tugtraveller

Subscribing. Kim, I loooooooooove reading your reviews, and your photos are amazing. Thank you so much for all the work you do to share them with us. I have learned so much from them. Your Sakari is one amazing kid, and I love watching her grow up. A big congrats to her (& you) on her 2 big accomplishments this Fall in art & scuba - what a great combination. I LOVE the way you are helping her make her dreams a reality. Great work Momma, and Poppa Bear too!!

--- Rene

I went back and checked my emails for Nov 30, and yay I had an email from Carnival with an upgrade offer that I hadn't noticed before! I immediately went to My Cruise Manager and upgraded my Riviera/Deck 1 oceanview to a balcony for $114. Even got to select my new balcony room from several offered on the 6th floor. Sweet.

Looks to me like there are a ton of balcony cancellations for our February Eastern Caribbean cruise visiting St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk (all 3 hit hard by Irma & Maria), and Half Moon Cay. We really contemplated cancelling ourselves, but we are on a back-to-back and it would just be too hard to change the multitude of flights, hotels, & other arrangements. We will keep a positive attitude and focus on enjoying the sun, the soft white sand, the beautiful blue ocean, and all the opportunities for amazing snorkeling! But cudos to Carnival for rewarding those who are sticking-it-out, with $114 balcony upgrades. We've never had a balcony before and now I am soooooooooo excited for this cruise.

I called Carnival and asked about a possible balcony upgrade for the 2nd week of our cruise which is to the Western Caribbean - Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay, Grand Cayman. Their answer: not offered. But I think the Western Caribbean cruise is almost fully booked since Feburary is such a popular cruise month, and they were not affected by the hurricanes.

Thank you Cruise Critic BBS-ers who were kind enough to point out these offers and help their fellow cruisers. I would never have gone back and looked for that email if it wasn't for this thread. And especially a very big Thank you Carnival for rewarding cruisers who are still going to the hurricane-ravenged Eastern Caribbean!

Okay. Well, my husband will love that! I can have breakfast and he can have lunch, which he considers "real food". haha

Thanks for a great review. One question. What did you mean:

"and yes there is no more open seating in MDR for lunch"

Did you mean that they do not serve lunch in the MDR on sea days? or you have to have assigned seating? or???? I am not a frequent cruiser, so I am confused as to just what you are saying. THANKS!

Does the Glory have the new breakfast offerings yet - avocado toast, broken egg sandwich, or breakfast bowls.

How about the return of the Baked Alaska in the main dining room?

I read that the new upgraded offerings are being phased-in on the various ships?

I am a cruise newbie -- how do you get Carnival to contact you with an upgrade offer? Is there a list I can ask to be put on? or do they offer it only to former customers who are at an elite level? We have a oceanview cabin booked in February for the Caribbean. It's a busy time of year but there are still plenty of expensive balcony cabins + higher, still showing as available. I'd love to be offered one at a discount.

Great! Thank you.

Just wondering about the mini fridge --- when you arrive is it empty? or do you have to ask the cabin steward to remove the carnival beverages and not bill you?

Thanks.

Thanks for finding out about the soy milk for me. Hope your cruise was fun!

No not worried it being on my floor. Worried about possibly being UNDER part of the dining room/hallway that leads to the dining room. Not sure how much noise we will get from the floor above us. I will bring my earplugs -- but I sometimes have trouble being a light sleeper.

Carnival, Princess and Holland America dock here. Once you get off the dock, turn right and it is a 10 minute walk or you can take the chair lift (all day pass $9.00). I have been on some cruises where they do not tell you about the beach. It just like a private Island, has 1000's of lounge chairs. It is my favorite port to go to, the best beach in the Caribbean and good snorkeling on the left side of beach.

Chewap -- What is the name of the beach you are referring to? We are also looking for places to snorkel.

I also read that "West Bay" is a good area for snorkeling. Has anyone been there and if so, what did you think of it?

Help-- there are only 4 INSIDE cabins (for 2) left for an upcoming Brilliance of the Seas cruise. Only one choice left on the 3rd deck cabin 3121, or 3 cabins left on the 2nd deck: 2001, 2005, & 2007. I did check the cruise cabin compilation thread above, but there is no reviews for 2nd floor cabins or anything near 3121.

I booked 3121, but after looking at the deck 4 plans it looks like there might be a lot of foot traffic in that area because it is pretty close to the dining room. But deck 2 looked like there weren't many cabins, and I wondered if there might be engine noise. But maybe it would be quieter down there, and that would be a better choice?

Can anyone offer any experience or suggestions? I am having second thoughts that maybe I should drop down to the basement where it is quieter. I am assuming there is no charge for room changes if it is in the same category. Thanks

I have a question about the Bubbles package since my husband is a big drinker of Coke Zeros.

In the main dining room or lido buffet, you are saying he cannot get a can? They will just pour it over ice into a glass? Also, how easy or hard is it to get refills from your server, or at the buffet?

What would you reccomend instead? Would it be better to just have him bring 12 cans in his, and then I bring him an additional 12 cans in mine? On a 7-day cruise that would only give him about 3 cans a day-- which I don't think is enough. He's not a coffee drinker, and he can easily polish off 3 cans of Coke Zero just with his breakfast. Sea days I can see him going through a LOT of sodas! If you bring a large insulated cup, would the bar fill it up with Coke Zero if you have the Carnival Bubbles package?

I would really appreciate any suggestions on this, as this will be our first cruise in over 20+ years, before my husband became a coke-aholic. haha. I blame his work!

Thanks!

I am hoping that someone on the Glory will write a nice review or summary of their port experiences. I am wondering what to expect when we are on that same cruise in a couple of months.

We were looking forward to doing lots of snorkeling on this trip -- but now I am thinking that snorkeling close to shore might not be the best thing. Although I see in the photos they have done a great job cleaning up Meghan's Bay beaches to make it ready for tourists.

In St. Thomas we were originally planning to take the excursion to Trunk Bay on St. John, but I think that it might still be too damaged to make it worthwhile. Although Carnival still seems to be offering most of the same excursions as they did pre-hurricane Irma & Maria. So, it's all very confusing at this point, and I have been hesitant to book any excursions for our Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

Is there a deli or anyplace on the Glory where I can get a wrap or make myself a small sandwich in the morning?

I have a question I didn't know HOW I was going to get an answer for. This will be my 1st cruise in 20+ years, so thank you for your generous offer.

Coffee creamer --- I can't have dairy, so I use a soy creamer in my coffee each morning. I've heard that Carnival DOES have soy milk on board -- both in the MDR and at the coffee place --- but is it the thicker coffee creamer type? and what brand is it? I have fallen in love with the SILK Soy Coffee Creamer, and my fingers are crossed that this is what they have since some of the others are not creamy, at all. If all they have is soy milk, it's not creamy, and it won't work for me. The ones that are labelled as soy (or almond, cashew, or whatever) COFFEE CREAMER, have a thicker richer consistancy. If they don't -- I will probably need to bring my own, and that will be painful since the SILK Soy Creamer requires refrigeration. What can I say? Gotta have my coffee fix in the morning. Anything else foodwise -- I'm good, I'm flexible -- not a problem. I guess that's why Carnival has added those coffee bars where you just "buy your own brew". I bet those places have long, long lines in the morning. But I know I'll be in a rush to get off the ship to enjoy our days in port. Sigh.

Thanks for finding out whatever you can while you are onboard. Wishing you great weather, and lots of fun!

Did you call Carnival and ask? We are scheduled to sail a B2B on the Glory in February, and I called Carnival to ask about cancelling the Eastern Caribbean portion. Our final cruise payment is not due until December. I was told we would lose $50 per person for cancelling, and that the balance of our deposit would be put towards a future cruise credit to be used within 1 year, I think. In the end, we decided to go ahead with our back-to-back, since we had already purchased our flights, Miami & Key West hotels to make it a 3-week trip. We will just enjoy the warm water, sunshine, and make it work. Sometimes life hands you lemons, so you make lemonade. But in the future, I think I will wait until after hurricane season to book a cruise. I suggest calling Carnival directly and asking them about your options.

Can someone please explain the positives of returning to San Juan so quickly after a devastating hurricane? I would think there would be fewer excursions and things to do. Although I am not a fan of a Nassau port switch either.

Just curious.

Thanks for your awesome review. We are cruising on the Glory in February and excited to hear about what things you enjoyed. Do you have a way to post the fun times on this thread? I'm definitely interested, and I'm sure others would be too.

What excursions did you choose on your itinerary, and what did you think of the 4 western ports you visited? We are booked on the Glory on a B2B cruise, Eastern & Western itineraries. Thru December 9th they are now substituting Half Moon Cay, Nassau, Amber Cove, and Grand Turk (yeaaa!) for the original Eastern Caribbean ports. When I called Carnival they said that by February the Glory might be able to return to its original ports - St. Thomas, San Juan, Half Moon Cay, and Grand Turk. Not sure how I feel about going to see the beautiful Virgin Islands or San Juan stripped of their lush foliage -- but I guess we would make the most of it. It's been 25 years since I was last there. So heartbreaking what all these hurricanes have done to some of the most beautiful places on earth.

What were your thoughts having booked an Eastern Caribbean cruise, then experiencing the 4 Western Ports instead? Thanks!

I’m sorry this is a let down to you. I have no idea where you live but I live in Florida. This has been the worst hurricane season I’ve seen in 30 years. Hurricanes devistate the islands they hit, be it flood or wind damage or both. The people on these islands have no electricity or running water. Why would you want to see their misery unless you are willing to assist them. Hurricane season is not the time of the year to book a cruise. The cruise lines are losing money, the people on these islands have lost lives and livelihoods. Please have some compassion. You’re disappointment sounds so inappropriate at this time.

Pinkie60--- Wow. Please have some compassion for EVERYONE, and especially this poster. This woman has a husband with serious illnesses, and it doesn't seem fair to criticise her for being dissapointed about her revised cruise schedule. If you live in Florida you probably have fairly easy access to Caribbean cruising. But for some people cruising represents thousands of dollars in airfares, fees, costs, and time off work. Maybe they've waited months, or even several years to be able to cruise. Maybe for some (who may or may not know it), it might be their very last cruise.

Everyone should be allowed to express their feelings. To say they feel dissapointed, or sad, or excited, or whatever they feel about an itinerary change, without being publicly criticized. I would hate to think the Cruise Critic BBS is a place where we all have to be ONLY POSITIVE about absolutely everything.

To the original poster, my heart goes out to you. I hope you will be able to make the best of the situation and have one of the best cruises you've ever had -- despite the reduction to 3 port days on an 8 day cruise. I feel your pain. I am not a fan of sea days either, I prefer as many port days as possible. Maybe you can come up with some ideas to make your sea days feel more special - maybe a massage or spa services, premium dining or chef's dinner, Pay per view movies, on-deck cabana rental, a special cocktail party with friends/family. How about a fun present for your hubby to be opened every sea day -- like a new book/audiobook he would enjoy reading, or something related to your shared hobbies or interests. Just a few thoughts.