To Sail the Pride or Not?

[suziehmkr]

Hello Cruisers!

Not new to CC, but new to the Carnival boards. Love all of the information that I get everywhere on this site.

 

Just finished a 15-Day Hawaii trip with Princess and have sailed RCCL also. DH was not overly impressed with Princess and gives RCCL the edge. We are in our 30's & 40's and like to be active and have fun. We preferred the more active nature of RCCL over Princess as well as the average age on RCCL. Also the RCCL staff seemed to interact more with their guests than Princess does.

 

Here is the decision.... DH wants to sail the Mexican Riviera again. During the summer we have only the Pride to choose from and can try another new line.... or we can sail on New Year's Eve on RCCL's Vision knowing what to expect as far as ship, service & ammenities.

 

Can those of you that have sailed both lines give me a bit of a comparison so I can share with DH when presenting this to him. From what I gather, Carnival is trying to do away with their party ship reputation. And I have read good things about the Pride. Should we give them a try in the summer?

[Cuizer2]

Mexican Riviera in summer is going to be hot! Also, that is the rainy season.

 

I was on the Pride in May 2004 and the Navigator of the Seas in August 2004. The ships are different, but the atmosphere is basically the same. There are somethings that RCI does better than Carnival and some things Carnival does better than RCI.

[suziehmkr]

Thanks.... I am also planning on pointing out the heat to DH. We have sailed in June down there so know what to expect and we did enjoy it. What activities does Carnival have that are their "trademarks"? Like RCCL's rock wall? Did I read something about water slides? Anything else?

[RYPERO]

I have not cruised on RCCL but I have been on the Pride three times. It is a great ship with a very open and fun lay out which is very enjoyable. There are always tons of actvities (often more then you can attend) and plenty of places to relax in the sun or shade. The Pride would be a great ship for you to try out Carnival as I am sure she would not dissapoint. As for your questions about trademarks, yes Carnival has water slides but the one on the Pride has been out of order off and on for the last year so I wouldn't consider it a high light. The Pride does have some very entertaining shows and a great supper club. Good luck as I am sure that you will have a great time on any cruise you choose.

[The Staff Captain]

Hey Suzie...I'd definitely give the Pride a try. If you're young and active like you say you are, you'll definitely find Carnival to be a blast...especially in the summer (I find a somewhat quieter crowd during non-peak times). I think you'll be pretty amazed at how many more people are up late having a great time on Carnival as opposed to RCL and Princess (though I've never been on Princess). When I was on RCL back in 1995, I was amazed at how the ship felt like a library after about 10pm most nites...how depressing. I'm sure that's changed on the newer ships that have more activities, but still...lots of activity even into the wee hours everynite is a sheer guarantee on Carnival. Good luck deciding and happy cruising!

[Cuizer2]

Thanks.... I am also planning on pointing out the heat to DH. We have sailed in June down there so know what to expect and we did enjoy it. What activities does Carnival have that are their "trademarks"? Like RCCL's rock wall? Did I read something about water slides? Anything else?

 

Here is a photo of the water slide on the Pride (in May 2004) ...

 

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[vaitape]

Pride's water slide has been closed since ???? Not offered anytime soon. Not sure what the problem is.

[smkerry]

We've sailed on the Carnival Pride numerous times. It is one of Carnival's "Spirit" class vessels and, IMO, they are the best vessels in the Carnival Fleet. It's nice that they position a ship like the Pride full time on the West Coast. Vision of the Seas is a nice ship, but wouldn't it be nice if RCI put a Radiance ship on the Mexican Riviera route? I know the Voyager ships are too large to reposition w/o going around Cape Horn, but it would be cool to have one of them doing Mexico and Alaska.

The Pride is larger than the older "Fantasy" ships with more amenities such as balconies (a huge % of cabins have them), more entertainment options, azipod propulsion for higher speed (Pride spends more time in Cabo than other ships) and more. Overall, it's a very nice ship with lots to see and do. It's not as big as the "Destiny" or "Conquest" vessels and has everything they offer in a tidier package.

 

We have also sailed Princess extensively and think that overall, Carnival is becoming a better product. The Pride has pretty good food in full service restaurants and Mermaids. The pizza is especially good. Also, Carnival has pretty good hot chocolate that is always available as well as n/c soft serve ice cream 24/7. The deli is actually quite good too. The only downside is that they seem to run out of rye bread by the end of the cruise and the sandwiches get pretty small.

 

Also, the other posters are right about the water slide. It's been closed the past two times we were on the Pride. Don't count on it being open.

 

Another thing they're doing on the Pride is Texax Hold 'em tournaments. You may not be into it, but it is something new.

 

David's Supper Club is one of the nicest alternative restaurants I've seen. It's under the red glass forward of the funnel atop the 10 deck high atrium. You can enter via a clear Lexan/plexiglass spiral staircase that extends over the atrium. It causes a little vertigo the first time you set foot on it, but is really a neat thing to experience.

 

Also, since Carnival sails year-round to Puerto Vallarta, the Pride always gets to dock at the pier. During the busy season, other ships that visit the same day have to tender, which is a pretty long ride.

[gderenne]

Hi Suzie, My husband and I have been on 11 cruises with our 12th scheduled on the Pride in May. This is our 2nd time on her and looking forward to it. We've had 2 on Celebrity, 1 Norwegian, 1 Princess and 6 RCCL. We were a little anxious about our first trip on Carnival but that all changed when we had a great cruise on the Pride 2 years ago. We were very impressed by the activities and great shows. My husband tells everyone that he likes the choice of food best on the Pride. Their choice of MANY foods in thier buffet can't be beat.....different countries cuisine offered along with American food daily. Their staff was excellent. We were looking for a Mexican Riviera cruise to have a reunion cruise with many friends from California when we are there next spring/summer. We didn't hesitate at all to book this one - (as you said: "It's the only one available." Hope you enjoy yours if you decide to take it - but whatever you decide.......cruising is the only way to go!

[suziehmkr]

Thank you to everyone that has responded. Sounds like the Pride is a ship we would like. Bummer about the slide, but not a deal breaker at all. Now to decide to go sooner and deal with the heat or wait until after Christmas! Thanks again. I do appreciate each and every answer.

 

Tina

[suziehmkr]

I know the Voyager ships are too large to reposition w/o going around Cape Horn, but it would be cool to have one of them doing Mexico and Alaska.

Just a tidbit for you... RCCL is supposed to reposition Navigator in 2007 to the West Coast!! We are so excited about that!

[smkerry]

Just a tidbit for you... RCCL is supposed to reposition Navigator in 2007 to the West Coast!! We are so excited about that!

 

Woo Hoo! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Thanks for the info.

[suziehmkr]

I know what you mean! I mentioned waiting until 2007 to do the Mexican Riviera again because I would love to sail on Navigator. But he wants to go sooner.... but I bet I can get him to do both! ;)

[Cuizer2]

Just a tidbit for you... RCCL is supposed to reposition Navigator in 2007 to the West Coast!! We are so excited about that!

 

RCI is thinking about this. The problem is that the nearest drydock that is big enough to handle the Navigator is in Hawaii. If there was a drydock big enough between San Francisco and Ensenada they would likely do it. So we will have to wait and see.

[NeptunesGoddess]

Hi There,

 

We were also going to do the Pride sometime this coming summer, but then I was told the heat and humidity were pretty bad. The prices are pretty high too. We decided to wait until the NYE cruise...then I saw that one week later, the prices are quite a bit lower. So, we decided on the January 7, 2007 cruise and my hubby had us book a suite and an extra inside for the kids (with the money we saved by not going the other times). We are really looking forward to it.

 

If I were you, I would give Carnival a try. I wanted to give RCCL a try, but my family wouldn't let me...haha...Carnival is all they want because of how much fun they had before. I am hoping I will be able to talk my hubby into trying another line some time in the future (when the kids aren't going and so adamant about Carnival). :)

[TinaLee]

I've sailed both Carnival and Royal Caribbean and the one thing I question is just how active your husband likes to be on sea days? I think the excursions offered for active folk in port are pretty much equivalent on both lines, but Carnival doesn't offer some of the full out activities onboard that RCCL does. There is no full court basketball or rock wall. No large putt-putt course, no in-line skating.

 

If your husband is looking for a lot of activity on the ship, then I'd stay with Royal Caribbean.

 

That said, Pride was my all-time favorite Carnival ship!!! Love the size, love the staff, love the decor. The gym is very good. The food is EXCELLENT.

 

It's a tough call, but if you're anxious to taste a bit of every cruise line, then I'd say give Pride a chance. She's a lovely ship! :)

[glrounds]

Have cruised the PRIDE twice now, but never an RCCL ship, sorry.

I found the PRIDE to be my favorite Carnival ship. The layout, the entertainment, the decor, the food, the overall high-energy good times we So Cal people love. Great port stops and as has been eluded to, fast ship allowing a longer stay in Los Cabos. Many times on the Mexican Riviera (see my cruise history) and always found the weather to my liking. Love Puerta Vallarta (if you get a chance stop in and see Greg Kneale, a former Carnival CD, in his restaurant). :)

Living less than a mile from Magic Mountain and their accompanying water park, Hurricane Harbor, I am, at least, amused when I see the water slide. :rolleyes:

[shawilson]

We took our first ever cruise on the Pride in November. We now have a new addiction, cruising. I orginally wanted to go on Princess, but their age requirements for the casino was 21 and we were bringing our 18 y/o. We had such a fantastic time. We didn't even bother to go to the shows or all that other who-ha because we were doing whatever we felt like doing at the moment.

 

Ports were great, we didn't plan anything, just did what we were in the mood for that day. We go 90 miles an hour during our regular life, we wanted to relax with no pressure. We accomplished that and then some.

 

Our favorite place on the ship was the adults only aft pool. Pool, hot tub, bar, view of the wake, ice cream station and bathroom. This is right outside the Mermaids Grill. Seriously, what more do you need?

 

Mermaids Grill is so much more that a buffet. Yes, you can get excellent burgers, fries, hot dogs and deli sandwiches. For breakfast you can get your basic fare, but they also offer caviar and smoked salmon for your bagel. For lunch, my husband had some lamb that he still raves about. Just check out all the "stations" before you decide what you want, you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

Enjoy the Pride, it is wonderful, you can make it into the vacation of a lifetime.

[suziehmkr]

We were also going to do the Pride sometime this coming summer, but then I was told the heat and humidity were pretty bad. The prices are pretty high too. We decided to wait until the NYE cruise...then I saw that one week later, the prices are quite a bit lower. So, we decided on the January 7, 2007

Well, I did a bit more research and need to present the numbers to DH (still waiting for a couple of numbers from my awesome TA) - but it looks like we will be on the Pride either in the summer or NYE. Carnival's price for NYE is less than RCCL and we wouldn't mind trying a new line again. Especially with all of the great things said here. Now to present it to DH and see how anxious he is to go (summer or winter.) THANKS!!

[suziehmkr]

I've sailed both Carnival and Royal Caribbean and the one thing I question is just how active your husband likes to be on sea days?

From what I read, I think we will be happy with Carnival and will look forward to booking once we get our dates set. Thanks for everything!

[suziehmkr]

DH has ok'd the New Year's Eve date on the Pride! Thanks again!!! I will be hanging around here for the next year or so! hee hee Maybe even more if the Pride is good to us! I hope everyone is as nice as you have all been.

[Wennfred]

The Pride is an Awesome beautiful ship, inside and out, Great crew, Great Food and Service. The way to do it, fly in the day before or drive down, and stay at The Coast Hotel with a view of the Queen Mary. That night have a nice dinner at The Reef Restaurant next to the hotel, make sure you try the Calamari, its the best Ive ever tasted. That night enjoy the fireworks over the Queen Mary, sleep and get up around 5:30am to see the Pride pull in. Its a great view. The Coast Hotel will shuttle you down to the ship.

 

We sailed the Pride this past Oct, to me these ports were way better then the other 3 ports we took on the Spirit. In P.V. we swam with the Dolphins, this by far was the highlight of the Cruise and highly recommend it. At night in P.V. we went to the Night Rhythm show at Las Caletas, beautiful night show not to be missed.

 

In Cabo we just took a water taxi right from the Cruise Dock and it dropped us off at the Mango Deck Beach Bar and Grill which we had a great time eating and drinking and relaxing under an umbrella and enjoying the view. then we took a short walk on the beach to the Melia Hotel and Resort and used their beautiful Pool.

 

In Mazatlan we went riding with Randi's Happy Horses, had a great time riding horses on the beach.

[NeptunesGoddess]

DH has ok'd the New Year's Eve date on the Pride! Thanks again!!! I will be hanging around here for the next year or so! hee hee Maybe even more if the Pride is good to us! I hope everyone is as nice as you have all been.

 

Congrats, Suzie! I guess you will be getting off the ship as we are getting ready to embark. I will have to wait until we get back to find out how you liked it. :)

[suziehmkr]

Wennfred - thanks so much for the tips! We sailed the Mexican Riviera in June 2004 and we both loved it so much. We sailed in June though, so going in January will be great! TA is booking it right as we speak.

 

I wonder if anyone else has had a problem at the Coast Hotel. A friend of ours that sailed with us last month used that hotel to park his suburban... we were gone for 2 weeks. When he got back, his window had been broken out. I almost expected that in San Pedro where we stayed, but it happened to him instead. Are there any other hotels in Long Beach that offer parking with the a pre-cruise stay? Just off a cruise and now I get to plan another. I could get used to this!! hee hee

 

Definitely doing Las Caletas this year. We did the ziplines last time and loved it. Not sure yet about Cabo and pretty sure we will do Randi's again in Mazatlan. That was the highlight of our trip last year and I would love to spend some more time on Stone Island with Randi.

 

Thanks again!!

Tina

[suziehmkr]

I will have to wait until we get back to find out how you liked it. :)

We will definitely let you know!