Sauer-kraut

If the Debt Ceiling isn't approved and the government shuts down, there will be longer wait times again.  

We got routed to Mahogany Bay

Also there is a pregnancy restriction.   If Buddy's wife is past a certain number of weeks into the pregnancy,  she will not be allowed to cruise.

We're rerouted to Mahogany Bay and Belize.

In all this gloom and doom that we are experiencing there is good news to be found.  The electric company that supplies New Orleans has stated that everything should be back online by the middle of next week. 

Keeping my fingers crossed that we will have a place to sleep and board the Gliry on October 3rd.

2 hours ago, 2Shoes2Go said:

On Vista now. Anything goes. I’ve seen some things.....

Will you ever be able to "unsee" them?

Wonder how Leon is, o hope I get to find out next month!

Oh Louisiana, got no banjo on my knee....  

I was totally stressing about getting my covid test done somewhere along the multi-day car trip down to the port of New Orleans. We are departing on the Glory October 3rd.   

Now Hurricane Ida seemingly will wreak havoc on the Crescent City.   This storm is a baddie, and supposedly worse than Katrina.  Look how long the City was in chaos after her.

 😔🛳   

Thoughts for all who are in Ida's path.  Be safe.

I was either on the Festivale or Carnivale  I can't remember now.  First cruise, boarded in San Juan to the southern Caribbean.   It was a dream of mine to visit Martinique.   My friend and I had a bunk cabin, it was fun!

40 minutes ago, Cruisesfun65 said:

Thanks for the heads-up. We're flying in from overseas for this trip and will now expect extra steps at check in.

I wonder if this is valid for all countries. 

My sailing partner is also flying in  for this cruise from Europe.  This will be interesting.   At least we're driving to the port, so we can always do a 2 week road trip if we can't board.

4 hours ago, SNJCruisers said:

You can get a dozen of them for 4.66 including shipping on Ebay.

 

https://www.ebay.com/p/1200497447

They can be purchased at the Dollar Store

1 hour ago, BoozinCroozin said:

In the US, it is very simple:

1. Pfizer (first dose)/Pfizer (second dose)

2. Moderna (first dose)/Moderna (second dose) 

3. J&J (only one dose)

 

There are no other approved methods. Until Novavax is approved, the above are the only options.

4.  Moderna and Pfizer mix (1 of each) are also acceptable.

9 hours ago, keels81 said:

 

 

It was fun for us to watch our city pass by from the viewpoint of the river, and he spent a good four hours just watching sail-away (WAY more than he does on an ocean cruise) and was definitely more relaxed by the time he got to late dining than he usually is on ocean cruises. And it was REALLY cool to pass the Glory heading back in to New Orleans at night -- seeing a ship emerge from all the lights of the offshore platforms is pretty cool, almost a little supernatural 

Sounds really neat.  

12 minutes ago, imola said:

I  found many things I want to try.  The only thing I did not see that I would like is the option of a baked potato.  I do not eat much in the way of potatoes so  a baked one on a cruise is a treat for me 

There might be this option always available.  I know that you can alwayscrquest steamed vegetables and they're never listed on the menu.

1 minute ago, nybumpkin said:

We've sailed Glory 5 times; she's the one ship where I never said, "What was Farcus thinking?" I like the "colors" theme. As for BBQ, I was aboard when it was a seafood line - but yes, you go up to deck 10 from the Lido buffet to get there.

 

Mississippi - We sailed on Conquest a number of years ago, and once you leave port there's not much to see.

THANKS.  Dining on 10 above the buffet 

9 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

It's been a while since we've been on Glory but really enjoyed her. I don't recall the décor being as garish as the older ships are. We stayed in an aft extended balcony and really liked it. We don't do YTD so can't help there. We also sailed out of NYC. We are looking forward to our next cruise on her out of NOLA though. The ship is easy to get around on.

Easy to get around on is good! I'm stoked about the aft balcony.

9 hours ago, kdr69 said:

In 7442 which is also an extended aft balcony in February of 2023.  If your on soon hope you will post pictures of the rooms.

We're a few cabins down, but I'll do my best for photos. 

9 hours ago, skrufy said:

Hi Sauer-kraut, we are neighbors, we are in Rockford. We have sailed Glory 5 times, it’s our favorite ship. Had a B2B on her cancelled out of New Orleans this August, would have made seven.

1. The decor isn’t as wild as some of the older ships we have been on. I think you will like it.

2. The only answer I can give  you concerning YTD is before the COVID hit. We love YTD. On the Hub app you will be able to make your reservations. We have sat with groups and at table for two on many occasions. Some right next to each other and other times with spacing between them. You will have to tell the desk how you want to sit or it’s where they put you. We dine around 7pm each night, this seems to be the popular YTD time. We have waited a few times more than 10 minutes. The app should speed up wait times

3. Sailed the Sunshine down the Mississippi a few years ago. It drizzled all afternoon and night.All the videos I’ve watched, it seems to rain on sail away. Once it gets dark it’s dark. Remember your sailing down into the bayou. 

Heya neighbor!  Will definitely find something to do after we can't see anymore.  Really looking forward to this trip. 

8 hours ago, jlabs03 said:

 

1.   I did find the upkeep on......tiles broken, rug in room peeling stuff like that, nothing that really that will impact your cruise.

2.NCL does YTD the best in my opinion, but on Carnival it was not that bad, but there are times when you can have a wait.  

3. The sailing of the Mississippi is fun for the first bit but you will always end up in the dark because it takes many hours to reach the Gulf.  I would not consider the Mississippi a pretty river and after about 30 minutes I go and do other things.

Great points, thank you.  I'm not expecting NCL caliber and I'm easy going about stuff.  I've done a trans-Pacific on a container ship, so a few cosmetic blemishes are not a big deal.    LOL yes, old man river really isn't very pretty.

8 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

I was on Glory two years ago. I prefer the newer ships but a lot of people like the conquest class. If Valor is also sailing then there's a chance you can pass her on the Mississippi river if you're heading out when she's heading back in or vice versa. That's pretty cool if it happens. 

 

This is good for the Mississippi river portion:

 

 

You can read my Glory content here.

 

And my New Orleans content here.

Thanks so much for those links, I've got the weekend off so I'll definitely have time to read them.

4 hours ago, cleanandsober88 said:

I will be on the Glory for the January 30 2022 sailing. We got stateroom 8461 which is an aft extended balcony. I would also appreciate photos of the room should anyone have them? FYI: I hear there is a barbecue place some people don't realize is there that can only be accessed from the buffet area. It is one floor above with a staircase leading to it.

I'll be looking for the BBQ place if it exists. 😋

Are the fancy coffees included in the Cheers package, or do we still have to buy those a la carte?

53 minutes ago, wemjam said:

We like the Glory and her sister the Conquest very much.  Layout and such is very good, and just big enough without being too big.  Décor on all the ships is subjective in my opinion.  They are getting away from the really "vibrant" ones as they redo ships and introduce new ships - I like new décor better.

 

IMHO YTD is the only way to go.  Seating is going to be the same regardless of which dining selection you do and for smaller tables, do expect to still be very close to your neighbor (a little more than 2 inches but not much) in most cases.  We like the fact that you can go when you want, and as far as wait the only time we have seen it is on formal night once or twice (more people eating in the dining room those nights), and also if you go down right when they open (people line up and wait).  With YTD you can request a table just for your party when you get to the check in desk if that is what you wish, or you can advise them you are happy to sit with others, it is up to you.

We jam, such GREAT information,  thanks for taking the time.   My friend who will be with me has never cruised before and is a bit apprehensive.   I hope he has a good experience. 

Its been a long time since I've sailed Carnival, never on the Glory. The search engine isn't too helpful so here I am asking about her.   We have an extended aft balcony on deck 7 so looking forward to that even if 2 of our scheduled ports are closed at the moment. 

1.  Is it a Farcus decor?

2. How awful is YTD -- I'm used to Norwegians dining, I don't give a fig about waitstaff, etc.  I'm more interested in hearing about wait times and how efficient staff is to turn tables. Is it as pleasant as sitting 2 inches away from the next table for two?  Does Carnival ask if people are willing to share a larger table?  (Although maybe we are better off not sharing at this time).  We do not eat at 5:30, but closer to 7:30.

3. What's sail away like down the mighty Mississippi?   An October cruise so the sun will be setting about 6 pm are there things to see?  Is it a boring long slog into the Gulf?

Thanks everyone! 

1 hour ago, Esprit said:

Definitely not the Edge based on what the OP has said.As much as I don’t like Royal Caribbean they would be a better fit but my personal recommendation is Princess for entertainment.

2 hours ago, micheleata said:

I loved our Edge sailing, but found there were very few activities in the Daily Planner that interested us.   Probably half of what is offered on the Equinox.    We are fine to just hang out and read or watch the water, hit the casino or one of the bars.  

3 hours ago, cruisestitch said:

I would not recommend edge given what you have described.  Head to Royal Caribbean’s newest ships

Thank you for your input, I'm fine with just relaxing,  but my friend isn't.  I really like what I have seen about EDGE, but I think I will consider elsewhere.   The embarkation port was great, the smaller passenger count would suit.  Perhaps I'll go back and look at MSC Meraglia , but I dont fancy sailing with 5,000 other people.

I am a seasoned cruiser from, container ships to NCL and Carnival.   I am looking at the Edge and wondering if it be too boring for a skittish first-timer. I watched videos of that ship and I'm completely smitten, a grown up cruise but do I need go more rowdy for someone's first time. 🙂

My friend has agreed to a cruise but is afraid of not having enough to do. Not my problem, I am fine to sit and read as well as do trivia games and such.  Is there that type of daytime programming on board? 

My friend is in to entertainment,  especially music, and after reading JamieLogical's thread many have posted that NCL's theater productions are better. 

Would you rank Edge's shows on par with Carnival's?  I find their productions to be too loud and stupid.   Are there musicians in the bars at night where you can relax and listen and move on and encounter a trio or duo performing in another lounge?

Any other suggestions or hints are appreciated.   I gave my eye on an October cruise from Ft. Lauderdale. 

51 minutes ago, seaman11 said:

what if i want to fly somewhere in the meantime? maybe in june. 

It won't be Europe as most countries will still be shut down for the foreseeable future. Perhaps no  travel til next year even.  Most hotels are closed and people aren't allowed to travel.  We, here in the U.S., have been having it so easy as compared to Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria just to name a few destinations.

Don't bring a huge push chair!!  Find a cheapo umbrella stroller because they will fit down the corridors more easily.  That way you can bring baby to the dining room and it can sleep in the push chair while you have a nice dinner.  Also try to keep naptime regular, you might have to make some adjustments from when you were cruising as a couple.

Have fun cruising!!

9 hours ago, Oligorio said:

I think you would suggest to go to the treads on every port of call in order for me to decide what to do on each of them right?

Just a brief Q. As far as my research is, almost every in this baltic itineraries are DIY tour friendly, but St.Petersburg right?


Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Instead of looking at each thread for your ports, have a look at trip reports others have taken.  Not only on the cruise line you are researching, but on any cruise line!  That way you can get an idea of what others have done and start looking for things you might be interested in. 

St Petersburg needs a tour, again, I would suggest going with one of the independent tour operators.  They all get good marks on TripAdvisor as on here too.  Berlin is a 3 hour trip away from Warnemunde (if you have a port stop there)  I would suggest having a "down day" and have a stroll along the river, relax on the lovely beach and enjoy just resting to keep up your energy levels.  This is all walkable from the port, or take public transport to Rostock and go take the Molli Steam Train to Bad Doberan (also a seaside town).   There is so much to see and not spending so much time getting to and from Berlin.

If you have any other questions on ports please feel free to ask!!