Review - Carnival Glory Eastern 4/17/04 - 4/24/04 Part II...

[cousinIT]

Sunday we arrived in Nassau, and we booked the Carnival Blue Lagoon tour ($29/person without snorkel) through Fun Vision in our room before dinner on Saturday. Mark announced that snorkeling portions of the tour had been canceled due to the sea conditions, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]but we had our own equipment with us anyway so we brought it along). We had a lengthy walk from the ship to the tour ferry…and the 45-minute journey to Blue Lagoon…as we sailed away from the pier; this was the FIRST real look we got at Glory’s size and beauty..She really is the beauty of the fleet… [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]…on board the ferry we had VERY good rum punch, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] and if you tipped the bar, you poured your own rum! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] We arrived at Blue Lagoon and it is quite beautiful…but the seas were very rough, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] and the water was quite cool. But we enjoyed the beach, did SOME swimming, and the kids had fun cracking open coconuts, and playing what we called “Fred Flintstone” baseball with a stick and a coconut….ah youth! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Here is where I bought the conch shell, and then headed back to the ship at 12:15….stopped in town to buy 2 bottles of local coconut rum, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] then back on board by 1:30 and we set sail at 2:00 for our first sea day and then St. Thomas.

Monday was our first sea day, quite windy and rough, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] but by mid afternoon you could tell we had “crossed over” the Gulf Stream as the seas calmed considerably. An enjoyable day on deck just relaxing, talking with friends and being together as a family. My youngest son won a “24 carat gold, plastic ship on a stick” [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] for guessing the correct sculpture design, during the ice carving demonstration…2 Love Birds… [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img] he was quite happy with his prize. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] My oldest son had fun with his buddies exploring the ship, getting pizza and ice cream, and going to the arcade…and by now my little guy had made MULTIPLE visits to the arcade too with his pal from home!"CHA-CHING!!" Lunch was at the Red Sail buffet with many wonderful choices…breakfast today was in the dining room, open seating…Eggs Benedict..My favorite! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Tuesday we arrived in St. Thomas, and the skies were overcast [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] but it was noticeably more humid. We went through the painful ordeal of US immigration, and didn’t get off the ship until about 11:00….this is the ONLY “suggestion” I would have for Carnival, to put Nassau at the END of the trip instead of the beginning… because of that stop US Immigration requires all passengers debarking the vessel to checkin…we got off the ship, hired a taxi as a mob [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] ($3/person each way..then he gave the us the little kids free),: and went shopping on the main drag. Bought our liquor, stopped at the straw market, then went back to the ship for lunch. Afterward we hooked up with our taxi driver, and again left as a mob this time for Coki Beach ($25 for 4 of us round trip). St. Thomas is usually my favorite stop, but this time it was disappointing…some of the charm seemed to have….left, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img] for lack of a better way to put it. We usually go to Megans Bay, and maybe this is where we went wrong. Coki Beach, although the snorkeling was good, was in a much more depressed area, and there were many local merchants strolling the beach…don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a problem, as they were pretty polite and non bothersome, but it was just different from Megans Bay. Oh well..live and learn…got some good underwater pictures, and I was glad to be there and NOT in Connecticut! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] left Coki at about 4:30 as it got VERY cloudy. Sailed for St. Maarten at 8:00.

Wednesday arrived in Phillipsburg St. Maarten and immediately I knew this would be our new favorite island… [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]. And believe me, we weren’t disappointed. Off the ship by about 10:00, after waiting for Carnival Victory to dock. Seeing these two Carnival behemoths next to one another, really gives you the perspective on the differences between the two ship classes. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] Glory has it hands down! Victory looked like she needs a vacation in Dry Dock. Hopped onto the water taxi for $5/adult ,11 and under free….you got a wrist band and this was good for the whole day, multiple trips….some of our friends had gotten off earlier to shop, and we caught up with them in town. The local people were extremely polite and friendly, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] and if you didn’t want something and said “no thank you” they replied back “ok..enjoy your visit”….very nice island. We strolled Front Street (I think that’s the name) looking for our destination “Every’tings Cool” [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] and came upon it about ½ mile down. We entered, no cover charge, people very friendly, and went towards the beach. One of the local workers on the beach “eyed” [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] us first, and her name was Amanda. She said anything we wanted, let her know and she would get it for us. 2 chairs/2 umbrellas $20…we got 3 sets for $25…and she set us up…a ways down from Every’tings Cool, but close nonetheless…waiters walked to beach, and their prices weren’t much different from Cool…beers here were $1, frozen drinks $5 with a variety in between and beyond, and food was that outrageous either…later in the afternoon, we had several “pain killers” and a good friend of mine had quickly renamed them “kill me quicks”! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] They packed a punch! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] Our friends who had shopped earlier met us on the beach and brought back sandwiches from the ship, which allowed for more cash spending at the beach. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] And at one point we indulged into some local attire, by purchasing island shirts from one of the ladies strolling the beach…the “men folk” each got an island shirt for $12…but we gave her $15 for putting up with us…and we were quite proud of our new “look”…it’s amazing what pleases you when you get past 40! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img] We stayed on the beach, swimming, laughing, watching our kids have a great time, collecting shells and performing our annual obligatory “water dance with bathing suits on our heads” [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] to the laughter of the other beach goers…..one lady announced that she was about to go scuba diving..and we told her she better not because she would go blind! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] Many laughs had by all…… [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] .we ended our antics quickly as we realized it was now 4:45 and being our last island, my son wanted to shop at the local market…so we picked up, covered up, [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] and headed back to the ship, via the straw market up one of the side streets..we bargained (my first time ever! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]) for some trinkets and my son was happy and I was broke! And headed to the water taxi, and back on board by 5:30 as the ships horn sounded. Back to our room, just as we pulled out of the harbor and began our journey back to Port Canaveral. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Thursday and Friday were both sea days, with Thursday being a SUN filled enjoyable day, where we got THE most sun of the week. There were many “deck games” that day, which included the Hairy Chest contest, Survivor, Ship Building (which all our boys won together!!) [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] and Fear Factory where folks had to perform stunts and ultimately eat some things that ended up with one guy barfing his brains out into a bucket…this got him bonus points, and was the only time I thought it was all in poor taste..pardon the pun. Oh well..I could never handle my own kids hurling, let alone a grown man’s after consuming bananas, whole limes and lemons (skin and all!) with Wasabe and other things I can’t recall, mixed together with beer and other “drinks of the day”…YUK! Hope that “ship on a stick” and bonus points was worth it!

Friday was a “dark day”…always is..because it was the last day, with the debarkation talk taking place at 11:00 am. Here, Mark was at his funniest, and we learned of what our customs allowances were. Per adult we were allowed 4 bottles of booze from St. Thomas, 1 from St. Maarten, and no mention of Nassau??? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] I don’t get it. $1200/person in goods purchased on shore, and up to $10k in cash…yeah right… [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

If I left anything ELSE out, just ask! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]


ciao

RCI Nordic Empress 8/91
Disney Wonder 6/00
Carnival Victory 4/01
Carnival Triumph 4/02
Carnival Destiny 4/03
Carnival Glory 4/04

[TakeMeAway1001]

That was a wonderful review, I enjoyed it very much~

Kristen
Triumph 10/01
Pride 11/02
Glory 10/04

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Until I marry my Marine


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Until our "Glory-ous" Honeymoon

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[ken_nyc]

Again thank you for your detailed review!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Carnival Pride 8/17/02 (Western Caribbean)
Carnival Glory 8/21/2004 (Eastern Caribbean) 30th Anniversary Cruise
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[Florida Beach]

Thanks for an indepth review of the Glory. We are planning to sail with her soon. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

March 28, 2004 - Mariner of the Seas

[cousinIT]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] You are all quite welcome! Writing the review allows you to relive the whole week! It really was a great cruise, and a wonderful ship. You will all enjoy Carnival Glory a lot. I would LOVE to sail her Western!

Enjoy all...

ciao

RCI Nordic Empress 8/91
Disney Wonder 6/00
Carnival Victory 4/01
Carnival Triumph 4/02
Carnival Destiny 4/03
Carnival Glory 4/04

[Knights on the Beach]

Great review -- I can't wait!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Beth
~~~~~~~~~~~

Countdown to Glory
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Emerald Seas 6/86
Emerald Seas 11/87
S.S. Royale 10/88
Celebration 6/97
Grandeur of the Seas 6/98
Sensation 6/99
Carnival Triumph 6/00
Carnival Triumph 11/17/01
Enchantment of the Seas 10/27/02
Carnival Victory 5/25/03
Carnival Glory 5/22/04

[tootiesmom]

I really enjoyed your review and appreciate all of the insights concerning the ship and ports. Do you think that the rough seas were only during your sailing or did the crew say that it happens on every sailing during the 1st two days. We sail the Glory - Eastern in June and I know of at least 3 in our group that get motion sickness at the very thought of rough seas. We just want to be prepared.

Thanks,
tootiesmom

[cousinIT]

We had heard that the Eastern route from Port Canaveral can be a LITTLE more rocky, then say if you sailed from Miami, and we had that as a reference because we did the Eastern route on Triumph 2 years ago from Miami. But we thought this extreme. When my wife went back to work Monday night, she spoke to a co-worker who had just sailed RCI Adventurer of The Seas from Miami, and they were told of a wind storm near by and they had sailed near or into it. Their ship was SO rough that a lot of folks were "loosing it" for 2 days! For us it wasn't THAT bad, so perhpas our Captain tried to get around it?? So in summary, I'm beginning to think our experience wasn't the norm. Just take some Bonine/Dramamine with you in case, or if you don't like meds, bring ginger candy or gingerale to settle the tummy.

Enjoy!

ciao

RCI Nordic Empress 8/91
Disney Wonder 6/00
Carnival Victory 4/01
Carnival Triumph 4/02
Carnival Destiny 4/03
Carnival Glory 4/04

[tootiesmom]

Thanks so much for the info. We sailed the Triumph last May out of Miami and found the trip to be very smooth. I'm sorry that the water was rough for your sailing and hope that it was just because of a storm. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Again, I enjoyed your review very much.

tootiesmom [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[kujobie]

You may bring back 5 liters of alcohol duty free as long as one liter is a product of the virgin islands, not just bought there, but produced there, like Cruzan rum. The other 4 liters may be bought anywhere, although St. Maartem is certainly gonna be cheaper than the bahamas. You can buy more but will hafta pay a couple dollars per bottle in tax. Cruzan.. Almost as good as Tortuga, but not quite. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Jubilee..May 2002
Sensation...May 2003
Glory...April 2004
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