The Glory Dec. 11-17..an honest review

[maxydu]

This review will be concise and without pictures. It will possibly irk some folks but I tell it as I see it.

 

Background: This was our 5th cruise all being on Carnival. I am 54 years old and my DW is 51. We were previously on the Glory last Dec. on a southern itinerary and even stayed in the same cabin. All in all we once again enjoyed our time on board and find the Glory to be a well maintained, well staffed ship where we received good service. The ship was clean and the staff was friendly which is more than I can say about the passengers...(more later).

 

We flew in from North Carolina on the morning we sailed away. Arrived at the port around 10:45am after searching for a piece of luggage that didn't arrive on the same luggage ramp as our other two pieces. The baggage folks at American airlines couldn't care less and actually my wife found the bag several carousels down. We were quite relieved to have found it.....

Took a cab to the port, checked our luggage and were ready to board with group 7. We went straight to the fish and chips (very unknown on day 1) and were done eating by 12:15pm. Our first ice cream cone was next and then we waited around on the Lido deck till 1:30pm when our room was available. Our room was in the same shape that we left it a year earlier and we were darn pleased to see her again, a balcony on 8 aft.

 

We attended the muster drill at 3:30pm and then headed up to deck 10 for sail away. This is one of my favorite times on board. Watching Miami fade away and knowing a great week is ahead. Soon it was time for late dinner and we met 2 other couples that we had been conversing with on the cruise critic roll call site for several months. We bonded with the same weird sense of humor on line so we linked our booking numbers together and had a table for 6. It turned out to be a great move as we enjoyed dinner each evening with the other folks although we have children as old as the other couples are.

 

From here on I'm going to write about our excursions and give our opinion as to dining, entertainment etc.

 

Excursions:

Cozumel- We went to Nachie Cocom. The beach was beautiful, clean, the food was delicious and plentiful and there were unlimited drinks. We are not big drinkers; in fact we only had 1 alcoholic drink each but the fee was still well worth it for a beautiful venue. Only gripe, the lounge chairs were really hard plastic and could have used a cushion as opposed to a towel.

 

Belize- We stayed on board having been there before and already done the cave tubing. It was nice being on board in fact lots of folks stayed on. A very relaxing day without the crowds as on sea days.

 

Roatan- We did the Tabayana Beach break through Carnival. The beach was beautiful and clean as a whistle. There were staff members racking the sand constantly to keep it clean and fresh. The security folks were all over the locals who were trying to sell things unless they kept walking through the property. Somewhat mean in appearance but otherwise guests would have been overrun by sellers. The trip was well worth the money as it included transportation. We docked at 7am, off the ship by 8 or so and the ship left at 3pm. It would have been much better had the ship left at 5 or 6pm.

 

Cayman Island- We took a bus to Royal Palms Beach Club....it was like being in a Corona commercial. The beach and sand were beautiful, & the water was gorgeous. Entry fee was $2. each and we got 2 lounge chairs and an umbrella for $20. A little high but expected. For lunch we each had a fish sandwich w/fries and water for $32.00...ouch!

 

Entertainment- Much better than the previous year. The lead vocalists in the Ambur Theater were very good as were the dancers. The shows were the same as in the past but better. The Love and Marriage show which was in place of a production show was hilarious. I was concerned going in after having read about people complaining about it but in this case the show was hilarious. The punch line comics were good but the venue was not. The comics were competing with the loud music which was playing next door and it was disruptive. Also, seating is not conducive for the amount of people who wanted to attend. This is my first blast as to RUDE people. Folks would not move over or in on the circular couches without an argument or fight; others were saving seats. We saw folks almost go to blows..we also saw some jerks tell a handicapped woman that she wouldn't fit on their couch. Selfish, entitled behavior that makes others hate Americans.

 

Food- We ate in the MDR every evening. The service was very good and the head waiter referred to us by our names each night. The food was good; no better no worse in my opinion. It was not 5 star nor was it meant to be. I thought that the portions were smaller but asking for an additional plate was no problem. The variety was decent. There were several choices that I could have gone with each night. Although I didn't try any comfort foods, they looked good! We ate breakfast both in the MDR and the buffet. I'd call both good as well. Lunch in the buffet was always interesting. The lines for the wok and the deli were long at times but otherwise the food was hot and once again good. I didn't pay for 5 star meals and didn't receive them either. They were much better than having to cook ourselves and clean up and I don't know about your house but the menu is limited to one choice for dinner at my house. We ate lots of ice cream and gained 6 pounds to prove it. There is no way to go hungry on the ship and based on the portions I saw on some folks plates no one did.

 

Complaints- As far as the ship, the food, the staff, the service, the entertainment; none. We received very good value for the cost. One suggestion would be for the MDR staff to stop trying to be the entertainment dept. Once or twice would work but each night was a bit much. My biggest complaint was with my fellow passengers....once again the only word that comes to mind is RUDE; selfish would be next. Me, me, and more me, every time we turned around. Pushing in lines, cutting in line, jumping in front of folks waiting for an elevator, saving seats, not caring if a person with a handicap might need some extra moments...this was over and over again the whole week. This was not Carnivals fault; even they can't fix peoples behaviors.

 

Concerns- Carnival should weigh folks upon embarkment. There were many many obese people on the ship. There is bound to be a weight limit on board for safety reasons to coincide with the number of passengers. Go ahead and flame me but the truth hurts.

 

Conclusions- We had a great time on a cruise line that suits us best. We will definitely cruise on Carnival again and if it happens to be on the Glory; that will be great as well.

[bones774]

Just what you asked for!

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/americans-weight-gain-prompts-change-to-washington-state-ferry-system-capacity-guidelines/2011/12/21/gIQALzBk9O_story.html

[sbfanatic]

Thanks for the honest review.

[SE NC]

Thanks for the review. No flames from me!:D

[gelo7]

You should always call it like you see it. Thanks for reviewing.

[CrusinCyndi]

Interesting

[JL&Fam]

Great review!

As for your concern....If cruise lines were forced to change the amount of people they can carry due to obesity it would only result in one thing. Less passengers means less money, means an increase in the amount you would pay for your cruise.

 

Cheers,

Jeff

[tandemcruzr]

Enjoyed your balanced review. We have encountered rude, me, me, me folks on some of our previous cruises. And, you're right, it's not Carnival's fault. In most cases, it's how they were raised...:mad:

[Topo Gigio]

I agree with you about the entertainment in the restaurant. I was on the Glory in September and every night they would do some sort of dance. Like you said once or twice during the week would have been ok.

[jimbo5544]

Interesting review, thanks. Won't comment on your view of fellow passengers.

[swimmom32]

Thank You for the Great and Honest Review...We are thinking of the Glory for next thanksgiving so we will see as she comes right out of dry dock ..and No flaming here either....We were on the Liberty for thanksgiving and you know we had not encountered those me, me and more me people...I was very surprised as I was expecting it to be worse considering it was thanksgiving and all..

[gogetter]

This review will be concise and without pictures. It will possibly irk some folks but I tell it as I see it.

 

Complaints- My biggest complaint was with my fellow passengers....once again the only word that comes to mind is RUDE; selfish would be next. Me, me, and more me, every time we turned around. Pushing in lines, cutting in line, jumping in front of folks waiting for an elevator, saving seats, not caring if a person with a handicap might need some extra moments...this was over and over again the whole week. This was not Carnivals fault; even they can't fix peoples behaviors.

 

Concerns- Carnival should weigh folks upon embarkment. There were many many obese people on the ship. There is bound to be a weight limit on board for safety reasons to coincide with the number of passengers. Go ahead and flame me but the truth hurts.

 

Conclusions- We had a great time on a cruise line that suits us best. We will definitely cruise on Carnival again and if it happens to be on the Glory; that will be great as well.

 

Well i won't flame you, but please distuinguish between the truth and your opinion. There is no truth to your request for Carnival to weigh people. If you think they should do that, then you would equally have to suggest that Carnival give behaviour tests to people to make sure no rude people embark either.

 

A weight limit on board? That is an assumption, no fact or truth to it, unless of course you can prove it.

 

So of course i did not read any truth's here only your opinion of an experience you had.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience on a cruise ship and giving us yor opinion and experiences.

[PaulMedik]

This review will be concise and without pictures. It will possibly irk some folks but I tell it as I see it.

 

...................

 

 

 

maxydu,

 

Yeah you irked me; why no pictures? I gotta have pictures! Snap a few of the rude folks so your fellow cruisers will know who to watch out for.

 

The weight limit suggestion will draw a few flames. I mentioned a large airline passenger one time and didn't even state an opinion, but the very fact that I mentioned them was enough to draw quite a bit of heat (And I wasn't wearing my flame suit since I hadn't thrown any fuel.) Personally I'd love to step on a set of scales on embarkation day and again on the day we get off just to see exactly how much weight I gain. I know it's around ten pounds, but if I could weigh myself on the gangway getting on and then off, I'd say it would be a few more than ten. Yes I am one who eats a lot on cruises; well, more than a lot to be more accurate! I try and not eat too much of any one item so I can have room to sample them all. :cool: The way I figure, I'm saving Carnival money in fuel; I help them dispose of the extra weight of food that they load onto the ships. :D

 

As long as you tell it like you see it, how can your opinions be disputed? (They will be, but you might get my point)

[KirkNC]

Thanks for taking the time to post a review.

[maxydu]

"

Well i won't flame you, but please distuinguish between the truth and your opinion. There is no truth to your request for Carnival to weigh people. If you think they should do that, then you would equally have to suggest that Carnival give behaviour tests to people to make sure no rude people embark either.

 

A weight limit on board? That is an assumption, no fact or truth to it, unless of course you can prove it."

 

 

gogetter:I never said that I was going to request that Carnival weigh people. I never said that obese people should not be able to embark. There is bound to be a weight limit on the ship, on the elevators, on the tenders just like on airplanes, pleasure boats, submarines etc. That is fact and a safety concern. Most people can do something about their weight, just as they can learn to be courteous and respectful of others. I was being honest on what was aboard and that was not an opinion,rather fact. I saw it with my own 2 eyes and was subject to some rude, selfish behavior. Don't try to read between the lines, I have no alternative motive.

[JPEvans]

Let's discriminate the overweight people!:mad:

 

Why would it be a safety issue on a cruise ship? Its not!

[genegri]

There is bound to be a weight limit on the ship, on the elevators, on the tenders just like on airplanes, pleasure boats, submarines etc. That is fact and a safety concern.

 

As far as the cruise ship is concerned, the extra weight hardly matters. Assuming everyone was 20 lbs heavier than 10 years ago, even with 5000 pax, that would be only 100k lbs or 50 tons more, which is very little when you consider the ship is what, almost 100,000 tons?

 

And for devices that are truly weight sensitive such as small planes, small boat ferries or elevators, there is already weight regulations imposed.

[gogetter]

"

Well

gogetter:I never said that I was going to request that Carnival weigh people. I never said that obese people should not be able to embark. There is bound to be a weight limit on the ship, on the elevators, on the tenders just like on airplanes, pleasure boats, submarines etc. That is fact and a safety concern. Most people can do something about their weight, just as they can learn to be courteous and respectful of others. I was being honest on what was aboard and that was not an opinion,rather fact. I saw it with my own 2 eyes and was subject to some rude, selfish behavior. Don't try to read between the lines, I have no alternative motive.

 

OK maxydu, you win. You are very correct and please forgive my accusations...You didn't request or say you were going to request, you said Carnival should....ok my bad....forgive me again, because if you saw it with your own 2 eyes, then i have to believe that and i do. I whole heartedly trust you and what you saw and stated as fact. Again please forgive me.

 

 

Just curious though, did you enjoy the cruise overall? When i was on that ship it was very nice.

[Elaine515]

Thnx for the review..So happy to hear that you had a good time. I will be on her March 18th and was looking for something like this.

 

I think your complaints were well justified. My Mom will have her scooter with her and you can bet anyone gets in her way, they're are going to regret it... So tired of all the people that push, run ahead, cut in lines, save seats etc... I think its getting out of hand on all the ships...

 

Is there anything we should know about secret doors, things to make sure we see or do, how was the casino etc? How many dining rooms are there on the Glory? We would like the middle one if there is more than one...

[maxydu]

gogetter: no need to apologize; I wasn't upset with you- just setting my record straight. If you look at my last sentence, conclusions, you will see that I said we had a great time on a cruise line that suits us best. In fact ready to book again. The purpose of some things I included in my review was to point out that Carnival provided a great venue and maybe just maybe, folks will see themselves and act a little kinder to other folks. How hard is it to be courteous...to move over, to wait your turn, to respect others handicap's instead of doing the exact opposite? I'm sure I'm not alone on this.....

 

 

Elaine515: The Glory is a great ship....the secret doors are floors 6 & 7 all the way forward. Great views! There is a dining room in the middle called the Golden...it is used for "anytime dining" and I would think others. The main dining room is on 3 & 4 aft. Actually there isn't that much difference between the two unless you get seated all the way in the rear by windows...I found the casino to be very tight; the slots at least. They don't have to adhere to the same odds that are given in Vegas....try to attend tea time on sea days; great pastry's....find the fish n'chips located on deck 10 above the buffet...always seating available there.....hope you enjoy it as much as we did.....

[ash&geoff]

Good review! Dinner was a great time, we enjoyed meeting you guys! I'm looking to book another one too, just not sure where we want to go this time....looking at a Southern, but we'll see where we can get the best prices. Rates are much higher now than they were when we looked in November, hopefully they'll go down soon.

 

I loved the Glory!! She was a beautiful ship, and the Exotic Western is a great itinerary. The rain in Belize that eliminated our river boat tour was a little disappointing, but the weather in Grand Cayman more than made up for it!