Cruising on the
Carnival Glory
The Glory is the second
in the new Conquest class of ships from Carnival. Carrying
2,974 passengers in 1,487 staterooms, makes the Glory one
of the largest ships in Carnival's ever expanding fleet.
Of the ship's 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent are outside and
60 percent of those are balcony cabins. As with most of
the Carnivals ships the standard outside cabins are a very
generous 190 sq ft, with balcony cabins being even larger.
Carnival's cabins are larger than other mass market cruise
lines.
Before you stop reading this review because of your
perception of Carnival, let me tell you a bit about
"Today's" Carnival. You can't be the most successful
cruise line and not have changed over the past 31 years.
Tank tops and tattoos are no longer the order of the day.
Carnival's average age passenger is 47. Carnival carries
more senior passengers than Holland America Cruise Line.
In fact the passengers are the same as you would find on
RCCL and NCL and other mass market cruise lines.
The reason they are called the "Fun Ships" is quite simply
because passengers of all ages will find something to
really enjoy and have a great cruise. Carnival
unquestionably offers more live entertainment of all
types, compared to their competitors. On my cruise a
typical early evening featured 5 live acts performing all
types of music from classical to country. Yes there is a
main pool area that features your typical pool side games
and music but there is also another pool that's perfect
for reading you book.
Last, but certainly not least, is the issue of food and
service on "Today's Carnival". As mentioned in an earlier
review Carnival has put it's money where it's mouth is, so
to speak, by significantly increasing their food budgets
on all of their ships and it really shows. Further on in
this review I speak about F&B on the Glory. The staff on
the Glory, and the other Carnival ships I have been on,
all seem to be attentive and want to make sure you're
having a FUN time.
With all of that said, let me tell you a bit about this
ship. This floating resort features 22 "themed" lounges
and bars. The 1,400 seat Amber Palace, the main show
lounge, is themed after Russia's legendary Amber Room and
offers excellent sight lines and all of the latest A/V
equipment and effects. "On The Green" sports bar is a
golf-themed sport bar that works very well. The Burgundy
Wine Bar is a very, very busy wine bar, reflecting again
on the type of passengers on board, offering an extensive
list of premium wines, champagnes and caviar. The Glory's
White Heat disco is the late night "happening" place and
always packed. The list of lounges goes on and on with a
host of choices that will please most anyone. These are
FUN ships.
We recommend that you take a serious look at the new
Carnival. Carnival has taken the concept of designing
ships with numerous size public rooms instead of large
pass though rooms. This is great for our incentive groups
as you will be able to find a private room for most any
size group quite easily. The Glory also offers dedicated
meeting rooms as well.
If you want Las Vegas at sea, the Glory's casino comes
very close indeed. The Glory carries a golf pro on each
cruise with the latest in video golf lessons, club and
shoe rental and makes arrangements for golf ashore. This
can be customized for your group with advance planning.
Cigar smokers take heed the Ivory Room is a full size
lounge that features nightly jazz, not some closet or the
deck. Again this ship offers something for everyone and
you cannot help but have FUN.
As mentioned earlier Carnival has put their money where
their mouth is when it comes to food and dining. Without a
doubt the premier restaurant on the Glory is the Emerald
Room. This reservation only "Super Club" offers your
typical Chop House fare. The food, service and quality
will match any Chicago Chop House. Enjoy dancing and
drinks at the bar inside the Emerald before and after
dinner. There is an up charge that you will gladly pay
again and again.
The two main dining rooms are both two levels with a
combined total of 4 seatings. This means more flexibility
for selecting dining times. It give you the opportunity to
offer an entire dining room on a private basis at either 8
or 8:30 as well as being able to take over a level on a
private basis for smaller groups. It also means that the
kitchen is only preparing half as many meals per seating
which means quality goes up, you get the food the way you
actually ordered it such as medium well or rare, the
plates can be properly decorated and your waiter is less
hassled. The selection is extensive nightly and features
standards such as lobster, steaks, prime rib and Beef
Wellington. You more than likely will be surprised to find
that you will also find an excellent stuffed quail, a
peppered duck and other more complicated dishes. The
presentation, quality and service really is superior to
many competitors.
The Red Sail Restaurant is really more like a food complex
versus a typical Lido Buffet. The Red Sail is open for
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in a casual atmosphere. Within
the Red Sail you have numerous choices that include a made
to order Deli, an Oriental station where many of the
dishes are again made to order, the Grand Buffet which is
your typical cruise line buffet, a buffet that is themed
daily such as French, Italian etc, a Fish and Chip dining
area located up stairs, salad bar stations and of course
desert stations and ice cream bar. Last but not least are
three pool grills and a 24 hour Pizzeria. Room is service
is also available 24 hours. Again you are going to be very
surprised with the quality, selection and service.
Located on the Promenade deck, where all the action is, is
the Sushi Bar which is open nightly (no additional
charge). Additional is a European style Cafe serving
coffees, pastries, cookies, real milk shakes, banana
splits and other ice cream specialties (additional charge)
open throughout the day and evening.
As mentioned earlier there is golf instruction and driving
cages available along with extensive gym equipment. The
Spa is very popular and offers extensive spa and beauty
treatments and facilities. Want to be a couch potato? You
can because you cabin has a full size sofa, 41 channels of
free TV plus a variety of pay for view movies and a fully
stocked mini bar with munchies.
I mentioned earlier about the variety of live music acts.
These are but a part of a total entertainment package that
is sure to please any group. The production shows are some
of the best in the business, with full orchestras. Some
nights you will find late night adult comedy available. A
very active piano bar is another popular gathering spot.
An intimate room that offers Karaoke and is busy most
every night. Some afternoons while at sea you might find
typical game show take offs such as the "Marriage Show".
The long and the short of it is there is a lot to do, a
lot of fun and a whole host of things to keep any group as
occupied as they want day or night.
Prepared by Steve Bloss, August 2003. This revue is entirely
subjective and reflects solely the opinion of the author.
