Carnival Glory: A Kids' Playground
by Holly Reich
Photos courtesy Carnival Cruises
Related Story: Unique Wedding Packages Available For Couples To Marry On Board Carnival Glory

Considering a "familymoon" to blend your new family during your honeymoon? Ore are the two of you looking for a way to combine a romantic getaway and a family vacation? Carnival Glory might be the answer If you’re traveling with kids they can find their own fun things to do while the two of you take time out.

“MOOOM! NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!” winced my 10-year old daughter Jenna . We were queuing up to board the Carnival Glory, their newest “Fun Ship”, and I asked one of the clowns on stilts to use his megaphone to round up Jenna and her 12-year–old brother, Dylan. The fun was just beginning.

Carnival ships, originally the ultimate in ‘booze cruises’ for wild singles has evolved into a happening vessel for families and an increasingly savvy crowd. Yes, the Glory still has survivor games and dance contests by the terraced pools, but there is also a sushi bar, cappuccino cafe and a sexy supper club that serves up gourmet lobster and steak for $25 a head.

The $500 million Glory is one of the biggest vessels at sea. It weighs in at 110,000 tons and can accommodate almost 3,000 guests. Architect Joe Farcus, opened the crayon box on this ship with a strong theme using the elements of color. Brightly decorated squares of tile flecked with sparkles in checkerboard designs, art that looks like it was finger painted with pastel frosting and multi-colored glass murals, gives the Glory a more sedate feel than its predecessors.

The Glory provides a perfect background for kids. And there’s plenty to do besides enrolling in CAMP CARNIVAL, the ships ongoing children and teen program that is based in a 4,200-square-foot playroom and teen disco/ game room.

Children ages 9 and older can check themselves out of camp with their parent’s permission. I gave Dylan and Jenna the green light and they were out of there within 45 minutes.

Quite honestly, even before I allowed my children to roam around our apartment complex in New York City, I was letting them loose on ships. There are 24-hour security guards including staff captains, officers, and hotel directors watching the decks at all times." In terms of a family vacation there’s no safer environment. If your kid is causing a ruckus or flipping over lounge chairs the security guard will get involved to either calm them down or protect them from injury," remarks Sharon Dodd, Contributing Editor at Cruisecritic.com.

The Glory is virtually an enclosed city. With 13 guest decks, 22 bars and lounges, a game arcade with futuristic equipment and a tv wall that shows non-stop music videos, a disco with windows to peek in on the dancers, a casino, 13,300-square-foot spa and health club, four swimming pools with a triple-decker water slide, seven whirlpools, an outdoor basketball court and 18 elevators to ride on, what kid wouldn’t be in heaven?

As far as children’s food choices, the 24-hour free pizzeria, ice cream dispenser and room service is a good place to start. There’s also a New York style deli and outdoor grill serving hotdogs, hamburgers and fries. Several nights Dylan and Jenna decided to dine at the buffet while I sat down to a QUIET 4-course dinner in the dining room. That’s a good thing.

NOTES FOR THE CRUISE

To ensure an even smoother trip, you should secure a drink card for the kids as soon as you get on board. It will give them more freedom and be less expensive in the long run. The cost is $22.95 for a seven-day Caribbean cruise. If you have younger children note that onboard stroller rentals are $6 per day and $25 per week. Note that walkee talkies are a hassle-free way to keep in touch. They can also be rented on board the Glory.

Following, some of the harmless antics pulled by Dylan and Jenna when they were on their own.

• Played in the casino before it opened.
  
• Snuck into Amber Palace (main show lounge) balcony to spy on the dancers rehearsing on the stage.
  
• Found the massage chairs near the casino at $1 a pop and spent a lot of time in them.
  
• Found the free machines in the game room.
  
• Used their walkee talkies to find each other on board and to tap into other people’s conversations.
  
• Ordered room service (it’s free!!) and had lunch parties.
  
• Played hide and seek all over the ship. They delighted in popping out of the closet and scaring me in our stateroom!
  
• Explored and took notes for me so I could find out where bars, dining rooms, the library etc. were on board.
  
• Ate ice cream and pizza non-stop (because it’s free and available).
  
• Stayed out later than me most nights to watch disco at the White Heat Dance club for adults, have “drinks” at the main bars, and window shop on the Kleidoscope Boulevard.
  
• Played bingo during the day with all of the older clientele on board. Go figure???

Holly Reich is a travel and automotive writer based in Manhattan.

All text copyright Holly Reich. No part of this article may be reproduced without written permission from the author.