TxTeach79's GLORY-OUS 3/12 Spring Break NOLA LIVE

[TxTeach79]

Well well well... we meet again!

 

The school year is humming along, and Spring Break is nigh upon us! It seems like just yesterday I wrapped up my two MG Live threads (Thanksgiving and NYE sailings), but at the same time I can't imagine feeling like I need a cruise more than I do this one. I'm more than ready. I love my students, I really do... but let's just say I could use some R&R. Yeah, I know... it's a Spring Break sailing. I get it. But still, it won't harsh my buzz one bit. I've sailed on plenty of holiday sailings, the job kind of dictates that. 

 

So if you're new to my brand of chaos, a little background. This'll be my last sailing as a Platinum! I'll finally hit the Big D on my May Pride sailing out of Barcelona. I've sailed on most every other major line (besides Virgin), but have far and away the most days on Carnival. Before I taught, I actually worked at NCL corporate in Miami for a few years, and before that I had a brief spin as a cruise only TA, so I've been around the Lido, if you will. 

 

 

As for this sailing? Well, I've been on Glory once before, back in June of 2012 out of Boston to Canada/NE. It's been a minute. That was a GREAT cruise, even if it did start with boarding delayed til 10pm because the ship was forced to wait for a migrating pod of endangered whales to pass. I've been on all the Conquest class ships except Liberty, some of them multiple, but it's been a couple years. I'm excited to get back on board, it's always felt to me kind of like the quintessential Carnival class as far as layout and feel (I mean, it's really just fat Destiny class, but that doesn't exist anymore, so 🤷‍♂️.

 

I've got a decent chunk of OBC to burn since I finally cashed in my Milestone OBC benefit. I was almost at the expiration cutoff date, and this is cruise 31, so it was time. Also, I'm traveling as a solo. B, my better half if you've been here before, has a real grown up job, so she can't get away for Spring Break. Plus, she's coming with me on the Pride to Europe in May, and that's a 12 night cruise plus 4 land days, so it really cuts into the PTO. Anyway, I'm actually not on a casino promo and on a solo rate, so it was a good place to take the Milestone. 

 

This may not be the best Live for everybody, because it probably won't be the most interesting port wise. We're hitting Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay. I'll get more into this as we lead up to the sailing and then once I'm off, but I'll probably stay onboard in Belize and not do anything overwhelmingly excited in the other two. This is gonna be a lot of relaxing, drinks, casino, and hanging around the ship. So if that's your bag, our you're just a masochist, feel free to subscribe and follow along! More to come, but I gotta go make a sandwich. 

[ninjacat123]

No way!!  Let's go😎

[TxTeach79]

If you're REALLY down on your luck and wanna kill some time, here's where we've done this dance before...

 

 

 

 

There's a couple other halfway reviews on Horizon and Sensation (RIP) back there somewhere, but at some point even I have shame. 

 

 

 

[JandPB]

Here for it. We love the Glory as well. It's our favorite class of the Carnival ships.

My better half is getting on the Conquest in two weeks with her girlfriends because one of them is a teacher and that will be her break week. I could use it after a long HS basketball season but she's going instead. 

[TxTeach79]

 

Gonna be a long week. 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Looking forward to this. 

 

We'll be on Glory in August,  same itinerary. 

[VIFP1987]

1 hour ago, TxTeach79 said:

Well well well... we meet again!

 

 

Following along … looking forward to another great review! 

[StephPS79]

My favorite ship!  Just cruised on her February 5th - 12th, a great cruise, lots of fun, and mostly chill.  Interested to see how the spring break crowd shakes it up!

[LatinaInTexas]

YAY another live review to keep me going. By the time my May cruise finally rolls around it will have been a long 9 months since I have been on a ship😢

[TxTeach79]

9 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

My favorite ship!  Just cruised on her February 5th - 12th, a great cruise, lots of fun, and mostly chill.  Interested to see how the spring break crowd shakes it up!

ohhhh, it always does! I’m just used to it after all these years. Looking forward to the show!

[maxandmolly]

Looking forward to a great live review while I await my November Mardi Gras cruise. 

[SenatorsFan]

I have 2 cruises on Glory in my past and I'll be following along to see what's new.

[Jamman54]

You know we're on board. The Glory is Patti's favorite ship. Bring it on!! 😀

[pe4all]

Following along!  Love conquest ships - my favs.  Have been on them all.  I know what it is like having to cruise during school vacations - retired teacher here. Congrats on your upcoming Diamond - we just finished our 31st CCL cruise - made Diamond on our 30th.  Enjoy spending your milestone obc!  

[Camden72]

So pumped for this review!  We are doing the same ship/itinerary 2 weeks after you and I have never sailed on the Glory or sailed out of New Orleans.  Have a great trip!

[pcvtmom]

Always tickled to follow your awesome reviews! I'm in!

[TxTeach79]

8 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

You know we're on board. The Glory is Patti's favorite ship. Bring it on!! 😀

 

Well that's high praise indeed! Excited to revisit her!

[TxTeach79]

So as of now it's an early early flight out of DAL into MSY on Southwest. Originally, being Spring Break, I was gonna make the drive from Dallas on Saturday, spend the night in NOLA, and then drive back the following Sunday. However, after the Great Southwest Meltdown of 22 got me on my MG NYE trip, I was "gifted" a lot of credits and points.... So, thanks for sucking?

 

 

I leave DAL around 6am, arriving at MSY around 7:20. It's not ideal, but as of now the only flight that's reasonable to change to gets there around 4:30p and has a stop at IAH, so I'll probably just keep this flight, Uber to the hotel, leave my bag at the belldesk and knock around town, hoping for an early check in at some point. 

 

As for the hotel, this time around I've settled on the Loews New Orleans...

 

 

 

I've spent a lot of time in NOLA, so I don't feel obligated to do and see everything, and this is the part of town I usually like to stay in. I'll likely walk across the street to Harrah's and hang there a bit, and it's walkable to a lot of stuff. I'm normally a Marriott Bonvoy guy, but if situations arise where none of their options are the best fit, I'm not THAT faithful. It's an open relationship. I've never had anything but good luck with Loews properties, and i got a *passable* deal on Priceline, so away we go.....

Edited March 7, 2023 by TxTeach79
Why can't I type right the first time? Why have my fingers forsaken me?

[tcmagnum]

15 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

This is gonna be a lot of relaxing, drinks, casino, and hanging around the ship.

Looking forward to reading your live from the Glory.  

We are on her April 2-9.

First time Carnival cruiser here, but we just on this trip with no planning to join our cousin and her family for their spring break trip.  Just going for the 'relaxing, drinks. casino, and hanging around the ship'.

Have a great cruise!!

[RenoNanaOz]

15 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

Well well well... we meet again!

 

The school year is humming along, and Spring Break is nigh upon us! It seems like just yesterday I wrapped up my two MG Live threads (Thanksgiving and NYE sailings), but at the same time I can't imagine feeling like I need a cruise more than I do this one. I'm more than ready. I love my students, I really do... but let's just say I could use some R&R. Yeah, I know... it's a Spring Break sailing. I get it. But still, it won't harsh my buzz one bit. I've sailed on plenty of holiday sailings, the job kind of dictates that. 

 

So if you're new to my brand of chaos, a little background. This'll be my last sailing as a Platinum! I'll finally hit the Big D on my May Pride sailing out of Barcelona. I've sailed on most every other major line (besides Virgin), but have far and away the most days on Carnival. Before I taught, I actually worked at NCL corporate in Miami for a few years, and before that I had a brief spin as a cruise only TA, so I've been around the Lido, if you will. 

 

 

As for this sailing? Well, I've been on Glory once before, back in June of 2012 out of Boston to Canada/NE. It's been a minute. That was a GREAT cruise, even if it did start with boarding delayed til 10pm because the ship was forced to wait for a migrating pod of endangered whales to pass. I've been on all the Conquest class ships except Liberty, some of them multiple, but it's been a couple years. I'm excited to get back on board, it's always felt to me kind of like the quintessential Carnival class as far as layout and feel (I mean, it's really just fat Destiny class, but that doesn't exist anymore, so 🤷‍♂️.

 

I've got a decent chunk of OBC to burn since I finally cashed in my Milestone OBC benefit. I was almost at the expiration cutoff date, and this is cruise 31, so it was time. Also, I'm traveling as a solo. B, my better half if you've been here before, has a real grown up job, so she can't get away for Spring Break. Plus, she's coming with me on the Pride to Europe in May, and that's a 12 night cruise plus 4 land days, so it really cuts into the PTO. Anyway, I'm actually not on a casino promo and on a solo rate, so it was a good place to take the Milestone. 

 

This may not be the best Live for everybody, because it probably won't be the most interesting port wise. We're hitting Cozumel, Belize, and Mahogany Bay. I'll get more into this as we lead up to the sailing and then once I'm off, but I'll probably stay onboard in Belize and not do anything overwhelmingly excited in the other two. This is gonna be a lot of relaxing, drinks, casino, and hanging around the ship. So if that's your bag, our you're just a masochist, feel free to subscribe and follow along! More to come, but I gotta go make a sandwich. 

I'm in! I have 60 days until my Mexican Riviera Cruise so this will help. Thanks for bringing us along.

[ninjacat123]

2 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

So as of now it's an early early flight out of DAL into MSY on Southwest. Originally, being Spring Break, I was gonna make the drive from Dallas on Saturday, spend the night in NOLA, and then drive back the following Sunday. However, after the Great Southwest Meltdown of 22 got me on my MG NYE trip, I was "gifted" a lot of credits and points.... So, thanks for sucking?

 

 

I leave DAL around 6am, arriving at MSY around 7:20. It's not ideal, but as of now the only flight that's reasonable to change to gets there around 4:30p and has a stop at IAH, so I'll probably just keep this flight, Uber to the hotel, leave my bag at the belldesk and knock around town, hoping for an early check in at some point. 

 

As for the hotel, this time around I've settled on the Loews New Orleans...

 

 

 

I've spent a lot of time in NOLA, so I don't feel obligated to do and see everything, and this is the part of town I usually like to stay in. I'll likely walk across the street to Harrah's and hang there a bit, and it's walkable to a lot of stuff. I'm normally a Marriott Bonvoy guy, but if situations arise where none of their options are the best fit, I'm not THAT faithful. It's an open relationship. I've never had anything but good luck with Loews properties, and i got a *passable* deal on Priceline, so away we go.....

Once again...the edit comments😂

[TravelGirlinDallas]

Yay, I'm here for this!

[heffy2]

Woohoo! I've loved your other reviews, I can't wait to follow along.

[Beachfrog]

Following! We will be on Glory in 26 days!

[TxTeach79]

Y'all, this Sub Saharan Africa Test is not going so great. The struggle is oh so real when it comes to today's youth conquering the geography of the mother continent. There's only one thought keeping me sane right now...

 

 

 

(remember those best day ever glasses? I miss those. Not as much as the real glass ones we used to get back in the day, but let's be reasonable)