Carnival Pride Oct 17-24 Cruise-Personal Account

[Mad Capn Bob]

Now, afore ye start reading this, let me point out this is actually a letter to a traveling companion of mine that I’m working into a review. So if it seems casual and “letter-y”, there be reason for that. You’ll see mention of an “Anderson bus” here and there, so let me explain that. When I travel, it’s usually by tour bus, big 54 seat things that they are. And I’ve been traveling with Anderson Coach and Tour for many years now, with never a complaint..at least on my part. They service Northwest Penn and Northeast Ohio. Past several years, I’ve been going to Walt Disney World with them, but they also offer cruises..and this year, I decided to go on one, Oct 17-24 on the Carnival Pride. This is the story of what happened.

 

I had to catch the bus way early in the morning…I know I was up at 2.30 am, and I got on the…well, it was an Anderson van, somewhere around 4.45 am. Early Sunday morning, Oct 17. My sister had managed to dicker the pickup to be at the East Market McDonalds, which is closer for me than the usual Fairlawn stop. We were supposed to pick up a couple others at Warren, but they never did show up, so when the main bus was fully loaded, there were 28 people and plenty of room.

 

 

No big food stops on the way-breakfast was on the turnpike, a rest stop at Midway on the turnpike (growing up in the Army, when we were in transit from one place to another, we’d always stop at Midway for pistachio ice cream)…went right thru Breezewood without stopping.…Lunch was at a Burger King somewhere in Maryland, and we got into the terminal sometime around 2.00 pm. Compared to our Orlando trips, it seemed no time at all. For my Cruise Critic readers, the trips down to Orlando usually include a breakfast at the Orangeburg SC Cracker Barrel on the way down.

 

And pulling into the terminal at Baltimore, there it was--the Carnival Pride. My first thought as I saw it? “Whoa..that’s a *big* boat..” And so it is. I took a pix of it from inside the bus as we were jockeying thru the traffic at the terminal’s parking lot. Seeing that massive immensity looming over the terminal, that’s when the Excitement hit me-”I’m going to Nassau..New Providence..the Republic of Pirates..over the ocean..in *that*! Oh yeah, I’m ready..”

 

But first..had to get thru the terminal. That’s the bit they *don’t* show you on any Carnival commercials ye may have seen. Not fun..I’ve had fun before, and that wasn’t it. Big line to get into the terminal, and that was just to get thru security. Note to remember-take little spiral bound notebooks out of pocket (actually, that was at Port Canaveral, but still) And once thru security, there was a health status form to fill out, and another huge line in which to stand, for the Sign and Sail card. I lucked out, I suppose, because after I got thru security, they stopped admitting people for a while, because the Sign and Sail line was so packed.

 

Finally got to walk across the covered gangplank and got onto the ship, somewhere around 4 pm. Then I had to find me room…Carnival doesn’t have anyone that will take you there (one of my minor niggles with them). Since I didn’t know then where the other elevators were (I could only see the fancy glass elevators, and they were all packed), I made my way up the steps. I knew where my cabin was ahead of time (4188 Aft, port side), so that helped, and I managed to find it without much trouble.

 

Had a decent little surprise in me cabin. I had signed up for an interior cabin, because it was less expensive. When I got me cruise papers, including me cabin #, I consulted the Pride’s deck plan online, and found my cabin had “French doors”, obstructed view. Didn’t know how much faith to place in that, but when I got in, there they were. Instead of an interior cabin with no view at all, I got an outside cabin with French doors and a good view of a lifeboat…but if I look a bit downward, there’s the ocean. So that was a pleasant surprise, along with the $75 credit from Anderson I found out about on the first full day at sea.

 

So-I’m on board at last, I’m in my cabin..what’s the first thing I go? Explore the cabin, open up the closet, and I find me life jackets, one of which I try on. Easy enough task. Since there was only about an hour til the “Safety Lecture”, I determined where my lifeboat stations was (D), made my way to it, then back to cabin, called home, and just relaxed till 5.oo. Actually, now I come to think of it, what I did was go up to the Mermaid Grill for me first shipboard meal. After all that line standing, I was hungry.

 

My cell phone is one of them Tracphone thingies, with prepaid cards and the like. And they don’t work out at sea. So I took the chance to have a long chat with home, because at sea my only contact would be via ship’s internet.

 

I started to head out for the safety lecture a little bit before the claxons sounded-and these days, you don’t need to have your life jackets on. Still, the lecture is mandatory-everyone had to be there..and we were all packed in like sardines.

 

After the drill, I headed to the upper decks to watch our departure from Baltimore and start getting photos of the ship and the city. Another surprise awaited me as we made our way down the Chesapeake..we passed Fort McHenry (you know..the one with the “bombs bursting in air”). I never gave any thought to the possibility of seeing it. We went under that I’ve later learned was the Francis Key Bridge (not much room to spare between bridge and ship), and then it was time to get some food and explore the ship.

 

Food-Except for the first “Elegant Night”, when they were serving lobster down in the Normandie Restaurant, I mostly ate at the Mermaid Grille..that’s the big buffet up on the Lido deck. Even at the buffet, the food was…well, the best food I’ve had on a consistant basis. Virginia ham with raisin sauce, bbq Cornish hen..I shoulda kept notes! No problems with getting enough to eat.

 

And after that, I decided to sack out. After all, I’d have a long day. Oh yes, before I forget. I had no trouble with seasickness..seas were placid all along the cruise. I could feel some motion, and there’s a very gentle, low level vibration that I found pleasant, and which I miss now I’m dirtside again.

 

Each day, I woke up early, too early. But it did give me a chance to get up to the upper decks (9 or 10) to watch the sunrise. And as you can see from the pix I hope I’ll remember to include, I got some photos of it. Except for the first morning. I didn’t think of it, and left the camera in cabin.

 

I did the casino-won about $60.00, all totaled. Mostly played the penny machines. I was there around 8.00 am each day, as long as the money I had set aside for gambling lasted. Why so early? Cuz when more people started to come in, it was noisier and there was too much cigarette smoke.

 

Main event of the first “Fun Day at Sea” was when we ended up in the middle of a battle group out of Norfolk. I was sitting out on the aft deck, drinking a Yellow Bird, when we had a couple of helicopter over flights. Now, choppers are short range aircraft, so they had to come from *somewhere*, so I dashed to the railing, along with some others. We ended up seeing two missile frigates and an aircraft carrier. I bitterly regretted that I had decided not to bring any binoculars with me. Next cruise, definitely. Because one of my favorite activities on the cruise was just hanging around the rails, keeping watch for other ships. Must be the Pirate in me.

 

 

Suppose I should mention the ship’s shops here. There were three, as I remember. One small candy shop, and two larger shops. One of them was filled with glittery shinies-watches and jewelry of all sorts, none of which I bought. I be a plain man, and need no fancy gewgaws with which to bedeck meself, belike. Besides, they were too expensive for me.

 

The other shop was more interesting. It was where they had the rum, sweet squeezing of the sugar cane. Well, the selection of rum was a bit disappointing, to be honest..Capn Morgans, Bacardi..that was about it, and I can get those in me local grocer. I was hoping to find a bottle of Pyrat XO. Still, I did buy a few items in there. A box of salt water taffy for home..some pina colada flavored cocoanut patties to take into work..and a six pack of mini rum cakes for meself, and I ain’t sharing, scupper ye!

 

Second day was fairly uneventful..watch for other ships, eat, sit around on the Lido deck midships listening to “Caribbean Vibe” while reading me chosen cruising novel (it was a choice between “Republic of Pirates” or “The Pyrates” by G.M. Fraser..and I had selected the Fraser to take with me) But I do remember, sitting eating in the Mermaid Grille, so it had to have been brekkers or lunch (Tuesday was Lobster Night at the Normandie, so I supped there, dressed all proper and fancy.. well, fancy for me), watching some engineers make their rounds, and I thought “Well, I suppose *some* people have to work today”. Also, toward evening, I was forward, likely up at deck 9 or 10, starboard side, wearing me Blackbeard t-shirt, likely off the Carolinas by my reckoning, when it occurred to me. These were the same waters..or at least a similar course, sailed by Blackbeard, old Neddy Teach himself, all those many years ago, as well as Ben Hornigold, Black Sam, and others of the Flying Gang. Gave me a sense and feeling of communion, so it did..

 

Third day (Weds) was our call at Port Canaveral. I had already selected a shore excursion for that day, which was Epcot in Walt Disney World, which was hosting the Food and Wine Festival. Good Eats! First thing I had was Seared Sea Scallop with Vegetable Slaw and Lemon Oil from the New Zealand booth, later followed by the Lobster and Scallop Fisherman's Pie and the Kerrygold Cheese Selection from the Ireland booth in the England pavillion, and from Germany, it was Spatzle Gratin with Ham and Cheese and Nurnberger Sausage in a Pretzel Roll. Now, Kerrygold cheese I am lucky enough to be able to get in me local grocery (unlike a really good bottle of rum), and I’m quite partial to their Dubliner. And of course, bein’ as I’m an Army brat, I’ve lived in Germany (Bad Windsheim), so I *had* to have some German food. Just *had* to (Wish they had some brotchen on offer). Oh yes, and I managed to hop into Spaceship Earth (aka “The Giant Golf Ball”) as well. I usually take the Anderson coach to Orlando for their Dec 26 excursion, which means the parks are all crowded, belike, and there be long line at the Big Ball. But this time, there was no line at all. Oh yes, and I did the Universe of Engery, too. Ride broke down right at the very very end, but there was just a couple minutes left anyway (literally), so no loss.

 

I’m a bit conflicted, tho, as to whether I should have done Epcot or Magic Kingdom. I knew there wouldn’t be enough time for both, and since I’d never been to the Food and Wine Festival, but have always heard of it, I plumped for that. Still, I missed seein’ the Magic Kingdom an’ doin’ me two favorite rides there, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. Well, maybe next cruise.

 

And then..Thursday. The Bygge Day.-- Nassau! Former home of pirates, until that Gov’t ponce Woodes Rogers came racketing in-not that he got *any* support from the crown. He’d have done better to have made one with we pirates. Well, while all sorts of movies have been made about pirates, not one (that I know of) has been made about Rogers, so there’s a bit of revenge) Apparently, between Weds night and Thur. morning, we had some sort of medical emergency on board that required a diversion to Freeport to offload someone. Me, I slept thru it. But it meant our arrival into Nassau was an hour late…noon instead of 11.00 am. Wasn’t the greatest weather coming into port..ye could see cloud banks in the distance pouring down rain. Of course, that did give us a double rainbow, with one end firmly anchored on New Providence Island (that be the name of the island on which Nassau sits)

 

Pilot boat guided us into Prince George Wharf, where our neighbor was the Norwegian Jewel cruise ship. Got off the boat and went into the “Welcome Center” or Festival Place, which has a number of little shop stalls within. I poked around in the stalls, scouting out, as’t were, tho I kept me money in me pocket, not knowin’ what I’d be buyin’ in town.

 

Nassau is…well, how do I say it? Let’s go for the phrase, “run down” Could be a very pretty town indeed if some work were put into it. The traffic is…bumper to bumper, and the air filled with exhaust fumes, at least on Bay St., which is Nassau’s main road. A lot of the sidewalks are cracked and uneven, with some buildings empty. (Note for those reading this as a review on Cruise Critic-I’m not “judging” the place, just reporting.) A lot of the shops are either tourist traps, of the sort along International Drive in Orlando, or jewelry shops. Rather a few groggeries, too, as ye might expect, altho, once again, I was disappointed in the rum selection. I mean…Malibu? I got nothing’ against Malibu, but I was hopin’ for better. Found some Tortuga, and they make top notch rum cakes, but I heard their actual rum is kinda like…diesel fuel. In the end, I went home rum-less, which likely saved me some trouble at customs.

Now, one thing I was really looking forward to seeing in town was the Pirates of Nassau museum. Having seen it, I can say…hey, ye got an interest in pirates, go see it! Tis a bonny little place. Not large, not fancy, but clean, well maintained, and I never spotted any errors or eye-rolling mistakes in the various displays. In fact, I greatly enjoyed the museum, and would go again. The displays are waxworks, and are well done, accurate and imaginative. Excellent interpretation of Howard Pyle’s Marooned Pirate. I picked up three flags in the gift shop. Otherwise, I didn’t buy much in Nassau. Walked over to Hog Island…what is *now* called Paradise Island, Y’see, way back when, in 1696, Henry Every sailed to Hog Island and “dropped off” his ship, the Fancy, after his epic success in the Red Sea. He was likely the only pirate to “get away with it” and disappear somewhere in London (maybe)…I personally think it was actually he that wrote the “General History” under the name of Charles Johnson. So, Hog/Paradise Island has a firm pirate history.

 

But walking there wasn’t one of my…brighter ideas. I got bursitis, right in me hip, and I was really really really, etc feeling the pain. It was only me bloody stiff neck and stubbornness that kept me going. Next time, I’m taking the water taxi.

 

Oh yes, I did end up buyin’ me a cookbook from Books n Tings, called “Bahama Mama’s Cooking”. I had me eye out for some banana ketchup (yes, I did say *banana* ketchup) but I didn’t find any in the shops I went into. I did spot some small groceries on side streets off Bay St, but I didn’t go into any. Ended up ordering a couple bottles from Amazon after I got back. I’m very fond of the stuff--Baron’s Banana Ketchup. Look it up online sometime.

 

I went to bed very early that night, on account of me hip. Felt like I took a ruddy musket ball from a King’s ship there.

 

Oh yes…there was a Bahama Navy cutter docked in the vicinity, which looked completely unguarded. I did ponder for a minute or two about how easy it might be to-you know-sort of stroll off with it, belike, but since ye didn’t hear about it in the news, I suppose I didn’t do it.

 

So that was Thursday done and over with. Friday…well, Friday hardly counted. Friday was Freeport, and if you don’t have a shore excursion lined up for the place, there’s not really that much to do, Unlike Nassau, Freeport harbor isn’t in Freeport proper. There’s some few shops and a teeny tiny straw market set up there, and a three man music combo playing, so it’s worth getting off the boat for a little bit, take a look around, and enjoy being in the tropics. Well, when I *say* enjoying…I mean, I’d have enjoyed it more if me hip wasn’t still hurting so bloody much, and I wasn’t so much walking around as I was limping.

 

One note I should have put in the Nassau section, but…I know the Bahamas has a fair (East) Indian population, but why were there so many skimpy belly dancing outfits on offer? You know, with the dangly bangles and fake coins and all. What made it worse, there was no one offering to model them for me.

 

Saturday-last full day at sea. Rather a sad day for me, and one filled with trepidation. Keep in mind, this were me first cruise…I had no idea how the debarkation process would go, let alone the customs. But more than that, I really didn’t want the cruise to end. I felt at home on that ship.

 

Sunday Oct 24 and debarkation…which was a bit of a mess, really. And there was an incident of someone falling, which delayed things rather a lot. I had got stupid and decided to keep me luggage with me, instead of going thru the “zone” debarking process…which meant I had to haul the thing from deck 4 down to deck 2, sit around in the lounge listening to the Goon Show on my MP3 player, which seemed to take forever. But we “self serve” types still got off the boat before the “Zone” types. Customs was surprisingly painless-handed in me blue form, I was asked “Any food, liquor, or cigarettes?”. Well, I had those salt water taffies, cocoanut patties, and rum cakes in me luggage-are they *food*? I replied “No”, and that was it, Mr. Customs Officer waved me thru, and I didn’t argue. Then it was just a matter of getting to the Anderson bus and waiting…and waiting…and waiting…since most of the other bus passengers had opted for the Zone debarkation and as a result, were very considerably delayed.

 

So that’s the cruise, basically. I’d do it again. I’m taking contributions to do so, but no one’s given me money so far, bloody lubbers that they are.

 

Ye can see some of me photos, especially those from the Pirates of Nassau museum at the link below. Sorry, but I haven't had the chance to upload all me cruise photos there. Maybe someday soon...

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21769572@N04/

[LynnB]

Great Review! Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

[richstowe]

Great review! Very chatty - I like chatty. Will be on Pride 5 weeks from today.

 

:)

[nybumpkin]

Loved your review! Sounds like you need to try Pride's Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Freeport itinerary - Bambarra Rum is available in Grand Turk (product of Providenciales Island) and it is very good.:cool:

[serene56]

Ahhh, Pride reviews are so few. Thanks for the time.

 

We are sailing the pride in February--and looking to do Sea World.

 

Could you tell me what time the bus picked you up from the Epcot?

 

Pirate museum== would a 5 year old like it or be bored??

[boaterette]

That be a nice story ye be tellin.

[Mad Capn Bob]

Let me consult me notes...

 

Here we are...keep in mind the actual drop off/pick up location is the Ticket and Transportation Center (the TTC), from which you can get almost anywhere in the Parks. The bus started loading at 4.00 pm, and left at 5.00 pm.

 

As to whether a 5 year old would enjoy the Museum...to be honest, I can't really answer that. I have no children of me own...the only young things I have here are furry, with four legs and pointy ears, and *they're* adopted. My *guess* is-probably not a good choice for a 5 year old. Maybe wait until next year's Pirates of the Caribbean movie comes out, take him/her to it, instill a love of the Sweet Trade...and *then* take him/her.

 

Ahhh, Pride reviews are so few. Thanks for the time.

 

We are sailing the pride in February--and looking to do Sea World.

 

Could you tell me what time the bus picked you up from the Epcot?

 

Pirate museum== would a 5 year old like it or be bored??

[Mad Capn Bob]

And now...photos!

 

 

 



 

Outside of the Pirates of Nassau Museum

 

 

 



 

After dinner down in the ship's foscle, with uninvited guest. Now, doesn't that make the Lido deck buffet seem better?

 

 

 

 



 

A waxwork version of a famous Howard Pyle painting of a marooned pirate...no food, no water...and a loaded pistol as his only friend...

 

 

 

 

 



 

Dennis McCarthy making himself presentable...for his execution. Tis said he went to the gallows festooned with ribbons, like a prize fighter. While awaiting his turn, he removed his shoes, for he said some friends had always told him he would die with his shoes on, and he would make liars of them.

 

 

 



 

An exhibit in the Museum. These bottles were found in Nassau, and are of the period of the Golden Age of Piracy. Whether or not they were actually handled by pirates, we will never know...

 

 

 



 

Mad Capn Bob himself, your humble narrator. My first cruise, I didn't take this, but next one, I'm dressing in style! Altho I *might* leave me cutlass at home.

[coldinerie]

Thanks for the detailed and great review. I appreciate it when people take the time to tell their tails!

[MSBfan]

Mad Capn...

 

Thanks much for the review! As a denizen of the 330 myself, I had a laugh when you mentioned the East Market McDonalds. Thats right down the street from me in the Heights.

 

Great review...looking forward to my turn next year.

[Mad Capn Bob]

Well, it be a small ocean...I live in the Heights meself, just off Brittain, near East High School...

 

Mad Capn...

 

Thanks much for the review! As a denizen of the 330 myself, I had a laugh when you mentioned the East Market McDonalds. Thats right down the street from me in the Heights.

 

Great review...looking forward to my turn next year.

[patrice1]

You should plan to come to Pirate Days here in Key West. Have many friends that are pirates.

[crusintoo]

Loved your review, where be the the location of the Pirate Museum in Nassau, is it in walking distance from the pier?

[Mad Capn Bob]

Easy walk. The brochure sez its on King and George Streets, just a block south of the Straw Market. Ye walk west along Bay St (that'd be in the direction of the British Colonial Hilton), and ye be bound to see it...big red building. As I say, easy walk.

 

Loved your review, where be the the location of the Pirate Museum in Nassau, is it in walking distance from the pier?

[Mad Capn Bob]

That'd be the Pirates in Paradise, or "PiP", wouldn't it? Heard much good about it (I'm a contributing member and pyrate in good standing on the Pyracy Pub website). I'd like to go sometime, but that's a long drive for one person (it's just me and me cats), and flying's out...especially with the TSA Grope 'n' Stroke.

 

I don't mind being groped and stroked, mark'ee...just not by the "friendly" folks of the TSA.

 

You should plan to come to Pirate Days here in Key West. Have many friends that are pirates.