Fortnight on Carnival Glory – Review – West/East B2B

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Hey JCB....from a fellow Eastern Canadian, from Moncton, really enjoying your review. I can relate to your first days leaving NB and the snow and flooding behind. My SO and our neighbors (Little Dipper) will be on the Glory next April also doing a B2B. Our ports of call are a little different....

 

Hi there fellow New Brunswicker..., thanks, glad you are enjoying. For some, things were a bit tense back here, I hear now after most flood waters have receeded, som are being evacuated do to mold issues... it never ends.

I have not looked at the 2009 schedules, what is changing on the itenerary?

 

Did you have the same cabin? what was the procedure for getting the new S&S cards between cruises and going thru customs? I'm doing this in JAN

 

Yes we did have the same room. I will get into the whole turn-around day and proceedures in a fresh post in a little bit.

 

I've really enjoyed your 1st week on the Glory and look forward to sharing the 2nd week with you :D Excellent review--thanks!

 

Thank you!

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Before I jump into thoughts, observations and processes relating to Day 8/Day 1, the B2B issues, I want to take a moment to highlight what was for me one of the on-board highlights of the cruise.

 

My wife and I really had never danced before. Oh, last fall on the Valor, we stepped into Paris Hot (the equivilant to Bar Blue on the Glory) a few times, and got brave and stepped onto the floor for a couple slow dances when there were enought other people on the floor to hide in ;) , but we had no idea what we were doing:confused: . We just held on to each other and turned in circles... felt rather self-conscious...

 

Early this spring I found a DVD in a discount bin near a checkout that contained lessons to "prepare your for your first wedding dance." We were not preparing for a wedding dance, but worked with that a bit and basically got a handle on the basic steps of the slow dance and waltz.

 

So, this first week of the cruise, I took my DW dancing, for the first time. It was real nice to step out there and at least think I knew what I was doing (others watching may still have questioned whether or not I did, but who cares, we were on a cruise, and that was GREAT!). We first went to Bar Blue (since that was basically where we had tried in the fall... thought it might give us a bit of a "home floor" advantage :D ). But we struggled a bit there, for us the music or crowd just wasn't right some how.

 

Then we walked through the VERY PUBLIC (and thus intimidating) lobby atrium, and there was a couple (guy and girl singing... the fellow playing electric piano/organ) performing there (called themselves "Summer Breeze"). Their sound was so pleasant, peaceful, rich, inviting, classical etc. The "public-ness" of the place took back stage, and we joined on the dance floor.

 

We so enjoyed this place and their music that we started watching the Capers to try to catch them as often as we could. We were not the only ones that seemed to appreciate them, the chairs in the area were usually 80-90% full, and the dance floor was seldom empty. [i do not at all remember seeing this kind of response in this venue on the Valor.]

 

Dancing with DW is now one of my favorite pasttimes... we will practice and learn more so we will be more prepared on our next cruise... when ever that happens.

 

The picture did not turn out very well, but here is a pic of them...

 

(Sorry about the darkness of the picture... I should have tried again.)

[enester]

Great review!!!! - - - Except I couldn't stop reading here at work - :o

 

No problem - keep them coming! - - -

[Frenchsnowhite]

This is a very nice review, and I cannot wait for your second week Eastern, we are doing Eastern on the Glory in 79 days!!!

 

The kayak excursion seemed very nice :D

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Great review!!!! - - - Except I couldn't stop reading here at work - :o No problem - keep them coming! - - -

 

Thank you... What is worst is, I am writing this at work :D (in between projects).

 

This is a very nice review, and I cannot wait for your second week Eastern, we are doing Eastern on the Glory in 79 days!!! The kayak excursion seemed very nice :D

 

Thank you...

You will love your Eastern Cruise...

It really was nice.

[Georgiagolfer]

Then we walked through the VERY PUBLIC (and thus intimidating) lobby atrium, and there was a couple (guy and girl singing... the fellow playing electric piano/organ) performing there (called themselves "Summer Breeze"). Their sound was so pleasant, peaceful, rich, inviting, classical etc. The "public-ness" of the place took back stage, and we joined on the dance floor.

They were great and the girl had a wonderful voice. They did most all types of music and I agree that people did try to catch them whereever they performed.

[RLG1023]

Can't wait for week 2!!!! Loving the review!!! "Summer Breeze" were they the couple on there the 2nd week? I really enjoyed them, they could sing really well, and it seemed like they never stopped to take breaks!!!

[tershall]

Your review is my all time favorite. The pictures and details make me feel like I was there with you. Your review reminds me of a National Geographic article - a true pictorial journal. Thank you

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

(Preface for the day – actually a day 7 event) – Luggage tags were put in rooms by the steward on Friday Morning. If you had an early flight or an excursion booked through Carnival, you had to arrange for special tags by providing proof of your early flight or excursion.) Luggage tags were numbered from 1 to 30-something?.

 

It felt so nice to wake up today and know we were not going anywhere!

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DW :) !!!

 

(I really did not take many pictures today, so this post should be easier to complete.)

 

Glory arrived in port ~ 6:20/6:30 am.

 

General debarkations started at 7:07. They started by calling for early flight departures and Excursion people (they had the lower numbers) In a short while they began to call for “self assists” (those carrying all their luggage off themselves) – these were called in accordance to the deck of their stateroom (and not purely by top deck down). In a short while they called for some more self-assists and some more according to tag numbers.

 

This surprised me :confused: , because in the past, I thought they did all self-assists before any of the regular (not early flights or excursion) luggage tag numbers, but they mixed the two together, thus some of the self-assists waited quite a while too.

 

This process continued till close to 11:00 am (before they had everybody off).

 

Procedure for Back to Back Guests…

 

 

To begin with, yes we had the same room for both cruises, we had selected our room for both weeks when we booked ~ 1 ¼ years before the cruise (and we never got bumped). This meant we never had to pack up our stuff or anything, our room and stuff stayed just as it was.

For those B2B’ers who were changing rooms, I understand that they had to pack all their stuff and leave it in their rooms, and their cabin stewards would move it to their new staterooms while we were being processed for the next cruise.

 

If I remember right, Soda Cards were still invalid on Saturday morning, but of course all sail and sign card accounts were closed when they did up your statements through the morning. Some bars were open for cash transactions only.

 

On Thursday night we received a letter in our stateroom saying that we were to meet at the pursers desk at 9:30 am on Saturday morning with our sail and sign and appropriate picture ID (for us non-US citizens, our passports). On Friday, I was at the purser’s desk (for other reasons) and I decided to pose the question, and they said to wait till about 9:45 am. (Red flags should have started flying.)

 

On Saturday morning, amid all the other calls to passengers for disembarkation, at 9:10 am, Mark Price (CD) called for all B2B’ers to come down to the lobby. (Red flag should have really flown.) We went down and were asked to be seated in the center of the atrium, they were not quite ready for us. From here on through it became obvious to me that someone did not know what they were doing this morning (maybe Mark, since this would have been his first week to do this on the Glory – at least for quite some time).

 

There were 11 of us, 4 staterooms (8) and some staff family members (3) who were returning to the ship B2B. We all sat for 30-45 minutes. I think the escort (the lady who was to lead us through the various steps of debarkation/embarkation) began to realize the error that was made, so she decided to try to move things along.

 

At about 9:50, she said, lets get things going. She interrupted the line at the debarkation computer terminal (where you swipe your card to leave the ship - just inside the doors on Lobby deck) and took us out on deck to go ashore. But when we got to the gangplank, the security guy said no, we could not go yet. Our escort went off to talk to someone about this.

 

After standing on deck for 5 minutes, she came back and took us through to the front of the Immigration line. Again we were held up by another security person who said we could not go yet. Within just a couple minutes, our escort again bumped us into the lines for Immigration. Most of us got through within 5 minutes, but a mother and child from India (cruise staff family) was put through the riggers, and took closer to 10 minutes. Of course, we all had to wait for the group to be complete again. No problem, we are going to get back on-board soom !!

 

Once we were all together again, they took us into the registration area (same place where you registered and got your S&S card when you got on a week before. The registration desks/personally were not really ready to begin handling people, but started to work us through. It took them about 30 minutes to process the 11 of us.

 

[We got our new Sail and Sign cards at the registration desk, and a letter saying that our Dining time preference had been changed. We did not fret this, because the maitredi had told me on Thursday when we went to request a table for two in the other dining room that the card would be wrong because it had already been printed. We already knew our table # and dining room – the dining time had just been straightened out with the maitredi early this morning, so we knew the letter was irrelevant.]

 

Back as a group again, our guide took us towards the secure area for embarkation. Again, security stopped us and said “NO!” :( Word was that security would not let us board until everyone else was off. We were seated and waited.

 

This was when I knew someone had blown this whole procedure! (Did I mention that Mark announced @ ~ 9:30 that debarkation was ahead of schedule…). If embarkation could not happen till debarkation was complete, then why get us moving at all before debarkation was almost done. [Considering the hindsight that I have now, at the end of week 2, our # 28 luggage tags were not called till close to 10 am, they still had another 10+ groups to call after that… why did they call us at 9:10 am.] Someone messed up… but hey, were still going to get back on to cruise for another week, so all is ok!!! :D

 

Our escort again went off and talked to someone, came back and said let’s go. Again, the security guard said no. Some more discussions were had with supervisors, and finally the real go-ahead was given. The three Embarkation Picture stations was not fully set up, but one of the guys did our pictures, and we crossed the gangplank and entered the door to the Lobby where security has to take your picture again to associate it with your new Sail and sign Card. No security personnel around.

 

After a few minutes of scrambling, someone showed up, and by ~ 11:00 we were free to roam again on “Our Glory” (no new passengers on board yet, it seemed like we had it to ourselves for a few minutes).

 

We went back to our room, and sure enough, our luggage etc. was all still where we left it, and Johnny had our room ready.

 

Carnival had also sent us 4 Chocolate Covered Strawberries (waiting for us in our stateroom) :cool: .

 

We stayed on our balcony for a bit enjoying our free treat, and looked out at…

 

 

Disney Magic was in before the Glory and left after the Glory both weeks… but next Saturday was nowhere to be seen… and there was NO terminal activity around it. We later heard that it had gone off on a new itinerary (might have been to Europe).

 

We did notice on the following Saturday (the day we really had to leave), that they still had not called for the B2B'ers at close to 10 - when we were called to leave.

 

 

.

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

...Loving the review!!! "Summer Breeze" were they the couple on there the 2nd week? I really enjoyed them, they could sing really well, and it seemed like they never stopped to take breaks!!!

 

Yes they were... and thank you for the compliment RGL1023, coming from you that means alot.

 

I am anxious to read your review too (I still remember how good yours was from your previous Glory cruise - that was you wasn't it). I have been purposely avoiding reading any reviews on these two weeks till I have mine done, so they won't influence me any.

 

Your review is my all time favorite. The pictures and details make me feel like I was there with you. Your review reminds me of a National Geographic article - a true pictorial journal. Thank you

 

You are all too kind, but thanks.

[RLG1023]

Yes they were... and thank you for the compliment RGL1023, coming from you that means alot.

 

I am anxious to read your review too (I still remember how good yours was from your previous Glory cruise - that was you wasn't it). I have been purposely avoiding reading any reviews on these two weeks till I have mine done, so they won't influence me any.

 

Dont know if you have looked but there are lots of reviews from our sail dates!!!

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Dont know if you have looked but there are lots of reviews from our sail dates!!!

Yes I have noticed... they were good weeks to review... can't wait to read them all.

[poptart]

Then we walked through the VERY PUBLIC (and thus intimidating) lobby atrium, and there was a couple (guy and girl singing... the fellow playing electric piano/organ) performing there (called themselves "Summer Breeze"). Their sound was so pleasant, peaceful, rich, inviting, classical etc. The "public-ness" of the place took back stage, and we joined on the dance floor.

 

(Sorry about the darkness of the picture... I should have tried again.)

 

I'm not sure it it's the same couple but I think they may have been in the atrium bar when we cruised the Conquest.---if not them then someone very similar and the same type of music and there was always a good crowd listening and dancing.

Our cabin was right by the atrium elevators--deck 6---and we would sometimes look over the balcony and listen and/or dance right there by the elevators. That was fun--and romantic--we had our own little dance floor.

[xxjulzxx]

LOVING this review!

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

I'm not sure it it's the same couple but ...Our cabin was right by the atrium elevators--deck 6---and we would sometimes look over the balcony and listen and/or dance right there by the elevators. That was fun--and romantic--we had our own little dance floor.

 

That would have been nice...

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Eventually we made our way up to Lido, had a light lunch at the Red Sail, and roamed and sat and relaxed and watched people board lugging around their carry-ons :D .

 

I managed to get away from my DW and made my way to Formalities to order an Anniversary Cake for supper. (I had not been able to do this Friday as there had been some uncertainty as to whether of not they had us booked for first or second seating… long story… won’t get into those details.) Unfortunately, they do not accept orders on Saturday for Saturday night supper. I was disappointed; I wanted to surprise my DW.

 

Muster Drill was called on time, but this week they untied from the dock and started out before muster was over. During sail-away we roamed the decks until we were out of the harbor and into open waters. We then returned to our own room and balcony until supper.

 

We went to supper and were please that everything was in placed, we did have the table that we expected, # 575 on the upper level in the platinum overlooking the lower level :cool: .

 

 

When the ship photographer came around, I told him I wanted a good picture, as this was our anniversary. He too a couple extras, and yes one of them was nice and we did end up buying it. Our waitress and assistant brought us a piece of cake (as I managed to arrange) with two candles, and they sang to us :eek: .

 

Our Dining Room Staff were…

 

 

Left to Right: Assistant Waiter - Senthil from India; Head waitress – Argentina from Romania; and Bar Tender – Iputu from Indonesia. In contrast to our week 1 staff, Argentina and Senthil served our meal so fast that we almost felt rushed. We often finished well before the “entertainment” and had to sit and wait for such. (I wondered if we got served so quickly simply because it was so easy to get orders etc. from a table of only two people) They were very friendly and pleasant, served us very well. Iputu talked well about taking care of us, but most of the week I struggled to keep my glass of Coke full.

 

After supper, we went to the Ebony Cabaret where DW sang to me a song that she wanted to sing 28 years before (but chickened out that day) – “You light Up My Life.” :)

 

Then we went back and found "Summer Breeze" in the lobby and danced a bit, then topped off our romantic anniversary at port and sea by going back to our room to watch some of the Nascar Race in Darlington… we both fell asleep before the end and had to ask someone the next day who won… we were disappointed to hear it was Kyle again.

 

[My apologies about the dark pictures, with my limited skill, I struggled to get decent pictures in the dining rooms.]

 

.

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

I arrived in port on time at about 8 am, and disembarked by 8:30. There were 3 other ships in port,

the Regal Empress… …the Majesty of the Seas… ….and the Explorer…

We walked a couple blocks, through the Staw Market (we were not impressed by what we saw here, but to be fair, it was early and it was Sunday… many of the stalls were not opened – word from CC was than many would not open until after church)... and on to the British Colonial Hilton…

The cost here now is $ 20.00 per person (only $ 15.00 last fall), which includes waterfront and pool (with towels, lounge chairs and umbrellas) and grounds privileges. Both times we have come here, there have been very few people on the beach (maybe 6 including us last fall… and maybe 8 including us this time). The sand is very nice, a good view of the cruise ships (just off to the left) and a wonderful pool with lifeguard. There were more people at the pool today than last fall, but it was Sunday this time and Monday last time. (There were still lots of lounge chairs around the pool area.) A Coke at the bar cost me about $ 2.00.

We left the beach/pool area around 11:30 and went shopping on the main streets. There were still some places that were not open, but most places were. We found a Nascar Store that had just opened about a week before (they made the claim that they were the first Nascar Store to open outside the USA… we did not bother telling them that we have had one in our home town for several years now). We bought a Jeff Gordon hat for our son.

We made our way back to the dock. As we made the turn down in-between the two larger cruise ships (Majesty and Glory) we found a long line-up at the gangways (two lines to choose from, but both were 30 minutes in the hot sun. I remember it being bad last fall too (not quite this bad though). I do not know if it was our timing (close to “be aboard’ time – but we have come back close to “be aboard” time at other ports) or maybe everyone goes ashore at Nassau.

Glory set sail, and we did our thing (roamed and relaxed) and I took DW to a 7:00 pm seating at the Emerald Supper Club for Mother’s Day. It was a wonderful meal, certainly a better feed than we ever get back at home. For the main course, I pretty much finished off a 24 oz Porterhouse Steak while DW worked away at a 14 oz Strip Loin. Our only regret was that by the end of the main course, we were both too full to order deserts. Yes, I would do this again… it is worth the extra $ 30.00 each (plus tip) for something a little special for someone a whole lot special.

This being Mother’s Day week, they seemed to be promoting a little more in “romantic” things.” Tonight they promoted romantic music in the lobby for “honeymooners and anniversary’ers”. It was Summer Breeze singing and performing again. Standing room only here tonight, but worth the stand. So nice for slow romantic dancing.

By the time we finished here, DW was tired and went back to the room, sending me off to see the show “Livin’ In America” with the Glory Dancers (which we had skipped last week). The show was good (I missed the first number), but sometimes I wish they would remember that not everyone on board is from USA. Nothing personal against my US neighbors, but Carnival could easily put on almost the same show and keep it a little more generic. I would also note that Brazil and Honduras and Mexico and Canada (etc.) are also in “America” (south, central and north) but not included in the show… the USA does not own "America" you know… wake up Carnival. I also wish they had a variety of dance shows, so you did not get the same thing from ship to ship (this show was almost identical to the same titled show on the Valor last fall).

After the show I joined my DW in our stateroom and went to sleep reading and watching TV.

[noahsark99]

Can you tell me a little more about the Hilton you went to in Nassau? How do you get there, do you have to make your day use reservations in advance, is there a place to eat lunch...etc. It looks beautiful!

 

THANKS!!

[Georgiagolfer]

By the time we finished here, DW was tired and went back to the room, sending me off to see the show “Livin’ In America” with the Glory Dancers (which we had skipped last week). The show was good (I missed the first number), but sometimes I wish they would remember that not everyone on board is from USA. Nothing personal against my US neighbors, but Carnival could easily put on almost the same show and keep it a little more generic. I would also note that Brazil and Honduras and Mexico and Canada (etc.) are also in “America” (south, central and north) but not included in the show… the USA does not own "America" you know… wake up Carnival. I also wish they had a variety of dance shows, so you did not get the same thing from ship to ship (this show was almost identical to the same titled show on the Valor last fall).

 

Boy do I agree with you on the shows. They have had the same main shows on our last 3 Glory and 1 Triumph cruises. BTW, I am really enjoying your detailed review. I have been on the Eastern and Western, but I think what is so special is I know you and you and your DW are 2 very special people, even if you are "North Americans." LOL. Seriously though, hope to join up with you on a future cruise.

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

Can you tell me a little more about the Hilton you went to in Nassau? How do you get there, do you have to make your day use reservations in advance, is there a place to eat lunch...etc. It looks beautiful! THANKS!!

 

Yes it is absolutely beautiful, and really a very inexpensive way to spend a day.

 

As you get off the pier you simply make your way to the right through the taxi stands and down the road. You will walk about 2 blocks along the shore and then the street turns left (away from the water) and goes back 1 or 1 1/2 blocks (the streets get a little strange here, just keep to the right. As you begin to walk parallel to the shore again, you will be on the back side of the British Colonial Hilton. They have a fenced parking lot, but just walk in through the drive and in through their front doors. To the right (in the lobby) is their reception area. Stop their and pay, I think they give you a coupon which you take out to the beach. On the edge of the beach there is a shack where you exchange your coupon for a towel.

 

It is nice not having to take the bulky/pricy Carnival towels and then have to worry about loosing them.

 

No advanced reservations.

 

They do have a spot there by the pool that serves food and drinks.

 

If you click on any of the pictures (above) it will take you to my area on WebShots. From there you can see my other albums. Check out my "Valor 07 - Day 2 - Nassau" album for more pictures of the British Colonial Hilton, their beach, pool and bar. Oh, lets make it easier, here is a link directly to that album... http://community.webshots.com/album/561510108cCvyPP

 

Boy do I agree with you on the shows. They have had the same main shows on our last 3 Glory and 1 Triumph cruises. BTW, I am really enjoying your detailed review. I have been on the Eastern and Western, but I think what is so special is I know you and you and your DW are 2 very special people, even if you are "North Americans." LOL. Seriously though, hope to join up with you on a future cruise.

 

I hope I did not come across too strongly about the "American" thing, I just get tired some times on people from USA calling themselves "American" as if they are America, when they really are only part of America... just a small pet peeve of mine. Reality is, I am American as much as you are, but I cannot call myself American or people will automatically think I am from America... and to be honest, that matters a lot when you are travelling. Outside of the US, people will treat Canadians much better than they will Americans. This is real that people from the US often stick Canadian flags on their luggage.

 

Yes it would be nice to connect again... and maybe get together a bit and do more together on the cruise. On this last one, we were purposely trying to keep to our selves, we just felt we were due for a few days of "only-us" time. It was a really good get away from some of the stresses back home.

[Georgiagolfer]

I travfel to Central America a lot and when asked where I am coming from, I tell them Georgia in the USA. I never say America. Had the same issues in Eastern Europe. When you say America, they ask which Country. This is when I learned to use USA.

PS: I can fully relate to that "only-us" time.:cool:

[Frenchsnowhite]

Thanks for the link at Nassau Colonial Hilton, we were just about to book our Nassau excursion this morning, when I saw for day in Nassau..

 

You saved our family of 5 alot of money;)

 

We'll go to the Hilton instead and do something else in the other port:)

 

Tell me at the Hilton's beach is there waves???

[Keishas2Dads]

Hi JCB....from what I can see the change in the itinerary is we do not stop in Roatan however we are stopping in Costa Maya. I hope our disembarkation and embarkation between cruises goes a little smoother than what happened for you, although like you said you were on a cruise. Really enjoying this review. It is giving us so much info and some good ideas for when we go next year.

What part of New Brunswick are you from? Although I am in Moncton now I am originally from Fredericton. With the new 4 lane highway takes no time now to get home.

[JanesCruisingBuddy]

...We bought a Jeff Gordon hat for our son.

 

Major important correction... it definitely was NOT a Jeff Gordon hat that we bought... it was a Tony Stewart hat. (My sweet DW just straightened me out on this.)

 

...Tell me at the Hilton's beach is there waves???

 

We never saw anything but calm water (a few moderate waves from the wake of excursion boats leaving the piers). Remeember, this beach is in the harbour, very protected/sheltered... it is very close to the docks where the cruise ships are tied up (as I believe is evident by some of the Valor 07 pictures - I think the pictures are there that show this). I am home on a dial-up connection right now, or I would check and make sure the right pics are there... I will try to check it on Monday - and if necessary, upload more pictures to Webshots (or to this thread)... here is one that shows how close the beach is to the docked ship (the beach in in front of the yellow buildings with the red roofs - i.e. the Hilton)...

 

(Click on the picture for a larger view.)

 

Hi JCB....from what I can see the change in the itinerary is we do not stop in Roatan however we are stopping in Costa Maya.

 

I thought I read yesterday that they just swapped "from Cozumel to Belize to Roatan" for "Cozumel to Roatan to Belize" (on the May 17 cruise). Are they changing it again...?

 

I hope our disembarkation and embarkation between cruises goes a little smoother than what happened for you, although like you said you were on a cruise.

 

I really think it was just a mess-up our week... I would doubt you would go through the delays we had.

 

...What part of New Brunswick are you from? Although I am in Moncton now I am originally from Fredericton. With the new 4 lane highway takes no time now to get home.

 

Grew up in Saint John. Since 1978 we have moved around a bit... have lived just outside of Sussex, back to Saint John, at North Head (Grand Manan), Dalhousie and now just a bit north of Woodstock... right on the US border. The latest section of the 4-lane highway has helped our travels to Fredericton (for Christmas shopping etc.) and to Saint John.

[KLMMD11]

Was enjoying your review until you took a shot at Americans.

 

If you don't like watching American shows on American Cruise

Lines take a Canadian, Mexican, or Honduran cruise line. If you

can find one!

 

Jon