Glory Dec. 1-8 review

[TracersQQ]

Ok, well here is my try at a cruise view.

 

We flew into Orlando on Nov. 28 to spend a few days with my Dad who live south of the Port Canaveral area. I asked him to have us at the ship by AM, on the first - we arrived right on time:) (this is unusual, for my Dad, to do anything on time.) By the time we unloaded the car and found a porter (yes they were very scarce at this time of day) and walked into the building, it was 11:10. Registration went very smoothly, the only thing that took time was the Bahama's paper. Not because it was hard, but because nobody had any pens. There was one pen laying on the counter with about 25 people trying to share it. But all they needed was your name address and signature - very easy. We were on Lido deck at 11:40. We found a nice window table, got lunch from the buffet and a drink of the day and we started our cruise. We checked on our rooms after a leisurely lunch (about 12:30 and they were ready- so we unpacked. Then we walked around the ship, a bit, DH and DS had never cruised before, so I showed them around, a bit. Then we went to Lido for a while, then we went to our room because it was getting close to 4PM and the Muster drill. Muster drill on the Glory was so much better then my experience on the Victory. It was so hot in Miami and they made us wear the life vest for 1/2 hour. On the Glory it was warm and they showed us how to put them on and then said OK take them off and hold them for the rest of the drill. We were afraid they were going to start sailing during Muster, but they didn't. We had just enough time to put our life vest away and get to lido. By the way, we had cabin #8386 an inside on Veranda - DH did not want to go on this trip, so I planned everything as inexpensively as possible to keep him from complaining any more than he already was. Guess what? He loves cruising, I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen, he's already on me to plan another one, this time with a balcony :) . So I grabbed another DoD and watched us sail out of Port Canaveral. We had early dinner, so we headed down to see if our luggage was there, yet. It was, so we went to dinner in the Platinum dining room. Our head waiter was Kristie from Croatia - this was her first sailing as a head waiter. our assistant waiter was Michael from the Phillipines. They were both very nice and friendly, but all business. If this was my first cruise, I wouldn't have anything to complain about because they did everything right, but I have had some awesome waiters, before and these ones just didn't compare. I don't remember what I ate on a daily basis, but I can tell you some of the hightlights. The food was all good, no complaints, but the Sun dried tomato soup was a very good surprise, also, the bitter and Blanc bread pudding was awsome - I would take that over the Chocolate melting cake, any day! I didn't order any beef because I have always had bad experiences with it on cruises, but I did order the Prime rib, on the last night, it was really good. Other food highlights were the mexican buffet and the Chocolate buffet. I had the fish n chips from everyones recommendations and have to say was thrilled. They weren't bad, but not great either - I will. probably, pass on them the next time. Now, after dinner, I don't remember what we did, which night. We did miss all of the shows, I've seen most of them before. One of the reasons being, was that on most nights, the Glory only had one show seating at 10pm. I like having the early and late show. I like going to the early show and getting it out of the way. By the time 10pm would come around we were already doing something else.

 

Well, I'm going to take a short break to get something to eat and I'll be right back, for more review.

[TracersQQ]

Sunday - Sea day

I just love sea days!

DS and I got up and had breakfast together every morning, which was nice. With him being 16, we don't get to spend much time together anymore. So we would have b-fast and if it was a port day, we would go out and watch us dock or sail into port. Then we would go and get ready for our day. On this day, I found my favorite spot on deck 12 starboard. I spent a few hours lounging, here, then heard them getting ready for the hairy chest contest. So I made my way down closer to Lido (My Mom and 3 of her girlfriends were, also, on this cruise) to where my Mom and her friends were sitting, so that I could watch the contest. My son had been teasing that he was going to try and enter. My son is 16 and a very big (football player) boy. He's 6' 2" and about 230# - he, also, has a lot of hair - or so we thought. Compared to the rest of the contestants he didn't have any. He wasn't even a finalist, but he had fun and that's what counts.

 

This night was formal night, so we headed to our room around 3 or 3:30 to start getting showers and such. We went to the Captains cocktail party (for free drinks ;) ) and then to dinner. I had the Lobster. I think we all know how the Lobster is. It's certainly edible, but a little tough and cold. After dinner we had tons of portraits done. My plan was to have a formal portrait, of the 3 of us, to give as Christmas gifts, this year. There were some nice ones, we had a hard time choosing. Then we went to our cabin to change because there was a football game on that we all wanted to watch. So we changed into our football jerseys and headed to the sports bar where it was filled with fans of our team. So we spent the rest of the night there watching the game. DH would get up on the commercials and go to the casino. By the way, I have never played in any casinos - I've been to Reno and Tahoe many, many times, and never even played the slots. But on this trip, my husband have me a roll of quarters and I traded half of them in on nickels and was playing the nickel machines and won $43, I was pretty excited and quit before I lost any of my winnings.

 

Monday - Cozumel

DS and I watched us dock at Punta Lagosta (sp?) pier. Right after we docked, the Ecstasy pulled in next to us. DH was amazed at how much larger the Glory was. We didn't do any excursions - the 3 of us could not agree on what we wanted to do. So we went to Margaritaville for lunch. I have to say that I really enjoyed my lunch. We could not even finish it all. DS and I had chicken fajitas and DH had a cheeseburger in paradise. We, also, shared a plate of Nachos for starters. Way to much food for 3 people. I had a some kind of Margarita, Strawberry and something - I can't remember. Again everything was very good. Our waiter was very friendly and he felt bad that we came to early for happy hour and told us to come back and wrote on a piece of paper that he owed us 3 Margarita's. Like I said before, My son looks so much older than he is, that everyone was very willing to serve him alcohol. We never made it back, for happy hour. We just went back to the ship and relaxed on Lido. It was very hot in Cozumel and when we went to Lido there wasn't any air moving, since we were docked and the heat was very bad. This was my first and only time that I ever went in any of the pools on a cruise. But I was so hot and so full from lunch - I was just very uncomfortable and had to get cooled off. Then we got ready for dinner and after dinner did a variety of things. Most nights we would watch Karaoke for a while (DS sand every night, that's why we would go), get portraits done and go to casino.

[TracersQQ]

Tuesday - Belize

 

Again, DS and I had B-fast and watched us sail into Belize. It was kind of eerie because it was foggy and sailing in the fog past all of the little islands, around, Belize was a little eerie. Also, out of no where a big fishing vessels sailed right in front of us - I'm sure the captain knew it was there, but it was weird for us to see the big ship coming out of the fog. We then went to our cabin to get ready for our port day. By the time we got off the ship and onto the tender, it was a beautiful day. Again, we couldn't agree on an excursion so we walked around the port. I didn't find the vendors to be too aggressive. The only problem we had was one man wanting to show my DS his Marijuana. DS really wanted a pair of cowboy boots from Mexico, we didn't see any in Cozumel. He had really been looking forward to Costa Maya, because I have seen them there - but we all know the story with Costa Maya. So he thought, just maybe, he could find them in Belize. We went into every store and found no boots. On our way back to the tender, we passed an area that we had missed and DH and I sat down and sent DS to see if there were boots there. He asked a man who said follow me, he started following him and they walked toward the fence around the port area and my son asked where they were going and he replied to see his Marijuana. My son said no and came back to find us. We got back on the tender to the ship. I don't remember what we did when we got back.

Wednesday and Thursday were both Sea days and Thursday was the 2nd formal night. I think it was Wednesday that was the Deck party, which I always enjoy.

 

Friday - Nassau

I was less than thrilled about going to this port. I heard many negative things about it. But I have to tell you that it was my favorite port. We we got to the end of the pier, we bought an excursion. It was an island tour. He took us to Ft, Fincastle, the Queen's staircase, Atlantis and he showed us how all the different people live on the island. He showed us where celebrities lived (we couldn't go in because it was gated), he showed us where and how the middle class lives and he showed us how and where the poor lives. We drove by Anna Nicole's house and neighborhood - very beautiful coastline, there. When we were leaving Atlantis, he dropped some other people, in our tour off, to go to the beach and they took a taxi back. We stayed on the tour, because we needed to be back on the ship in an hour and were afraid there wasn't enough time for the beach. I really enjoyed my day in Nassau. The only part I hated was knowing that the next day we had to get off the ship for good:( .

 

Debarkation

We had #18, but waited until they called #20 to get off of the ship. It

went very smoothly, I think from the time we stepped out of the lobby door until we went through customs and got our luggage and crossed the street to where the passenger pick up area is, took about 20 minutes. Port Canaveral has a great terminal, everything really works well, there. Unfortunately, Glory is the only 7 day Carnival ship there. They should really put a Sunday to Sunday ship at Port Canaveral. It is convenient, for me, because of my Dad living so close. I have transportation to and from the airport and cruise port. And I have a place to stay before and after the cruise. My Dad is not will to take us to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Although, he said he may consider Ft. Lauderdale, but definitely, not Miami.

 

Final thoughts

Wee Jimmy is great, now I know what all the hype about him is. I'm not sure about Club O2. DS spent time there, but it didn't seem like a lot of the teens went and there were a lot of teens on this sailing. He did meet some kids and he has a long list of e-mail addresses to keep in touch with. Our Steward was Harold - he was really good. We had a problem with our air conditioning in our cabin and we told him about it - it was th Cozumel day - and he said he would have it fixed by the time we got back from port and he did. I didn't have any experience with the Pursers, but my Mom and friends had a lot of trouble with the S&S the entire cruise and visited the purser several times every day. They said they were very nice and really wanted to help, but just couldn't fix their problem. I can't say I have any complaints. Had this been my first cruise, it would've been perfect. But I am able to compare it with other trips. And I guess every ship and every sailing is unique in it's own way. Every sailing has better and worse qualities. I am not a fan of the larger ships, I don't think I want to do any of the newer ships due to their size. This was the largest that I had been on. I have Arthritis in my hip and knee and there was just too much walking and steps. I get impatient waiting for the elevator to take me up one flight of steps and would just walk, but my leg still hasn't recuperated.

 

Anything I missed please feel free to ask. I am certainly not a writer, so this is not a nice organized review - I apologize.

 

Happy sailing - everyone!

[pacerzfan]

Thanks for the review.....Glory is a Fav of my family.

[juneburke]

Thanks for your time you put into the review. I am wanting to go on this ship on the May 10, 2008 sailing, so it's great to hear some good stuff about her.

[-ClevelandRocks-]

Guess what? He loves cruising, I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen, he's already on me to plan another one, this time with a balcony

 

We had a great time on Glory western, but we both enjoyed Glory eastern even more. And, considering the eastern route is far more scenic IMO, that's a GREAT cruise with a balcony.

[glentally]

Tuesday - Belize

 

Friday - Nassau

I was less than thrilled about going to this port. I heard many negative things about it. But I have to tell you that it was my favorite port. We we got to the end of the pier, we bought an excursion. It was an island tour. He took us to Ft, Fincastle, the Queen's staircase, Atlantis and he showed us how all the different people live on the island. He showed us where celebrities lived (we couldn't go in because it was gated), he showed us where and how the middle class lives and he showed us how and where the poor lives. We drove by Anna Nicole's house and neighborhood - very beautiful coastline, there. When we were leaving Atlantis, he dropped some other people, in our tour off, to go to the beach and they took a taxi back. We stayed on the tour, because we needed to be back on the ship in an hour and were afraid there wasn't enough time for the beach. I really enjoyed my day in Nassau. The

 

- everyone!

 

Thanks for taking the time to write a review, well done and glad you had a good time.

 

We are taking some friends who have never cruised and like your husband I know they will love it.

 

 

My question is on Nassua, did you just find this guy walking off the ship? Sounds like you had fun. I need to do something differant there and was going to just stay on the ship until our friends decided to go. They are going to want to do something since this is there first ever port to get off and see.

 

Glen

[TracersQQ]

 

My question is on Nassua, did you just find this guy walking off the ship? Sounds like you had fun. I need to do something differant there and was going to just stay on the ship until our friends decided to go. They are going to want to do something since this is there first ever port to get off and see.

 

Glen

Yes, there were several men standing at the end of the pier. They were selling all different kinds of excursions. The man we talked to - Sean Murray - had a scrapbook of his tour, for us to view before we decided. We only paid $28/person - very well worth it.

[sheri18]

thanks for the report, cant wait for Feb. for our family cruise.....we are doing the western, (which is nnot my fav..) i know you didnt do any excursions...but if anyone has any suggestions please let me know...

 

BTW where is Margritivlle....is it like the one in jamica with pool, beach ect.. or just restaurant?

 

thanks

[TracersQQ]

BTW where is Margritivlle....is it like the one in jamica with pool, beach ect.. or just restaurant?

 

If you dock at the pier downtown - Punta Lagosta (sp?), you make a right, at the end of the pier. It's in walking distance, but it is a little bit of a walk. They don't have a pool/beach like Ocho Rios, but they have a water trampolene. Here are a couple of pictures. The first one is the pier and ships, from Margaritaville and the 2nd one is of the water trampoline.

 

 

[cruseholic]

Wow, you are way to modest - for someone who claims not to be a writer, you did one heck of a job describing everything to perfection. Thank you very much for such an informative review.

 

We will be on Glory for the New Years cruise, so every detail was good to know. I'm a bit bummed about the one show only at 10pm. We have the latest possible dinner reservation and will have to literally inhale dinner if we want to make it to shows.:eek:

[Chigirlcruzin]

Wow, you are way to modest - for someone who claims not to be a writer, you did one heck of a job describing everything to perfection. Thank you very much for such an informative review.

 

We will be on Glory for the New Years cruise, so every detail was good to know. I'm a bit bummed about the one show only at 10pm. We have the latest possible dinner reservation and will have to literally inhale dinner if we want to make it to shows.:eek:

 

You should be OK...you won't have to inhale. Even if you do have 8:30 dinner, you should be able to make it...won't have the best seats, but should be able to make it.

 

That said, it's kind of weird they did that. I hope this isn't a new thing for Carnival...I like having the 2 different shows. And if they do have just one show, it should be at 10:30.

 

OP, is the Glory western not going to Roatan in place of Costa Maya? Or was this just your sailing.

 

I enjoyed reading your review, and glad to hear DH has fallen for our addiction!

[cruseholic]

Nice to meet a fellow Chicagoan :) On a day like today, i cannot wait to be on the ship.

 

They haven't substituted Costa Maya for Roatan for Glory West. I wish they did , though, We did Honduras last New Years and absolutely fell in love with it. IMHO that island has the best beaches and unlike Cayman Island, that place is still authentic enough and not a tourist death trap.

[Chigirlcruzin]

Nice to meet a fellow Chicagoan :) On a day like today, i cannot wait to be on the ship.

 

They haven't substituted Costa Maya for Roatan for Glory West. I wish they did , though, We did Honduras last New Years and absolutely fell in love with it. IMHO that island has the best beaches and unlike Cayman Island, that place is still authentic enough and not a tourist death trap.

 

No kidding. I cruised last December, and I loved it. I have a new position now, and taking vacation (at least this year) between November and March would turn a stress-free vacation into HUGE stress.

 

After I posted, I checked out the Carnival website, and it still shows the Glory Western going to Costa Maya:eek:. Kind of stinks that the didn't replace it at all...not a fan of Belize or Nassau, so you won't see me going on the Glory Western. I guess the extra distance to/from Pt Canaveral prohibits them from making the stop. Too bad they couldn't eliminate Nassau and go to Roatan instead.

[tykeinexile]

Great review we, sail on the Glory 12 Jan this is our first cruise not sure what to expect but thanks to your review now have a better idea, thanks.

anyone else going on the 12 Jan?

[mattmdv]

Thank You for your review of the Glory!!

We will be sailing on her come 4 Oct!! Great review, gives us more to look forward to.

 

Matt

[cruise_control]

We're sailing on the Glory-Western in May and Roatan is in place of Costa Maya on that intinerary. Can't wait!