Just off Glory November 12th 2016

[MikeACY]

12 of us left out of Miami on the Glory.

 

Embankment: A disaster. We signed up for the 11:00- 11:30 check in time frame...we got there around 11. The line was out the door! Good thing it wasn't raining as it did to others who were out there at a later time. We didn't get thru and onto the ship until around 1.

 

Ship: Need to be refurbished. Rumors said it was going into dry dock soon. It needed it.

 

Crew: Very polite (except for one particular man at the pizza area who lost his cool a few times). Other then him, everyone smiled and said hi and seemed to love their job.

 

Food: Typical buffet you get on any cruise. The dinning room (we didn't do any specialties) food was very good, except we all noticed the menu has gotten smaller. Still plenty to choose from, but a noticeable difference.

 

Entertainment: The typical Carnival dancers shows. The only exception was the "Epic Rock" show the last night of the cruise. Don't miss it!! It was an excellent show..if you like classic rock songs. It can be a little loud. The Cuban style show I could have done without.

 

Ports: Grand Cayman: excellent: Roatan; ok, Belize: what can you say. Cozumel: Love the place!!!

 

Only problem I had in Belize was the Tender crew (yes you have to tender to shore) were asking for gratuities. I never saw that before on a tender. The Tender crew in Grand Cayman didn't ask for tips. I don't think that is justified. How else would I get to the main land?

 

Disembarkation: We did the self walk off and it was easy.

 

Overall a nice cruise. I had no problem taking on a 12 pack of soda and two bottles of wine. Water in plastic is no longer allowed, but I was able to bring water back in a plastic bottle in my carry on from the ports we visited. In Miami I saw a lady with an empty water bottle and they wouldn't let her bring that on board...why???

[BoDidly]

Very fair review, thanks for posting.

Belize is my least favorite place. And as of last year the tenders were asking for tips, poor people needing money I guess.

[Clarea]

Nice report, thanks.

[John F]

Do you bring home any Fun Times from the cruise for us?? Thanks. :)

[easyboy]

Thanks for the feedback.

[Romansky1]

Thanks for the review - we leave on NYE on the same route and Roatan and Belize are new to us.

[riclop]

Thanks for the report.

[chocoqueen]

What kind. Of live music do they have ?

[MikeACY]

Do you bring home any Fun Times from the cruise for us?? Thanks. :)

I'm sorry to say...no. :-(

[JaniceB]

Did you do anything in Belize when you got on shore?

[MikeACY]

What kind. Of live music do they have ?

In the atrium they had an awesome classic/modern rock band. The guitarist was amazing. People hung out at the bar and listened for hours.

Near the casino area was a lighter type of music band.

Their was a piano bar. We didn't go.

Pool area had the typical "Island" style of music.

In the theater..

As I mentioned, the Rock show was the best! Probably one of the best I have ever seen on any cruise. The rest of the week in the evening there was a Latin music show, Motown show, and one more that I can't seem to remember. These were performed by the Carnival Dancers. One night they had the night off and the cruise director did a "Newlywed" not so Newlywed show with couples from the audience participating on stage in the main Theater. Hope this helps.

[MikeACY]

Did you do anything in Belize when you got on shore?

This time we did the Bike Ridding adventure with lunch at a Park. It was ok, but wouldn't do it again. Two years ago while at Belize we did the Maya Ruins with the river tour (including lunch). That was very very good. Another couple we were with on this cruise did this tour and they also enjoyed it. However be warned, the roads to the ruins are very bumpy AND if you are going during the hot season, the boat isn't covered, so they sun may bake you. But we enjoyed the ruins and in the river we saw monkeys, alligators and all sorts of birds. I would recommend this one. If you never been to Belize before, the tender drops you off at a shopping area.The prices in this area on their items are very expensive. I would not recommend shopping here. Shop at the other ports you visit.

[beshears]

Hello, I just came across your posting while going through the Carnival postings. Your title - November 12, 2016,do I gather you mean 2015??

 

A couple questions, as we are doing the Glory in March.

 

You said they had the Newlywed, and "not" so Newlywed show. Were these two different shows, or are you saying there were couples who had just got married, and others that had been married a long time?

 

The Rock show? What is that about, and is it the last day of the cruise?

[Bellicheck Brain Trust]

Hello, I just came across your posting while going through the Carnival postings. Your title - November 12, 2016,do I gather you mean 2015??

 

A couple questions, as we are doing the Glory in March.

 

You said they had the Newlywed, and "not" so Newlywed show. Were these two different shows, or are you saying there were couples who had just got married, and others that had been married a long time?

 

The Rock show? What is that about, and is it the last day of the cruise?

 

Epic rock is one of their playlist production shows - definitely one of the best in our opinion. The love and marriage show is typically a staple for my wife and I, however if you get a crappy cruise director (like jase in our opinion) the show can be quite boring. CD's like Matt do a phenomenal job with the show. Never cruised with the current Glory CD so crossing our fingers the show will be entertaining - would be nice if they could mix the questions up by CD.

[firemanbobswife]

Hello, I just came across your posting while going through the Carnival postings. Your title - November 12, 2016,do I gather you mean 2015??

 

 

Pretty sure they mean 2016. They got OFF the Glory the 12 which was last Saturday. Besides, the Glory didn't have staggered check in a year ago.

[maryhou]

Are there any theme nights? I know sometimes they have a them for deck parties or an 80s night etc...... we set sail in acouple weeks

[MikeACY]

Are there any theme nights? I know sometimes they have a them for deck parties or an 80s night etc...... we set sail in acouple weeks

 

Yep, it was 2016...last Saturday, NOT 2015

Epic Rock was very very good. It was the last night on the cruise. It was music sung by the Carnival dancers from groups such as Queen, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, etc. Very well done if you like that style of music. The projection screen they have on stage behind the performers was amazing.

The Newlywed not so Newlywed was very well explained by the beshears posting. But it was in the middle of the week. The carnival dancers took off this night, so the main Theater had this show. The CD picks couples from the audience that want to be on stage. They pick a newlywed couple, a couple who has been married the longest, and other couples in between.

Theme nights...Not that I am aware of. On past cruises, leaving Cozumel they have have a deck party...not on this cruise.

I have a possible suggestion when in Cozumel. If you like all u can drink, all you can eat (shrimp, taco's, etc etc) and a beautiful beach and two small pools with swim up bars, go to Mr. Sancho's. If you like peace and quite, well you can probably find it there, but it gets crowded if there are many ships in port. Cost is around $50/pp if you book on line in advance NOT from Mr. Sancho's. Email them and they will tell you who to book thru. Any more questions, I will be happy to help.

Edited November 18, 2016 by MikeACY

[BNBR]

12 of us left out of Miami on the Glory.

 

Embankment: A disaster. We signed up for the 11:00- 11:30 check in time frame...we got there around 11. The line was out the door! Good thing it wasn't raining as it did to others who were out there at a later time. We didn't get thru and onto the ship until around 1.

 

Ship: Need to be refurbished. Rumors said it was going into dry dock soon. It needed it.

 

Crew: Very polite (except for one particular man at the pizza area who lost his cool a few times). Other then him, everyone smiled and said hi and seemed to love their job.

 

Food: Typical buffet you get on any cruise. The dinning room (we didn't do any specialties) food was very good, except we all noticed the menu has gotten smaller. Still plenty to choose from, but a noticeable difference.

 

Entertainment: The typical Carnival dancers shows. The only exception was the "Epic Rock" show the last night of the cruise. Don't miss it!! It was an excellent show..if you like classic rock songs. It can be a little loud. The Cuban style show I could have done without.

 

Ports: Grand Cayman: excellent: Roatan; ok, Belize: what can you say. Cozumel: Love the place!!!

 

Only problem I had in Belize was the Tender crew (yes you have to tender to shore) were asking for gratuities. I never saw that before on a tender. The Tender crew in Grand Cayman didn't ask for tips. I don't think that is justified. How else would I get to the main land?

 

Disembarkation: We did the self walk off and it was easy.

 

Overall a nice cruise. I had no problem taking on a 12 pack of soda and two bottles of wine. Water in plastic is no longer allowed, but I was able to bring water back in a plastic bottle in my carry on from the ports we visited. In Miami I saw a lady with an empty water bottle and they wouldn't let her bring that on board...why???

 

Interesting note about embarkation. We got there a little before 11 if I recall, just last month.... and there wasn't a line anywhere. We walked right up to security, right through, then right up to the desk to get our cards. Waited about 30 minutes for them to start boarding and right onto the ship. I wonder what changed? Maybe a huge group that showed up at the same time?

[firemanbobswife]

Interesting note about embarkation. We got there a little before 11 if I recall, just last month.... and there wasn't a line anywhere. We walked right up to security, right through, then right up to the desk to get our cards. Waited about 30 minutes for them to start boarding and right onto the ship. I wonder what changed? Maybe a huge group that showed up at the same time?

 

 

I'm thinking that's what must have happened. Probably a Carnival transfer bus.

[BNBR]

I'm thinking that's what must have happened. Probably a Carnival transfer bus.

 

Yes, and I have a witness :)

 

Didn't the security personnel mention something along the line that they are letting everyone in regardless of staggered time?

 

I was really shocked at how quick it was getting on this ship. No line, no wait, totally painless. Big +1 to Carnival.... then I read these horror stories, lol.

[firemanbobswife]

Yes, and I have a witness :)

 

Didn't the security personnel mention something along the line that they are letting everyone in regardless of staggered time?

 

I was really shocked at how quick it was getting on this ship. No line, no wait, totally painless. Big +1 to Carnival.... then I read these horror stories, lol.

 

 

The lady said they were letting the next group through which was the 11:00am bunch. Not everyone. We arrived about 10:50am.

 

It was very quick and painless and I much prefer staggered check in now having done it both ways.

[BNBR]

The lady said they were letting the next group through which was the 11:00am bunch. Not everyone. We arrived about 10:50am.

 

It was very quick and painless and I much prefer staggered check in now having done it both ways.

 

No complaints from me. And I'd definitely do FTTF also. Maybe on Vista.... :D

[firemanbobswife]

No complaints from me. And I'd definitely do FTTF also. Maybe on Vista.... :D

 

 

Cool! [emoji6]

[Retired_to_Cruise]

Was on the Glory, Nov 5 to 12, 2016 as well and continued with B2B on Nov 12 to 19, 2016. Just got home today.

 

Our excursions were:

 

Belize - Starfish Island with Lunch. Tender directly to Starfish Island from the ship and back to the ship when done. Very nice time.

 

Mahogany Bay - Cabana rental at the beach. Excellent lockable, air conditioned, television-equipped, cabana with padded loungers on porch, a hammock and two more padded loungers on the private beach. Includes unlimited chair lift rides.

 

Cozumel - was a fast catamaran ride to the north end of the island (40 minutes) to Isla Pasion. Great beach with lots of toys, lots of loungers and chairs in the sun and under the shade trees. Includes an open bar as well as a higher end paid bar, and a mexican and gringo buffet lunch served most of the 4 hours you are there.

 

Ship is schedule for drydock in early February of 2017. I think the 2.0 stuff drydock was in early 2015, and she needs a little work. My guess is the Red Frog Pub, like the one put on the Freedom will be added, plus an overall ship sprice up.

 

The only thing I can complain about on the entire cruise is that the windows on the Promenade Deck (Deck 5) looked like they hadn't been cleaned in months. Could barely see out of them. And that did not change the week of the 12th.

 

Still love that ship, and we will be on her again the week of January 28th, 2017 for a Premier Casino Cruise.

Edited November 20, 2016 by Retired_to_Cruise

[JaniceB]

This time we did the Bike Ridding adventure with lunch at a Park. It was ok, but wouldn't do it again. Two years ago while at Belize we did the Maya Ruins with the river tour (including lunch). That was very very good. Another couple we were with on this cruise did this tour and they also enjoyed it. However be warned, the roads to the ruins are very bumpy AND if you are going during the hot season, the boat isn't covered, so they sun may bake you. But we enjoyed the ruins and in the river we saw monkeys, alligators and all sorts of birds. I would recommend this one. If you never been to Belize before, the tender drops you off at a shopping area.The prices in this area on their items are very expensive. I would not recommend shopping here. Shop at the other ports you visit.

 

Thanks for the excursion and shopping tips!