Need advice sailing from Baltimore

[Jayarby]

We're planning a Thanksgiving week family cruise sailing from Baltimore on Carnival Pride this November. It will be seven adults, including two 60 yr olds, four 40 yr olds, a twenty year old, two early teenage boys and one nine year old. I need advice on what to expect from driving down to Baltimore from Philly, what to expect at the port, Things to do for all ages, to what the weather will be like sailing in November. Any tips would be well appreciated. Thanks.

[riclop]

We're planning a Thanksgiving week family cruise sailing from Baltimore on Carnival Pride this November. It will be seven adults, including two 60 yr olds, four 40 yr olds, a twenty year old, two early teenage boys and one nine year old. I need advice on what to expect from driving down to Baltimore from Philly, what to expect at the port, Things to do for all ages, to what the weather will be like sailing in November. Any tips would be well appreciated. Thanks.

 

Bring your coat and snow boots.

[fair-winds39]

We'll be on the Pride for the 5th time in March 2017. We love the Pride for the price, the port close to home, the size of the ship, the ease of getting around on the ship, etc. We've been cruising for many years, and are in the 50-60 age bracket. The Pride is by no means like the mega-ships of today, but there should be enough to do for all of the ages you mentioned, with the exception possibly being the early teens, and the nine year old. There are Kid's Clubs on the Pride that different age groups can go to meet other kids their age. Maybe the nine-year old would be interested in that. I think they also have a group for the early teens as well. Seems like some of the kids like it, and some don't. Other posters may be able to give some suggestions for them. We haven't cruised with young adults, teens or young children in a while. There is a main pool for everyone, and there is also the Serenity Deck and pool for those over 21. I think there is miniature golf, the Green Thunder slide (if it's operational). There is also the excursions, if you want to do any of those. If you're going to Port Canaveral you can see the Kennedy Space Center, a lot of people do some of the Disney Sites (Universal, etc.). In Nassau you can see Atlantis or some folks go to one of the local beaches for the day. Freeport of course is a short visit (back in the ship by around 1:00-1:30 I think). If you are doing the other itinerary (Grand Turks), I can't help you there. For adults, there's a comedy club, a sports bar, the casino, the shows are pretty good in the showroom.

 

The drive down I-95 to Baltimore was great; very direct. We like it much better than driving up to Manhattan for a cruise. We usually stay overnight the Saturday night before the cruise. We get an overnight stay at Best Western for around $140 or $150/night and that includes leaving our car at the hotel for the week, a light breakfast the morning of the cruise, and a shuttle to the port and transport back to the hotel after the cruise. There are a lot of Stay and Cruise Packages at many Baltimore Hotels if you want to stay the night before.

 

Sailing in November should be fine. Three of our Pride cruises were in February, and we were in warmer weather by the latter part of the 2nd day, so November shouldn't be too bad. If you're leaving on Sunday, you could be feeling that warm, sunny weather by Tuesday. In February 2015 it was about 75 degrees in Port Canaveral our first port, and it got progressively warmer as we got down to the Bahamas.

 

The port of Baltimore is the easiest port we've ever cruised from. The boarding for the Pride has changed a bit since the last time we left Baltimore; the ramp to board the ship was damaged this year, and I understand because of that, the boarding is a bit slower. I think you'll also be required to arrive at the port at a certain time. Or, you'll need to let them know what time you anticipate arriving at the port. It was designed to stagger arrival time, so everyone isn't arriving at once.

 

We love the Pride, and I hope you have a great cruise. Enjoy!!!

[Crusin Karen]

We live way up in NE NJ-almost near the GW Bridge into Manhattan. It's about a 4 hour car trip to Baltimore and we have sailed Pride twice from there, but one was a B2B, other was a 14 day Journey cruise. We drove down day before and stayed at the BW in Elkridge. It is about 20 minutes from Inner Harbor and nothing much to do except to go to Stained Glass Pub across the street for dinner :rolleyes: but it is nice hotel, offers free parking, nice continental breakfast and free shuttle to and from the ship. We made reservations thru Trinityreservations.com and much more reasonable then book directly with the hotel. We paid $95 for the room and since it would have been over $200 to park at the port for a 2 week cruise it was well worth it, plus a good night sleep and nice breakfast the next morning. And no worries about traffic, etc.

[holmes96]

Hi Jayarby,

 

I recently posted a review of our 7/31/16 Pride cruise, which you may find helpful. Here is the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2388057

 

It includes feedback on the Philly to Baltimore drive, what we experienced at the port, and what our 11 yr old niece, 2 15 yr olds and 2 17 yr olds liked and disliked. I also attached a picture of the activity schedule for the 15-17 club.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Crusin Karen]

Only thing I would add is to have everyone wear sneakers or comfy shoes boarding the ship. Man, that is the STEEPEST, LONGEST gangway I have ever gone up. :eek::eek:

[coneyraven]

Only thing I would add is to have everyone wear sneakers or comfy shoes boarding the ship. Man, that is the STEEPEST, LONGEST gangway I have ever gone up. :eek::eek:

 

 

The gangway is being repaired due to the Pride hitting it earlier this year. Estimated time of repairs takes it to next spring till it's used again. Everybody boards on Deck 1 or 2.

[coneyraven]

 

Here's what it looked like when the Pride hit the gangway

[Crusin Karen]

The gangway is being repaired due to the Pride hitting it earlier this year. Estimated time of repairs takes it to next spring till it's used again. Everybody boards on Deck 1 or 2.

Thanks for that information!

[Bringonthesun01]

We sailed out of Baltimore on the Pride in October of 2012. The boarding was a breeze and we had 16 people in our group. You can drive right up to the port and park with no issues, it is actually one of the easiest ports to board and debark from. Like another poster said, the first two days will be chilly, but by the time you hit SC/GA it will start to get warm. We unfortunately were hit by a hurricane, so we got to know the ship VERY well because on our 7 day cruise we were able to get off at Turk for 4 hours then it was back on to try and out run the hurricane. We couldn't of asked for a better ship to be stuck on! When it was time to get off the ship we did the self assist, which was a little much, with how their gangway was set up. However, I did read that you are not boarding that way right now, so you should be good. I would cruise out of Bmo more often if they had other itineraries. Have fun!!

[Anung Un Rama]

Be aware of the staggered check in at Baltimore now. The lines getting into parking are apparently longer but the process after seems smoother.

 

It will be cold the first and last day (will probably need a jacket if outside). First sea day will probably be on the cool side as well but should start warming up 2nd sea day. Weather should be great at the ports. We rarely get snow that early so I wouldn't worry about that.

 

Pride is a great ship and probably even better after the 2.0 upgrades. I can't wait to be on her in 4 weeks. Enjoy.

[coneyraven]

Actually, one piece of advice getting to park, the cash line is always much faster than the line to pay for parking with a credit card

[JMAE]

We live in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area and we drive down the morning of the cruise, it takes about three hours, for you much less. If I was you I would track the ship and adjust your departure based on the ships track. We have been on the pride 5 times and our sixth will be in April 2017, can't wait!!! :) We have sailed in colder months too. In November it may be cold but it may be warm, if it was like last year. You will need to monitor the weather the week before. We have sailed Thanksgiving week before the ship will have a lot of kids of all ages, so your younger travels should make a lot of new friends. Sailing from Baltimore the ship travels much slower compared to your return when it travels at 22 knots. As we had on a few cruises warmer temps by early afternoon, depending on the weather.

 

Have fun and enjoy your cruise.