Cruise Travel: Carnival Glory: a glorious addition to the "fun ship" fleet

Shortly after we set sail from Port Canaveral on a seven-day voyage to the Eastern Caribbean on Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Glory, my husband and I stood out ondeck and gazed at a completely blue world: cloudless skies as far as the eye could see above, plus calm indigo waters below. And while the panorama outdoors was made up only of shades of blue, inside we had a veritable rainbow.

The 110,000-gross-register-ton/2,974-passenger Carnival Glory embraces color, and does so to such an extent--each public room celebrates a shade of the rainbow--that color becomes her theme. Entering service in 2003, the Carnival Glory is the second of Carnival Cruise Lines' Conquest Class ships. The others in the series, an expanded version of the line's 101,000-grt Destiny Class vessels, are the Carnival Conquest, which debuted in 2002, Carnival Valor (December 2004), and Carnival Liberty (set to enter service in July).

As we walked inside from the outer deck to the Colors Lobby and took a seat in the Color Bar on Lobby Deck (3), we were reminded of our childhood kaleidoscopes as we looked up toward the nine-level main atrium where some 70 polished-aluminum, glass-laced light fixtures form an impressive canopy of color that creates constantly changing abstract shapes. Beyond this canopy, the towering silver atrium wall has 20 stage-lights shining on it, also creating abstract shapes in continuous motion.

Like the main atrium, which is called Old Glory and has interpretative paintings of U.S. flags behind the Lobby Bar, the Kaleidoscope Boulevard on Promenade Deck (5), the hub of the ship where many of the entertainment venues are located, is highlighted by one-square-meter polished aluminum light fixtures. Each fixture is similarly divided into geometric modules that are backlit with strips of red, blue, and yellow lights, resulting in various tones and slow-moving kaleidoscopic effects that offer a sense of motion in addition to lots of color.

If you came onboard still loaded up with everyday problems and worries, they instantly walk the plank as you stroll down the promenade or sit in the Lobby Bar where the light from the canopy shines on you, the orange and red tones particularly "warming" your skin--and your outlook. In fact, Carnival could adopt for this ship an expanded version of the UPS slogan, "What can brown do for you?" to ask, "What can red, yellow, blue, green, and other colors do for you?" The colored lights in the atrium and elsewhere certainly seem to relate a message to passengers: "While you are here, just have fun, relax, be happy!"

Boredom is also excess baggage--left like a discarded lump on the pier. Guests find a full roster of activities for daytime--everything from bingo, sports tourneys, trivia competitions, and wacky events like the hairy chest contest to dance classes, deck parties, art appreciation talks, and wine-tasting seminars. Best of all, there's a pervasive "Let's do it all!" mood that is infectious.

And there are 22 bars and lounges (yes, count 'em, 22) with a variety of nighttime entertainment for which Carnival is well known--including piano music in the main atrium Lobby Bar; a karaoke party in Bar Blue; ESPN in the golf-themed On The Green sports bar; a DJ in the White Heat Dance Club; Vegas-style revues, comedians, and other acts in the main lounge; themed parties and extravaganzas in the cabaret (a '50s and '60s show with a cast of 10 singers and dancers had guests dancing in the aisles); late-night comedy; and more--so this ship definitely owns the night.

A full casino celebrates Egypt with life-size kneeling camels at the entrance greeting those who would tempt Lady Luck. Plus there is cool jazz in the Ivory Club, variety music on Kaleidoscope Boulevard, sing-along sessions at the Cinn-A-Bar, and other evening choices all of which proclaim, "Let's paaarty!" And if guests are game, there are plenty of other night owls to have fun with. This is definitely not a ship where most people retire for the night after the show.

"On some lines guests go to bed after 10:30 p.m., but not here, and we are very proud of that," said John Heald, cruise director. Things are jumping until the wee hours in the casino and the bars and lounges, particularly along the Kaleidoscope Boulevard, and the midnight adults-only comedy specials are well attended. "The piano bar, where we have sing-along sessions, is very popular," Heald added. "It is a great place to meet new people."

Definitely another happening nightspot is the White Heat Dance Club on Kaleidoscope Boulevard. Joe Farcus, Carnival's interior architect, calls the dance club "Liberace-like." And with good reason: Taking inspiration from the legendary pianist's candelabra, the disco is highlighted by big white candles (some taller than I am!) that are 12 to 18 inches in diameter, in silver candelabra bases, and with "flames" that are clusters of fiber-optic lights. In other areas of the disco, there are smaller candles on silver trays, and Carnival's popular "video wall" displays live shots from the dance floor and special effects.

The ship's main show lounge, the Amber Palace, is named after Russia's legendary Amber Room, a gift by Frederick the First of Prussia to Czar Peter the Great in the 18th century. Its walls have amber-like panels and are adorned with imperial eagles (also found on carpeting and tables) and paintings of czars and czarinas. Other design elements include rococo moldings, gold-leaf columns with female figures, a massive 12-foot-in-diameter crystal chandelier, cornices, and candelabra. This three-deck-high, 1,500-seat showroom is also equipped with a revolving stage, rising orchestra pit, "fly-in" scenery capabilities, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.

The Amber Palace sets the scene for variety entertainment and two high-energy, Vegas-style revues, "Rock Down Broadway" and "Livin' in America." The former is themed to Broadway rock musicals, including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, and Rent, with such special effects as lasers and pyrotechnics; the latter show celebrates the various birthplaces of American music, including Chicago and Nashville, and salutes Hollywood's Golden Age. Both revues feature a cast of 16 singers and dancers in great costumes and were very well received during our sailing.

We checked out all the bars in search of what would become our favorite hangout, including the Bar Blue (decorated with giant peacock feathers on the walls that extend from the floor almost to the ceiling); the Ebony Cabaret (African-inspired, with dark ebony walls and ceilings, and authentic wooden African masks); and the Cinn-A-Bar (the piano bar in reddish-brown hues). The search was fun and helped us decide on a preferred lounge--the Ivory Club on Atlantic Deck (4). It is exotic, inspired by India, with elephant-tusk replicas, wall coverings with spindles and ivory-like squares, windows inset with mosaics of faux semi-precious stones, and a wood-paneled ceiling with embossed brass beams. The bar front is adorned with elephant faces in bas relief, and the barstools and table bases are in the shape of elephant feet. It is a wonderful spot for relaxation and conversation, sets the scene for afternoon classical music concerts at sea, and it is conveniently adjacent to the Internet Cafe (where we checked our e-mail every day) and near the upper levels of both main restaurants--the Golden and Platinum dining rooms so it is ideal for a pre-dinner drink.

Both restaurants have a decor that is Japanese-inspired, with decagon-shaped window frames, color-changing lights in V-shaped concave ceiling fixtures, and wall coverings with Japanese bonsai trees and flowers painted in gold or silver backgrounds, depending on the restaurant.

There are four staggered dinner seatings to choose from, 5:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:30 p.m., with delicious offerings like king prawns, prime rib, quail, beef Wellington, and lobster tail all attractively presented (an outstanding value for an economy-priced line). The menus also feature Spa Carnival selections (low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium) and low-carb offerings, and there is a children's menu with kids' favorites.

Of great interest to honeymooners and those wishing to dine "a deux" are plenty of tables for two. We had one on the upper level of the Platinum Dining Room (which is situated aft, just off the three-level Spectrum atrium), and our waiter, Henry, from India, and our assistant waiter, Ari, from Indonesia, provided exceptionally attentive service, bringing extras of breads we liked (the garlic rolls and the vine-ripened tomato bread in particular were delectable), drink refills, and such, without ever a need to ask. Henry, Ari, and the rest of the waiters also entertained us during "mini-shows" ranging from dancing to "La Vida Loca" to singing "O Sole Mio."

The Red Sail Restaurant, where we enjoyed several quick-out-the-door breakfasts and lunches while in port, is the ship's attractive and comfortable buffet-style casual restaurant. It has two levels--Lido Deck (9) and Panorama Deck (10)--with a glass-domed area, and it is very inviting, with a warm red, blue, and gold color scheme and a sailboat theme carried out with varnished pine masts, sails, chrome hardware and light fixtures, a wood-beam ceiling, teak railing, false portholes, and sailboat models. We did not encounter congestion as there are two large buffet stations (one themed to a different international cuisine every day), plus a New York-style dell (a big favorite with us) and the Asian station (delicious). Two nice touches here are lots of comfortable arm chairs (instead of just side chairs) and friendly wait staff bringing coffee, iced tea, and other beverage refills on a cart to the tables.

We also enjoyed a lunch at a new feature on Conquest Class ships, the Fish & Chips station (with seafood offerings including bouillabaisse), in the upper level of the restaurant. We remembered when we sailed on the Carnival Destiny in 1996 that the upper level of the casual restaurant on that ship was underused--perhaps because people did not want to get their food at the stations downstairs and have to bring their trays upstairs. On the Carnival Glory, since there is a food station right at that level, the upstairs seemed to get a lot more use. "It takes a day or so for our guests to find Fish & Chips, but when they do, it's a real plus and it gets filled up," said Carlos Alfonso, hotel manager.

The Emerald Room, elegant with cobalt-blue walls and lighting fixtures inspired by the gem--and one big medallion on a wall made up of hundreds of lights to resemble a gigantic emerald--is the not-to-be-missed reservations-only supper club. Fee is $25 per-person for a menu that features such gourmet fare as sushi platters, 24-oz. porterhouse steaks, nine-oz. filet mignon, lobster, and creme brulee--you would pay upwards of $100 ashore for a similar meal impeccably presented and served as it is here on fine, crisp linens and Versace china. Call to make your reservations the minute you board as it can fill up quickly--the first day seems to be the easiest to get reservations as people are busy settling in.

Other culinary delights include complimentary sushi on the Kaleidoscope Boulevard promenade; coffees, teas, ice cream, and pastries for sale at Creams, the European-style patisserie also on the promenade; complimentary stateroom service; and midnight buffets--these are a vanishing breed, but to Carnival's credit, the line still features them each evening from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

We enjoyed a couple of them on sea days during our itinerary that called at Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten. After days exploring the Atlantis resort on Nassau's Paradise Island on a sold-onboard shore excursion to see its beautiful marine habitats including sharks, barracuda, tarpon, rays, and sawfish--one of the latter was 13 feet long--plus beach combing on St. Maarten, shopping on St. Thomas, and hopping an excursion (also sold onboard) to unspoiled St. John, our favorite shipboard haunt was the Carnival Glory's 13,300-square-foot health club.

This Polynesian-themed, Steiner-operated spa is very attractive with a waterfall, lush greenery, and teak decking. It offers a gym with sea views and the latest in Lifefitness exercise equipment. Exotic, pampering treatments include the Aroma Spa Float, featured in two deluxe treatment suites with dry float beds; feel-the-tension-dissolve Aroma Stone Therapy (aaah!), and Cleopatra's Milk Bath (including a ginger and lime body exfoliation, milk wrap, and 25-minute massage). There is a couple's treatment room for twosomes. Spa activities include fitness seminars and instructor-led fitness classes that feature aerobics, yoga, kickboxing, Pilates, and spinning (some classes are $10).

After all that kicking and spinning, the Carnival Glory's four swimming pools, seven whirlpools, and lots of open and shaded deck space hit the spot for relaxation most days for us. Our favorite pool, besides the one in the spa, was the one situated aft on Lido Deck with a retractable glass dome, near two Jacuzzis, as well as a grill, bar, the 24-hour complimentary pizzeria, and the free 24-hour ice-cream/frozen-yogurt stations--who could ask for anything more! But if you desire more physical activity, there is a jogging track (nine times around equals a little more than a mile) plus volleyball, golf lessons, shuffleboard, ping-pong, and more.

The younger set in particular loved the 214-foot spiraling waterslide at one of the pools. Junior sailors were also happily occupied in the expanded children's and teen facilities on the Carnival Glory (a very family-friendly feature of the Conquest Class ships). The 4,200-sq.-ft. children's and teen areas on Sun Deck (12) set the scene for Camp Carnival, a top-rated supervised program of activities. In addition to playrooms, crafts, science, and geography projects, younger children have a video room for movies and cartoons, plus an outdoor area with a pool.

Teenagers have Ultraviolets, a 1,800-sq-ft. dance club/game room with a cool Monopoly theme. The teen club also houses a video wall, video game units, and computers. "Teens these days want a place of their own to hang out and chill," cruise director Heald said. "They like Ultraviolets and so do their parents, who see their teenagers have a safe place to go with organized activities." Adolescents also can participate in organized activities and shore excursions just-for-teens that include sailing, mountain biking, cave tubing, and horseback riding, which they can enjoy with their new-found friends.

With all these activities and entertainment for all ages, cabins aboard the Carnival Glory--and on most Carnival ships, for that matter--are probably the most likely of any cruise line to actually be used by the majority of passengers just for the proverbial "changing and sleeping." But it is nice to know that if guests do want to use them for more, they are comfortable homes at sea.

Most of the staterooms are situated on Riviera (1), Main (2), Upper (6), Empress (7) and Verandah (8) decks. Suites and penthouse suites, the most desirable accommodations with such conveniences as VCR and whirlpool tub/shower, are on Empress Deck. Our balcony cabin, number 8429, a category 8 stateroom on Verandah Deck, was spacious and pleasantly decorated in shades of coral, light woods, and artwork. It has a sitting area with sofa for watching movies on television and reading comfortably; a good, functional bathroom with shower and an amenity basket (including such unexpected items as Bic shavers, Crest toothpaste, Tylenol, Listerine Pocketpaks, and other products); as well as the luxury of a private veranda, with table and two chairs, where we enjoyed complimentary room service breakfasts al fresco several mornings and toasted a sunset or two fanned by balmy breezes.

The bottom line? Fun now has a color all its own, and its name is Carnival Glory. Fun-loving, active, budget-minded people of all ages who are looking for a great value in an economy-priced line--be it couples, singles, families with children and teenagers, and young-at-heart seniors--all can start packing their bags this very minute for this ship's year-round alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. And get ready to enjoy some Glory days.

MS CARNIVAL GLORY FACTS & FIGURES

Company: Carnival Cruise Lines.

Built: 2003, Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani, Monfalcone, Italy.

Country Of Registry: Panama.

Gross Registered Tonnage: 110,000.

Length: 952 ft. Beam: 116 ft.

Draft: 27 ft. Speed: 22.5 knots.

Propulsion: Six medium-speed diesel electric engines developing approximately 84,933 hp.; three bow-thrusters, three stern-thrusters.

Passenger Capacity: 2,974 (double occupancy); 3,700 (all berths).

Passenger Space Ratio: 37.

Normal Crew Size: 1,160.

Nationality Of Crew: Italian officers; international crew, hotel, and cruise staff.

Cabins: 1,487 staterooms on eight decks, of which 570 are interior and 917 are oceanview (more than 60 percent). Of the oceanview cabins, 60 percent or 556 have balconies, including 10 penthouse suites and 42 suites; 18 family cabins have a glass wall, but no balcony. Interior cabins measure 185 square feet; oceanview cabins are 220 sq. ft.; oceanview family cabins measure 230 sq. ft.; oceanview with balcony cabins measure 185 sq. ft. plus 35 sq. ft. of balcony for a total of 220 sq. ft.; oceanview with wrap-around or extended balcony are 185 sq. ft. plus 75 sq. ft. of veranda for a total of 260 sq. ft.; suites provide 275 sq. ft. of space with 65 sq. ft. of balcony for a total of 340 sq. ft.; penthouse suite dimensions are 345 sq. ft. with an 85 sq. ft. balcony for a total of 430 sq. ft. Standard cabin amenities include stocked mini-bar, hair-dryer, amenity bathroom basket, beach towel for use ashore, interactive television system, safe, plus bathrobes in all oceanview staterooms. Additional amenities in suites include VCR, wet bar/bar area (not stocked), combination shower/whirlpool bathtub, double sink, bidet, sitting area with sectional sofa-bed (double sofa-bed in penthouse; single sofa-bed in other suites), walk-in closet (penthouses)/ large closet (other suites).

Public Rooms: Golden Dining Room (formal dining room, seats 744), Platinum Dining Room (formal dining room, 1,122), Copper Room (restaurant annex, portside, 28), Silver Room (restaurant annex, star-boardside, 36), Red Sail Restaurant (casual lido restaurant, 1,396), Amber Palace (main show lounge, 1,400), Camel Club (casino, 484), Ebony Cabaret (cabaret show lounge, 425), White Heat (dance club, 211), Bar Blue (jazz bar, 88), The Emerald Room (supper club, 108), Creams (promenade bar, 23) Colors (lobby bar, 10), Cinn-A-Bar (piano bar, 100), On The Green (sports bar, 55), Black And White Library (library, 17), Burgundy Bar (wine bar, 30), Ivory Bar (grand bar, 147), Club Crimson (club lounge, 30).

Facilities/Features: Fully air-conditioned, stabilized, 13 guest decks, 18 passenger elevators, 9-deck-high main atrium, fully-equipped spa and fitness center (13,300-sq. ft. including steam rooms, saunas, gym, locker rooms, massage rooms, a couples-only massage room, and two deluxe treatment suites offering dry float beds for exotic therapies), 24-hour pizzeria (also serving Caesar salad) and ice cream/frozen yogurt stations, full casino, beauty salon, teen dance club, shops, Internet cafe, infirmary, tour office, sushi bar, photo studio, jogging track, volleyball court, shuffleboard, four swimming pools, waterslide, seven whirlpools, game room, children's playroom.

Money Matters: The Carnival Glory features "Sail & Sign" whereby the room-key/ID card is used for onboard purchases (shore excursions, spa treatments, photos, souvenirs, etc.) that are charged to guests' accounts. A required application form is included with the cruise documents, and Carnival accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and cash for deposit on accounts (a minimum deposit of $200, for 5- to 8-day cruises, is required for cash accounts). An itemized statement is delivered to cabins at the end of the cruise. A $10 per-person/per-day gratuity is automatically posted to guests' accounts (Carnival's recommended guideline), which consists of $3.60 for stateroom services, $5.50 for dining room team service, and $0.90 for alternative dining service. Passengers can adjust the amount up or down at the purser's desk onboard. Other personnel, such as maitre d', room service, casino, etc., may be tipped at guests' discretion. A tip of 15 percent is automatically added to bar bills, which guests may adjust.

Itineraries/Fares: The Carnival Glory sails year-round every Saturday out of Port Canaveral on alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages. Eastern Caribbean cruises call at Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten; Western Caribbean sailings visit Key West, Belize, Cozumel, and Progreso/Merida. Brochure rates start at $1,649 per-person/double-occupancy for an inside cabin with upper/lower berths (Super Saver rates for that same cabin begin at $549). Single guest occupancy rate is 150 percent to 200 percent of the double-occupancy rate.

For More Information: Contact your travel agent or Carnival Cruise Lines (Cruise Travel Magazine) 3655 NW 87th Ave., Miami, FL 33178; call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or log on to www.carnival.com.