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Peace and blessings, y’all. After returning from my cruise on the Carnival Glory, I wanted to share some real, honest insight — especially since the last time I cruised was back in 2018. So much has changed. And to top it off, as soon as I got home, Netflix dropped that wild “Dookie Cruise” documentary. Let’s just say... the timing was uncanny (and yes, I’ve been on the Triumph before — help Lord).
But let me break down my experience.
The Room
First impressions? The room was dusty. Like, really dusty. I noticed folks were boarding right after our group disembarked, so I brought my own cleaning supplies (because: germaphobe life). I sanitized everything from top to bottom before we got comfortable.
The room itself was small, but functional. We didn’t spend much time there — just to sleep and shower. Still, Carnival: if people are paying what they’re paying, those rooms need to be deep cleaned before new guests arrive. I did way too much cleaning to feel truly relaxed at first.
Also... the sewage smell at night? Yeah, it was real. Especially the last two nights — had both me and my friend feeling nauseated.
As for the balcony — it was nice, but not essential. If you’re not big on having your own outdoor space, I’d recommend sticking with an ocean view or interior room and just spending more time on the Lido deck. Personally, I wouldn’t splurge on a balcony again unless it’s a longer cruise or I’m being sponsored.
The Staff
The staff was, as always, incredibly kind and helpful. Pro tip: learn the names of your room stewards and bartenders. Build a relationship, and be generous with cash tips, not just what’s included in your cruise package. I came prepared with plenty of cash to bless the crew — they deserve it.
The Drink Package
This was my first time purchasing an adult drink package. Was it worth it? Kinda.
By night two, I noticed the drinks were watered down compared to what we got the first night. I even had to give the bartenders the recipe for some of my go-to drinks because the mixes were off. That said, know your bartenders. When they like you, they’ll look out for you.
The Club
This one disappointed me. As someone who’s been on seven cruises, Carnival’s clubs used to be a vibe. Great music, high energy, fun crowd.
This time? Not so much.
The DJ told us he couldn’t go outside Carnival’s set playlist which meant no hip hop and no “Boots on the Ground”, but they did play old school music. They even started turning on the lights 30 minutes before closing, so people thought it was time to leave early. The club closed earlier on the last night too.
We still had fun, but it wasn’t the same as to what I know as the turn up cruise line. Also, Carnival, what’s with not allowing fans in the club anymore? That was very disappointing.
The Food
We barely touched the breakfast — it looked super processed. Thankfully, we’re not big breakfast people, so we started most days with lunch.
Shoutout to Guy’s Burgers though — they never miss. We had one every day. For late-night eats, the pizza was clutch (but it’s no longer 24 hours — it shuts down around 2 a.m.).
The Activities
Since it was a 3-day cruise, we kept it chill. We hit the gym, walked the boat, lounged, enjoyed drinks, did dinner, and caught one comedy show. It was enough — we really just wanted to relax and have fun. No pressure to do everything.
The Bahamas
We made it to the Bahamas and did a lot of walking — but I loved every minute of it. There’s something powerful about being in the Caribbean and seeing our people just living, working, and vibing. That energy is unmatched.
The cruise always recommends booking excursions ahead of time — and after hearing from a few of our cruise buddies, I get why. They said their excursion to one of the island’s private beaches was the highlight of their trip. We, on the other hand, decided to take the “let’s wing it” route and walked about 20 minutes to a nearby public beach.
It was nice… but let’s just say next time, I’m sticking to an excursion or a private beach.
Real talk: Carnival will warn you about “getting pirated” — basically meaning, getting hustled. We experienced a little bit of that when a group of kids came around saying they were fundraising for a basketball camp. Of course, we gave a few dollars. But five minutes later, we watched them dip off with the money. We weren’t offended — it’s survival for a lot of folks out there, and if a few dollars helped someone eat that day, so be it.
But… I’m a beach napper. I came to lay out, relax, and fall asleep by the ocean. What I didn’t love was having to pop my head up every two minutes because someone was trying to sell me something. The hustle is real, and while I respect it, I also respect my rest.
So lesson learned — next time I’m booking an excursion or sticking with a private beach. Still had fun. Just couldn’t nap in peace.
The Boat Itself
Let me be real: the cruise was fun, but mainly because of the people I was with. That’s the key — you are the vibe. Not the boat, not the itinerary, not the room.
Create your own joy. Make memories with people you love. Be present. But also… Carnival, it’s time to upgrade these ships. I’ve been cruising since 2007, and it’s 2025. We deserve a more modern experience — especially for folks who are cruising for the first time.
Final Thoughts + What’s Next
Overall, I had a blast. We laughed, we danced, we made memories — and that’s what matters most.
A video recap is coming soon! I’ll also be sharing a full breakdown of how to prepare for a cruise, plus what to pack and what to leave at home.
In the meantime, grab my What to Pack for Your Cruise Checklist here on the blog to help you plan your next getaway with ease.
Shalom,
— Zak L. Grace | @AuthenticallyZ
#AuthenticallyZ #CarnivalCruise #CarnivalGlory #CruiseChecklist #WhatToPack #SummerMommySeries #CarnivalCruiseReview
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