Thoughts about Pride cruise 8/11/13

[kangaand2roos]

That could explain why there is a Del Sol shop in Rehoboth Beach. I was surprised to see it a couple years ago as I thought those stores only existed in cruise ports.:p Maybe Del Sol knows something about Rehoboth's future we don't know.;):p

 

Del Sol must be expanding their horizons because I noticed one in Gettysburg last week. I'm not thinking any cruise ships will be docking there;) but if they figure out how to make that happen, I'll be the first to sign up!

[ShakyBeef]

Del Sol must be expanding their horizons because I noticed one in Gettysburg last week. I'm not thinking any cruise ships will be docking there;) but if they figure out how to make that happen, I'll be the first to sign up!

 

 

Hmmmm, that does kinda shoot my theory down, doesn't it. Oh well.:p

[BattyL]

We sailed on lots of Norfolk cruises. RC Empress of the Seas to Bermuda , Triumph to Bahamas, Celebrity to Bermuda, Maasdam twice to Caribbean, and Glory to Bahamas.

 

We park at my husbands place at work downtown. It seemed easy at the time and we loved it. I wish there was a way to bring Carnival back to Norfolk.

 

The cruise director mentioned that Delaware was being considered as a port.

 

That would be awesome!!

[beacha]

Tuesday, Aug 13...sea day #2

 

Today I woke up about 7am and went to the Serenity deck to reserve a round chair. I got coffee, which was pretty good, from the Mermaid's grill, and enjoyed this peaceful time. There weren't many people out there. Most early risers did not wait for the pool attendant for the yellow towels. We brought our navy blue towels that were in the cabin .i met a few people, some new cruisers who thought they could not leave their chairs for even a minute. I told them that hey could go get breakfast etc, but be back in 40 min.

 

Around 9 I won't into the Lido and met my family for some breakfast. Loved the boiled eggs! We decided to jog on the panorama, it was uncrowned and peaceful. On other ships, there were lounge chairs out there , but not on the Pride.The rest of the day, we spent on the Serenity deck.

 

We had hoped to see the juggler, but the times were weird, 7:15 for late seating, and we were getting ready for dinner. Tonight I discovered that the head chek was Indian... The rest of the dinners, my DD and I ordered Indian vegetarian. Each meal was unique and delicious. Amazing .

 

This night was the maradi GRAS party, but we missed the main part because we were at dinner. We did get beads from some crew member later. DH and I went to the casino for a while, and the kids enjoyed Karaoke in the Florentine bar.we turned in after a visit to the Ivory Pano bar, which was lots of fun. Once again , everyone was singing, and some came up to the microphone to sing. I believe that we went to the Lido for pizza and ice cream before we went back to our cabins. The next day was Grand Turk. And we were all excited to get off the ship and go snorkeling. Actually, my SIL and I were not planning to snorkel, so we did not have to wake up so early.

 

Grand Turk.. Arrival 8 am

SIL and I met for breakfast in the Normandie dining room. (As I write this, I know that those on the ship right now are getting ready to go to dinner, and I'm jealous) We had a delicious breakfast of eggs Benedict, cheese grits, and fruit. We were seated at at large table and had a chance to speak with some lovely people from PA.

 

SIL and I got off about 9 am and explored Margaritaville. It was a very large area with a big pool and the flow rider was so fun to watch. The beach bars were cool. We ordered water at first. The prices for water were about as much as for alcohol (8.50 for 2 small bottles)

 

We played chess on a very large board in the sand. It was lots of fun, and I counted it as my weight workout for the day. Before we went back to the ship, I ade sure to get in the water, and collect my sand. On my cruises, the only thing I bring back is sand. I have a wonderful display case with sand from many islands. Granada is pure black, and Bermuda is pale pink. I think it is so beautiful to see them next to each other. I got the idea from The Sanderling Inn in Duck , NC. They have a framed picture with sand from the east coast displayed in small glass bottles.

 

I will report on the crew who snorkeled tomorrow. I'm a 4th /5th grade teacher, and I'm making lesson plans for next week now.

[beacha]

Oh my, forgive my errors in spelling and grammar in the previous post. I did not read it before I posted. Wanted to add that SIL and I ordered 2 piña coladas at the beach bar. They were about $8.50 each , and very delicious. This resort is really nice, families will love relaxing there.

[beacha]

Also, if you ave any questions about this ship or ports, please feel free to ask.

[kangaand2roos]

Hmmmm, that does kinda shoot my theory down, doesn't it. Oh well.:p

 

LOL! You aren't too far for a Gettysburg embarkation! Come along!

[kangaand2roos]

I'm disappointed to hear no lounge chairs around the promenade. I was hoping that might be a quiet place to tuck away with a book!

[emcemt]

Were there any of the circular lounges by the main pool our just the Serenity area? We are traveling with a 5 y/o...not sure how much of the Serenity area ill be seeing.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[ShakyBeef]

LOL! You aren't too far for a Gettysburg embarkation! Come along!

 

 

Sure, I'm game! I love Gettysburg. But I'll only book the cruise if it sails between Little Roundtop and Big Roundtop.:cool::p

[ShakyBeef]

Were there any of the circular lounges by the main pool our just the Serenity area? We are traveling with a 5 y/o...not sure how much of the Serenity area ill be seeing.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

 

Nope, sorry - the circular lounges are only in the Serenity area.

[kangaand2roos]

Sure, I'm game! I love Gettysburg. But I'll only book the cruise if it sails between Little Roundtop and Big Roundtop.:cool::p

 

That would not be a very lengthy cruise!

[JaniceB]

Love the serenity area on the Pride, some of the newer ships have it forward, way to much wind up there.

[EJPhilly]

Also, if you ave any questions about this ship or ports, please feel free to ask.

 

Where there other ships in HMC with you? Was it crowded? How was the food there?

Thanks :)

[NCTribeFan]

Hi NCTribefan, The itineraries are exactly why we've never done the Pride even though we are right here in Delaware BUT we are now booked on it Come on and join us on the November 30, 2014 sailing when the Pride repositions to San Juan. It's an 8 day with Grand Turk, St.Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, San Juan.

 

The price is good, the only flight involved will be a non-stop from San Juan to BWI on Southwest Airlines. We're going to spend a couple of days in San Juan before returning home. I"m so excited. The Spirit class ships are much easier for us to navigate around.

 

My husband had said he didn't want to go on any more cruises after we returned from our Breeze cruise in March. His mobility issues and age are making travel more challenging each year. This one captured his attention, so off we go. Ok, he'll be 77 by then and I'll be 73, so what ! We're ready for that short drive across the bridge and a great cruise.

 

Love to have you and others. The Pride will then be based in Tampa since the new fuel regulations are forcing Carnival out of Boston, New York, Norfolk and Baltimore.

 

Hi! I asked in the other thread about the repo cruises if you guys ever made it to Bermuda.

 

I'm seriously thinking about booking on Pride but I'd probably go on the San Juan - Tampa leg. Would love to sail with you, though! Maybe, if I book that one, we can meet up in San Juan on turnaround day. I'd probably fly down a couple of days early (again - I love San Juan).

 

Really, I just don't understand why Carnival hasn't had more ships built along the lines of the Spirit class. Maybe they just can't build this style bigger and bigger and bigger to stuff in more and more cabins and people. :(

 

There's really no place on this style ship to put the Serenity Deck other than aft. Look at the deck plans. I suppose they might've put it all the way up on Sky, forward, but there really isn't much room there and no pool anywhere close, really. Yes, it's very windy at the bow, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing when it's very hot. I liked the Serenity Deck on Glory and am disappointed that they didn't put it on Conquest when they did the 2.0 upgrades. Not only that, I'm reading that the aft pool on Conquest is no longer adults only. So no Serenity and not even an adult-only area. :mad:

 

Let me jump on the HMC question. As far as I know there are never 2 "larger" ships there. They just can't handle a huge passenger load. Been there 5 times and always thought the buffet was good. Really like the jerk chicken. I just wish that stupid ship bar had been blown away during Hurricane Sandy last year (when we had to miss the port). It's hideous.

[EJPhilly]

Hi! I asked in the other thread about the repo cruises if you guys ever made it to Bermuda.

 

I'm seriously thinking about booking on Pride but I'd probably go on the San Juan - Tampa leg. Would love to sail with you, though! Maybe, if I book that one, we can meet up in San Juan on turnaround day. I'd probably fly down a couple of days early (again - I love San Juan).

 

Really, I just don't understand why Carnival hasn't had more ships built along the lines of the Spirit class. Maybe they just can't build this style bigger and bigger and bigger to stuff in more and more cabins and people. :(

 

There's really no place on this style ship to put the Serenity Deck other than aft. Look at the deck plans. I suppose they might've put it all the way up on Sky, forward, but there really isn't much room there and no pool anywhere close, really. Yes, it's very windy at the bow, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing when it's very hot. I liked the Serenity Deck on Glory and am disappointed that they didn't put it on Conquest when they did the 2.0 upgrades. Not only that, I'm reading that the aft pool on Conquest is no longer adults only. So no Serenity and not even an adult-only area. :mad:

 

Let me jump on the HMC question. As far as I know there are never 2 "larger" ships there. They just can't handle a huge passenger load. Been there 5 times and always thought the buffet was good. Really like the jerk chicken. I just wish that stupid ship bar had been blown away during Hurricane Sandy last year (when we had to miss the port). It's hideous.

Thanks :)

[jimbo5544]

For me, the "problem" with the East Coast departures is that you pretty much can "only" get to the Bahamas. I really don't want to pay for a 7-night cruise just to see Nassau and Freeport again.

 

You do get the occasional 7-nighter from Charleston that's Nassau/Half Moon Cay/Grand Turk, but they're rather more expensive than the same cruise from Florida. Still, unless you want to drive all day or pay to fly, you just aren't going to get very interesting itineraries. Ships can only travel so far in a week.

 

I'd like to return to Bermuda. The Glory cruise was only there 1-1/2 day and there really wasn't time to do anything that 2nd morning. Expensive cruise to a beautiful island and really not enough time to do it justice. So if I return, it'll be on a different cruise line.

 

Really want to sail a Spirit-class ship now that they added the Serenity deck. I loved the open aft deck (and it was Adults only when I sailed Miracle both times), but the added Serenity sounds great.

Doubt you will see a Spirit class for a while and the east coast is what it is (sailing wise to get to the ports). My guess is your only hope is the one ways they are experiementing with to and from San Juan. Otherwise, it is off to Florida you go.

[JaniceB]

Sad day when the Pride leaves Baltimore.

[roscoegirl]

Sad day when the Pride leaves Baltimore.

 

I agree! I booked hubby and I for the 11/30/2014 last sailing from Balto. It's a great itinerary (2 ports we've never been to!) and I'm hoping we will be able to do this. Carnival really lost a lot of faithful cruisers because of the departure of the Pride...maybe they will put another ship there????:confused:

[retiredgram]

I agree! I booked hubby and I for the 11/30/2014 last sailing from Balto. It's a great itinerary (2 ports we've never been to!) and I'm hoping we will be able to do this. Carnival really lost a lot of faithful cruisers because of the departure of the Pride...maybe they will put another ship there????:confused:

Maybe it will return in 2015 when they get the EPA stuff worked out.

[jimbo5544]

Maybe it will return in 2015 when they get the EPA stuff worked out.

It just might do that!;) Love the Spirit class ships. Wish they would go back to them.

[montekat]

 

The cruise director mentioned that Delaware was being considered as a port.

 

We'll be on the Pride in 2 1/2 weeks, will have to ask the cruise director if there is any more information. I put my vote in for Delaware also!

[BattyL]

We'll be on the Pride in 2 1/2 weeks, will have to ask the cruise director if there is any more information. I put my vote in for Delaware also!

 

Can't wait to see your post. It would be great to cruise from Delaware instead of driving to Jersey or New York. Fingers crossed...

[beacha]

Day 3 Half Moon Cay

 

I know so many people on CC really love Half Moon Cay. This was our 4th time, and I really don't care for this port. It lacks the culture of a real island where people live and work. I feel like it's really just an extension of the ship, but I'll report on our day there. We waited until about 10 am to go to the tender, and got right on..did not need a ticket. It was a sunny calm day, and the trip took about 10 minutes.

 

We met our kids in the courtyard to decide where to sit. We walked down the beach a bit, toward the pirate bar or a little past , and there were plenty of loungers available. We found two together, and my SIL found another , in front of one of the villas, proceeded to move it, and was chastised by someone who was inside the villa for moving "his" chair. Never mind that there were about 10 other chairs directly in front, and nothing was placed on the chair to indicate that it was reserved, but oh we'll. This just stressed me out an d I continued to walk down the beach about another half mile. I really enjoyed being in a more quiet area, and got to observe a photo session that a family had booked with the ship's photographer. He spent at least an hour with the family. I'm sure the pictures were great.

 

After a jog to the end, my DH and DD passed by where I was swimming and we all went back up to the pirate bar. There were some games and contests and the DJ s were blasting music. Everyone was having a great time. We then went to the BBQ and found that there were many choices..jerk chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and lots of veggies and salads. There were plenty of shaded tables, and also lemonade, tea, and water.

 

We got back in the tender line about 3:30 and it was crowded, but we did not have to wait.

 

That evening we hung out on the Serenity deck, and then on our balcony until dinner. After dinner we spent some time in the casino, and watching Karoke in Florentines bar. The crowd was very supportive to all the singers. We also went to Beauties nightclub for Michael Jackson tribute night. There were quite a few characters in there. Some guy on the upper section made it "rain" on the dance floor. I didn't know what this was...my girls had to explain it to me. He just threw a bunch of bills over the rail and watched the dancers pick it up.

 

As usual, we finished the evening getting pizza and ice cream. It was a lovely day. We were looking forward to Freeport and some snorkeling the next day.

[EJPhilly]

Day 3 Half Moon Cay

 

I know so many people on CC really love Half Moon Cay. This was our 4th time, and I really don't care for this port. It lacks the culture of a real island where people live and work. I feel like it's really just an extension of the ship, but I'll report on our day there. We waited until about 10 am to go to the tender, and got right on..did not need a ticket. It was a sunny calm day, and the trip took about 10 minutes.

 

We met our kids in the courtyard to decide where to sit. We walked down the beach a bit, toward the pirate bar or a little past , and there were plenty of loungers available. We found two together, and my SIL found another , in front of one of the villas, proceeded to move it, and was chastised by someone who was inside the villa for moving "his" chair. Never mind that there were about 10 other chairs directly in front, and nothing was placed on the chair to indicate that it was reserved, but oh we'll. This just stressed me out an d I continued to walk down the beach about another half mile. I really enjoyed being in a more quiet area, and got to observe a photo session that a family had booked with the ship's photographer. He spent at least an hour with the family. I'm sure the pictures were great.

 

After a jog to the end, my DH and DD passed by where I was swimming and we all went back up to the pirate bar. There were some games and contests and the DJ s were blasting music. Everyone was having a great time. We then went to the BBQ and found that there were many choices..jerk chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and lots of veggies and salads. There were plenty of shaded tables, and also lemonade, tea, and water.

 

We got back in the tender line about 3:30 and it was crowded, but we did not have to wait.

 

That evening we hung out on the Serenity deck, and then on our balcony until dinner. After dinner we spent some time in the casino, and watching Karoke in Florentines bar. The crowd was very supportive to all the singers. We also went to Beauties nightclub for Michael Jackson tribute night. There were quite a few characters in there. Some guy on the upper section made it "rain" on the dance floor. I didn't know what this was...my girls had to explain it to me. He just threw a bunch of bills over the rail and watched the dancers pick it up.

 

As usual, we finished the evening getting pizza and ice cream. It was a lovely day. We were looking forward to Freeport and some snorkeling the next day.

 

Is it safe to leave your stuff at your chairs when you went for lunch or did you bring it with you? What time do they start serving lunch? Thx :-)

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app