First time

[soloadventurer]

We’ve decided to try Carnival for the first time. Cruising for a week on the Glory from New Orleans.

 

Travelling from the UK 

[firefly333]

Wow that's so far to fly. Hope you get to do more than just this cruise. Have some begneitt and coffee.

[KmomChicago]

When are you sailing, and what other cruises have you taken?

[soloadventurer]

Diamond member RCCL / Diamond member MSC 

 

Flying via Dublin Aer Lingus then JetBlue via JFK and spending 3 days after the cruise in N’O

[KmomChicago]

All right. You do need to be aware that Carnival ships get more dingy and worn out looking than RCCL, and Glory is not new so you may notice signs of age. Otherwise we slightly prefer Carnival though we like RCCL very much as well. We are super casual people and the less formal, slightly lower end vibe is a good fit for us because the last thing we want to do on vacation is worry about impressing people who are slightly thinner and prettier and well dressed and richer than us (LOL).  Don't worry, those people are on Carnival too, but they don't care that we are, well, us. Have not tried MSC. If / when we do Euro cruises they will likely be on Royal.  In particular we really like the cruise directors on Carnival as they are much more fun and involved in/leading the activities than those on other lines, who are basically managers.

 

New Orleans is really a unique city. There is nothing like it elsewhere in America or I suppose, in the known universe.  Glad you get to spend a few days there.  You might want to follow St. Greg's current Sailabration thread on Glory as he spent a couple of days touring the city and visiting interesting houses, bars and eateries. 

[mondello]

1 hour ago, soloadventurer said:

Diamond member RCCL / Diamond member MSC 

 

Flying via Dublin Aer Lingus then JetBlue via JFK and spending 3 days after the cruise in N’O

We cruised Valor and Glory for 2 weeks out of Miami pre-Covid, really enjoyed the Conquest class ships. Our first cruise out of NOLA will be 10 days/B2B on Valor 7/25. It will be different with the hours it takes going downriver to the open sea.

[KmomChicago]

2 minutes ago, mondello said:

We cruised Valor and Glory for 2 weeks out of Miami pre-Covid, really enjoyed the Conquest class ships. Our first cruise out of NOLA will be 10 days/B2B on Valor 7/25. It will be different with the hours it takes going downriver to the open sea.

 

Yes I found that to be a fascinating difference. It wasn't all that noticeable on the way out as we were focused on being aboard the ship, having our first MDR dinner and getting to shows. But I don't sleep great and was up for the dark return up the river which was silent and kind of sublime. 

[soloadventurer]

15 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

All right. You do need to be aware that Carnival ships get more dingy and worn out looking than RCCL, and Glory is not new so you may notice signs of age. Otherwise we slightly prefer Carnival though we like RCCL very much as well. We are super casual people and the less formal, slightly lower end vibe is a good fit for us because the last thing we want to do on vacation is worry about impressing people who are slightly thinner and prettier and well dressed and richer than us (LOL).  Don't worry, those people are on Carnival too, but they don't care that we are, well, us. Have not tried MSC. If / when we do Euro cruises they will likely be on Royal.  In particular we really like the cruise directors on Carnival as they are much more fun and involved in/leading the activities than those on other lines, who are basically managers.

 

New Orleans is really a unique city. There is nothing like it elsewhere in America or I suppose, in the known universe.  Glad you get to spend a few days there.  You might want to follow St. Greg's current Sailabration thread on Glory as he spent a couple of days touring the city and visiting interesting houses, bars and eateries. 

 

Thank you - we’ve cruised with MSC quite a bit and tried the yacht club in Jan.

 

We’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans. I look for the thread now thanks.

[Indytraveler83]

I'd certainly echo the comments above regarding the Glory.  It'll be a fun ship with lots to do, but don't expect it to be in as good of shape as some of the RCL ships.  Nothing major, but a little bit of surface rust, worn carpet and Vegas style interiors are to be expected onboard the 19 year old ship.

 

New Orleans is one of my favorite ports to cruise out of, and if you can, try to spend at least a few nights there before the cruise.  

 

When the ship sails out of the river, it's journey actually takes several hours.  One of our favorite things to do after dinner is to watch ships pass in the river at night, which is sometimes a little foggy and more than a bit creepy.

 

Very late at night (close to midnight) the ship will start transitioning to the ocean, where you'll see oil rigs in the distance.  At night, all you can see is the flame, and it sort of looks like a path of tiki torches light your way into the sea.

 

 

Edited March 6, 2022 by Indytraveler83

[soloadventurer]

1 hour ago, Indytraveler83 said:

I'd certainly echo the comments above regarding the Glory.  It'll be a fun ship with lots to do, but don't expect it to be in as good of shape as some of the RCL ships.  Nothing major, but a little bit of surface rust, worn carpet and Vegas style interiors are to be expected onboard the 19 year old ship.

 

New Orleans is one of my favorite ports to cruise out of, and if you can, try to spend at least a few nights there before the cruise.  

 

When the ship sails out of the river, it's journey actually takes several hours.  One of our favorite things to do after dinner is to watch ships pass in the river at night, which is sometimes a little foggy and more than a bit creepy.

 

Very late at night (close to midnight) the ship will start transitioning to the ocean, where you'll see oil rigs in the distance.  At night, all you can see is the flame, and it sort of looks like a path of tiki torches light your way into the sea.

 

 

Unfortunately we get into NO late on the night before the cruise - but we have 3 days afterwards to explore.

 

Would you all say the drinks package is worth it ?

[Indytraveler83]

1 minute ago, soloadventurer said:

Unfortunately we get into NO late on the night before the cruise - but we have 3 days afterwards to explore.

 

Would you all say the drinks package is worth it ?

 

Three days after is great too!

 

Drinks package on Carnival is sometimes worth it.  You will roughly break even if you average 8 drinks per day.  Pre-paying before you board gives you a small discount as well.  If you do get it, be sure to enjoy some of the more expensive cocktails at the specialty bars and the more expensive wine selections by the glass.  We typically spend time in the piano bar at night, and happily ordered the most expensive Martinis on their menu when we had Cheers.

 

If you don't think you'll average 8 or more a day, then no, it's not worth it.  In that case, buying pitchers of mixed drinks or buckets of beer when you can will save you a little money.  There's also daily drink specials as well.

 

Keep in mind that all adults in a room must buy it, so if one drinks and the other doesn't, it's not worth it.  

[jetsfan58]

I never compare Cruise Lines as they all have their Loyal Cruise customer base. I prefer Carnival and will always be a "Carnival Cruise Nut" 

 

Welcome Aboard!!! 

[KmomChicago]

To add regarding the drinks - the full Cheers package also includes many non-alcoholic drinks such as soda, juices, specialty coffees, bottled water, milkshakes, smoothies, non-alcoholic frozen cocktails, some other bottled drinks like Gatorade and some energy drinks. This is MUCH more than bottomless bubbles, which is only fountain soda by the class and juice by the class from bars. 

 

If you are a moderately heavy drinker and also enjoy any of the stuff mentioned it's easily worth it.  

[soloadventurer]

Thanks everyone. 

 

Very helpful and friendly