Pride 1-16-05 to 1-23-05 Part One

We got home on Monday..me with a bad cold.

So late in posting, not feeling to well..getting better!

Don't think it was the ship, just winter time..but to let you know,

the ship has a really good air conditioning system. Some of the public

rooms are really cold. Bring a sweater or light jacket.

This a reveiw somewhat but it's mainly to try and give you information to

help you with your cruise.

We stay at the West Coast Long Beach the night before, Park and Cruise,

Keep your car there the week your gone, free breakfast. Free shuttle to and from port.

We had 17 in our group..so some did early check-in at the

Queen Mary at 9 am and stayed there in line, started boarding at 12:30. Others did early check-in and then went back to the hotel and went back to the ship at noon. For the first time instead of early check-in I checked in late. We took late check-out at hotel, got to ship at 2pm and was on the ship at 3:20, waited in line some but not as much as the others. Tried it

this time because they had no waiting room. I did miss exploring the ship the first thing thro. But a good point, because our luggage was on last, got ours to the room first. The ones who checked in first got theirs last. (theirs was on bottom of pile ours on top) That's what we think.

For you cruisers sailing in 3 months..when we docked on the 23rd all the crew had to go thru immigration, we didn't start getting off till 10:15 am..

Aft orange (ours) and Forward Brown (riv) called first....

at 12:30 people were still getting off..so people didn't get to board till after 12:30. So the next one would be in 90 days from then. They say do them every 90 days.

Life boat drill was at 4:30 instead of 4 pm. Ship left after 5pm instead of 4 pm.

They were waiting for a fuel delivery. The drill went fast. Everyone has to go.

We all had gty rooms. Eight rooms. Two of us had balconys, six insides.

All upgrades to the Verandah deck..6 rooms aft and 2 forward.

The rooms were great! I think the rooms on the Carnival ships are bigger.

The balcony rooms.

The bed made into king size bed. One sheet. Can seprate beds if you want.

Little bedside nightstand with lamp. A door for a little storage.

Luggage fits under the bed, we had two big suitcases with wheels and two carry ons under it. (the tote kind not the ones with wheels)

A big couch, makes into a king size bed too. Think you could just pull half of

it down for just one bed. Alight there too.

A coffee table that can be adjusted. We also had a chair, the other balcony

room didn't.

A vanity with big mirror and lights. Two medium drawers, one small,

then another small with a bible and attached hair dryer.

Then a long drawer in front. Had a bench to sit on.

Then the Refrig. We never had it opened. Always had ice.

Then two long shelves with doors.

At the vanity top, the counter was wide then narrows.

At the wall on top is the TV with remote and shelf with safe.

You a card with a strip to open and close. Have to use same one all week.

Do not use Sail and Sign card.

The closets..

One has the tall rod for long clothes.

Second one has two rods, for like pants and blouses and shirts.

Third one is shelves..3 shelves and floor space for shoes.

They have hangers where is two stuck together, seems like theres never enough. Always some missing.

I always bring more with me.

The light plastic ones and ones for pants.

The bathroom..First ever on a carnival ship...a wide counter from wall to wall

in the bathroom. They had three shelves on each side. 1 large and two small.

Had the free baskets of free goodies. Soap dispensers in shower.

Had a small mirror on side but at an angle, think you needed to be tall

to use it right. The door was better than other cruises. Had rod at top, held, no swinging.

I Always take to much stuff..why not..your in one spot?

The room and bathroom held everything we had. Nice comfortable room.

Remember a clock and a strip, theres only one plug at the vanity.

A night light if you like. We didn't in this room but inside might.

There is a little red light on the air controls.

Our room the air worked really well, so we had it on heat and still has cool air.

The BALCONY..Wonderful! My First! One chair..and a chair that makes a mini lounge and a small table. Clear glass to see thru. Some people want

the door between the balconys open but they open out, one of you would lose half your view. Be sure you bring your binoculars.

Inside room..same big bed, one chair and table (think smaller, not sure)

Their vanity goes from wall to wall. Wide all the way across. More

drawers than ours. closets the same. Didn't see the bathroom but think

the same.

One thing on this ship..ALL the doors are heavy..to your room, bathroom

public restrooms. Never had them this heavy on a ship before. Think made this way because..they will never swing open and shut. Remember how they use to do that?

You get a workout!

Think this will be a long review..still only on first day! LOL

The most detailed review of a cabin EVER!!!

Thanks though, I will be on this ship in December and am excited to hear about your thoughts.

BJG

I did this because most women like to know about their

rooms and how much storage there is for all the stuff

they bring!

Plus when I start talking..can't stop!

You should have lots to read if I do this day by day..room by room!

LOL

Have been starving for fresh news on the Pride! We don't go until November, so I need as much as possible to "tide" me over! Sorry to hear you're under the weather. When you're up to it, I'll be here waiting.

Thanks again.

Our room was 7333 Aft. 7th floor.

Almost to the end.

Wish was the end, would of been extended Balcony.

We had rooms above and below us and of course at the sides.

NEVER heard noises of other rooms, toilets ect.

Only thing we heard was the guy next door never knew how to

hold is balcony door when he shut it..always slammed it.

No big deal but annoying.

Hardly ever felt any motion, if did was mostly at night, was a small

rocking..put me to sleep. Also the beds were very comfortable.

Slept very well every night. Four pillows on the bed.

Our room stewardess was very nice. Made towel animals 5 nights,

didn't 1st and last night. Most don't. Had mints every night.

Asked for extra wash cloth each day, no problem.

Kept room very clean, would try to help you any time saw you in the hall.

Would talk to you all the time too. During the week gave her candy, she really liked it at the end gave her and extra tip beside the one on the Sail and sign card. Couldn't thank us enough. Name was Balalaka from Thailand.

Her family was safe, they lived up north but she lost a friend.

(In fact when you check in they ask if you want to make a donation to

the people of the disaster. think they do this because so many crew members from the differents areas invovled. They don't push just ask.

Most people just told them they all ready did.)

Good location for eating..up straight 2 floors to the 9th floor lido..elevator

opened into the Mermaid Grille. Which goes thru to lots of food stations and the pools and gym and spa (forward)

Down 4 or 5 floors straight to the front of the

dining room. (2nd and 3rd flloor)

The other parts of the ship wasn't as convenient..we got our exercise.

Most things on the 2nd and 3rd floors midship and the theater was forward..

where all the shows were held and most of the indoor games.

So we walked from Aft to forward many many times a day! We didn't gain much..can you say "walking..exercise"! LOL

Belle - thank you so much for writing such a detailed review! I can't wait for the rest!! I'm on the Pride Feb 6 - 13 (one more week!!), and love to hear as much as possible before I go!

You'll love the ship and the cruise.

I've done a Part Four also did a

Part Five but lost it in SPACE!

Mjmiller will try to write more before you leave..

is there any thing special you would

like to know about?

Shaw and BJG I should finish my review by the time you go! LOL

Sure there will be more reviews by then too.

Bon Voyage!

My sister and I go on the Pride on 4/10/05, we can't wait!!!

Love your review so far, can't wait for the rest, hope your feeling better!

We have an aft cabin M4228

Belle - EXCELLENT reviews. Thanks for taking the time to give information to the ones who will cruise after you. We are going on May 8th.

Some questions if you have time ......

1. I can't decide what to do about early check in. I don't want my 5 year old in line with me for 3 1/2 hours. He's very good, but I'm not even that good. Questions:

a. For the people that left and came back at 12. How much was their wait?

b. Any idea if coming back at 11 would have been better?

c. How is the set up? Could I stand in line while my husband wandered

around with our son?

2. Do you know if the doors are metal? Will they hold magnets?

3. What did you do in the ports? We want to do things on our own - beach, snorkle, sit and have a drink while enjoying a great view.

4. Any good hints about this ship and itinerary? We've cruised a lot but this is our first Mexican Riviera. And there are always things that only past cruisers can tell you about each ship.

THANKS,

Diane

I am enjoying the updates on this thread and look forward to your updates as you post them. I have read about the nightmare at check-in from othere sources as well and I am concerned. When would you say is the best time to get to the pier? I am not concerned about exploring the ship prior to departure, as I think there is two sea days! I do however have the patience of a two year old and I get angry if I have to hurry up and wait.....

Belle, keep it coming and thank you for the review. I am on the PRIDE in six weeks.

What did you hear about Greg Kneale? I have heard his last cruise is coming up and he is retiring. Hear anything about his replacement????

How was the weather on sea days? Could you go to the pool? Was it warm enough for sun bathing?

For the folks that had a forward cabin, did they have a balcony? How far forward were they and if they had a balcony, were they able to enjoy it (I hear the winds up front are unbearable on the balconies). Our cabins are WAY up front by Camp Carnival and we have extended balconies. I'm just hoping we will be able to enjoy them.

Thanks!!!

1. I can't decide what to do about early check in. I don't want my 5 year old in line with me for 3 1/2 hours. He's very good, but I'm not even that good. Questions:

a. For the people that left and came back at 12. How much was their wait?

b. Any idea if coming back at 11 would have been better?

c. How is the set up? Could I stand in line while my husband wandered

around with our son?

 

3. What did you do in the ports? We want to do things on our own - beach, snorkle, sit and have a drink while enjoying a great view.

 

 

THANKS,

 

Diane

You and your husband can take turns staying in line while the other walks around with your son.

Or

You can do early check in and then return to the pier at noon. You will be at the end of the early check in line but you will propably be at a moving pace versus being in the full check in line that could sit for a few.

Have you looked into horse back riding? Your five year old will be fine doing this. We used Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan and they were very good. I read somewhere on the boards that a three year old went on this one. Have a great time you will love the Pride.

Early check-in...

You can do early check-in at Queen Mary, do all your paper work

and then.....

(1) Stand in line, take turns walking around to pass the time.

Once line starts goes pretty fast..still have the pictures to take for S & S and your picture getting on ship. Gives you time for lunch and time to explore

before lifeboat drill. Some of my group did this were on fast..they were

at the beginning of the line.

(2) Go back to hotel and wait (if have hotel) come back and get

in line, will take less time because you have paper work done.

Will still be a wait, more people but you have your paperwork done so faster, still the pictures too. Still have time for lunch and explore a little before Life boat drill. Some of group did this think on in an hour to two hours.

(3) Just go late and stand in line to do the paper work, will take a longer time but with less people. Still have the pictures too. By being late I didn't have lunch, husband got a snack and we didn't really get to explore much before lifeboat drill. But then didn't stand in line for 3to 3 1/2 hrs either

I always check-in early and stand in line just didn't want to do it..

going late wasn't that bad. Only waited 1 1/2 hrs in lines to get on board.

Diane..Know this doesn't answer your question..just have to do what you think is best with kids. Have to decide if want to stay in hotel, or explore Long Beach or if better to get your child lunch and to rest a little before life boat drill.

Next review will be of the shows and the ports..tell you what everyone did.

Don't know about the doors but they have mailboxes next to them that are metal.

BJG..I think best for you is to go late..you don't like to wait long or explore the ship that day.

Kris..Lucky you got an extended balcony. Here there wonderful. Loved my regular one. Also thank you, I'm feeling a little better now.

Ciship..Greg is leaving..don't know his replacment. Think he's leaving the weekend your going but I could be wrong.

The ones in our group that had foward they were inside.

Monday was cool but nice on the balcony, sat out there in the sun.

Have high wall on each side and glass in front.

Tuesday was warmer people by the pool. I sat on balcony in the sun again. Evening really nice, on deck

that night for party didn't need a sweater.

Warm weather in ports. Nice on decks and balconys.

Last day is cool and windy..ship going fast. Don't know if people by the pool..

Windy on balcony. My room was aft.

Since you have extended balconies..Lucky you to..sure you'll find a great spot to sit.

You'll all will have a GREAT TIME!