9/16 Pride cruise - cold dining room

[bluehenfan]

I just returned from my 4th cruise on the Pride. I've already written a couple trip reports, so I am just mentioning a couple things this time. Mainly want to say temperature in the MDR really varied. The 1st night people were joking about trying to cover their arms with their napkins the room was so chilly. Next night I was prepared and took a sweater for my arms but the temperature was fine. Was chilly on 2 other nights during the week. We were on upper level.

Embarkation was a breeze. The staff at the Baltimore terminal were really friendly and helpful as always. I have health issues that limit time I can comfortably stand and distance I can walk. As soon as I mentioned this I was escorted to a special needs check in area where I could sit while paperwork was handled.

Maybe I am just not a picky eater, but I loved the food in the Mermaid grille and MDR. We had your time dining and only had to wait 1 night (15 mins.) to get our requested table for two. Some dining staff were better than others, but it was fun to sit in different areas and meet various waitstaff. None were so slow that we missed getting to shows.

If you have time, find a roll call group for your cruise here on CC. We met some wonderful friendly people on ours and it was nice to see familiar faces through out the ship all week.

If you rent a car in Port Canaveral and have time, stop in to Sonny's BBQ in Cocoa Beach for an informal inexpensive lunch. Sliced pork on roll with sweet BBQ sauce was yummy.

The Pride may not be Carnival's largest ship and she may not have all the bells and whistles, but it's one of the cleanest ships I've been on and has a very friendly staff. I just wish they'd maybe sail a little faster (2 1/2 days to get to Florida ?? ) and go to some different ports of call. We just stayed aboard in the Bahamas.

 

Only disappointment was tea time. This is usually one of my favorite things to do, but we were really rushed. Waiters serving sandwiches and goodies rushed so much they were handing you back your plate before you finished telling them what you wanted. Some people at our table got pots of hot water right away others had long wait. Waiters quickly cleared cups, plates, etc. as soon as you took your last bite. No offer of more tea. Usually a relaxing event but they were pulling off the table cloths and resetting for dinner before you could even push your chair in !! I have had tea on other ships and it's sometimes served in other areas of the ship to avoid this rush to get tables reset fpr dinner. Maybe the Pride should consider doing this too. It was not a big deal, but the whole idea of afternoon tea is a relaxing break in a busy day. We skipped it other days it was offered. Maybe it was just a fluke because we've done this every cruise and it was always done at a slower pace.

Can't wait to book cruise #5 on the Pride !!

[sparks1093]

Thanks for your thoughts, really looking forward to giving the Pride a try in 19 days:).

[bluehenfan]

Have a wonderful cruise. I will probably pass you sailing away as I'll be driving home from visiting my DGrD at U of MD in College Park that day. The ride takes me past the Pride and I usually try to time it so it's around the time the ship pulls away from the dock.

[sparks1093]

Have a wonderful cruise. I will probably pass you sailing away as I'll be driving home from visiting my DGrD at U of MD in College Park that day. The ride takes me past the Pride and I usually try to time it so it's around the time the ship pulls away from the dock.

 

I will wave at the traffic passing on the Interstate as we sail away. I'll be the one in the black t-shirt:D.

[cathyoo]

Thanks for your thoughts, really looking forward to giving the Pride a try in 19 days:).

 

That is sad news for me. That means my Pride cruise will be history. My cruise ends 10/14/12. The countdown to the cruise is nice but thinking it will all be over in 18 days is more than sad.

[SkyMaster]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise aboard "Pride". We have some very good friends who sailed with you, so we drove over to meet 'em when you arrived at Port Canaveral. We had a GREAT sea food lunch, but I'm glad you enjoyed "Sonny's". That's a chain, and pretty much a staple here in the South. GREAT Bar-B-Q at a reasonable price. (Matter of fact, I'm meeting some of the old gang from work there on Friday!) ;)

We too, always enjoy "Pride", but haven't sailed her in several years. I was "itchin" to board her when we dropped off our friends,,,but alas,,,we can't do that anymore! BUMMER!

 

"SKY"

[bluehenfan]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise aboard "Pride". We have some very good friends who sailed with you, so we drove over to meet 'em when you arrived at Port Canaveral. We had a GREAT sea food lunch, but I'm glad you enjoyed "Sonny's". That's a chain, and pretty much a staple here in the South. GREAT Bar-B-Q at a reasonable price. (Matter of fact, I'm meeting some of the old gang from work there on Friday!) ;)

We too, always enjoy "Pride", but haven't sailed her in several years. I was "itchin" to board her when we dropped off our friends,,,but alas,,,we can't do that anymore! BUMMER!

 

"SKY"

I lived in Cocoa Beach for almost 3 yrs. back in the 70s and I got hooked on Sonnys then. Where I currently live, the few BBQ restaurants are a joke. My DD lives in Vero beach now and I'll be heading there in late Oct. Sonnys will be on my list of places to go.

I'm glad you got to spend time with your friends - fun to know people are waiting for you in port.

[vivavegas]

Welcome back! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!:)

[ccruisequeen]

I found both the Splendor and Pride to be cold- even in the Fall and Winter in Long Beach I've had to go Outside to warm up!

 

Just take a sweater that you can put on inside and take off outside.