Just off the Glory... any questions?

[nunuc2000]

We were on the Glory Feb 19-26th on the Western itinerary... got home late last night. Had a really great cruise with 13 in our extended family - mostly good, just a couple of small minor bad things, but overall a really great cruise with most of the first timers in our group saying they would like to cruise again... I think that's the sign a great cruise!! :D

 

Weather turned out beautiful for the entire week... though the week before that and this week it's not so great - guess we lucked out in that department.

 

Anyway, while I likely won't do a full review, I'm open to any questions anyone has, as I now have a vicious chest cold and will be home at least today and maybe tomorrow form work, so I'll likely be hovering around the computer most of the time... in between doing loads of laundry. :rolleyes:

 

Celine

[nunuc2000]

And by the way... the security staff were VERY diligent about checking for smuggling, at initial embarkation and at the ports... and yes... we were sent to the naughty room to pick up our suitcases and then given a letter to retrieve our 2 bottles of wine at the end of the cruise, in the morning before debarkation. :o

[travelinteach]

Any really "don't miss" excursions?? I am getting hung up on what to do in Roatan. I was just going to wing it but am getting nervouse after reading...not sure that is the port to not have something planned. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

I am also very nervous about our bar bill when we are done. I don't drink much but hubby is planning on having a really good time. Any suggestions for keeping that down??

[nunuc2000]

Any really "don't miss" excursions?? I am getting hung up on what to do in Roatan. I was just going to wing it but am getting nervouse after reading...not sure that is the port to not have something planned. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

I am also very nervous about our bar bill when we are done. I don't drink much but hubby is planning on having a really good time. Any suggestions for keeping that down??

 

For Roatan we did the Carnival beach package... the one that costs $33 per couple and includes the unlimited skyrides to the beach area and back to the ship, a "clamshell" shade thingy, two loungers that are situated under the clamshell for shade, and two floaties. We did the same thing last time in this port because everyone just wanted a pure beach day. It's NOT a place for snorkeling though... it really is just pure beach time and frolicking in the shallow warm water and playing beach volleyball. Booze is pricey on the beach, as is the food... but a good time was had by all, knowing that is exactly what the day was going to be like. There are many other options, so if you're looking for something a little more adventurous then I encourage you to check out other excursions.

 

As for booze on the ship... well that's a tough one. You are both entiltled to bring on one bottle of wine in your carry on (not your checked luggage, as we discovered they WILL get you for that one! :o) and beyond that you're paying ships prices, or smuggling... or your other option is ordering Bon Voyage - the bottles are generally 1 litre and the average price for rum or vodka is $60/bottle. Not cheap... but mixed with the guava juice you can get from the buffet in the mornings, or the lemondae available all day, or pop you can bring on unrestricted or buy the pop card for, then it's still wayyyy cheaper that ordering drinks as singles.

[mondello]

Any really "don't miss" excursions?? I am getting hung up on what to do in Roatan. I was just going to wing it but am getting nervouse after reading...not sure that is the port to not have something planned. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

I am also very nervous about our bar bill when we are done. I don't drink much but hubby is planning on having a really good time. Any suggestions for keeping that down??

Book a day at an AI beach club like Nachi Cocum in Coz. He can have a great time with lunch and all drinks included for a set price. Beautiful beach, chairs/palapa, pool/hot-tub and swim-up bar. Great day and reasonable taxi costs.

[msstarr22]

And by the way... the security staff were VERY diligent about checking for smuggling, at initial embarkation and at the ports... and yes... we were sent to the naughty room to pick up our suitcases and then given a letter to retrieve our 2 bottles of wine at the end of the cruise, in the morning before debarkation. :o

 

We can still take the 1 bottle of wine per person in our carry-on, right? I have been planning this and hope to enjoy at least that onboard ship.

:confused:

[mondello]

We can still take the 1 bottle of wine per person in our carry-on, right? I have been planning this and hope to enjoy at least that onboard ship.

:confused:

Yes, 1 750ml bottle per adult allowed in carry-on.

[nunuc2000]

We can still take the 1 bottle of wine per person in our carry-on, right? I have been planning this and hope to enjoy at least that onboard ship.

:confused:

 

Correct... but ONLY in your carry on... we also had one in our checked luggage and those were taken away in the naughty room, then retrieved on the morning of debarkation.

[travelinteach]

I have read that several people buy drink coupon books for $23 for 4 drinks. They start purchasing them now until cruise time to spread out some of the expense. Has anyone done this and is it worth the trouble. I kind of like the idea of speading $23 per week and ending up with 20 coupons to kick start our vacation.

 

Is champagne considered wine and I can bring on one bottle???

[nunuc2000]

I have read that several people buy drink coupon books for $23 for 4 drinks. They start purchasing them now until cruise time to spread out some of the expense. Has anyone done this and is it worth the trouble. I kind of like the idea of speading $23 per week and ending up with 20 coupons to kick start our vacation.

 

Is champagne considered wine and I can bring on one bottle???

 

We haven't done the drink ticket thing, so I'm not certain if it's worth it or not.

 

Yes, Champagne is considered a "wine", so one per person in carry on is allowed. :)

[pe4all]

I have read that several people buy drink coupon books for $23 for 4 drinks. They start purchasing them now until cruise time to spread out some of the expense. Has anyone done this and is it worth the trouble. I kind of like the idea of speading $23 per week and ending up with 20 coupons to kick start our vacation.

nunuc2000 - so glad you all had a great trip. It killed me to cancel, but the norovirus had me down and out from Friday until Sunday night. I am sure someone got a free upgrade to our balcony cabin! Happy the weather cooperated!:)

travelinteach - we always buy drink coupons beforehand. We like having a small sail and sign bill at the end of the cruise. Even if you get a foo-foo drink, and they charge you the price difference with the coupon (usually around $2.50) it makes a big difference "saving" five-odd dollars per drink. And if you order the drink in the regular cup - how many souveneir cups can you pack to bring back anyway - they will just take the coupon and charge you nothing! Many people hate carrying the coupons around, but it works for us, and we bring any left-overs on our next cruise!

[travelinteach]

I am going to try it ....what the heck. Someone suggested to me to buy one booklet a week until cruise week. That is my plan and see what happens!

[musik07]

How was the food? Any must haves? I haven't sailed Carnival since I was in high school and I am sailing with my best friend in May. Buffet or MDR!

[Elaine515]

What is the name of the middle dining room and was early seating on the 1st or 2nd level? Did you go to the casino? See anyone win an iPad from the "Vault"?

 

What should we absolutely see/what can we miss? Leaving in under 3 weeks so any/all information you can tell us would be most appreciated...

 

 

Thanks

[nunuc2000]

How was the food? Any must haves? I haven't sailed Carnival since I was in high school and I am sailing with my best friend in May. Buffet or MDR!

 

The food was mostly good - we ate every dinner in the MDR - we enjoyed the "didja" menu, in particular the escargot, and some of my personal favorites included the prime rib, the various fish dishes, the chilled cucumber soup, and the grand marnier souffle... yummy!!! We ate breakfast in the MDR as well... and a tip I learned on here that was very helpful is that if you enjoy eggs benedict, ask for it with the sauce on the side - that way it is prepared fresh instead of sitting under the heat lamps for 20 minutes turning into a crusty congealed mess - blech! :(

 

We used the buffet for lunch, and particularly enjoyed the deli sandwich station and the various salads - the mongolian grill was good too... but it wook wayyyyy too long, roughly 20 - 30 minutes! :eek:

 

Hope you have a great cruise!! :)

[nunuc2000]

What is the name of the middle dining room and was early seating on the 1st or 2nd level? Did you go to the casino? See anyone win an iPad from the "Vault"?

 

What should we absolutely see/what can we miss? Leaving in under 3 weeks so any/all information you can tell us would be most appreciated...

 

 

Thanks

 

The middle dining room is the Golden, and the aft is the Platinum - we had early traditional in the Platinum, table 441 for 13 people, main floor, with Gede (pronounced like G'Day mate, like an Aussie ;)), Vladomir and Ivo as our team - they were fantastic!!! Try the "didja" menu if you're an adventurous eater... it's fun trying new things.

 

We did go to the casino, and we saw a guy win one of the three Ipads (plus $500) on the last night. There were a LOT of people trying... and a few also won the $100 and the $200 prizes.

 

As for what to do and not miss... well it depends on what your preferences are - our group really enjoyed the Punchliner's comedy club comedians - the R-rated shows tended to be funnier than the family ones, but a couple were "f this and f that", and those were just filled with gratuitous vulgarity... it's possible to be uproariously funny in an r-rated show without using tons of foul language... I wish more comics would figure that one out. We also enjoyed the big screen for late night movies, including free popcorn, but sometimes they didn't have any propcorn available for the second movie. :( Also, bring a sweater or hoodie, as the breezes got a little chilly late at night. We also enjoyed playing golf and basketball, along with just hanging out and enjoying the aft pool in the afternoons after coming back form our ports. Sniff,sniff... :( I miss it so much already.

 

Don't forget to bring an old gift card or anything else with a magnetic stripe for your room safe. And just have a ton of fun!! Hope you have a great cruise!!

[aberthelot]

Hi,

Where can we buy the coupons? Can this be done online?

Thanks.

[mondello]

Hi,

Where can we buy the coupons? Can this be done online?

Thanks.

I thought the drink coupons were available through the Bon Voyage dept.

[mkleblanc]

Instead of Drink Coupons, we just purchased Fun Ship Dollars and have them applied as OBC. Rather than having to fuss with the coupons themselves, we know we have "money" already in the account to use on drinks. Our Glory cruise leaves this Sunday and we have $1000 waiting for us!! :)

[mkleblanc]

OP, Who was the CD on the trip and how was he/she? How were sea days? Much to do? Able to get a seat out by the pools?

[zozza]

Can you tell me was there a reggae band on the lido deck?

[nunuc2000]

OP, Who was the CD on the trip and how was he/she? How were sea days? Much to do? Able to get a seat out by the pools?

 

CD was Josh... can't recall his last name... and my Funtimes are at home - but he's a fairly big guy, American, I think (not brit, anyway) and he was a pretty funny guy - the Marriage Show was one of the best we've ever seen, thanks in part to his very quick wit!!

 

I really enjoy sea days (we had two on this itnerary), particularly when the second one is the last day of the cruise - it allows us to pack at a leisurely pace, check out all the photos to decide which ones we want, take our time enjoying our favorite foods, like the deli sandwich bar and the mongolian grill, etc.

 

Seats around the pool were gone by the time we would wander out there... 9am or so. But we actually preferred to be up on the second deck at the aft pool, and we were usually able to find loungers up there without too much trouble.

 

Celine

[nunuc2000]

Can you tell me was there a reggae band on the lido deck?

 

Yes... and they played off and on as we would be passing through that area... some folks don't like those bands, but I really do - there's just something about the sound of the steel drums that makes my soul appreciate that we're in a tropical environment... I LOVE that!! :D

 

Celine

[nunuc2000]

CD was Josh... can't recall his last name... and my Funtimes are at home - but he's a fairly big guy, American, I think (not brit, anyway) and he was a pretty funny guy - the Marriage Show was one of the best we've ever seen, thanks in part to his very quick wit!!

 

I really enjoy sea days (we had two on this itnerary), particularly when the second one is the last day of the cruise - it allows us to pack at a leisurely pace, check out all the photos to decide which ones we want, take our time enjoying our favorite foods, like the deli sandwich bar and the mongolian grill, etc.

 

Seats around the pool were gone by the time we would wander out there... 9am or so. But we actually preferred to be up on the second deck at the aft pool, and we were usually able to find loungers up there without too much trouble.

 

Celine

 

Just got home and checked... our CD was Josh Waitzman :)