Just off the Pride

This was my 25th cruise, 9th on Carnival and 1st on the Pride. It was also my first time sailing from Baltimore. I was impressed with both.

As someone who is not fond of the huge ships or flying to ports, this was ideal.

The ride to the port from NJ was two hours and forty minutes and it was very easy getting in and out. Parking was $105 for 7 days. There is a spot to drop your luggage before parking but I only do a carry on so I bypassed that and parked in a spot that wasn't a far walk. Embarkation was quick and easy. I had an arrival time slot of 1:30-2:00 and had left early in case of traffic so I thought I'd have to wait to board. No one asked to see an arrival time and I was on board and having a drink at 12:30. The gangway was a long walk up an incline but a lot easier coming down when we came home. Employees were some of the nicest I've encountered in terminals.

I'd heard comments that the ship was rundown. I never saw that. Everything was in working order and very clean. I had early seating at 6:00 in the dining room. The food was good. Some nights were better than others, only because it was something I preferred but I thought there were plenty of choices for everyone. I'm not a big "foodie" and not a fan of buffets but the Lido looked clean with lots of choices. I did have Guys Burgers twice and the Deli a few times and both were up to par. I do love Baked Alaska and was very happy to see that on the last night. I was ready to leave the table when I found out it was being served, It was excellent!

I had a balcony on Deck 7 and was never asked if I wanted morning or evening cleaning but my cabin was serviced both times. The cabin was in great shape, no stains or signs of wear.

The ship never felt crowded even with three sea days. It was also easy to navigate and I loved the layout. I never got lost!

This was also my first Premier cruise through the casino so that's where I spent A LOT of time...(LOL). Loved the casino bar with the tables and chairs and the service from bar and casino crew was some of the best I've encountered. There were lots of perks, comps and gifts from the Premier promo and I won some cash drawings and hefty slot payouts, that come with the W4 tax form (lol). It was fun.

I stayed on board for most of trip, except Port Canaveral when I went to meet friends. We went to FishLips, a nice bar/restaurant , about a 5 minute ride from the ship. I've been to Nassau and Freeport countless times and they don't hold any interest for me anymore.

Disembarking was easy also. We arrived in port an hour earlier than expected. I was in the car at 10:00 and home shortly before 1:00. It would have been nice if it wasn't pouring rain all the way home but the weather on cruise made up for it. It was sunny in all ports.

It was an excellent and safe journey overall! I might go back next month.....:)

Thanks for the report!

What time did you get to the port to park?

Laura

What a fun, upbeat report. Glad you had such a great time.

Thanks for the review, we'll be boarding soon (but not soon enough).

Thanks for the review!

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Hey Pam! Glad you enjoyed my favorite ship! :D

Thanks for your thoughts.

What time did you get to the port to park?

 

Laura

We got to Baltimore about 11:45 and were in the casino bar just around 12:30

Hey Pam! Glad you enjoyed my favorite ship! :D

Hey Jeff...

Your Splendor reviews with all your great photos back before I had ever sailed Carnival got me psyched for trying Carnival...(2014)

Now it's a toss up...I like Pride and Splendor with Sunshine coming in third...all were good!

We got to Baltimore about 11:45 and were in the casino bar just around 12:30

Was the parking lot open when you arrived?

Thanks.

Was the parking lot open when you arrived?

 

Thanks.

Yes, the parking lot was open when we arrived. They open before 7 AM

We got to Baltimore about 11:45 and were in the casino bar just around 12:30

Follow on question (two, actually)- do they use scanners to check you in at the door or do you check in at the counter? And, are your S&S cards at the cabin or do they still give them out in the terminal?

Hey Jeff...

 

Your Splendor reviews with all your great photos back before I had ever sailed Carnival got me psyched for trying Carnival...(2014)

 

Now it's a toss up...I like Pride and Splendor with Sunshine coming in third...all were good!

We were on Pride Journey's cruise for the 5th and 6th week last month. And going again in Jan, 2019. Have been on Splendor 3x and we snuck in a Sunshine cruise in September because wanted to go back to our very first CCL ship (Destiny) Like the Splendor, LOVE the Pride and Sunshine is right in between. We eat at the buffet for breakfast and lunch and Sunshine's Lido buffet and the Havana area are FANTASTIC. Also love Cucina del Captain whatever it is lol. Pride would be perfect if they added that. Thanks for a great report! We also drive down to Baltimore from NE NJ.

One other question, do you know what time they started boarding? Thanks again!

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Thanks for the update on my favorite port Pam. I'm from NJ too, love the short ride. We'll be back on her 5/13.Wow, I had to wait almost a year for this cruise. I'm slacking.

Thanks for the update on my favorite port Pam. I'm from NJ too, love the short ride. We'll be back on her 5/13.Wow, I had to wait almost a year for this cruise. I'm slacking.

We are on that sailing too. This will be my second time on the Pride and have another one booked for September as well.

My first time on the Pride (May of 2017) I was super reluctant. After already cruising on the bigger and newer ships I already had it in my mind that I wasn't going to like the ship. Boy was I wrong. We are soooo looking forward to sailing her again in May 2018

We are on that sailing too. This will be my second time on the Pride and have another one booked for September as well.

 

My first time on the Pride (May of 2017) I was super reluctant. After already cruising on the bigger and newer ships I already had it in my mind that I wasn't going to like the ship. Boy was I wrong. We are soooo looking forward to sailing her again in May 2018

This will be our 3rd. Seems May is a good time out of Baltimore. Of course I'll take any cruise, but this is the easiest and the **** is just so comfy.

Follow on question (two, actually)- do they use scanners to check you in at the door or do you check in at the counter? And, are your S&S cards at the cabin or do they still give them out in the terminal?

They "ding" you on and off the ship with scanners. We were on the 1/7-1/21 sailing and we got our S&S cards in the terminal before boarding.

They "ding" you on and off the ship with scanners. We were on the 1/7-1/21 sailing and we got our S&S cards in the terminal before boarding.

Thanks!

We are on that sailing too. This will be my second time on the Pride and have another one booked for September as well.

 

My first time on the Pride (May of 2017) I was super reluctant. After already cruising on the bigger and newer ships I already had it in my mind that I wasn't going to like the ship. Boy was I wrong. We are soooo looking forward to sailing her again in May 2018

Sammee and Shirleybird come over to the roll call and the meet & mingle. We always get many Jerseyans on the Pride, us also. One of the best things on the Pride that most ships don't have is Chopsticks. I have it most days for lunch, even if I mix it with other things from the buffet. May also be the cheapest parking of any port and certainly convenient.

We got to Baltimore about 11:45 and were in the casino bar just around 12:30

Thank you.

Thank you for the review. Sailing on the Pride in 12 days:hearteyes:

Sammee and Shirleybird come over to the roll call and the meet & mingle. We always get many Jerseyans on the Pride, us also. One of the best things on the Pride that most ships don't have is Chopsticks. I have it most days for lunch, even if I mix it with other things from the buffet. May also be the cheapest parking of any port and certainly convenient.

Is Chopsticks separate from Mongolian Wok?

Thank you for the review. Sailing on the Pride in 12 days:hearteyes:

 

 

 

Is Chopsticks separate from Mongolian Wok?

That one I have no answer to...I saw Chopsticks but never ate there!

We were on Pride Journey's cruise for the 5th and 6th week last month. And going again in Jan, 2019. Have been on Splendor 3x and we snuck in a Sunshine cruise in September because wanted to go back to our very first CCL ship (Destiny) Like the Splendor, LOVE the Pride and Sunshine is right in between. We eat at the buffet for breakfast and lunch and Sunshine's Lido buffet and the Havana area are FANTASTIC. Also love Cucina del Captain whatever it is lol. Pride would be perfect if they added that. Thanks for a great report! We also drive down to Baltimore from NE NJ.

Now I'm seriously looking into Pride for 1/19...In fact, I'm looking into March 4 since I got a casino offer....Have a few days to decide..(LOL)