Just Returned From Glory

[Sandy-PA]

Hi....Just got back on Saturday from a wonderful week on the Glory and wanted to give you a quick review. We took Carnivals transportation from Orlando Airport. They need to be a bit more organized. We had adjoining ocean view rooms on the Riveria Deck (Husband and I in one room, my sons in the other) and it was great. Stewart, the CD, was very entertaining. The shows were great. The food was wonderful (however, the chicken in the dining room was not always totally cooked thru). We took all ship excurions. In Costa Maya we did the dune buggy ride. It was alot of fun! However, we took one of the Jeep excursions in Cozumel and enjoyed that even more. It was truely off road. They took us on extremely rough and narrow roads. My DH and sons just loved it. In Belize, we did the cave tubing. I would definately recommend it. We had a bus full of people (about 30) but it really didn't seem too crowded. We had a blast. The tour guide made us keep our head lights off thru the entire cave. It was great!!! In Progresso, we did the Chichen Itza tour. It was a long ride, but well worth the trip. It was amazing! My only complaint is that after the tour guide finished, we only had 45 minutes to tour on our own. You really need much more time than that. We want to go back on our own some day and see everything else. The ship was beautiful. Much bigger than the Paradise (my only other cruise). And all the workers were very friendly and helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions and I would be happy to answer what I can. I need to sign off for awhile, but I will get back to any questions later this afternon.

..........Sandy

[Tasha Jax]

Hi there!

 

I am really excited that I came across your post. My husband and I are celebrating our one-year anniversary in March aboard the Glory and it sounds like we are going on the same cruise you just returned from. Are there any tips that you can give as far as the ship itself or any of the ports??? The excursions you mentioned were already on my list, but if you can think of anything else it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[clemsoncruiser]

I am so glad that I got a great review about the cave tubing in Belize. My husband and I aren't going on the Glory until April of next year so I guess you can say that I've started my research early? What time did you get to port and how long did it take to get on the ship? Did you eat at the Supper Club and did you think that it was worth the money? We will be on the ship for our anniversary so I am thinking about making reservations for that night.

[GreggV]

Sandy-PA,

 

We are scheduled to set sail on 9/25. We are flying out of Pittsburgh into Orlando. You mentioned the Transportation fron the Orlando airport to Port Canaveral needed more organization. Can you tell me how the transfers work. In other words when you land in Orlando if someone waiting for you at the gate or baggage claim to take you to the transfer. What needs improved?

[Sandy-PA]

Tasha Jax - You will love the Glory. I'm not sure what tips I could give you, but the ship is beautiful and BIG. I was a little confused how to get around at first (not everything is a straight shot) but after a couple of days, I was walking around like a pro. I figured out which elevators you needed to take to get where you are going. The ship was full but we never had any problems finding a lounge chair on the desk somewhere or a table to eat at on the Lido deck. However, the pools were pretty crowded. Get to the lounge (for the nightly shows) about 20 minutes early if you want a good seat. I don't know if you smoke, but one of my big concerns before we went was the smoking. But it was never a problem. I only smelled smoke when we were in the casino area. As far as the ports, there is really not alot to do in Progresso or Costa Maya. Unless you want to just swin, I would definetely suggest a shore tour. They explained that these are fairly new ports and are not really developed yet. I did hear people say the snorkling was great in Belize, but was voted for the cave tubing, which was lots of fun.

Clemsoncruiser - I believe we got into port around 1:00 and was on the boat by 1:45. It was crowded but the lines went pretty fast. We did not eat at the Supper Club but I've heard nothing but good things about it. Everyone said it's well worth the $25 a person.

GreggV - I flew out of Pittsburgh too. I had the 8:20am flight. When we got to the baggage area in Orlando, there were 2 Carnival reps standing there with signs. They told us to get our bags then sent us to the lower floor. Once there, the confusion began. No one was directing people. There was a bunch of crusiers standing around wondering what to do. When you get there, look for the little stand in the middle of the crowd. Give the carnival person at this stand your bus ticket (from your doc's). They will give you a colored paper with a number on it. When they call your color, then you make your way outside to your bus. They have a couple of guys who walk around collecting the luggage before you board the bus. However, they never tell you this. When you see these guys piling up the luggage on the carts, ask them if they are collecting for your color so they take your bags. We had to carry our own luggage to the bus since they didn't collect ours. Once on the bus, all went smooth though.

[GreggV]

Sandy-PA

 

Thanks for the tips. Can I ask you, Did you make your flight arrangements through carnival or did you purchase your own airline transportation? I am just trying to figure out our departing and arrival times.

[Sandy-PA]

I actually made my own thru the USAIR website. Our tickets were $196 a person. Back when I made my reservations (in March), Carnival quoted a total price for Cruise, port charges, airfare, etc. When I itemized everything, I realized that Carnival was charging me almost $400 per person for the air. So it was much cheaper for us to make our own. We had a straight flight at 8:20am from Pittsburgh. We arrived at Orlando around 10:30am.

[CrusinGirl3]

Reading your post made me that much more excited for my cruise! Was there any one show on the Glory that you just would not miss? I am so excited, I just don't want to miss a thing!

[Sandy-PA]

The commedian, Percy Crews was hilarious. I went to his 10:30 show on Wednesday and laughed so hard I cryed. He had an adult show at midnight Thursday, but I didn't go. I'm sure it was even funnier. If you like dancing and singing, the Carnival dancers put on 2 wonderful shows called, 'LIVIN IN AMERICA' and 'ROCK DOWN BROADWAY'. These were the 3 shows I enjoyed the most!! Now, my sons went to see the commedian Michael Macy and said he was just as funny as Percy Crews. There was also a sword swallowing show and an illusionist. I though these were just ok. I didn't think these were as entertaining as the others.

[GreggV]

Thanks Sandy-PA

 

We booked directly through Carnival. They charged us $250 per person for aire and transportation to and from the ship. I thought that was reasonable so we went for it.

 

We are so excited!

[Sandy-PA]

That's sounds pretty good. Hope we keep these good prices once USAIR is not a hub at Pgh International!!!! Have a great trip!

[GreggV]

Hopefully we can get some cheaper airlines in without USAIRWAYS hubbed in the burgh. I appreciate your review and answers you provided to my questions. If you think of anything else that could be useful, please let me know.

[julie aka social director]

I also returned on Saturday from the Glory. We had a great time. There were two complaints though. For any of you that are going to be using the internet cafe, be prepared to have to walk through the Ivory Bar (a cigar lounge that is smoke filled and smelly). I thought this was a poor design of the ship and I noted so on my comment card. There was no other way in. When I tried to exit the deck door, I only found myself in an area that was not familiar to me. I can't believe that they did this! What type of customers usually use the internet? Kids! What about those who suffer from breathing disorders? I don't, but still found it very offensive. When we cruised the Pride last year, you could access the cafe from an outside corrider. The other issue pertained to Mears transportation at Orlando airport. We did not book our flights through Carnival, but instead flew into Tampa so we could use frequent flyer miles. We then drove to Orlando airport to board the transportation to Port Canaveral. (We purchased this transportation in advance.) Had to wait one hour for the bus and ended up getting to the pier at 3:30. By the time we were able to get on the ship, they were already preparing to do the lifeboat drill. So, it was a long day. Other than that we had a great bar waiter, Linus, who served us around the pool and at dinner. He was very comical and developed a relationship with our young adult travelors. They even exchanged e-mail addresses. We also had a great waitstaff. Katya and Alaina. People like this really can make or brake a cruise. We didn't do any excursions. In Costa Maya once you get off the ship, there are stores and a pool with a swim up bar that you can spend the day at. We tendered to Belize and found the stores disappointing and returned to the ship. In Cozumel we taxied to Paradise Beach, which is free. As long as you buy drinks/food, the chairs and umbrellas are also free. Had a really nice time there. Another nice beach is San Francisco beach. It is all the same coastline. No need to pay for any admission. In Progresso, we got off the ship and browsed the shops. I would suggest if you are interested in culture, take advantage of Belize and Progresso. I wish I had. Even though we had a good time, (there were 7 of us), I preferred the Carnival Pride to this ship. If I had to sail on it again I would, but the Pride is my first choice.

[julie aka social director]

One other quick suggestion. I had read these boards in advance and packed a cooler in order to keep cold water handy, as suggested. No need to. Just ask your room steward to unlock the refig. You will be able to store water or whatever in there. Obviously if you consume any other the products you will be charged.

[ken_nyc]

Sandy

Thank you for the quick review!!

[mnsawyer]

Just found this post and know it's a few months old but have some questions for Sandy PA - you said you arrived at 10:30 a.m. into Orlando. What time could you get on the shuttle to Port Canaveral? Also, if you are doing your own flight arrangements, how do you know where to go to find the Carnival personnel? I realize you need to go to baggage claim but not sure if there are Carnival personnel at each terminal? Am sure MCO must have more than one terminal?? What was the cost of the transfer?/ $65 per person round trip?

[Boston6]

MCO has 2 terminals (A&B). Finding the Carnival folks should not be a problem. You could always ask the airport personnel for directions. Transfers were $50 pp in April. The bus leaves as soon as it's full.

[Marcys]

Sandy... which jeep tour did you take in Cozumel. Also, did you book it yourself our through the ship?

 

Thanks!

[mnsawyer]

Boston6 - thanks for the great information. What time does Carnival start transporting cruisers to Port Canaveral?

[Facation Fanatic]

I am so glad that I got a great review about the cave tubing in Belize. My husband and I aren't going on the Glory until April of next year so I guess you can say that I've started my research early? What time did you get to port and how long did it take to get on the ship? Did you eat at the Supper Club and did you think that it was worth the money? We will be on the ship for our anniversary so I am thinking about making reservations for that night.

 

GO TIGERS!!!! BEAT THE COCKS!!!!!