Glory 4 Day Review -- Such a Shame

[1stimecruiser]

We will be sailing on the Glory April 11th and are looking forward to the experience. This will be my 22 cruise, 3rd on Carnival. I've sailed at least once on most of the lines and always seem to get great service from all crew members. My funny story - I sailed once and we didn't see our cabin attendant for days and needed the bed separated into two twin beds -- after several calls and a trip to customer service we got it done (and a free extra pay meal with a bottle of wine) when we did meet our cabin attendant he informed us the rest of his cabins were on another floor and he forgot all about our cabin. He did remember where we were the rest of the cruise.

[roberooski]

I don't intend this to seem as though I am flaming or anything else, but I have to ask....

 

If you don't play, then why was the smoking in the casino the biggest complaint for you? Is it because others in your group play but don't smoke?

 

I don't play, and I don't smoke so for me it would not be an issue as I would just not be in the casino unless I had to pass through to get somewhere else. Just curious as to why this was an issue for you.

 

Great question! I don't smoke and was in the casino playing. I'm not usually bothered by smokers - to each their own I say! It was that when on cruises before the smoking "ban" it was more, I guess you could say, spread out and now it's much more concentrated in and around the casino. Maybe that's a better way of explaining it.

 

Oh! And I don't play the slots - I might as well walk up to someone and hand them $20! LOL! I play table games occasionally.

 

Thanks for asking!

Edited April 2, 2015 by roberooski

[CAnative1]

 

Oh! And I don't play the slots - I might as well walk up to someone and hand them $20! LOL! I play table games occasionally.

 

 

Ok.... THAT makes more sense now.

 

 

Hmmmm maybe I should go to the slot machines and ask if they want to hand over a $20... I will even make some beeping noises to try to simulate the machine! lol :p

[boaterette]

You can run into a less desirable passenger mix on short cruises. Maybe look for 7 day or longer sailings, in the future?

 

Just have to say you run into them everywhere. We just got off the 14 repo on the Pride and there was a family on there we dubbed the pig family. The mother and other female relative watched as the kids peel hard boiled eggs and rolled the yolk across the table to each other. Then they smashed the egg whites into the floor. The boy actually stood up and ground it in. The dad walked up saw it all and didn't say a word either. They all just left the mess for the crew.

 

OP hope your next cruise is better.

[justusfour2014]

SadieN, speaking of muster drill - we found this one to be very chaotic. We didn't see any crew members with a clicker to count (as had been done on our Fantasy class cruises). Weird.

[justusfour2014]

Graygirl, well said and thank you.

[justusfour2014]

Roberooski, I did just that - walked up, put a $20 in and amazingly left with $0.35!lol Of course my hubby puts in $20 and on the first spin, he hits $80. Luckiest man!

[rmandmm]

I agree that this wasn't my favorite cruise, but it was still a wonderful break from work!

 

I have to say that our room steward was one of the best we've ever had. I haven't ever 'extra' tipped on Carnival before, but this guy was awesome! We had FTTF and he had our beds ready (including the kids' beds down) when we embarked. And he just never stopped. Wonderful the whole time.

 

I knew it would be a Spring Break crowd when we booked, but I have to say I don't think I'll ever do another short Spring Break cruise. We had a great time, but it just wasn't my favorite atmosphere. I'm glad all those folks had fun though!

 

I found the layout weird too, especially the adults only aft area with the pizza/ice cream. I really thought that was weird.

 

I also will just quickly comment on the dining. We had anytime dining, which was fine. We like the convenience. The dinner food was just 'meh' to me, which was surprising. I really thought I'd like the American Table menus, but oh well. I had that flat iron steak 3 times. And it was really good--just I normally have to narrow it down and pick one of two things that sound too good. But not this time. Guy's and Blue Iguana's: fabulous!

 

Ok. Sorry to threadjack. :rolleyes:

[MrsPhoenix91]

The mother and other female relative watched as the kids peel hard boiled eggs and rolled the yolk across the table to each other. Then they smashed the egg whites into the floor. The boy actually stood up and ground it in. The dad walked up saw it all and didn't say a word either. They all just left the mess for the crew.

 

 

Wow...

[justusfour2014]

boaterette, was this the cruise that John Heald was on? Not that him being on there makes a difference, it's just a shame that those people just didn't care. And thanks, I know our next cruise will be great!

[justusfour2014]

reandmw, threadjack - please! We initially had YTD but I changed it a week before sailing bc hubby didn't like the thought of waiting in a long to be seated. Looking back now, YTD probably would have been better so no more asking hubby for his opinion!lol

[boaterette]

boaterette, was this the cruise that John Heald was on? Not that him being on there makes a difference, it's just a shame that those people just didn't care. And thanks, I know our next cruise will be great!

 

Yes it was. It was a great cruise.

[golfb4cruzing]

Cheerlead all you want, all of this is exactly why we got away from Carnival. It does happen and the clientele are sad. Throw in some crappy staff, probably from the dumbass clientele, and it's a nightmare trip. I know, you've been on 2,396 cruises and you've never seen this. Oh but that's right, Carnival is the cheapest and a great value. It's all yours. I'm not a gambler so I'm not risking $1 on a crappy trip.

[sparky9016]

I have to agree with the OP. I was on this sailing as well, and it was by far the worst experience I've had on Carnival so far. As has been said before though, we still managed to have an outstanding time, but if we're to compare experiences here, this one was lacking.

 

I'm still debating doing a longer review, but our room steward was also non-existent, and we never got ice once (maybe they stopped filling the ice buckets as a standard service, I don't know). Also, our room was not done until like 3pm.

 

Our dining staff was great though. We liked the American Table menus for the most part, with the exception of elegant night. I was expecting the norm of prime rib, lobster type options, but looking at the TV before dinner the menu had only things like veal, lamb shank, and braised rabbit. None of my party of four wanted anything on that menu, so we opted to try out the steakhouse. It was great! Loved that, and the service there was outstanding.

 

I felt the ship was really crowded all the time... the staff was over worked, and there weren't enough of them to keep up. It was difficult to get a drink most of the time. It may be due to the time of year, but regardless... if that is the case, it is something that Carnival should be able to anticipate and compensate for.

 

Ports were awesome, we always love Key West and Cozumel. Just wish KW was a longer stop.

 

The ship did move a lot on this trip... it was really windy the entire time it seemed. When it tilted the one night people mentioned before, it was crazy... glasses were falling off of tables and breaking... I've never had that happen before.

 

Like I said though... we had a great time anyway. We were on a trip with some family we don't see much, and so it was more about spending time together than anything. And it IS better than being at work, no matter what! :p

[Two kids and a dog]

I just got off the Glory (Mar 30 sailing). The things that people as saying are definitely resonating with me.

 

 

I couldn't tell you our stewards name or what he looked like. I met him very briefly the second day and never again. My husband never met him. Room got cleaned late and we never received our sign and sail statement, nor a receipt that was to be provided.:confused:

 

 

American Table menu was uninspiring. Not once were we asked for our drink orders. The desserts also were a letdown. :eek:

 

 

I never ate at the Lido/Red Sail? buffet because the line was always too long.

 

The Burrito bar and Guy's -- EXCELLENT. I had a breakfast burrito every morning without the long budget lines.

 

I have no idea who our cruise director was. I think he went into hiding because of Spring Break. :D

 

 

Apart from the level of service, my other complaint was that they had bands right outside the casino and it smelled SO BAD because of the smoking. I wish they could have relocated the stage or had better air filtration (the area smelled even before we left port and no one was smoking)

 

 

Despite all this -- I did have a good time, but might try RC again next time.

Edited April 6, 2015 by Two kids and a dog

[Velvetwater]

Sorry to hear there were rude passengers, I seem to hear more and more of this since I started cruising. There is a crazy complaint thread on the ask a question board. It would not stop my cruising a particular ship/port though.

 

 

If my cabin steward had treated me like that I would have taken his tips away and given some to the other guy you mentioned (in cash) and let guest services know why.

[Linerguy]

Perhaps some of the crew were less than accommodating because they grew tired of people mocking them....

 

"Why we standing outside of cabin?"

"I so sorry for your family. I got key if no one come."

Edited April 6, 2015 by Linerguy
grammar

[tropicaledrink]

I haven't been on the Glory, but my least favorite cruise was a 4 day. I think there is just a different dynamic among the passengers that exists on a 3 or 4 day cruise than on longer cruises. I also noticed that the group that was on board when we sailed from Miami was a bit different too. However, our best cabin steward was on our 4 day! None of these things ruined our trips, just observations.

 

Hate that you had some negatives, but hope you are able to sail a 7 day some time soon!

[hockeyguru32]

You people that are pointing out things on this particular cruise picked the busiest time to go and from what I have read you expect excellent service every single time?

 

I'm sure you do an excellent job cooking every single meal at home and I'm sure you do an excellent cleaning job every time you do it and I'm sure you have never had one complaint from your boss at anytime you have worked.

 

It happens all the time and the ship was crowded because of spring break and I'm sure the ship was to its capacity and you had a lot more people and kids on the cruise than you normally expected. Just a little advice and take all these into consideration please. Your cruise is what you make of it not what others make of it and if you had a bad time it certainly isn't Carnivals or the crews fault.

 

Sorry to put my 2 cents worth but I think Carnival is a good product for the value that you get and I've had bad service too but I chalk it up to a bad day and nothing can ruin my cruise or vacation

[golfb4cruzing]

Do you go on a cruise and say " Gee I hope I get mediocre service, that would be fine" No of course not. Why justify a subpar product? Standards will slip if they are not made accountable. Is no ice ever in your cabin "nitpicking"? I think not. I think it's a valid point and an indicator that Carnival has cut staff to unacceptable levels. Why don't they put an ice machine at each end of a hallway then all of you Motel 6 your trip? STOP accepting less than . Unless you are LESS THAN. Which I'm pretty sure is not the case. If you have $1000 to waste on an inferior product and YOU work hard to make it fun, why not stay home and give $1000 to your local animal shelter. That might sound extreme but I expect perfect for my money. They advertise it, just get away with not following through.

[Havingfun2010]

I am sooooo sorry that so many people will tell you that they are soooooo sorry that your received bad service. I received the same bad service, and now I take every opportunity to tell people to stay away from the "Super 8" hotel on water, with the sub-par dining room that is more like the local Denny's.

 

There are other cruise lines, and if you shop smart, you will find deals. They may not be the cheapest, but you do get what you pay for.

[hockeyguru32]

Do you go on a cruise and say " Gee I hope I get mediocre service, that would be fine" No of course not. Why justify a subpar product? Standards will slip if they are not made accountable. Is no ice ever in your cabin "nitpicking"? I think not. I think it's a valid point and an indicator that Carnival has cut staff to unacceptable levels. Why don't they put an ice machine at each end of a hallway then all of you Motel 6 your trip? STOP accepting less than . Unless you are LESS THAN. Which I'm pretty sure is not the case. If you have $1000 to waste on an inferior product and YOU work hard to make it fun, why not stay home and give $1000 to your local animal shelter. That might sound extreme but I expect perfect for my money. They advertise it, just get away with not following through.

 

I will accept less because no one is perfect and no one will ever be perfect and no business is perfect. We ALL make mistakes all you can do is hope the mistake doesn't repeat itself over and over and over. Like I said in my opinion is it was spring break and you get different kind of people cruising on spring break and over crowded because that is the only time they can get together with friends and family.

 

Yes no ice in your cabin is nitpicking do you get ice in your hotel room or do you have to go to an ice machine to get it? All you have to do is ask and if at first you don't succeed try try again.

 

I choose not to stay home and I choose to go on vacation with the brand I like and like I said good value for my money.

 

Yes you're correct they advertise it on their not so happy guarantee so go put your complaint in that ice wasn't in your room and see how much you get back.

 

I EXPECT people will not meet your expectations and neither will any products you buy and if you do you must be living in your own perfect world . I say to anyone who is not happy in their cruise their job their friends their food or whatever else it is you don't like go find your perfect thing and stop complaining about the little things like not having ice and having bad service in the MDR. There is a buffet where you can go serve yourself and if the potatoes touch your corn that's your fault.

[mnsawyer]

We sailed the March 26th cruise on the Glory as well - we have sailed many Carnival cruises and thought this one was the most disappointing. While we have sailed on 4-day cruises once before, I thought the mix of passengers was definitely a party, party crowd. Also, I was not impressed with the DJ who said on one morning - no screaming - who is going to get wasted today!!

 

Also, we felt that the quality of food compared to our 7-day cruise on the Liberty last year was very poor. WE are not picky eaters and the food overall was not good. Dining room was only good one night and the Lido deck food was just a recycling of items from prior meals.

 

So glad we had a balcony room since we were on our balcony most of the time. Our table was right next to the waiters area so it wasn't great but at least we had a table for 2.

 

For the $1100 we paid for the cruise, it assuredly was not worth the money.

 

Time to take a break from cruising and Carnival I guess. We did have a great experience with our pre-cruise stay for 3 nights on South Beach (got out just in time for Ultra Music) and then 2 nights post before returning home.

[firemanbobswife]

I'm still debating doing a longer review, but our room steward was also non-existent, and we never got ice once (maybe they stopped filling the ice buckets as a standard service, I don't know).

 

That is correct. They only do ice upon request now.

[jetta8300]

You people that are pointing out things on this particular cruise picked the busiest time to go and from what I have read you expect excellent service every single time?

 

 

 

I'm sure you do an excellent job cooking every single meal at home and I'm sure you do an excellent cleaning job every time you do it and I'm sure you have never had one complaint from your boss at anytime you have worked.

 

 

 

It happens all the time and the ship was crowded because of spring break and I'm sure the ship was to its capacity and you had a lot more people and kids on the cruise than you normally expected. Just a little advice and take all these into consideration please. Your cruise is what you make of it not what others make of it and if you had a bad time it certainly isn't Carnivals or the crews fault.

 

 

 

Sorry to put my 2 cents worth but I think Carnival is a good product for the value that you get and I've had bad service too but I chalk it up to a bad day and nothing can ruin my cruise or vacation

 

 

 

I will accept less because no one is perfect and no one will ever be perfect and no business is perfect. We ALL make mistakes all you can do is hope the mistake doesn't repeat itself over and over and over. Like I said in my opinion is it was spring break and you get different kind of people cruising on spring break and over crowded because that is the only time they can get together with friends and family.

 

 

 

Yes no ice in your cabin is nitpicking do you get ice in your hotel room or do you have to go to an ice machine to get it? All you have to do is ask and if at first you don't succeed try try again.

 

 

 

I choose not to stay home and I choose to go on vacation with the brand I like and like I said good value for my money.

 

 

 

Yes you're correct they advertise it on their not so happy guarantee so go put your complaint in that ice wasn't in your room and see how much you get back.

 

 

 

I EXPECT people will not meet your expectations and neither will any products you buy and if you do you must be living in your own perfect world . I say to anyone who is not happy in their cruise their job their friends their food or whatever else it is you don't like go find your perfect thing and stop complaining about the little things like not having ice and having bad service in the MDR. There is a buffet where you can go serve yourself and if the potatoes touch your corn that's your fault.

 

 

sorry, but I just can't understand where you're coming from...

 

So you think that's it's acceptable to give paying customers and inferior experience, as long as it's not "EVERY TIME"? You think that just because someone books a trip during spring break, that they just should expect bad service, and that's what they deserve, because that's the expectation on spring break?

 

I think you're not understanding the difference between a "mistake" and an "on purpose, or not trying". Of course not every dinner I make my family turns out great. But I don't make it horrible on purpose... I try. I think a lot of what the OP is talking about is a reasonable complaint, if they do not have a clean room from their cabin steward, he has a bad attitude, their MDR service was bad etc., that's a lack of effort, not a mistake. and NO, it's not acceptable even if it happens infrequently. Not every cruiser is a frequent cruiser. Do you think that many of those people on that boat experienced their first cruise here? PROBABLY. And they may not cruise again because of it.

 

Every single cruise should be the best cruise that the cruise line can provide. Sure it's never going to be perfect, and I am NOT one to nitpick. But yeah if I had a super rude cabin steward who neglected to clean our room, then I'd be pretty ticked. It's not like we get every third cruise for free or something... we pay for each and every one, so they should try and provide great service on each and every one.