Pride Review - 12/6/15

[Barbluvstocruz]

I thought I'd do a short review of my latest cruise on the Pride. This was my third time sailing her in the past 6 months. The first cruise was in June with a group of 13 adults/kids. The second time in August was with my husband and 2 boys. This time was just me and a friend. Each cruise was completely different because of the people I was with. All were fabulous! This time I was cruising specifically to relax and take a break from "reality". It was my "ME" vacation for the year. It was wonderful!!

 

This is the cruise that boarded late due to the previous one coming through bad weather the night before. We were told to get to the port between 6-9pm. I live 2 hours away. We left the house about 10am on Sunday. We drove down to the Baltimore area, had lunch, did a little shopping, picked up a few last minute things... We decided to head to the port a little early and it worked out perfectly! We pulled into the parking lot at 4:45, dropped off our luggage, paid, parked, zoomed through security and the FTTF line. We were in our cabin at 5:15! It was the easiest time I've ever had getting onboard!

 

Since my kids were not traveling with me they sent a little stuffed pig along. Most of my pictures include the pig. I sent them pictures through FB each day so they could see what pig was up to. Here is the first shot as we are heading to the ship.

 

 

I've heard stories about others not being so lucky. We had dinner one night with a couple that arrived at the port at 6:15 and didn't get on board until 10pm. Ugh!

 

Here's our simple little door decoration. :)

 

 

Instead of the usual beach towels in the cabin, we had blankets. They came in handy on the first sea day!

 

 

They had open dining from 6:30-9:30. We went about 7:00. The dining room was empty. Little did we know that everyone was in line at the port. We had a lovely first dinner. The ship had switched to the American Table since my last cruise. It was a nice change. I honestly had no complaints about it. There was always something I liked, some new things to try. I liked the water and bread on the tables. I didn't miss the table cloths (they do use them on elegant night).

 

Here is the Port of Call part of the menu on the first night.

 

 

I didn't try any of these since I don't eat seafood. I had a pork chop that was really good!

 

Had one of my fav apps!

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

First night dessert menu.

 

Fig Pudding.

 

 

Strawberry Parfait.

 

 

After dinner we stopped at the Alchemy bar for a drink.

 

Part of the menu.

 

 

I had the cucumber sunrise. Very light and refreshing.

 

 

After that we wandered around and waited for muster. The drill was not until close to 11pm. Yawn. After that we crashed in bed!

[Barbluvstocruz]

On our first sea day we went to the dining room for breakfast. I had Eggs Benedict, which is one of my cruise favorites. I always order the Hollandaise sauce on the side. That way the eggs are fresh and the sauce has not been baked onto the eggs under a heat lamp. I recommend this to anyone ordering the Eggs Benedict.

 

It was a cold and rainy day. We grabbed our blankets and our books and spent a good part of the day relaxing on the Serenity deck reading and napping. We were on the couches in the covered area so we stayed dry and enjoyed watching the world go by.

 

 

Can't really see in the picture, but it was windy and the water was blowing out of the pool.

 

 

Guys Burgers was the lunch choice for the day...and almost everyday after that!

 

 

We stopped at the Red Frog Pub for a drink and played a game of chess.

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

It was the first Elegant Night. For those concerned about what to wear...please don't stress. Wear something presentable and comfortable. I wore a long maxi style dress with a shrug. There were some people dressed in more formal outfits, but the majority were dressed down a bit. Nice, but nothing crazy. I saw a lot very casual outfits. No one seemed to be turned away. I'm not suggesting you go in jeans or muscle tees (which I saw), but don't stress over your clothes. ;)

 

Part of the Feast Menu.

 

 

I had the Tart with Kale and Pork. It was honestly one of my favorite things I ate all week!

 

 

My friend had Shrimp Cocktail.

 

 

Prime Rib is my usual Elegant night go-to since I don't eat Lobster. It was very good!

 

One of the desserts we had was a Hazelnut cake of some sort. I don't remember the exact name, but it was a lot of chocolately goodness!! Very right, but so delish!!!

 

[Beeslilmama]

OMG! Looking at the new menus, I am going to be a fat someone when I get home because I honestly can't decide what I am going to try! February needs to hurry up. Thanks for the menus and the food porn!

[Barbluvstocruz]

The second sea day started out rough. I got up early and decided to head to the gym. I didn't make it there. I was walking across the Lido deck by the Red Frog Bar and slipped on the wet floor. There were a couple crew members there and a few other guests. They helped me hobble to a chair. My knee and wrist were banged up pretty good. They got me ice for my knee and offered medical attention, which I declined. I still have a whopper of a bruised knee and a sore wrist, but it didn't deter from the vacation. I decided it was a sign to skip the gym the rest of the week!!

 

 

The weather improved quite a bit today. We did pretty much the same thing as the first sea day. Relaxed on Serenity. Read. Napped.

 

 

 

 

I went to afternoon tea time and had some goodies.

 

 

Beautiful evening!

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

OMG! Looking at the new menus, I am going to be a fat someone when I get home because I honestly can't decide what I am going to try! February needs to hurry up. Thanks for the menus and the food porn!

 

Ha! I know what you mean! I did gain a few pounds last week!! :eek:

[Heirloom]

Oh yea ! Love your fine pics !!!

[Barbluvstocruz]

A few Christmas pics...

 

 

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

My favorite breakfast of the week was at the Blue Iguana. Huevos Rancheros with an Arepa and crunchy potatoes. I had this several mornings. There was never a crowd and it was YUMMY!

 

 

I think this was Mango and Pina Colada.

 

 

More Red Frog Pub Drinks.

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

Towel Animal invasion. Guest staring Pig. I think this was Port Canaveral morning.

 

 

 

 

 

[Adge01]

Following along and loving it. Your kids must have loved the pics of the pig with the towel animals, I know I got a giggle out of them.

[Barbluvstocruz]

Following along and loving it. Your kids must have loved the pics of the pig with the towel animals, I know I got a giggle out of them.

 

Thanks! I had fun with the pig and they enjoyed the pics. :)

[CKEA_Cruising_Family]

Enjoying your review! We leave on the Pride 12/26 and counting down the days.

[Barbluvstocruz]

We rented a car from Enterprise for our day in Port Canaveral. We drove up to Daytona Beach and wandered around a bit. We did a little shopping, walked on the beach and had a great BBQ lunch at The Hog Heaven BBQ across from the beach.

 

 

 

 

Sail away from Port Canaveral

 

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

Prior to leaving, we purchased day passes for the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau. It was $60 per person, with a $40 food credit. The day was cloudy, but it never rained on us. We got to port about 11am. We walked to the Hilton and parked ourselves on the beach for the afternoon. We swam, read, relaxed, swam, drank, read... you get the idea. We stayed until about 4.

 

On the way back we wandered through some shops in town. We stopped for a drink at a bar right across from the port. Checked out the shopping area at the port and then got back on board about 6. We didn't leave until 8 that night.

 

 

 

 

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

The BCH Lobby.

 

 

 

More at the BCH.

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the Port.

 

[KPfromCT]

Great start to your review!:D:D

Cannot wait for more!

OUCH! Knee looks painful.:eek: Hope it healed up OK.

[Barbluvstocruz]

We were only in Freeport from 7-1. We didn't want to wake up early for an excursion so we just wandered around the port for a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

Random Pics...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

Great start to your review!:D:D

Cannot wait for more!

OUCH! Knee looks painful.:eek: Hope it healed up OK.

 

Thanks. Still a little sore and bruised, but I'm managing. I didn't let it spoil any fun. :)

[Barbluvstocruz]

Serenity

 

 

I never tire of the view from my balcony.

 

 

 

[Barbluvstocruz]

My review was clearly a lot more pictures than talk. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

Of the three trips on the Pride this was the most chill. We didn't do trivia, saw one comedian and one show. Didn't chat with much of the staff. Never even saw the cruise director, Donkey. It was a perfectly peaceful laid back trip and break from being a mom, wife, full-time employee. I didn't have to clean up, do dishes, make sure everyone was dressed, etc. :p

 

 

Next up for us is the Sunshine next Thanksgiving with my entire family. Would love to squeeze another one in before that.

 

Until next time...pig is worn out. :)

 

[RNmom51907]

Great review, it looked like it was a perfectly relaxing time. We were on the Pride too and it is so neat to see the same cruise from someone else's perspective. I loved the pig in all the pics for your kids.

[Glock19]

Thanks for the review. The ship looks great. We leave Dec 26 on the Pride. I can't wait.