while some were very nice, some were quite empirical. It became somewhat uncomfortable to be sitting in the bars with a bunch of teenagers. Just felt like we were in the middle of a high school party. But if I had seen someone just being obnoxious, I would have asked to speak to their parents. That is usually enough to snap a good kid who is just mentally on vacation out of it!

 

I wish that Carnival would provide more of an official presence at the late night shows. At the last late night R-Rated comedian night there were two obviously drunk very young ladies who were causing a problem at the stage. They really needed to be removed but no one from Carnival was there to do it. Also at one point the lights were dimmed and a whole row of young cruisers pulled out their lighters as if they were at a concert. Obviously they had not heard that FIRE is the #1 danger on a ship!

 

Our bar service at dinner was horrible. One night it took until my main dish before I received my glass of wine ordered before we ordered our food. Our wait staff was fantastic and did whatever they could each night to help. But there was not the same level as on our other cruises where we would sit down and the bar server would just place our drink in front of us.

 

We disagree with the idea that the ship is in tip top shape. It is quite amazing to us how battle worn it looks to only be 2 years old. Doesn't help that cruisers would leave empty cups, ice cream dishes and food on the floor of the elevators and other public areas. I was amazed at how people treated their home for the week!

 

The design of the ship is quite confusing until you realize that the ONLY way from bow to stern on the Glory is Deck 5==straight through the casino. Once you get that, everything else walks into place. We couldn't find a true walk around the outside of the ship on any of the decks. Maybe we missed it?

 

I am a non-smoker who is married to a smoker, so I found the discourse on a previous post interesting! I found that the ship was a good combination of the two. I did find it hard some days to catch a fresh breath even outside as most of the smoking was relegated there. In my experience, it is more about the courtesy of the two groups with the others, realizing that you are in a bar or in the casino and smoking is allowed. It also depends on the ones smoking to respect those around them--if no one was smoking in the Cin-a-Bar, my husband would head to the bar at the casino or move away from the tables.

 

 

All in all, we loved our trip together on the Glory. Our port excursions were good and the company was great! Carnival divides the dining rooms up into 3 teams-red, white and blue-and all the fun competitions they have go for points to your team. It was fun, but could get a bit crazy. The last night on the ship one table of young, young adults dressed up in their bed sheets, made signs and shakers and had a cheer! Felt a bit like being back at cheerleading camp, but they were obviously having fun. Plus they were on our White team, so I'm thankful they were the ones doing all the crazy games for us to win for the week!!!! It is really all in how you take it and how flexible you decide to be. Somethings (like a stopped up drain) need to be fixed. Others (like lots of teenagers on board) just need to roll, at least for a bit.

Whew! Sorry for the length! I laughed at how during the week I would make mental notes for this review,but didn't know how much time I had spent doing that!! Hope it was helpful--:)

Rosemary

[sunnid]

Thank you for the great review!!! We are going in August (can't wait!) It is nice to hear that overall you had a great time! BTW, any nooks or crannies that you found especially nice for cathcing the sun or peace and quiet?? Thanks

[mykids3]

I would head to the very front of the boat or the very back. That seemed to have the most peace and quiet! Take the stairs up from the main center pool and search around there. My husband tried to convince me that the topless deck would be perfect, but I couldn't get the courage to go see!:)

 

Rosemary

[tacobob]

Hey J&R you didnt mention C&C's.........No fun there huh?????Great review

[Green4me]

Thanks for the review. We leave in 4 days!

[mnsawyer]

We sailed the Glory in early April and loved her! During our cruise, we found some really great places to relax. If you go to the very front of the ship (forward) on the top deck (14?) there are some great, quite places to sun and relax. Also, if it's really hot, there is always a good breeze which is wonderful. There is a small bar area right behind the top of the water slide, so it's very convenient as well. Also, the door right outside of the lobby area on deck 3 is another great spot especially if you want padded chairs and shade. PS - we tried the topless deck one afternoon - nothing great - not much room - lots of ladies without tops (not me though!)

 

Enjoy!

[Green4me]

Mnsawyer,

Thanks for the tips on places to seek out! :)

[OCruisers]

If you go to the very front of the ship (forward) on the top deck (14?) there are some great, quite places to sun and relax. There is a small bar area right behind the top of the water slide, so it's very convenient as well.

 

Thanks mnsawyer! Sounds like a good "less chair-hogs" place to go from time to time ... and ... the bar close by will make it ideal! :D

 

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[OCruisers]

mykids3 .... Great review -- very interesting and helpful!

 

Thanks for the info on Deck 5! Good to know!

 

Would love to read your comments on your ports stops if/when you have time!

 

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[mnsawyer]

You'll have a great time. We've cruised before and find it works out well for us. We sailed the Triumph in March 2003, so we knew the layout of the ship. Even when we sailed the Triumph, it only took a couple of days to figure out the ship...I guess I sometimes don't understand why people have such a hard time figuring out where things are?? Guess we have a good sense of direction or something? Also, the layout of the ship that you get on board (pocket size) is great too. We did the western itinerary on the Glory and loved it...was 4 ports but now it's only 3 with the discontinuing of Progresso. I didn't think it was anything great but Carnival has assuredly dumped a ton of money into the pier area...we should have done a tour to the ruins or something. Just remembered another "spot" - we were on deck 7 (upper) and if you go all the way to the front of the ship - there are doors on both sides - walk out there and you have your own little area. There are not any chairs but it's a great deck to get away from the crowds. We stood there while coming into Key West. It's a great spot and learned about it from these boards!

[sunnid]

THank you all for the great tips:D ...getting so excited to go! I'm sure I (or DH, poor thing) will have to check out the topless deck if for no other reason than we have 2 18 year boys traveling with us...HA:rolleyes:

[shabcruzn]

Thanks for both sides--those are the best reviews!!