Glory Western Caribbean advice?

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Dukebluebell

Guest
Hey all,

Just booked my second Carnival cruise (last one was Victory in March '04) on the Glory for New Years Eve through Jan 7.

Any advice on shore excursions to book early/avoid in any of the ports (Key West, Cozumel, Belize)?

Also...I've seen some posts about this topic and I must say I'm a bit nervous. We got a great cabin (I thought)...6306 (Upper Deck). But looking more closely I see that it is directly above the dreaded casino. I am an incredibly light sleeper, and so I wanted to know...

Is the noise from the slot machines audible with earplugs? Does the casino ever close? When? On my last cruise I was on the Riviera deck and loved it...it was always completely quiet (well, minus the occasional door slam, but that's to be expected). I slept better there than at home! So now I'm worried that my perfect cruise-sleep will be disturbed by jangling slot machines...

So please weigh in honestly on this one...I'd rather pay a bit to change my cabin than be miserable during the nights.

Also...any other Glory or Western Caribbean tips are -greatly- appreciated. I'm sailing with two first-time cruisers and we are so excited!

Thanks in advance!
 
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IslandGirl66

Guest
Hello,
You now are booked in cabin #6306, Upper Deck on the Glory. I am thinking you should be able to change your room without an additional charge if you stay on that same floor in the same cabin category. I am booked on the Glory for Feb 2006 and we are on the same floor in room #6387. That area seems to be a quiet one. Yes we are near the elevator. I have heard others say the elevator area is noisy but we have never found that to be a problem. Whatever you decide to do I am sure you will enjoy your cruise. If you decide to try to change your cabin dont wait, do it soon. Enjoy!
 
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Dukebluebell

Guest
The only problem with that is there were 3 rooms left...and the other two were about as far forward as you can get. One of my traveling companions has serious sea-sickness issues, so a mid-ships room made more sense. I guess we're now trying to balance which one will cause a larger problem...
 
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IslandGirl66

Guest
Take a look at the posting in this forum titled Carnival-Casino. In that posting (tweety9) says that their room on another ship was over the casino but wasnt a major problem. If you are not a real lite sleeper maybe it wont be a problem.
 
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Dukebluebell

Guest
Thanks to both of you for your replies...I called my TA today and we had a -long- discussion! We ended up changing cabins to a category 4E as opposed to a 4C. We're now on the Verandah deck, directly above staterooms and below the portion of Red Sail restaurant that isn't open all night long. Much happier with this arrangement! (We were quite careful to avoid being below the Lido deck pool areas...I've heard stories of deck chairs being rearranged at 3am!) We were able to get the upgrade for about $30 total, which to me was a miniscule price to pay to escape the stories I've heard about being directly above the Casino!

Incidentally, if anyone is military (or has military family), I highly recommend booking cruises through USAA. It's been the most wonderful process! They act as your travel agents but you don't pay them a dime, they have the lowest prices anywhere online (and I checked!), and they've been so sweet that I asked the girl I spoke with today for her manager's name so I could tell him or her what a fabulous job she'd done. (I had a lot of questions, and she was exceedingly patient!)

So now that the stateroom is figured out...any more Glory advice? Cool niches to find? Foods to be sure to try? Shore excursions?

Does Carnival do special stuff on New Years?

99 days to go!
 
J

jefft

Guest
Dukebluebell wrote:
and they've been so sweet that I asked the girl I spoke with today for her manager's name so I could tell him or her what a fabulous job she'd done. (I had a lot of questions, and she was exceedingly patient!)


IMHO
Now thats what I like to hear.... people who actually reward good service , that small gesture probably went a long way with her boss and made her day !
Jefft
 
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Dukebluebell

Guest
Just as I believe in pointing out rotten service, I also believe in rewarding fabulous service. Neither one takes too much time, and I like to think maybe it makes a difference!
 
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cruizinrican

Guest
Just back from the Glory and had a fabulous time! We did a snorkeling tour that we booked on our own once off the ship and went to Geoff's Caye. It was a beautiful reef with tons of fish. A really picture perfect setting! Cozumel we rented a Jeep and went around on our own checking out beach clubs bc we wanted to snorkel and drink. So we picked Playa Mia and had a blast! For $42 a person we had food buffet, drinks, snorkeling, mats, chairs, umbrella, pool, mini zoo, playground, kayaks, hobe sail boat, water trampoline and climbing iceberg! Boy did we get our monies worth! Key West just walked around and ate and drank at Jimmy Buffet's and bought some crazy t-shirts.

Can't comment on the cabin under casino but the smoking might be an issue if you don't like it! I would pay to move cabins now before they sell out and your stuck there after you board and decide to move. I for one can't tell you when it was opened or closed for sure but I do know that the law prohibits them from being open while in port. So until she is 3 miles out to sea, she will be closed.

Cruizinrican
 
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chrlygrl

Guest
We were in Belize in May with the Carnival Valor's Western Tour. We did the zoo tour and had a great time seeing the animals. However we also had a member of our group go on the airboat tour and they said it was well worth the price. As for Key West you can rent buggies and take a tour on your own around the city or take one of the "train" tours. (a group of trams that look like trains). They take you all over the city and give you the history of Key West. When stopping in Key West make sure you go to the Aloe Vera store and purchase the Aloe Vera with Lidocaine. It is absolutely wonderfull if you get sunburned.
 
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NellieB

Guest
Have any of you GLORY people been on this new excursion (or have it booked) in Belize?

PRIVATE ISLAND BEACH BREAK

Do you have any information other than what is provided in the description by Carnival? HELP!

NellieB
 
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