1st Family Cruise on Glory - Any ?'s

[reedstephstuff]

We just got back from our 1st family cruise (myself 31, DH 31, 2 boys 2yo & 5yo). In addition, my parents & grandmother were on board as well. We did the western itenerary (Cozumel: Nachi Cocom (perfect beach AI resort), Belize: Belize City & AltunHa, Roatan Island: CoralCay - absolute favorite & Freeport: taxi to Port Lucaya)

 

I'd be happy to answer any questions about packing, Camp Carnival, the boat itself, etc. In addition, I did hang onto the Camp Capers for 2-5 year olds, if anyone would like me to e-mail them....

 

Best advise: bring the over the door plastic/ clear shoe rack! Thank you ladies for that tip!!!!

 

#2: Patience, patience, patience

 

#3: Don't let your dream of a beautiful, tropical vacation take over your ability to be realistic in your expectations.

 

#4: Prepare for the worst: weather (can't be controlled), kids response to Camp (can't be controlled), willingness of other family members to assist in the care of children (can't be controlled by or demanded from YOU ;))

[crusinmama06]

Yes! I would like the Camp Carnival pages to be emailed to me please. :D

crusinmama06@comcast.net

 

Also, Nachi Cocum, I am trying to decide between this and Passion Island. Did you like Nachi?

[reedstephstuff]

Cruisinmama-

 

In my humble opinion, Nachi was VERY nice! Clean, friendly staff, many ammenities (which due to bad surf conditions were unavailable to us :(). The food was good, I don't think I'd call it great, although the guacamole was delish! They guaranteed every person a chair on the beach and escorted us to the area set aside for our family. All lounge chairs sat either side of a thatched umbrella/ table. They did have a variety of things to offer on the menu... we all did enjoy our food more at Nachi than say on the Glory! The beach was pristine (even though Cozumel had a hurricane hit 2 weeks prior) and covered in shells & coral! We picked through shells and had truly a wonderful time there... I would definitely recommend it. I have nothing to compare it to as far as Cozumel is concerned, but I do have a pretty snobby sense of travel (hard to admit) and was impressed by the facility. Not to mention, what a deal!

 

As for the Kids Capers, I will bring them with me to work and scan them to you! I've gotten a great

 

So, that being said, when I do decide to cruise later in my children's lives, which line would you recommend for quality AND value!? Several people on ship mentioned that our cruise on Glory was the worst they had ever been on... I heard good things about NCL & mixed about RCI. We heard a horrible story about a 3 yr old escaping camp on a Princess cruise.... All in all, I have to say what I was expecting and what I got were 2 VERY different things.

[reedstephstuff]

The Capers just were e-mailed! Look for stephredwards@bellsouth.net

 

Thanks again for all your wonderful advise!

[crusinmama06]

Thanks Steph! I got them and they are uploaded. I really appreciate it. :D

 

So you did like Nachi? Thanks for the advice on that too. I have till next month to decide which beach we are going to hit.

 

I saw in one picture that there is a pool next to the bar. Did you use the pool at all?

[Tggrtoes]

I think I missed the post about the over the door shoe rack... what is that for? (other than the obvious... duh!) We leave on Saturday for Princess Mex Riv with 2 year old and I'm panicking about how it will all go. (I'm a first time cruiser that is a CONTROL freak.) :p

[crusinmama06]

I think I missed the post about the over the door shoe rack... what is that for? (other than the obvious... duh!) We leave on Saturday for Princess Mex Riv with 2 year old and I'm panicking about how it will all go. (I'm a first time cruiser that is a CONTROL freak.) :p

 

An over the door shoe rack just adds to the storage space. If you have a clear one, then you can store jewelry or any product in it and you can have quick, easy access to it.

 

I have never taken one. ;) I may be missing out though. :)

 

Steph - I forgot to answer your question earlier. My kids like RCI. Not that they don't like the others...but there are just more things to do on the RCI ships.

[reedstephstuff]

The shoerack was a blessing in the bathroom... it's fine to keep some stuff on the shelves of the vanity, but it was a great way to separate each toiletry and other misc. items for easy access for myself & hubby to see & find! It annoys me to tears when my husband doesn't know where anything is at, this worked out great for BOTH of us and our 2 boys.

 

Michelle,

Glad to help w/ the Capers... I looked for those on yours and other sites & boards for months before our sailing. I made it a point to bring them home to share! :)

We didn't use the pool at Nachi (high temp that day was 68F) but it looked very well kept and nice. Typical resort pool, cute tile around a rectangular pool, clean w/ lounge chairs all around & a swim up bar! Wished we could've used it, but our Floridian butts were too chilly that day!

[reedstephstuff]

I think I missed the post about the over the door shoe rack... what is that for? (other than the obvious... duh!) We leave on Saturday for Princess Mex Riv with 2 year old and I'm panicking about how it will all go. (I'm a first time cruiser that is a CONTROL freak.) :p

 

Leave the control freak at the port, if possible:o! We honestly had a nice time and some REALLY GREAT moments. Weather was our problem... & perhaps the ship itself. It was too cool to pool :( Seas were rough, but made sure my boys took 1/2 a Child's Bonine a day (had to crush up into 2 yo's juice a couple times), both kids napped EVERY day, thankfully. Don't forget to bring Tylenol or Motrin! Also, I brought liquid dishsoap to wash our plasticware we had brought. Carnival DID have plastic cups at the buffet but not anywhere else.... I brought 2 - 20 packs of Capri Suns and between BOTH my guys, we went through every one w/ still 2 days to go! 1 thing I wished I'd have brought more of: SNACKS. Although my 2 are VERY picky.... Surely, you'll have a great time. I tend to be a control freak as well. I must have read these boards 2 hours a day everyday for 3 months prior to our cruise (to better prepare myself ;)) Have a wonderful time! I'd love to hear about the Mexican Riviera as well!

[Tggrtoes]

Hmmm... I may check out the shoe racks while at Target today. Sounds like a huge space saver and help keep me a little sane at least. lol

 

Did you bring the motion sickness stuff with you - DH says we can just get it on board if we need to, but he hasn't cruised in several years and never with kids.

 

I'm getting so excited. Am looking forward to a really good time and am trying to check the crazy part of myself at the airport before we leave. Hopefully my obsessiveness up front will make that possible! Here's hoping I'm successfull! I will post a review when I get back.

[reedstephstuff]

I bought a plethera of motion sickness meds prior to departure... also, I was advised to start the boys on it within a week of leaving. I was hard pressed to find the Children's Bonine! I looked all over: CVS, Walgreens, Grocery Stores and could only get ahold of Children's Dramamine. The Bonine is non-drowsy and Dramamine will send you into a coma... finally, the day before we left I DID find the childrens bonine at a WinnDixie. As for purchasing it on board, EVERYTHING was VERY overpriced so, that's your call.... It'll be great! Have FUN!