Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory is the second of five Conquest class ships, built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and delivered in 2003 at about 110,000 gross tons, with roughly 1,490 cabins spread over thirteen decks. The one design decision that governs the whole ship is Joe Farcus's colour theme. Instead of a single historical conceit, he named and dressed every public room for a colour: the Golden and Platinum restaurants, the Red Sail buffet, the Emerald steakhouse, the Amber Palace theatre, the Ivory Club, Bar Blue, White Heat and the red washed Cinn-a-Bar piano bar. It is loud, but it is consistent. She is also the ship that struck the already docked Carnival Legend while berthing at Cozumel on 20 December 2019, crumpling two decks of her aft starboard side above the waterline in high winds. The footage travelled further than most cruise news. Today she is based at Port Canaveral on three and four night Bahamas runs.
She is well suited to that job. The layout is legible, and a first time passenger can find the Lido pool, the atrium bar and the Amber Palace without a map. Free counter service is the strongest part of the food offer, with Guy's Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina on Deck 9, while the Emerald steakhouse and the Chef's Table handle the paid end. Evenings are carried by the Punchliner comedy sets in the Ebony Cabaret, karaoke at the Ivory Club and the Alchemy Bar. Families get WaterWorks on Deck 10, and adults get Serenity up top. A non smoking casino section arrived on Deck 5 during 2026.
The criticism is fair and mostly about age. Cruise Critic rates her 4.0 out of 5 and still notes the dings and the rust, the plastic railings that replaced polished teak, and pool decking that wants attention. The Azure pool's sliding roof was left inoperative after the 2024 refit. Casino smoke drifts into the neighbouring bar. The Points Guy found morning announcements running from seven until half nine, sit down dining waits stretching towards two hours and bedding that had not aged well.
She suits value led cruisers, first timers and families wanting a cheap long weekend at sea. She does not suit anyone after quiet, contemporary design or unhurried service. Carnival sits below Royal Caribbean on price and the crowd reflects it, which is a trade rather than a shortfall.
Cabin choice matters more here than usual. Deck 8 Verandah cabins sit directly beneath the Deck 9 pool deck and buffet, so early trolley noise and scraped chairs are a real risk. Deck 10 and Deck 11 cabins gain quiet aft of the crowds but sit close to WaterWorks and the sports deck. Aft extended balconies are the value pick at around 60 square feet, though some lose the sofa and carry a different desk arrangement. Obstructed oceanviews take two people only, with twin beds and no upper berth, so read the category before assuming a family will fit.
Open the deck plan before you book, not after.