Carrie's Review of the Pride to Nassau, Freeport , Port Canaveral Nov 1-8th

[family cruisers]

Hi Everyone..

 

By requests I'm starting this brand new thread for the friends / followers I met on Marks Review of his Pride vacation.

 

I'll start all over for all to hopefully enjoy.

 

First and most important. I have some gorgous pictures of Freeport BUT I don't know how to download/upload on to this site so someone please give me some direction here.

 

Ok here we go.

 

First off.

We live in NJ and drove 3 hours to the Port of Baltimore with no traffic/ accidents or anything getting in the way.

Once we pulled off 95 into the port parking lot their are attendants directing you where to go.

We booked a balcony gty cabin and went to the tent for luggage tags. First blue tent on your left. You park right there, get out quickly . The Men there have their list with your name & cabin #. They give you your stickys to peel off and attach to luggage and off you drive to the next stop 1/2 way around parking lot (basically right in front of the ship) and you drop off your luggage. They even took my case of water and it was delivered to our stateroom . The first man in the luggage tags tent didn't think it would go through but ours and alot of other peoples DID.

We also brought on 2 bottles of wine. I enjoyed mine on our balcony at night and also brought into the MDR twice as did others.

 

After dropping off your luggage you drive into a short line (ours was) and cash one side/ credit card another side. Pay for your parking and park.

 

Then you walk into the terminal . We arrived to the pier at 2:30 and by 3:00 we were on the ship. Thats how well organized they were there.

Between driving in, giving all documents etc.. it only took 1/2 hour.

 

We Skipped the first picture as you board the ship. I think our excitement caught up with us and we couldn't wait to get on board.

 

Our cabin was 6132 balcony forward. A connecting room but our neighbors we connected with were great. Our neighbors on the other side enjoyed some smokes (not the legal ones) on their balcony but luckily they'd be done when we'd go out. We personally don't enjoy it but it didn't ruin anything for us .

Our Cabin steward Patrick from Thailand was wonderful and so kind. His last day of the contract was sunday so we (and others) missed him on the last morning. HE was gone before we got up. I wish he told us ahead of time .

 

We had our towel animals every night except the first... No biggie.

Chocolates every night as well.

 

We ordered room service coffee/ juice and TOASTED bagels for our balcony. I put down toasted and they did great.

It wasn't every day but the coffee / juice us and the robes were on that balcony every morning :eek:

 

Ok.. back to the first day.

 

We headed right to the Lido deck (mermaids grill) for the fresh off the grill burgers. I also tried the chicken nuggets, fries and POTATO SALAD which I loved... Their cole slaw was also good.

 

Then up to the deck for sailaway and headed inside to check out the ship a bit more.

WE really loved the interior, I've heard mixed comments but thats why we're all different. We all like / dislike different things.

 

Muster drill was painless by the way. It's the new way. The staff shows you how to wear your lifevest (just like on airplanes) and it was quick and easy , sailaway after that...

 

We had every lunch and dinner in the Normandie dining room. We chose anytime dining which is on deck 3 left side. We never had to wait for a table and never saw a line. We ate each night between 8:15 - 8:45 I think and our Favorite Waiter was Santos Barrios. Awesome fun personality.

We did get one other gentlemen twice (1 lunch/ 1 dinner) who was fine but just didn't have much personality. Again.. no biggie.

 

The girls that seat you for your dinners are sweethearts..

I could see in the entire staff how tired they looked on the last day. God bless them all. They had to perk themselves back up for the next set of passengers a few hours later.

I could not do what they do every day. They get 1/2 day off each week and get off only 2 months per year. My hats off to them. The staff on this ship did an excellent job of keeping us and what appeared to be the rest of the guests very happy. I didn't see any unhappy faces.

 

Ok... a little about us.. (A little)

We're both mid 40's.. kids (left home) We take our yearly cruise alone and enjoy each minute of it. No work, no phones, no kids, no stress just us :)

We're very easy going , laid back people. Me.. I enjoy the simple pleasures in life and it's the little things that mean the most to me. My honey is the same way. I have a true passion for cooking and do it well. I present things restaurant style with great flavor and appearance so when dining out I expect better then I'd make at home.

I'm so happy to tell you that the PRIDE"S Main dining room EXCEEDED every expectation of mine and Johns.

We had pre arranged our Davids supper club reservations a month or so ago and cancelled on board as the MDR was really superb. We both enjoyed every meal.

 

Without going into what we ate each day I'll list some of what we had for lunches/dinner in the MDR to give you an idea:

 

I personally LOVED their ceasar salads. Maybe the buffet wasn't great but in the MDR awesome.

Ok.. foods in MDR we loved.

Baby back ribs .. fell off the bone.

St.Louis style ribs... brought warm wash clothe to wash off your messy fingers and mouth !!!

All pasta dishes were great and the sauces amazing.

Soups.... OMG... GREAT. Jamaican red bean, lentil, cream of broccoli, sundried tomato, cracked pepper pot, yukon gold potato...

 

Seafood, tiger shrimp coctail, red snapper and one day at lunch I had King of somekind of fillet fish which was a delicate in taste thicker white fish.. Wonderful.

Fried shrimp/ tempura appetizer great.

Fried oysters.. great

ONLY Disappointment was the escargots. Veryoily sauce and no taste.

 

Flat iron steak was perfectly tender , cut with a fork each time we had it.

Filet mignon tender as it should be.

Lobster tails.... TAILS... great.

 

One night I had their grilled chicken breast and it was seasoned to perfection as was everything else EXCEPT those little escargots. Maybe just a bad night as everything else was really amazing.

 

Short ribs, jerk pork loin prime rib couldn't have been better.

 

Dessert favorites... My personaly favorite was the Black forest cake ... I'm a tiramasu fanatic but this black forest won me over big time.

John is always happy with his usual butter pecan ice cream and had that alot but did have others with me.

 

So thats it for the food.. Any questions please ask ok.

 

Next stop .. Ports.

[family cruisers]

We quickly got off the ship in port canaveral but had been to Florida so many times we took advantage of the empty ship.

We did find out that their were shuttles the ship charges $15.00 p/person you can do exactly the same thing for $10.00 per person.

Ron jon pier, walmart, malls, beach etc... Round trip / on and off back and forth all day if you'd like.

 

While going back on the ship we were distracted by a small crowd looking into the water. A pretty big Manatee was right next to the ship and enjoying the water flowing out of the spout and gave us a little show.

That was an unexpected pleasure.

 

The pool areas were so quiet as all were off so while John read and relaxed I took a dip in the pool , temps were good. I then headed into the hot tub and enjoyed that as well.

 

The Casinos, shops all close while in port ..

 

For the liquor taste testing I fell in love with Sheridans Coffee liquor.. OMG delicious. We of course got me a bottle to take home. You take the cap off and their are two spouts and seperatly pours out a cream and liqour.

YUM... E

 

We didn't do any shows except for one. This was not like us.

It was due to the time we chose to eat at night.

 

The comedian who was first on the ship we missed. Didn't know they flew someone else in mid week . We had Tommy Blake and didn't enjoy him.

Again... it was just us. We were used to Dave Heenan who we had the last three years on norwegian and he was Hysterical. This guy wasn't (TO US). Don't flame me please for this one. Just not our taste.

 

We had some formal pics done and I will be honest . The price of $21.99 is ridiculous. I bought ONE and snapped from my camera the others... I know it sounds cheap and cheesy but I did it... I spent money elsewhere.

 

What else... We loved the ship period..

 

Next page Nassau

[family cruisers]

We arrived at Nassau and took the #10 Jitney to the Sheraton Cable Beach resort. I've stayed at Sandals cable beach years ago and loved it up there.

For a day pass Sheraton is $25.00 per person to use their facilities.

We walked right onto their property as if we owned the place and made it through the lobby and onto the pool areas . Thats where the pool attendant stopped us. Basically he knew we were from the ship.

He bargained with us and he said make me an offer.

I offered $10.00 per person and for that $20.00 he handed us two hotel beach towels and told us to enjoy our stay. WE DID.

Gorgous property, Two big pools, the one we enjoyed had beautiful waterfalls.

Yes.. I have pics but have to learn how to do this here.

 

We also enjoyed the hot bubbly hot tub.. We had 5 minutes of rain but had a nice size palm tree overhead so it was fine. We were wet anyway and there was no lightening.

 

The beach was gorgous BUT there was so much seaweed that we didn't stay in the ocean.

 

The Wyndham was next store and also looked nice.

 

We left about 4 and hopped back on the jittney and did some shopping in Nassau before heading back on the ship.

 

We sat at the docks for about an hour while my honey enjoyed his cigar..

Have great shots of the Atlantis, cable beach sheraton , pier etc..

 

Just show me how and I'll show you pics..

 

Next page,,,

 

Freeport.. Our favorite

[family cruisers]

Ok... Finally ... Freeport.. I was dying to see Marks Pics of Freeport (which he did send me some to my email before I left so THANK YOU AGAIN MARK IF YOU'RE READING THIS )... Nice touch.

 

We loved the whole freeport experience. WE heard alot of negatives about this port and we were pleasantly surprised.

 

Only wish we had a Full day here to really enjoy the friendly people who make up this Island of 65,000 people. Clean , laid back island where I had the BEST conch fritters anywhere.

 

We took a shuttle outside the Port to "Our Lucaya" . You could shop, use the casino or their GORGOUS beaches.

 

WE shopped... And enjoyed strolling through the Radisson which was just like an old time southern plantation. HUGE and laid out beautifully . My mouth dropped open when I saw this place.

WE explored inside the hotel and yes I have pics. and enjoyed their whole beach property. They even have a lighthouse !!!

 

If you're looking at the ocean to the right is "reef village" another great property. All the way right we found a little "shack" on the beach or "hut" that had food/drinks. I had my first Bahama Mama as we enjoyed the beauty of the beach all around us. They even came out and took some pics for us.

All in all a perfect day.

WE met some nice couples from our ship on the ride to / from.

They charge you $10.00 p/person each way and only collect 1/2 up front and the rest when you're picked up (You 're shuttle schedules a p/up time)

We did a little more shopping once back at port. Pretty much the same prices I have to say.

 

Either way.. We want to spend more time on this Island. Loved it lots.

What WE found is that the people of Freeport are much more friendly and seem to enjoy the tourist much more than on Nassau. I only mean this in the shopping areas, straw market area of Nassau and it's what WE encountered.

 

If anyone can tell me how to do pix here I'd be happy to share them.

 

Any questions/comments.. please feel free.

 

Lastly,

 

Thanks to my new friends on the Carnival boards. You guys really are a great laid back bunch of people. I enjoyed spening my Pre Cruise with you all and learned so much from you , especially Mark..

 

I did meet PETE on board.. Are you reading ???

 

He approaced me on my last day and asked "Are you Carrie"..?

He remembered my picture and name..

I only wish there was more time to chat and it wasn't the last day.

I really don't know what you're thoughts of the cruise were Pete?

 

Feel free to add your's here ok.

 

Hope you all enjoy and if you're time to sail this wonderful ship is coming up I only hope it gives you that same great feeling we got off with.

 

I actually found myself singing the Kathy Lee Carnival commercial quite often on deck at night. Why??? Who knows.

 

Thanks to you all ...

 

Carrie

[Crusin Karen]

Hi, Carrie and welcome back. I had met and been "talking" to you on Mark's review thread...we leave on Sunday on the Dream which does the same itinerary as you, so I am anxiously awaiting his advice about Freeport also! We were planning to go to Wyndham in Nassau for the lunch buffet, but if it's as cheap as you say at the Sheraton, we might go there instead. I DID think it was $25/pp, but you got it for $20 for TWO, which sounds much better! :p As far as Freeport and the van you took to get to Our Lucaya, is this just something you found at the pier or was it thru Carnvial? Thanks for any info~

[Luanne21]

Time goes by so fast. I can't belive you are back already. It sounds like you had a good cruise.

[family cruisers]

Hi Karen,

 

The Wyndham is right next door to the Sheraton and both properties were nice. WE lucked out with the $20.00 for both of us. I've heard someone else on this board state they got the same thing basically.

 

As for Freeport.. Our FAVORITE of the two we loved the Radisson at Our Lucaya. If your looking at the beach the Radisson is to the left which is simply big and beautiful, sprawling resort ..

To the right is Our Lucaya Reef village , not as pretty (hotel) but gorgous pools, beach , grounds.

If you email me your email address I'll send you some pics.

 

The shuttle was right outside the cruise pier in Freeport and we (us and 7 others from the ship) got in the same one and it was so worth it. No need to do it with the ship. Very professional and on time.

 

You'll love the ports.

 

Let me know your impressions of the Dream and have a GREAT cruise

 

Carrie

Hi, Carrie and welcome back. I had met and been "talking" to you on Mark's review thread...we leave on Sunday on the Dream which does the same itinerary as you, so I am anxiously awaiting his advice about Freeport also! We were planning to go to Wyndham in Nassau for the lunch buffet, but if it's as cheap as you say at the Sheraton, we might go there instead. I DID think it was $25/pp, but you got it for $20 for TWO, which sounds much better! :p As far as Freeport and the van you took to get to Our Lucaya, is this just something you found at the pier or was it thru Carnvial? Thanks for any info~

[family cruisers]

Me Neither :mad:

 

We did have an amazing time and loved every minute of it.

 

Time goes by so fast. I can't belive you are back already. It sounds like you had a good cruise.

[kerrytens]

Great review Carrie!! Welcome back. I'm so glad you had a great time :D

Miriam

[Crusin Karen]

Thanks Carrie! I sent you my e-mail addy. How much was the "admission" to Our Lucaya? BTW, I am just like you and am computer dumb when it comes to posting pictures. :confused: Welcome back, again and hope you are not suffering from the ACB (after cruise blues) too bad :( Only relief from it is to book another! :p

[ROBKAR77]

Hi Carrie, sounds like you had a wonderful cruise. Great review thanks for posting it. I love the two for $20.00 deal HA HA. My wife & I are going to try and get away with that also. Nice move! I like to try and keep the rent down too. Carrie I have gotten to Know you thru Mark's great thread and just wanted to say hi & thanks again Bob.

[Lgarth]

WELCOME BACK CARRIE !!:)

 

I am so glad you had such a wonderful time !! The pics you sent were awesome...And on a lighter note: Port Canaveral is not much of a port-of-call so to speak (well, maybe for some) BUT, on the other hand, if it's your HOME port and you're sailing OUT of it....IT ROCKS:D;):D

Can't wait to see some more pics.....Somebody will come along and instruct you how to do it...Lots of picture/computer savvy CC members...(That's why I just put all mine in webshots and insert in my signature:confused:)...By the way....I love that new pic in YOUR signature...it's awesome...:)

[sisterfate]

Hi Carrie! Great review. I hope you'll be able to post your pics soon. Don't ask me how?? :o My husband and I will be on the Pride in January celebrating our 10th anniversary. I wanted to know did you have calm waters round trip?

[family cruisers]

Seemed more like a lake than an ocean... Super calm seas.

Have a wonderful 10th and so many more after that :)

 

Carrie

 

Hi Carrie! Great review. I hope you'll be able to post your pics soon. Don't ask me how?? :o My husband and I will be on the Pride in January celebrating our 10th anniversary. I wanted to know did you have calm waters round trip?

[family cruisers]

Hey Linda..

 

So glad you liked the pics. I just put half of them on webshots hows that...I'll post that shortly ok.

 

Glad you like our new Pic (signature at bottom) of John and I.

That was the one I did pay $21.99 for !!!!

 

WELCOME BACK CARRIE !!:)

 

I am so glad you had such a wonderful time !! The pics you sent were awesome...And on a lighter note: Port Canaveral is not much of a port-of-call so to speak (well, maybe for some) BUT, on the other hand, if it's your HOME port and you're sailing OUT of it....IT ROCKS:D;):D

Can't wait to see some more pics.....Somebody will come along and instruct you how to do it...Lots of picture/computer savvy CC members...(That's why I just put all mine in webshots and insert in my signature:confused:)...By the way....I love that new pic in YOUR signature...it's awesome...:)

[family cruisers]

Hi there Bob.

 

I'm so glad you enjoyed the review. I just posted some pics on webshots so I'll post that shortly.

We were so amazed how easy it was to deal w/ this pool guy. He was super nice and was there to make his extra money off the books...

We didn't care we saved $30.00 just to walk in.

You won't be sorry going there. It's so pretty. Wait till you see my pics from there . Pools are outragous.

 

Nice meeting you Bob....

 

Carrie

 

Hi Carrie, sounds like you had a wonderful cruise. Great review thanks for posting it. I love the two for $20.00 deal HA HA. My wife & I are going to try and get away with that also. Nice move! I like to try and keep the rent down too. Carrie I have gotten to Know you thru Mark's great thread and just wanted to say hi & thanks again Bob.

[family cruisers]

I forget if Our Lucaya was 15 or 20 $$$ per person but so well worth it.

 

I need to start cleaning around here but I've been on the computer since I got home from work today at 4:00.... This is so bad. I'm addicted to you all :D

 

Thanks Carrie! I sent you my e-mail addy. How much was the "admission" to Our Lucaya? BTW, I am just like you and am computer dumb when it comes to posting pictures. :confused: Welcome back, again and hope you are not suffering from the ACB (after cruise blues) too bad :( Only relief from it is to book another! :p

[family cruisers]

http://community.webshots.com/user/CarrieCruiser

 

 

OMG did I do it right ?

 

Let me know.

[family cruisers]

Mark............. I'm back one day and I have up our Pics of Freeport on the webshots link.

I only posted 1/2 the pics we took. Very time consuming.

 

Hope you enjoy.

 

Carrie

[BBigfoot613]

Mark............. I'm back one day and I have up our Pics of Freeport on the webshots link.

I only posted 1/2 the pics we took. Very time consuming.

 

Hope you enjoy.

 

Carrie

 

Understatement of the year there! After doing my first lengthy review with pictures I instantly had patience for people posting long review with pictures. I know just how much work it takes to do them. While the end result is great, sometimes the amount of work involved seams to not be worth it...atleast until you find out it helped atleast one person.

 

I posted some tips for pics in your other thread

[family cruisers]

Hey ... You found it ...

Did you see the pics ???

 

I could never have done what Mark did. He's a special kind of person to do that. I did my short and simple ...

I now have to go food shopping and fill the fridge with everything that I just threw out!!! I don't even have MILK...

I'll be back soon.

 

Carrie

 

Understatement of the year there! After doing my first lengthy review with pictures I instantly had patience for people posting long review with pictures. I know just how much work it takes to do them. While the end result is great, sometimes the amount of work involved seams to not be worth it...atleast until you find out it helped atleast one person.

 

I posted some tips for pics in your other thread

[aggie1]

Carrie, I can't see your pictures!!! Maybe I don't know how to open them as I also don't know how to post them. I need to have lessons. Glad you had a great time. I loved my trip to Nassau 40 yrs ago. Want to go back but the Conquest leaves at 3:00. thats a bummer!!! May have to fly to Baltimore and take the Pride.

[vacation barbie]

Hi, I've been following everyone's reviews on the boards anxiously awaiting our Jan 17, 2010 cruise!! Carrie, you had a well stocked mini fridge if you know what I mean!! :) How did you pull that off???

[falkcor]

carrie - welcome back, though i'm sure you wish you weren't! :eek:

 

Ok... Finally ... Freeport.. I was dying to see Marks Pics of Freeport (which he did send me some to my email before I left so THANK YOU AGAIN MARK IF YOU'RE READING THIS )... Nice touch.

 

you're welcome! glad you enjoyed them ;)

 

If anyone can tell me how to do pix here I'd be happy to share them.

 

you've got the first part down... you uploaded your photos to web shots... any third party site will do - web shots, shutterfly, photobucket (which i use)...

 

get the url of the photo from your web shots, and click on the 'insert image' button:

 

 

input the url (http://www...) and say ok...

 

alternatively - don't know about web shots, but photobucket also gives you the direct code you'd need listed as 'IMG code', which has the [ IMG ] before and the / after - cc knows what this means. :)

 

Thanks to my new friends on the Carnival boards. You guys really are a great laid back bunch of people. I enjoyed spening my Pre Cruise with you all and learned so much from you , especially Mark..

 

awwww. :o

 

it's been a blast.

 

Mark............. I'm back one day and I have up our Pics of Freeport on the webshots link.

I only posted 1/2 the pics we took. Very time consuming.

 

well la te da, look at you. lol...

 

but you hit that latter point head on... the whole process is very time consuming...

 

so, anyhow... inquiring minds want to know... this having been your first carnival cruise, would you plan on another? any comparisons with the other lines you've been on?

 

i'm glad to hear you enjoyed it as much as i was hoping you would... :D

[AzCruiseGurl]

Carrie, great review.

So glad you had a GREAT cruise!

Sheri ;)