Glory Review 2/11-2/18

[cruzn4life]

Misc. Observations

I will continue a day-by-day review as I can, but here are a few misc. observations that relate to our experience vs. those I have read of others on these boards.

 

I'll work on this as I can, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them...

 

OH...one thing I missed here...something on the GLORY (I assume something they use to clean with?) made DH & my eyes all blood shot (no, it wasn't the drinks...). :p We noticed it beginning the first evening and it continued throughout the entire trip. It also cleared up immediately after disembarking. Not a huge problem...no pain or anything, just red eyes. I would recommend adding Visine or some type of eyedrops to your packing list.

[teflonjeff]

Looking forward to the remiander of your review. I'm on the Glory 4/8!

[newlife]

Thanks for your great review of the Glory. My wife and I are 29 days and countin away from our Glory cruise. We have several cruises under our belts, but looking forward to this cruise without the kids.

I will be buying my ginger pills this weekend.:D

[cruzn4life]

Addition to Wednesday, Feb. 13th

I knew my days would start running together...I forgot to mention that this was the night of the Mexican buffet (11:30pm - our first "midnight buffet" of the week) and deck party. I left DH sleeping in the cabin and found a line that was about a mile and a half long for the buffet...decided that the LAST thing I needed was more food and went out to the deck party. Stayed for about 20 minutes and decided that it really would have been more fun with DH or friends (they were in the Casino by that point), so I returned to DH and that oh so comfy bed... :p

[Iamthesea]

What has happened to the rest of this review? :(

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the great review. Please tell us more. We are considering this cruise next year.

[cruzn4life]

What has happened to the rest of this review? :(

 

DH in the hospital, two kids with strep, one with bronchitis in addition and one with a bladder infection in addition...welcome home, right?!? I need a VACATION!!! :p

 

Thursday, February 16th

DH remained knocked-out most of the day (what a fun companion he was... ;) ). So, I lounged by the pool, read my book, participated in some of the trivia (sorry, no ship on a stick for me...) and watched some of the poolside events (like survivor). Ate lunch at the Red Sail...same opinion of the buffet, but the staff didn't seem to be keeping up with clearing tables as well (probably because we were all on the ship and more people were eating up there that day...maybe they need more staff up there on sea days?!?). By the time I returned to the cabin, I was nicely burned (sat out watching survivor and other events without sunscreen...where was my head?!?). The weather was BEAUTIFUL, but the winds/waves were high (20-30 knots / 12-15 foot) so the upper decks were closed again.

 

I usually don't burn, but then I didn't tan before this cruise...and I usually wear at least a small amount of sunscreen. DH was FINALLY feeling better before dinner. I am thinking that this was the night that he had Beef Wellington (it was funny, because he saw "beef" on the menu and didn't realize until we were all discussing what we had ordered that Wellington comes with a liver pate and is wrapped in a pastry...he was VERY concerned by the time that it came...so, he scraped everything off of the meat and loved the beef...very tender).

 

After dinner, we went with our tablemates to karaoke...not quite as crowded this night, we were at least able to stand inside the bar...and one of our table mates was able to get on the list before it was closed for the night. After he sang, we left them to go to the show. Once again, FANTASTIC show! We went from the show to Cinn-a-bar (against DH's wishes as it's not his cup of tea, but he owed me...). ;) Then, we went up to Red Sail for the midnight buffet...LONG line (waited close to an hour). Spent the next few hours sitting around and chatting with our tablemates and the other couple for dinner and finally turned in around 4am (DH was still wide awake from sleeping all day, but I was READY for bed!!!)

[cruzn4life]

Friday, February 17th

BEST DAY OF THE CRUISE!!! :D DH was finally both well & awake...we had a late breakfast at the Lido buffet (I recommend the omelet station). Unfortunately, I was still burned from Thursday, so we couldn't lay out in the sun (at least we didn't have to fight for a chair!). We did some of the indoor activities (trivia, etc... - sorry to say, still no coveted ship on a stick...). Then, we took our books and went out on deck 3 behind the shore excursion desk...wish we had discovered this place earlier in the week! We were able to enjoy the sunshine & the ocean without actually being in the sun - and for the 4 hours we were out there, only a handful of people came out and then went back in. There were plenty of chairs and it was like we had our own private extended balcony. We talked, read, slept for awhile and just enjoyed a VERY peaceful and RELAXING day. Eventually, we started to get a little cool, so we went in. We had missed lunch, so we ordered some sandwiches from room service (I like the BLT). Then I started packing our bags to put outside later in the evening. :( Is it just me, or is this the worst part of the trip?!?

 

The show was before dinner tonight (a family friendly comic show) - once again, I DO NOT recommend the comedy shows on this ship...they were TERRIBLE! As we were walking in the doors of the Amber Palace, they had just finished bingo and were introducing the comedian (they same guy from the adult's show the day before) and we couldn't even get in the doors because of the "mass-Exodus" from the theater...it seems we weren't the only ones who didn't care for this guy. We left after a few minutes and went to check on karaoke. Since this was the last night, they had extended the hours, but by extended, they meant that it started earlier, not ended later...kind of stinks for late seating dinner folks. It was packed out the door again, so we decided to get the rest of our packing out of the way. Then, we headed off for dinner.

 

I think this was the night that DH fell in love with Chateaubriand for dinner. He said it was the best meal he had all week. We had a leisurely dinner talking with our friends (our last night together) :( and then we all decided to go for a final round of karaoke...as I mentioned earlier, the extended hours were earlier, not later, so by the time we got there it was closed for the night. DH did NOT want to go to Cinn-a-bar again, so we went to the casino bar and danced there for awhile. Our table mates hadn't packed yet, so they went to pack and we went back to our cabin to put our luggage out. Met back up with them and the other couple from dinner later and stayed up until the wee hours talking again.

 

Saturday, February 18th

We got up early (not easy considering we didn't make it to bed until almost 5am)...got ready and loaded up our carry-ons and then left them in the cabin while we ate breakfast. By the time we rushed through breakfast, we had just enough time to grab our bags and meet in the Amber Palace (we were one of the first groups to disembark because we had an 11:30am flight and had booked a transfer through Carnival). Again, the transfer was quick and easy and we were at the airport in PLENTY of time. Then, our flight was delayed (it was coming in out of NC, I think)...so we had even more time... :rolleyes:

 

Parting Thoughts...

All in all, we had a great trip (with a few bumps along the way). It wasn't the best cruise we have ever been on, but not all of that was Carnival's or the GLORY's fault...even they can't control the wind & waves! Would we book with Carnival again?!? YES!!! In a heart beat (especially if the price was right). Would we book on GLORY again?!? Probably not until we heard several good things about the movement being less...as I mentioned early in the review, even in "good" conditions, this ship rocked & rolled MUCH more than any other we have been on (too many honeymooners onboard? :p ). With DH having such sensitivity to motion sickness, this is a BIG issue for us...also, we would probably look for a ship with more of a nightlife (although we realize this may have just been the week we were there...). If you have a trip booked, I am sure you will have a great cruise - I have found it's all what you make out of it. Don't focus on the negatives, look for the positives (and check out the deck 3 area behind the shore excursions desk). If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[Iamthesea]

Linda,

DH in the hospital? :eek: I hope everyone is better soon!

 

Thanks for the additions. ;)

[cruzn4life]

Linda,

DH in the hospital? :eek: I hope everyone is better soon!

 

Thanks for the additions. ;)

 

Yes...unfortunately...and add to the list one kid with a button stuck up her nose :eek: (yes, you read that right...)

[brianroberts2526]

Friday, February 17th

(too many honeymooners onboard? :p ).

 

 

Good theory

[teflonjeff]

Thank you so much for posting your cruise details and thoughts. I'm on the 4/8 sailing and very much looking forward to our trip. We've booked a partially obstructed ovean view at the very front of the ship.. semi private balcony becasue very few people venture up the stairs to the outside deck in this area.

Hope the family's better very soon.

All the best!

Jeff

[Iamthesea]

Yes...unfortunately...and add to the list one kid with a button stuck up her nose :eek: (yes, you read that right...)

My DB use to stick all kinds of things up his nose. :D Is your DH still in the hospital and how is he doing?

[cruzn4life]

My DB use to stick all kinds of things up his nose. :D Is your DH still in the hospital and how is he doing?

 

DH is home and improving rapidly & the button was safely removed from DD's nose... :rolleyes:

[Serangel71]

Thanks for the great review Linda. Looking forward to hearing more. Would you recommend requesting to eat in the Golden dining room? Which pool would you recommend? I've heard there's loud music at one of them. Is that the same one that has all of the activities? Is there one that has more beach chairs / relaxing atmosphere / quieter? I'm on the Mar 4 eastern cruise. Leaving from Chicago-Midway on Southwest on the 3rd Beth!

 

My Husband & Son will be on that one. I am taking a 2 hour lunch to drive them over - kick them out & get the good car for the week. Can't miss my son - 6'6" - he will be in the workout room. My husband - will be in the library, reading a book, with pipe in hand.

 

Haven't been on a Carnival boat since Sensation May 1999. Hope the coffee is good. Will pass this info on, Thanks!!!

[emmysmommy]

Great review! Thanks for sharing the quiet deck area behind the excursion desk. You had such a good attitude about being a lone ranger for much of the earlier part of the cruise when your DH was ill. :p