Another Review for the 1/5/08 Glory sailing

[AllenF]

My wife I and just returned from our winter cruise get away on the Carnival Glory.

Overall it was a very relaxing vacation just what we needed. We drove down a day early and stayed at the Radisson at the Port where we left our car and used their shuttle service to the port.

We were on the 1st shuttle (I reserved our spot when I made my reservation) and we arrived at the port around 11:20. This was our 10th cruise on Carnival so we got to do the VIP embarkation and were on the ship in 10 minutes. We really liked the platinum perks and used them the entire cruise.

Our cabin was a balcony 8336 while it was clean and convenient there was 1 slight issue we could hear the chairs moving on the Lido it at first it seemed very loud but we got used to it as the week went on. Our Steward Jose was really good he had our routine down pat we would put out the make up my room sign when we went for our morning walk, eat breakfast and the room was always made up when we returned. We had a table for 2 for dinner (6:15 seating Golden dinning room) and since we had seen the floor shows many many times we usually were finished by 7:30 and Jose always had the turn down service completed.

What can I say about our wait staff Vita and Lilu they were fantastic. They severed us very quickly and were very friendly. The food was always hot and good. We did tell them thank you every time they brought us something from the start. You know in all my cruises there has only been 1 other maitre D that we really liked well now there is another Boris. We were at a booth for 4 and we requested a table for 2 so we asked (before dinner) to be moved to a table for 2 and Boris just said how about a booth for 2 we were like sure. The joke all week when he came bye was I would tell him my wife now wanted a table for 1. On the last night when I slipped him his envelope he told my wife next time he will make sure she gets her table for one he was very friendly with everybody.

We do not go to the shows much so I can’t give any input on them but I will say the Casino staff was very friendly. We did listen to the Jazz trio and the classical music trio before and after dinner they were very good.

The Ports in Nassau we did the walking tour on our own we got off the ship around 8 am . We were the first people to the Queens stair case not even any vendors it was very nice and peaceful we continued on the fort and water tower and just followed the path that Zyedeco cruiser had posted in the ports section great walk. We got back to the ship around 10:15 and it looked like all the ships tours were lined up so we went on the ship and hit the hot tubs.

St Thomas we had a ships tour of Water Island pre paid but it got cancelled since we were the only 2 on it. So we just walked around town and ended up at Coconuts bar and grill and talked with the owner John who had retired and moved down from the States a few years ago he was very nice so we just asked him how he liked living here now and of course he loved it here is there web site www.coconutsvi.com our picture should be on it in a week or 2.

St Maritn we rented a car and drove out to Maho Beach to watch the planes at Sunset beach bar which went off with out a hitch but just past Margoit there was a bad wreck and traffic was a t a dead stop so we turned around and drove back to Philipsburg and had some lunch at ChesterFeilds then bought some Liquor at Friendly Duty Free on Front street much better prices than in St Thomas. Next we stopped at Alpha Jewels which is 1 shop down from Friendly.

We have bought jewelry there before and I must say I really like the owner Sanjay they are not pushy like most places and if the piece does not look good on you they say it. I had bought my wife some Rainbow Topaz last March (ring, necklace, ear rings) and we wanted a arm bracelet to complete the set oh yeah I almost forgot my wife had a small gold chain that had broke (bought some where else) In St Thomas they wanted 70 Sanjay ended up giving it to us and here is why.

Shelly decided on the bracelet and then they asked us if we had seen the blue diamonds so we are looking at the rings my wife has small fingers so a lot of the rings were just to big and Sanjay had no problem saying this well we found 2 that looked really good so I am asking prices for all the pieces and he giving me them well my wife who never ask for Jewelry is going on about how I should not spend that much and we can get he ring next time. So I ask her which she likes the ring or the bracelet she says bracelet so I go ok just the bracelet and chain she walks off to look at something else and I give Sanjay the wink to take all 3 so he just hands me the ring (in a jewelry bag to put in my pocket my wife walks back over and we complete the deal for the other 2. Let’s just say my wife was surprised when I pulled out the ring at dinner. He gave me a very good price and helped me keep it secret. There web site www.alphastmaarten.com

The Roll Call:

We met a few folks from the roll call and the most of them live very close by so we are going to try to all get together and have liquor sampling party in the future.

We did the Platinum debarkation and it went off very smooth off the ship by 7:20 and the shuttle from the Radisson had us at our car before 8 am.

All in all this was a very nice cruise there were a few issues with noise and there are some places that need some dry dock (chairs) cleaning but once again Carnival does what they do best and gives ya great bang for the buck……….Next up Alaska on the Spirit

[nolaAlive]

Good review, thanks!

[dforeigner]

Thanks for taking time to write a review.

[sheri18]

thanks for review...40 days for us now...now i am rethinking my cabin....we have 8308...lido pool area right above ...never gave that a thought about noise...thinking i should try and change......glad you got to get off the ship that early...my 3 DS and DIL have 10:30 am flite out....thanks again

[Djptcp]

DH and I sailed on the Glory the week of Christmas and had a very nice cruise. It was fun to read your review and think back to our cruise. We have booked the Glory for next Christmas week, too.

 

I have a question about the platinum status -- how many Carnival cruises do you need to have taken in order to earn that status? What are some of the perks?

[AllenF]

On your 10th cruise you become Platinum

 

 

Here are all the Platinum perks:

 

Past Guest Loyalty Program Carnival Concierge Club

 

 

We have introduced a loyalty program providing past guests with a variety of value-added benefits and features.

 

Available exclusively to Platinum Guest cardholders who have sailed aboard the Fun Ships ten times or more, the Carnival Concierge Club benefits are designed to recognize and reward those longtime Carnival guests for their loyalty over the years. These privileges and benefits will be offered on the tenth cruise. The program was rolled out fleet wide on 2/23/06.

 

Carnival Concierge Club members will receive a special welcome aboard letter from Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson detailing the exclusive amenities and privileges available during their cruise:

 

Priority Embarkation

Guests will be advised in their cruise documents to proceed to VIP Check-In (formerly known as the Skippers Club), in ports where VIP Check-In is normally offered.

 

Personal Guest Service Staff

A dedicated telephone line will be available and answered by the Purser’s Information Desk 8:00am-8:00pm; in addition, there will be a concierge desk at the Purser’s Information Desk for Platinum Guests who need assistance.

 

Personalized Stationery

Special stationery personalized with the guests’ name will be delivered to the stateroom prior to embarkation.

 

Canapes (Note: For cruises 5 days or longer only)

Canapes will be delivered to the stateroom one evening via room service.

 

Petit Fours

Petit Fours will be delivered to the stateroom one evening via room service.

 

Carnival Logo Item

A special Carnival logo item (per Platinum Guest) will be delivered to the stateroom.

 

Complimentary $20 Entry Fee to Blackjack Tournament

The Platinum Guest (18 years or older) will contact the Casino Cashier Cage for his/her complimentary ticket.

 

Complimentary Wash and Fold Laundry Service

Complimentary unlimited wash and fold laundry service.

 

Guaranteed Dining Assignments

Guests may change their assigned dining time.

Note: This is for the Platinum guest and immediate family, maximum of two staterooms.

 

Guaranteed Supper Club Reservations

Guests may get confirmed reservations for the Supper Club.

 

Priority Spa Carnival Reservations and Complimentary Treatment Upgrade

Guests will be encouraged to book early to be assured of their requested appointment selection.

 

Priority Tender Boarding

In ports where the ship will tender, guests not on a shore excursion will proceed to the Concierge Desk and be escorted to the appropriate gangway for the next available tender.

 

Priority Debarkation

Guests will receive a debarkation letter offering a choice of how they would prefer to disembark the ship. They will be given the choice of Self Assist (where offered) or regular debarkation; for regular debarkation, the guest will receive Carnival Concierge Club Luggage tags.