Another Pride Review - Recommendations and Regrets

[Windy56]

Great review so far. I would advise you not to have any regrets. If you did not get to do/see something, maybe there is always another time you can. As long as you had a wonderful time, that is the most important. Glad you had a good time, looking forward to the rest of your review.

 

I am going to try and enjoy my cruise next month. I am still not sold on Alaska, but I also have never heard anyone saying they did not like it.

 

From what I have heard, I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by your Alaskan cruise. The clothes packing would have me in a tizzy, though!

[Windy56]

Windy.........nice review so far...glad i am not the only one who thought the water was gross.

 

Interesting about muster....one thing i mentioned to the hotel director in my meeting with him was that is was NOT taken seriously and was rather disorganized....so i am glad that they have seemingly corrected this issue....we weren't even sure when it was supposed to start...everything in print, and the crew said 5 Pm when in actuality it was about 5:20.....and i never heard announcements about it.:confused:

 

sounds like you had fun..........can't wait for more!

 

Sheesh...11 hours all in one day??? Even I would be tired and I love to drive!

 

Well, thank you for taking the time to address your concerns about muster drill with management. I think it's important to do so in areas of security and safety. Looks like they took it seriously, because things were very good at my station.

 

I was not looking forward to the drive, but we got a really early start, saw the sun rise and this amazing scene in a farmer's field with this herd of cows walking in single file across the horizon. Made frequent stops at neat little diners where everyone knew each other and we were the stangers in town...queue ominous Western music...heh heh heh...it was nice.

[Windy56]

Thank you for posting your review

Sounds like you had a great time. We can not wait to sail on the pride in a couple of weeks!!!

 

Have fun! Nothing is ever perfect. This cruise was pretty darn good!

[Pegs222]

From what I have heard, I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by your Alaskan cruise. The clothes packing would have me in a tizzy, though!

 

LOL, well I am pretty hot blooded so I am going to do the "layer thing". I just got back from the East Coast and I found a great hoodie that is not only big enough but has some warmth to it. I can wear a jacket under the hoodie and as soon as it starts to warm up, I can take it off. The problem is will I have enough room in my suit case for the warmer clothes I need to bring "just in case". I also got some inexpensive rain gear and a back pack to put all my clothes in once I start taking them off. I heard it has warmed up in Alaska so maybe I won't need to wear all those layers.

 

I am going to go with a good attitude but I have to admit this is just not something I am very excited about. This is my DH cruise, so I do hope he enjoys everything Alaska has to offer. I do look forward to seeing the wild life, that should be good.

[Pegs222]

Alaska is gorgeous! Just pack layerable stuff....seems they have been having decent weather, and warm too. We went in what was the rainiest season ever a few years ago....but we still had fun-in our parkas!;) Enjoy!

 

I will have fun on the ship and as you and everyone has said, Alaska is gorgeous.

 

Sounds like even though you had rain you man gaged to have a wonderful time. I have to have your good attitude when I go, that will help.

[Windy56]

We've got quite a while to wait until our cruise on the Pride, but we're still excited to be sailing on this ship. Appreciate your great review!

 

Wow I was on the Navigator a few years back. I also did the Grandeur about 6 years ago. I loved that ship. Beautifully appointed and a great layout. I remember all the glass in the dining room. One thing I miss on ships lately is a nice promenade...one that wraps around the entire ship on one level and one that has nice deck chairs to sit and read or snooze. If memory serves me correctly, the Grandeur had a great Promenade deck.

 

Every ship is different and the Pride has its own charm. I hope you enjoy your upcoming cruises!

[megr1125]

Well, thank you for taking the time to address your concerns about muster drill with management. I think it's important to do so in areas of security and safety. Looks like they took it seriously, because things were very good at my station.

 

I was not looking forward to the drive, but we got a really early start, saw the sun rise and this amazing scene in a farmer's field with this herd of cows walking in single file across the horizon. Made frequent stops at neat little diners where everyone knew each other and we were the stangers in town...queue ominous Western music...heh heh heh...it was nice.

 

i love to get off the beaten path......we've done that in Quebec (kind of by accident..long story, i was looking for a grocery store to buy maple wheaties! and we were hungry!)...of course we stopped for breakfast, speak a miniscule amount of French and the server spoke minimal english....still managed to order bacon, scrambled eggs, dry toast and coffee!;)

 

actually a few years ago we drove to Ottawa...had every intention of stopping in upstate NY....so as we were driving i see a sign that says something like Customs/boarder 30 miles! So....our long drive FLEW by!:p mom and i can get to talkin!

[Windy56]

Pools

This is where I was a bit disappointed. The ship had three pools and one was an adult pool but, sheeesh, were they ever small. They had this wide, shallow ledge around the outside of each pool and it really reduced the swimming area. I ventured in on the first sea day but the pool was like "people soup". You couldn't really move.

On the plus side, due to Carnival's policy on pool towels, there is much less chair hogging. We had no problems getting chairs, which was nice. There isn't an "up for grabs' stock of towels to use as chair markers. You have to return your own to your room and/or sign out towels from a staff person on the deck. If you don't return them you are billed for them. I like this. It works.

I missed a covered adult pool, like the thallasotherapy pools, on some of the other lines. I like chlorinated pools but I have to hand it to Carnival. After eating for days on end, you feel a lot lighter in those bouyant salt water pools they have!

Recommendations: If you really want a nice dip, get to the pool early. The sun is merciless in the afernoon and it will be cooler.

Regrets: The hot tub was great, one night after dinner. It wasn't busy, at all. I wish we had kept our bathing suits out on the last night and had one last dip under the stars. It would have been the best night to do it. Everyone was packing and/or disputing bills!

[bme]

Great review! Looking forward to reading more!

 

Do you recall the approximate location of the laundry room? I'm not sure where I read it but I thought there was none on the Pride...and I don't see it labeled on the cabin layout.

 

What was the announcement/alarm like for the muster drill? Was it a loud, repeating alarm sound that might make young kids nervous (how I would expect a real fire alarm to sound)?

[Windy56]

Entertainment

This is a biggie on a line that bills its vessels as the "fun ships". I really enjoyed the theater entertainers who were brought on board, including the ventriloquist and the comedian. The comedian was very funny and mixed in this juggling schtick with his act. I normally place ventriloquists in the same category as mimes, but this guy was terrific. He has some great little twists in his act. Listen carefully, because I know I missed a lot of the jokes. Very well written material.

As for the production shows...maybe I have gotten jaded. They always seem to run about twenty minutes too long. They are woven loosely around a theme and I spend much of my time trying to figure out the inclusion of a particular song or its strange sequencing in the act. By the third show, there are usually three, I want to jump up on the stage and attach the dancers to ventilators. They seem to be dancing for their lives! I notice by that point, their kicks aren't nearly as high and the smiles on their faces look a bit strained. I want to say, "Come on down...have a mojito."

The lounge acts were different on Carnival. They had four pianos and one pianist. Cranky Doug was in the Piano Bar and when I asked for a Billy Joel number his reply was, "Ahhh...geeee...I'm sort of all Billy Joeled out." Now correct me if I am wrong, but when a piano bar guy asks for requests, shouldn't he do them. He was on his last legs, I mean tour and was leaving the ship at the end of the week. It's gotta be a tough gig, though.

Then there was the Carnival penchant for suspending their solo guitarists on a platform above the bar or in the casino. Are they afraid they are going to get mobbed? They are way up high and you sort of look up at them, in an encouraging kinda way. It's strange.

They had a great deck party midway through the cruise. It started out with The Breeze, the house band, playing a lot of 60's stuff and they a huge crowd up dancing. It was a competition between the red and blue teams. The cruise director and his staff are really high energy people on this ship and you can see it reflected in the level of participation they get, as a result.

Recommendations: Get to the deck party early for a table and chair. It runs long and if you are dancing, your dogs will start barking!

Regrets: I am sorry we didn't get to the Butterflies lounge to take in Breeze. They were a good group of musicians and I would have liked to have danced to their music, but we were in the second seating and seemed to miss them when they were performing.

[Windy56]

Great review! Looking forward to reading more!

 

Do you recall the approximate location of the laundry room? I'm not sure where I read it but I thought there was none on the Pride...and I don't see it labeled on the cabin layout.

 

What was the announcement/alarm like for the muster drill? Was it a loud, repeating alarm sound that might make young kids nervous (how I would expect a real fire alarm to sound)?

 

Thanks. I have one final installment left. This is starting to feel like homework!

 

One of the laundry rooms was just down the hall from our aft cabin, 5297. I think there are a few more on the ship, but iIdon't know where.

 

It was a repeating ringing noise, if I remember correctly. It did not seem to upset the kids. I would have a talk with them about it beforehand, which I am sure you intend to do, and they will be fine with it. It will be an adventure!

[OV8]

hi OP - would a family feel comfortable on this cruise or is it geared towards adults more?

[Windy56]

Ports

We skipped one port - Nassau. We had been there before and it was a short stopover. Spent a pleasant afternon on our balcony instead watching the scenery.

Grand Turk was great. We got off the ship and walked directly to Marguaritaville where we found some lounges under an umbrella and spent several hours in their fantastic pool. It is huge and meandering with little bridges. Perfect depth for kids and my non-swimmer husband! Had I known how perfect this spot would have been, I would have roused my lazy self outta bed a lot earlier so that my stay there would have been longer. They had some great little shops, too. We bought lunch and the mandatory frozen giant marguarita ...a bit on the pricey side for lunch, but enjoyable.

Half Moon Cay is every bit as beautiful as people on these boards say it is. It's enough to make you gasp...so is the heat. Bring sunscreen and apply it liberally. The sun is so bright, you will need sunglasses, even if you are like me and don't usually wear them. Wear a hat, in the water because the sun will burn your part in your hair. Yeah, it's that hot. We saw a lot of really red looking people in a lot of pain, the next day. It's not worth it! There is a gorgeous beach with corn starch sand and if you are lucky there will be a sun shower to cool things off in the afternoon. If not, take advantage of the cool mist stations they have set up around the site. Carnival provides a nice lunch and you can order drinks from staff on the beach. It really is a great day. The line up looks really long when you gather your things to go back on the tenders, but it moves very, very quickly.

Recommendation: I can't describe how hot it is and if you can, rent a cabana. It will be money well spent. The advantages are numerous. You get to go on the first tender. You get some really refreshing snacks and lots of beverages are included and believe me, you will be thirsty. The cabin comes equipped with the most comfortable loungers I have ever experienced, as well as an air conditioning unit and a cool water mister. They also include floating mats and snorkelling equipment. It's a good deal and you will be out of the sun. If not, go for a clam shell. I couldn't believe how hot is was!

Regrets: I am sorry that I didn't wander down the beach at Grand Turk, in order to find one of their beautiful conch shells. We just ran out of time.:(

Debarkation

It is a long one compared to other cruises. You wait until you are called but after that you are in your car very quickly. It took two hours from the time we were supposed to vacate our cabins.

Recommendations: You can wait in certain spots on the ship. I would suggest the theater because it isn't crowded and it is very cool. It's also close to the gangway.

Regret: I should have stayed in my cabin as long as I could possibly do it. I felt uncomfortable staying because I knew how much work, Juan, the cabin steward and his crew had ahead of them, in terms of getting their cabins cleaned for the next group of passengers waiting to board.

Closing Remarks

No cruise is ever perfect. Hmmm, sounds like life. I think in most circumstances, barring safety and security issues, you really have to roll with the punches. I have learned that your attitude goes a long way in ensuring you have a good vacation. My perspective is that I feel that I am very lucky to have the opportunity to take this kind of vacation and so while I am on it I am going to have myself a goooood time!

This was a great cruise and the Pride is a lovely ship, in many ways, and her crew is excellent in terms of the service offered. For those of you who may be contemplating a holiday on this ship, I would not hesitate to recommend it.

[Windy56]

hi OP - would a family feel comfortable on this cruise or is it geared towards adults more?

 

We saw lots of families and there were hundreds of kids on board, all of whom looked like they were having a fine time. It is definitiely a ship geared towards families.

[cleopup]

Great review! Looking forward to reading more!

 

Do you recall the approximate location of the laundry room? I'm not sure where I read it but I thought there was none on the Pride...and I don't see it labeled on the cabin layout.

 

What was the announcement/alarm like for the muster drill? Was it a loud, repeating alarm sound that might make young kids nervous (how I would expect a real fire alarm to sound)?

 

This shows laundry on each floor.

 

 

https://www.bookccl.com/irman/bookccl/the_fleet/pride/pride.htm

[Astromaid]

Thank you for the excellent review! This will be my first Carnival cruise and I had a few qualms about booking. But I got a terrific price and most of the reviews I had read sounded good. You gave a lot of great suggestions and I can hardly wait for January!

Julie

[Windy56]

Thank you for the excellent review! This will be my first Carnival cruise and I had a few qualms about booking. But I got a terrific price and most of the reviews I had read sounded good. You gave a lot of great suggestions and I can hardly wait for January!

Julie

 

Great ship and great crew, Julie! Just think...you'll have something to look forward to after Christmas!

[cathyoo]

Windy, thanks for your review. I'm sailing on the Pride in 101 days and again in March 10 when my daughter gets married on the ship. I'm sure I'm going to have a wonderful time I do on every cruise. However, I worry about the first time cruisers and the first time Carnival cruisers that will traveling with me. Your review gives me hope that everyone will find something they like.

 

I appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences. I do read the reviews on the official review board but like the interactive reviews best.

[Sheilateak]

Loved, loved, loved your review. It was informative and entertaining. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.:o

[kates024]

Great review, thanks! We will be on her in September and can't wait!!

[Windy56]

Windy, thanks for your review. I'm sailing on the Pride in 101 days and again in March 10 when my daughter gets married on the ship. I'm sure I'm going to have a wonderful time I do on every cruise. However, I worry about the first time cruisers and the first time Carnival cruisers that will traveling with me. Your review gives me hope that everyone will find something they like.

 

I appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences. I do read the reviews on the official review board but like the interactive reviews best.

 

Oh, Cathyoo, I can't imagine a first time cruiser attending a wedding on the ship, not having the time of their lives! I forgot to mention the water slide which I went down two times and meant to get back to but never did. Kids and adults, alike, will have a blast on it. They also have a nifty nine hole mini putt that my husband and I played and we really got a kick out of it. It will be an added bonus that you will get to "case' the ship beofre your daughter's wedding!

[Windy56]

Great review, thanks! We will be on her in September and can't wait!!

 

You're welcome. Have a great time and don't forget to go down the water slide...makes for great video footage!

[Windy56]

Loved, loved, loved your review. It was informative and entertaining. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.:o

 

Thanks Sheilateak! You always feel a little cruise letdown when it's all over. We have done three cruises in the last 18 months and now have to focus mentally and financially on a kitchen reno...or maybe I'll find us another cruise...yeah, that's the ticket!

[Megnolia]

hi Windy, Great review!

 

We'll be driving from Toronto, too. It's so great to not have to book a flight!

 

If you don't mind my asking, what would a ballpark rate for the hotel be? their website is gorgeous, but they don't give rates online.

 

I agree with you that the pools are much smaller than I had expected.

 

I loved reading all of your thoughts. It makes the wait for our trip that much more exciting!

[dolphinwyo]

Great review! Looking forward to reading more!

 

Do you recall the approximate location of the laundry room? I'm not sure where I read it but I thought there was none on the Pride...and I don't see it labeled on the cabin layout.

 

What was the announcement/alarm like for the muster drill? Was it a loud, repeating alarm sound that might make young kids nervous (how I would expect a real fire alarm to sound)?

 

 

My kids weren't scared (DS - 4, DD - 7) of the muster drill noise, but then we had prepared them for the drill, explained what it was and why, and they just followed along with the crowd. They were able to handle the whole thing just fine.

Also - I agree with OP about eating the buffet lunch when you first arrive. We had a hard time finding a table, then figuring out the layout of the food, it would have been calmer to eat lunch before getting on board and getting on an hour later (we were on by noon). Then ordering room service snacks - I totally agree. Give you time to get familar with the layout before trying to eat (especially if you have kids with you).