Ringing in the New Year on Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory is currently sailing from Port Canaveral. Travelers wanting to fly should plan on booking a flight from their home airport to either MCO or MLB. Need a lift to the port? Carnival provides transfers from the airport to the cruise port and back for a nominal fee. Cruisers who live close to the port, or who prefer a road trip adventure like us, can drive and park directly at the port terminal garage. (Parking rates at the time of writing are $17 per day.)

Coming from the Cincinnati area, we break up the drive into two days. Avoiding Atlanta traffic, we head east towards Asheville. Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a great halfway point to stop for the night. There are a variety of Hilton properties in the area that are clean and affordable, many of them providing a free hot breakfast. After the second day of driving, we couldn't wait to hang our hats at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Cape Canaveral Cruise Port hotel. This property is actually a shared building, with the other half being a Hampton Inn by Hilton. This amazing property features a resort-style pool, family activity areas, a sports court and a free hot breakfast.

Upon arriving at the cruise port garage, luggage porters greeted us and took our big luggage pieces. Having all our cruise documents in hand made embarkation seamless. Purchasing Faster to the Fun — which allows passengers some exclusive perks, like skipping the line at check-in — is highly recommended.

The ship itself is just the right size for cruisers wanting plenty of amenities, without the large crowd or overwhelming layout. Holding just shy of 3,000 passengers, the ship never felt crowded. The kids enjoyed the complimentary kids' club, miniature golf and the onboard water park. My husband and I enjoyed the adult-only "Serenity Deck." The food in the main dining room was adventurous, and my husband enjoyed trying multiple entrees each night. Don't miss the chocolate lava cake — it's a Carnival favorite. (Ask for a side of peanut butter with your cake — you won't regret it!)

We found new and exciting entertainment each evening. From musical reviews to game shows and deck parties, there was always something going on!

Our New Year's sailing included two ports of call in the Bahamas — Nassau and Bimini. Nassau boasts a brand-new port area that is worth checking out. Vibrant colored shopping booths and live music at the Nassau port give you a taste of Bahamian flair. For a good time, be sure to stop in at Señor Frog's, located just to the left of the port. When stopping at Bimini, be sure to catch the free trolley that takes you around the island. The last stop is the free beach, located within eyesight of the ship. Plan to spend several hours there, and don't forget to bring your towel!

Overall, this was an amazing trip with something for everyone. If you're thinking about an affordable family cruise, try the Glory!

I recommend Carnival Glory to families looking for an affordable getaway. A short four-night cruise is the perfect length for travelers who are new to the cruise scene. As a general rule of thumb, the cheapest time to sail is any time school is in session. Summer and holiday sailings tend to be more expensive.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.