Mike & Tracy’s continuing adventures: Carnival Pride review (photos, funtimes & more)

[MikeyA53]

I first read this review when I was over 600 days out. Now I am just over 100 and had to reread it. I will probably read it again right before I leave.

This is one of the best reviews ever.

 

 

Thank you debster11, have a wonderful cruise. :)

[presario1626]

will be on weekend cruise with pride tomorrow. first time with carnival. very nice pictures! worth thousands words! gave me pretty good idea what to expect.

[MikeyA53]

will be on weekend cruise with pride tomorrow. first time with carnival. very nice pictures! worth thousands words! gave me pretty good idea what to expect.

 

 

 

Thank you, hope you are having a good cruise. Let us know. Mike

[fair-winds39]

Wow, your review of the Pride was great!!

 

We were on the Pride in Feb. 2010, and we will be aboard again in Feb. 2013. Looking at the gangway, can you tell me if it's as steep as it appears? I'm a bit anxious, as I'll be bringing along my mobility scooter for the first time. Did you by any chance see anyone go up with a scooter? I've asked about this on another thread, and most people say it can be done. When we were on the Pride in 2010, I didn't need a scooter, and the entry was set up a little different at that time. Just thought I'd get another opinion, and you folks are so thorough in your reviews, I thought I would check with you. Anyway, I'm off to read your Miracle review. We loved the Miracle and sailed on her twice.

Thanks for your enjoyable reviews.

 

Kate

[CdrescherRBL152]

.

 

 

At about 11:30 a.m we started moving in two lines into the parking lot, there was two rows of luggage porters and whenever they were free they would let another vehicle or two moved ahead. After we unloaded our luggage we were instructed to proceed in one of two lines to pay our parking fee. I believe one line is cash only and the other is credit/debit.

 

I had checked online and the new parking fee appeared to be $20 a day but I was pleasantly surprised that it was still $15 a day. The cashiers were in SUVs and you drove up beside them, I was surprised when she said ‘you have the cash ready and my big fat tip?". We tipped the porter $5 for our 3 pieces of luggage but I don’t like someone asking me for a tip and she didn’t get one. Furthermore, the only service they provide is to take your money, someone else is standing out in the cold, showing you where to park. I think it would have been more appropriate for her to have a sign saying something like " tips are appreciated" rather than being so blunt about it.

 

After we were led to our parking spot near the terminal, we entered the building and quickly went through security. They asked if we had wine or champagne, we each had one 750 ml bottle of wine and a cooler full of carbonated flavored water including one that was opened. They never opened or checked the cooler.

 

We were then led to the sail&sign counter. (no lines yet). Then to my surprise we were told to board the ship rather than receiving one of those numbered placards. We were on the ship at 12 p.m. It only took a mere 50 minutes from the time we arrived at the port. It worked out well for us, however if you know that Pride will be delayed getting back to port (known to happen) I would schedule my arrival time accordingly.

 

 

 

 

Parking lot starting to fill up

 

 

 

The terminal

 

 

 

 

Vehicles entering parking lot and unloading baggage

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baggage unloading on both sides.

 

 

 

Had a Greyhound driver after 1 cruise tell everyone one the shuttle at the airport. That we were required to tip him $5/ bag. However being a tour bus driver myself, let him know he was going to get $50 for our 4 bags till his statement. All he got from us was a complaint to Dallas and a termination hiring---which I was told he lost.

[MikeyA53]

Wow, your review of the Pride was great!!

 

We were on the Pride in Feb. 2010, and we will be aboard again in Feb. 2013. Looking at the gangway, can you tell me if it's as steep as it appears? I'm a bit anxious, as I'll be bringing along my mobility scooter for the first time. Did you by any chance see anyone go up with a scooter? I've asked about this on another thread, and most people say it can be done. When we were on the Pride in 2010, I didn't need a scooter, and the entry was set up a little different at that time. Just thought I'd get another opinion, and you folks are so thorough in your reviews, I thought I would check with you. Anyway, I'm off to read your Miracle review. We loved the Miracle and sailed on her twice.

Thanks for your enjoyable reviews.

 

Kate

 

 

Thank you Kate, I don't remember seeing anyone with a scooter but I'm sure they had them in the past. Also it's not that steep, fairly gradual. Have a nice cruise. Mike

[MikeyA53]

Had a Greyhound driver after 1 cruise tell everyone one the shuttle at the airport. That we were required to tip him $5/ bag. However being a tour bus driver myself, let him know he was going to get $50 for our 4 bags till his statement. All he got from us was a complaint to Dallas and a termination hiring---which I was told he lost.

 

 

$5 a bag is ridiculous, the norm is $1 per bag. Good for you, hope nobody was foolish enough to give in to his request.

[eastcoastbaby]

Thank you for the wonderful review,it was a good read and I will be on the pride in 60 days! I believe I was on the liberty in the Caribbean the same time you were on the pride in the Bahamas! The weather wasn't the greatest until we were near st Thomas and it was a full on snowstorm in pa.

 

Thanks again and I hope your family is well !

 

Nicole

[MikeyA53]

Thank you for the wonderful review,it was a good read and I will be on the pride in 60 days! I believe I was on the liberty in the Caribbean the same time you were on the pride in the Bahamas! The weather wasn't the greatest until we were near st Thomas and it was a full on snowstorm in pa.

 

Thanks again and I hope your family is well !

 

Nicole

 

 

Thank you Nicole, glad you liked it and I hope you have a wonderful cruise. :)

[beachbride91011]

Another great review!

[MikeyA53]

Another great review!

 

 

 

Thank You. :)

[reebeekee]

Thanks again for your great reviews. I've read your first and your last review and now reading this one to pass the time till january. I have now found that I am dissapointed when I read other peoples reviews, thanks for being one of the best reviews out there, you make it feel like we are right there with you! I think I can speak for almost everybody out there and say I wish I could be a on a cruise with you, so that afterwards i could relive it throught you writing.

[MikeyA53]

Thanks again for your great reviews. I've read your first and your last review and now reading this one to pass the time till january. I have now found that I am dissapointed when I read other peoples reviews, thanks for being one of the best reviews out there, you make it feel like we are right there with you! I think I can speak for almost everybody out there and say I wish I could be a on a cruise with you, so that afterwards i could relive it throught you writing.

 

 

 

Thank you for all the kind words. :):)

[cruzqueen518]

Throughout enjoyed your review. We have been on the pride twice and are heading out on her again the end of January. I do have a question, I wasn't aware you could carry on wine. I remember hearing you could carry on wine but it would be taken and given back to you at dinner for a corkage fee. Is that still the case?? Or can you truly take on 750 ml per person without any additional charge. One more question, how much soda/water can you carry on per person? And could I bring on additional soda from other ports?

Thanks!

[MikeyA53]

Throughout enjoyed your review. We have been on the pride twice and are heading out on her again the end of January. I do have a question, I wasn't aware you could carry on wine. I remember hearing you could carry on wine but it would be taken and given back to you at dinner for a corkage fee. Is that still the case?? Or can you truly take on 750 ml per person without any additional charge. One more question, how much soda/water can you carry on per person? And could I bring on additional soda from other ports?

Thanks!

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

YES, you can take on a 750 ml bottle of wine per person without any additional charge.

 

I believe you can fill a 12/12/12 inch cooler. I had 12 (20 ounce) bottles of carbonated flavoured water in mine, on every cruise I've been on.

 

YES, you can bring some additional sodas in other ports.

Edited November 18, 2012 by MikeyA53

[Cruiser 2 too]

Another fine review! Again your photos are terrific. I don't sail until Oct 2013 so your graphic reviews have kept me going. Can't wait tell you have more reviews. By the way how long will that be?

[LindyWebb]

The fact that over 2years later this is still on page one of the forum proves how great this review is. We are on the Pride in March with kids and really appreciated the camp carnival info even though you brought a teenager and didn't need it!

 

I hope Tracey likes her new job after all that time away!

 

Thanks again for this great post

[MikeyA53]

Another fine review! Again your photos are terrific. I don't sail until Oct 2013 so your graphic reviews have kept me going. Can't wait tell you have more reviews. By the way how long will that be?

 

 

 

Thank you. :)

We are cruising in August, therefore I'll probably do a review in September.

[MikeyA53]

The fact that over 2years later this is still on page one of the forum proves how great this review is. We are on the Pride in March with kids and really appreciated the camp carnival info even though you brought a teenager and didn't need it!

 

I hope Tracey likes her new job after all that time away!

 

Thanks again for this great post

 

 

Thank you, hope you have a wonderful cruise. :):):)

[litstyles]

.

 

 

 

After a couple of hours we decide to walk the short distance to Atlantis. I thought that Atlantis was just a nice hotel and casino well it’s a lot more than that. It’s a huge resort with several hotel buildings scattered throughout the resort, three beaches (Paradise, Cove and Atlantis), marina, lagoons, aquarium, theatre, night club, comedy club, water park, golf course, world class shopping, 21 restaurants and 19 bars and lounges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe we entered via the conference centre,(lower right of map) made our way through the Crystal Court shops to the casino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seems like Cruise ships should dock right at Atlantis.

[colleenod]

I couldn't have enjoyed your review more! We set sail aboard the Pride in October and are staying in the same cabin!!! I have a couple of questions for you:

 

Is there a charge at the piazza cafe? If so, is it reasonable?

 

This is our first cruise (it will be three of us hubby 13 year old son and I) I have no idea as to what to expect to spend onboard... Do you remember about how much you spent over the week?

 

Thanks for any answers! :)

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[MikeyA53]

I couldn't have enjoyed your review more! We set sail aboard the Pride in October and are staying in the same cabin!!! I have a couple of questions for you:

 

Thank you

 

Is there a charge at the piazza cafe? If so, is it reasonable?

 

Yes. there is a charge, very reasonable. Their most expensive desserts are approximately $3.00

 

This is our first cruise (it will be three of us hubby 13 year old son and I) I have no idea as to what to expect to spend onboard... Do you remember about how much you spent over the week?

 

Thanks for any answers! :)

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Automatic tips will be approximately $240. If you go to the steakhouse 3X $35= $105.

Tracy and I had one or two drinks a day. $175. We purchased a soda card for Mitchel $31.50. Went to the Piazza café a couple of times. $12. Extra cash for tips, (room service, steward, waiters, bartenders, etc.) All tips are included but you can give extra if you wish. Our total was about $600.

Edited July 5, 2013 by MikeyA53

[colleenod]

We prepaid our tips. I did figure on tipping a bit more ourselves, but there is no additional automatic tips, correct?

 

Thank you so much for your time! I truly appreciate it!

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[MikeyA53]

We prepaid our tips. I did figure on tipping a bit more ourselves, but there is no additional automatic tips, correct?

 

Thank you so much for your time! I truly appreciate it!

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Correct. :)

[Sheila831]

Thank you. :)

We are cruising in August, therefore I'll probably do a review in September.

 

Hi Mike,

I loved your reviews! It looks like you are cruising on the Liberty in August. What date are you sailing? I will be on her the 31st and it would be fun to be on the same sailing as you and your family!