Just Back from Eastern Glory

[pkarst]

Will post when I get some sleep - great week = great weather - had a wonderful time!!!

[TakeMeAway1001]

Ahhh, I was all excited to read your review! Can't wait to hear it all!

 

Kristen

Triumph 10/01

Pride 11/02

Glory 10/04

 

Until I marry my Marine

 

 

Until our "Glory-ous" Honeymoon

 

<center>

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">

</center>

 

 

[CruiseFever]

glad to hear it!

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/26/04

Star Princess 10/24/04

Carnival Victory 12/19/04

Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

 

[Guest]

pkarst,

 

Can't wait for your review...We're leaving in 6 days!!

 

Lisa T.

Paradise...May 1999

Sensation...May 2000

Sensation...May 2001

Pride...June 2002

Triumph...May 2003

Glory....April 17, 2004

[pkarst]

I will try to remember all as I go - if you have questions, let me know.

 

We drove down the day before, stayed at Ron Jon's Cape Caribe this time instead of Radisson. IT IS SO NICE! Beautiful! I would recommend it and I will stay there next time! Try this for the pictures - http://community.webshots.com/user/pkarstcats - sorry I do not know how to link it....

 

We were allowed in the parking lot at 10:15, we were the first!!! They let us park in a empty area and just told us to hang out by our vehicles for now! At about 11:00 we headed in, dropped off our luggage and made our way to the Skippers Club - we had booked a Cat 12. Others were already checking in through the 'fun pass', of which I had done also, but our documents were in the Skippers Club, so we went that way! That was easy and were were taken to the head of the line about 11:30. They let us on the ship about 12:00 and told us not to go to our room till 1:00 but we did go drop off our stuff and then headed to lunch.

 

The ship is great - did not find the decor out of line or eye popping! We had no problems getting around. Of course, the only bee-lines we made, were to eat, casino and sunning - HA! not to hard to figure out. Out room was spacious, I love all the closet space and the shower was roomy. Our room steward was not the greatest, we have had better. There were 4 of us and he kept giving us 3 wash cloths - go figure! I just did not get the feeling that he was on top of things, let alone understanding me or me understanding him. But that did not ruin the week. The chair savers - were out in FULL FORCE! The first sea day, I was out at 8:00 a.m., every chair in site had a towel, a pair of shoes, or just a bottle of lotion in it! This happened all three days at sea! We did see some people move things and use the chairs, and when the people who had saved the chairs came up at lunch - they said nothing - got their stuff and left. We did see people save chairs for over 3 hrs, then come get their stuff and move elsewhere, never using the chair they had saved all morning, we saw this happen several times! As we were on deck at 8 every morning, the chair savers did not show up till 11-12, so you have plenty of time to use their chairs while you are waiting on them!

 

Nassau - was great - our first time - we took a taxi and spent the 'short time' at Atlantis.

 

St Thomas - we took a taxi to Sapphire Beach - did some snorkeling and got some rest! Beautiful beach, it was such a beautiful day any beach you choose would have been a good choice! We talked to others who went to Coki and Meagans Bay - all said they were nice also. I do not think you can make a bad choice here! We spent the afternoon shopping and finished up at Paradise Point!

 

St. Maarten - we did the Golden Eagle Catamaran! Good choice also, the weather was so beautiful it did not matter what you did. We enjoyed the excursion and we do not even drink! They cater to you - drink after drink - checking on you and making sure you are ok and having fun! For other non drinkers they do serve water and coke! My dau (17) and her friend (15), also enjoyed this! The catamaran ride was our first, smooth sailing - really nice. They took us to a beach for snorkleling, sunbathing, and the mud rubbing on our bodies (your skin really is softer afterwards). They prepared sub sandwhiches for us and chips while we swam, rang the dinner bell, we ate and headed back. They do serve the rum punch and variuos brands of canned bear for you drinkers! Really nice morning (we took the 8:15 excursion), the afternoon group was smoking - it really got hot that afternoon. They do provide snorkel equip. for those who do not have it! We spent the afternoon shopping and looking around - which I had did more here - got a taxi or took a island tour - will just have to go back!!!

 

Our head waiter was Ricky - table 500 - great guy - cute!!! We even tipped him additional cash on our way out. The bartender Edwin in the Ivory Club - nice guy also, we tipped him extra on our way out also!!! He makes a mean smoothie!! HAHA!!

 

We carried our luggage off. Had to wait in line with all the others doing the same, next time I will not rush and be in such a hurry to get off the ship! The wait was not long - attitude is everything, remember! We were in our car by 9:10 and driving out though.

 

I tried to cover everything - if you have questions, let me know!!!! Remember If you have trouble with my pictures - let me know!

[pkarst]

Hey - I did it - the picture link is working!!! For me at least!!!

 

Happing Cruising!!

 

Pat

[TakeMeAway1001]

You made my morning, I have been waiting for your review for weeks, lol! Glad to hear you had a nice time. At first it wouldn't let me see your pics and when I hit the back button to go back to your review they came up. Once again the resort looks so quiet, did you find it that way?? What time did you get down to Ron Jon's? We are getting into Orlando at 11ish and we were hoping they were good with early check in, 4pm seems so late. Even if we can't get to our room the pool area would be great. Thanks again for your review~

 

Kristen

Triumph 10/01

Pride 11/02

Glory 10/04

 

Until I marry my Marine

 

 

Until our "Glory-ous" Honeymoon

 

<center>

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">

</center>

 

 

[mar915]

What time did you get off of the ship in St. Thomas, I heard with the immigration stuff it can be a little long.

 

Mary

 

Glory Cruise 6/26

[ken_nyc]

pkarst, I want to thank you for your review. I cannot wait for our cruise!! When was the formal nights?

 

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)

Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern) 30th Anniversary Cruise

[pkarst]

On Ron Jons - our room was not ready until right at 4:00, however you can use the pool area or play putt-putt (free) of which we did (we arrived about 2:00). The place did seem quiet, the pool area was a buzzing though but not over the norm. They do have a resturant - which was good-we ate dinner there that night - not overbearing prices! They do not serve breakfast though - maybe that will be something they add in the future! Hope SO! We hit McDonalds on the way to the ship...I forgot to mention on the bathroom in our room - it had 2 sinks, separate shower and a whirlpool tub, really big bathroom - nice set-up! Do not forget to pack you some coffee for that one morning - they do have a pot - but no coffee. I took a little baggie full and I always travel with sugar and creamer anyway...

 

St Thomas - no problem to us. We arrived earlier than expected, our floor was about one of the last to be called (they did a drawing the night before to see which floors went when), we were off and on our way I know before 10:30, we had gotten up - ate- and was ready to leave the ship when they called us. You know vacation fuzzies the mind! I know we left the beach at around 2:00 & had commented on geing there 3 good hrs!!! But once you are called, do not let the long lines scar you - they get you moving and keep you moving!!!

 

Formal nights - Sun and Thur - also this was just our 3rd cruise - I have never seen more relaxtion on dining room attire than this cruise - this goes for formal and normal nights. We all wore on Sat night what we wore on the ship - yes we had luggage. I had on capris, my husband shorts, the girls - whatever teens wear - you know! We fit right in - everyone was dressed as we were! The other nights were just more relaxed - not so much fussyness! I wore capris one other night, my husband docker pants, docker shoes and golf shirts the other casual nights, me - sun dresses. My DH did wear a suite on formal nights and I a basic black dress w/low slip on pumps - no hose!!! We fit right in!!!

 

Any other questions, let me know!!! Pat

[mar915]

What is putt putt...where is it and what is it.

 

Mary

 

Glory Cruise 6/26

[pkarst]

Putt Putt - also known as 'goofy golf', nine holes, putt the golf ball in....sorry - it must be a southern slang!!

 

I forgot also - my dau and her friend, as well as I found the punch so good this time - we did not buy soda cards!!! Save that money!!!!

[zookeeper]

We also just returned from the Glory on April 12. We had a good time; however, I do have a few minor compliants. 1. The music, or lack of much live music, was a bummer. 2. The "stage: on the lido deck is a joke -- about 8x10 and consequently, when they put on deck/pool games, you can't see anything and you feel like a sardine. 3. Food at the Red Sail restaurant (with the exception of hamburgers, deli and fish and chips) was only average. And my biggest complaint was that from approximately 4-6 p.m. you couldn't get any food from the line except for hamburgers and deli sandwiches--not even a salad most days. When we got back from St. Thomas at about 4:30 p.m. we wanted a salad or something light because we didn't eat until 8:30. Unfortunately, the Red Sail didn't have the line going and unless we wanted to wait in line for a hamburger or deli sandwich with 50 other people we were out of luck. 4. Most of the time the drink stations for punch/lemonaide were not operating except for one at the back of the ship. This was a pain for me as our cabin was in the front of the ship and I didn't need a soda card--even my son had a hard time using his soda card because the many of the "bars" would close at unusual and early times. 5. There was a lack of activities, for instance, they finally did a "millionaire game" at 8 p.m. our last sea day. Guess what? That was when we had to eat dinner. Why didn't they do this in the middle of the day so more people could enjoy it?

 

There was some things I liked about this cruise. The kids on the ship were not a problem even though it was very crowded. The fish and chips (12 - 2:30 p.m. only) were wonderful --just like I had in England. The food in the Golden dining room was great except that they had the same old carnival deserts --- very "lite" and no substance, like eating diet deserts all the time. The cruise director was a hoot and the shows were great, especially the comedians and the illusionist.

 

We just came off of the Grand Princess in Nov 2003 and now since cruising on Carnival again have decided that Princess is more to our liking for many reasons. However, I don't regret going on this cruise and had a good time.

 

I don't mean to be overly critical of Carnival; however, it seems to me that you see very little complaints about a cruise line and I feel that we have to take the good with the bad.

[Love to vacation]

Thanks for the review! We are also booked in a Cat 12 suite on the Glory for July 31, Western Itinerary. I can't wait!! So, you didn't fill out your funpasses, since you had skippers club? It was recommended I still do this, but every time I try to fill it out I get so frustarted and quit the process.

 

We were on a Cat 11 on the Victory and now I'm so excited to see the Cat 12! We have never been to Cape Canaveral. We are coming in at about 10:00 pm the night before and staying at the Radisson, then staying 2 days after at Ron Jon. You have really got me "beside myself" with eagerness now that I have read your review! I didn't realized Ron Jon had putt-putt ~ my son will be thrilled! Thanks again! MICHELLE

[pkarst]

Michelle, I did do my 'fun pass' and had my computer print out that we were 'complete', but regardless we still had to go Skippers Club - that is where the boarding documents are for all Cat's 11 & 12 -, and they did ask even at Skippers Club for my 'fun pass' completion - so go ahead and do it.....

 

When we got into the Skippers Club, there was no one to check us in, that is when I asked if we could just get in the 'fun pass' line, as they were being checked in and she said no - as our documents were with the Skippers Club, that is where we needed to stay. It took about 15 minutes more and someone came right it - took maybe 5 mins to verify our info and we were off to the front of the line.

 

We did take a friend of my dau's, they did not ask to see permission note, although I did have it.....

 

Hope this helps some more!!!

[Cyt4SoreEyes]

Hi there PKarst,

Thanks for the great review..I can't wait!! I do have a question about your visit to Atlantis. How did you get there what was the cost and did you have to pay a charge to get onto the resort? And what all areas were you allowed to experience while at Atlantis?? Also how much was the Golden Catamaran Tour that you took and how long was the entire trip? I tried to use your link to check out your pictures but page came up saying error page could not be made for you. Glad to hear you had a great cruise..thx for any help or info, Oh one more thing..how is it in Flowery Branch..I used to live there and coached basketball for one of the public schools there..it is a lovely place to live!!

 

Cyt

 

Atlantic

Oceanic

Norway

Enchantment of the Seas

Destiny

Voyager of the Seas

Conquest March 30th 2003

Glory May 29th 2004

[pkarst]

To Atlantis - we took a taxi - I do not know the cost - my DH dealt with the driver. We did not pay to go to the dig - we only looked around as far as they allowed us to. They did have guys posted at access points to the pool and beach and if you did not have a wristband - you went no further. We were able to walk through the Marina and into Harboside (the timeshares) - just beautiful over there also. The Golden Eagle was $79 ea - we did leave for the four of us a $20 tip! I had no trouble with my link for my pic's - sorry you are - but if you go to seach enter - Ron Jons Cape Caribe - see if it will pull them up that way, let me know!!! I can e-mail them to you if you want. Flowery Branch is good - this area is BOOMING - we are the next Gwinnett Co - sadly to say - my dau is in the public school sys - at WHHS - a Jr this year - how long ago did you teach here?

Take care - you will love your cruise - wish I was going again!!! Pat

[ken_nyc]

Hi pkarst, by the way where is Flowery Branch, Georgia?? I use to go to UGA in the mid 70's. Loved Georgia!!! Wish I still lived there.

 

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)

Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise

<center>

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">

</center>

[pkarst]

We are just south of Gainesville, GA - between Buford and Gainesville, small town - we consider ourselves a suburb if Gainesville - HA. I know you have to miss our weather compared to how that NY weather can be. Happy Cruising!!! Pat

[ken_nyc]

Pat, I do miss the weather except the oppressive humidity in the summer. I also do not miss the tornados, there were too many for my liking.

Ken

 

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)

Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise

<center>

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">

</center>

[Gaminer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> We were allowed in the parking lot at 10:15, we were the first!!! They let us park in a empty area and just told us to hang out by our vehicles for now! At about 11:00 we headed in, dropped off our luggage <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

 

 

Do you still have to drive up drop off luggage, park and then take a bus back to the terminal? This was the way we did it last Sept.

Thanks for taking the time to post your review, even though we are going on the western itenerary, I still enjoy reading every review.

Thanks again!

 

Terry

 

Till we're on the Glory again!

 

 

9/13/03 Glory Western

9/11/04 Glory Western (again!)

 

[pkarst]

Terry - where we parked we were virtually across the street from the terminal, so no buses were involved. We just hung out in the parking lot with our luggage until 11:00 and then walked our luggage over to drop off and headed into the terminal. Enjoy your cruise!!!! P

[Gaminer]

Excellent!

 

Thanks so much for the information!

 

Terry

 

Till we're on the Glory again!

 

 

9/13/03 Glory Western

9/11/04 Glory Western (again!)

 

[crusingchicks]

At about 11:00 we headed in, dropped off our luggage and made our way to the Skippers Club - we had booked a Cat 12.

 

Can you tell me more about the Skipper's Club.

Is it a catagory thing? Anything to make check in quicker would be a great thing. I can never wait to get on that ship. We're on Glory May 15th. Thanks for the review.

 

Till we cruise on Glory again

Till we cruise on Carribean Princess

[pkarst]

Skippers Club is for Cat's 11 and 12 only - the only perk you get for booking a suite - oh - except for going to the front of the line after check-in! It was quick but as early as we were there, the 'fun pass' people were going just as fast. Happy Cruising! P