"LIVE" from Carnival Pride - January 26, 2014

[Laney219]

It's been announced - carnival will be back in March of 2015! Yay!

 

was there a ship announced?

[WetToes]

I just read that the Pride will be back, with upgrades.

There's a sticky with a link to the article.

I just Googled for info.

[asalligo]

Yes, the Pride is coming back! I would love to know who caved on what to make that happen.

[asalligo]

Does anyone know if we can walk to the locks from the pier?

[Stella777]

Carnival Will Return to Baltimore With Upgraded Ship and New Technology

 

 

(2:17 p.m. EST) -- Carnival has changed its plans for Carnival Pride. It will only spend a few months in Tampa before returning to its Baltimore homeport with upgraded onboard amenities and environmental technology.

 

The ship, which was scheduled to leave its Baltimore homeport for cruises out of Tampa from December 2014 through April 2015, will instead sail from Baltimore through mid-October 2014, reposition to Tampa, then return to Baltimore in March 2015 for year-round cruises to the Eastern Caribbean and Florida and the Bahamas. It's adding a one-time 14-night repositioning cruise departing Tampa on March 15, 2015, which will sail through the Caribbean and Central America (including optional excursions to the Panama Canal) before returning to Baltimore. Carnival has yet to say which ship, if any, will replace Pride in Tampa.

 

From October 19 to November 9, 2014, Pride will be in dry dock to receive a Fun Ship 2.0 makeover. It will get new eating and drinking venues such as Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina and Tequila Bar, Bonsai Sushi, EA SPORTS Bar, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Pub and Rum Bar, and the Library Bar. Other additions include the WaterWorks water park, Playlist Productions, Cherry on Top, and Hasbro, the Game Show.

 

In addition, Pride will receive some new environmental technology called scrubbers that will help the ship comply with the new air emission standards required for cruising within the North American Emission Control Area (ECA). The ship will add this new exhaust gas cleaning technology in spring 2015; other Carnival ships will be receiving scrubbers as well.

 

--by Erica Silverstein, Features Editor

[Radio]

Wow, Thanks for posting that announcement for Carnival Pride. . . I haven't heard anything about that yet. . .Maybe Kirk will announce it tonight. . .

 

Thanks again for the post !

 

 

Radio

;);)

 

.

[Radio]

What are all the orange lights around the tower? Is there some sort of a pond or inlet for the ocean water there?

 

Theron

 

They are decorative only, and change colors every 15 seconds. . . Blue, white, red, green. They are positioned around a man made pond that surrounds the exhibit.

 

Radio

;);)

 

.

[workinmom3]

They just announced on Baltimore's local news that the Pride would be returning to Baltimore in March 2015. I was so excited to share the news here but as usual...I'm a day late & a dollar short!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[bambilin]

They just announced on Baltimore's local news that the Pride would be returning to Baltimore in March 2015. I was so excited to share the news here but as usual...I'm a day late & a dollar short!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

 

Yay! Saw this earlier this afternoon on John Heald's Facebook page. Already gave my TA a heads up to look for rates for summer of 2015.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . .today was a spectacular day with great weather. The sun was out all day and the temps got to about 82F. It was a beautiful day. Carnival Pride arrived at the dock a little early (10:30AM) and passengers were cleared to go ashore by 11AM. I left the ship around 11:15 and decided to see a few places. I rented a scooter just outside of Festival Place. The price was not bad. . .just $40 for the day, and I could have rented for less but the vendor I rented from had new scooters.

 

 

I went over the British Colonial Hilton and walked around to see the grounds. Passengers can still get a day pass there if needed. The price has gone up a little ($65/Day) but it includes a $45 food and drink voucher.

 

 

I then went over to Paradise Island to check out RIU Resort. It is located between Atlantis and Cabbage Beach (Free public Beach) The RIU offered a day pass as well ($75/Day) and it is an all inclusive resort. I finished up my day at Atlantis which I really like a lot. I especially like the Atlantis Casino that just so happens to be very “Radio friendly”. I drove back to the Pier area and I was concerned that Starbucks was not there. . .Who in the? What kind of ? No worries, , ,they moved up the street a block so many cruise passengers were able to enjoy their favorite coffee beverage.

 

 

I made it back to the ship around 5(ish) and was able to grab a bite, and rest up a bit. The Internet connection has been very weak since last night. I almost was unable to make this mornings’ post. The bandwidth appears to be weak, and I hope it improves later. . .

 

 

We sail tonight at 8PM for out short voyage to Freeport. . .

 

Here are a few Pics from today.

Thanks for the nice comments, and thanks for tuning in !

 

 

 

 

 

We pass by the iconic lighthouse at the entrance to the harborr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can see Junkanoo Beach (north of the Pier)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can see the British Colonial Hilton (walking distance from the pier)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We approach the pier slowly. . . and early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make my way up to Festival Place Cruise Terminal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day I may visit Senor Frogs. . .

 

 

 

 

 

.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Radio

[Radio]

Here are a few more pics. . .

 

Radio

 

 

 

The beaches are beautiful at the British Colonial Hilton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I would like to stay here for a few days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RIU resort seems to be very nice. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were a lot of Cruise Passengers at Cabbage Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite place is definitely Atlantis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlantis has a very large Casino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here are just a few more.

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

Just a view of the Tropical Lagoon area in Atlantis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The excursion boat to Balmoral Island gets filled up at the pier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make it back to Festival Place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Pride at the Pier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time to go back to the ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My home for a few more nights. . .

 

 

 

 

 

.

[WetToes]

82. What's that feel like? Lol

Glad its finally warmed up for you.

Love the pics.

[KingdomCAPT]

Captain, I have a good number of former Navy friends, and after many discussions with some of them about cruising, I can't help but wonder how did you decide to go on your first cruise? Most of my friends wouldn't go near another ship even if you paid them to go!

 

Theron

 

Great question Theron. I loved sea duty, but hated leaving my family. Several years ago, my wife and I were going to Disney World soon after sending our second (and last) son off to college. She noticed there was a 5 day cruise on Carnival Fantasy leaving from Port Canaveral during the same time frame. She approached me, and suggested we give it a try. We loved it! Believe me, it's a great pleasure being on a ship, not having to stand watch, being able to have a drink and just enjoy the beauty of being at sea. I think we're now on cruise 15 (next month) with 2 more booked after that. My suggestion to your friends (and my shipmates) is give it a try! They'll have a blast!

[TPKeller]

They just announced on Baltimore's local news that the Pride would be returning to Baltimore in March 2015. I was so excited to share the news here but as usual...I'm a day late & a dollar short!!

I can't help but also be amused... Television, especially traditional network television, is hopelessly behind the times in this day and age of blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and Cruise Critic! :)

 

Theron

Edited January 31, 2014 by TPKeller

[TPKeller]

Great question Theron. I loved sea duty, but hated leaving my family. Several years ago, my wife and I were going to Disney World soon after sending our second (and last) son off to college. She noticed there was a 5 day cruise on Carnival Fantasy leaving from Port Canaveral during the same time frame. She approached me, and suggested we give it a try. We loved it! Believe me, it's a great pleasure being on a ship, not having to stand watch, being able to have a drink and just enjoy the beauty of being at sea. I think we're now on cruise 15 (next month) with 2 more booked after that. My suggestion to your friends (and my shipmates) is give it a try! They'll have a blast!

:) I just thought of another possible reason... most of my friends were not Captains! Ha ha ha... their accommodations on their various ships were not ... shall we say ... something they would want to experience again. :)

 

Theron

[Lorey2007]

Thanks for again posting "Live". Your pictures of Nassau are making me yearn for a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise, sadly we don't have one on the books yet. DH wants to go to Alaska so we will be on Radiance the end of August have you ever considered a cruise to Alaska?

[riclop]

Finally a nice warm day.

[Skell]

Hey radio.. I had heard that you can go into atlantis and do alot of the things without paying you just cant enter the aquaventure park. i would love to know more baout how to explore atlantis without paying a lot.

 

thank you.

 

Here are a few more pics. . .

 

Radio

 

 

My favorite place is definitely Atlantis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Skell]

Hey Radio,

The tickets on the website you got from say that admission is not available on launch days. how do we find out when launch days are and if we can get the tickets an duse them for the day we are in port??

 

 

 

I went over to Kennedy Space Center where I had pre purchased my ticket from an on-line Orlando discount ticket site for a reduced rate of $39.99 plus tax.

 

.

[DreamingBig1]

Radio again great review!! Love the pictures.

 

I know you kind of said something about this. How rough was the trip in the Atlantic at this time of year?

 

Were there many family activities offered inside the ship, when you were traveling to Florida for two days?

 

I am trying to imagine the scene in a cruise ship when not in a tropical setting, since admittedly that is my only experience.

 

I never considered doing a cruise like this, but your definitely making it attractive.

[TPKeller]

Hey Radio,

The tickets on the website you got from say that admission is not available on launch days. how do we find out when launch days are and if we can get the tickets an duse them for the day we are in port??

Remember the schedules are never set in stone, but here's a page from the KSC website with a general schedule:

 

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx?type=rocket-launches

 

Theron

[xowendyxo]

Hey Radio,

The tickets on the website you got from say that admission is not available on launch days. how do we find out when launch days are and if we can get the tickets an duse them for the day we are in port??

 

What site did you use for tickets? The best price I found was $44.95 + $3 processing fee. I saved $18, but always looking to save more :)

 

Sent from my DROID4 using Forums mobile app

[xowendyxo]

What site did you use for tickets? The best price I found was $44.95 + $3 processing fee. I saved $18, but always looking to save more :)

 

I found a site for $39.99 but they have a "no refund" policy, under any circumstances.

I paid $25 more (for 4 people), but I can cancel up to 24 hrs ahead of time.

Decisions, decisions....

Edited January 31, 2014 by xowendyxo

[Skell]

I tried to check this website but the link wont load for me :(

 

Remember the schedules are never set in stone, but here's a page from the KSC website with a general schedule:

 

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/events.aspx?type=rocket-launches

 

Theron