haply

The Glory does NOT have a Mongolian Wok

I did not care what tag number that I got.  What annoyed me on my recent Glory cruise is that if you did not pick up your luggage tags by 5:30 PM, you had to carry off your luggage.  Not like this on Norwegian or Royal.  Did not want to go to the luggage "talk" at 11 AM on my last cruise day.  Letter was not in my room until after 5:30 PM that night....

1 hour ago, grandmarnnurse said:

I just read several reviews of the Glory here on CC, and let me just say that the conclusion I came to about the negative reviews were either from people that did not do their research ahead to know exactly the size and age of the ship, and some from people that sounded down right “entitled”. I’ve known people like that, who are totally unhappy with everything, always complaining about their restaurant dinner and sending it back, always thinking they aren’t waited on enough, etc, etc. so, I am going on my Glory cruise in February knowing full well that it is older and smaller than my most recent ships sailed, it may not have all the amenities we have had on other ships, but also knowing that we will have a perfectly wonderful time, sailing with our family, and seeing the excitement of our grandchildren on their very first cruise. I know they won’t be complaining about the quality of the buffet food, or that something looks a bit worn. Or that some waiter didn’t move fast enough for them, or anticipate their every need and wish. This is where I put in an eye roll for all the nonsense I read. 🙄

I am not "entitled", and I travel at least two to three times per year.  I have written both positive and negative reviews here and on tripadvisor.  I hope that you and your family have an enjoyable cruise, and are able to be OK with the buffet food and extremely crowded main pool/kids pool area.  If bashing negative reviews makes you feel better, so be it.....

I have alternated between the various cruise lines (Norwegian, Royal, Carnival).  This buffet was the worst of any line that I have been on.  

Just got back from a 4-day cruise out of New Orleans on the Carnival Glory.  I went on the Carnival Liberty two years ago and loved it, but was really disappointed in the Glory.  I cruise about once per year, and go to AI's about once per year also.  The Glory buffet was the worst of any of the cruises or the AI's that I have been to.  Food options were not appealing AT ALL.    There was no wok station.  The lines were always LONG.  Chocolate buffet was limited to an ice cream bar and about 6 topping options during lunch one day.  BBQ place only open during lunch.  Stale bread.  Limited salad bar.  Limited kids food options. What happened to the buffet?!?  The pool area was the most crowded that I have ever experienced.  The Glory took away about 1/3 of the pool deck/seating for the slides and kids water park (not in the back of the ships like some other ships).  We had panoramic ocean view and a grand panoramic ocean view next to each other, and there was such banging, creaking and vibrating all night that we had a hard time sleeping.  I am familiar with extra "rocking" when the seas are rough, but never had the LOUD banging noise coming from the ceiling.  It was always not cool enough in my room or many of the common areas.  I went to pick up my luggage tags on the last evening and was told that I had to carry off my bags as they only handed out luggage tabs until 5:30 PM (new one for me out all of my cruises-I have always had luggage tags left in my room or I could pick them up from guest services any time before the bags go out).  Staff were nice but seemed tired and overwhelmed.   Debarkation was a nightmare.  We were on the "carry-your-own-luggage-off express" group, and did not get off the ship until 9:45 AM.  May have been something going on with customs, bur no explanation from the staff.  Although we enjoyed the entertainment, Alchemy bar and Dr. Seuss brunch, nobody in my party is sailing with Carnival again.

Heading out on the Glory tomorrow, yes still doing shorter itineraries.  Will post a review when we return.

Costa Maya has pretty limited excursion choices in my opinion (ruins excursion, mayan experience, expensive but large water park at the dock).  Cozumel has a lot more excursion options.  It is very reasonable and easy to get to the beach clubs at Costa Maya (you just walk to the end of the cruise area and catch the $3 shuttle).  The shuttle takes you to the main beach town, Mahahual.  There are four stops.  We always get off at the middle stop and walk up and down the beach boardwalk until we see a beach club that we like.  We have gone to the Crazy Lobster twice (free beach-front loungers/tables, kayaks, music and good food and drinks).  The beach clubs in Costa Maya/Mahuhal however do not have the water bounce things like Paradise beach or Mr. Sanchos in Cozumel.  The beach in Costa Maya is OK, but not that much different from the popular beaches in Cozumel.  Depending on which beach club that you go to in Cozumel, it will cost approximately $10 per person round trip cab ride.   The AI beach options in Cozumel are also much more expensive as compared to spending the day at the beach in Costa Maya/Mahahual.   If you like snorkeling or diving excursions, then would do those in Cozumel though.  

On 4/12/2019 at 9:35 PM, c-leg5 said:

 

I think Carlos and Charlies beach bar and Punta Morena have nets. Some of  the AI resorts have water volleyball.

Carlos and Charlies and Paradise Beach are right next to each other.  

So, if we are cruising on Carnival next week, should not be an issue?

 I believe that you have to pay for beach umbrellas at Mr. Sanchos.  I understand that the tables have umbrellas, but if you want an umbrella by your beach lounger, there is a charge?

Adding to this question-The Deluxe Beach, Catamaran & Snorkel (Fury Cozumel) via Carnival has a meeting time of 8 AM listed on the Carnival excursion website.  Seems early.  Anybody who has taken this excursion-where to they meet, and is it really 8 AM?  Thanks

We have sailed out with two ships at the NOLA port (Carnival and Norwegian), and no issues.  The Glory and Valor are mid-sized ships (about 3000 passengers each), as compared to the Dream and Breakway (4000+ passengers each).  New Orleans is a great city!  Enjoy the River Walk, cafe au lait with beignets (or a Pat O-Brien's hurricane to knock out any stress)!  No worries!

11 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Particularly bad for children. Lower aft cabins are best for them.

So sorry but we have the most forward rooms on lido deck on the Glory for this April cruise-3 rooms, five children in all......😉

When my kids were little, it was REALLY nice to go to a resort that had chair drink service (vs. having to go up to the bar to get your drinks, which was hard to do watching the kids).  Allegro did not have wait staff bringing you drinks (you had to go to the bar).

We went to Allegro off our cruise a couple of years ago.  The kids pool/water park was nice, but not beach front (in the middle of the resort).   The food was mediocre at best.  The drinks were so-so (and we had to walk through the resort, up to the beach pool to get the drinks).  I would not go again.

Thanks for the information.  Our kids are younger (7, 8 & 12), so the beach bouncy-toys at Paradise beach seems to be a better option.  There are some private snorkeling companies that may be able to drop off at Paradise beach after the snorkel trip.  Any recommendations and/or has anybody ever done this?  Thanks

We will be in Cozumel in April when there will only be two ships (5500 passengers total) in town.  The kids will definitely like the bouncy-things on the beach, and snorkeling.  I am having a hard time deciding between the fury catamaran (booked through the cruise) excursion or just going to Paradise beach.  I understand that we would be able to catch a snorkel boat off Paradise beach, and also have more time at the beach.  The Fury catamaran/beach seems fun though.  Any thoughts?

Does water, soda, etc. count towards the 15-drink limit?  Thanks

Thank you for posting the fun times.  We are sailing in April.  Can't wait!

Booked on the Glory out of New Orleans this coming spring.  Do the drink packages ever go on sale (other than the reduced internet-purchase price)?  Thanks

How did your other family members, who goaded you into booking the ship-based excursion, feel about the experience? Were they pushed to the back of the line, go without seats, get into a debate with the skipper and be left standing on the dock alongside you?

Yes

Did you talk to guest services about this? What did they say?

The Shore Excursion services manager initially informed that he was called by the fast cat person (St Thomas) and went out to the dock and looked at the boat-and did not understand as he saw many empty seats. After I calmed down, I told the excursions manager that that was impossible as the catamaran was sailing away with us on the dock as the very rude fast cat person was placing the call. At no time did we see a Royal shore excursion representative down on the dock. We also had many pictures of the jam-packed boat with no places to sit. They did refund me my cruise excursion $, but still a ruined day.

FYI-we usually do not book via the cruise line, however traveling with other family members who will only book via the cruise line (worried re missing the boat, etc).

The Oasis is a wonderful ship by the way. We are really enjoying the ship. Just be very careful booking excursions via the ship as you will probably end up with a larger than usual "cattle-call" situation. We were able to find a last-minute, private excursion in St. Martin though, so looking forward to tomorrow.

Still sailing on the Oasis, which is a wonderful ship. A word of warning regarding their excursions however-WORST EVER (in my 25 years of cruising)-really not kidding.

Monday-we went on the Blue Lagoon excursion (our third time-once on Carnival and other on the Royal Enchantment smaller ship). Check-in/arrival time was for 8:15 AM. There were literally 500 to 600 Oasis people in line for the Blue Lagoon excursion out on the dock. Two ladies were collecting tickets and just making all 500 to 600 of us stand there. The Blue Lagoon ferries did not arrive until 9:30 AM. They had three ships arriving at once, but did not have enough seats for all of the people. People kept telling the staff that there were no seats left, however they just kept piling people on, standing room only. We finally arrived at the island at 10 AM. They told us that we had to be on the 12:30-1 PM return ferry, leaving only 2 1/2 to 3 hours on the island. Again not enough seats, so we had to stand the entire ride home. The bounce-water-trampoline park is now literally right next to the the ferry dock, which made us worried about all of the diesel fuel/boat fumes right next to the kids swimming area. They obviously did not have anywhere near enough beach loungers available, and many people had to sit on the sand. I take back my previous good reviews of Blue Lagoon-DO NOT GO.

Wednesday-we were scheduled to take the Royal excursion Fast Cat snorkel and beach getaway. Our kids and us somehow kept getting pushed to the back of the extremely long line. When we went to board, there were so many people crammed into the catamaran that there were no seats left. I approached the person with our tickets and told him that we wanted our tickets back. He raised his voice and told me "we are licensed by the Coast guard for 130 people and we have 124 people on the boat so get on the boat". When I pointed out the him the lack of seating, he started pointing to the back of the boat and told me to ask the two men seated to get closer together so that my 6-year old daughter could sit between them. He then started pointing out other people in different parts of the ship to move closer to give me an end corner to hang off of. I told him that I needed to sit with my 6-year old. He said "they have never given refunds on all of the other times, and you will never get a refund". Then he told the boat to take off and left us on the dock.

SHAME ON YOU Royal Caribbean excursions. I have been on over 10 cruises, and am although used to crowds (especially on the ship's excursions), have NEVER experienced crowding or indifferent treatment this poor. Too bad

Stopped sailing on Norwegian as they kept expanding their suite-only areas, particularly on their larger ships. Result was the increased crowding for the "regular-folks" areas. Looks like Royal is headed in the same direction. All of the extra and separate space that is exclusive to a select, certain number of guests will leave less room for us. Maybe will go back to Carnival-thus far no extra space/decks/pools taken away from the general population and given to the suite guests. This is why we have tried to avoid the All-Inclusive resorts with different bracelets/"tiers".

TIP-at the time you order. They will remember.