Pride August 3rd Review

[jakzak10]

Some basic information....Family of 4, wife, self, DD 23, DS 18. For my wife and I this was our 28th cruise, DD 10th cruise and son 8th cruise. We have sailed on CCL, NCL, RCCL, Celebrity, Princess, Sitmar, American Family Cruiselines, Premier, Queen of Bermuda and a few I'm probably forgetting.

 

Arrival

 

We drove down to Baltimore on Saturday from Central NJ. Hit a little traffic but was in Baltimore by 1pm. Our 1st stop was Miss Shirleys Café. A great restaurant, if you have never tried it and live in or taking a cruise out of Baltimore, please Google them. A tad bit pricey but what a menu.

 

After Lunch we drove to the Holiday Inn Express, Stadium at 1701 Russell Street. Now I know there is much conversation on these boards about this property, I am happy to report it really is not a bad place to stay for a night or 2. Room was clean, complementary breakfast was filling. I did not use the complementary transportation around town or 2 the pier as I like to travel on my schedule, not someone else's. My daughter and I went to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles game, while wife and son just laid back in the room (not sports fans) Prior to the cruise I google'd car services in Baltimore and chose Jacobs. He arrived on time in a late model Cadillac Escalade and it was only a 10 minute ride to the pier. Was the 40.00 paid a little overpriced, maybe, but it was the start of our vacation and I always like to arrive early and we did.

 

Embarkation

 

We left the Holiday Inn at 10:00 and arrived at the Pier at 10:10. We were able to access the terminal as we were dropped off, (not sure if self-parking was open yet) but the actual check in process began at around 10:30. We had FTTF and were escorted to a separate check in line and were the 1st in line from our group to board the ship. Boarding for Platinum and Gold began at around 12:20 and we were on the ship by 12:30. Not too bad considering the Pride does not arrive back into the pier until 9-9:30 and getting 2200 people off is a major job.

 

Ship

 

Mush has been said about the artwork around the ship and all the nudes and so on. From my perspective it was fine. Not my taste, but was not put off at all. Public rooms were very clean and well maintained. Yes you can see where the ships needs a refurbishment in certain areas, but that will be done when the ship goes into drydock later this year to receive her 2.0 upgrades.

 

We had 2 category 9B cabins on Verandah Deck and thought they were great. We were in cabins 7299 and 7301. For anyone who has these cabins booked, relax, we did not hear any noise from the elevators and the balconies are to die for. Since we had 2 cabins that even though look like they are right next to each other, you need to walk around the elevators to reach the other room. But the balconies are right next to each other. So as soon as we boarded I went right up to guest services (still wish it was called the purser's desk) and requested the balcony partitions be opened. They advised it would be done the next morning and it was. Now we had access to each others cabins via the balconies. Each balcony had 3 sit down chairs, a small table and a lounge chair. Great way to spend a day at sea, laying in your lounge chair, on your own balcony, reading a book.....

Verandah Deck is only 2 decks below the Lido, so it is very convenient to get food, drink and bring them down to your stateroom. Plus having another deck between us ad Lido made for a very quiet experience.

 

 

Food

 

While I realize everyone has his or her own opinion when it comes to this subject here is mine. Food was fair at best. Choices at the Lido Buffet seemed somewhat limited. The dining room provided excellent service, your waiters and staff addressed everyone by name after the 1st night. But the selections and quality were not up to the standards I have come to expect after 28 previous cruises. Did we go hungry, of course not. For example the gentleman sitting next to us had to send back his steak 3 times, Once I can understand, twice there are some issues but 3 times is total frustration. My daughter who does not eat much meat had a difficult time finding things to eat. Night one provided an entrée of Sweet and Sour Shrimp, Last night was Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp, (exact same Shrimp without the sauce. Even the chilled soups which in the past were like milk shakes in a bowl, were not up to the same standards as in the past. The pizza on Lido deck was always good, the outdoor poolside grill had the normal hot dogs and hamburgers which were good. My only complaint about the pizza station was they never make anything in advance. While I applaud getting a freshly made pizza, the line can get out of hand. You would think at lunch time they would continually make pizzas until the line diminishes but this is not the case. They take 3-5 orders at a time make the pies, wait 4 minutes until they are cooked, distribute and then help the next set of people.

 

Steakhouse-

 

We ate at the steakhouse on formal night 1 as they were offering a free bottle of wine for booking either the 1st or 2nd night of the cruise. The service through the main course was great. Our servers seemed to disappear between the main course and dessert and it took around 30 minutes to place our dessert order. The steaks and lobster tails were very good. But living in the Northeast I am able to get great steaks locally so it was not as much of a treat to us as many who can not experience the cuisine locally. Would I do the steak house again for 35.00 per person, probably not, but can understand why so many rave about the experience.

 

Did we go hungry No, but feel this is any area where you can tell CCL and most probably all mass-market cruise lines are cutting back to inflate the bottom line.

 

Casino

 

Excellent time in the Casino. The casino host on this cruise was Paul and he and his staff were professional all the way. The dealers learn everyone's name and treat you like a friend (as they take your money...or is that a wife) sometimes I get confused. On day 4, I hit my 1500 points mark on the slots so had free drinks in the casino the remaining days of the cruise. For anyone wondering the casino consisted of slots, craps, roulette, black jack, Caribbean stud, 3 card poker and let it ride. Slots ranged from 1 penny to 5 dollar slots.

 

Main Shows

 

Did not see any, so can not comment.

 

Punch Liner Comedy Club

 

Great way to spend a night. 2 different comedians each night performing a adults only show from 10:30pm on. They also perform family friendly shows earlier each evening. Half way through the cruise the comedians are transferred to another ship and 2 new ones board. Erika (the club manager) does a great job in making sure no one under 18 stays for the adult only shows and is very friendly and personable.

 

Entertainment Staff

 

High marks go to Josh, Ben and the rest of the staff. Josh rates up there with Gary Hunter (back in the Festivale days) as the best cruise director I have ever had the pleasure of sailing with. Friendly, knowledgeable and outgoing. His assistant Ben is as good as they get and should have his own ship very soon. The entertainment staff of Char, Pickles and Duska did a great job keeping the flow of events moving without making it seem rushed.

 

Cruise Critic-

 

Roll calls are hit and miss. Some very active from the start, some need some time to pick up steam and some fizzle out. Ours was in the middle. We all scheduled to meet at 3pm at the Apollo pool bar forward and many of the group showed. It is great meeting the people you talk with leading up to the cruise. It is even better when you pass each other in the hall and get that friendly smile, conversation etc. But many feel once they board the ship all the knowledge they received from these boards are ancient history. They are not, if you took the time out of your day to have a question answered, chatted on the roll call board, try to make it to the meet and greet. You may be surprised at how good it feels to see other people with your same interests.

 

I am the type of person who can find something wrong and to bitch about on most vacations I go on. I like things to be perfect and of course realize in the real world that is not going to happen, but still get pissed when there is a problem. But, on this cruise with the exception of the food quality, there was nothing to complain about. High marks to CCL for doing a great job, keeping mass-market cruising affordable.

 

If anyone has any questions I would be happy to try to answer

 

Until our next cruise

 

Jakzak-Alan

[sparks1093]

Thanks for the review! We enjoyed our time on the Pride and I look forward to sailing on her again.

[johnlcruise]

Nice review. Thanks for taking the time to report on your Most Excellent Adventure.

[Kimberlyr22]

Agree with you completely on the food on this cruise -- Lido deck was uninspiring, and the everything made to order (especially the pizza, cheeseburgers, etc) was just frustrating at times. I'm not a picky eater, but when I'm on a cruise I like to go simple (cheeseburgers and fruit) -- on my first cruise with RCL I was able to get a cheeseburger (favorite food) 24/7 -- on the Pride it was almost always a 20 minute line to get one, and that was when the grill was actually open. It made me sad -- but didn't ruin the cruise!

 

My husband, stepson, and I turned into anti-social balcony hogs when we saw our aft-wrap room and I think we only left the cabin for trivia, food, and two excursions -- like you, we did not make it to any of the shows. Staff was fantastic. I was hoping my stepson would like Circle C, but he said there were too many girls and decided hanging out on the balcony with strawberry smoothies was more fun.

[Seago2]

Thank you very much for the review! Sorry the food was meh. Why they can't figure out a better way to do pizza I'll never know.

[KevInPitt]

Alan,

 

Thanks very much for this review. We are sailing in 7299 in October and appreciate your comments that the noise is minimal and the balcony space is comfortable.

 

I also appreciate your comments regarding the steakhouse. If I recall, the first formal night is actually the second night (evening of the first full sea day). If this is true, did you also receive a complimentary bottle of wine on that night? I thought it was only on the first night. We have reservations for the steakhouse on the evening of the first full sea day to celebrate our 25 year anniversary and although we do not normally drink, if it's free why not? :)

 

I have no high expectations for MDR or Lido food having been on one Carnival cruise previously (and it is, after all, mass food for thousands - there is bound to be a hit or miss in the mix at some point). But your point about quality after the 2nd or 3rd try is vaild in any environment.

 

Also thanks for the entertainment review. The comedy shows are what appeal to us and we will make it a point to experience them.

 

Thanks again for your review - it was very informative!

 

Kevin

[jakzak10]

When we boarded they were offering a free bottle on sail away day and Monday, the 1st formal night. I always enjoying meeting the wait staff in the dining room on day 1 so we chose 1st formal night Monday

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!