Back from the 11/10-11/17 Glory

[Bren's Mom]

I don't have time to do a long trip report, but wanted to share a few things that I think might be helpful to others. It was me, my dh (both 40s) and our 8 year old boy traveling. Our little guy's first cruise!

 

1) We debated too long about FTTF and it was sold out. Turned out to be a non-issue. We arrived at the terminal on the first day around 1pm and breezed right through security and the not so long line for check in and then right onto the ship. Could not have been more than 20 minutes start to finish. We did not tender in Belize (stayed on ship) but my dh went down about 9:15am for the 9:30 tender ticket handout and we got tender 2. So no problem there either. Would I pay it next time? Perhaps, but I would not stress about it either way.

 

2) Guy's and the Cantina were both excellent. But the Cantina is only open for breakfast and lunch until 2:30. Guys is open for lunch and early dinner, until 6pm. We would have very much enjoyed if they were both open for dinner until at least 7 or 8. Buffet was good we thought, we ate most dinners there as 2 hour fancy dinners are too much for our 8 yo. We did dine in the dining room twice and it was ok...nothing amazing but not bad either. They did vary food in the buffet (always had chicken but a different preparation each night, always had some kind of rice, some kind of potato, something being carved, etc.).

 

3) Our stateroom was a perfect location we thought. 7362, just aft of mid-ship. Close to the mid elevator, but far enough that we didn't get a lot of 'off the elevator' traffic because we were sort of in between. There was AMPLE room for 3 of us, especially in terms of storage. Loads of closet space. We were impressed, although the pink trim in the room is a bit 80s dated. Balcony was enjoyed daily, plenty of room to recline your chair and put your feet up if you so desired. Easy to run up to grab a drink or food.

 

4) My 8 yo enjoyed Camp Carnival. He was there for a least a few hours daily, when he went changed based on their itinerary for that day. They kept them occupied and he seemed to enjoy himself. Staff were all warm and friendly. He stayed for the Night Owl party one night, which was an extra $15 or something. Totally worth it, he had a ball. But they also have free parties at other times with no extra charge. Lots of fun things were included and they didn't nickel and dime you...such as 'candy art' which is one of those sand art type machines where the candy 'sand' gets layered into a long stick thing...or t-shirt art, they give the kids the shirts.

 

5) We did excursions in 3 ports of call, all booked privately or done on our own and not through the cruise as we have done before. Still the best deals for great services. In Cozumel we took a cab to Paradise Beach. $14 each way. It was $2 per beach chair plus $10 (prepaid credit) for food/drink. $12 additional for anyone who wants a bracelet for the water toys. Pool, use of changing rooms, etc. included. It was GORGEOUS! We could have stayed there for days. Drinks were good, food was meh. We got there early and had our pick of chairs. Everything was VERY clean. One note: Be sure to have water shoes as the bottom is very coral/rocky. In Roatan we did the Victor Bodden private tour with Joanne. She was great. We all had fun learning about and seeing the island. We did both the iguana farm (don't bother) and the monkey place (totally worth the extra $5 pp). We stopped at a local school and fire department which was great. Shopped at some local places. And in Grand Cayman we used Nativeway for our snorkeling tour. We did the 3 hour starfish, coral and sting rays. When we arrived at the pier they asked if we'd be interested in upgrading at no charge to the one that is 2 hours longer, includes lunch and 2 beach stop. We declined as we had plans for afterward. We learned that we were the ONLY ones on our tour, and that's why they wanted to upgrade us, but Sharon reassured us that it was no problem if we chose not to switch. I was a little worried they'd be upset at taking just us out, but Tomas was excellent and we had a wonderful, truly private snorkeling trip!

 

6) We did indeed get free lanyard and card holes punched at the casino, as well as decks of cards and postcards at guest services. My ds loved that! He wants to know why he can't charge everything to his card now that he's home. LOL

 

7) Room service was very disappointing. We utilized it for coffee and muffins as we have a very early rising child, and that was fine. But one night I really wanted dinner from the dining room but was suffering from dizziness and could not sit there for 2 hours. They would not bring it, unfortunately. The menu doesn't even include a cheese platter or many snacky type foods. Pretty much just sandwiches. This is my first Carnival cruise, and the RCCL room service choices on my last cruise were much more varied.

 

8) Watching a movie on the big screen on the pool deck was so fun! They offer free popcorn at the rum bar by the pool.

 

9) Cost of taxi from port to MIA is a SET $25. If you have 3 or more people, don't take a shuttle!

 

If you have a specific question feel free to ask!

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing your comments.

 

Keith

[geovet]

Thanks for the update. I will be on the Glory in a few weeks. Do they still have the air hockey in the game room?

[pirate4me2]

Thanks for the review! I have been curious about Glory and I am debating cruising her when I book our next future cruise. :)

[Bren's Mom]

Yes, they still have the fancy air hockey table. My son loved it! :)

[firemanbobswife]

Thanks for the update. I will be on the Glory in a few weeks. Do they still have the air hockey in the game room?

 

This is the only air hockey table on Glory. I was on in October.

 

[Minneapolistraveler]

I've been waiting for a Glory review - thank you!! We cruise on her this Sunday on the same itinerary!

 

Did you try out the spa? What movies did they play on the big screen?

[Bren's Mom]

I've been waiting for a Glory review - thank you!! We cruise on her this Sunday on the same itinerary!

 

Did you try out the spa? What movies did they play on the big screen?

 

Yay! You will have a great time I'm sure!

 

Let's see....the first night was Zookeeper, that was cute. One night was IronMan 2 and IronMan 3. Real Steel. Can't recall the others.

 

I checked it out but never did have any treatments. And I was mad at myself for forgetting to go use the sauna/steam room!

[golfadj]

What did you think of the playlist production shows?

 

Doing our first cruise on Glory since they changed the shows and wondering about it.

[firemanbobswife]

What did you think of the playlist production shows?

 

Doing our first cruise on Glory since they changed the shows and wondering about it.

 

Usually we enjoy the shoes on both Carnival and Celebrity. Went to "Latin Nights" in May, and with the exception of the chicks dancing in the water, I thought it was horrible. Never went to any other shows in May or October.

 

 

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[golfadj]

Usually we enjoy the shoes on both Carnival and Celebrity. Went to "Latin Nights" in May, and with the exception of the chicks dancing in the water, I thought it was horrible. Never went to any other shows in May or October.

 

 

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That is what I keep hearing about playlist.

[rockbock]

Stu - I see you have asked in a few threads about the Playlist production shows and you haven't gotten much feedback yet. I'll be on the Glory in two weeks. Not sure how many shows I'll check out, but I'll make sure I let you know what I think of the ones that I see.

 

 

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[lcp9984]

Why do you say not to take a shuttle with 3 or more people?

[CheapieD]

Stu - I see you have asked in a few threads about the Playlist production shows and you haven't gotten much feedback yet. I'll be on the Glory in two weeks. Not sure how many shows I'll check out, but I'll make sure I let you know what I think of the ones that I see.

 

 

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Overall I was disappointed with the scope and glitz of the shows this time. Given what they have to work with though they are ok. We went to Motor City (Motown) and Latin nights. They are ok esp if you like that genre of music. I missed Divas but went to the Hasbro shows as well. They seemed like a commercial for Hasbro more than anything. I also went to the Love and marriage show in the main theater and that was pretty funny but I guess I would depend on the couples selected.

 

Carnival now only has 3 male and 3 female entertainers for the main shows so it would be really hard to have more extravagant shows. They also removed the space for the orchestra and moved the stage into that area so live bands won't be an option anymore.

 

As far as the other singers throughout the ship most of them were covers and not original music. They were talented but again doing things like acoustic covers of popular 60's through 90's music. There was a reggae/Latin band (3 members) as well but I didn't stay to listen so I am not if they played original or cover music.

[golfadj]

Stu - I see you have asked in a few threads about the Playlist production shows and you haven't gotten much feedback yet. I'll be on the Glory in two weeks. Not sure how many shows I'll check out, but I'll make sure I let you know what I think of the ones that I see.

 

 

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Thank you. What I do here is pretty much not very good.

[Eliot Ness]

We were on the same cruise and also had a great time. I wasn't as impressed with Guy's burgers as some, but still managed to choke down 3 or 4 ;). I agree that it would be nice if both Guy's and the Cantina stayed open later.

 

I noticed you guys get off the Nativeway bus for what was your private tour; the Nativeway folks always seem very easy to deal with. We did the Rays, Reef, and Rum Point tour again and really enjoyed it. They added a stop at my request for a short visit to Starfish Point so I could see the Starfish..... that's one more thing crossed off my bucket list!

 

I normally don't care for Carnival pizza, but their new 'super thin' style is quite tasty!

 

We knew the Carnival room service menu limitations so there were no surprises for us and it came in very handy for an early breakfast at three of our port stops.

 

We had Anytime Dining but after the first night we always requested John and I Wayan as our wait staff and they did a wonderful job. We've always found the food pretty good in the MDR and this cruise did not disappoint.

 

Glad you enjoyed yourselves and the Glory is a ship we wouldn't hesitate to cruise on again.

 

 

John

[Bren's Mom]

Why do you say not to take a shuttle with 3 or more people?

 

The shuttle is $10+ per person. If you have 3 people you save money by taking a cab. If you have 4 people you save even more.