Built in 2003 in Genoa, Italy,
Glory goes back to the color kaleidoscope and high-energy theming that is typical of the Carnival line. On this 110,000-ton ship, cruisers can experience all the amenities of a mega ship, even though the vessel is small enough to traverse fairly easily. Although the layout is basically the same as other Conquest ships,
Glory has a more family and party atmosphere than some of her sister ships of the same class.
Registered in Panama, the ship is commanded by Italian officers and served by an international crew. Her maximum speed is 21 knots. Maximum passenger capacity is 2,974. The majority of passengers are from the U.S. and all announcements are in English. During summer, Christmas season and spring break the ship is packed with families, family reunion groups and younger travelers. During the off-season (September to November and January to April) the passenger list comprises more specialty groups, active adults and senior citizens.
The ship alternates on an Eastern and Western Caribbean itinerary from Port Canaveral. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Nassau Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. The Western Caribbean in 2008 is Cozumel Mexico, Belize, Roatan Honduras and Freeport Bahamas. Beginning in 2009, the Western itinerary will switch to Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya Mexico and Nassau Bahamas.
As on most Caribbean cruises, activities include snorkeling, diving, canoe and kayak, sailing, city tours, beach and water adventures that vary from tame to adventurous in every port. Unique shore excursion offerings include cave tubing and canopy tours in Belize and the America's Cup sailing in St. Maarten.
The heart of the ship is the atrium—a tower of lights and colors that is aptly named the kaleidoscope. The theme of the ship is colors and each room presents a different hue. The atrium shops, lobby bar and photo shop along with the rest of the Promenade deck form the center of entertainment on-board. These areas are somewhat small and prone to congestion.
The Lido deck comprises three separate pool areas, one with the line's signature 214-ft waterslide. The main pool is small by big-ship standards and is flanked by a small stage where the calypso band plays during the day. At the rear of the Lido deck is the Azure Pool, which is more inviting and has a retractable roof as well as proximity to the grill, pizzeria and ice cream. Each pool is flanked by several whirlpools.
The gym is 13,300 sq ft of modern exercise equipment and program rooms. There are optional classes offered (at a nominal cost) throughout the cruise. There is a jogging track on the open deck.
The Polynesian-themed spa has tropical foliage, bamboo furnishings and even an indoor waterfall into the whirlpools. Steam rooms and saunas, and a full-service beauty salon with high prices, are on hand. The full menu of spa treatments from the Steiner organization includes detox treatments, massage techniques and beauty rituals. Prices are higher than on land, but less than on deluxe cruise lines.
Most of the entertainment in the evening revolves around the Promenade Deck. The Main Lounge hosts Las Vegas-style reviews that typically feature a few live singers and a dozen dancers lip-syncing to popular tunes. Guest comics, jugglers and variety acts are also on the playbill. Other lounges feature a rock or pop band, sing-along piano bar and karaoke bar. The Arabian-themed casino has slot machines, video poker, table games including blackjack, Caribbean Stud, roulette, craps and—new to Carnival ships—Texas Hold Em'. The life-size camels out front provide a photo-op. The Kaleidoscope bar outside the casino serves as a central gathering point.
On-board shopping is limited to a souvenir and T-shirt shop, liquor shop, and duty-free jewelry, cosmetic and perfume shop.
Carnival excels in its activities for children. The Glory has an expanded Camp Carnival and O2 Teen Program. The new kids' area is over 4,200 sq ft and has PS2, Wii, arts and crafts, games and a wading pool. Carnival also offers programs on music, science, fitness and ports of call. The O2 Teen program has its own teen lounge with video games, activities, a music DJ and a juice bar.
The Internet cafe, small and tucked away on a lower deck, has only a few computers and connection is slow. However, the ship has wireless Internet throughout.
Glory's two main dining rooms, the Platinum and Golden, serve identical dinner menus: international cuisine with a rotating variety of fish, poultry, beef and vegetarian dishes. They operate on fixed seating with the table number and dining time assigned by the ship. The food quality on Carnival has definitely improved since adopting the Georges Blanc menu but is still not up the standards of luxury lines. The Platinum (aft dining room) is a bit smaller and scenic with three walls of windows versus the larger, centrally located Golden dining room.
The Emerald Room supper club, located atop the ship, exacts a $30-per-person cover charge. The giant emerald green gems and back-lit green accents are enough to make Oz jealous. But for a change of pace and high quality dining, it is a great option for a night out on the ship. The top-quality steak, chops, lobster and other offerings are well-prepared. Reservations are necessary. The Lido Buffet Red Sail has several buffet lines serving a rotating international fare. There are also lines for Asian cuisine, deli sandwiches, an outdoor grill area and the signature 24 hour pizza. The buffet is subject to sometimes long lines and somewhat repetitive selections, but the carving station and cooked-to-order pasta in the evening are a plus. On the Glory, an often-missed area is a fish and chips bar that serves good cooked-to-order seafood selections. Other venues include Creams Cafe (coffee, cakes and pastries for a small charge) and the Sushi Bar, both located on the Promenade deck.
Carnival has some of the largest standard cabins (195 sq ft) afloat and Glory offers a majority of them as oceanview and balcony. All standard cabins contain two full-size twin beds convertible to a king. Recently, Carnival has upgraded bedding to high-thread-count sheets and fluffy duvets. The rooms are very nicely appointed and provide a good amount of cabinet and drawer space. TVs have interactive capabilities (for ordering movies, games, shore excursions and checking the bill), a safe, hair dryer and basic toiletries. Oceanview cabins and above provide robes. Towels are usually absorbent and fluffy. Pool towels must be checked out on the Lido deck and returned daily. The balcony on the standard cabins is very narrow with a chair and small table. The deluxe balcony cabins at the rear of the ship have large balconies with wonderful views aft.
The 18 family staterooms on the Conquest class of ships are slightly larger and have floor-to-ceiling windows instead of a balcony. They book up quickly, especially during peak season. Suites are substantially larger with separate sitting areas, closets, whirlpool tubs, marble accents and larger balconies.
This is a "Fun Ship" so there are plenty of games, lido deck contests and party events, but you will also find small out-of-the-way spots for quieter moments. Overall, the ship is a great choice for families and groups wanting a fun and entertaining cruise experience on a limited budget.
