Carnival Pride

[lbullard]

Hi we are on the Carnival Pride Aug 25th. I have some questions as we have never sailed with Carnival just Royal a lot...so anyone who can help please do.

 

We have a Balcony Aft...4th or 5th floor...wondering how much sound or movement is there...are there bad or good things being completely at the end of the ship....

 

Soda cards for a 7 night anyone know the cost....with Royal they want to see EVERYONES soda card....is that the same with Carnival or are they not as strict....I just don't think my son needs to drink all that soda so I was thinking of just getting two adults...but wondered REALLY do I need to purchase him one...or could he use my card to grab one here and there.

 

Drinks....I understand you can bring wine on board...does it have to go on my carry on...or could it go in my suitcase...what happens if I put it in my suitcase vs carry it on... Could I put 4 bartle and james bottles in my suitcase they are 10 oz each? What happens if they catch with them?

 

So we are going to their private island...do you find it needing shoes to get in and out of the water due to rocks....are there excursions you all would swear by ...we go to Freeport and their private island and ohhh can't think of the other one...but I really want to do a snorkel catermeran trip....where should we do it which port and with whom...

 

Do they do a raffle like at the spa like Royal does the first day on..you go tour and drop your name in?

 

Do they have events that they serve free drinks at like an art auction where you get champagne?

 

Do they do drink cards for kids nonalcoholic drinks like a mudslide or anything you prepay it?

 

The specialty restaurant worth the money...it would be 2 adults and a 14 year old.

 

BINGO...fun not really I love it on Royal but I love when they offer like room upgrades or win a cruise...do they on Carnival and is it expensive to play. We paid 60.00 for the electronic machine on Royal.

 

Thanks everyone...

Do they do meet and mingles that I need to register for?

 

Royal folks...we typically did Enchantment...so again new ship new company...your take...please and thank you.

[cruisenk]

Hi we are on the Carnival Pride Aug 25th. I have some questions as we have never sailed with Carnival just Royal a lot...so anyone who can help please do.

 

We have a Balcony Aft...4th or 5th floor...wondering how much sound or movement is there...are there bad or good things being completely at the end of the ship....

 

Soda cards for a 7 night anyone know the cost....with Royal they want to see EVERYONES soda card....is that the same with Carnival or are they not as strict....I just don't think my son needs to drink all that soda so I was thinking of just getting two adults...but wondered REALLY do I need to purchase him one...or could he use my card to grab one here and there.

 

Drinks....I understand you can bring wine on board...does it have to go on my carry on...or could it go in my suitcase...what happens if I put it in my suitcase vs carry it on... Could I put 4 bartle and james bottles in my suitcase they are 10 oz each? What happens if they catch with them?

 

So we are going to their private island...do you find it needing shoes to get in and out of the water due to rocks....are there excursions you all would swear by ...we go to Freeport and their private island and ohhh can't think of the other one...but I really want to do a snorkel catermeran trip....where should we do it which port and with whom...

 

Do they do a raffle like at the spa like Royal does the first day on..you go tour and drop your name in?

 

Do they have events that they serve free drinks at like an art auction where you get champagne?

 

Do they do drink cards for kids nonalcoholic drinks like a mudslide or anything you prepay it?

 

The specialty restaurant worth the money...it would be 2 adults and a 14 year old.

 

BINGO...fun not really I love it on Royal but I love when they offer like room upgrades or win a cruise...do they on Carnival and is it expensive to play. We paid 60.00 for the electronic machine on Royal.

 

Thanks everyone...

Do they do meet and mingles that I need to register for?

 

Royal folks...we typically did Enchantment...so again new ship new company...your take...please and thank you.

 

I can't answer all your questions but I will try to answer the ones I know . . .

 

Soda cards for adults are $6.00 per day, plus 15% gratuity and tax. On our last cruise, they did not look at the name on the card. They just looked to see if the sticker was there (they place a sticker on your S&S card when you purchase the soda card).

 

Wine needs to be carried on. One bottle per adult. Not sure about Bartles and James.

 

Carnival does a spa raffle on embarkation day. Carnival also has an art auction with champagne.

 

Bingo ranges in price, but is about $20 per sheet of 3 cards.

 

We are sailing tomorrow and I will try to remember your questions and answer them when we get back!

[Catrin]

Hello, we were on the Pride a few years back.. I will try to answer some....

 

We stayed in an aft cabin, and you could hear the water ... and it was louder than expected, but not too too loud. We really enjoyed it back there!! There is much less movement at the aft, than the forward part of the boat. You may get a little vibration, however.

 

They scan Soda cards at the bars. You have to sign a paper that it will not be transferred. However, my kids got me a diet coke a few times.

 

Wine in the carry on. Dont check it in. If you get caught, they will hold the liquor until the last day.

 

Yes, ,they have tons of raffles all week.

 

Yes, free champagne at auction, but you have to stay for whole thing.

 

No drink cards for kids frozen drinks.

 

Hope that helps!

Catrin

[rrraydon]

They do not put stickers on the cards anymore. When they scan the card the persons pic pops up on the register. My friend got me a soda one or two times.

[lbullard]

I can't answer all your questions but I will try to answer the ones I know . . .

 

Soda cards for adults are $6.00 per day, plus 15% gratuity and tax. On our last cruise, they did not look at the name on the card. They just looked to see if the sticker was there (they place a sticker on your S&S card when you purchase the soda card).

 

Wine needs to be carried on. One bottle per adult. Not sure about Bartles and James.

 

Carnival does a spa raffle on embarkation day. Carnival also has an art auction with champagne.

 

Bingo ranges in price, but is about $20 per sheet of 3 cards.

 

We are sailing tomorrow and I will try to remember your questions and answer them when we get back!

 

 

Thank you so so much....how fun what ship are you on and what ports are you going to?

 

Mostly I would like to know really about the soda card...Royal seems to want to look at it close...but I was wondering about Carnival if they are more relaxed? Like just quickly show it.

 

Ok good to know about the spa raffle

 

Bingo we got to ply the machine and it was 60.00 wondering if they have fun bingo like when a trip or stuff like that.

 

Have you ever heard if they have a B1g1 free drink of the day card...Royal use to do it...or any fun drink discounts for the kids..like mudslides and such.

 

Have you ever had dinner at the more money one...would love your thoughts when you get back home....new to carnival so no clue what to expect or pack...

 

Like Royal will do a midnight buffet dessert bar...does Carnival.

 

Lbullard@hotmail.com

 

Thanks

[lbullard]

Hello, we were on the Pride a few years back.. I will try to answer some....

 

We stayed in an aft cabin, and you could hear the water ... and it was louder than expected, but not too too loud. We really enjoyed it back there!! There is much less movement at the aft, than the forward part of the boat. You may get a little vibration, however.

 

They scan Soda cards at the bars. You have to sign a paper that it will not be transferred. However, my kids got me a diet coke a few times.

 

Wine in the carry on. Dont check it in. If you get caught, they will hold the liquor until the last day.

 

Yes, ,they have tons of raffles all week.

 

Wow you are wonderful.

 

So when I go up to get a soda at the bar or anywhere they are going to want to scan my card...unlike Royal where they look for the soda tag and they just give it to you? So if they do it that way won't it mean that if my son goes to get me a soda on my card they will say no...won't that mean I will have to take my card out of the holder each time??

 

Raffles are for what...how do you enter them? Do you remember which cabin you were in?

 

When I went on Royal when you showed up you got free champagne as you walked in.....how do they make you stay for the whole thing...they don't serve it till the end??

 

Is there a welcome back night or meet the captain night where they offer free drinks?

 

Yes, free champagne at auction, but you have to stay for whole thing.

 

No drink cards for kids frozen drinks.

 

Hope that helps!

Catrin

 

Wow you are wonderful.

 

So when I go up to get a soda at the bar or anywhere they are going to want to scan my card...unlike Royal where they look for the soda tag and they just give it to you? So if they do it that way won't it mean that if my son goes to get me a soda on my card they will say no...won't that mean I will have to take my card out of the holder each time??

 

Raffles are for what...how do you enter them? Do you remember which cabin you were in?

 

When I went on Royal when you showed up you got free champagne as you walked in.....how do they make you stay for the whole thing...they don't serve it till the end??

 

Is there a welcome back night or meet the captain night where they offer free drinks?

[Catrin]

Wow you are wonderful.

 

So when I go up to get a soda at the bar or anywhere they are going to want to scan my card...unlike Royal where they look for the soda tag and they just give it to you? So if they do it that way won't it mean that if my son goes to get me a soda on my card they will say no...won't that mean I will have to take my card out of the holder each time??

 

Raffles are for what...how do you enter them? Do you remember which cabin you were in?

 

When I went on Royal when you showed up you got free champagne as you walked in.....how do they make you stay for the whole thing...they don't serve it till the end??

 

Is there a welcome back night or meet the captain night where they offer free drinks?

 

Let me go backwards.

They no longer have a Captains gala with free drinks and food. Now they just have a meet and greet with $1.00 off drinks.

 

I havent been to a art auction in years. maybe someone who has been recently can answer and share their experience. The one I went to a few years ago, everythign was served at the end.

 

Raffles at the spa were good for free treatments (some with purchase of another). Raffles at gift shop were good for free jewelry, watches, tshirts, etc.

 

I was on the fourth deck on the Pride. Two middle balcony cabins aft. Being on the fourth deck, there was a nice overhead area..so we were not completely in the sun.

 

Catrin

[lbullard]

Anyone tried to smuggle on beer? Mostly Bartle and James drink...I like to have one a night so I was wondering do I put it on my take on bag or my suitcase or can it not be done?

 

They now have the frozen ones that you just freeze...wondering if I can get that in my suitcase...or if they will notice it...since it is not a bottle....

 

What about those wines that are in the other types of containers..not the bottles...

[lbullard]

Let me go backwards.

They no longer have a Captains gala with free drinks and food. Now they just have a meet and greet with $1.00 off drinks.

 

I havent been to a art auction in years. maybe someone who has been recently can answer and share their experience. The one I went to a few years ago, everythign was served at the end.

 

Raffles at the spa were good for free treatments (some with purchase of another). Raffles at gift shop were good for free jewelry, watches, tshirts, etc.

 

I was on the fourth deck on the Pride. Two middle balcony cabins aft. Being on the fourth deck, there was a nice overhead area..so we were not completely in the sun.

 

Catrin

 

 

 

Do they announce when the meet and greet is ...is that with the Captain? Kind of sad they did away with it....I think we are on the 4th deck aft with a triple...never been on an aft always right in the middle so no clue if I should be bringing anything for sea sickness...NEVER have any of us had that trouble....is there away to prop open the door for the balcony....anything we need for the room that we can ask for? IE refrigerator? Room looks long...my son I guess will sleep on the couch....

 

Do you have any pictures from your trip on this ship? Any excursions you LOVED.

[Catrin]

Do they announce when the meet and greet is ...is that with the Captain? Kind of sad they did away with it....I think we are on the 4th deck aft with a triple...never been on an aft always right in the middle so no clue if I should be bringing anything for sea sickness...NEVER have any of us had that trouble....is there away to prop open the door for the balcony....anything we need for the room that we can ask for? IE refrigerator? Room looks long...my son I guess will sleep on the couch....

 

Do you have any pictures from your trip on this ship? Any excursions you LOVED.

 

We were on this ship in 2009. I used to post my pictures on Webshots, but that site disbanded, so all my pictures online here are lost. I have a disc somewhere, that I would have to dig up.

You are most likely in the same cabins we were in,since we had two cabins for 3 each side by side. There will be a convertible couch that will be made up into a bed.

The balcony is an extended Balcony, just a bit larger than a normal size one. There will be a flag pole right in front of you, but is not disruptive of any kind of view.

You can prop the door open using a bungee cord, we actually use the strap from our luggage.

 

As far as seasickness goes... I have to take Bonine and Ginger daily, no matter where I am on the ship. Ever since I started doing this, my tolerance for motion has grown considerably. Seasickness is such a personal thing... my husband for example, never ever feels the ship move.

 

The Captain's Party is always an hour before formal night dinner usually on the Promenade Deck near the casino. I did notice on my most recent cruise however.. the description did not say "Meet the Captain". It said "Meet the Senior Officers". The captain was not there when we went up to the Officers.

 

Catrin

[thomarvin]

I just got off the Splendor. We got stickers on our cards for the bottomless bubbles. They did not scan our cards when we asked for a soda. I highly recomend the card for your son. It is $4.50 per day for him (adults=$6) which is just 2 sodas. I have posted this before but I find it important. If your son is going to Circle C (which I highly recomend, even if only the first couple of days to meet other kids his age) I tell my kids that if they put there drink down and out of their sight at all they are to get another drink. Just like if they were in a bar. If he was to have to pay for new soda each time it could add up quickly. Have a great time:)

[rrraydon]

Here's my review from one of my Pride sailings, with pics (includes steakhouse food porn and chef's table food porn):

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1322964&highlight=pride

 

 

 

Here is a link to the Funtimes I scanned in.. just to give you an idea:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1366347&highlight=pride

 

 

Funtimes from another one of my sailings on the Pride, this one has the kid's schedule scanned in and also spa and fitness specials:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1322596&highlight=pride

 

 

Lastly, a link to the "All things Pride" thread I started way back. You'll get a wealth of info from here too:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1329232&highlight=pride

 

 

Have a great cruise! :D

[cv322]

Do they announce when the meet and greet is ...is that with the Captain? Kind of sad they did away with it....I think we are on the 4th deck aft with a triple...never been on an aft always right in the middle so no clue if I should be bringing anything for sea sickness...NEVER have any of us had that trouble....is there away to prop open the door for the balcony....anything we need for the room that we can ask for? IE refrigerator? Room looks long...my son I guess will sleep on the couch....

 

Do you have any pictures from your trip on this ship? Any excursions you LOVED.

 

lbullard, I'm on that cruise with you! The Captain's Meet n Greet is before dinner on the first Elegant Night, in the atrium bar/lounge area.

 

On most of my cruises I book an aft balcony & it's a great place to be...quiet & "good" motion, not over-the-top motion. ;)

 

They recommend that the balcony doors not be propped open, because it screws up the AC along your corridor. Some people do it anyway though.

[ManyMore]

You will find Carnival and Royal being very similar in most ways. We find Carnival a little bit more relaxed and the crew more friendly. Welcome to Carnival.

[Carnival_Brides]

We were just on the Glory and had soda stickers on our cards. They were only scanned once and it was because we were doing a b2b, so our bartender wanted to make sure we re-purchased the program.

[John Reid]

Half Moon Cay has smooth soft sand in and out of the water.

 

Grand Turk is coral rocky in the water. Beach sand is somewhat coarse. Very nice beach day. Water shoes or water sandals are helpful there.

[crusinpsychRN]

The Steakhouse is very good. If you go the first night you get a bottle of wine free. Dinner menu that night in MDR isn't so great so it's a nice option.

 

Don't prop balcony door, as previous poster said it messes up AC for all cabins near you.

 

You'll have a refrig which doesn't get too cold at all. If you leave the cabinet door in front of the fridge ajar it helps disipate the heat and cools better.

 

Don't slam the balcony door or leave the balcony light on if you want to be a good neighbor.

 

Pride is an easy ship to navigate. You won't get lost.

 

Go to the roll call for your sailing for info on a meet and greet.

[rrraydon]

The bars up on the lido will scan your card each time..as well as the atrium bar. The waiters do not scan your card, they just write down your number. Your card will get a sticker on it as well, but just so you know, if you get your drinks from the bars yourself your pic will pop up on their screen. You can see it from where your standing at the bar. My husband used to get one adult bottomless bubbles and one child's for our daughter. The child's is cheaper. Since I only drink maybe 4 sodas a week they would just get me a soda from their cards.