Carnival Pride Review with pics - 3/25/12 sailing!

[CruiserJul]

Just returned Sunday from an awesome 7 day cruise aboard the Pride. It was myself, DH and DS14. DD19 was at college and did not have the same Spring Break :(. We did miss her, but still managed to have one of our best cruises ever! It was our first 7 day plus we could drive to port. And most importantly we met some awesome people from our roll call!!! So much fun!

 

We left Saturday for Baltimore (about a 6 hr drive) and stayed at the Wingate in Linthicum - DH has points so it was free. We ate dinner at PF Chang's at the Inner Harbor. Weather was rainy and in the 50's.

 

Sunday morning finally arrived and we killed time at Fort McHenry before boarding.

 

Then we saw this...

[KPfromCT]

Keep it coming, PLEEEEASE!!!! Will be on her a week from tomorrow!!!:eek::D. Also, was there bad ship movement on your way down or back? Can't wait for the rest of it!!!!!

[CruiserJul]

Fort McHenry was $7 per person and DS was free. That is where the Star Spangled Banner was written. We left the fort and arrived at the cruise terminal around 11:30, porters took the luggage, paid $105 to park and after a short time in line we were on board by 12:30!

 

 

 

Once onboard they directed us to the dining room for lunch! I was happy since I heard table could be at a premium on Lido at embarkation. I had a really good caprese salad, DH had a fancy chicken caesar salad in a crispy edible bowl and DS had a seafood dish with salmon and mussels.

 

DS lunch:

[CruiserJul]

Keep it coming, PLEEEEASE!!!! Will be on her a week from tomorrow!!!:eek::D. Also, was there bad ship movement on your way down or back? Can't wait for the rest of it!!!!!

 

Hi!

 

Have a great cruise! No bad ship movement at all. Last sea day, however, there were winds at 40mph on deck :eek: - but didn't really seem to affect the ship movement.

[rkeate0804]

thanx for the review...looking forward to more....we leave on june 3rd :D

[KPfromCT]

Hi!

 

Have a great cruise! No bad ship movement at all. Last sea day, however, there were winds at 40mph on deck :eek: - but didn't really seem to affect the ship movement.

 

Loving your review!!!!! :)

[Delta Dear]

Why the dining room instead of the Lido Deck ?

[CruiserJul]

After lunch we made a clandestine trip to our room and dropped off carryons, because really it is hard to carry all that pop (3 cases of 12 cans) plus 2 bottles of wine around until 2:30:cool:.

 

While waiting for the room to be ready we checked out the food stations on Lido and had ice cream and fro yo from the 24 hr machines. Also, we checked out the spa and gym. The spa has a nice hot tub that was never crowded. DS got some dessert from the "sweet spot" at Mermaid's Grill.

 

24/7 ice cream:

 

 

DS took lots of food pics - he likes to eat (especially dessert). Not that you can tell though.

We stayed in Cabin 5175 with obstructed balcony. When we booked it was actually cheaper than the inside :confused:.

 

 

 

Temps were still in 50s but didn't rain. I might add our room was ready by 2:15 and all our luggage had arrived!

[CruiserJul]

Why the dining room instead of the Lido Deck ?

 

I think because this cruise was booked solid and they figured too many people were congregating on Lido..but after lunch we went up to Lido and got dessert and found a table (although it was still pretty busy up there).

[momof2cruiser]

yes, I am curious too, about the dining room? I sail one week tomorrow, and may just head to the dining room, if that is a suggestion!? :)

[CruiserJul]

Went to the muster drill and watched sailaway (4:30) from our balcony at first, then went upstairs.

 

Panoramic view from balc:

 

 

Key Bridge:

 

Had to stop for some sushi:

 

Dinner that night was informal. DS and I got the tilapia (really good) and DH got the grilled chicken on the everyday menu.

 

Fruit App:

 

Tilapia

 

 

Dessert - WCMC:

 

That night we went to a game show in Taj Mahal. Sat through Bingo and then had a decent seat for the Welcome Aboard Show. Then went to the casino and donated $10.

 

I noted this because some will wonder about the hairdryer: it is a normal wattage hair dryer but it was located in the top right drawer of the desk/vanity.

[Crazeecat5]

Enjoying your review so far. Hubby & I will be "returning" to the Pride in a few weeks (our 3rd time on her!) Can't wait!! Thanks for doing this review.......:D Question- do they still have the old tv's or new flat screens in the cabins? Just curious.....

[CruiserJul]

Enjoying your review so far. Hubby & I will be "returning" to the Pride in a few weeks (our 3rd time on her!) Can't wait!! Thanks for doing this review.......:D Question- do they still have the old tv's or new flat screens in the cabins? Just curious.....

 

 

Glad you are enjoying the review - the TVs were the old ones.

[CruiserJul]

Fun Day at Sea #1

 

DH and I left DS sleeping at 8:30 and went up on Lido to get a light breakfast. There is an omelet station, a continental bfast station and a couple other buffets. Never really much of a line. We went to workout in the gym and walked around deck 10 for a while (it is nicer than the jogging track as it goes around the length of the ship).

 

At 11:00 we had our Cruise Critic meet and greet in the Ivory Piano Bar. Wow, lots of people! Sorry I did not get to meet everyone, but did enjoy meeting and hanging out with FritoLay and her family, DispCycle and mom, PCOInstructer, Host Graham and Patrick, Conjr, Hunshine and hubby, and JessC510. I also enjoyed meeting CripCruiser and DH and Kristensmom.

CD Brent Mitchell even popped in to say hi.

 

A few of the CCers participated in a slot pull. Then I went upstairs to Lido and found DS and we ate lunch together. I want to note that the pizza station almost never had a line - and Chopsticks was not too crowded and one of my favorites (asian food).

 

Then went over to catch the ice sculpting:

 

 

Next was the Master Mixologist competition in which DH was participating:

 

He didn't win but got a medal: (and a drink coupon)

 

 

Next we went to Win, Lose or Draw. We got 12 out of 15 but not enough to win! Ryan and I participated in the Giant Tower Game ( Jenga) in the Atrium. That was especially interesting on a moving ship! DS played twice and lost but got a medal anyway for being a good sport.

 

At 3:30 DS and I and JessC510 went to Tea Time in the MDR. We had never done this before, but we had more sea days and the weather wasn't really warm so why not! It was very nice - they come around with different teas and then a cart of cucumber sandwhiches, and many fancy desserts. The scones were awesome. DS had a choc. macaroon and 2 different kinds of cakes. We also were seated with some other very nice cruisers.

 

Dinner was Elegant Night - DH and DS had lobster and I had the Corvina... We had a lot of pictures taken and purchased some.

 

Strawberry Bisque

 

Lobster:

Cherries Jubilee:

 

After dinner we went to the family friendly comedy show, then DH and I went to the casino and I won a little at Slingo, then we went off to the Over 18 comedy show.

[laumicmah]

So far so good! I'll be on her a week from tomorrow. Just my mom and I for a nice 'gals only' getaway. I cannot wait!!!!! Thank you for the wonderful review and pics.

[Philly Steve]

Enjoying the review. The food looks dee-licious! :)

[Cocoanib]

Nice review!

[belles]

Fun Day at Sea #1

 

DH and I left DS sleeping at 8:30 and went up on Lido to get a light breakfast. There is an omelet station, a continental bfast station and a couple other buffets. Never really much of a line. We went to workout in the gym and walked around deck 10 for a while (it is nicer than the jogging track as it goes around the length of the ship).

 

At 11:00 we had our Cruise Critic meet and greet in the Ivory Piano Bar. Wow, lots of people! Sorry I did not get to meet everyone, but did enjoy meeting and hanging out with FritoLay and her family, DispCycle and mom, PCOInstructer, Host Graham and Patrick, Conjr, Hunshine and hubby, and JessC510. I also enjoyed meeting CripCruiser and DH and Kristensmom.

CD Brent Mitchell even popped in to say hi.

 

A few of the CCers participated in a slot pull. Then I went upstairs to Lido and found DS and we ate lunch together. I want to note that the pizza station almost never had a line - and Chopsticks was not too crowded and one of my favorites (asian food).

 

Then went over to catch the ice sculpting:

 

 

Next was the Master Mixologist competition in which DH was participating:

 

He didn't win but got a medal: (and a drink coupon)

 

 

Next we went to Win, Lose or Draw. We got 12 out of 15 but not enough to win! Ryan and I participated in the Giant Tower Game ( Jenga) in the Atrium. That was especially interesting on a moving ship! DS played twice and lost but got a medal anyway for being a good sport.

 

At 3:30 DS and I and JessC510 went to Tea Time in the MDR. We had never done this before, but we had more sea days and the weather wasn't really warm so why not! It was very nice - they come around with different teas and then a cart of cucumber sandwhiches, and many fancy desserts. The scones were awesome. DS had a choc. macaroon and 2 different kinds of cakes. We also were seated with some other very nice cruisers.

 

Dinner was Elegant Night - DH and DS had lobster and I had the Corvina... We had a lot of pictures taken and purchased some.

 

Strawberry Bisque

 

Lobster:

Cherries Jubilee:

 

After dinner we went to the family friendly comedy show, then DH and I went to the casino and I won a little at Slingo, then we went off to the Over 18 comedy show.

 

Great review! I love it. I'll be on there 4 weeks from tomorrow. Can't wait, it's my 3rd time on the Pride.

[star453]

Great review so far

[CruiserJul]

Fun Day at Sea #2

 

I was up relatively early to have breakfast and snag a deck chair in the sun - it wasn't really an issue though since it was chilly outside. Gave up on that after a while and walked on deck. DH and I went to the gym and then the spa hot tub. Met up with DS and had lunch on Lido. After that we were going to play some putt putt, but got distracted on forward deck looking at flying fish! DS said he'd rather look at fish than play mini golf..so that's what we did. I saw a blue tuna and we saw a couple of sea turtles - pretty cool! Then we chatted with a couple of our CC friends (they were wondering why we were running from side to side on forward deck...lol)

 

Some misc pictures from the ship:

 

 

 

We went to the Love Show later in the day...funny ..they did change it up a bit.

 

 

Past Guest Party was this evening at 5 - free drinks and apps! Sat with some of our CC friends and had a lot of fun!

 

Of course, then sushi:

 

 

For dinner I had the French Onion soup (awesome) and Chicken A La Grecque (not as awesome). I think DS had the Braised Lamb Shank this evening:

 

DH liked this - DS and I not so much.

 

After dinner we all went to the show ( a motown, blues type - pretty good!) and then DH and I met up with our CC friends at the Piano Bar before calling it a night...tomorrow up early for Port Canaveral!

[bluehenfan]

I just love this ship! Going back for 5th time in Sept. What is slingo? I have been very lucky in the Pride's casino.... hope my luck continues ! LOL

Thank you for taking the time to do a report. I'm really enjoying it.

[vivavegas]

Loving your review and the photos! Thanks for sharing!:)

[Silent Penguin]

Great pictures. We're taking our first CCL cruise on the Pride this September.

[jetravel]

Great review so far! We are sailing on her July 29th, it will be our second time on the Pride, but first for the kids. Did your DS do the teen club and what did he think?

[soozenw]

I love Pride reviews! We'll be there the end of the month!