A few observations from the Pride 5/2 sailing

[ryanpatricksmom]

This was our 4th sailing on the Pride since she came to Baltimore last Spring. These are a few observations of things that have changed since our last sailing in December.....

 

The embarkation process continues to improve. I would say that both the Pride and the Port of Baltimore are a fine-tuned machine. Very minimal waits anywhere, and the Lido buffet wasn't even too crazy at the peak.

 

We purchased our alcohol thru Bon Voyage this time. I don't know how diligent the screening process is in Baltimore for checked baggage, but we elected to play it safe. We also lugged our mixers and bottled water in a carry-on (per Carnival's most recent instructions), which was a true p.i.t.a. Amazingly enough, the screener didn't even open the pilot's case (which only contained beverage containers). We had 12 cans, several 1 liter bottles of tonic and 12 bottles of water....any of which could easily have been alcohol. Go figure.

 

We ate at the Lido buffet each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some items seemed to be lacking from previous cruises, while others improved. All in all, a wash.

 

As mentioned, we purchased booze ahead of time. One would think that a bucket of ice could have been supplied before we chased our room steward down several hours later. This was my 8th cruise with Carnival, and the very first time that my cabin service was poor. In the past, we've had plenty of opportunity to make requests or share information with our cabin steward...not in a high-maintenance way, but more like a "Hey, the remote's not working, could we get it fixed?" without chasing him down in another cabin. We received ice around 2:30 in the afternoon most days, which was melted by the cocktail hour. All in all, not a positive experience. I require very little personal attention on a cruise, but I do like to at least run into my steward once a day. The single time that he sought us out was to ask on the last day if we wanted to purchase bathrobes and towels....which was especially creepy because he sounded exactly like Peter Lorre...not what you're looking for in a salesman. :D I've always tipped over and above the recommended amount...not this time.

 

We experienced minimal door slamming, balcony chair scraping, and line cutting. Aside from the fact that our next door neighbor's balcony light was always on (which kept us from sleeping with our drapes open as we sailed up the Chesapeake) passenger interactions were all positive. I do think that one couple let their child have a temper tantrum out on the balcony while they waited inside. Probably not the most wise decision, but I guess it worked for them. Overall, a nice crowd.

 

I ended up winning a bit in the casino for the week, which was a nice change. A very nice gentleman and his wife sat down next to me and within 10 minutes won a $4,000 jackpot. They had already one twice at Bingo. It was their first Carnival cruise. I bet it won't be their last. ;)

 

Debarkation could have been a disaster. Windy conditions prevented the use of the usual gangway, instead, we left via deck A. I have to give kudos to the entertainment staff for keeping things from getting crowded or disorganized. DH and I were very fortunate to have been parked on deck 3 near the forward staircase, so as soon as self-debarkation was called we waited maybe 5 minutes, and were out of there. Hopefully things continued on in the same organized fashion. The CD, Kirk, never gave the traditional debarkation talk because of Saturday's incident mentioned in another post, so they filmed him giving instruction which was played in the cabin repeatedly. It seemed like most passengers seemed pretty well informed.

 

Lastly, the seas seemed very calm this time. The upper decks often had portions closed off due to high winds, but we never experienced any motion sickness. We were diligent about taking ginger tablets though, so that may have helped alot. I won't ever travel without them again!

 

We don't sail the Pride again until December because we're sneaking in a cruise to Alaska in the fall. Each time we've sailed her, our cruise has been very different from the last. The nice thing about sailing a ship multiple times is that you have the luxury of experiencing what she has to offer at a more leisurely pace. I expect that we will have to have sailed several more times before we've tried everything....and that's if nothing changes! I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.

[littlesnit]

Thanks for taking the time to review. Sounds like you had a pretty nice cruise. Peter Lorre??? Maybe you're better off he wasn't around much? :eek:

 

October will be our first time out of Baltimore, so I'm glad to hear it is a relatively pain free experience. We've mostly sailed out of NYC. Sounds like Baltimore will be a treat.

[CRUZBUDS]

I never understood way the balconies even have lights -- :confused:

 

They can be very annoying

[ryanpatricksmom]

I never understood way the balconies even have lights -- :confused:

 

They can be very annoying

 

 

I think that half of the time people turn the lights on because they don't realize what the switch is for. In the past, we've asked the steward to turn it off when he services our neighbor's cabin. Usually that fixes the problem, because they don't ever try the switch again. :D

[cruiselover**]

I have a question for you - do you know if the Future Cruise Certificate desk was open on the Carnival Pride? I had read that the Pride would beging selling the certificates in early February, but never read anymore on that. If you didn't see the FCC desk personally, maybe you could look in your 'Carnival Fun Times' newspaper for me to see if it is mentioned.

 

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to my cruise on Carnival Pride on May 23rd!!!!

[ryanpatricksmom]

I have a question for you - do you know if the Future Cruise Certificate desk was open on the Carnival Pride? I had read that the Pride would beging selling the certificates in early February, but never read anymore on that. If you didn't see the FCC desk personally, maybe you could look in your 'Carnival Fun Times' newspaper for me to see if it is mentioned.

 

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to my cruise on Carnival Pride on May 23rd!!!!

 

 

I definitely heard that it was open. I want to say it was near the casino entrance, but I'm not sure.

[ava_girl_123]

Thanks for the review Op.. we are going on the Pride in August and we are very excited.. :D May I ask if there is an adults only pool or hot tub on the ship? And did you happen to catch if people were talking about being sent to the "naughty room" for alcohol, or did you see allot of booze that was caught?

[Debbie15552]

Thanks for the review Op.. we are going on the Pride in August and we are very excited.. :D May I ask if there is an adults only pool or hot tub on the ship? And did you happen to catch if people were talking about being sent to the "naughty room" for alcohol, or did you see allot of booze that was caught?

 

I also just got off the Pride.

Adults only pool and hot tub is on Lido Aft Deck. I saw staff asking families with children to visit the other pools.

 

I don't know about anyone else-but my runrunners made it thru just fine.

 

I loved the Pride and can't wait to cruise again.

[KeywestK]

Thank you for posting your review. We are doing our first Carnival cruise in October on the Pride, and it will also be our first cruise out of Baltimore. Our friend volunteered to drive us to the port, so my question is what is the earliest time we can arrive and get right on the ship? I'm one of those people who like to start my vacation as early as I can....;):)

 

Karen

[ava_girl_123]

I also just got off the Pride.

Adults only pool and hot tub is on Lido Aft Deck. I saw staff asking families with children to visit the other pools.

 

I don't know about anyone else-but my runrunners made it thru just fine.

 

I loved the Pride and can't wait to cruise again.

 

 

Thanks for the info.. How did you conceal it?

[Debbie15552]

Thanks for the info.. How did you conceal it?

 

2 were in with my cosmetics/lotions, 1 was in a container of lysol wipes and 1 was tucked within my clothes. I did not take any large ones-just the 8oz ones. I also ordered a bottle of rum from Bon Voyage...just in case.

 

I also took my allotment of wine-but took the small 187ml bottles instead of 750ml bottles.

[ava_girl_123]

2 were in with my cosmetics/lotions, 1 was in a container of lysol wipes and 1 was tucked within my clothes. I did not take any large ones-just the 8oz ones. I also ordered a bottle of rum from Bon Voyage...just in case.

 

I also took my allotment of wine-but took the small 187ml bottles instead of 750ml bottles.

 

 

Container of Lysol wipes... The large containers? Hmmm... :rolleyes: We will be ordering from BV as well.. How much were you able to order through them? I was told 1 bottle pp...

 

Thanks

[ryanpatricksmom]

Thank you for posting your review. We are doing our first Carnival cruise in October on the Pride, and it will also be our first cruise out of Baltimore. Our friend volunteered to drive us to the port, so my question is what is the earliest time we can arrive and get right on the ship? I'm one of those people who like to start my vacation as early as I can....;):)

 

Karen

 

 

We arrived this time around noon. We were on the ship and eating lunch by about 1pm. There were 16 groups ahead of us, but honestly, from the time that the first group boarding until we were called couldn't have been anymore than 15 minutes, and we never waited in any lines before that. Unfortunately, we have found that with the Pride sailing it can be hit or miss to find the perfect window. We've arrived to find huge lines to drop off luggage, we've found long lines at security, and we've also arrived to find the terminal packed waiting to board....all on different sailings. Hopefully, this last cruise means that they have the system perfected and it will stay this smooth.

[ryanpatricksmom]

One important thing that I forgot to mention. The transportation police were waiting outside of the terminal with radar guns. :rolleyes: Not exactly the impression that Maryland taxpayers want to leave Baltimore cruisers with, but it's not my call. When you make the first right out of the parking lot there is a posted speed limit....you won't likely see the sign because you'll be following directions to leave the parking lot...it's 30mph. This is not what you would expect, because at that point it appears that you will be entering the ramp to I-95. Unfortunately at that exact moment 8 cars worth of transportation officers may just be waiting with radar guns to pull you over. We received a warning for going 41mph, but I saw alot of tickets being issued.