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Carnival Ecstasy

Carnival Sunshine

Carnival Glory

Puerto Vallarta

Embarkation: Smooth. Although our parking lot was much farther away than last year (due to an impending arrival of another ship), the shuttle service worked out well. Check in was prompt.



Public Rooms: The rooms themselves were beautiful. My problem was that on vacation, my relaxation includes a good cigar now and then. On my last Carnival cruise (The Triumph), they provided the dimly light, light music Oxford Bar for all smokers. On the Glory, they had a similar bar (Ivory), which used to function as a cigar bar, but has since banned cigars apparently due to the complaint of some customer who apparently couldn't enjoy one of the other 22 bars available for non-cigar smokers. The Ivory bar was a large room suitable to smokers and non-smokers alike. On the Glory, cigar smokers are now relegated to the "Sports Bar", a closet-sized bar with noisy television screens and overly-enthusiastic patrons. Interestingly, the waiter at the Ivory bar commented that since cigar smoking had been banned, no one seems to come to the bar any more. (I passed through the bar on several occasions during the cruise and he was right. It was a desert). My wife is asthmatic and extremely allergic to most perfumes. I wonder if Carnival would agree to banning perfumes on the ship to accomodate those who find them offensive, particularly when clustering each night outside the formal dining rooms waiting for the staff to open the doors. Much improved since our last cruise in Nov 2009. Since another ship was due in, we were hustled to the far regions of the port parking area. Last year we were parked in an enclosed warehouse. This year, in an open lot. Worked out okay though and not bad since a shuttle bus was provided to take us back to the ship and returned us to our vehicle at the end of the cruise. 
Dining: On the whole, the food is great. My wife has insomnia at times and really enjoyed being able to have a slice of pizza and visit the nearby bar at any hour. Our seating in the main dining room was somewhat disappointing. On our last cruise, we were seated on the second level in the main dining area. This time, we were off on the side on the lower level and felt too far-removed from the singing waiters activity. The waiters in the main area also seemed to be more friendly and communicative. One other comment, the lobster plate was delicious, but kind of skimpy. I could have eaten six of them. Oh well. 
Entertainment: Top notch as before. We love the Vegas-style shows that the Glory Dancers provide in the Amber Palace. And to those griping about feathers and g-strings being too much for the children, send the children to the kids sections where they belong. Unfortunately, their last show was cancelled due to the difficulty of performing in high heels during rough seas. I would have been pleased to see their performance barefoot. Oh well. Justin Illusion was well done, and the comedians did a good job as well. 
Service: Superb as always on Carnival. 
Excursions: Been here before. Stayed on board this trip. 
Value: Carnival provides the best bang for the buck in the cruise industry. 

Great Trip But Some Disappointment

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