MY Review of Carnival Glory 12/27/09 - New Years!

[cruzy-sue]

Let me start by saying that this was my fifth Carnival Cruise - and ther have been several other cruise lines to which I can compare.

 

We were a family of 5-ish (brought along my daighter's boyfriend) and had one balcony and one outside cabin. Both rooms were great - plenty of space - and quite clean. I will say that there were virtually no bathroom amenities in the bathroom other than the shampoo and body wash dispensers in the shower.

 

The purpose of our trip was to take the kids (3 teens) over there school holiday. The kids really had a great time - It was a bit diffucult for my 17 year old son for several reasons: The Club 02 is for ages 15-17 - he is at the top of the age limit - and he felt that the kids who went to Club 02 were young and "nerdy". I did hear that all there really was to do were video games that are quite old. And also, he got kicked out of the casino at least 5 times. I know, I told him after the first time - but he was kind of the lone ranger because the other 2 kids with us were 19 and were allowed to gamble a little. As for me - I won a couple hundred dollars in Blackjack and won the $500 slot tournament!!! Exciting!

 

As for the entertainment - we didn't go to any of the big production shows - but the comedian was funny one night in the Ebony Lounge.

 

As for the food: I read a review here where someone said they couldn't find smoked salmon anywhere except the main dining room....Well, we ordered it every morning for breakfast from room service..... We didn't go to the main dining room for meals other than dinners. The Red Sail buffet was fine for breakfast - yes, there was ploenty of self-serve bacon - albeit greasy. The croissants were very fresh and good - And the made-to-order omelets very good, too.

 

This was the week between Christmas and New Years - so, yes, the ship was at full capacity. Lines were long but not too bad.

 

We really enjoyed our tablemates at the late seating - very nice conversation every evening. One night we reserved at the Emerald Room (specialty dining) - We had a bit of trouble here. It felt like this venue jkust didn't quite live up to the hype that Carnival makes it. Everyone's main courses were good - except my daughters: she ordered the filet and lobster tail - her lobster was mush - she took a bite - said it was bad - when we told the server - she was not nice about it - we insisted they credit us back at least 1/2 of the $30 fee - and after MUCH ado - the following day the maitre d' sent us a note that they credited us back the $15. The money wasn't the point - it was the principal - and all-in-all - I really don't recommend the specialty restaurant. It was virtually empty, the service was so-so and the appetizers we ordered (escargot, lobster bisque, etc.) were better in the main dining room. So - thumbs down for the Emerald Room for us. It is a wannabe gourmet supper club.

 

The only excursion we booked through Carnival was for the 3 kids to the Tulum ruins - After the vomitus ferry ride and a long bus ride - the kids liked the ruins themselves. My daughter is really into the Mayans and the 2012 thing - so that was good.

 

I bought 2 silver necklaces in Cozumel - the shops right at the port were nice. I didn't feel any of the vendors were pushy or over-zealous as I had read on these boards. The port at Roatan is brand new - and the shops are ok - there was only one item I wanted buy there - a cute little fabric handmade handbag for my daughter - and I had no cash on me - and they couldn't take credit cards - yet because the shop was so new. Oh well. Belize was overcast - but we still managed to do the tour we booked to Caye Caulker snorkelling - I have to say that in May I was on this same itinerary - and did the same excursion and in 7 months this independent tour operator (Coral Breeze Tours) got popular - because there were over 40 pax on a little boat - it was rough and they forgot to order OUR lunches (just my party of 5) - It was nowhere near as good as last May..... In Grand Cayman we went to a beach called Royal Palms where you are packed in like sardines on very hard plastic beach chairs....it was only a $4 cab ride per person - but then you have to pay for chairs, umbrella, etc. I ended up leaving my group early for - you guessed it - more shopping.

 

 

New Years Eve was ok - there was a balloon drop at midnight, free flowing champagne and a big Lido deck party. I was in bed by 12:30. Not a night person.

 

 

 

So my thought is this: Carnival gives you the biggest bang for your buck. It was fun for the kids (mostly) fun for my husband and me - I have been on NCL and hated it - We are giving RCCL a try next May for the MEditerranean and that's my story.

 

I hope you enjoyed my review!

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Thanks for the honest review.