Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Glory

Cruise Ship Reviews *More images and info of the "Carnival Glory"* at June 26, 2012:** Carnival Cruise Lines Wikipedia Shipspotting.com Flickr.com LateCruiseNews.com Youtube.com Carnival Glory *The Fincantieri shipyard in Malfalcone, Italy gave birth to the Glory, the sister ship of Conquest, the largest "Fun Ship" ever* Jack and Toni White (September 9, 2003) The Ship On July 14, 2003 in Port Canaveral, Florida, glorious Dr. Sally Ride, the first woman in space, appropriately served as Godmother to Carnival's newest mega-liner, Glory. She attempted to christen the ship, but the traditional champagne bottle missed the ship several times. Later a computerized version created a successful christening. The $500 million, 110,000 ton, 952 foot long, Carnival Glory can carry over 3,000 passengers, plus an international crew of 1,160. She is the sister ship of Conquest, the largest "Fun Ship" ever. The Fincantieri shipyard in Malfalcone, Italy gave birth to the Glory. Carnival made a multi-million dollar investment in new technology and sophisticated systems, with passenger safety its first priority. The systems include stabilizers, stern bow thrusters, individually controlled twin rudders, a diesel electric propulsion system, and six medium-speed engines achieving 84,933 hp, all designed to keep this floating resort from rocking and rolling. Architectural Design Joe Farcus the designer of Glory, as he has been for Carnival ships for twenty-five years chose color as the central theme for this ship. A kaleidoscope of color and pattern stimulates the senses, as the whole box of crayons has been used, unlike the quiet elegance luxury liners project. We toured the public spaces with Farcus checking out Club Crimson, Emerald Supper Club, Red Sails restaurant, White Heat Disco, Camel Club Casino, Ivory Club, Cinn-A-Bar, Bar Blue, Ebony Cabaret, Black & White Library, Creams, Copper Room, Burgundy Bar, On the Green sports bar, Gold and Platinum dining rooms, and the Amber Showroom. Carnival's custom use of granite, marble, imported woods, and stained glass is proof that dollars aren't spared to create an opulent experience for vacationers. Staterooms After marching down a long corridor with our carry-on luggage, we were happy to enter a stateroom, larger than other mass-market line cabins. Bathrooms are still miniscule and must be uncomfortable for the obese. Marketing of "The Fun Ship" has widened to senior citizens, and the physically challenged, so there are numerous specially equipped cabins. There are 10 penthouse suites, 42 suites, 858 ocean view staterooms, including 503 with verandah, and 577 inside staterooms, for a total of 1,487 staterooms. For good reason the number of verandah staterooms keeps increasing. The cruise experience is so enhanced by verandahs, passengers accept the additional expense. With seven hundred children on the cruise, lounging on our private verandah was a welcome relief. Cabin amenities include color television, refrigerator, hair dryer, private safe, and a multi-function telephone. Plush terrycloth bathrobes are available for guest use only in ocean-view cabins. The Lobby, Atrium and Promenade The Colors Lobby pulsates with color and activity. Adding to the ambiance, vivid murals adorn the lobby where a pianist and other entertainers, plus a lively bar, attract passengers. Four shimmering glass elevators enable passengers to survey the busy atrium, the focal point of the ship. Two grand staircases enhance the grandiose space. A massive "meteorite" sculpture by Vistosi is center stage in the Spectrum Atrium and represents every shade of the rainbow. A multi-million dollar artwork collection is installed on this ship, something art lovers will appreciate. Eight glass murals, inspired by Italian futuristic art of the 1930s, line Kaleidoscope Boulevard, the 600-foot-long promenade. Public Spaces The Amber Palace, the main three-deck-high show lounge, seats 1,500. A massive crystal chandelier enhances this palace. Unfortunately, it was impossible to design this showroom with stadium seating, but this representation of the Amber Room in a Russian Czarina's Palace is opulent with gold leaf columns and amber wall mosaics. Carnival doesn't stint on state-of-the-art stages, lighting, and sound equipment. Guests stroll from venue to venue to dance, drink, enjoy jazz, and party. The White Heat Dance Club use a candles theme and Carnival's trademark "video wall". Jazz is featured in Bar Blue. The Ebony Cabaret is striking with its African atmosphere, dark ebony walls and ceilings and use of batik fabric. Golfers gravitate to the sports bar, On the Green. Barstools and table bases are half-golf balls on tees and Tartan green plaid fabric is the upholstery. On board weddings are available featuring a "Just for the Bride & Groom" package at $750 and "Deluxe Romance" at $1,450, but the sweet wedding chapel on previous ships is downplayed on this ship. It also serves as a conference room. The huge Camel Club casino lacks only Lawrence of Arabia riding through on a camel to join the life-size kneeling camels at the entrance. Non-smokers may be uncomfortable in the limited section allotted to them. Food and Beverages The Golden and Platinum formal dining rooms are decorated in a serene Oriental motif. At rectangular tables of eight with overly large dining chairs, passengers sitting closest to the window are unable to get in and out. Serving stations positioned just behind these same passengers add to the discomfort. We hope this problem will be rectified, as servers found it necessary to assist guests squeezing into their chairs. Cuisine is varied and professionally served. Children's selections are offered on the menus, and vegetarian and lighter spa fare, lower in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories, can be found on Carnival's menus. Those who remember early Carnival cuisine and turn up their noses should try again. The improvement is impressive. The quality of the food in the reservation only Emerald Supper Club is well worth the $20 charge; much less than a comparable dinner in a fine land restaurant. Service is impeccable. Huge lobster tails are twisted around for an interesting presentation, prawn cocktail is served in a large stemmed, martini glass, and steaks almost cut themselves. The huge Porterhouse steak was the talk of the ship. The Emerald Club has a dance floor and musical entertainment, but servers and diners constantly walking across the floor, make it is impossible to dance. We miss the inviting dance floor of the Supper Club on the Spirit ship. No one will go hungry on this ship with its New York-style deli, a rotisserie, specialty seafood venue, Asian and American stations, grilles, sushi, 24-hour pizza, salad, dessert and ice cream bars, and 24-hour stateroom service. The Red Sails Grill, an informal buffet venue has intimate spaces created by sail-like dividers. There often were short lines in this popular dining venue. Activities Passengers are stroked and kneaded in the 13,300 square-foot Polynesian Spa. We relaxed in the Disneylandish rock waterfall spa, but the Jacuzzi section of the spa holds only about three people. For a large ship, not enough space was allotted for this area. Bodies were wall to wall in the non-jacuzzi section of this hot tub, but there was no waiting to use machines in the well-equipped gymnasium. On deck, active passengers enjoy the pools, spas, and 214-foot winding slide. A retractable glass roof protects a pool and surrounding deck in inclement weather. Cruising with thousands of passengers at times it was difficult to find a lounge, but we spied stacks of plastic chairs in an out of the way corner. Camp Carnival's kid venue is a 4,200 square-foot playroom. Among supervised activities is an arts and craft center, video room, computer-lab, a library, and a nearby children's wading pool. Ultraviolets is a combination game room/teen dance club featuring a disk jockey, complex sound and lighting systems, a dance floor and "mocktail lounge" where teens can hang out. Carnival is focusing on romancing families to the "Family Fun Ship". Entertainment: Carnival's revues are among the best at sea and compare with another era's Ziegfield Follies. Gorgeous girls, glitzy costumes, intricate choreography, and talented performers are Carnival trademarks. Lazer lights, special effects, and performers being lowered from the rafters on glamorous props while others venture into the audience dancing and singing bring the audience to their feet. Ports of Call Carnival's Glory departs each Saturday year-round on seven-day itineraries from Port Canaveral alternating eastern and western Caribbean voyages. Eastern Caribbean voyages call at Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Marten. Western voyages include Key West, Florida, Belize City, Cozumel and Progreso/Merida, Mexico Conclusion Carnival's Vacation Guarantee permits dissatisfied guests to disembark the ship and receive a prorated refund for unused cruise fare and reimbursement for airfare home. It's unlikely that many will take advantage of this offer. Most passengers will love Glory. Check with your cruise specialist travel agent for reservations.