My review of the Carnival Glory March 31st to April 7th 2013. Myself, my wife Nicole and son (13).

GETTING THERE: First, we flew into Ft. Lauderdale Saturday afternoon instead of Miami because the flight was significantly less expensive. We took the SAS Transportation shuttle to our hotel in Miami. We booked the shuttle online and once we had our luggage called them they told us where to be and we were picked up in less than 10 minutes and off to our hotel. We were the only 3 people in the van and the driver was very good. Next, was the hotel. We stayed at the Hampton Inn in Brickell based on trip advisor reviews. The hotel was very nice had free Wi-Fi, a rooftop pool/ spa on the 6th floor, we were also given 2 free drink tickets for the bar and there was also free breakfast, and there was a lot of shopping and restaurants within easy walking distance from the hotel. We had dinner at Kokoriko, which is a Columbian Rotisserie Chicken place and it is right across the street from the hotel and very good. The hotel has an arrangement with a shuttle company to take people to the ports of Miami and also Ft. Lauderdale. The charge is $8.00 per person and they go every hour starting at 10am. We, of course, signed up for 10am because we couldn't wait to get onboard the Glory in the morning. The shuttle arrived as scheduled and there were the 3 of us and another couple in the shuttle they dropped us off first before taking the others to the port in Ft. Lauderdale.

Embarkation: the shuttle dropped us off around 10:15am and we gave our checked luggage to one of the porters along with a tip and were among the first to arrive. We went straight through security and then because we had a suite we went to the Priority Lounge to check in and get our Sail and Sign cards and have our security pictures taken. Then we proceeded to the Priority Lounge where there was ample comfortable seating and lemonade available and we relaxed until it was time to board. Periodically someone would come in and update us on the status of getting everyone off from the previous cruise and an estimated time that we would be getting on board. They had some activities for the kids upstairs in the general boarding area because it was Easter Sunday. When it was time to go the Carnival person a came in with maraca's and we formed a line and followed her up the escalator and to the photographers where we took our early bird checking onboard photos and then our card was scanned and we were onboard. We got in the glass elevator and headed straight to the Lido and were the first to Guy's Burgers for a good lunch before exploring the ship. Read more