crisperjr

So it was pouring rain here. Crazy. Ad when you exit the pier folks on a tour or bus go to the left and people needing a taxi go straight across the road to the busy taxi stand. The line was huge and it was pouring rain. We went t the end of the line and waited then some hire car guys approached us for a ride. We negotiated and got a ride to our hotel for almost a cab fare and without the 45 minute wait in the down pour.

 

Travel tip. To the left of the taxi stand and around the corner were other car services. For a few bucks more than a cab you can save the long line wait. Our driver says he is a Uber driver and said Uber is going strong in nyc

We got to our hotel and got an earlier check in and got out of the rain

Enjoyed your review! We sail the Gem next Saturday.

Wanted to know about the self assist. Do recall what time that started?

Also, is there some sort of laundry day on the Gem? On Carnival, we could get a bag of clothes done for $15.

Oliver

Thank you all for the replies. 'Bout what I expected.

Has anyone been on the Grandeur recently? Did I read that it has had a major overhaul?

Oliver

I am considering a Bermuda cruise out of Baltimore next year. Does anyone out there have experience with balcony dividers on this ship!

Will they allow the dividers to be opened?

If not, what about connecting staterooms? Can you get two balcony rooms that connect? And how DO they connect?

Oliver

You mentioned earlier the Seaday Brunch in the Posh dining room. That's the center dining room, the one used for ATD, yes?

Do they also have traditional breakfast and traditional lunch on seadays in the other dining room?

BTW, I am enjoying your pictures! We are sailing the Freedom again in October. We missed our call to Ocho Rios last time.

Oliver

From Halifax Nova Scotia

I checked my photos and all I see is blue lounge chairs and no hammocks. So I don't know where you saw chairs with dark cushions, in the Serenity pool area?

Mike --- I think I've figured it out. You cruised Pride in early January, right? I don't think Pride had finished adding the upgrade to the aft deck by then. Since then, I've seen pictures from other cruisers (Feb & March) who have said that that area has been upgraded to "Serenty" status.

Thanks again for your review & pictures. We loved the Pride, and are looking forward to her again.

Oliver

Mike,

Enjoyed all of your Pride pictures! I am sailing Pride again next year, and have a serenity question.

I've seen a few pictures now in which some show the serenity lounge deck chairs with dark or brown cushions, and others with no cushions.

And..... how many hammocks are there now?

Oliver

Never mind, just found some in a review. The new Serenity deck looks amazing. We were just on the Pride in October so it must be new as I've seen it added to several other ships. I have a feeling I know where we'll be spending our days at sea :D

Can you send me a link to these pictures?

Thanks,

Oliver

I haven't read thru this entire thread, so I don't know if this has been answered....

Regarding Prides Serenity area, I know it's been placed in the aft section. Is it all covered with lattice work? Are there hammocks? Do the lounges have those "softer" blue cushions? And are there umbrella's out there?

Oliver

There will be three of us sharing a cabin w/extended balcony on our upcoming Pride cruise. Can anyone tell me if the balcony will be big enough for three chairs? Is it worth it to have an extended balcony (cabin 8233), or should I switch to a regular size on the same deck or choose one in the back (aft)?

We sailed Pride back in 2009 and had an extended balcony on deck 6. We sailed Freedom in 2010 with a regular balcony -- Ugh! Really tight!

So to answer your question, three chairs will be tight, but do-able. But don't give up that extended balcony!

Oliver

Night shot of the Carnival Triumph from our balcony aboard Carnival Pride.

----Oliver

This one's from the inside of Davids Supper Club aboard Carnival Pride

----Oliver

We also sailed on the Oceanic's Big Red Boat as our first cruise. Like others have said, we thought at the time that it was a HUGE ship LOL!

But it was a fun cruise!

Here is one of our pictures docked in the Bahamas

Oliver