Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Just Off Glory- Ask Away !

cruisexlife

By cruisexlife,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

 Share

Recommended Posts

cruisexlife

cruisexlife

Posted
  • Author
Posted
How smokey was the ship...casino? lido deck? balconies?

 

How was the taste bar?

 

What time did you get into San Juan...Did you go to the Bacardi Factory?

 

What were the table minimums in the casino? Craps? Black Jack?

 

.

 

.

 

 

 

Less than 2 weeks to go, we can't wait.

 

 

Ship was only smokey in the casino, and you could smell it on deck 10, a designated smoking area. I could smell some smoke in elevators and some cabins that I walked past. This was the smokiest ship I've ever been on.

 

Taste Bar was amazing, wish it was every night!

 

We arrived at 7 am, back on board at 3 pm, ship sailed at 3:30. I did not visit the Bacardi Rum Factory.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruisng4fun

cruisng4fun

Posted
Posted (edited)

"Ship was only smokey in the casino, and you could smell it on deck 10, a designated smoking area. I could smell some smoke in elevators and some cabins that I walked past. This was the smokiest ship I've ever been on."

 

Thats the NEW Carnival where all smokers are put in one place where the smoke will be worst then ever.......

Edited by cruisng4fun
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CruisingObsessed

CruisingObsessed

Posted
Posted
"Ship was only smokey in the casino, and you could smell it on deck 10, a designated smoking area. I could smell some smoke in elevators and some cabins that I walked past. This was the smokiest ship I've ever been on."

 

Thats the NEW Carnival where all smokers are put in one place where the smoke will be worst then ever.......

 

Isolating/limiting the areas is actually a GOOD thing...because just one cigarette can spread and make a large area smelly and gross. But I also wondered if they are enforcing the balcony rule.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rjhollan

rjhollan

Posted
Posted

We were on the same cruise last week. 5th cruise, 4th on Carnival (previously on Valor, Conquest, & Sunshine). I agree this was the smokiest of the ships I've been on - just playing Trivia on the edge of the casino made my clothing reek of smoke.

 

Overall, we had a good time (it's hard not to in the Caribbean), but it was probably the most disappointing cruise to date. We had ATD but as a family of 5, didn't relish the prospect of waiting 30-45 minutes for a table with 3 kids, so we switched to late seating, as we always have in the past. This lets us stay on the islands later on nights we don't depart until 6pm, rather than rushing back for dinner. However, on this cruise the shows were not staggered as they were in the past. On the other 4 cruises we've taken, there was a show during the 6pm MDR seating, and another during the 8:15pm MDR seating, so that no matter when you ate, you could also see a show either before or after dinner. Not so this cruise. Here's the schedule:

 

Welcome Aboard Show - 10:00 pm 11/22 (debarkation)

Motor City - 10:30pm 11/22 & 8:15pm 11/24

Divas - 10:15pm 11/25 & 8:15pm 11/27

Epic Rock - 10:15pm 11/24 & 9:45pm 11/28

Latin Nights - 8:15pm 11/25 & 10:15pm 11/27

HASBRO game show - 8:15pm 11/23 & 4:15pm 11/28

Game of Love - 9:30pm 11/26

Deck Party - 10:30pm 11/23 & 10:30pm 11/26

 

Maybe if service in the MDR was better, we could have made a 9:45 or 10:15pm show time.... On 11/22 we found we were split between 2 tables. We were asked if we'd mind moving because another family of 6 was separated and they wanted to sit together. We explained WE were a family of 5 that would like to sit together as well, and they went away and came back a bit later and told us it was all worked out - that would be our table the rest of the week. On 11/23 we showed up to dinner ~5 minutes after the doors opened and found another party at our table. The maitre'd tried to put the 5 of us on a 4-top with a chair stuck out in the aisle at the end. I told him it was not acceptable; there was not enough room on the table top for all the plates, glasses, bread, etc. and the person on the end was sticking out in the way of the waiters, being tripped on, and had nowhere to put their legs. They tried to move us to 2 more of these 4-top tables. I kept suggesting they just ask the folks at OUR table where THEY were supposed to be seated, and we could take THEIR table that evening instead.... they didn't want to interrupt or disturb them though... didn't mind disturbing me by taking 30 minutes to try and find us a seat. Finally I told the assistant maitre'd I'd go talk to the folks at our table and he seated us at the 10-top captains table and served us himself. Since we were his only table, the service was very good that night. The next night, we were moved to a new 6-top table with a different wait staff. The table was clear in the very back of the dining room. To get any further from the kitchen, you'd be in a rowboat behind the ship. Because of that, the service was MUCH slower than any of our other cruises - the waiters were running their tails off, but just couldn't keep up. I think they need more assistant waiters back there in the back of the dining room, so that when someone asks for ketchup for their french fries, it doesn't take the main waiter 10 minutes of hiking through the dining room to fetch it, letting all the other tables sit and wait to put orders in, etc.

 

Most nights it took ~2 hours in the MDR. There was more than one night that it took OVER AN HOUR to get any food, beyond the bread & water they bring out to all the tables at the start. The MDR experience is one we've always loved on previous sailings - the waiters knowing our names, what we drink, etc. The bar staff NEVER made it to our table. The waiter asked if they could get us anything from the bar; 2 of us had Bottomless Bubbles and asked for sodas. They were brought out only 3 of the 5 nights we were at this new table (I presume because they didn't have time to fetch the drinks AND serve all the tables they were assigned to). They did a good job at remembering our names, but the drinks were empty most of the evening, every night (water & iced tea). We'd ask for more, but most of the assistants didn't speak a lick of english, so they'd nod and say "Yes!" and disappear.

 

The food was tasty. There's a new menu where you can order things like Lobster or Steak any night (for a $20 upcharge :mad: ) but we always ordered off the main menu. They served Lobster & Prime Rib one night. Missed the table cloths in the MDR (they were only brought out on elegant nights) - we had them every night on the Sunshine.

 

We never visited the Taste Bar - stopped by early on in the cruise and they had samplings of Italian food and a couple things from the steak house... but not a single night of Sushi, so we didn't go back. :(

 

The other issue we had during the cruise was the rudeness and general lack of consideration from many of the other passengers. Totally not Carnival's fault, but every time I got in a line for something (guest services, pizza, buffet, etc) somebody would jump in front of me. Sometimes they'd pretend to know somebody, but mostly it was just an air of "I'm more important than the rest of you".... Or the person behind me would just kind of sidle up quietly next to me, trying to work their way past me without my noticing. Just very poor manners. I dunno, maybe we've just been lucky in the past. Maybe it was because the cruise was over Thanksgiving and there were more kids on board than usual (though our Valor cruise was over Thanksgiving and we didn't have this problem there). No idea. Just made it a not very fun time.

 

My son and I did manage to get on the Behind the Fun tour this sailing. Only took me 4 cruises to get to do it! For $90 we got to see the crew open deck area up front, back stage in the Amber theater, the theater dressing room, the laundry, the galley, the engine control room, the photo processing lab, an HR office, and the bridge. At each stop we'd meet someone from that area, have 10-15 minutes of Q&A time, etc. We had a group photo taken on the bow of the ship by the bell and another with the Captain on the bridge. Was really looking forward to getting those, but they never were delivered to our room. :( Otherwise the tour was pretty fun and interesting.

 

We didn't do any other excursions... just saw things on our own. Toured a fort in San Juan. Rented a golf cart on Grand Turk. Walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau and caught a cab to Coki beach in St Thomas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
thephillykid

thephillykid

Posted
Posted

I'm sorry to say, these reviews sound like Carnival is slipping lately and my DW and I are a little concerned since we sail in less than 2 weeks. We like the casino, but hate smelling like an ashtray. We always eat dinner in the MDR and the lousy service is not a good thing as we also would like to partake in the shows after or before we eat. We have ATD and it might be a mistake as it is really nice to have the things we like on the table when you sit down......Any suggestions? 2 hours for dinner sounds a little nuts and an hour with no food is also a little crazy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruisexlife

cruisexlife

Posted
  • Author
Posted
How was Junkoono Beach in Nassau?

 

It was beautiful, and I wish I planned the day around it. We stopped there for a 15 minute photography session on our way back to the ship beofre leaving. There were no chairs that I could see, but you could easily put a towel down. If you have nothing to do in Nassau, go to Junkanoo. I will always get off the ship in every port, and after this cruise, I know exactly where I'm going whenever I call at Nassau! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruisexlife

cruisexlife

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
How hard was it to find a chair in the Serenity Area and did they enforce the adults only rule?

 

It was a little hard, because the crew mad no effort to add extra chairs. They were stacked up the entire cruise. So once they were gone in Serenity, good luck finding one somewhere else.

 

They enforced the rule. 2 teenage boys went in to talk to their mother and a crew member asked them to leave, until the mother said it was okay, and they left right after finishing their conversation.

Edited by cruisexlife
Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruisexlife

cruisexlife

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I'm sorry to say, these reviews sound like Carnival is slipping lately and my DW and I are a little concerned since we sail in less than 2 weeks. We like the casino, but hate smelling like an ashtray. We always eat dinner in the MDR and the lousy service is not a good thing as we also would like to partake in the shows after or before we eat. We have ATD and it might be a mistake as it is really nice to have the things we like on the table when you sit down......Any suggestions? 2 hours for dinner sounds a little nuts and an hour with no food is also a little crazy.

 

I cruised with my mother, and the 2 of us had late seating. It started at 8:15 and we were never in there past 9:45, we were out at 9:15 on days we opted out of dessert. They do leave the bread on the table, so you aren't left with nothing, but I can see how this could be worrisome. Don't stress about it, the service in the MDR isn't horrible. It's not like it used to be, but it isn't horrible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruisexlife

cruisexlife

Posted
  • Author
Posted
We were on the same cruise last week. 5th cruise, 4th on Carnival (previously on Valor, Conquest, & Sunshine). I agree this was the smokiest of the ships I've been on - just playing Trivia on the edge of the casino made my clothing reek of smoke.

 

Overall, we had a good time (it's hard not to in the Caribbean), but it was probably the most disappointing cruise to date. We had ATD but as a family of 5, didn't relish the prospect of waiting 30-45 minutes for a table with 3 kids, so we switched to late seating, as we always have in the past. This lets us stay on the islands later on nights we don't depart until 6pm, rather than rushing back for dinner. However, on this cruise the shows were not staggered as they were in the past. On the other 4 cruises we've taken, there was a show during the 6pm MDR seating, and another during the 8:15pm MDR seating, so that no matter when you ate, you could also see a show either before or after dinner. Not so this cruise. Here's the schedule:

 

Welcome Aboard Show - 10:00 pm 11/22 (debarkation)

Motor City - 10:30pm 11/22 & 8:15pm 11/24

Divas - 10:15pm 11/25 & 8:15pm 11/27

Epic Rock - 10:15pm 11/24 & 9:45pm 11/28

Latin Nights - 8:15pm 11/25 & 10:15pm 11/27

HASBRO game show - 8:15pm 11/23 & 4:15pm 11/28

Game of Love - 9:30pm 11/26

Deck Party - 10:30pm 11/23 & 10:30pm 11/26

 

Maybe if service in the MDR was better, we could have made a 9:45 or 10:15pm show time.... On 11/22 we found we were split between 2 tables. We were asked if we'd mind moving because another family of 6 was separated and they wanted to sit together. We explained WE were a family of 5 that would like to sit together as well, and they went away and came back a bit later and told us it was all worked out - that would be our table the rest of the week. On 11/23 we showed up to dinner ~5 minutes after the doors opened and found another party at our table. The maitre'd tried to put the 5 of us on a 4-top with a chair stuck out in the aisle at the end. I told him it was not acceptable; there was not enough room on the table top for all the plates, glasses, bread, etc. and the person on the end was sticking out in the way of the waiters, being tripped on, and had nowhere to put their legs. They tried to move us to 2 more of these 4-top tables. I kept suggesting they just ask the folks at OUR table where THEY were supposed to be seated, and we could take THEIR table that evening instead.... they didn't want to interrupt or disturb them though... didn't mind disturbing me by taking 30 minutes to try and find us a seat. Finally I told the assistant maitre'd I'd go talk to the folks at our table and he seated us at the 10-top captains table and served us himself. Since we were his only table, the service was very good that night. The next night, we were moved to a new 6-top table with a different wait staff. The table was clear in the very back of the dining room. To get any further from the kitchen, you'd be in a rowboat behind the ship. Because of that, the service was MUCH slower than any of our other cruises - the waiters were running their tails off, but just couldn't keep up. I think they need more assistant waiters back there in the back of the dining room, so that when someone asks for ketchup for their french fries, it doesn't take the main waiter 10 minutes of hiking through the dining room to fetch it, letting all the other tables sit and wait to put orders in, etc.

 

Most nights it took ~2 hours in the MDR. There was more than one night that it took OVER AN HOUR to get any food, beyond the bread & water they bring out to all the tables at the start. The MDR experience is one we've always loved on previous sailings - the waiters knowing our names, what we drink, etc. The bar staff NEVER made it to our table. The waiter asked if they could get us anything from the bar; 2 of us had Bottomless Bubbles and asked for sodas. They were brought out only 3 of the 5 nights we were at this new table (I presume because they didn't have time to fetch the drinks AND serve all the tables they were assigned to). They did a good job at remembering our names, but the drinks were empty most of the evening, every night (water & iced tea). We'd ask for more, but most of the assistants didn't speak a lick of english, so they'd nod and say "Yes!" and disappear.

 

The food was tasty. There's a new menu where you can order things like Lobster or Steak any night (for a $20 upcharge :mad: ) but we always ordered off the main menu. They served Lobster & Prime Rib one night. Missed the table cloths in the MDR (they were only brought out on elegant nights) - we had them every night on the Sunshine.

 

We never visited the Taste Bar - stopped by early on in the cruise and they had samplings of Italian food and a couple things from the steak house... but not a single night of Sushi, so we didn't go back. :(

 

The other issue we had during the cruise was the rudeness and general lack of consideration from many of the other passengers. Totally not Carnival's fault, but every time I got in a line for something (guest services, pizza, buffet, etc) somebody would jump in front of me. Sometimes they'd pretend to know somebody, but mostly it was just an air of "I'm more important than the rest of you".... Or the person behind me would just kind of sidle up quietly next to me, trying to work their way past me without my noticing. Just very poor manners. I dunno, maybe we've just been lucky in the past. Maybe it was because the cruise was over Thanksgiving and there were more kids on board than usual (though our Valor cruise was over Thanksgiving and we didn't have this problem there). No idea. Just made it a not very fun time.

 

My son and I did manage to get on the Behind the Fun tour this sailing. Only took me 4 cruises to get to do it! For $90 we got to see the crew open deck area up front, back stage in the Amber theater, the theater dressing room, the laundry, the galley, the engine control room, the photo processing lab, an HR office, and the bridge. At each stop we'd meet someone from that area, have 10-15 minutes of Q&A time, etc. We had a group photo taken on the bow of the ship by the bell and another with the Captain on the bridge. Was really looking forward to getting those, but they never were delivered to our room. :( Otherwise the tour was pretty fun and interesting.

 

We didn't do any other excursions... just saw things on our own. Toured a fort in San Juan. Rented a golf cart on Grand Turk. Walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau and caught a cab to Coki beach in St Thomas.

 

Wow. That sounds annoying, I'm sorry it happened to you.

 

Glad you got to take the tour ! :D

 

This was some of the best Thanksgiving weather I've ever had. Really great seas and a hot sun.

 

Hope you still plan on cruising Carnival again. Glory is starting to get a little old, and while I am upset to think that she will be bumped to shorter cruises within the next 4-7 years, she is just starting to slow down a bit and needs to be replaced by a newer boat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rjhollan

rjhollan

Posted
Posted
Hope you still plan on cruising Carnival again. Glory is starting to get a little old, and while I am upset to think that she will be bumped to shorter cruises within the next 4-7 years, she is just starting to slow down a bit and needs to be replaced by a newer boat.

 

Nothing that happened to us was bad enough for us to invoke the guarantee and abandon our vacation. We still had a great time. We'll do another for sure; maybe not during a school break (over 1,000 kids that week!) and maybe on the newer ships. I've been on Valor, Conquest, Sunshine, and Glory. I'd rank those Sunshine > Valor > Glory > Conquest. Sunshine was awesome. Wish they had the Bonsai Sushi restaurant on EVERY ship! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...