Just returned from Glory Eastern

[LindaJSteele]

Overall we had a good trip. Some things are different now, though. Some are good changes and some are not - just our opinion, though. Don't have time to write a long review, but I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

One of the changes is the switch of the showtimes. Late seating dinner guests now go to shows early, and early dinner guests go to the late show. Personally we liked this because we have late dinner, and it meant that after dinner, we could do whatever we wanted without planning for the show.

 

One bad change is the use of shuffle machines in the casino at the blackjack tables. They said they did it to stop people from counting cards, but they seem to really make a difference if you're used to playing with a shoe and 8 decks - now a shuffle machine with only 6. For example, we were playing at one table, and an ace had a small tear in it. The dealer remarked how that same card came back out in 3 of the next 5 hands - weird - no way to really predict what's coming.

[travel girl23]

The showtimes were the same back in February when we were on the Glory. We had late dinner seating so we went to the shows at 7 pm. Never went into the Casino so don't know about the card shufflers. Travelgirl

[finoky]

I hated those shuffle master machines on the Glory. My first losing cruise ever in the casino.

[Grits53]

We are strongly considering this cruise for next spring. We are not night owls. Can you please give me the early seating time and show time for early seating? Also, what time is late seating? Does anyone know if this is fleet wide, or only on the Glory? :confused:

[ScottsSweetie]

I'm not sure that's a good change. The reason we pick late dinner is so that we don't have to be ready until 8:00. Now, if we want to go to the show, we have to be ready for dinner earlier (I am assuming there would be no time to change after the show). Also, on formal night, we always had pics taken before dinner (while early diners are eating). Guess we can't do that now, either. Will have to see how this pans out.

[cats?!]

I believe there are two early seatings..one at 5:45 and one at 6:15

[user43147]

Too bad about the shuffler. That cuts down on your chances of winning. What are the lowest stakes for most tables? Are there any video black jack? I played this in Nassau and loved it.

[ShedQueen77]

I just have a few questions if you don't mind! :)

 

Did you have any children who used Camp Carnival?

 

Did you do any shore excursions? If so, could you please share what you did? We're starting to think about those already!

[reeses]

We're just back from the Glory too. We enjoyed our trip. We had early seating at 5:45 and went to the "late" show, which started at 9:00. I thought that had seemed different from our last cruise, but since that was 4 years ago I couldn't quite remember. There were also several nights where there was only one show for the evening, which made it tough to get seats if you didn't get there early. We didn't go to the casino, although I thought about it to get rid of my extra coins.

 

We are a family of four and were seated at our own booth for dinner. Has this become the trend? I didn't see many large tables. Our last cruise we were seated with another family of 4 at a table for 8 and enjoyed the opportunity to be with other guests. We had great service from Hubert (Bert) and Ernie.

 

My kids are in the teens so they didn't do camp carnival, but we saw a lot of kids who did participate. I know on the second formal night, they held some activities until early in the morning

 

For Nassau, we took a cab over to Atlantis to check out the resort (to see if we wanted to go there for another vacation). We had access to parts of the buildings, but we turned away for most of the grounds. Security would ask to see a room key as you exit most of the doors. We then walked to the beach two hotels away and spent the rest of the morning there. The beach was fine - very calm waters. You could rent jet skis and ride the banana boat.

 

For St. Thomas, we took a cab to Coki Beach. We had wanted to go to Sapphire Beach, but the driver told us there are no facilities there any more because utility bills weren't paid - don't know if this is true, but decided just to go to Coki. You can rent snorkeling equipment ($5 for snorkel and mask and $5 for fins), chairs, umbrellas there. There is also a small "restaurant" and bar there. You can place an order from your beach chair if you want. We did not do any shopping here. Taxi fee was $6 per person each way.

 

For St. Martin, we went on a Rhino Rider (2 person motorized boat) excursion that we booked ourselves. It was a lot of fun. It also included snorkeling. The taxi fee was $9 per person each way. We also went to Maho Beach to see the airplanes land and take off. The airport is across a small road from the beach. We also shopped in Philipsburg and at the stores where the ship docked.

[ShedQueen77]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a lot of fun. I guess I should get my first cruise under my belt before getting so excited about my second, but who's counting? :D

[LindaJSteele]

I'll add my two cents' worth. No, we had no children, so I can't answer for Camp Carnival. I know there were lots of kids on board since it's summer, but we really didn't see them around, so I guess they kept them busy.

 

Early dinner times have been answered.

 

We didn't do anything in Nassau, but St. Thomas and St. Maarten are both great islands, so here are a few recommendations. In St. Thomas, we went to Magen's Bay - one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, "so they say." It is absolutely gorgeous there. It is an $8 cab fare, pp, each way. If you want to tour the island, I would recommend booking with Godfrey. You can search these boards and find information about him. He is terrific, and you can book over the Internet. In St. Maarten, I would also suggest a tour, which you can book when you get off the ship. You can get someone to give your a tour of both sides of the island, and he can take you shopping and to the beach, if you want. It's easy to get someone; there's a place to book right when you get off the ship.

[sptree]

Does the Glory have 24 hr Pizza & Ice Cream? I will be with 4 girls (20) and they love that part. Did you like the shows? Were they Las Vegas style?

[KroozNut]

Does the Glory have 24 hr Pizza & Ice Cream? I will be with 4 girls (20) and they love that part. Did you like the shows? Were they Las Vegas style?

 

We were on this same cruise, and yes, pizza and soft serve ice cream are available 24/7. And BTW, the pizza is wonderful!! : )

 

The shows were of a mixed variety including comedy, magic and 'Las Vegas style'.. We enjoyed the shows that we did attend, although they were not a priority for us in the evenings, as there was so much else to do!

[KroozNut]

Sounds like we got taken regarding the cab fares at St Thomas. We paid $9 per person one way to Coki beach, which we though was a bit steep. Looks like others got a better deal.

 

The snorkeling at Coki was great though, if you can get by all the beach vendors trying to sell you an umbrella or beach chair. There is natural shade (trees) on the beach; but most of it was 'claimed' by the locals, and almost impossible to come by..

[Djptcp]

Thanks for the Glory info -- DH and I are sailing on her the week of Xmas and it will be our first time on the Glory and our 13th cruise. We love Nassau and are disappointed we will be there such a short time, but St. Maarten will be new to us. We plan on doing an island tour, shopping, and some casino hopping there. St. Thomas is our favorite Caribbean shopping stop and we already have a list of things we need to buy at Mr. Tablecloth and Riise; we were just there in December and am happy to return again:D We have done the island tour and Coki Beach before, but haven't been to Magen's Beach -- maybe try it in Dec. if we have time.

 

Glad you had a good time!

 

Carnival - 1995, 1998, 2006, 2006, 2007, 2007, 2008

Holland America - 2004, 2006

NCL - 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003

Royal Caribbean - 2002

[addicted to cruising]

I didnt like the change in show times...we do late dinner and then enjoy going to the show. The only thing is 2 of the shows only had one seating at 10pm.

 

I also noticed that there didnt seem to be the larger tables as well. Alot of tables for 4 and 6.

 

I have a full review on here...check my thread and Howdys as well for more info.