Review - Big Boat Glory - March 13 -20, 1011

[arf2005]

Day 1 - March 12th - 7:30 am - We're off to the airport in our mini bus! The excitement level is high - it's been a cold, snowy winter and we can't wait to get to the warmer climate of Miami and board the Big Boat! We all (well - those of age - shared a bottle of champagne on the trip to the airport to toast the beginning of our new adventure!).

At the airport we met four more of our group and the excitement continued to grow. We had an additional seven members of our group still to meet in Miami. Our nonstop flight was uneventful although our group was probably a litlle boisterous for those sitting around us!

We are off to find our luggage and the remainder of our party! Our transportation is ready and waiting for us (QLS - I highly recommend them!) and before you know it we are off to the Holiday Inn - Port of Miami!

[boaterette]

Love that picture. Can't wait to read more.

[arf2005]

The Holiday Inn Port of Miami isn't as nice as where we've stayed the past few year (Embassy Suites FLL), but it is certainly adequate and the location is perfect for Miami departures.

 

After checking in, we ate supper across the street at Bubba Gumps. I had some fantastic gumbo! Reviews from the others were mixed. About half felt the food was excellent and about half thought it was just ok. The Bayside area was a party place on Saturday night with tons of things going on and we walked around for awhile just taking in the sights.

 

We also made sure to walk down to the CVS to get our allowed bottles of champagne. It's 2 blocks down from the hotel (turn right as you exit the hotel).

 

We had made arrangements for QLS to pick us up at 9:45. Some tried to eat breakfast at the hotel but be very careful. Make sure that if you are given a ticket for a Continental breakfast, you don't stray to the OTHER side! They will hunt you down and slap you hard in front of one and all! (Their set-up is very confusing to say the least when it comes to the breakfast buffet items but hey - we were going on the Big Boat and I didn't need no sticking breakfast!)

We arrived at the Big Boat around 9:50 and of course were in Zone 1! We breezed through the check-in and within 20 minutes the lines were fairly long. Zones 1 and 2 were called t0 board around 11:30 and we were finally on our way aboard the Big Boat! Lunch and a DOD by 11:45!

[arf2005]

Our entire group minus 1 - who had to fly in the day of - and almost didn't make it! The shirts for 4 wound up getting sent through with the packed items so they didn't have them for the group picture - bummer!

 

 

[Delta Dear]

Going on the Glory in 206 days to Bermuda. Looking forward to the rest of the review. Love the shirts. Do they say, "Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude ? If so, right you are ! Where did you get the shirts, by the way?

[tassycatt]

more!! I want more!!! lol

[brnsnbrws]

In Miami in 9 days, on the Glory in 10 days!! We are also staying at the Holiday Inn POM. Anxiously awaiting the rest of your review

[jusplainsh0rty]

I LOVE THIS SHIP!! Post more pics and tell us about it!!:D

[alreadypacked]

Great start!! Can't wait for the rest!!:)

[arf2005]

Our cabins were ready promptly at 1:30 and several had been decorated with Bon Voyage or Congrats streamers. Most of us had ordered liquor from Bon Voyage which was waiting for us in the cabin as well. We had aft cabins (ours was the wrap around) and when we opened all the dividers it was AWESOME! Contrary to some of the reports on here, when asked to open the dividers, it was done immediately. Some Buffett on the IPOD and we were ready for sailaway!

 

 

 

Our luggage trickled in thru-out the afternnon. Several in the group tried smuggling liquor (both in the regular plastic bottles and in rum runners). Only one person had theirs taken and that was a person who tried using the 32 oz rum runners (I told him to use the smaller ones and he just had to do it his way!) Several of us also had small fans. All came through except my daughters. When she went down to guest services they provided her with another one to use for the week - not sure I understand that one.

 

 

The dreaded letter!

 

 

 

The first night we went to dinner in our group shirts (Changes in Latitude - Changes in Atitude). We had awesome seating - center of the dining room (Platinum - late) - 2 tables for 10 and 1 for 4. We later asked if we could make it 2 tables for 12 and we had plenty of room. Our waiter was Miguel - he and his staff were wonderful!

 

Miguel

 

After dinner we played in the casino some, watched a show, and hung out on our balcong before going off to bed. I must say I thought the Glory was one of the prettier of Carnival's ships. It seems more muted and the colors more relaxing.

[arf2005]

Going on the Glory in 206 days to Bermuda. Looking forward to the rest of the review. Love the shirts. Do they say, "Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude ? If so, right you are ! Where did you get the shirts, by the way?

 

We do a different shirt for each cruise and this just seemed to fit this years mood! We have them made at a shop here locally.

[brnsnbrws]

There have been a couple of reviews lately about the rooms being on the "warm side." How was your rooms?

[bungee]

I hope you are planning to add to your review. I enjoy it very much.

[papilliontraveler]

There have been a couple of reviews lately about the rooms being on the "warm side." How was your rooms?

 

Not to hijack but we were on the Glory March 6 and had no issues at all with room temp. As a matter of fact one day we even had to turn it down, it was getting so cool(and I am very warm by nature). Our room was 7439.

 

Great review, ready to read more.

[billnheather]

Great review, My family and I are on the Glory in June!!!!!!!

[brnsnbrws]

Not to hijack but we were on the Glory March 6 and had no issues at all with room temp. As a matter of fact one day we even had to turn it down, it was getting so cool(and I am very warm by nature). Our room was 7439.

 

Great review, ready to read more.

 

Thanks alot. I am a person that can't stand to be too warm. We are in a balcony 6358.

[Angileyze1]

So exciting! I leave on the Glory in 24 days. Or 576 hours to be exact. More please!!!

[LBumb]

great review so far.

[arf2005]

There have been a couple of reviews lately about the rooms being on the "warm side." How was your rooms?

 

Ours were warm but I expected them to be warmer than average since they were aft rooms. The rest of the ship was very cool however, and I had to wear a jacket a good portion of the time.

[arf2005]

So exciting! I leave on the Glory in 24 days. Or 576 hours to be exact. More please!!!

 

I think you will love the ship and the people working on her! Wish I could join you!

[arf2005]

Monday - First stop - Nassau - Atlantis

 

It was a very breezy, cool morning and I thought this might be a bust of a day since most of us intended to spend the day in or around the water at Atlantis. However, by the time we arrived there it had warmed up considerably and turned out to be a perfect day - in fact many of us had sunburns by the time we returned to the big boat by 1:30 that afternoon - and we had tanned prior to the cruise! The water was cool but the day itself - perfection!

 

 

I'm glad we did this excurison (purchased thru Carnival ahead of time - the waterpark sold out about 3 weeks prior to sailing), but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for those going during this time slot (7-2). Some of us had the beach pass and some of us had the water park pass (those with teen agers). The property is so large and the lines in the water park so long that you really should plan to do this excursion when you have a minimum of a full day to spend - and really several days.

 

 

 

 

The aquarium is beautiful, the beaches are peaceful that early in the day, the water park amazing, the dolphins delightful and the hotel itself unbelievable. However it is a lot of money. Several of our group spent time at a free beach just down from Atlantis and loved it as well - and saved A LOT of money! By the way, you can't see any of the aquarium any more for free - that has changed within the past year.

 

 

That night was Elegant Night and we decided to call it Princess Night for the little girls in our party, so all of the ladies wore tiaras!

 

 

 

 

 

It was also my granddaughter's 3rd birthday! Quite a night of celebrations! We took a number of pictures, hit the casino (got the new drink card), a few of the bars/shows and enjoyed the balcony again.

 

 

As a side note, our room steward, Rauol (sp) was also wonderful. I can't say enough about what a great job he did during the week!

 

Also, I forgot to show the picture of the first night when my son's new fiance had her first taste of chocolate melting cake!

 

[wlivingston04]

great review so far......

[aniswedding07]

lovely review! I will be on the Glory in 3 more days!

[sarahleebones]

Fantastic review! We are booked in aft wrap 6483 (opposite side) on the Glory in 37 days!

[brnsnbrws]

How adorable!!!!