Suite perks

[Mrsdigi]

I am trying to decide between Carnival Glory, Caribbean Princess, and RCI's Mariner OTS. I would like to know if Carnival has any perks for junior suites? This will be our first cruise the 2nd week of June 06 and it is our 10th anniversary. Do you think Carnival is right for us (we are in our mid-30). thanks everyone !

[HeidiHo]

The only perk is the Skippers Club and all that gets you is priority check-in.

[GoinCruisin]

No perks other than Skippers Club depending on the port you are leaving from (priority check in/boarding)... You are cruising during a time when alot of schools will be out, so if you don't mind kids ;) As for whether Carnival is right for you? That is hard to say without knowing you, your likes, your dislikes, etc. I love Carnival, and always have a great time... but I am pretty easy to please and go to have fun!! And I can always find that!!! Have fun!

[Beach4me]

I'm a big fan of the Glory - sailed her several times. I always cruise in suites. It's been a while since I've cruised Princess however I do have a suite booked for the Hawaii cruise (Island Princess). From all I've been able to discern from boards, talking with friends who cruise, and talking with my travel agent, Princess is much better in the whole suite and past guest departments than Carnival. Having been on the Glory just a few weeks ago (and already having stated that I am a fan of the Glory), I personally would opt for the Caribbean Princess. There have been some changes on the Glory that I don't think are for the better. And, a friend of mine just cruised the C.P. and has RAVED about it.

 

I think that most folks would enjoy the Glory - and I did on this last cruise too...just not as much as on previous sailings.

 

Do you have any specific questions that might help you decide one way or the other?

[bajohnsons]

Beach,

What are the things that have changed on the Glory that displeased you. Haven't sailed on her before but leave in two weeks!!

[Mrsdigi]

Thanks everyone. For those of you who have been on the ships before, what is the night life like? I'd also like to know what changes were made to the Glory that you dislike.

[Beach4me]

Bajohnsons (and Mrsdigi) - let me start by saying that as far as ships go, the Glory is my hands-down favorite. I like the layout, I love the stadium pool area, the rocking chairs in the pool area are great, the Golden dining room is a wonderful dining room (if you are assigned to the Platinum, I would change...you can feel the engine's/propeller's vibrations in the Plat. while I've never felt them in the Gold.), for the most part the food is some of the best I've eaten at sea. Although some of the new menu items and methods of presentations have not improved the food quality or selection in my opinion. Still, there was more than enough really good food that this is not a major complaint. (Dropping the Baked Alaska from the menu did cause some surprise and disappointment though!)

 

But...in Oct, there was a complete change of feeling on the ship. It has become more of a hard-sell. They have added the Seamiles table which you have to pass if you walk between the casino and shopping area on the Promenade. The person there tried to sell us a bill of goods everytime we passed. Worse than that one person was the 'gang of 6' at the Carnival Vacation Club desk. Those folks can be relentless. Or, at least they were until they found out that I was from SC - the CVC had been deemed illegal by the SC attorney general. After I told them "no", I wouldn't lie and declare a relative's house in another state as my state of residence so I could buy into the program, they did leave me alone. But, I enjoy sitting on the Promenade deck which allowed me to watch the 'gang' make their move over and over on folks. I used to buy a piece of jewelry on the ship each cruise. This time, I was looking at a $2000+ bracelet when all of a sudden, there was this unbelievably LOUD SCREAMING from one end of the jewelry shop. They had set up tables between the jewelry and the perfume and were SCREAMING - I mean headache inducing screaming - about the rum and the cigarettes they were trying to hawk. I just looked at the gal I was working with and told her to put the ring back that I had out to buy ($560) and the necklace as well. The folks at the purser's desk were all but rude - this despite the fact that they knew I was a Platinum S&S cardholder...which should have nothing to do with the way one is treated but I figured if they were willing to treat me poorly (not once but on 3 separate occasions) a first-time Carnival passenger didn't have a chance. And, I got to witness that myself. The poor woman was in tears. I got out of line and walked up to her, told her that she should not waste her breathe or tears on the unprofessional likes of the purser's staff - and gave her Bob Dickinson's email. I proceeded to explain that I had been in contact with him prior to the cruise and I most certainly intended to be in contact with him post-cruise. And, that I would mention her interaction with the purser's desk so it would back up her email. THEN they started to take notice of both of us. My problem was fixed immediately. We always do self-assist - had done it twice within the past year on the Glory even! - and have never had a problem with it. This time, they didn't seem to know how to handle it and created a mess. My Mom walks with a cane (pending a knee replacement after we get back from the Liberty). As we were debarking, this little twit cruise staff girl who needed to act like she had some authority started yelling at my Mom because she was moving slower than the girl wanted her to. (There was MAYBE a 5 foot gap between my Mom and the guy in front of her.) Rest assured that I was at my wit's end at that moment and that cruise staff member got more than she bargained for. To say she was 'properly chastised' is to put it very, very mildly. We have never experienced anything like that on any ship before, let alone the Glory!

 

I just read a thread with a person warning about the sale of the free cruise raffle tickets during the past guest party. Seems the price is actually better the night of the raffle. I know that this person was 100% correct about the price offered in the past guest party - matched ours exactly. I didn't go to the raffle so I don't know what they were offering the tickets for in the showroom but you may want to read that post.

 

Please, please, please don't think that you are going to have a bad time on the Glory. She is a fabulous ship. She has great itineraries. And, you wouldn't even notice these differences if you hadn't cruised her before. If you do run into some less than spectacular service at the purser's desk, please know that I had never experienced this before on any Carnival ship. I'm hoping that there was some behind the scenes trouble going on with the staff that week and what we experienced was just an anomaly. And, if you're lucky, you won't have need to discuss any issues with the purser's staff anyway so that would be a total non-issue! :)

 

Enjoy! And be sure to report back after your cruise!

[Beach4me]

make sure you buy some chocolate covered strawberries from Creams (the pastry and coffee shop on the Promenade). 5 for $3...and they will be some of the best $3 you spend on the entire cruise!! They are EXCELLENT!

[bajohnsons]

That's it...I'm not going now!:D I'm kidding of course. I hope you did complain to Bob though.

[Mrsdigi]

Who would yell at an elderly woman? That is downright awful. I hope that person was fired. I'm still thinking about taking the Caribbean Princess just because of the kid factor. I think there will be less on the Princess cruise than on Carnival's. Maybe when I bring my kid next time, we'll take carnival.