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Carnival Glory Overview

The fun is never ending on the Carnival Glory. The ship features 22 bars and lounges onboard and great restaurants like the BlueIguana Cantina and Food Network star Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint. Of course you’ll also find delectably delicious meals in the main dining room and the Lido restaurant. Ready to get sporty? This ship offers golfers an in-depth experience where you can get intensive instruction onboard and participate in golf-themed excursions in port. After a long day of fun, add even more fun with a stop at the Burgundy Wine Bar or the Camel Club Casino.

• Passenger Capacity:  2,980 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2003
• Last Refurbished: 2022

Carnival Glory Cruise Destinations

Spanning 6 continents and countless countries ranging from Croatia to the Bahamas, Carnival Cruise Lines' list of destinations below is nothing short of inspiring. There's somewhere for the culinary enthusiast, the history buff, the beachside lounger and the rugged explorer. Destinations include, but are not limited to: the Bahamas, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, just to name a few. You can follow the links to learn more about each particular destination.

Bring the whole family for a sunny Bahamas cruise full of smiles, sandy beaches, and maybe a snorkel or two.

Carnival Glory Departure Ports

Carnival has ships home ported in cities across the U.S. making sure you’re never more than a car ride away from embarking on an unforgettable vacation. You can find Carnival ships in Charleston, New York, Long Beach and New Orleans. Ready to sail, call The Cruise Web to start your trip today!

The seafood is fresh, the sun is shining and there’s a whole lot to do, so get out there and explore the city before, during and after your cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Carnival Glory Deck Plans

Riviera deck, atlantic deck, promenade deck, empress deck, verandah deck, panorama deck, carnival glory staterooms.

Balcony (8N)

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space. Two twin beds (convert to king). Chair and coffee table. Full bathroom with shower. 3 closets. Private aft-facing extended balcony with patio chairs and table. Twin beds do not convert to king when two uppers in use.

Balcony (8M)

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space... not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Glory gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony (BL)

Any balcony stateroom, depending on availability.

Balcony (8A)

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Glory. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Balcony (8B)

Balcony (8c), balcony (8d), balcony (8e), balcony (8f).

Balcony (9C)

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Glory, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Balcony (9B)

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Glory and it's easy to see exactly what you're getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It's about more than just the room itself, you'll find... step onto your oversized balcony and you'll find that when there's a sea breeze in your hair, there's no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Inside (1A)

A Carnival Glory Interior Upper/Lower stateroom creatively maximizes space for a pair of cruisers. These staterooms feature all the same amenities as other Interior staterooms, with a different layout — including one Twin bed, and either an upper Pullman or sofa bed. They also feature linens from the Carnival Comfort Collection, a full private bathroom and more.

Inside (4A)

An Interior stateroom is the most affordable way to cruise, and Carnival Glory's interiors are not just cozy, but are full of things youÂ’d expect from any Carnival stateroom: a full private bathroom, Carnival Comfort Collection linens and just-a-call-away 24-hour room service.

Inside (4B)

Inside (4c), inside (4d), inside (4e), inside (4f), inside (4g), inside (4h).

Inside (4J)

An Interior with Picture Window stateroom on Carnival Glory gives you a view beyond your stateroom, out to the observation deck outside including a great sky view. (Note that the view will be partially obstructed.)

Inside (IS)

Any inside stateroom, dependng on availability.

Inside (PT)

Carnival Glory's Porthole staterooms give you the classic seafarer's view times two — a pair of round windows providing an affordable view of the ocean. If you tire of ocean-gazing, there's plenty more to do onboard, but 24-hour room service is one amenity you can enjoy as you continue to take in the view.

Inside (6J)

Your Scenic Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Glory provides the best view of the sea that lies ahead of the ship, with views unlike any on land. And you'll get more of them, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of looking-glass for gazing at the natural wonders of the sea... and let's not forget sunrise and sunset.

Oceanview (OV)

Any Ocean View Stateroom, or better, depending on availability.

Oceanview (6A)

Catch a glimpse of what's going by from your Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Glory, where you'll get views you won't find anywhere on land. Don't miss sunrise and sunset at sea — your comfy stateroom is the best way to experience these!

Oceanview (6B)

Oceanview (6c).

Oceanview (6K)

A Carnival Glory suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool.

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Glory features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Any suite, depending on availability.

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Glory, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Glory Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet... and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing.

This is the best room you can getÂ… without bunking up with the guy himself. A CaptainÂ’s Suite aboard Carnival Glory features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside youÂ’ll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Photo Gallery for Carnival Glory Cruise Ship

Imagine the fun that’s waiting for you on a Carnival Cruise. The drinks, the games, the sights and the sun! Take a look at this photo gallery to help you envision your perfect vacation.

Carnival Glory

Interior Window Stateroom

Relax in a whirlpool at the spa

Steam Room at the spa

White Heat Disco

Top 10 Carnival Glory Cruises

Learn more about carnival cruise line.

Accessibility

Learn about Carnival Cruise Lines' handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities - including special staterooms, accessible elevators, dietary accommodations and more.

Savor dining aboard Carnival cruises, including Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, Cucina del Capitano, Bonsai Sushi, the Asian Kitchen, Main Dining Room, Steakhouse, Pizzeria, Coffee Bar, Seadogs, Shake Spot and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Carnival's onboard entertainment, including stage shows, Thrill Theater, game shows, comedy clubs, live music, DJs, seaside theater, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Take advantage of Carnival's onboard activities, including WaterWorks water slides, pools, sports courts, ropes course, mini-golf, video arcade, sports bars, casino, duty-free shopping, bars and lounges, art gallery and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Carnival takes care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services by attentive, cheerful staff. Plus, view Carnival Cruise Lines' awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax at Carnival's Serenity Adult Retreat, Cloud 9 Spa, fitness center, jogging track, beauty salon, yoga or pilates courses. Carnivals treatments include massages, body wraps, facials, thermal suites and more.

Special Events

From weddings to parties, celebrate your special events at sea with Carnival Cruise Line.

View Carnival's cruise ship staterooms, including suites, balconies, oceanviews and interior staterooms. Plus, Cloud 9 Balconies bring health and wellness to your room.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Carnival. There's Camp Carnival for ages 2 - 11, Circle C for young teens and Club O2 for ages 15 - 17. Plus, Camp Carnival Night Owls will watch kids until 3 am.

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Carnival Glory

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
• New Orleans (Port NOLA Louisiana)

Carnival Glory current position

Carnival Glory current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 30.12578 N / -72.38050 W) cruising at speed of 14.2 kn (26 km/h | 16 mph) en route to PCV, US. The AIS position was reported 19 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory current cruise is 14 days, one-way from Barcelona to Port Canaveral . Prices start from USD 624 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 18 Apr, 2024 and ends on 02 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Glory

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Carnival Glory Itineraries

Carnival glory review, review of carnival glory.

The 2003-built Carnival Glory cruise ship is the second of Carnival's Conquest-class vessels, with sisterships Conquest , Freedom , Valor , Liberty .

The vessel (IMO number 9198367) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 357659000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3000-passenger ship Carnival Glory and her sisterships are among the biggest in the CCL fleet. They are basically larger versions of earlier Destiny-class ships, as well as and more feature-filled. More space reveals into additional decks, more bars and lounges, an upscale steak house, and well-proportioned public areas.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Glory staterooms (1492 total, in 27 grades) include 54 Suites, 521 Balcony, 330 Oceanview and 587 Inside cabins, including 28 wheelchair-accessible (in all cabin categories). The ship has no "family cabins" but instead offers connecting rooms in various categories. Most cabins are sized 170-185 ft2 (16-17 m2). Cabin balconies are sized 35-75 ft2 (3-7 m2). The ship has 3 types of suites - Captain's, Grand, Ocean. The largest are Captain's Suites (500 ft2 / 46 m2 plus 150 ft2 / 14 m2 terrace).

The boat has 13 passenger decks , of which 8 are with cabins. Over 50% of all staterooms are outside, 60% of those are with balconies.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Two formal restaurants (Golden and Platinum) onboard Carnival Glory serve open seating breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served in an open seating option or two assigned seatings. The casual Red Sail Lido buffet offers a number of food stations with a variety of choices, including a salad bar, deli, dessert station, daily regional cuisines. You'll also find outdoor poolside grills, specialty coffee bar, complimentary sushi bar, pizzeria and 24-hour room service that provides a limited selection of items.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Glory restaurants and food bars.

• Golden Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings or “Your Time Dining”; offers “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfasts for $5)
• Platinum Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and open seating breakfast and lunch)
• Bluelguana Cantina (complimentary Mexican fast food bar; offers burritos, tacos)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary fast food bar by Guy Fieri)
• Red Sail Lido Buffet Restaurant (1396-seat, self-service buffet restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings)
• Emerald Room Steakhouse (108-seat specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood; with dance floor and live music)
• Meiji Sushi Bar (complimentary)
• Sushi at Sea (Lido Bar) mini version of Bonsai Sushi, offers a la carte priced menu with rolls, sushi, sashimi, prices vary between USD 1,50-7,50.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Carnival Glory is known as the “most colorful” of all Carnival ships. She offers countless entertainment options. The 1,400-seat Amber Palace was inspired by the legendary Amber Room in Russia. Design elements include gold leaf columns, rococo moldings, candelabras and paintings of famous Russian czars and czarinas. Amber Palace hosts a variety of evening shows, such as adult interactive games, Vegas-style revues, and "Hasbro, the Game Show". The Punchliner Comedy Club takes over Ebony Cabaret located on Deck 5 for family-oriented and R-rated shows from a rotating lineup of comedians. Don't forget that only the brave sit up front by the stage.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Glory lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Amber Palace Theatre (1400-seat main show lounge for musical productions and shows; also used for movies and bingo)
• Glory Atrium The Colors Lobby (9-deck high open floor area; features Colors Lobby Bar with piano and stage for live performances)
• Copper Card Room (28-seat); Silver Room Art Gallery (36-seat); Black and White Library (17-seat; offers board games); Photo Gallery and Shop; The Green Conference Room (100-seat)
• Circle C (complimentary kids club lounge with video games, parties, and planned activities)
• Cyberspace Internet Cafe (24-hour, 6 Internet computers room)
• Ivory Club Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music)
• The Fun Shops (offers “Bon Voyage” items, duty-free liquor, jewelry, fashion boutiques, souvenirs, logo items)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop; offers branded gear, special occasions gifts and tuxedo rentals)
• EA Sports Bar; Viennese Cafe; Creams Cafe (specialty coffee bar); Taste Bar (offers complimentary appetizers); Alchemy Bar (serves made to order cocktails); The Cinn-A-Bar (100-seat piano bar); Bar Blue (jazz bar)
• Camel Club Casino (484-seat, served by Kaleidoscope Bar); Kaleidoscope Boulevard Promenade Bar (23-seat); Kiosk (S and S Card service)
• Club O2 (teens' lounge for video games, movies, karaoke, and themed parties); Video Games Arcade (24-hour)
• White Heat Disco and Nightclub (211-seat); Ebony Cabaret Lounge (425-seat; hosts Punchliner Comedy Club/brunch).
• Turquoise Pool area (with two Whirlpools, Turquoise Bar); Azure Lido Pool area (with two whirlpools, served by Azure Bar, Grill, and Pizzeria)
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar; RedFrog Rum Bar (offers Caribbean rums selection and ThirstyFrog Red drought beer)
• Aqua Park (Cobalt Pool area which is connected to the Twister Waterslide; with one Whirlpool, splash pools, fountains)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (LED screen outdoor cinema; with a stage for live performances)
• Spa Carnival complex (with Steam Rooms, Saunas, Massage Room, Beauty Salon, Spa Pool, Gymnasium)
• Sports Deck (multi-sports court/basketball, volleyball; Tennis Tables, Shuffleboard); Jogging Track; 9-hole Mini-Golf Course
• Serenity (adult-only sundeck with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, padded lounges)
• Camp Ocean (kids' club lounge hosting complementary programs with supervised activities, an outdoor playground). Camp Carnival's wading/paddling pool for kids is no longer available.

Itineraries

Carnival Glory itinerary program is currently based on Sunday departures from Port NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana USA) . The 7-day itineraries visit ports in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Featured destinations include Florida ( Key West ), Bahamas ( Freeport , Nassau , North Bimini , Half Moon Cay ), Mexico ( Cozumel ), Belize City , Honduras ( Isla Roatan ). A special 14-day " Panama Canal " itinerary visits Jamaica, Aruba, Bonaire, Colombia (Cartagena), Panama Canal (Gatun Lake cruising), Costa Rica (Puerto Limon), Cozumel.

In December 2022 CCL announced that starting in May 2024, Carnival Glory will be homeported in Port Canaveral/Orlando (Florida USA) . Replacing the sistership Carnival Liberty , Glory offers roundtrips to The Bahamas departing out of Port Canaveral on Fridays (3-night itinerary to either Nassau or North Bimini) and Mondays (4-night itineraries to either North Bimini+Nassau or Princess Cays +Nassau).

Carnival Glory - user reviews and comments

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Carnival Glory ship related cruise news

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Carnival Glory Wiki

The boat's Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2012. The Carnival ship Glory is of the company's Conquest-class vessels, with sisterships Conquest ,  Freedom ,  Liberty ,  Valor . The vessel was floated out on July 19, 2003, at the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard . Following the Transatlantic crossing (without passengers) from Europe to the USA, Carnival Glory started the Maiden Voyage from Port Canaveral/Orlando (Florida) on July 14th. The christening ceremony was held in Port Canaveral on July 19th, led by godmother Sally Ride (1951-2012, American physicist and astronaut) who in 1983 became the USA's first woman in space.

During the inaugural season (2003-2004), from Port Canaveral, Carnival Glory offered 7-day roundtrip itineraries to the Western Caribbean (Mexico's Cozumel and Progreso, Belize City, Key West FL) and the Eastern Caribbean (Nassau Bahamas, Phillipsburg St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas USVI).

In November 2012 Glory was drydocked to be "Fun Ship 2.0" refurbished. During the refurb, several new bars and lounges were added, along with a complete renovation of all cabins and public spaces.

Fun fact is that this Carnival ship has two famous namesakes. The 2017-launched "COSCO Glory" (operated by COSCO Line ) is among the world's largest container ships (capacity 20170 TEU-containers). MS Viking Glory (2021) is a China-built cruiseferry owned by VIKING LINE .

In September 2021, the vessel was chartered to FEMA to serve as a hotel ship (in Port NOLA/New Orleans, Louisiana ) for front-line/relief workers in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida ( CruiseMinus ).

Carnival Glory drydock refurbishment 2024

The ship's last drydocking was in 2024 (April 3-16). The refurbishment project was conducted at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz Spain.

The project included redesigning the Casino lounge, in all public spaces the decor and furniture were updated.

The Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge (deck xx) and Dreams Photography Studio (deck xx) were added. The wellness complex (Cloud 9 Spa) and the Warehouse Arcade were renovated. The Camp Ocean (children's complex) was revamped, and a large video wall was installed (facilitating the Space Cruisers Carnival program via partnership with NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island, Florida). Updates received various public areas, including all stairways/hallways.

The scope of works also included repairs, hull cleaning/painting, routine maintenance, cabin upgrades and renovation of public spaces (including new flooring and repainting).

Carnival Glory drydock 2021

In 2021 (June-July) Carnival Glory was drydocked at Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNdM Shipyard in Marseille France ), mainly for general maintenance works.

Curiously, Glory became Carnival's second liner (after Magic) to change the old hull design (white hull, with a red line running its entire length) with the new trademarked livery (red-white-blue) introduced on Mardi Gras.

Carnival Glory refurbishment 2017 review

During drydock 2017 refurbishment (February 25 - March 10, done in  Freeport Bahamas ) the ship received the WaterWorks aqua park.

Carnival WaterWorks is an aqua park (open between 10 am – 5 pm) consisting of Splash Zone (fountains, water spray cannons, jets, splash pools), 1 kids pool, 2 mini racing slides for kids, Power Drencher (150-gallon / 570 liters tipping bucket that reverses poles to dump its huge amount of water at regular intervals), Green Thunder (187 ft / 57 m long thrill slide, water speed 25 mph / 40 kph, with a 34 ft / 10 m long drop), Twister Waterslide (spiraling tube, 214 ft / 65 m long, entrance level /ends on deck 10). To ride the waterslides, passengers must be at least 107 cm / 42 inches tall (no weight restrictions). Minor passengers (kids under 13 yo) need a parents’ permit. Eyeglasses must be affixed with head straps. Not permitted are – not toilet trained kids (also in diapers/swim diapers), multiple riders, flotation devices, swimwear with exposed metal parts (zippers, buckles, rivets, ornamentation), jewelry/accessories, the use of Splash Park areas without adult supervision.

During drydock 2012 refurbishment (November), the ship received part of the "Fun Ship 2.0" upgrades. Among those were Blue Iguana Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Alchemy Bar, Blue Iguana Cantina, Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, Punchliners Comedy Club, Hasbro Game Show, Playlist Productions.

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Carnival Glory Deck Plans & Reviews

Carnival Glory

Activities & entertainment

• Art Auction *
• Beauty Salon *
• Black and White Library
• Dance Classes
• Deck Parties
• Camel Club Casino *
• Evening Kids Programs *
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast *
• Groove For St Jude *
• Ice Carving Demonstrations
• Jogging Track
• Lip Sync Battle
• Massage Room *
• Photo Portraits *
• Whirlpools (7)
• Steam Room *
• Seuss_A_Palooza Parade and Storytime
• Retail Shops *
• Spa Carnival *
• Spa Parties *
• Sports Deck
• Video Arcade *
• White Party
• Wine Tasting *
• Waterslides
• Serenity _ Adults_Only
• Circle C _ Tweens Club
• Camp Ocean _ Kids Club
• Club O2 _ Teens Club
• White Heat Dance Club
• Amber Palace Main Lounge
• Carnival Seaside Theater
• Comedy Shows
• Ebony Cabaret Aft Lounge
• Live Nightly Music
• Outdoor Movies
• Golden Restaurant - Main
• Platinum Restaurant - Main
• Cherry On Top - Candies *
• Kaleidoscope Bar - Casino Bar *
• Red Sail Restaurant - Buffet
• Ivory Club Bar - Clubby Bar *
• Bar Blue - Cocktail Bar *
• Creams Cafe - Coffee & Pastries *
• Guys Burger Joint - Pool Grill
• Seafood Shack - Seafood *
• Taste Bar - Light Bites
• Alchemy Bar - Cocktail Bar *
• BlueIguana Cantina - Mexican
• The Cinn_a_Bar Piano Bar - Piano Bar *
• Pizzeria - Pizza
• Azure Bar - Pool Bar *
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar - Pool Bar *
• RedFrog Rum Bar - Pool Bar *
• SkyBox Sports Bar - Sports Bar *
• Room Service *
• Excellent 35
• Very Good 22
• All languages ( 77 )
• English ( 76 )
• Greek ( 1 )

Upcoming itineraries

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Carnival Glory

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About Carnival Glory

Glorious times are offered on Carnival Cruise Line's 110,000-ton, 2,984-guest Carnival Glory, with an exceptional variety of restaurants, plus seemingly endless onboard activities and amenities. Spacious accommodations — many designed for families — are ideal for multigenerational cruisers, so take the whole extended family along. Exciting entertainment includes comedy, dazzling production shows and much more.

Soak in the sun at the swimming pools, including a wading pool for kids. Thrill-seekers will want to try the exhilarating Twister, a 214-foot-long waterslide, where you will join in with the shrieks of delight and laughter. Of course, you can just chill-out in the whirlpools and go for a soothing massage at the huge 21,000-square-foot spa with 17 treatment rooms, an incredible thermal suite and a thalassotherapy pool.

Take a Pilates or yoga class or use the equipment at the state-of-the-art fitness center. Get some retail therapy at the fantastic onboard boutiques and read a bestseller from the library. Wi-Fi is available in most public rooms so you can keep in touch with friends back home. Enjoy your favorite drink at about 20 swanky bars and lounges, including casual poolside venues.

Head to the adults-only area and find nirvana in this blissful retreat with soft chaise lounges, large umbrellas and hot tubs. While you are relaxing, the kids will be having the time of their lives too. Carnival Glory offers supervised kids activities that are lots of fun and are age specific. Tweens and teens also have their own places to hang-out, watch movies, listen to music and play games at a video arcade.

Lots of dining choices — many complimentary — are offered. Delicious international cuisine is served at both two-level main dining rooms, with daily selections that change nightly and a Kids Menu with all their favorites, from spaghetti and meatballs to pizza and burgers. Savor delicious meals from all over the world at a variety of stations at the incredible buffet. Foodies will be in heaven at special multi-course gourmet dinners where they can savor delicious cuisine. Every member of the family will want to head to the burger joint with its famous fries. Mouthwatering hand-made tacos and burritos, a New York-style deli, a buffet with a variety of specialty food stations and a 24-hour pizzeria are just some of the other fabulous culinary choices that will keep everyone in the family happy.

Spacious accommodations include those specially designed for families. Carnival Glory boasts 573 total balcony staterooms, with such amenities as first-run in-cabin movies and special comfort beds with plush mattresses. Whether you stay in an Interior or Ocean View, a grand with a Balcony or a Suite, comfort is the name of the game in your well-appointed stateroom. Adding to your convenience is a steward who is on duty 24/7, as well as an attendant you can call for complimentary room service.

Get ready to be entertained, with game shows the whole family can take part in, a comedy club and watch dazzling Vegas-style shows at the stunning theater. Watch movies, sporting events and more on a gigantic 270-square-foot LED screen on the Lido Deck for an unforgettable experience at sea. Head to the casino featuring all your favorite games and enjoy the sounds at a jazz club. Teens even have an area of their own.

Carnival Glory has something for all age groups and offers an exceptional vacation for everyone.

Carnival Glory sails to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Captain's Suite

This is the best room you can get… without bunking up with the guy himself. A Captain’s Suite aboard Carnival Glory features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside you’ll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Glory features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Glory suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and bathroom with whirlpool tub.

Junior Suite

As you step into a Junior Suite aboard Carnival Glory, you can't help but feel that you're stepping into full-size luxury in a smaller package. Featuring a standard-size balcony, in a Carnival Glory Junior Suite you'll find everything else there is to love about a suite, including VIP check-in, a walk-in closet... and even a whirlpool tub for relaxing.

Premium Vista Balcony

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Glory, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Premium Balcony

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Glory and it's easy to see exactly what you're getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It's about more than just the room itself, you'll find... step onto your oversized balcony and you'll find that when there's a sea breeze in your hair, there's no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space... not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Glory gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Glory. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Scenic Grand Oceanview

Your Scenic Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Glory provides the best view of the sea that lies ahead of the ship, with views unlike any on land. And you'll get more of them, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of looking-glass for gazing at the natural wonders of the sea... and let's not forget sunrise and sunset.

Scenic Oceanview

Oceanview Stateroom

A picture window gives you views of scenery you won’t find anywhere on land, all from the comfort of your stateroom.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control. .

Inside with Picture Window (walkway view)

Your picture window gives you a view beyond your stateroom, to the observation deck outside, including a great sky view. (Note: view will be partially obstructed.)Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space,In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

This is an affordable way to cruise without leaving out the comfort or convenience! Great for curling up after a long day of fun.Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate. control

A pair of round windows in your room give you the classic seafarer’s view times two, a view of the ocean without breaking the budget. Dedicated stateroom attendant, Soft, cozy linens, Plenty of closet and drawer space, In-room safe for valuables, Television, Stateroom climate control.

Upper/Lower Inside Stateroom

These staterooms are great for a pair of cruisers on a budget, creatively maximizing space with a different layout — featuring one Twin bed, and either an upper Pullman or sofa bed.

View Deck Plan

Golden Restaurant

Decks: 3 Lobby 4 Atlantic

Golden Restaurant.

Platinum Restaurant

Platinum Restaurant.

Red Sail Restaurant

Deck: 9 Lido

Red Sail Restaurant.

The Emerald Room

Deck: 10 Panorama

The Emerald Room.

Seafood shack

A good seafood dish is quite the catch. However you like yours served — whether it’s on a roll or a platter — Seafood Shack’s the place to cast your net. Imagine a New-England-style seaside spot where you can take it all in, enjoying a great meal complete with a side of ocean view. On a Carnival cruise is where you’ll find this shack by the sea, wherever in the world you happen to be!

Burrito bar

Burrito bar.

Guys burger joint

We went looking for someone to help us grill up the best burgers at sea, and we found just the guy. Carnival has teamed up with best-selling author, restaurateur and Food Network personality Guy Fieri to bring all the authentic appeal of a roadside burger shack to Guy’s Burger Joint, the cool poolside spot for hot burgers and hand-cut fries. Try a fresh-off-the-grill burger Guy’s way, or take it off-road to our toppings bar and truly make it your own.

Blue iguana cantina

Nobody knows Mexican dining like a blue iguana. Well, our blue iguana, at least. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the BlueIguana Cantina features freshly made tacos and burritos stuffed specially for your enjoyment. Throw our homemade tortillas and salsa into the mix, and you have a casual dining experience that will make you say “mmmm” (which is actually Iguanese for “more, please”).

OL fashioned BBQ

OL fashioned BBQ.

Turn your special vacation in the direction of delicious — book a table for an unforgettably delectable evening at the Steakhouse. Our menu features mouthwatering premium cuts of beef cooked to your exact specifications, as well as a fantastic selection of seafood, entrées, gourmet appetizers and an extensive wine list. The atmosphere pairs remarkably well with — and perhaps even enhances — the culinary creations of our gourmet chefs.

Dining Room Annex

Deck: 3 Lobby

Dining Room Annex.

Grand Buffet

Grand Buffet.

Amber Palace Main lounge

Decks: 3 Lobby 4 Atlantic 5 Promenade

Amber Palace Main lounge.

Camel Club Casino

Deck: 5 Promenade

Camel Club Casino.

Black and White Library

Deck: 4 Atlantic

Black and White Library.

The Green Conference room

The Green Conference room.

The Colors Lobby

The Colors Lobby.

White heat dance club

White heat dance club.

Azure Lido Pool and Bar

Azure Lido Pool and Bar.

Turquoise Pool

Turquoise Pool.

Kaleidoscope Boulevard

Art Gallery

Art Gallery.

Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery.

Hang out doing stuff like watching movies, listening to music from this decade, playing sports and video games, joining karaoke jam sessions… maybe even attending Carnival’s version of prom, all with other high schoolers ages 15 to 17.

Video Arcade

If you love to play video games we've got just the spot for you - no matter your age. Enjoy our video arcade which is equipped with the latest high-tech video and arcade games.

Shore Excursions

Shore Excursions.

The Fun Shops

The Fun Shops.

Spa Carnival

Deck: 11 Spa

When it comes to complete relaxation from the inside out, nothing beats a trip to the spa. From the minute you step inside, the soothing ambiance begins to work its magic. Renew yourself with premium beauty and wellness therapies, like hot stone massages, aromatherapy or full-body wraps. This is your time to be spoiled, indulged and even beautified. Lie back, close your eyes, and feel the stress sail away as your body and mind experience total tranquility.

Deck: 12 Sun

he little ones can enjoy the best parts of summer camp, year-round aboard their Carnival cruise. At Camp Ocean kids will have a blast in supervised, age-based groups and give each a cool marine-life label: Penguins (2 to 5 years), Stingrays (6 to 8 years) and Sharks (9 to 11 years). Together with their group they’ll enjoy tons of fun-filled, age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts, songs, games, toys, dancing, movies and video games. When it’s mealtime, kids eat together and get their own menus with back-on-land faves like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets and more.

Ivory Club Bar

Ivory Club Bar.

Kaleidoscope Bar

Kaleidoscope Bar.

Ebony Cabaret Aft Lounge

Ebony Cabaret Aft Lounge.

Old Glory Atrium

Decks: 9 Lido 8 Verandah 7 Empress 6 Upper 5 Promenade 4 Atlantic

Old Glory Atrium.

Spectrum Atrium

Decks: 4 Atlantic 5 Promenade 3 Lobby

Spectrum Atrium.

Alchemy Bar

You don’t need to be a mix-master to appreciate Alchemy – you just have to be up for trying something new. We’ve been stirring up some magic behind the scenes here at Carnival to produce a tasty series of all-new cocktails served at this unique vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy.” Let our cocktail specialists prescribe you something from the bar, with both nonalcoholic and alcoholic elixirs to remedy what ails you. Or, create your own custom concoction from a variety of unique ingredients.

Skybox sports bar

Get hands-on with a game, a drink… and high-fives galore! SkyBox Sports Bar gets you right onto the 50-yard line of onboard sports action. Grab a drink or order some snacks — they’re great while kicking back and watching your favorite teams on one of the big screens, or just dropping by to check out real-time scores and headlines on the panoramic ticker. And if you’re feeling lucky, feel free to grab a controller and get a little competitive with the latest sports game titles. They’re free to play, so find a friend or three and get set for some serious play-action.

Cherry on top

A cruise is the perfect time to treat yourself to something sweet, and Cherry On Top happens to be the perfect place. You'll find this well-stocked candy-and-more-store not only great for enjoying some of your confectionery favorites, but the place to pick up food and apparel gifts for that special someone, even if — admit it — that someone happens to be you!

Blue iguana tequila bar

BlueIguana Tequila Bar is the onboard spot to chill and enjoy a slushy tequila drink or an ice-cold Mexican cerveza. The menu offers up Mexican favorites, including several brands of tequila and a slew of Mexican brews. There’s a lineup of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas served by the glass or by the pitcher, and even a special Mexican beer cocktail (yes, really). Where can you find this little slice of Mexican paradise? Next to the pool, of course. So stay cool and take in the bar’s vacation vibe while you kick back on your cruise – that’s what official bar mascot Blue the Iguana would tell you.

Red Frog Rum Bar

Red Frog Rum Bar.

Carnival sea side theatre

Carnival sea side theatre.

Carnival waterworks

Wanna splish — and splash — the day away? Head on over to WaterWorks, Carnival's onboard waterpark. First up, there's the Twister Waterslide, hundreds of feet of spiraling awesomeness that starts you off high in the air and gets you down low with one of the fastest, wettest rides you'll find anywhere. Select ships have side-by-side racing slides, which make serious competition seriously fun. Wear your speed suit for Speedway Splash, which features hundreds of feet of racing action, plus special lighting effects you'll experience on the road to victory. DrainPipe ends with one major swirl of a finish, while PowerDrencher takes soaking seriously — imagine the biggest bucket of water you've ever seen, raining down on you from above. And this isn't just kids' stuff — the young at heart are encouraged to zoom and splash around too! (WaterWorks configurations vary by ship.)

Beauty salon

A trip to the salon is an opportunity to relax, to chat with others, to focus on yourself. It’s about more than just getting your hair or nails done… but it’s definitely about getting your hair or nails done! Even though you’re on vacation, you won’t have to settle for anything less than the salon style you’re used to back on land. And these good looks go beyond the usual — we even offer services like teeth whitening… great for taking those ‘I’m on vacation and I’m looking great!’ smiles to the next level.

Massage room

Cruising always feels good, but it doesn’t usually — ooh, right there. Right where? Sorry, we’re at the onboard spa, where they do these amazing massages by hand. But they don’t just stop there — they’ve got tools to enhance the benefits too. Select from different hands-on experiences featuring seaweed for detox, herbal poultice for energy, bamboo for deep tissue penetration and hot stones for — ahhh — for perfection. We know you’re all about feeling good, and so are these massages.

Fitness center

We have some bad news for you — your ship has a gym. In other words, there’s no excuse for leaving your fitness routine back on land. That’s great news, however, for your body, which will definitely benefit from all the extra energy that vacationing pumps directly into you. And let’s not forget the extra time you’ll have, since you won’t be waking up and spending most of the day at the office or anything like that. If those were some of your go-to excuses, we’re sorry, but we all know this is important. Why not treat yourself to some of our fitness classes — you might even have a little fun while you do something great for yourself!

Jogging track

Jogging track.

Decks: 14 Sky 12 Sun

Sports deck

Sports deck.

Sliding sky dome

Sliding sky dome.

Decks: 8 Verandah 5 Promenade

Guest Services

It’s the onboard spot where teens ages 12 to 14 go to hang out, meet new friends, and enjoy some pretty awesome activities. Like what? Think dance parties, games, outdoor movies and more, some in the exclusive Circle “C” lounge and others around the ship. These are all supervised by the friendly and fun-loving counselors who make sure teens have the best vacation ever. The Details:

Carnival Adventures

Carnival Adventures.

Aerobic Room

Aerobic Room.

Slide Entrance

Deck: 14 Sky

Slide Entrance.

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Carnival Glory Review – The Good, Bad, And Debatable

With a guest capacity of almost 3,000, Carnival Glory offers budget-friendly, family-oriented cruises and plenty of activities to keep you entertained at sea. Typical of   Carnival Cruise line ships , the Glory’s décor contains vivid colors, exactly what you’d expect on ‘the fun ship.’

My review of Carnival Glory is based on my 14-day back-to-back cruise of both the eastern and western Caribbean .  It was plenty of time to experience all the ins and outs of this Carnival vessel.

Although showing its age and needing refurbishment, the Glory offers large staterooms, excellent entertainment, great food, and attentive staff.

Faster To The Fun

Since some of the ports required a tender, I considered purchasing a Faster to the Fun (FTTF) package. In fact, I added it to my cart on Carnival’s excursion section and was going to check out the next day when I had more time.

But by waiting until the next day to buy, the FTTF sold out. If you want to get onboard faster, have priority tenders, and get off quickly on debarkation day, don’t wait to purchase the FTTF.

I had to get up early on tender days without the fast pass and queue to get a low-numbered tender ticket. It wasn’t a problem for me, but you could miss your tour if you have early shore excursions that weren’t booked through the cruise line.

Glory’s Staterooms

Carnival launched the Glory in 2003, and her staterooms show their age. Although needing a refresh, at 185 to 220 sq. feet for the smaller cabins, the space is big enough for two or more.

If you’re a family sharing a cabin with children, the room has plenty of storage and doesn’t feel cramped. Beware of the guaranteed inside cabins as the 1A features bunk beds instead of a queen-sized bed.

I had a balcony cabin on both of my cruises, although I did not have the same stateroom. I had an 8D balcony on the forward Lido deck for my eastern Caribbean cruise. On the second cruise, I moved up one deck to an 8E balcony, again near the front of the ship.

Carnival made it easy to move staterooms on turnaround day. I packed my luggage, and my steward moved everything to my new room, which was immediately available to me.

My Carnival Glory cabin was great on both cruises, and although far forward, I did not feel any motion. The only negative for some might be its proximity to the bridge. Since the bridge juts out from the vessel, it prevents a clear view looking forward.

Unlike the mega-ships with overly sized suites, the Captain’s Suite, the largest on the vessel, is modest at 500 sq. feet with a 150 sq. foot balcony. Smaller in size, an Ocean suite measures 275 sq. feet, and these cabins are centrally located and forward on deck 7.

Carnival Glory Pools

This was my first time on a Conquest-class vessel, and I can’t say that I was fond of the pool deck layout.

Both Lido pools are small, and although there are plenty of poolside loungers around the Turquoise Pool, they are positioned on tiered decks reminiscent of stadium seating.

With bathers in and out of the pool and hot tubs, the stairs on the tiered decks were always wet. A real slipping hazard!

The company built the Carnival waterworks and slides adjacent to the Lido pool, so this area tended to be busy and noisy. During the FunShip 2.0 upgrade, Carnival added the waterworks, a great addition for families.

I tried the adult-only Serenity area a few times to avoid the crowds, but it was crowded most days. The Serenity had some comfy circular loungers, but guests took them at the crack of dawn every day. The only day I enjoyed a covered lounger was on turnaround day when the Carnival ship was virtually empty.

The Lido deck has several hot tubs, and those next to the Turquoise Pool are large in size. Over the pool, a large screen TV provided entertainment most days and nights.

I stumbled across the best hot tub in the spa area. Down a corridor adjacent to the fitness area, it’s hard to find. Since passengers rarely see it, I had the spa to myself most days.

Located on deck 11 forward, the spa isn’t big at over 13,000 sq. feet. However, it does contain all the usual, a beauty salon, fitness center, aerobic room, and treatment rooms.

Be sure to stop by on embarkation day, when the spa has a free draw. On port days, they usually have exclusive offers. Outside on deck 11 aft, the sports deck has a jogging track.

The steam room and sauna are my favorite places in the spa. Guests can use these complimentary areas throughout their cruise.

Carnival Glory Food Review

No cruise review is complete without talking about food. While I’ve read some negative reviews about the Carnival Glory food, my experience was all positive. First of all, I’m a challenging passenger to feed since I sail with food allergies . 

Being Celiac, lactose-intolerant, and deadly allergic to nuts, a cruise line’s ability to prepare good tasting food can be hit or miss. I had one of the best food experiences during my 14 days in the Caribbean and never got sick once.

In the evening, I’d select my meals for the following day with the help of the Maitre D. Then, the kitchen prepared delicious, healthy meals (and desserts) that were free of my allergens each day. I even got to enjoy the incredible melting chocolate cake several times.

During Glory’s FunShip 2.0 upgrade, Carnival added the famous Guy’s Burger Joint. To my surprise, I could order a burger with a gluten-free bun or have it lettuce-wrapped. While I don’t tend to eat fast food, I had to try one to see what everyone was raving about.

The patty is free of wheat fillers, making it safe for Celiacs. Guy Fieri’s burgers are made to order, packed full of flavor, and don’t incur an additional fee. In fact, it was so good that I ate a couple during my two-week vacation.

The Golden Restaurant and Platinum Restaurants are both complementary and located on deck 3. However, what I found frustrating, was that I could not walk across the whole deck.

Carnival built the galley in the middle of the ship, requiring passengers to walk up or down one level to access the dining room. I ate most of my meals in the Platinum Restaurant because having meals made for me was safer than eating at the buffet.

One restaurant that most passengers did not use was the Ol’ Fashioned Bbq. Located upstairs from the Red Sail Restaurant, most passengers did not even find its location during the cruise.

Even if I chose not to get food from this restaurant, it was a quiet space to eat, and I was always guaranteed to get a table. While I only ate breakfast at the buffet, the line-up was usually long, but I appreciated being able to get an omelet made to order.

For those who prefer specialty dining, the Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi Express, The Chef’s Table, and Green Eggs and Ham breakfast incur an extra fee.

Carnival Glory Entertainment

Since Carnival prides itself on being a cruise line for all ages, it offers something for everybody. Suess at Sea, Video Game Arcade, and Camp Ocean keep the little ones busy during sea days. Hasbro, The Game Show, provides great entertainment for the whole family in the evening.

I attended most Playlist Productions in the Amber Palace Lounge, and they were all fantastic. Afterward, I enjoyed the late-night comedy at the Punchliner Comedy Club.

There was no end to events for night owls who like to stay occupied into the wee hours. Being the fun ship, Carnival also hosts shows such as “Love and Marriage,” “Lip Sync Battle, and the “Hasbro Show,” as mentioned above.

The entertainment didn’t stop there, as the pool deck was always alive with activity. Those who have never cruised with Carnival before might find their “Hairy Chest Contest” questionable.

While most contestants had lots of body hair, younger men with almost waxed torsos also entered. They paraded the deck, allowing women to rub their hands on the chests. While most Carnival Cruise fans love this sort of event, it’s not for everyone.

For social drinkers, there are plenty of bars to grab a drink. Choose from the SkyBox Sports Bar, Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, Tequila Bar, Ivory Club Bar, or the Red Frog Rum Bar. If you like to party into the wee hours, the White Heat Dance Club is next to the Alchemy Bar.

When reviewing a ship, I like to see good entertainment and the Carnival Glory delivered during my 14 days in the Caribbean.

Other Venues

Typical of most cruise lines, Glory has onboard shopping, a casino, a coffee shop, and even a candy shop called Cherry on Top. Interestingly, the aptly named Kaleidoscope Boulevard gives a good picture of the whole vessel.

While Carnival ships tend to have bright colors, the Glory’s décor was slightly over the top, with some rooms almost psychedelic.

Deck 12 or the aft sun deck features mini golf, which was rarely ever busy. Being an older ship, the Glory doesn’t have any of the characteristics of the more popular mega-ships. However, you get what you pay for, and those vessels command higher prices.

Turnaround Day

I was sailing a back-to-back cruise, with a turnaround day In Miami, Florida. The itinerary included Half Moon Cay, Old San Juan, and St. Thomas for my Eastern Caribbean cruise. The West Caribbean had stops in Cozumel, Mahogany Bay, Belize, and Grand Caymen.

Carnival made turnaround day effortless by leaving specific instructions in my cabin the night before. Carnival gave me a time and place to meet the following morning. It surprised me how many people chose to do a 14-day cruise.

After a photographer took a group photo, I followed a staff member off the ship. Once quickly through security, I boarded the vessel again. The itinerary included Half Moon Cay, San Juan, and St. Thomas for my eastern Caribbean cruise. The western Caribbean ports included Cozumel, Mahogany Bay, Belize, and Grand Cayman.

When I returned to my new stateroom, I found a bottle of champagne, a basket of fresh fruit, and a card from the hotel director. Later, I also received a couple of complimentary 8×10 group photos of the back-to-back passengers. It was a nice touch. Well done, Carnival!

Before flying to Florida, I booked two independent tours. The first an all-inclusive day at Cozumel’s Nachi Cocom. Then in St. Thomas, I enjoyed a Champagne Catamaran Sail and snorkel to St. John, which was terrific.

With 14 days in the Caribbean, I felt I did a lot, from enjoying the culture of Old San Juan, experiencing the jungle in Honduras, and doing not one but three snorkeling tours with stingrays.

My eastern Caribbean cruise included a day in Half Moon Cay, a private island owned by Carnival Corporation. With cruise lines moving towards visiting their own islands, they have a monopoly on tours, shopping, and extra expenses.

Before I could tender to Half Moon Cay, some staff members disembarked, taking food and supplies for the day. They prepared a decent buffet lunch on the island, complete with fresh fruit, juice, and water. What I found odd was those who purchased a drink package had to buy drinks on the island.

In Half Moon Cay, I took an impromptu swim with the stingrays on the other side of the island. When reviewing this excursion against similar ones in Grand Cayman and Belize, the swim in the Bahamas was subpar. The water was cold, the stingrays were in a small enclosure, and visibility was not good.

However, my stingray and shark tour in Belize  was so fantastic, that I would do it again in a heartbeat. Grand Cayman is the most popular place to take a stingray tour. While I did that tour too, it was far more crowded than the one in Belize.

The Belize day tour included a short stop in Caye Caulker too. The experiences in Belize and Grand Cayman allow cruise passengers to see stingrays in the wild, which is more authentic.

Final Thoughts

The Carnival Glory, once based out of Miami, has now moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, as its home base. It offers cruises of six days or more to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the Panama Canal.

If you’re a fan of the Conquest-class vessels, the Carnival Conquest, Valor, Liberty, and Freedom fall into this category. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, family-friendly cruise, the Carnival Glory delivers.

While it may lack the bells and whistles of newer ships, there’s no time for boredom with plenty of activities. Isn’t that what you expect of the “fun ship?”

Happy travels ~ Karen

Wednesday 25th of January 2023

I enjoyed reading about the ship! we are planning a western cruise in October this year and the glory is our boat. Thanks for the info!

Forever Karen

You're welcome, Amanda. Have a wonderful cruise to the Caribbean.

Monday 19th of December 2022

Did you find that the food lines were long? Have you cruised with Royal caribbean? I’ve cruises carnival once and Royal twice. Never experienced food lines with royal, but did with carnival. Wondering if it was just the ship, or if its to be expected.

I didn't experience long lines on Carnival. It can be hit-and-miss cruising coming out of the pandemic. We're cruised twice recently on Royal Caribbean. There were no lineups on either ship. On the Ovation of the Seas, there were sometimes lineups to get into restaurants for those on anytime dining.

Saturday 13th of August 2022

Worst cruise I been on ship to small. Kids were bad. I did not like how you have to order from your phone. I have been on 7 cruise with carnival. Cruise on 724 thru 7/31/22

Thank you for your feedback. When cruising, it's finding the balance of which cruise line and ships are right for you.

Sunday 24th of July 2022

We 2 bottles of champagne taken from our luggage checking in and was confiscated. We put our luggage outside our room for next day disembark and my suitcase was destroyed. I will not use Carnival again.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with Carnival, and thank your feedback on your personal experience.

Barbara Gaston

Thursday 21st of July 2022

If Glory was my first cruise I probably would’ve like it better. It was to small of ship, pools were crowded, rooms were nice sized but very outdated like the entire ship. Food not bad but lines so long. Steakhouse was delicious. Chefs table over priced and too fro-fro for this ship. Employees were very helpful and friendly. Disliked you had to change floors to get to restaurant. I will never sail on the Carnival Glory again, but I guess you get what you pay for but I’ll pay more for a memorable vacation.

Smaller ships aren't for everyone. While I found Glory's layout a little odd, it wouldn't stop me from cruising on her again.

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Cruises to the Western Caribbean are the very picture of paradise — the kind you see when you close your eyes and imagine a tropical nirvana. Everybody loves a good island, but that’s only half the vacation story… especially in the Western Caribbean. Sure, with a Western Caribbean cruise, you can start your daydream with offshore faves like Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Cozumel and Mahogany Bay, but you can also mix in mainland mainstays like Belize, Costa Maya and Progreso. A vacation platter of these sunny selections is far more flavorful than a simple continental breakfast. And these are just some of your choices on a cruise to the Western Caribbean!

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The 8 classes of Carnival Cruise Line ships, explained

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Thinking about a cruise on a Carnival Cruise Line ship? You have a lot of options.

By the summer of 2024, Carnival will have 27 vessels in service — all currently available to book. That’s more ships than any other major cruise line except Royal Caribbean , which will have 28 vessels in service by the summer of 2024.

In general, Carnival ships are large but, aside from two exceptions, they’re not giants by today’s standards. Over the past two years, Carnival has begun operating its first two truly giant ships in years — the 181,808-ton, 5,282-passenger Mardi Gras and the 183,521-ton Carnival Celebration .

Other than these two ships, Carnival’s biggest vessel is the 4,090-passenger Carnival Venezia , which measures just 135,225 tons. That’s about 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean .

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Six of the 27 vessels Carnival will operate by the summer of 2024 measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost mid-size by today’s cruise ship standards.

This is a notable change for the brand from just a couple of decades ago. There was a time when Carnival operated some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. However, for many years, it has held back from following rivals such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises in building ever-bigger ships. Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration are now the only Carnival ships on the list of the world’s 50 biggest cruise vessels.

The arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration has marked a major turning point for the line. The two vessels rank 15th and 13th, respectively, on the list of the world’s largest cruise ships — the first Carnival ships to crack the Top 20 in quite a few years. They are 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ship. One more ship in the series — Carnival Jubilee — will arrive in late 2023.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line  

The good news for those of you trying to get a handle on all the options within the Carnival fleet is that the line’s ships can easily be bunched into just eight groups of vessels that have similar amenities. If you know one member of the group, you know them all.

Each of these groups — known as “classes” in cruise industry lingo — is made up of ships that were constructed around the same time with the same basic design.

An introduction to Carnival Cruise Line ships

As mentioned above, Carnival’s ships can be broken down into eight distinct groups or classes. A key detail about Carnival ships is that there are a lot of similarities from class to class within the Carnival fleet.

Unlike Royal Caribbean and some other cruise lines, Carnival doesn’t always drastically change the design of its ships from class to class.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

Instead, Carnival usually takes an incremental approach to design changes for its new classes of ships. You’ll find a lot in common between the Vista class and Dream class, for instance. These two classes aren’t all that different in feel from the earlier Splendor and Conquest classes of ships, though they are a bit bigger.

That said, Carnival is in the midst of a major change in its philosophy on ship design. Its new Excel-class vessels — which first debuted in 2021 with the arrival of Mardi Gras — are far bigger than its earlier ships. These ships also have a lot of new features and amenities (including the first-ever roller coaster on a cruise ship — and, no, we’re not making that up).

Related: The 4 new giants of the cruise world — and how to book them

For many years, Carnival steered clear of the big ship trends in the industry. Executives thought the ever-bigger vessels being deployed by such lines as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises were too big to make for an enjoyable cruise experience.

Now, Carnival is switching gears — no doubt because the giant ships unveiled by some other lines have been enormously popular with cruisers.

At Carnival, as at other lines, the biggest ships in the fleet have the most amenities, eateries, lounges, bars and deck-top attractions than the smaller ships. This can be a huge plus for travelers who like to have a lot of options when vacationing.

However, Carnival’s biggest ships also sail with more passengers, which can be a turnoff if you’re the kind of traveler who likes a more intimate experience.

In general, Carnival’s biggest and most amenity-packed ships are its newest ships. If you’re looking for a cruise experience with the most possible onboard activities and venues, you’ll want to steer toward the vessels in Carnival’s new Excel class and its relatively young Vista and Dream classes.

If cruising in a more intimate environment is your preference, you’ll want to look at some of Carnival’s older classes of ships including the Spirit and Fantasy classes.

The Carnival fleet is scheduled to grow over the next year with two more new vessels. As noted above, the line has ordered a third Excel-class ship (Carnival Jubilee) that will be ready to sail in December 2023.

In addition, the line will begin operating a ship currently in the fleet of its sister line Costa Cruises — Costa Firenze — in May 2024. It’ll be renamed Carnival Firenze and sail from Los Angeles.

Excel class

Ships in class: Mardi Gras (2021), Carnival Celebration (2022) and Carnival Jubilee (coming December 2023).

Size: 181,808 to 183,521 tons.

If you’re in the “bigger is better” camp when it comes to cruise ships, this is the Carnival class for you.

At a bit over 180,000 tons, Carnival’s three new Excel-class vessels — one of which, Carnival Jubilee, is still under construction — are 35% bigger than the line’s next-biggest ships and offer more eateries, lounges, bars and deck-top attractions than any other ships in the Carnival fleet by far.

Designed to take Carnival’s “fun ship” shtick to a new level, the ships are so big that, as noted above, they have room for roller coasters on their top decks — a cruise industry first. They also have a far broader array of suites than earlier Carnival vessels.

Among the new dining venues on the ships are the first Emeril Lagasse restaurant at sea, as well as the first Big Chicken eatery at sea. (Big Chicken is a chain created by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, who also serves as a Carnival spokesperson.)

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival cruise

In addition to featuring a roller coaster, Mardi Gras was the first ship from a North America-based line designed to operate on liquefied natural gas. The fuel is touted as being cleaner than traditional ship fuel.

One caveat to keep in mind if you’re thinking of booking an Excel-class ship: They sail with a very large number of people. If being around crowds bothers you, these may not be the ships for you. The vessels are designed to hold a whopping 5,282 passengers at double occupancy. With every pullout sofa and pull-down bunk filled, they can hold up to 6,630 passengers.

Vista/Venezia class

Ships in class: Carnival Panorama (2019), Carnival Horizon (2018), Carnival Vista (2016), Carnival Venezia (2023) and Carnival Firenze (coming in 2024).

Size: 133,596 to 135,225 tons.

With the arrival of Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the Vista-class and Venezia-class ships (so similar that we have combined them into one entry) are no longer the biggest and most amenity-packed ships in the Carnival fleet. Still, they offer a lot of options when it comes to eateries, bars, lounges and deck-top attractions — more than you’ll find on most other Carnival vessels.

All four vessels in the Vista and Venezia classes have water parks with waterslides on their top decks, as well as miniature golf courses, ropes courses and multiple pool areas. They’re also known for their pedal-powered, suspended-in-the-air SkyRide attractions.

Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon, which officially are Vista-class ships, also have Imax theaters — the first in the cruise industry. Carnival Panorama, also a Vista-class ship, instead has the first trampoline park ever put on a cruise ship , in a partnership with Sky Zone.

There’s also a smorgasbord of restaurants, bars and lounges on all of the vessels. Among the many offerings on these ships are Carnival’s first breweries at sea (on all the vessels except Carnival Venezia, which is officially known as a Venezia-class ship and has a few notable differences).

On Carnival Panorama and Carnival Horizon, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse offers beer brewed on-site along with barbecue dishes designed by the Food Network’s Guy Fieri. On Carnival Vista, there’s a stand-alone brewery and a separate barbecue venue.

Other eateries on the ships include casual, Guy Fieri-designed Guy’s Burger Joint, Chipotle-like burrito spot BlueIguana Cantina (on Carnival Venezia, this is called Tomodoro and also serves a few Italian items), sushi outlets and steakhouses. Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama also feature Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano, as well as JiJi Asian Kitchen, while Carnival Venezia has an Italian restaurant called Il Viaggio.

Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Venezia also have teppanyaki restaurants, and all four ships have dedicated chef’s tables located within their galleys.

Related: Everything to know about Carnival cabins and suites  

Both the Vista-class and Venezia-class ships were built on the same basic design platform and are roughly the same size with similar layouts. But Carnival Venezia originally was built for Carnival’s Italy-based sister brand, Costa Cruises. As a result, it has a much stronger Italy theme and a few design differences. Still, enough is the same that for all practical purposes, it is a Vista-class ship in all but name. Hence our combining the two classes into one listing.

Related: Our thoughts after sailing on Carnival Venezia

The Vista-class ships were, notably, the first ships in the Carnival fleet to boast exclusive, keycard-restricted cabin areas — a trend that has been growing at many mass-market lines. There are two such areas on the three Vista-class ships: Havana Cabanas and Family Harbor, the latter of which is specifically geared toward families. Carnival Venezia has a keycard-restricted area called Terrazza Carnevale.

The water park area on Carnival Horizon is particularly alluring if you’re a Dr. Seuss fan. Unique among the water parks in the Carnival fleet, it has a Dr. Seuss theme. The water park area on Carnival Venezia also is notable as it has one more water slide than the water parks on the Vista-class ships.

All of these ships hold about 4,000 passengers each, based on double occupancy.

Note that one more Costa Cruises ship that is similar to Carnival Venezia (Costa Firenze) will be joining the Carnival fleet in 2024. It’ll be renamed Carnival Firenze.

Dream class

Ships in class: Carnival Breeze (2012), Carnival Magic (2011) and Carnival Dream (2009).

Size: 130,000 tons.

Carnival’s Dream-class ships are roughly the same size as its Vista-class ships, and the two classes have a lot in common. Still, there are a few key differences.

For starters, the Dream-class ships don’t have Imax theaters or trampoline parks. Both were innovations that debuted with the Vista-class ships. They also lack exclusive, keycard-restricted cabin areas and some of the eateries found on Vista-class ships.

Still, for the most part, if you’ve been on a Vista-class ship, you’ll immediately feel at home on a Dream-class ship.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival’s VIFP Club loyalty program

Dream-class ships share some of the same amenities as Vista-class ships. For instance, Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic both feature ropes courses on their top decks while Carnival Breeze has a 4D “thrill theater.” These innovations first debuted on Dream-class ships.

Dream-class ships also offer water parks with waterslides on their top decks, miniature golf courses, sports courts for basketball and volleyball, and multiple pools.

Interior venues on Dream-class ships include Punchliner comedy clubs, piano bars, casinos and showrooms for big production shows. The dining options are similar to what you’ll find on Vista-class ships; Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, steakhouses and the Italian eatery Cucina Del Capitano are included on all three vessels.

Two of the three ships — Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream — also have sushi eateries, while Carnival Breeze and Carnival Magic have Carnival’s Caribbean-inspired watering hole, RedFrog Pub.

The ships in this class hold 3,646 to 3,690 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Splendor class

Ships in class: Carnival Splendor (2008).

Size: 113,300 tons.

Carnival Splendor is an outlier in the Carnival fleet — a ship that makes up a class all its own. That said, it has a lot in common with the ships of Carnival’s Conquest-class ships (see below).

Originally designed and ordered for Italy-based Costa Cruises — a sister brand to Carnival — the ship is actually a sister vessel to Costa’s four Concordia-class ships. It will be familiar to anyone who knows Carnival ships because the design of Costa’s Concordia class was based upon the design of Carnival’s Conquest class, and the two classes are very similar.

The main difference between Carnival Splendor and its Conquest-class cousins is that the former has an enlarged and redesigned top deck area. The structure around the main pool of the ship is noticeably different, with a retractable, sliding glass roof that you won’t find on the Conquest-class ships, as well as a water play area for kids. The ship also has a bigger spa area.

Other than that, though, Carnival Splendor is basically a variation of the Conquest-class ships. Size-wise, it’s just a few thousand tons bigger. It holds 3,012 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Conquest class

Ships in class: Carnival Freedom (2007), Carnival Liberty (2005), Carnival Valor (2004), Carnival Glory (2003) and Carnival Conquest (2002).

Size: 110,000 tons.

At 111,000 tons, the Conquest-class ships (and Carnival Splendor, noted above) are about 20% smaller than the newer Vista-class and Dream-class ships. As a result, they have somewhat fewer amenities.

Still, you’ll find a lot of the classic Carnival “fun ship” attractions on these vessels including water play areas with waterslides, miniature golf courses and adults-only Serenity deck-top retreat areas.

You’ll also find a solid array of eateries on each of the ships including a Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina burrito outlets and steakhouses.

In addition to being smaller than Vista-class and Dream-class ships, Conquest-class ships also sail with fewer passengers. All of the Conquest-class vessels hold just shy of 3,000 passengers at double occupancy — about 1,000 fewer passengers than the Vista-class ships.

That’s a noticeable difference if you’re the kind of vacationer who doesn’t like to be around giant crowds. For some Carnival fans, the smaller size of the Conquest class and Splendor class makes these ships appealing. Others prefer the added amenities that come with the bigger ships.

Spirit class

Ships in class: Carnival Miracle (2004), Carnival Legend (2002), Carnival Pride (2002), Carnival Spirit (2001) and Carnival Luminosa (2009).

Size: 88,500 tons.

Carnival Spirit-class ships are the adventurers of the Carnival fleet.

The vessels are built for “all-weather” cruising, with pools that can be covered by retractable domes when it’s cold and stormy. These are the ships that sail in places such as Alaska, where even in the summer it can be too chilly for sunning on an open pool deck.

These are also the ships that Carnival uses for winter sailings to the Caribbean from Baltimore, which can involve a day or two of cold and stormy sailing in the Atlantic.

In some recent years, Carnival has also deployed one of its Spirit-class ships across the Pacific to Australia — the most far-flung destination that it offers on its schedule.

In addition to having a weather-proof main pool area, the Spirit-class ships are great for far-flung destinations because of their relatively small size, which allows them to access smaller ports. At just 88,500 tons, they’re among the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet — less than half the size of Carnival’s new Excel-class vessels.

The Spirit-class ships are notably lower and sleeker than most other vessels in the Carnival fleet. Passing under relatively small bridges is not a problem for them. Unlike a lot of recently built cruise vessels, they also are thin enough in the middle that they can squeeze through the old locks of the Panama Canal.

The Spirit-class vessels also boast the largest percentage of balcony cabins and oceanview cabins in the Carnival fleet, which makes them perfect for a destination such as Alaska where being able to watch the scenery from your cabin is a big plus.

They’re also relatively intimate ships, holding just 2,124 passengers at double occupancy. By modern-day cruise ship standards, that makes them “mid-size” vessels.

Still, you can expect to find many of the same fun-focused features on Spirit-class ships that you’ll find on the line’s bigger vessels, including water parks with waterslides and miniature golf courses.

Spirit-class ships also have one of the most unique features in all of the cruising industry — special date-night restaurants that are incorporated into their funnels and feature translucent glass-dome ceilings.

Note that one of the Spirit-class ships, Carnival Luminosa, was originally built for Costa Cruises, a sister line to Carnival (it originally sailed under the name Costa Luminosa). The vessel was built to the same basic specifications as the four Spirit-class vessels built for Carnival in this class, although it is a tad bigger and can hold a few more passengers. It dates to 2009.

Sunshine class

Ships in class: Carnival Radiance (2000/2021), Carnival Sunrise (1999/2019) and Carnival Sunshine (1996/2013).

Size: 102,000 tons.

The Sunshine class (once known as the Destiny class) may be the most unusual class of ships in the Carnival fleet. On paper, the ships in this class are among the oldest vessels that Carnival operates. However, you also can make an argument that they are among the newest vessels in the line.

This is because each of the ships in this series has been almost completely gutted and rebuilt from the waterline up.

The makeovers of the ships, which began in 2013, were so thorough that Carnival has given each of the vessels a new name. Carnival Sunshine is what old-time Carnival fans will remember as Carnival Destiny. Carnival Sunrise is the former Carnival Triumph. Carnival Radiance is the ship that began life as Carnival Victory.

Carnival spent $200 million alone in 2019 overhauling Carnival Sunrise. In addition to sprucing up just about every space on the ship, the money was used to add classic Carnival attractions that the ship lacked. This included a full-blown water park, which replaced a single waterslide on one of its top decks.

Carnival Sunrise also received a SportSquare area on its top deck like the ones found on newer Carnival vessels. It has a ropes course, basketball court, miniature golf course, outdoor pool and ping-pong tables. Carnival didn’t end the deck-top changes there. It also found space for another signature Carnival offering that had been lacking: an adults-only Serenity outdoor lounge area with padded loungers, daybeds, a hot tub and a full bar.

In addition, Carnival Sunrise now has half a dozen new food and beverage venues including a version of Carnival’s signature steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555; Carnival’s signature Italian eatery, Cucina Del Capitano; and a Bonsai Express sushi outlet.

Related: Our take on Carnival’s revamped Carnival Sunrise  

The overhaul of Carnival Sunshine, which took place in 2013, brought similar changes, as well as a complete renovation of the ship’s pool area that incorporated a multideck waterfall.

Carnival Radiance, for its part, just emerged from its long-scheduled overhaul, which was delayed in late 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note that even after the makeovers, the ships still don’t have all the bells and whistles of Carnival’s truly new ships, such as Carnival Panorama. As noted above, Carnival’s newest ships are bigger than its older ships, allowing for more attractions, restaurants and lounges.

At around 102,000 tons, the Sunshine-class ships are more than 20% smaller than Carnival Panorama and more than 40% smaller than Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

The ships hold from 2,984 to 3,002 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Interestingly, these weren’t always considered smaller vessels. In fact, when the line first unveiled Carnival Sunshine in 1996 (back when it was called Carnival Destiny), it was the biggest cruise ship in the world. It also was the first cruise ship to surpass 100,000 tons.

Now, it doesn’t even crack the list of the 50 biggest cruise vessels.

Fantasy class

Ships in class: Carnival Paradise (1998) and Carnival Elation (1998).

Size: 70,000 tons.

Built in the 1990s, the Fantasy-class ships are Carnival’s oldest and smallest ships, and the line is in the process of phasing them out. Going into 2020, the line had eight of these vessels. It removed four of them from its fleet soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began, and this year it removed two more — Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy.

The two Fantasy-class ships that are left are mostly used in secondary ports — such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama — that might not be able to support bigger vessels.

Related: Why I’m sad to see Carnival retiree its smallest ship

While still much-beloved by Carnival fans, in part for their intimate size, these ships notably lack a large number of balcony cabins — the cabin type that everyone wants these days. Most of the cabins on these ships are ocean-view cabins that only offer a window or a porthole, or windowless inside cabins.

That said, the two remaining Fantasy-class ships have undergone renovations over the years to add more balcony cabins. Depending on the ship, there were between 98 and 150 new balconies added, including new suites.

The ships have relatively fewer amenities and venues than the newer and bigger Carnival ships. You won’t find giant water parks on these vessels as you would on newer Carnival ships. You will find multiple slides and a spray park for the kids, though. The dining options are also limited.

Still, for a lot of Carnival fans, these are fun ships.

Two vessels each hold around 2,100 passengers, based on double occupancy.

Bottom line

Carnival has quite a few different classes of ships, but the differences between many of them aren’t as big as the differences between classes at other lines.

You’ll find a lot of consistency from ship to ship in the Carnival fleet in the type of venues that you find on board. In recent years, Carnival has spent $2 billion overhauling many of its ships to create that consistency in onboard venues and amenities.

Vacationers looking for a big resort experience with a lot of options should choose one of Carnival’s newest ships, which are bigger and have more amenities. If you’re looking for more intimacy on a cruise ship, some of the older classes of ships, such as those in the Spirit class, might be just right.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.