Just Back from the Pride

[jjeessmm]

My daughter and I just got back from the NYE cruise on the Pride. We took the exact same cruise as last year but things were a bit different this time so I thought I'd write a review. First here was last year's review incase you are interested:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2295610

 

About Us: Traveling just Me and my daughter ( 14 year old). Our 17th Cruise together ( 5th on Carnival, have been on NCL, Princess, Disney, Royal Caribbean ).

 

 

Embarkation: We arrived at the port at around 11:00 ( flew in the night before and stayed at the Westin) - went through security quickly ( with a box of ginger ale) and were on the ship by 12:00. Rooms were ready by 12:30. Easy getting on. we entered on the 1st floor since the Gangway not fixed yet and it was no big deal. We took an Uber from the Westin and stopped at a CVS on the way to get suncreen and ginger ale. Uber driver got pulled over in a sketchy neighborhood. Whole thing made us nervous and all set with Uber now.

 

 

Room: 5th Floor Balcony 5154. Obstructed view. Room was fine. Balcony was mediocre with lifeboat blocking view and definitely not worth the $. When I booked it that is all that was left so that's what we got but definitely not worth $4K and prob wouldn't do it again. The TV was lousy- consistently had network issues so couldn't rent movies. took them over 24 hrs to fix each time. Wasn't pleased.

 

 

Food: MDR- Had anytime dining. Sat at Milos table all week and he and his team were excellent. Food was great every night. Seaday brunch was a huge disappointment though. usually this is my favorite throughout the week but the food was different this time. Same menu but different mac and cheese, overcooked salmon, etc... such a disappointment. If you go after 11 ask for popovers- they are amazing and thankfully those stayed the same. I wish this ship had lunch in the dining rooms on port days like NCL does.

 

 

Buffet: Didn't really eat here but it looked good. I like the lemonade

 

 

Guys Burgers: Good. Had one. Got tired of smelling it all week though

 

 

Deli- Great Sandwiches and ate there alot. really nothing bad to say about deli other than please add chips. ( we actually brought some on the ship with us since we like with our lunch) not sure why they don't have them

 

 

Pizza Pirate: Was much better than last time if that is even possible. Different sauce and it was fantastic. Fabulous. Delicious fresh pizza. Thin crust. Really loved it. Sometimes the wait was long but it was worth it.

 

Room Service: Used it for sandwiches, salad etc. Everything was great and arrived quickly

 

Internet...Ugh.we bought the $16/day package and it didn't work well. They have a load issue and need to increase their capacity. Worked great at 5am but midday when everyone was on- barely worked.

 

Dive in Movies- This was the saddest thing to me about this trip. there is nothing I love more on the Pride than Dive in Movies- with a warm blanket ( or 5), popcorn and a beer ( or 2). Well, You couldn't hear the movies this time!!! It was loud enough but was so muffled you couldn't hear what they were saying. So many people complained and it never got fixed. So disappointing as the movies were unwatchable so we stopped going. then of course the movies didn't work in our room! Not happy since we love movies on our vacation since we don't get to watch them at home

 

Red Frog Pub-Great. nice live music

 

Shows: didn't go to any

 

We only got off on the private island and it was amazing as usual. Then it rained. but I still loved it.

 

General thoughts: I really love this ship ( especially the size) but was a bit disappointed this time with the movie situation, the seaday brunch decline, and honestly there is a water problem on this ship. The water is disgusting. you could smell sewer on and off throughtout the ship the entire week. I hope they fix these things as well as the internet situation.

 

As always, no cruise is a bad cruise.... I will take it any day over work and feel blessed to be able to go on them

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[oxymoron11]

Thanks for the review. Sailing on the Pride at the end of the month. I will look for the popovers!

[sparks1093]

Thanks for giving us something to look forward to! It sounds like the Pride has changed a bit since we last sailed her.

[easyboy]

Thanks for your feedback.

[ladygal4.4]

Was the balcony view completely obstructed or just top or bottom.

 

Do you remember what time you got back into port? How long did debarkation take

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jjeessmm]

It was only obstructed on the bottom by a lifeboat... wasn't horrible- just wasn't worth what we paid for it.

 

We arrived into port a bit early and were able to disembark by 8:50am . It tooks us literally 10 mins to walk off of the ship through customs etc. We had self assist. We had an early flight and they gave us FTTF for free!! Very nice. If you have a similar issue- talk to guest services, they were very nice and very accommodating.

[StolidCruiser]

It was only obstructed on the bottom by a lifeboat... wasn't horrible- just wasn't worth what we paid for it.

 

We arrived into port a bit early and were able to disembark by 8:50am . It tooks us literally 10 mins to walk off of the ship through customs etc. We had self assist. We had an early flight and they gave us FTTF for free!! Very nice. If you have a similar issue- talk to guest services, they were very nice and very accommodating.

 

I would agree that if you paid $4K for two in 5154 it wasn't worth it (even though the "obstruction" is your view straight down, not out). I've spent roughly half that for a Junior Suite.

 

However, it would seem you booked last-minute and paid top dollar. Never a good combo.

 

Sorry you had a few disappointments with MUTS sound, the poor cabin TV and internet service. I have to acknowledge those last two are an ongoing problem I've also experienced (but didn't significantly bother me).

 

I'd say try the Pride again on a different sailing during a different part of the season in a much better cabin (stay away from any that show the lifeboats near them and you'll have your view straight down). I'm sure you'll find you'll get a bigger bang for your buck.

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing, Happy New Year!

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Thanks for the review. I love the popovers!!

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[Kel040]

Thanks for your review !

 

We were on the Pride in October and we had the same problem with the Dive-In Movies' sound. We thought it was because the roof was closed (fully across) ?? Was the roof open or closed for you ?

 

We will be back on the Pride in May - can't wait !! :D

[davekathy]

Thanks for sharing your Cruise.

[jjeessmm]

The roof was closed for the first two days and then open. Either way it was an issue with the speakers. Hope they can fix it.

[FloridaMommyof3]

What is a popover?

 

Thanks for the review!

[easyboy]

What is a popover?

 

Thanks for the review!

batter pudding

[tawaik]

Thanks for providing information about the Pride. I live about 45 minutes from the Port and was considering booking since I have the Casino offer. After looking for cabins, the best price seems to be for the obstructed view balcony.

I think I will fork over the extra money to avoid these cabin types.

 

Were kind of tired of flying to Florida and looking for hotels to cruise which bumps the cost up even more.

 

Your review was helpful and straight to the point :)

[rjrice1]

Thank you for the review.

We are going to be on her in two weeks.. from Tampa

[luckyinpa]

 

General thoughts: I really love this ship ( especially the size) but was a bit disappointed this time with the movie situation, the seaday brunch decline, and honestly there is a water problem on this ship. The water is disgusting. you could smell sewer on and off throughtout the ship the entire week. I hope they fix these things as well as the internet situation.

 

As always, no cruise is a bad cruise.... I will take it any day over work and feel blessed to be able to go on them

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

is the water smell still an issue ?

[rjrice1]

We just got off of her yesterday. I am going to try to give some details.

First we arrived Friday from Daytona Bch area; we stayed at the Barrymore Hotel on the riverwalk.

Booked through Parkflyleep. I will have to disagree with some of the reviews.

We payed $89 per night with free shuttle service within 2 miles.

Took advantage of this and got a ride to DD; bought the driver coffee and bagels since he waited for us.

Their restaurant is very expensive and didn't eat there. Had pizza delivered to the lobby.

Transportation to and from the pier. Free parking up to 2 weeks.

During our stay it was Garparilla Event. A huge event in Tampa with tons of people.

 

We choose FTTF and was on the ship and in our cabin 6262 forward ext. balcony.

 

Dropped off our diet pepsi and went to the Lido deck for lunch.

To me it was the same type of food as usual.

We weren't crazy over the selections. So off to Guy's burger.

Thought this was one of the best place to eat.

If you order fries tell them no salt; other wise they will load them and too salty.

 

Weather that weekend was very cold to me.. (a born again Floridian,)

Muster drill for us was outside and went quickly.

Carnival is now going to use a new system scanning your sign/sail card to see who is not attending.

From now on they will also be scanning the cards to get on/off ships and etc.

 

Sunday night we decided to eat in the Lido deck (to me the serve almost the same food as the dining room)

 

Went to the first comedy show which was funny and clean. Any other comedy show if you do no like the cursing and etc. do not go. It can get pretty insulting.

 

Monday was our first sea day. As usually there were the chair hoggers,

We did do formal night and was disappointed that not many dressed up.

They were allowed in the dining room with shorts, t shirts and etc.

We were told that it has got out of control and now they just over look it.

 

During this there all lots of photography's. Can't asking you to come, come let me do your photos. Felt like I was in the flea market. lol

 

This happened a lot in the shops too. Got annoying after a while.

[luckyinpa]

Carnival is now going to use a new system scanning your sign/sail card to see who is not attending.

From now on they will also be scanning the cards to get on/off ships and etc.

 

.

 

ive only ever been on NCL and they do this already.

 

what system did they do on carnival before to ensure muster and to take on/off ship roster? (has to be a way to keep track of pier runners )

[rjrice1]

so true. RCCL does this too as well a Princess. lol

 

 

 

 

ive only ever been on NCL and they do this already.

 

what system did they do on carnival before to ensure muster and to take on/off ship roster? (has to be a way to keep track of pier runners )