Matt & Ashley's Carnival Pride Review - (New Year's, Pictures, FunTimes)

[jimbo5544]

Agree, we were on the same cruise. Nice review and pics.

 

 

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[DCCruiser1013]

We headed up to Blue Iguana for lunch, then back to the balcony to watch sail away. This is a ferry boat that leaves from Port Everglades to Freeport, I think every day. The trip looks like it takes about 3.5 hours.

 

 

Some locals fishing.

 

 

 

 

[DCCruiser1013]

At 3pm, they started to have guests blow up balloons to drop into a net above the atrium. They had about 3,000 balloons that needed blowing up. If you wanted, you could write down a wish for the New Year and put it into the balloon before you blew it up. Here are the first two balloons that Ashley and I sent in.

 

 

And the net as people started to fill it up.

 

 

 

Every once in a while, someone would miss the net and their balloon would drop into the atrium.

 

After blowing up our first balloons, we headed over to Blue Iguana for some frozen margaritas.

 

A little later we headed down the atrium. The balloons were starting to fill in.

 

[DCCruiser1013]

We noticed our favorite bartender from the Piano Bar, Jo Ann, was working at the atrium bar, so we decided to go say hi and stop for a drink. While we were there, CD Steve came to do another movie music trivia round. This one was considerably more difficult, so we stopped halfway through. Eventually it was time to go back to the room and start to get ready for David’s Steakhouse. Our reservation was for 7pm, so we had a little extra time. I got these shots of the sunset before we headed down to the Alchemy Bar.

 

 

 

This time I asked Katie to make me a whiskey sour, which was hands down the best whiskey sour I’ve ever had. Ashley got a custom drink made. While we were there, there was a super drunk guy at the bar, yelling at Katie for giving him water (Alchemy style – with blueberries and stuff. Looked delicious). Katie handled him so much better than I would have, especially considering the level of personal insults he was throwing at her. He left when she stepped into the back to get something, but not before saying something completely incomprehensible to me and almost spilling his water on me. It wasn’t even 7 yet. I don’t think he made it to midnight. I’ll take a second to plug the Alchemy Bar again. The drinks are unbelievable here. Also next time we go to the grocery store I’m going to buy some oranges so I can peel them and light them on fire.

[DCCruiser1013]

We didn’t go to the MDR tonight, but we did get pictures of the menus. I’m still annoyed they switched the elegant evening menus on us, but I can understand why they did and probably should have seen it coming.

 

 

 

And here is the David’s menu

 

 

 

 

We headed up to David’s for our steakhouse experience. We’ve gone to the steakhouse on every cruise we’ve been on, and it’s always superb. They start you off with complements from the chef, which Ashley and I usually awkwardly scarf down. Then they bring the bread, which is probably the most underrated part of the experience. That rosemary focaccia bread is phenomenal. If they brought that down to the MDR we would consider not going to the steakhouse (but probably still end up going). For starters I got the crab cake and the Caesar salad, while Ashley got the heart of lettuce salad and lobster bisque. For mains I got the 18 ounce ribeye, and Ashley got the surf & turf. The spice rub on that ribeye was excellent, and the steak was cooked perfectly. Ashley liked her entree but would probably do just the filet next time. Still a great experience. I got the cheesecake for dessert, while Ashley got the caramelized Washington apples.

 

Our server was Justyna from Poland, and she was fantastic. Very attentive and pleasant to talk to. It was New Year’s, so they had noisemakers waiting for us on the tables to take to the festivities later that evening, and they also gave out hats. I’m assuming they did the same in the MDR. Also all the steakhouse staff were wearing hats or 2017 glasses or some other New Years paraphernalia.

 

I took this shot of the steakhouse as we left.

 

[DCCruiser1013]

The balloon net was starting to reach its full capacity.

 

 

Then we headed to Butterflies for the 9:15 John Wesley show. He was still pretty funny. We then headed back up to the atrium to get a good spot for the balloon drop. We decided to hang out at the bar for a little bit, then grab a spot near the elevators when people started to show up. We got a spot at around 10:15, 45 minutes before the balloon drop.

 

 

At around 10:30 they handed out glowy stick things, and the party started.

 

 

We’re almost there!

 

 

By 10:45 the place was insane. The atrium was completely full, and people lined the railings on Deck 3 and the staircase behind the bar.

 

 

[DCCruiser1013]

Finally, 11pm came around, and here come the balloons!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jimbo5544]

We didn’t go to the MDR tonight, but we did get pictures of the menus. I’m still annoyed they switched the elegant evening menus on us, but I can understand why they did and probably should have seen it coming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is the David’s menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed up to David’s for our steakhouse experience. We’ve gone to the steakhouse on every cruise we’ve been on, and it’s always superb. They start you off with complements from the chef, which Ashley and I usually awkwardly scarf down. Then they bring the bread, which is probably the most underrated part of the experience. That rosemary focaccia bread is phenomenal. If they brought that down to the MDR we would consider not going to the steakhouse (but probably still end up going). For starters I got the crab cake and the Caesar salad, while Ashley got the heart of lettuce salad and lobster bisque. For mains I got the 18 ounce ribeye, and Ashley got the surf & turf. The spice rub on that ribeye was excellent, and the steak was cooked perfectly. Ashley liked her entree but would probably do just the filet next time. Still a great experience. I got the cheesecake for dessert, while Ashley got the caramelized Washington apples.

 

 

 

Our server was Justyna from Poland, and she was fantastic. Very attentive and pleasant to talk to. It was New Year’s, so they had noisemakers waiting for us on the tables to take to the festivities later that evening, and they also gave out hats. I’m assuming they did the same in the MDR. Also all the steakhouse staff were wearing hats or 2017 glasses or some other New Years paraphernalia.

 

 

 

I took this shot of the steakhouse as we left.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, that is us at the table on the right.....

 

 

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[DCCruiser1013]

Once the balloons came down, it was a madhouse. The constant popping was like fireworks going off.

 

 

After batting balloons around for a few minutes, we headed up to Deck 10 to get a good view of the real New Year’s action in Lido.

 

By the time we got up there the party was already in full swing.

 

 

 

Eventually they had waiters going around both Lido and Deck 10 handing out champagne. Adkition was performing until about 10:45 when CD Steve took over with DJ Saxy.

 

 

One minute to go!

 

[DCCruiser1013]

And here’s the final countdown!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DCCruiser1013]

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

 

Edited January 7, 2017 by DCCruiser1013

[DCCruiser1013]

The ship horn blasted loud and long and everyone went crazy. This was a very cool experience and I definitely recommend a New Year’s sailing. They are a little pricey, but I’m glad we did it.

 

 

 

After midnight we headed down to the piano bar to relax a little bit. At around 1 we were beat and headed to bed.

 

 

Coming up tomorrow: Our final day at sea and debarkation.

[DCCruiser1013]

Hi Matt! My family and I were on this voyage as well! So nice to relive it so soon! Your pics and review are incredible so far...I so want to be back on the ship!!!

 

 

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Thanks for reading along and reliving with us! Hope you had as good of a time as we did!

 

 

Agree, we were on the same cruise. Nice review and pics.

 

 

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Hey, that is us at the table on the right.....

 

 

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Thanks for reading! I knew we should have passed out photo release forms in David's! :)

[jimbo5544]

Thanks for reading along and reliving with us! Hope you had as good of a time as we did!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading! I knew we should have passed out photo release forms in David's! :)

 

 

LOL, it was a great meal....

 

 

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[AHS123]

Hey, that is us at the table on the right.....

 

Jim,

Is that you in the blue shirt with the stroller next to the table at your end?

[jimbo5544]

Jim,

 

Is that you in the blue shirt with the stroller next to the table at your end?

 

 

Yes it is.....unless I owe you money....if so then no it's not.

 

 

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[patticake1129]

Matthew,

 

 

Thanks so much for this review. I will be back on the Pride in spring for the third time, first since the upgrade. Seeing your photos brought back some good memories of locations on the ship that I would frequent. I like your style of writing and your descriptions make me more anxious to sail her again. Thanks to Ashley as well, and I hope to read more from you in the future.

 

Happy Sailing!

[DebbieMo]

New Years sailing looks like a lot of fun, thanks for the review and pics!

 

 

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[Laney219]

Another cabana HMC quesiton.

 

If you are lucky enough to book a cabana, will you be on the first tender, regardless if you buy the FTTF pass?

[jimbo5544]

Another cabana HMC quesiton.

 

If you are lucky enough to book a cabana, will you be on the first tender, regardless if you buy the FTTF pass?

 

Booking a cabana has nothing to do with which tender you could/would be on. Another words, your on your own. The cabanas are very nice, we always get one (or the two floor).

Edited January 7, 2017 by jimbo5544

[DCCruiser1013]

Booking a cabana has nothing to do with which tender you could/would be on. Another words, your on your own. The cabanas are very nice, we always get one (or the two floor).

 

Actually, having a cabana did get us to the island first. Folks with shore excursion tickets (including cabanas) were instructed to meet in the Taj Mahal to be among the first to get off.

[Laney219]

Actually, having a cabana did get us to the island first. Folks with shore excursion tickets (including cabanas) were instructed to meet in the Taj Mahal to be among the first to get off.

 

That's what I thought from your review, but wasn't 100% sure if read it correctly.

THANKS :)

[DCCruiser1013]

Matthew,

 

 

Thanks so much for this review. I will be back on the Pride in spring for the third time, first since the upgrade. Seeing your photos brought back some good memories of locations on the ship that I would frequent. I like your style of writing and your descriptions make me more anxious to sail her again. Thanks to Ashley as well, and I hope to read more from you in the future.

 

Happy Sailing!

 

Ashley and I thank you for your kind words and for reading!

 

New Years sailing looks like a lot of fun, thanks for the review and pics!

 

 

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It was a great time indeed, thanks for reading!

[Daniel8576]

Thanks so much for this amazing review. A great read on this snowy Saturday morning. Sailing the Pride on April 2nd - can't wait!

 

Love the pictures of the balloon drop!

[crusinpsychRN]

great review!! We are on the Pride out of Tampa on 01/15 and Love seeing the pictures.

 

Did you join the roll call?