Carnival Pride Baltimore, Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport 11/2009 * Photo Review

[markmogil]

Here's an ice carving demo on the southbound day at sea:

 

 

 

The sculptor worked fast, maybe 15 minutes total.

 

 

The "what will it be suspense" was worthwhile. No one in the crowd guessed the finished subject.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished subject: "Kissing Birds of Paradise on a Heart". Incorrect guesses were all over the field, with lots of dolphins, fish, and angels.

[markmogil]

The first formal dinner was Sunday evening. Here's cabin 6315 with five of us getting ready for dinner.

 

 

(I'm the 5th, behind the camera)

 

 

Formal Dinner #1: Lobster was on the menu with (prime rib too, not pictured). The food was good overall, with many excursions to great, and a few duds. On the great side: The Lobster was succulent and sweet, way upscale, prime rib also excellent, and the chile relleno was also super. On the duds side: The pasta dishes were meh, the waffles not so far off eggos, and the bagels were like Lenders original frozen.

 

A representative towel animal:

[markmogil]

We found table service breakfast in the main dining room to be a better experience than at the buffets. The dining room opening seating breakfast hours were 7 to 9. The buffet (Mermaid's Grille) was open 7 to 10:30.

 

Some tables, like this one, had a great view.

 

Sea day #2 random photos:

 

 

 

 

[markmogil]

Sunset at sea...

 

Sunrise in Port Canaveral...

 

 

[markmogil]

So is this a sunbathing area to the pool where the water is only a few inches deep? I love how happy everyone looks in this picture!

 

 

You've got it. On the deck plan, this photo is the bell shaped "Venus Main Pool", camera facing forward. The yellow tile is a splash basin that ranges from dry to puddle deep with waves, depending on the motion of the ship. The actual pool is roughly 10' x 20' x 5' deep in the middle of the bell shape. The pool ladder is visible in the photo. There was not a whole lot of sunbathing in the tile basin - more kids splashing and such. The sunbathers pretty well stuck to deck chairs.

 

[BBigfoot613]

This one came out pretty well:

 

 

wow now that's a beautiful picture. If you ignore the ship portion (hard I know) you'd almost think it was a post card.

 

 

I have a question for you. Yoyu had an 8 year old that went for orientation for Camp. Was their camp the one that shows on the deckplans all the way forward or is that somewhere else? I assumjed this to be for the 2-5 group. Also would you happen to have the capers for the 6-9 group you could post/email for me? I have a copy with the grand turk itinerary but we are going for the cape, nassau and freeport trip. Thanks in advance

[cantwait06]

 

 

You've got it. On the deck plan, this photo is the bell shaped "Venus Main Pool", camera facing forward. The yellow tile is a splash basin that ranges from dry to puddle deep with waves, depending on the motion of the ship. The actual pool is roughly 10' x 20' x 5' deep in the middle of the bell shape. The pool ladder is visible in the photo. There was not a whole lot of sunbathing in the tile basin - more kids splashing and such. The sunbathers pretty well stuck to deck chairs.

 

 

 

Thank you! You just relieved some stress for me-my dd is 3 and can not swim but loves to splash around-our last cruise had a waterworks area and it was perfect for her, but we did an excursion that had a pool like this, and it was perfect! I love your review, I can't wait for more! I'm looking forward to hear about what you did in the ports and seeing more of your beautiful pictures! Thank you so much! :)

[bartleby112]

Looking forward to some more pictures

[cantwait06]

Looking forward to some more pictures

 

 

me too :D

[markmogil]

wow now that's a beautiful picture. If you ignore the ship portion (hard I know) you'd almost think it was a post card.

 

 

I have a question for you. Yoyu had an 8 year old that went for orientation for Camp. Was their camp the one that shows on the deckplans all the way forward or is that somewhere else? I assumjed this to be for the 2-5 group. Also would you happen to have the capers for the 6-9 group you could post/email for me? I have a copy with the grand turk itinerary but we are going for the cape, nassau and freeport trip. Thanks in advance

 

Hi Brian,

 

As I recall, all the Camp Carnival group activities were originated from the area shown on the deck plans: Decks 4 & 5 forward, consisting of the Camp Carnival, the arcade "Real Virtualities", and the teen lounge "Circle C". To me, these areas seemed smaller than they appear on the deck plan. The camp's activities were spread out around the ship, so the size of the dedicated deck space didn't appear to be a problem - except for the first night registration of the older age group which was crowded. Registration for the younger age groups was handled in the Butterflies Lounge on deck 1. Though we registered just in case, our kids didn't participate in the camp programs, so I don't have much insight there. No Capers for the camp either, sorry.

[deucbmac]

Mark, Im really liking the review man. The Wife and I will be sailing the Pride in May and we can't wait. I have been following the other Mark's Thread and Carrie's. I am get oriented with the ship a little at a time.

 

I was wondering though, what kind of camera do you have? Your pictures are amazing. The Wife is looking into buying a new one and hopefully before this next cruise.

 

Thanks,

Adam :cool:

[markmogil]

Our Port Canaveral excursions:

 

We split up boys vs. girls. The girls chose a Carnival excursion to WDW Hollywood Studios, while the boys self-toured Kennedy Space Center in a Hertz rental car.

 

Central Florida weather for our visit: Partly Cloudy, mid 80's.

 

Some WDW photos...

 

 

 

 

 

The girls especially enjoyed Disney's American Idol live stage show...

 

 

and lunch at the Drive-in Diner...

 

 

all WDW photo credits: my lovely wife.

 

This excursion cost about $150pp, so that's $600 for the group. I suspect ;) it could have been accomplished for significantly less cash by renting a car, and self-ticketing at WDW. But our ladies were having none of this financial sense talking, and quite reasonably chose the full service, essentially risk and stress free option of the cruise organized bus trip.

 

For the boy's part, a quick price comparison between Carnival's KSC excursions and a self spun alternative resulted in a no-brainer. I forget the actual math (and maybe a reader will re-calcualte for sport) but the savings were substantial, maybe $300 saved for the 4 of us.

 

So we ticketed ourselves up ahead of time at

 

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/buy-tickets.aspx

 

and rented ourselve a car from OJ's old employer.

 

Pictures from our KSC/Hertz day, and the **best cab driver comment ever** will have to wait for the next post.

[kissesofnovember]

It must be a Mark thing with the great reviews and AWESOME pictures---Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

[markmogil]

Mark, Im really liking the review man. The Wife and I will be sailing the Pride in May and we can't wait. I have been following the other Mark's Thread and Carrie's. I am get oriented with the ship a little at a time.

 

I was wondering though, what kind of camera do you have? Your pictures are amazing. The Wife is looking into buying a new one and hopefully before this next cruise.

 

Thanks,

Adam :cool:

 

Hi Adam,

 

Glad your enjoying the photos. I use a 10mp Canon EOS Rebel XS, with the standard kit lens: EFS 18-55mm, plus a Canon EFS 10-22mm f3.5 wide-zoom, and a EFS 55-250mm medium telephoto zoom. The basic kit without the extra lenses is versatile, and easy to use . The extra lenses give you more photographic range. The kit can be had for about $500 on Amazon. The additional lenses would run another $800 or so. You could really upgrade to camera with a full frame sensor, but all else equal, that will roughly double the price for the body. For my money and needs, the smaller sensor on this camersa has plenty of resolution and area.

 

All this stuff fits in a smallish backpack that has been managable on excursions, sporting events, and the like.

 

 

The 10-22mm wide-zoom is a little ungainly for slinging around, but it sure delivers the goods: Excellent low light performance, spectacular wide field, and sharp images. The bridge shots, and dining room interiors on the first page of this review are good examples.

 

For snapshots, and underwater, I use a 7mp Pentax Optio w20

 

 

It handles depths to 10' no prob, and has survived to 20' with minor leakage, dried out fine and still takes great shots. I've tried the the newer version (W60) and prefer the W20: Faster focusing, better "grain" and exposure, and quicker time between shots.

 

Some showing off might be in order...

 

A non-photo-shopped image taken with the Pentax Optio underwater (obviously) from our 2007 visit to St. Martin.

 

Same Pentax, above water this year at the Nassau Straw Market

 

 

Canon with the 55-250, also from this year...

 

 

Ok, that's the six image per post CC limit, so any more showing off will have to wait.

 

The Pride was a lot of fun, I'm sure you and your wife will have a blast. Make sure to post some great photos!

[bar10der421]

Wow, you "Marks" are great reviewers and great with the cameras! Thank you so much, this is really enjoyable and can't wait for some more!!

[cantwait06]

 

!

 

 

This picture is amazing! You have true talent!

[bartleby112]

Since you were just on the ship. What nights are the Formal nights? Trying to plan which night would be best night to take my gf on a date instead of like the other 6 nights drink with the rest of the group and get sloppy.

[sjn911]

This picture is amazing! You have true talent!

 

I'm so grateful for this Thanksgiving present.

 

I want to go on this ship type with Carnival and any other line...just a superb time you are sharing here...fabulous photos and dialogue.

[xitappers2bx]

hey, im loving your review thus far... we leave in about 2 1/2 weeks... just wanted to say your photos are stunning... absolutely amazing... if our photos turn out half as good as yours did, i will be pleased. thank you for sharing your talent and your photos!! now getting super excited :) happy thanksgiving everyone.

[SKeighley]

Just found your review. I just love reading reviews of cruises. We are sailing Feb 28 2010, It will be our 7th cruise and 2nd on the pride. I just love that ship. Especially the pool in the aft of the boat. Thanks for the info

[Tawna24]

We are leaving this Sunday on the Pride :) I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

 

I also am curious about which night would be best for David's. Don't want to miss the formal nights, and don't really want to go on a night at port. Do you know if they take reservations on Sun/departure night? That would be ideal- start the cruise off with a bang, but I heard they are not open Sun eve. Can you confirm yes/no? I also heard more people go towards the end of the crusie, so hence why we were thinking of going early on.

 

I am hoping you post MUCH more VERY soon, (before Sun when we leave- hint hint LOL) so I can get an even better idea of the week to come on Sun!!

 

AWESOME PICS!!!

[bfkkbc]

WOW!!! What a great review!!! I have to echo everyone else your pictures are truly amazing!!;)

[Christisrisen]

Another great review of the Pride-I'm loving it-we leave on Jan. 24th.Can't wait!!

You have some great photos-thanks for sharing with us. Looking forward to more, glad a stumbled upon your review.

 

Debbie

[LBumb]

thanks for sharing your photos.

[markmogil]

<P>

We are leaving this Sunday on the Pride <IMG class=inlineimg title=Smile border=0 alt="" src="images/smilies/smile.gif" smilieid="1"> I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!</P>

<P> </P>

<P>I also am curious about which night would be best for David's. Don't want to miss the formal nights, and don't really want to go on a night at port. Do you know if they take reservations on Sun/departure night? That would be ideal- start the cruise off with a bang, but I heard they are not open Sun eve. Can you confirm yes/no? I also heard more people go towards the end of the crusie, so hence why we were thinking of going early on.</P>

<P> </P>

<P>I am hoping you post MUCH more VERY soon, (before Sun when we leave- hint hint LOL) so I can get an even better idea of the week to come on Sun!!</P>

<P> </P>

<P>AWESOME PICS!!!

</P>

<P> </P>

 

<P> </P>

<P>Thanks for the kind words Tawna <IMG class=inlineimg border=0 alt=0 src="http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif" smilieid="1"> I'm glad you enjoyed the photos, I'll try to make some progress on this review before you embark.</P>

<P> </P>

<P>Another poster asked about the formal nights and the answer relates to your question, so I'll kill two birds with one stone:  The formal nights on our itinerary were Monday & Friday.  We like dressing for dinner, so we chose Tuesday to dine at David's to maximize our "jacket required" dining opportunities.  Also, Tuesday was a sea day so the special "night out" dinner without the kids seemed like a natural.</P>

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<P>Have a great time on your sailing - Bon Voyage.</P>

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<P>Mark</P>

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Wow, that's awesome - markup language makes everything easier to read! Gotta love bare html. No explanation on my part, not sure why it posted like this, and way to lazy to fix (re-type) it. Sorry.