M
msburrill
Guest
Just got back from the Glory Western Cruise. There were about 30 in our group and we had a wonderful trip, however it seemed very long (which is good I guess). Beautiful ship, lots to do and we had the pleasure of having our last day at sea on Halloween. Had a fantastic costume parade and contest. There were at least 200-300 people dressed in costumes and some were really really creative. The winner was a group that dressed completely like the cast from Gilligan's Island including a few natives. It was awesome and very entertaining. Speaking of entertainment, it was a wonderful variety. From singing, to comedians, to the vegas shows and a ventriloquist (sp?). The big band was nice plus several other bands as well. Food was plentiful and tasty. We tried the Emerald Room, it was fantastic and well worth the $25. I had the 24 oz porterhouse (could only eat 1/4 of it) but it was good nonetheless. Too bad I couldnt take it with me for later.
Went cave tubing in Belize which I highly recommend. Lots to see on this tour. The ride, the history, the hike, the river and the caves. You can learn something from it all. We went on the catamaran sail and snorkel in Cozemel and it was absolutely a blast. Margaritas out the ying yang starting at 9am!!!!! Water was crystal clear, fish were plentyful and the coral was beautiful. Then we played or relaxed on their little private beach for andhour or so and partied back to the ship. Lots of fun and highly memorable. Oh, I forgot about Key West. We just walked the streets and took in the sites. There were some local tours but would time there was short. Tried a conch fritter for the first time and it was fantastic. I should have gotten a bunch to bring back on the ship.
Decided not to do a tour in Progresso. Just went into town and shopped in the little plaza/flea market there. The beach was nothing to be desired. Water murky, and sand yucky. Lots of dispair there but glad I was able to see it. Just enough time to look around, shop a little and head back to the boat. Great bargin on Corona's!!!!! There was a local guy that took you on a 20 minute city tour of $2. Yes 2 bucks. I didnt go but some said they couldn't beat the price.
Overall, it was a fantatic voyage and I can't wait to do it again. There was no shortage of photographs. Everytime I turned around there was a photographer taking my picture and they are hard to turn down. I liked them all and purchased my fair share. I even had a roll of film developed on the ship which was very reasonable and very nice quality. Only $6.50 for singles 24 exp. I decided to experiment with black and white film in my camera and used it on the first formal night. I took several of me and my husband and used the rest on group shots and individual shots of the other couples and singles in our group. I got double prints ($12) and the photos were perfect. They turned our great and I gave everyone in the group a copy of there shot. And they give you a nice little photo album with your prints.
I dont want to spoil this review by being negative but I must warn future cruisers. The ship is very smoky and I have read that time and time again on other reviews. You can smoke in your rooms, on the deck, in the casino, in the disco and just about everywhere on the promenade deck 5 and at the elevators inside. The cabin doors have vents in them so if you walk past a cabin with smokers, its hits you as you pass. As you can tell, I am a non-smoker and this really bothered me sometimes. With so many places being non-smoking these days, I got accustomed to not being around smokers. I put this concern on my comment card at the end of the cruise (which they insist you do it improve on future cruises and I am sure they have heard their fare share regarding smokers). However, if the smoked bothered me, I just got up and moved. I didnt complain because that is just how it is. What good was complaining going to do. They had the right to smoke and I had the right to move. Simple as that. But I do think they need to have a wing of floor or cabins strickley for non-smoking just like hotels because actually, it is a floating hotel of sorts. It was very prominate in the casino where I sat for periods of time with no real ciruclation like the outside decks and my clothes and hair smelled of smoked even the next day. Anyway, that was my only complaint and it was one I could live with but it you suffered from asthma or some other resperatory disorder, you may have an issue.
Oh, I forgot to mention the awesome cruise director Greg and the hilarious bedtime story. It was one I will not forget. I hope you guys will have the pleasure of cruising with him. He is one in a million. Very funny guy.
If you have any other questions about the ship or western ports, let me know and I have all my capers too. Tried to keep a copy of the emerald room menu but it was too big to hide. Also parts of the ship was really cold (which is to be expected) so bring a sweater for dinner and the shows and a light weight jacket for those casual nights on the deck. The disco is freezing but felt great after a few dances. You will be coming out of the jacket when the beat hits you.
We were able to experience a serious art auction too. High quality, high priced art. Well let me say this, there were about 4 auctions total and the one I attended had a guy paying $100 for the least expensive piece to a lady paying $1800 for a Dale Jr memorabilia piece AND $13,000 for an original _________. I forgot the artist and yes I said thirteen THOUSAND dollars. Must be nice!!!!! We were fortunate enough to win a piece they were raffleing off and had to pay $10 for them to ship it to us. Guess it wasnt free afterallbut it was a nice piece.
OK, that's it. I could go on and on. Hit me back with your questions.
Mick
2003 Carnival Glory
1999 Disney Magic
1983 Carnival Fantasy
Went cave tubing in Belize which I highly recommend. Lots to see on this tour. The ride, the history, the hike, the river and the caves. You can learn something from it all. We went on the catamaran sail and snorkel in Cozemel and it was absolutely a blast. Margaritas out the ying yang starting at 9am!!!!! Water was crystal clear, fish were plentyful and the coral was beautiful. Then we played or relaxed on their little private beach for andhour or so and partied back to the ship. Lots of fun and highly memorable. Oh, I forgot about Key West. We just walked the streets and took in the sites. There were some local tours but would time there was short. Tried a conch fritter for the first time and it was fantastic. I should have gotten a bunch to bring back on the ship.
Decided not to do a tour in Progresso. Just went into town and shopped in the little plaza/flea market there. The beach was nothing to be desired. Water murky, and sand yucky. Lots of dispair there but glad I was able to see it. Just enough time to look around, shop a little and head back to the boat. Great bargin on Corona's!!!!! There was a local guy that took you on a 20 minute city tour of $2. Yes 2 bucks. I didnt go but some said they couldn't beat the price.
Overall, it was a fantatic voyage and I can't wait to do it again. There was no shortage of photographs. Everytime I turned around there was a photographer taking my picture and they are hard to turn down. I liked them all and purchased my fair share. I even had a roll of film developed on the ship which was very reasonable and very nice quality. Only $6.50 for singles 24 exp. I decided to experiment with black and white film in my camera and used it on the first formal night. I took several of me and my husband and used the rest on group shots and individual shots of the other couples and singles in our group. I got double prints ($12) and the photos were perfect. They turned our great and I gave everyone in the group a copy of there shot. And they give you a nice little photo album with your prints.
I dont want to spoil this review by being negative but I must warn future cruisers. The ship is very smoky and I have read that time and time again on other reviews. You can smoke in your rooms, on the deck, in the casino, in the disco and just about everywhere on the promenade deck 5 and at the elevators inside. The cabin doors have vents in them so if you walk past a cabin with smokers, its hits you as you pass. As you can tell, I am a non-smoker and this really bothered me sometimes. With so many places being non-smoking these days, I got accustomed to not being around smokers. I put this concern on my comment card at the end of the cruise (which they insist you do it improve on future cruises and I am sure they have heard their fare share regarding smokers). However, if the smoked bothered me, I just got up and moved. I didnt complain because that is just how it is. What good was complaining going to do. They had the right to smoke and I had the right to move. Simple as that. But I do think they need to have a wing of floor or cabins strickley for non-smoking just like hotels because actually, it is a floating hotel of sorts. It was very prominate in the casino where I sat for periods of time with no real ciruclation like the outside decks and my clothes and hair smelled of smoked even the next day. Anyway, that was my only complaint and it was one I could live with but it you suffered from asthma or some other resperatory disorder, you may have an issue.
Oh, I forgot to mention the awesome cruise director Greg and the hilarious bedtime story. It was one I will not forget. I hope you guys will have the pleasure of cruising with him. He is one in a million. Very funny guy.
If you have any other questions about the ship or western ports, let me know and I have all my capers too. Tried to keep a copy of the emerald room menu but it was too big to hide. Also parts of the ship was really cold (which is to be expected) so bring a sweater for dinner and the shows and a light weight jacket for those casual nights on the deck. The disco is freezing but felt great after a few dances. You will be coming out of the jacket when the beat hits you.
We were able to experience a serious art auction too. High quality, high priced art. Well let me say this, there were about 4 auctions total and the one I attended had a guy paying $100 for the least expensive piece to a lady paying $1800 for a Dale Jr memorabilia piece AND $13,000 for an original _________. I forgot the artist and yes I said thirteen THOUSAND dollars. Must be nice!!!!! We were fortunate enough to win a piece they were raffleing off and had to pay $10 for them to ship it to us. Guess it wasnt free afterallbut it was a nice piece.
OK, that's it. I could go on and on. Hit me back with your questions.
Mick
2003 Carnival Glory
1999 Disney Magic
1983 Carnival Fantasy
