A sad month indeed...

[lives to cruise]

OP, I am sorry you will miss the Pride so much but I promise we will take good care of her for you. :)

 

The past posters are correct. The Spirit Class ships can make it down the Chesapeake and into the Port of Baltimore where the larger ships could not.

 

As you have read, there are many people on this coast that are very excited about the Pride coming here myself included and if you find yourself really missing her you can always come and visit Baltimore. :)

[bcs819]

I loved the Pride when we sailed her during her Inaugural year, and we're on her 5/23 out of Baltimore! Can't wait!

[LisaDee]

We loved sailing the Spirit in 2005 and we'll take good care of the Pride here in the East.

[Sherman Oaks]

Anyway, does anyone know about the history of which Carnival ships were used on the Mexican Riviera cruises? I have a friend at college who said that she sailed the Mexican Riviera on the Holiday when it was brand new.

Yes I took the Holiday once to the Mexican Riviera in the 80's. Back then 18yrs and older could drink. They used to have a beer drinking contest on the Lido deck and you could bring your own booze on board. Sticking with the thread's topic, I'll be on the Pride in just a few days taking her through the canal. We were also on her one year ago.

[MrPete]

Imagine how us right coasters felt the first time we lost the Pride. :(

 

I had thought I found my annual ship to an annual place. :mad:

[Handsome58]

someone's loss is someone's gain...........and I am glad to be getting the Pride in Baltimore.......sailing on her May 30th.............Thanks!!!!!! ;)

[kelz66]

The Panama Canal is not as much of a concern as several bridges in places such as Tampa, Jacksonville and Baltimore.

 

With the aging of the Fantasy class ships and only four Spirit class ships to eventually take their place, what will Carnival do for these more specialized-use itineraries?

 

HUH? All of the Fantasy class ships have just been overhauled and upgraded.

 

They are even experimenting with adding balconies to one of them.

 

They are not going away. :cool:

[Kurbanfan]

Anyway, does anyone know about the history of which Carnival ships were used on the Mexican Riviera cruises? I have a friend at college who said that she sailed the Mexican Riviera on the Holiday when it was brand new.

 

We sailed the Mexican Riviera on the Elation in 1999.......

[momofzeke]

The Pride has a special place in my heart, because she was our very first cruise. Loved her! :D

[GaNavy]

Greetings to all -

Count me among those who love the Spirit-class layout AND are happy that Pride is heading to Baltimore. For years I lived in Atlanta, a true no-man's-land when it comes to getting to the port, but now in DC and voila! now a cruise ship nearby and not just any cruise ship, but the Pride. I thought the Legend, another Spirit-class, had great passenger flow, and it gets a big thumbs-up for that wide-open, adults-only aft pool, nothing but sea and sky and buffet and bar........

[bcs819]

someone's loss is someone's gain...........and I am glad to be getting the Pride in Baltimore.......sailing on her May 30th.............Thanks!!!!!! ;)

 

you're getting on when we get off, I'll be sure to leave a light on for you :)

[steveaaaaa]

Well, this is the month where the Carnival Pride leaves Long Beach forever. The Carnival Pride will always hold a special place in my heart. I will certainly miss the Pride.

 

My real question is: why couldn't have Carnival based the Splendor in Baltimore instead? I am not saying the Splendor is a bad ship, I just have a strong preference for the layout and design of the Spirit Class ships. And because the Splendor has a slower maximum speed than the Pride, this will result in shorter visit times for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. The Pride IMO was the ideal ship for that cruise, and it now all comes to an end. I will never forget my first (and probably only) cruise on the Pride. It is like when Richard Karn was fired from Family Feud and replaced by John O'Hurley.

 

Have you sailed on any other carnival class ship?:confused:

Steve

[Wolfie48]

Well, this is the month where the Carnival Pride leaves Long Beach forever. The Carnival Pride will always hold a special place in my heart. I will certainly miss the Pride.

 

My real question is: why couldn't have Carnival based the Splendor in Baltimore instead? I am not saying the Splendor is a bad ship, I just have a strong preference for the layout and design of the Spirit Class ships. And because the Splendor has a slower maximum speed than the Pride, this will result in shorter visit times for Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo. The Pride IMO was the ideal ship for that cruise, and it now all comes to an end. I will never forget my first (and probably only) cruise on the Pride. It is like when Richard Karn was fired from Family Feud and replaced by John O'Hurley.

 

I love the Pride too, and I'm so ready for our 8 day trip on the Spirit. But I am looking forward to learning all about the Splendor as well! I hope the people getting the Pride have as much fun on her as I did! Happy cruising ;)

[wfinley]

As someone said the issue is size. The Spendor is 1/3 larger and will fill up in LA.

 

We went on the Liberty last Sept. and can not wait to do the Spendor in January 2011. We are doing the Paradise just to stay sane this year.

 

I know many like the smaller ships but the Spirit is still based out here on the left coast so have fun.

[crisperjr]

I, too am happy to see a large ship as Pride come to Bal - More. And am looking forward to our sailing this November!

 

Oliver

[DocF]

We were on the TA on the Splendor. This is a really nicely designed ship. Yes, it has the issues of no through access on a couple of decks, but this is not a big deal unless one is totally navigationally challenged.:p I especially like the return to the open after Lido Deck. Having the Magrodome over the main pool area gives it more of a clubby feel and more places to relax, although the sunning opportunities are more dispersed throughout the ship.

 

We are happy to have a Carnival ship in Baltimore as this port is any easy drive for us. We just booked an 8 day to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, Freeport and Nassau. A bad day cruising is better than a good day on land.

 

Doc:D

[mommyloons2009]

Looks like California's loss is Baltimore's gain. I am sailing on the Pride in June and have only heard good things about the ship.

[vakayaker]

Not only the speed to the Carribean, but it also has to be smaller to go under 2 bridges, the Key Bridge and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I'll be on her in July!!!!:D

 

 

Don't forget it's called The Chesapeak Bay Bridge TUNNEL. There are two tunnels on this 17 mile expansive bridge. The north and the south tunnel. The South tunnel is usually used for those going into the Elizabeth River, like the Navy, etc. The North Tunnel is usually used for shipping traffic coming in and out of Baltimore, DC and Philly.

[crisperjr]

Don't forget it's called The Chesapeak Bay Bridge TUNNEL. There are two tunnels on this 17 mile expansive bridge. The north and the south tunnel. The South tunnel is usually used for those going into the Elizabeth River, like the Navy, etc. The North Tunnel is usually used for shipping traffic coming in and out of Baltimore, DC and Philly.

 

I think the poster was commenting on the Chesapeak Bay Bridge that runs from Annapolis MD to Kent Island and the Md Eastern Shore. The Bridge-Tunnel is farther south.

 

Oliver

[jimbo5544]

HUH? All of the Fantasy class ships have just been overhauled and upgraded.

 

They are even experimenting with adding balconies to one of them.

 

They are not going away. :cool:

 

We say the Sensation with the new balconies added in the Bahamas last month in port. Kind of a funky look, but a balcony is a balcony (as long as it does not fall off in to the ocean). They were added to the stern and mid-ship. Did not have my camera with me at the time or I would have snapped some pics. Sre caught my eye!.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I actually preferred the Spirit over the Pride and so did my husband. Both ships are great and of course lay out is the same but decor is a little different. I've only been on Spirit and Pride with Carnival so I have no idea how it is so different from other CCL ships. I do know I love the layout and the ease of finding my way around. I personally love the fact that most of the venues are on deck 2. Deck 2 aft is the dining room, then the dance club, then another piano lounge, then the atrium, then the casino, then the sports bar, then another club, then the Taj Mahal. Up one deck and its the upper dining room, the photo gallery, the atrium, all the shops/clubs/church/internet/library/upper Taj Mahal etc. Lido deck is all pools and food. All those decks allow you to go from bow to stern without deviation. Other ships usually dead end somewhere then you have to go up a deck or so to continue on. You don't get that with this ship. What could be better? I think the ship is awesome.

 

I really don't know the history but I read that the ship was actually designed for another cruiseline that went under and Carnival bought the fleet. That is why they are a little different than the others. Would like the history is anyone knows the facts.

[jimbo5544]

I actually preferred the Spirit over the Pride and so did my husband. Both ships are great and of course lay out is the same but decor is a little different. I've only been on Spirit and Pride with Carnival so I have no idea how it is so different from other CCL ships. I do know I love the layout and the ease of finding my way around. I personally love the fact that most of the venues are on deck 2. Deck 2 aft is the dining room, then the dance club, then another piano lounge, then the atrium, then the casino, then the sports bar, then another club, then the Taj Mahal. Up one deck and its the upper dining room, the photo gallery, the atrium, all the shops/clubs/church/internet/library/upper Taj Mahal etc. Lido deck is all pools and food. All those decks allow you to go from bow to stern without deviation. Other ships usually dead end somewhere then you have to go up a deck or so to continue on. You don't get that with this ship. What could be better? I think the ship is awesome.

 

 

I really don't know the history but I read that the ship was actually designed for another cruiseline that went under and Carnival bought the fleet. That is why they are a little different than the others. Would like the history is anyone knows the facts.

 

 

Been on both of them (the Spirit and the Pride) twice but not the others in the class. Love the panamax size ship, and the ease of getting around. Don't know about whether it (the Spirit) was originally destined for another line, but I do know it was made by a different builder (at least ship yard). Carnival ships now are by Finicarari (sp?) in Italy and the Spirit class was by a Finland shipyard.

[brilliantseas]

HUH? All of the Fantasy class ships have just been overhauled and upgraded.

 

They are even experimenting with adding balconies to one of them.

 

They are not going away. :cool:

 

They've still got a good 7-10 years of Carnival left in them before they get shipped off to a European or Asian subsidiary, but that wasn't the point. The point was that Carnival never puts brand new ships on 3 and 4 day cruises and they still need something to fill the role of what the Fantasy class does in say Jacksonville and Tampa where the bigger 100,000+ ton ships can't fit under the bridges.

 

Is Carnival really going to build a new class of 70,000-85,000 ton ships to take the place of the Fantasy and Spirit class ships to put on short 3, 4 and 5 day itineraries and secondary ports when it comes time to start retiring those classes of ships?

 

Obviously they have never really faced that issue before because replacing the Celebration, Jubilee and Holiday is easily accomplished with a Fantasy class ship that still fits under those bridges and on those starter itineraries, but when it comes time to replace the Fantasy and Spirit class ships that are small enough to fit into these ports, will we see another class of brand new mid-size ships, or will Carnival simply consolidate cruises into the larger ports that can handle the 100,000 ton ships without worrying about things like bridges?

[shawilson]

Pride was our very first cruise, that got us hooked on cruising.

 

We took a farewell cruise on her last year.

 

We will give Splendor a chance in April.

[Lover Of H2O]

OP: DH and I promise to take really good care of her in a few weeks when we board her in Miami.

 

This will be our first cruise on this class, I'm really looking forward to it.:)