Following a hectic few days at our villa in Orlando, making sure it was in perfect condition for our next guests we were delighted to be taking a well-deserved break on Carnival Glory – our first cruise on this ship, and our first experience of cruising with Carnival – the so-called ‘fun’ ships. Orlando is ideally placed for anyone wanting to include a cruise to the Caribbean or the Bahamas, as it is just over an hour to Port Canaveral, with easy driving on good roads. For those who are able to enjoy a longer break in Florida there is no better way than to experience all the thrills and excitement of being in Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, than to spend a few days on board a cruise ship.
Earlier that afternoon we had boarded Carnival Glory, and now we were sailing gracefully out of Port Canaveral, with the sun setting behind us, on our way to our first Caribbean port, Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos islands. Boat Drill is over, so we walk down the stairs, lifejacket in hands (you should never wear it when moving about the ship) to our stateroom. We take a final look at the sea from our balcony before getting ready for dinner. On board this ship there are set meal times – first and second sitting – with no ‘freedom’ dining where you can choose when you eat – so we must get there on time. We walk down the stairs to our assigned dining room, but are shocked to find the stairs completely packed with people waiting for the doors to open, following the end of First Sitting. After a long wait we are shown to our table. We are on second sitting, which is not our first choice, but although we have asked for a change they are not very helpful.
The meal is pleasant , and afterwards we decide to visit the theatre before making our way down to our stateroom for a last look at the sea from our balcony. It is a beautiful night, with a starry sky and incredibly calm sea. On the horizon we can see the twinkling lights of several more ships – probably some of them followed us out of Port Canaveral. We stand, entranced, as we watch the ship cutting through the waves, barely causing a ripple as the sea is so calm, just like a millpond.
We feel relaxed and ready to enjoy all that this cruise has to offer. Tomorrow we have a day at sea before our first port, Grand Turk, a place we have never visited.
Earlier that afternoon we had boarded Carnival Glory, and now we were sailing gracefully out of Port Canaveral, with the sun setting behind us, on our way to our first Caribbean port, Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos islands. Boat Drill is over, so we walk down the stairs, lifejacket in hands (you should never wear it when moving about the ship) to our stateroom. We take a final look at the sea from our balcony before getting ready for dinner. On board this ship there are set meal times – first and second sitting – with no ‘freedom’ dining where you can choose when you eat – so we must get there on time. We walk down the stairs to our assigned dining room, but are shocked to find the stairs completely packed with people waiting for the doors to open, following the end of First Sitting. After a long wait we are shown to our table. We are on second sitting, which is not our first choice, but although we have asked for a change they are not very helpful.
The meal is pleasant , and afterwards we decide to visit the theatre before making our way down to our stateroom for a last look at the sea from our balcony. It is a beautiful night, with a starry sky and incredibly calm sea. On the horizon we can see the twinkling lights of several more ships – probably some of them followed us out of Port Canaveral. We stand, entranced, as we watch the ship cutting through the waves, barely causing a ripple as the sea is so calm, just like a millpond.
We feel relaxed and ready to enjoy all that this cruise has to offer. Tomorrow we have a day at sea before our first port, Grand Turk, a place we have never visited.