Glory Review- 7/23-30/05 - Part I

This was our first time sailing Carnival Cruise Lines. So of course we decided to go big for our first Carnival cruise. The Glory is a huge ship. My husband (40), daughter (13) and myself (41) all said “Wow” we were dropped off at the Port Canaveral cruise ship terminal.

Embarkation Day: We were dropped off at the cruise terminal around 11:00 AM. We got in line. It took about 20 minutes from the time we were dropped off until we picked up our Sail and Sign cards. The process went very quickly compared to what I have read on the boards. We had to wait about 20 more minutes before they started to let us board. We had the welcome aboard picture taken and we were off! We went to find our cabin. We met our cabin steward, Junior. He was probably the best cabin steward I have ever had. He took great care of us all week long. We had an outside cabin – 6A. There was more than enough room for the 3 of us in there. Plenty of bathroom storage, closet space and drawer space.

We then proceeded to the Red Sail for something to eat. Not bad for buffet food. After eating we wandered around the ship to “explore”. We found the ship to be a little confusing to navigate. We even found the “secret” front decks on 6, 7, 9 and 10. Just go all the way forward on either of these decks and take the exits to the port or starboard sides. There is a set of stairs that connects 6 and 7, and a set of stairs that connects 9 and 10.

We had the mandatory lifeboat drill (this took way too long) and then we were sailing away! Here’s a good tip: buy the drink of the day with the glass (plastic, $6.95) on your first day. Refills are $4.50 all week long as long as you order the drink of the day. We had 6:15 dinner seating in the Golden dining room. Juanito was our waiter and Weerapool was his assistant. Excellent service all week from both. It is at your first dinner that you learn of the friendly competition that will take place all week between the Red, White and Blue teams. Each dining table has a tent card with your team color listed on it. William, the maitre d’, explains the competition (each team gets points for competitions/games won throughout the week). William was funny. He always ends each dining session with “kissey, kissey, bye, bye!”

We were off again to go enjoy the sunset. I have to say this was the first cruise I have been on that the sunsets weren’t great. It was mostly due to some dust storms that had come off the coast of Africa. These dust clouds would cause a haze-like look to the air most of the week. We went to the casino, wandered the ship some more. Our daughter went to the teen (12-14) meet and greet. She said there weren’t many girls there, mostly boys. She did managed to meet another girl there who would become her “buddy” for the week.

Day 2 - Nassau, Bahamas: Got up early and watched the ship pull into port. We docked by 8:15 and people were getting off the ship by 8:30. We didn’t rush off, as we had no excursions booked. We took the water taxi over to Atlantis (they cram too many people on one boat). The walk from the water taxi to the entrance to Atlantis took about 10 minutes. We wandered around Atlantis and then decided to go to the beach. If you walk out of Atlantis, take a left and head towards the Riu Hotel. There is a nice public beach right there. Yes, the locals do try to sell you all kinds of goods. A polite no thank you and they will go on to the next person. The beach wasn’t too crowded when we got there. Nice soft sand. We stayed about an hour and then took a taxi back to the cruise ship. We shopped around town a little bit and then got back on the ship for 1:00. The ship left Nassau at 2:00. Spent some time on Deck 10 relaxing and then got ready for our first formal night. I must say, it is so nice to see everyone all dressed up. You have many background choices for pictures all week long. Pictures are taken on deck 3, 4 and 5. Went to the after dinner show, then the casino, off to see the comedian (very funny) then off to enjoy a late night stroll around the deck.

To Be Continued......

I almost forgot, to those you who suggested the flourless chocolate cake......oh my god.....that was one of the best desserts I had all week!

Thanks basketballmom. I look forward to part II of your review. We are leaving tomorrow!

Actually, if you look further down, Part II and Part III are already posted.

I wish I were going back tomorrow. Have a great time!

You are putting my mind at ease basketball mom...we are going in April and my parents late 50's early 60's are coming with us...I kinda forced my dad into this as he wasn't liking cruising after sailing with Norwegian twice!

I am sooo glad to hear they have the flourless choclate cake...yippee 2 pieces for me please!

Don't worry about Dad not liking it. We are trying to talk MIL into going onto the Glory with her friends next year as it goes to all the ports on the Eastern route that the girls want to go to. There is so much to do that anyone from any age group will be happy. Our DD said she wasn't bored at all week long.