Carnival Glory Review-Eastern Caribbean Jan 27-Feb 3

[Ciardasully]

After The Bug Kahuna Rum Shack, we went looking for Beuchert's Beer Garden. It is not visible from the main road so we had to stop and ask directions from a shop owner. Luckily the shop owner is friends with the owner of Beuchert's owner and he gave us correct directions.

 

I had Guinness Extra Foreign Stout which was delicious, like I was in Dublin (which not surprisingly where I started drinking Guinness.) Bryon got the Tropical Mango.

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to head back to the ship. We don't like cutting it close and we like to get back with time to relax. We were in port until 6 pm but we had reservation at The Emerald Steakhouse at 7 and wanted to have plenty of time to get ready.

 

This was the entryway back to the street.

 

 

It didn't take long to find an open air taxi. It was $4 each to go back to port. At least this driver didn't almost kill us. In this car was another couple who were on the Royal Caribbean ship that in Port. There were actually 6 ships in port that day and this couple had been to St. Thomas before and they could not remember it ever being that crazy. They were doing a back to back on the their ship and they said everything was repetitive, like deja vu. Same shows, same menu.

 

Edited February 6, 2013 by Ciardasully

[Ciardasully]

Thanks for your great review.......looking forward to the Glory in a few weeks.

 

:)

 

Thank you! Are you going to Eastern Caribbean or Western Caribbean?

[Ciardasully]

Bryon and I went to the bar on the Serenity Deck because our friend Michael was working. When we were up there, there was a rainbow!

 

 

 

We took our drinks back to the room and Bryon took a nap while I sat out on the balcony.

[Ciardasully]

With all the ships in port, it felt like forever before we set sail. I got ready while Bryon napped.

 

No, I don't have any photos of Bryon sleeping. I am not that mean. But I did get some of St. Thomas at dusk.

 

 

 

 

Finally the Royal Caribbean ship next to us was leaving. Bryon was up and ready at this point so we watched St. Thomas as we left from the balcony. Our room steward came in, probably thinking we were at dinner and I caught him off guard. I told him not to worry, we had reservations at the steakhouse and we would be leaving shortly.

 

 

As we were leaving, Bryon pointed out that people at a Marriot were taking pictures of our ship because you could all the flashes from the hotel balconies. I was not able to get a photo of that.

 

Up Next: Steakhouse Food Porn

[Ciardasully]

Bryon and I went to The Emerald Steakhouse at 7 pm. I was surprised that it was pretty empty. I guess people don't want to pay for it. But, I will tell you, the food was delicious. We felt it was worth every penny.

 

We had brought our own wine on the ship, Chateauneuf du Pape. We had bought it before we set sail in Miami. It is one of our favorite wines. We were glad we brought it on because even factoring in the $14 corkage fee, it still cost us less to bring our two bottles than it would have been to buy one bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape on the ship.

 

First we had an amuse bouche. Bryon had cubed salmon over parmesan "something." (I just asked him and that was his description.) I had tasted it and it was delicious. I was given a cold tomato soup. It was delicious and I generally don't like tomato soup.

 

 

 

These were our accompaniments for our bread.

 

 

For a starter, Bryon had gotten a beef carpaccio and I had gotten the New England crab cakes. Both were delicious. I stopped eating my crab cakes because I was scared that I would be too full for dinner.

 

 

 

Next up: Salad, Soup and meal.

[Ciardasully]

For salad I chose the Ceasar Salad and Bryon asked if he could have soup instead of a salad and the waiter said yes. Bryon chose to order the Lobster Bisque. The presentation of the soup was neat. The lobster was in a cake-like form and then they pour the bisque part over the "lobster cake." It was very similar to how they serve the chilled soups in the dining room.

 

 

 

Then came our main course, the Spice Rubbed Prime Ribeye Steak. It was amazing, though 18 ounces of steak was a little too much food for me. Bryon ordered his medium rare and I ordered mine medium. It was so good if you squished the garlic on top. Mmmmm.

 

 

Bryon and I ordered the same sides, Creamed Spinach and Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabe Horseradish, only I opted out of the Horseradish because I felt like a wimp. I did take a taste of Bryon's and the Wasabe Horseradish was not that bad. The side dishes were amazing.

 

 

The chef came out and introduced himself and asked if we enjoyed our meals, which of course we did.

 

For dessert, Bryon had gotten the cheesecake. It was a huge piece.

 

 

I don't know what came over me but I didn't order the Chocolate Sampler. Maybe it was all the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. I ordered the Gingerbread ice cream instead. It was good but I kind of regret not trying the Chocolate Sampler.

 

 

If you enjoy fine dining, I highly recommend The Emerald Steakhouse. The way Bryon and I looked at it, the only "excursion" we booked was the Skyride in St. Thomas. The rest of the days we did our own thing so getting dinner at The Emerald Steakhouse was like an excursion for us.

 

I did not do the Chef's Table but we talked to people who had done it and they said it was good. Pepperpot, I believe that may have been you?

[funinthesun1964]

Thanks for doing the review. You know, I've been to St. Thomas and have plenty of photos, but I just never get tired of seeing pictures of it! It looks so inviting....hope I get back there again someday.

 

Glad that you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for sharing your photos and experiences. And congratulations!

[Ciardasully]

After dinner, we decided to go see the Motor City show. This show got delayed two nights because the seas we too rough and it was a hazard to the dancers.

 

I only have photos from the part before the show. They said no flash photography during the show and I am such a rule follower so no photos during the show.

 

 

 

Yeah we may have had a wee bit too much vino at dinner...

 

 

And this was some pre-show entertainment.

 

 

I loved the show. The dancing and the affects were really good. We heard these were multi-million dollar shows. I think I loved this show too because it was a lot of Oldies songs and I listened to the Oldies station with my parents while I was growing up.

 

We returned to our to what Bryon called "Sexy Bunny."

 

[Ciardasully]

Thanks for doing the review. You know, I've been to St. Thomas and have plenty of photos, but I just never get tired of seeing pictures of it! It looks so inviting....hope I get back there again someday.

 

Glad that you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for sharing your photos and experiences. And congratulations!

 

Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying the review. I am happy to put to together. Plus, it's like I am reliving our cruise.

 

We really enjoyed St. Thomas and can't wait to go back.

[Ciardasully]

We were due in San Juan at 7 am so the night before I ordered breakfast to be delivered. Tipsy Kerry should not order breakfast because I forgot to check off Apple Juice for Bryon. Ooops. We ordered our usual Coffee and Bagels with cream cheese. I also ordered hot chocolate. Bryon also decided to play "Muffin Roulette" since you could only simply check off "muffin." He was disappointed when the muffin delivered was bran.

 

Lone sailboat.

 

 

I am not a morning person so I delighted to see a sunrise. I don't usually see many of those...

 

 

 

I was really looking forward to San Juan. I grew up outside of Boston so I had seen a historic English city in North America. I have been to Quebec City many times so I have seen a historic French city in North America. Now it was time to see a historic Spanish City in North America! (Remember, history nerd here!)

 

Here we are approaching Castillo San Felipe de Morro which is the older Fort of the two in Puerto Rico. The Spanish started building it in 1539. Now, if you are on the Port Side of the ship, you will get a really good view of the fort as you sail into San Juan.

 

 

 

San Juan

 

[Ciardasully]

Bryon and I got off the ship as soon as we were allowed. One benefit to early ports, there isn't as much as craziness getting off the ship as opposed to ports where you arrive later, like St Thomas (10 am) and Grand Turk (11 am.)

 

The people in San Juan were pushy like Nassau. They kept telling us everything was closed till 10 am (it was about 7:30 eastern and ship time, 8:30 local time) but we didn't care. We found a Starbucks and got some decent coffee. I got an iced coffee because it was really hot (about 80 degrees) and a hot coffee was too much for me. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I knew it was cold back home.

 

Spanish lesson for today....

 

 

We had cell phone access in Puerto Rico because we were able to pick up Verizon towers. I got to check Facebook and my neighbor, who was checking up on him twice a day, posted photos of my kitty so I knew he was okay. Don't get me wrong, I was glad we only had access to our phones for one day. It was good to check in but overall, I was very happy we were inaccessible.

 

Bryon checked the schedule of the Castillo de San Cristobel and found out that it actually opened 9 am local time. So we headed up towards the fort. I learned quickly that San Juan is a very hilly city.

 

 

 

 

 

Bryon being silly.

 

 

Up next: More Fort Photos.

[Ciardasully]

I probably took too many photos but the fort was really cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up next: Even more Fort Photos.

[Ciardasully]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Up Next: More Fort Photos....kidding!

[Ciardasully]

One of my favorite things about San Juan was the architecture. I took many photos of the buildings. Here is a sample.

 

 

 

The first Spanish work I ever learned watching Sesame Street.

 

 

 

I took a picture this and learned it was actually a police station. Luckily, they didn't seem phased by a tourist taking a picture.

 

[Ciardasully]

Bryon and I made our way to the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.

 

 

We sat down for a break and to take in the beauty.

 

 

While we were sitting there, I realized there was a Church kitty! Or maybe Church Gato?

 

 

 

Church Kitty loved Bryon but then Bryon realized that Church Kitty was drooling and I realized that we shouldn't be petting a strange kitty that looked like it was in rough shape. Of course this made me sad but I knew I couldn't take the cat on the cruise ship and I couldn't give the cat money, so I tried not to dwell on it. Though I did learn from my friend Becky (you'll meet her soon) who lives just outside San Juan that this cat lives in the Church and that it the cat is taken care of. Of course "taken care of" is a subjective term.

[wrigley80]

Very Nice Review.....it looks like you guys had a great time. Congratulations on the wedding and honeymoon :)

[Ours91]

After traveling home (we flew into Newark and still had to drive to Albany) I said our next cruise I want to go out of NYC or Boston. The day was too long!

 

I am originally from Maine so I have been to Saint John but not Halifax so Bryon and I really want to go on a 5 day one.

 

Bryon and I went to the arcade on the first night. I only played ski ball. Bryon played with several games and he said none were broken. But that was the first night...I can't speak for later in the week.

 

You guys should definitely try the 5 day Canadian cruise. You will love it. And I'm glad to hear your cat was good while you were gone. I have 2 cats and they are like my children lol.

[jrmende63]

Thanks for posting this review! I'm getting ready to do some of the same ports you did but on a different ship. I am also getting ready to sail on the Glory on 6-9-13 out of Boston to Canada and New England. You guys should join us!

[cruiseclues]

Thanks for your great photo review...really enjoyed the food photos. :)

[pepperpot]

For salad I chose the Ceasar Salad and Bryon asked if he could have soup instead of a salad and the waiter said yes. Bryon chose to order the Lobster Bisque. The presentation of the soup was neat. The lobster was in a cake-like form and then they pour the bisque part over the "lobster cake." It was very similar to how they serve the chilled soups in the dining room.

 

 

 

Then came our main course, the Spice Rubbed Prime Ribeye Steak. It was amazing, though 18 ounces of steak was a little too much food for me. Bryon ordered his medium rare and I ordered mine medium. It was so good if you squished the garlic on top. Mmmmm.

 

 

Bryon and I ordered the same sides, Creamed Spinach and Yukon Gold Mash with Wasabe Horseradish, only I opted out of the Horseradish because I felt like a wimp. I did take a taste of Bryon's and the Wasabe Horseradish was not that bad. The side dishes were amazing.

 

 

The chef came out and introduced himself and asked if we enjoyed our meals, which of course we did.

 

For dessert, Bryon had gotten the cheesecake. It was a huge piece.

 

 

I don't know what came over me but I didn't order the Chocolate Sampler. Maybe it was all the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. I ordered the Gingerbread ice cream instead. It was good but I kind of regret not trying the Chocolate Sampler.

 

 

If you enjoy fine dining, I highly recommend The Emerald Steakhouse. The way Bryon and I looked at it, the only "excursion" we booked was the Skyride in St. Thomas. The rest of the days we did our own thing so getting dinner at The Emerald Steakhouse was like an excursion for us.

 

I did not do the Chef's Table but we talked to people who had done it and they said it was good. Pepperpot, I believe that may have been you?

The Chef's Table was superb. I will post a separate review on the Chef's table later today.awesome food

[zumbaguy]

Thank you for posting this review! Congrats on getting married! My wife and I sailing this very same ship and itinerary this coming weekend (2/10/13) to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and your review has us in even greater anticipation!

 

I subbed. :)

[Ciardasully]

Thanks for posting this review! I'm getting ready to do some of the same ports you did but on a different ship. I am also getting ready to sail on the Glory on 6-9-13 out of Boston to Canada and New England. You guys should join us!

 

Thank you! At this time, we are not sure when we can book again. We need to recover financially from this trip :D

[Ciardasully]

Thanks for your great photo review...really enjoyed the food photos. :)

 

Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the food photos.

[Ciardasully]

You guys should definitely try the 5 day Canadian cruise. You will love it. And I'm glad to hear your cat was good while you were gone. I have 2 cats and they are like my children lol.

 

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks of my cat like he's my child :)

[Ciardasully]

The Chef's Table was superb. I will post a separate review on the Chef's table later today.awesome food

 

Great! I can't wait to read it.