Pride July 8-15th review - random ramblings on another beautiful week at sea

[JS0219]

To Vacruizer: Thanks for the great review, we're sailing the Pride - and Carnival for the first time - on 7/29 from Baltimore. I appreciate all the tips and info, we've never been to Freeport and wondered what, if anything, we would do. Are there any beaches within walking distance of the port, or at the least is there public transportation or taxi's available?

And as we are smokers too, that was useful info to include and makes a difference! I have read several threads that said there is no smoking on emarkation as they are fueling... We never had this arise before. So, question is... is this for the entire day? I know my hubby will not be happy if this occurs several times during the course of our trip.

[mousey]

To Vacruizer: Thanks for the great review, we're sailing the Pride - and Carnival for the first time - on 7/29 from Baltimore. I appreciate all the tips and info, we've never been to Freeport and wondered what, if anything, we would do. Are there any beaches within walking distance of the port, or at the least is there public transportation or taxi's available?

And as we are smokers too, that was useful info to include and makes a difference! I have read several threads that said there is no smoking on emarkation as they are fueling... We never had this arise before. So, question is... is this for the entire day? I know my hubby will not be happy if this occurs several times during the course of our trip.

 

 

VA thanks for the great review and the lovely pictures!:D Also thanks for the info about the smoking. We are non-smokers and I would hate to go anywhere where people have smoked or are smoking. I'm glad though that there are places for people that do smoke to be able to do so. I agree with you that it doesn't seem fair to hold events in the only lounge where smoking is allowed.

 

We too will be sailing on the Pride on 7/29. Can't wait!

 

Thanks again for the great review! I'm hoping you are in better health now.

[vacruizer]

To Vacruizer: Thanks for the great review, we're sailing the Pride - and Carnival for the first time - on 7/29 from Baltimore. I appreciate all the tips and info, we've never been to Freeport and wondered what, if anything, we would do. Are there any beaches within walking distance of the port, or at the least is there public transportation or taxi's available?

And as we are smokers too, that was useful info to include and makes a difference! I have read several threads that said there is no smoking on emarkation as they are fueling... We never had this arise before. So, question is... is this for the entire day? I know my hubby will not be happy if this occurs several times during the course of our trip.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Taxis are easily available in Freeport but really no beaches right there. It's a very industrial port - container ships loading, drydocks, cargo type stuff. I find it fascinating to watch but most people think it's ugly. As soon as you get off the ship there will be plenty of taxi offers. Just keep an eye on time and since it's such a short port day. Our back onboard time was 1pm.

 

The refueling thing only applies to balconies and outdoor decks like the promenade or lido. On embarkation day we could smoke in the Starry Nights lounge. Once we sailed the outside designated areas were re-opened. It was the two days during the cruise they closed the lounge, one of which just happened to be while we were also refueling in Freeport. That was the only day it was really an issue - I tried to politely let guest services know, and well, as I said earlier they basically told us to either go ashore or sneak one in the casino.

[vacruizer]

VA thanks for the great review and the lovely pictures!:D Also thanks for the info about the smoking. We are non-smokers and I would hate to go anywhere where people have smoked or are smoking. I'm glad though that there are places for people that do smoke to be able to do so. I agree with you that it doesn't seem fair to hold events in the only lounge where smoking is allowed.

 

We too will be sailing on the Pride on 7/29. Can't wait!

 

Thanks again for the great review! I'm hoping you are in better health now.

 

You're welcome! Glad I could help. I'm pretty sensitive to trying to keep smoke away from those who don't want to be near it and know it's sometimes tough to find middle ground.

 

If there is something in Starry Nights you'd like to attend like a band, there are seats just outside that we noticed people using that might be far enough away. I didn't tend to notice the smell on the promenade outside like I have on other ships, but that may just be me. I do usually notice it in indoor areas, though, since I don't smoke inside or in my car at home.

 

On Lido, the only area is starboard side of the forward pool so if you keep to port side you'll be fine. Strolling the outdoor promenade on deck 3 there are ashtrays all along the deck but we never saw more than a handful of people smoking out there. If the ship is sailing it's pretty breezy out there so hopefully it won't bother you too much.

 

Oh, forgot to add - when the casino is open you might want to use deck 3 to go back and forth across the ship. In typical Carnival fashion, the smoking slot machines are right along the walkway instead of doing the common sense thing and putting those on the far side of the room and making the ones right in traffic non smoking. I swear, they have a 5 year old thinking this stuff up.

[vacruizer]

Well, the night got away from me so I didn't get to finish up with my final thoughts. I'll try again tomorrow night!

[bluehenfan]

I remember following your story when you were ill. I am so glad you were able to finally take your delayed vacation. I will be on the Pride for the 4th time in Sept. and love reading Pride trip reports. There don't seem to be as many as there are for other Carnival ships. I loved your pictures.

I will be in cabin 7260 which is a modified HC cabin as I have mobility issues due to illness. It's right next to a storage room too. Sure hope if there's an ice machine inside that it's not too loud.

Thank you for taking the time to do a report. I really enjoyed it !!

[vacruizer]

I remember following your story when you were ill. I am so glad you were able to finally take your delayed vacation. I will be on the Pride for the 4th time in Sept. and love reading Pride trip reports. There don't seem to be as many as there are for other Carnival ships. I loved your pictures.

I will be in cabin 7260 which is a modified HC cabin as I have mobility issues due to illness. It's right next to a storage room too. Sure hope if there's an ice machine inside that it's not too loud.

Thank you for taking the time to do a report. I really enjoyed it !!

 

We were in 7258 just on the other side of that closet a few years ago. You will LOVE the huge balcony (our room was just standard and not HC though.) That one we never heard more than a faint little thunk from our bathroom. Not sure how the other room is set up, but we had no noise issues in the room itself from the other side of the closet at least. Across the hall and around the corner where we were this time, well....... It actually wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the most quiet location, either.

[Cruiseprotobe]

To Vacruizer: Thanks for the great review, we're sailing the Pride - and Carnival for the first time - on 7/29 from Baltimore. I appreciate all the tips and info, we've never been to Freeport and wondered what, if anything, we would do. Are there any beaches within walking distance of the port, or at the least is there public transportation or taxi's available?

And as we are smokers too, that was useful info to include and makes a difference! I have read several threads that said there is no smoking on emarkation as they are fueling... We never had this arise before. So, question is... is this for the entire day? I know my hubby will not be happy if this occurs several times during the course of our trip.

 

VA thanks for the great review and the lovely pictures!:D Also thanks for the info about the smoking. We are non-smokers and I would hate to go anywhere where people have smoked or are smoking. I'm glad though that there are places for people that do smoke to be able to do so. I agree with you that it doesn't seem fair to hold events in the only lounge where smoking is allowed.

 

We too will be sailing on the Pride on 7/29. Can't wait!

 

Thanks again for the great review! I'm hoping you are in better health now.

 

 

Hello fellow shipmates. We will be on the Pride the same time as you all. WE are looking forward to this cruise, it is nice not to have take an extra day and fly to the port.

VA thanks for the report. Also glad you are feeling better and were able to get on with the cruise. Sounds like we wont be doing much in Freeport either, just check out the shops on the pier and then head back on the ship. Seems like a worthless port to stop at but it is what it is.

[vacruizer]

Hello fellow shipmates. We will be on the Pride the same time as you all. WE are looking forward to this cruise, it is nice not to have take an extra day and fly to the port.

VA thanks for the report. Also glad you are feeling better and were able to get on with the cruise. Sounds like we wont be doing much in Freeport either, just check out the shops on the pier and then head back on the ship. Seems like a worthless port to stop at but it is what it is.

 

Don't feel like Freeport is worthless. :)It ended up being one of our favorite days. Say "good morning" to the shopkeepers as soon as you walk in (cultural custom the Caribbean or Bahamas) and they will start smiling and chatting with you. Very friendly and not at all pushy. If the same band is on the pier (Ultra Vibes) that was there the day we were, they were as good as most any band we've paid to see. Great entertainment, free of charge. :) I actually wish it were a longer port call - I'd like to see more of the island after experiencing how nice everyone there is. It's like night and day with Nassau which I'd be perfectly happy to never see again.

[nybumpkin]

Don't feel like Freeport is worthless. :)It ended up being one of our favorite days. Say "good morning" to the shopkeepers as soon as you walk in (cultural custom the Caribbean or Bahamas) and they will start smiling and chatting with you. Very friendly and not at all pushy.

I felt the same way! We didn't go early in the day, but I thought Freeport was much friendlier than Nassau. I bought a fan at one store and ended up talking to the shopkeeper about keeping cool in church.:)

[mousey]

Hello fellow shipmates. We will be on the Pride the same time as you all. WE are looking forward to this cruise, it is nice not to have take an extra day and fly to the port.

VA thanks for the report. Also glad you are feeling better and were able to get on with the cruise. Sounds like we wont be doing much in Freeport either, just check out the shops on the pier and then head back on the ship. Seems like a worthless port to stop at but it is what it is.

 

For those of you who are sailing on the Pride on 7/29 and haven't done so yet...check out the Roll Call Board and join in on the fun. We are going to have a meet and greet at 2:30p on embarkation day at the Venus Bar on deck 9 between the two pools. Come join the fun!:D

 

Looking forward to the rest of the OP's Pride review!:D

[erewhon]

Thanks for your review and photos.

Glad you were able to take a replacement cruise.

[vacruizer]

Looking forward to the rest of the OP's Pride review!:D

 

Sorry for the delay! This real life stuff has gotten in the way! :p Hoping to finish this afternoon. :)

[vacruizer]

Fellow passengers – As always, Baltimore has a great crowd. I’m not sure what it is about the cruisers on these sailings, but the vast majority always seem happy to be on vacation and ready to have a great time. As I mentioned before, there were lots of kids onboard for a summer sailing. They really didn’t cause any major issues that I saw, although the hot tubs were packed to the gills with kids so we avoided them. The other thing we noticed was the number of first time cruisers. It was fun watching the looks of awe on their faces and really nice to hear so few complaints around the ship since everyone seemed to be just taking in the whole experience. We were on the Fascination a few years ago where there was a large retirement home group that couldn’t be made happy so it was refreshing not to hear people complaining about every little thing. Those folks didn’t let up for the entire cruise. On this sailing, every now and then someone would seem aggravated at a long line or wait for something and I’d say, “I’ve got nowhere to be until next Monday morning at 9am!” and they’d usually laugh and stop grumbling. But those people were few and far between on this sailing. It’s been interesting to me as we’ve sailed from various ports that there’s a different vibe in the cruisers from each place. Baltimore wins for us hands down, followed by Miami for the most fun people.

[daisitroy]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review and comments. I am enjoying reading about your trip. We will be sailing the Pride in August. I am glad you were able to take a trip after missing the original one. Glad you are on the mend.

Dot

[vacruizer]

Final thoughts – I was really nervous about the trip before we left since I still didn’t feel great. I am SO glad we went. The laughter, relaxation, and not being tied to a schedule probably did more for me than anything else I could have done. No worries about work (which has been crazy-busy for a while now) or doctor’s appointments or medical tests. No house to keep up with or errands to run. It was just what the doctor ordered. No traffic to negotiate once we got onboard (my husband had to do all the driving to and from Baltimore since I’m still fighting issues with dizziness.) We had a wonderful time. Sure, there were some hiccups with our dining service, the spa, and the smoking areas. Not the end of the world and not worth getting upset over. I mention stuff like that in a review since I believe it can help others and help Carnival improve when things are off, but we still had a fantastic cruise. After cancelling in May, I was thankful just to be onboard.

 

 

I still really love the Spirit class ships. After seeing the Magic in Nassau, I was reminded how much I like sailing on the smaller ships. Even with it being summer and having 600 or so more people onboard than our other sailings, it was still manageable on the Pride.

 

 

I did miss having a balcony and the connection with the sea. I realized that even though we might be doing other stuff most of the time, I didn’t get that private time to just watch the ocean and reflect on things. Since there weren’t really any shaded outdoor areas with a good view of the water, we were limited to promenade walks which wasn’t quite the same. With that said, we did fine in the inside room and it actually wasn’t as bad as we expected. (I’m still looking forward to my balcony on the next one, though!)

 

All in all, it was another great cruise and the Pride remains one of my two favorite ships. I’m thankful to have been able to go at all and really appreciated just being able to be on the ship. Baltimore is a great place to sail from. I love not having to hassle with flying, baggage limits and fees, and the port parking and terminal is the best and most efficient setup we’ve seen. I don’t know that Baltimore will ever get more interesting ports on Carnival since their market is generally folks who are taking one week vacations and are limited by either budget or time away from family and/or jobs and they just can’t get to the far depths of the Caribbean in a week. That’s ok, though. We still generally fly to Florida in January each year for cruises that hit better ports, while the Pride has become our relaxation cruise choice. No schedules, no tours to worry about – just a week of doing whatever we want whenever we want.

 

If anyone has any questions on anything feel free to ask.