Great cruise but Carnival targets extras $

Item: Carnival Glory
Rating: 3.7
Author: Elvisorbust

Carnival Glory Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Elvisorbust

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 26

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 05, 2023

Ship: Carnival Glory

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8448

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Great cruise and crew but there appeared to be a big emphasis on selling extras, excursions, gambling and drinking. Montego Bay was not the great port I was expecting, best to stay onboard or do a hotel beach day or sea creature adventure. Grand Cayman and Cozumel really nice.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Better information about process at port for first timers. Suitcase port porter emphasised he only works for tips but took cases only 20 yards, probably could have done this myself. Quickly onto ship but soon the Lido level got over capacity. Needed extra areas and entertainment to keep people happy till staterooms are ready at 1.30pm

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Food was really good

Platinum Restaurant

5 out of 5

Fabulous!!!

Guy's Burger Joint

4 out of 5

Excellent burgers and chips but servers looked hot, unhappy and overworked at busy times.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Pools over busy at Fun times.

Guest Services / Shore Excursions

1 out of 5

Informed them laundrettes level 8 had issues with some machines not working but they insisted I needed an error code but with no power to part of the room no error code was available. Still inoperative the next day but we got chief steward who got the right person to reset the electrics.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Shows and ship host excellent

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Mostly excellent but not as excellent as I was expecting. Some general cleaners looked bored and fast food staff looked overworked.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Excellent overall but attention to detail lacked in places. Exterior windows, glass, balcony area & its furniture always looked dirty, I realise it’s hard to keep clean on a ship at sail 24/7 but 1 clean per week is just not enough. Rust, paint splashes and salt a plenty.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Excellent overall and bed very comfortable even though it was 2 x 2’6” singles pushed together with a mattress topper. Big room could’ve done with 2 chairs with the interior table. Room kept clean but balcony and its furniture only hosed down once a week. Towel animals add to the fun

Ship tip

Take a much higher sun screen factor than you normally use extra to your normal factor, like 3 times higher! If you want to get off ship quickly if you don’t have platinum, gold or early flight then get a checked in luggage ticket early on. Don’t let them persuade you to give up your stateroom too early if you want to rest comfortably in private.

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Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

3 out of 5

Montego Bay, Jamaica

1 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

4 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

Crew failed to tell us that clocks were going back the night before, consequently guests were getting up too early even for breakfast. Wasn’t allowed to get of ship till nearly last as we were muster H

Traveler Photos

8 Comments

Sogmoore 1 year ago

Sun tan lotion is a must thanks for sharing

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kinjirionna 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate your comments

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed feedback. Glad Cookie was your cruise director. He is such a positive person. I would encourage you to watch some YouTube videos about cruising, if you decide to try cruising again. This will give you insight into what other lines offer. Carnival may not be for you but another cruise cruise may have what you are seeking. Sorry your first cruise wasn’t what you expected.

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Elvisorbust 1 year ago

Thanks for comments so far. It was a great cruise but probably too much emphasis on gambling and gambling prizes for competitions for my liking to return to Carnival cruising. If it wasn’t for Cookie the cruise director the score would have been lower. Likewise the messing around with the ships time, forward 1 hour at start and back 1 hour at the end the score would have been higher. No excuse for guest services not taking information to fix the laundrette, they didn’t want to know… again a higher score would have been given. We did a recommended independent excursion but the itinerary was poor although we did see Jamaica for $35 each. Others did the $99 Carnival beach trip but they said everything was extra when they got there and they said they might as well have paid more and gone all inclusive at a hotel beach stay. I believe all the food on embarkation day was on the Lido level so people accumulated there and waited till 1.30pm to move from their seats. We shared our fairly hidden table to some very hot and grateful guests that were standing. I’m glad we checked in at 11am or the line for food and seats would have been horrendous.

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hollysmomtravel 1 year ago

This looks like your first cruise, so let me tell you those high expectations would have been dashed no matter who you sailed with. All of the cruiselines always try to upsell you, or add on this or that. The employees at the ports don't work for the cruiselines, they work for the port and yes tend to be rude and pushy. You don't have to stay on the Lido deck while waiting for your staterooms, but one easy fix is to not check in so early.

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CruzeFan 1 year ago

Glad you enjoyed most of it. All cruise lines push up selling now. It’s best to do an excursion in Jamaica and not venture out on your own.

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Other reviews of this sailing

Great cruise

Best trip ever!

Took our 3 kids on a senior trip, and had a blast. The cruise director cookie made the week very entertaining. We loved the Glory and will sail her again.