Carnival Glory - Canadian Cruises & Room Questions

[Dressagelvr]

Hello,

 

I am hoping to go on a Canadian cruise this summer. I'm looking at the Carnival Glory.

 

I would be booking an outside room and am looking for as quiet a room as possible.

 

I know to book center ship, but what deck(s)/room numbers are the best?

 

I haven't been on a cruise since 2004 - have there been any major changes?

 

Also, I haven't cruised to Canada before. I think I will be going to St. James NB and Halifax NS.

 

Any tips appreciated!

[jayjaykaykay]

Hello--Did this trip last July--Glory is a great time,although a little confusing to get around on the first day---Canada is a nice destination---Halifax is a beautiful city---GO! you'll have a wonderful time!

[nybumpkin]

We've done the Canada cruise 5 times, #6 is booked for July, and we've sailed on Glory twice. By "outside" do you mean ocean view or balcony? The only ocean view cabins are on decks 1 and 2, while balconies are available on decks 6-11. My sons had an ocean view on deck 1 on Conquest (Glory's sister) midships, and it was a great cabin. There wasn't much movement at all (and that was on a cruise where we sailed around Hurricane Dennis).

 

DH and I are "balcony snobs.":p If you're looking for a balcony, I would recommend one with cabins above and below. We avoid deck 6 because it's right above the Promenade Deck, with the casinos and clubs.

 

Both Saint John and Halifax are nice ports with the friendliest local people we've ever met on a cruise. Halifax in particular has a lot to do right within walking distance of the pier, since it's a short walk along the boardwalk to harbor tours, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Keith's Brewery (a fun tour), the Citadel...if you'd like to go out of town you can take a tour to Peggy's Cove, with its lighthouse. Saint John is quieter, although we enjoy just walking along the waterfront and up the hill to the City Market. (Think farmer's market and craft fair rolled into one. It's a lot of fun.) Both cities have good restaurants. If you go over to the "ports of call" under "Canada," there are lots of ideas of what to do in these ports.

 

As for what's changed since 2004? Carnival no longer has "formal" night - instead, it's "elegant" night. Not quite as dressy, although you still will see people dress up. No more Captain's party - on "elegant" evening they will have dollar-off drinks. However, they have added a "fun farewell" party on the last sea day with free drinks. No more midnight buffet. Added? There is a "Behind the Fun" tour, which takes you around crew-only areas of the ship including the engine control room (not the engine room) and the bridge. Also, there is a "Chef's Table" dinner, a special dinner prepared by the Chef d'cuisine for a limited number of guests. Both have extra charges, but I think they're well worth it. There are also a lot of changes with the Lido restaurant stations, including a burrito bar and a Mongolian Wok (you select vegetables, a meat and a sauce and it's prepared for you as you watch).

 

Hope this helps - I'm sure I'm forgetting something, though.:o

[jmbelders]

I'm taking the Glory on a Canadian cruise on June 13th. My only hope that the weather is decent for the trip. We will be in back of ship on deck 7 with a balcony. Really looking forward to it.;)

[silkhair1]

I am taking my first CCL cruise to Canada in June on the Glory! I am very excited to go!

[NJoyCruise]

Did the Canada cruise last summer and we had a good time...the only thing is that it's too short for me. I'm used to 7+ day cruises. We did the Reversing Falls tour and we all had a fabulous time. We also did the Titanic tour. We went in July and it was kinda cold. Enjoy your cruise.

[Dressagelvr]

Thanks, everyone!

[KandCsailing]

If you want a balcony cabin, I'd suggest deck 7 because it's between two all cabin decks.

Deck 8 can be noisy with the Lido deck above when they put out all the lounge chairs in the morning and with the buffet area.

Deck 6 has the promenade hallway, casino and disco below it.

For decks 6 and 8 I'd go towards the bow of the ship for a quieter area.

 

We did both those Canadian ports in Sept. 2009. I started the day in pants, t-shirt and a sweater and just took off the sweater as the day warmed up. Check some temperature averages online and the weather predictions before you finish packing.

[firefly333]

I would be booking an outside room and am looking for as quiet a room as possible.

 

I know to book center ship, but what deck(s)/room numbers are the best?!

 

OVs are only on the bottom 2 decks, so there isnt that much of a choice. I am all for paying a little less and moving toward the aft elevator for convenience. If you are not center, you can pay for one category less on the price.

[dnlpac]

Will be on the June 27th, 2011 depature date on the Glory. First time to Canada and on Carnival. Was looking at the excursions with Carnival, but it sounds like most sites are near port. Will be traveling with my wife and two daughters ages 12 and 7. Any suggestions? Looking forward to it. Thanks.

[mizLORInj]

WATERSLIDE!!! Love the waterslide on this ship.

We've done the Canada run 3x.

In Halifax there are lots of places to walk to you can do tours. A lot of peeps go to Peggy's Cove, which is a nice place too. Lobster roll! YUM.

St. John's there is not as much to do. Some tours are tide-dependent. we rented a car last time and went to St. Martin's. Tide was coming in as we were there but it's very cool to see the caves and be able to walk over there.

It's always cool to go out from NYC!

[KandCsailing]

Will be on the June 27th, 2011 depature date on the Glory. First time to Canada and on Carnival. Was looking at the excursions with Carnival, but it sounds like most sites are near port. Will be traveling with my wife and two daughters ages 12 and 7. Any suggestions? Looking forward to it. Thanks.

In Halifax we followed the waterfront path and saw Theodore Tugboat docked in front of Halifax Harbour, then we walked up the hill to the old fort and toured the Citadel. Forts are a little boring but the view of the harbour is nice, there is a museum above the gift shop, bagpipers and if you're there at the right time there is the daily firing of the noon gun.

 

We also did the Alexander Keith's brewery tour which is very close to the cruise ship docks. The cast is in period clothing and take you back in time with history and songs in the bar after. They have different beers to try and a child friendly drink.

 

Halifax also has the F.R.E.D. bus (free rides everywhere downtown). We took it back from the fort to the ship, but since it was lunchtime it was pretty packed.

http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/fred.html

 

In Saint John we walked to the St. John County Courthouse past the park on top of the hill. It has the only free-standing spiral staircase of stone built in the 19th Century that is known to exist in Canada. There is also a second but supported spiral staircase to the left of the entrance. Then we walked through the Saint John City Market and I introduced some non-Canadians to Tim Bits at the local Tim Hortin's coffee shop.

[nybumpkin]

Will be on the June 27th, 2011 depature date on the Glory. First time to Canada and on Carnival. Was looking at the excursions with Carnival, but it sounds like most sites are near port. Will be traveling with my wife and two daughters ages 12 and 7. Any suggestions? Looking forward to it. Thanks.

If your daughters like boat tours, I'd recommend the Harbour Hopper tour in Halifax. It's an amphibious craft that does a half hour land tour, half hour harbor tour. DH and two of my sons did it a few years ago and loved it. (I was taking youngest son on Theodore Tugboat at the same time. It's a good tour, but your 12 YO probably would feel too old for it - the son that I took on that tour is now 11 and he's out of the Theodore Tugboat age.:()

 

Just to add - we were able to book the Harbour Hopper directly, not through Carnival.

[surprise_4_sha]

I've booked this as a honeymoon 'surprise' and loving the information here. We are sailing August 13th and have an ocean view on deck 2. This trip was a stretch financially as we are planning our cruise wedding which is in July on the Norwegian Jewel. I'm excited about this trip as it will just be me and her (we've invited family & friends to cruise on our wedding trip) and also because she has no idea!

I read there isn't much to do in St. John's but we are avid walkers and wouldn't mind just sight-seeing in the area. Any suggestions?

[KandCsailing]

I read there isn't much to do in St. John's but we are avid walkers and wouldn't mind just sight-seeing in the area. Any suggestions?

The reversing falls are walkable. I wanted to do it last time but it was late,DH was tired and I didn't want to risk missing the boat on my own. Can't promise there is much to see, it depends on the tides, but there is an info centre.

 

http://www.new-brunswick.net/Saint_John/reversingfalls/reversing.html

[Pee-ah]

I've booked this as a honeymoon 'surprise' and loving the information here. We are sailing August 13th and have an ocean view on deck 2. This trip was a stretch financially as we are planning our cruise wedding which is in July on the Norwegian Jewel. I'm excited about this trip as it will just be me and her (we've invited family & friends to cruise on our wedding trip) and also because she has no idea!

 

I read there isn't much to do in St. John's but we are avid walkers and wouldn't mind just sight-seeing in the area. Any suggestions?

 

When we were there in September we did the Pink Bus tour. (all money goes towards breast cancer).. and it was great as it was hop on hop off and the guide did point out places of interest (ie Benidict Arnold's home:))

It was worth the $$ and was not at all expensive. This will also take you to the falls... though to my eyes they looked more like rapids :rolleyes:

[nybumpkin]

The reversing falls are walkable. I wanted to do it last time but it was late,DH was tired and I didn't want to risk missing the boat on my own. Can't promise there is much to see, it depends on the tides, but there is an info centre.

 

http://www.new-brunswick.net/Saint_John/reversingfalls/reversing.html

My understanding from one of the locals who posts on the "ports of call" board is that the Harbour Passage, which is the pathway you would use to get to the Reversing Falls, is partially closed this summer for bridge construction. However, the portion that is open should be nice for a walk, and the downtown area is a nice walk as well.

[surprise_4_sha]

The reversing falls are walkable. I wanted to do it last time but it was late,DH was tired and I didn't want to risk missing the boat on my own. Can't promise there is much to see, it depends on the tides, but there is an info centre.

 

http://www.new-brunswick.net/Saint_John/reversingfalls/reversing.html

 

 

This is a good reference and a good place to start.

Thanks for the link!

 

 

When we were there in September we did the Pink Bus tour. (all money goes towards breast cancer).. and it was great as it was hop on hop off and the guide did point out places of interest (ie Benidict Arnold's home:))

It was worth the $$ and was not at all expensive. This will also take you to the falls... though to my eyes they looked more like rapids :rolleyes:

 

Do you recall the cost of the Pink Bus Tour site as well. I like the fact that the proceeds go to charity. Plus hop on & hop off is usually a cool way to see things in a short amount of time.

[Catrin]

We did the Canada cruise the past two Augusts..... most recently on the Glory and the prior year the Triumph.

 

A couple of differences from cruises out of Florida....

 

 

• The Fog! A few days, we were stuck in major fog.. that fog horn going off every single minute.
  
• General weather, once you get into late August, you will need a fleece or sweatshirt in Canada! The Shops were full of folks who did not bring any warm clothes!
  
• Crowds - we were amazed by the large groups who did nothing but hang by the pools and buffets all day. Groups of 20 - 30 gathering first thing in the morning, claiming a huge area, and staying until past dinner time. We never witnessed that before.
  
• Halifax is great to walk around. The pier area is terrific. We also went to the Titanic museum, within walking distance.
  
• St. John - take a tour. Not much to do at the port itself.
  
• and lastly..... on our past cruises, there were always lines at the picture stops on formal night, and casual nights. On these two cruises, they were always begging us to stop and take our picture! Usually there were walls and walls filled with formal portraits.. I guess on the five day cruises, there is less demand for formal pics! No wait that last day to pay for our pictures!
  

Enjoy!

[pe4all]

We did the 5 day last summer (had beautiful weather- no fog at all, weather in the 80's) as an 82nd bd gift for my mom. Had to pick "easy" excursions as she is a cancer/stroke/hip replacement patient, and has trouble walking, except for short distances. We did the Harbor Hopper (booked thru CCL - was only $5 more, and we wanted the security in case mom didn't feel well) and really enjoyed it! We did a city tour (open double decker bus) in St. John - and stopped for a bit at Reversing Falls - nice to see. Again, enjoyable tour, and perfect for mom!

[crusinpsychRN]

On Glory I kept getting stuck at the restaurant. Then I found you could walk through it to get to where you're going.

[A.S.]

We did the 5 day last summer (had beautiful weather- no fog at all, weather in the 80's) as an 82nd bd gift for my mom. Had to pick "easy" excursions as she is a cancer/stroke/hip replacement patient, and has trouble walking, except for short distances. We did the Harbor Hopper (booked thru CCL - was only $5 more, and we wanted the security in case mom didn't feel well) and really enjoyed it! We did a city tour (open double decker bus) in St. John - and stopped for a bit at Reversing Falls - nice to see. Again, enjoyable tour, and perfect for mom!

 

Sounds like you had a very nice time.

 

Did you book the city tour through CCL also? Do you mind my asking what they charge for that.

 

Thanks, any info would be appreciated.

[Pee-ah]

 

Do you recall the cost of the Pink Bus Tour site as well. I like the fact that the proceeds go to charity. Plus hop on & hop off is usually a cool way to see things in a short amount of time.

 

It was about $20.00 to $30.00 I remember thinking at the time that it was really reasonable. (well compared to NYC... where we stared the trip :rolleyes:)

[surprise_4_sha]

We did the 5 day last summer (had beautiful weather- no fog at all, weather in the 80's) as an 82nd bd gift for my mom. Had to pick "easy" excursions as she is a cancer/stroke/hip replacement patient, and has trouble walking, except for short distances. We did the Harbor Hopper (booked thru CCL - was only $5 more, and we wanted the security in case mom didn't feel well) and really enjoyed it! We did a city tour (open double decker bus) in St. John - and stopped for a bit at Reversing Falls - nice to see. Again, enjoyable tour, and perfect for mom!

 

Thanks for the insight, I'm about to look those up now!

 

It was about $20.00 to $30.00 I remember thinking at the time that it was really reasonable. (well compared to NYC... where we stared the trip :rolleyes:)

 

Oh heck yeah that's cheap!

I'm a born and raised New Yorker and I still complain about the prices here. Yikes!

[surprise_4_sha]

.....deleted this because I posted in the wrong thread....