roscoegirl

I'm thinking RCL isn't too happy right about now either! There's an awful lot of people between the two ships that have to board and debark. It's going to be a huge mess if they don't have the old gangway sitting around somewhere.

 

I sailed on the Enchantment out of Balto in 2010. At that time, they did not have an elevated gangway...you had to walk across the pier and board via the type of ramp you used in any other port. I sailed the Pride later the same year...they had at that time, a blue canopy covered elevated gangway...RCI did not use Carnival's gangway.:)

I'm no expert, but I do recall somebody commenting about this.

 

I've never seen Carnival mentioned, so I assume they have minimal or no ships from NY/NJ. But, somebody did comment that the NCL ship was in the Caribbean during this time (I assume so was the other RCCL ship that sails from Baltimore -Grandeur(?))

 

The Carnival Pride also sails from Baltimore...it always departs on Sunday (I've been on her 4 times!) It was definately the Pride. :)

I asked that same question on the Carnival Pride forum. Yes, the Pride did sail on Sunday; they saw the storm (remember they sailed at 4:30 or 5pm on Sunday) and altered their course. Word is the Bridge folks on the Pride did note the Anthem was already on course in the path of the storm...probably too late for them to alter their course at that point.

Just of the Allure today and had an over the water cabana. It was amazing and worth the money. We had an over the water cabana and there were about 25 stairs to climb and to get into the water you had to go down stairs and jump or climb a latter into the water.

 

Just curious, how deep is the water once you clear those steps you go down?

Thanks!

I just booked this today!! Half of my 'bucket list' is included in this itinerary and I'm thrilled Carnival did this...I too am booked on the Quantum of the Seas--- supposed to board on the 29th! I decided to NOT cancel my RCI booking... May just move it to another date once the 2015-2016 itineraries are released. I am very much looking forward to this sailing... For this CCL 14 niter, I've booked for two but will happily a pay for two even if I sail SOLO! :)

wow! I have never noticed the 'slam door' issue...Ridiculous! You're on a ship with water-tight doors...most people really don't care how the door closes as long as they get to where they want to go. I can say after more than a few cruises, I've never noticed this issue...hell, I've probably slammed a few myself. I guess cruising is really not for everyone.;) (I know, some of you will not appreciate my honesty but, oh well...:) )

Been on the Pride x3...loved every cruise. I don't cruise for the decor of the ship...I cruise to relax and have a little fun. At the end of any day on the Pride, I'd be hard pressed to answer any questions regarding 'decor'. As for the vandalism onboard...stupid people everywhere! As for David's Steakhouse--go if you can...great food and service! But most of all, forget about the 'dumb stuff' and enjoy the cruise you've paid your hard-earned money for...you won't be sorry.:) (and just maybe, stay off of this board--if you never knew about it, you'd probably never notice!)

The following is a letter I wrote to RCI after returning from recent cruise on the Grandeur and I wanted to share it to see if there are others that feel the same way as I do.

 

We boarded the Grandeur as a small group of 8 for a mini-family reunion. My husband and I have cruised ONLY RCI for all of our cruising since 1983 and just became diamonds, even though we have not retired yet. With this being an 8 day itinerary we were expecting things to be a little more "special" when it came to the dining experience (particularly the food choices). But we were quite disappointed in this, ANOTHER, new menu. It seems that every time a "new" menu comes out, its worse. There were at least 3 days where I could fine NOTHING on the entree menu that appealed to me, and I am not a picky person. That has never happened on any of my previous cruises. In fact, just the opposite, where I had 2 that I had a hard time to pick between. The food wasn't very good, in our opinion. That, and the shape of the ship was our biggest complaints. Instead of building new ships all of the time, why don't you take some of that money and keep the older ones in better shape, or sell them. I can remember RCI on my first trip... We couldn't get over the fact that almost everywhere we looked (behind the scenes, for the most part) there were crew members cleaning, painting, wiping something down all day long. We were in a junior suite and didn't enjoy the balcony for all of the salt built up on the banister and furniture. With paying extra for the JR suite, I would have thought that it would have been part of the every day clean up. The wood in the room was well worn and the bed was very uncomfortable (hard, and we could feel the crack where the bed comes together). We had to ASK for robes (even though we were Diamonds and in a JR suite) and for stationary (come on, really?). RCI seems to be slowly but surely taking away all that makes them the special company we've come to know and love. You took away the nice welcome back gifts, lowered the crown and anchor amenities, even took away the stationary, the mints on the pillows, and so much more. Those were all the things that made us "feel" like "royalty". I have brought SO MANY people to RCI cruising. Many first time cruisers have joined us, and we always recommend RCI when someone says they are thinking of cruising. But, its not like it used to be. NOW, with that in mind, it brings out our biggest point... WHY is RCI trying to keep their prices down so much and then it forces you to lose the great things that make her what she was always known to be? The prices havn't gone up with the economy. We've said it many times... Raise the price a little if you need to in order to pay for those little things that makes a person walk off that ship feeling like they were just treated so special that they can't wait to come back! I'm wanting to come back less and less, the more you cut things, truly... Keeping your prices a little more than the other cruise lines will make the people that don't care about the classiness take Carnival again. Instead, I'm hearing more and more good things about the ships I always looked down on. Sure, because Royal Caribbean is lowering its prices to fill all of these new ships and consequently having to cut costs - then its quality is no better. So "WHY NOT" try the other cruise lines??? I'm really disappointed, and from what I heard from other long time cruisers (in the diamond lounge), so are they. This is serious, RCI, you might want to re-think what you are doing here...

 

With all of that said, the entertainment was superb! But unfortunately, that leads me to another complaint. When we choose the Main dinner seating, we should be able to finish our meals and go to the show and not have to STAND to watch it! I don't know if its My Time Dining people filling it up or its all of the people choosing to go to the Windjammer (for the better food selections), but it is out of control. Please look better into this because this was NOT unique to this ship. Its been a problem for several cruises now. We shouldn't have to inhale our entree, skip our dessert and run to the other end of the ship to try to find a seat period, let alone 2 together!!!!

 

I'm not trying to get some onboard credits on my next cruise because I'm complaining... I'm trying to get RCI to look at these complaints seriously and reconsider all of these cuts in amenities instead of just letting your price be a little more than the other cruise lines, because you want people to FEEL like "Royal" Caribbean cruisers... If you do, I know we'll still pay extra to be on it, otherwise, we might as well lose our faithfulness to RCI and try the other cruise lines.

 

Just my .02cents: I've sailed RCI and Carnival. I sailed on the Enchantment which I believe is similar to the Grandeur...just longer. I loved everything about the Enchantment and I'm hoping to try out the Grandeur also some day. Lately, I've been sailing on the Carnival Pride. IMO, the food is much better on Carnival and the balcony cabins are almost as large as a JS on Royal.

 

My last sailing with Royal was on the Explorer. As far as the Explorer is concerned, the MDR food was horrible. Thank goodness for Portofino's on the Explorer!

 

As for the 'little' things, I don't really care about mints, robes (although, Carnival provides robes in every cabin regardless of loyality level) etc. I really enjoy meeting new people at the various venues...to me, socializing, good food/drinks and relaxing is enough for me. And BTW: the same folks you meet on Carnival will also sail with RCI. I'll be booking Royal again in the future because I really do enjoy both lines...some things are better on Royal and some are better on Carnival.

 

I for one, would not like to see prices go up...I hope the RCI folks read your letter and find a way to keep you coming back...don't charge everyone else more!

 

I hope whatever cruiseline you try next will be a more enjoyable experience for you...I'd like to try Princess and Holland America!:)

 

Happy Sails and stop look back...look to the future of cruising!!;)

Oh, the Pride! Just sailed on the Pride August of this year for the third time...my last sailing will be Nov 30, 2014--great itinerary! We have had such great times and laughs on the Pride. I used to be a 'loyal to Royal' cruise until this ship showed me a great time for less money. I will really miss the Pride in Baltimore and I hope Carnival re-considers and brings another ship to the Balto port...Looking forward to 11/30/2014!!:)

Thank you for your review...it was Spectacular!!! You and your girls really had a great time!! Every time I read a good Pride review, I see something I didn't get to do--either on the ship or off. Loved seeing this itinerary from your very happy perspective! I, like a few others on this thread are booked for the 'last' sailing on the Pride from Baltimore...that itinerary promises to be fantastic and I'm patiently waiting for Nov 30, 2014! You and your girls would love this...come go with us!!:) Once again, many thanks for your comments and pictures...loved it!!

Hello All - Guess I'm not up on things. I wasn't aware the Pride was moving! We are booking the Nov 23 2014 cruise. I guess that will be her last round-trip to Baltimore? Is a different ship coming to Baltimore?

 

Sorry to disappoint you but the last sailing on the Pride from Baltimore is Nov 30, 2014... When I booked, I asked if they do anything special for the 'leaving the homeport thing' and was told, nothing planned as of yet. :confused: If you really want to sail the LAST cruise, you still have time to make the change. There is a nice roll call for this sailing as well-- Happy Sails!!:)

 

EDIT: SORRY, I just realized you stated, the last 'round-trip' back to Balto...my bad! :)

Hi... I would just like to thank all of you who have kept this thread going with interesting infomation, speculation and yes, a few disagreements!;) I have been following this horrific event and these threads on CC since it all happened. I'm just someone who loves cruising and this event really touched me (as I'm sure it did others). I thank you all very much for providing the great webcam sites so I can finally watch this hopefully, come to an end at Giglio. I'm watching in AWE as it is very apparent, the ship is responding to very elaborate plan to get her upright!! This is simply amazing to me and again, Thank You all for the info over the past few years!!:)

He seems very young to retire. Until RCI makes an official announcement, I would have to believe that he continues in their employ.

 

I remembered seeing this discussion a while back... there's an announcement in the Cruise Business Online publication from RCI, naming the new SVP of Operations-- look here:

 

http://www.cruisebusiness.com/index.php/Latest-News/royal-caribbean-international-appoints-william-baumgartner-svp-marine-operations.html

Join us on Nov. 30, 2014, the last cruise out of Baltimore for the Pride.

Good prices, good ports; Grand Turk, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and San Juan.

 

We're doing a few days in San Juan then flying back non-stop to BWI. Can't beat that for a good 8 days on the water plus a little land at the end. NO FLYING FATIGUE before the cruise is the best part.

 

Thank you for the inspiration! I just booked this cruise for me and hubby...he loves the idea! The rates are really good and I just hope airfare will be favorable as we will probably take the train into Balto and fly back into Dulles (closer to home!) Thank you for making me spend money that I have not earned yet!:eek: Sometimes, that makes for the best fun!!!:)

I know that this is not much of a typical review we are use to on CC its more of the memories my friends and I created on the Carnival Glory, May 5th 2013. But I thought i would share, hope you guys enjoy. If you have any questions about the Glory or any of the ports please feel free to ask and to the best of my memory i will try and answer.

 

click the link below.

 

 

 

 

misc information.

 

May 5th Carnival glory

ports of call -Nassau Bahamas, St Thomas USVI, San JuanPuerto Rico, Grand Turk.

 

My wife and I and group of my friends age range 21-26. From NYC & NJ

 

 

 

Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!!! It's very refreshing to see people post a review here on CC and you can tell they are having a ball! No complaining--just big fun!! I'd sail with you beautiful young men anyday....BTW: Although a nice rendition, I think BoysIIMen can sleep easy tonight. Loved your fun!!:) Thanks for sharing your video--very creative!!

Just the start of your review has me soooo pumped now for August on the Pride!! I'll be checking in for more-- you have a beautiful family, hope you guys had a blast!:)

thanks for posting the information/doing a review of the tj cruise. We have looked at this option several years, but as many have stated, the cost is prohibitive, and significantly higher than a normal cruise. We took a look at all the events/concerts being offered, and thought about having to wait several hours in a venue just to get a seat, as you mentioned, and financially it wasn't worth it to us. We financially support our historically black schools through financial contributions, and by supporting family members via the same that attend the schools.

 

* like *

I'm also glad to see this review. I've always wanted to enjoy the ship board entertainment on the Tom Joyner cruises but the cost always kept me away!:eek: It truly is a great benefit for the colleges/universities which are supported by the TJMS yearly cruises. I would also like to know why this year's cruise was with CCL and not RCI. Can't wait to read the rest of your review!!

Thank you all for your replies...the info, maps and pics are very helpful. I see there's a tram but looks like it only goes as far as the 1st five cabanas (maybe)...since one of our party has mobility issues I don't think I'll try for anything farther than the sports area. So much to think about and consider...I wanted to have at least an idea of the layout (pros/cons) and 1st, 2nd, 3rd choices ready. YOU are WONDERFUL!!! Your help will certainly make my decision clearer and also, to allow for a back-up plan if we can't get our 1st choice!!! Much love and happy sails!!:)

http://www.halppd.com/minisite/2009/06/images/pages/HalfMoonCay_Map_lg.jpg

 

Wow! Thanks so much bradm77!!! This is most helpful...is there a way to tell how the cabanas are numbered? Does anyone know which cabanas come under which number?? (ex. cabana 1,2,3, etc.) Again, this map is stellar and gives me a great point of reference when I finally get on board to select my cabana...Hint: I secretly hope most peeps prefer the cabanas AWAY from all the action!

Hello all,

 

I'm sure this may have been asked before but I can't find what I'm looking for using search.

 

Does anyone have a chart/diagram or pictures of the location/layout of the cabanas on Half Moon Cay? I have reserved a cabana for our August cruise and just wanted to get an idea of the various locations and what is near the cabanas. I want to be somewhat knowledgeable when I board so I can hopefully make the best choice from what's left when I reach the Excursions desk.

 

Any info you can share would be most appreciated!:)

 

Thanks a bunch!

go ravens

 

 

 

 

Also, any ideas yet as to who will most likely master the Grandeur when she home ports in Baltimore, Maryland again?

 

Thanks.

This is quite in informative thread...nice to 'live' the B2B life through you two!! Could you comment on what the vendors are charging for their souveniers? Just wondering how expensive the textiles/fabrics, etc are selling for...
Thanks.

[QUOTE=How'sBartCruisin'?;34523461]Do the teenagers still grind up on and dry hump each other in the Chamber even though no one can hear the music but them? :D[/QUOTE]

Hahaha!! I did not see anything like that!!:) My hubby and I got a drink and headphones and enjoyed OURSELVES...lol...I did see a few officers and security pass thru...all seemed to be having a great time...Try it! You might enjoy yourself..something different.;)

[QUOTE=How'sBartCruisin'?;34519603]Anyone back from Explorer able to tell me about the shows: music, comedy, Maharajas Lounge, parades, 70s night still around that have been aboard recently??? We'll be on her again August 11 on a 5 day to Bermuda and just curious.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

We just returned from the 5niter to Bermuda on 7/5. We attended the Ice Show- "Spirits of the Seasons" (fabulous!), "Fast Forward" show- RCI singers/dancers (very good), saw a little of the Adam Ace comedy show - he's superb!, the parade is held on the Royal Promenade and is simply beautiful but the crowding takes away from what could be really a fabulous showing...Did not see the 70's party but we did attend the Silent Party held in the Chamber-nightclub (super fun). Hope this helps and enjoy your cruise.:)