Carnival Glory
The second ship in Carnival's Conquest class, Carnival Glory first set sail in 2003 and got a dry dock makeover in 2012, when many upgrades — including popular spots such as Guy's Burger Joint, the BlueIguana Cantina, and the Alchemy Bar — were added. The relatively cozy passenger-to-crew ratio (2.5 to 1) on board this 2,980-guest ship for a familiar and friendly atmosphere. One caveat: This is one colorful ship. Most public spaces are decorated in rich, saturated hues with hints in the names; the restaurants are called Golden and Platinum, and there’s an Emerald Steakhouse and a bright-red Cinn-A-Bar Piano Bar). While Glory has undergone cosmetic touch-ups since its last refit, most of the décor is far from contemporary.
What We Love
Choices, Choices, Choices: Some of Carnival’s most popular food and drink spots are on board, including the poolside BlueIguana and Guy's Burger Joint complimentary dining options. The ship also has a RedFrog Rum Bar and a SKYBOX Sports Bar. We also really enjoyed our meal at the Emerald Room Steakhouse, which is perfect for a celebratory special occasion dinner.
Serenity Retreat: This two-level, adults-only lounge area features two hot tubs and is a great spot to get away from the frenetic energy of the Lido deck’s pool areas.
Best Known For
All-out Entertainment: From poolside contests on sea days to game nights and dancing at dinner, you'll never get bored on this ship — even if you have days with less than stellar weather. An unexpected favorite: Carnival Glory features a table artist (aka magician, whose sleight of hand is on point.
Quick and Affordable Caribbean Getaways: Carnival Glory’s three- and four-night Caribbean and Bahamas sailings from Port Canaveral and New Orleans offer a cheap and easy getaway for couples and families.
Who It's Good For
The Whole Family: From toddlers to teens to grandparents, Carnival Glory has something for everyone in a multi-generational group, including a mini-golf course. The little ones will love Seuss at Sea and the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, while tweens and teens can get their thrills on the WaterWorks’ Twister slides. Additionally, adults can enjoy inventive cocktails at the Alchemy Bar, raucous sing-alongs at the Cinn-A-Bar Piano Bar, or late-night laughs at the Punchliner Comedy Club.
Cruisers on a Budget: Aside from drinks and shore excursions, there aren't a lot of extras to shell out for on this ship — although you’ll be tempted by nonstop offers for spa discounts and photo packages. So you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck, as with the rest of the vessels in the fleet.
Don't Say We Didn't Warn You
It’s Loud: With late-night shows and all-day music throughout the ship, this is not the ship for those looking for peace and quiet. Overhead announcements are also frequent.
Pack Your Compass: Just kidding … but the layout can be a bit confusing at first, especially when trying to navigate around the dining rooms and galley.