Pride 1/25/15..Annie rolls a rhino and Annie in the sky with diamonds!

[JAYVIATION]

the main area was sandy enough to be comfortable to walk on barefoot. This was not the case near the water though. VERY high grounded shell content from just before the waterline to a few feet into the water then it smooths out. Watershoes are almost a must here. There is a border to the main swimming area but nothing underneath..meaning fish and crabs and starfish can make their way toward the beach to be found.

 

 

found this guy about half way into the swimming area.. a real beauty

 

 

some people shouted to me if I found something and they came out because they never saw or touched a starfish before. I made sure they were gentle and did not disturb it for long.. I was half expecting kids to throw one like a ninja star but I was pleased to see the kids sticked to the rules and treated the wildlife with respect.

 

 

forgot to note there was a large covered bar area, to which you can also order food which was prepared in a separate small facility.

 

 

upon arrival to the island, you were given a wrist band that had a ticket attached. This was for your free lunch. It comprised of coconut rice, belizian seasoned chicken and a pasta salad with punch. I had some lucky charms for lunch but Annie wanted to be sure I put the lunch was very good. It was served in the covered area below..

 

 

cont..

 

[Yuridog]

This is a really great review, I'm enjoying this immensely. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[Bluemoon319]

while resizing my Belize excursion pics, it reminded me of another excursion I have done twice In San Juan that I must promote..

 

hijacking my own thread for a sec, but trust me on this.. I will also post this in the appropriate ports and excursion threads.

 

If anyone is going to San Juan and they offer "Juan Carlos and Latin Traditions" .. GO ! This guy is amazing. He was gracious enough to let me record him and I linked a sample below...watch the whole thing...ending always makes the hairs on my neck stand up. Such passion for his music and a great storyteller. His Flamenco dancers are also something to see..... although the guy did pick me twice out of the audience and I had to put this maraca belt on me and shake it to the music on stage... enjoy... then I'm back to the review.

 

** note the speaker was really close to me so start the video with the volume down then bring up to comfort **

 

 

 

Yes, definintely amazing! Thanks for posting it to youtube & sharing the link. I'm putting it in "My Documents" under San Juan ideas. However,when I googled it, I couldn't find where his show is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Bluemoon319]

Not to hi-jack....but you made reference to the smoke smell in the casino. I thought there was no more smoking indoors. The Pride allows smoking in the casino???? If so, we will definitely be skipping that and taking the route you suggested to avoid it on our way to other places. Thanks for doing this review!

 

 

All the casinos have a smoking area. There is also a small section of the casino bars that allow smoking.

[JAYVIATION]

the amount of stay seemed perfect as noon approached, it got rather hot and our group was about ready to go. I recommend this place highly !

 

 

and with a sampling of the carribbean top 40 wafting in the air dancing to the gentle sea breeze, we return to the Pride.

 

 

we soon see the flotilla greeting our arrival..

 

 

 

she is an imposing sight up close...

 

 

 

up next a little ship spotting before we pull anchor..

 

[Bluemoon319]

Before we knew it, we were off to Starfish Island ( note: it has been mentioned in prior reviews I researched that Starfish Island was once Barrister? might have the name wrong Island in the past)

 

 

Yes, apparently Bannister Island was sold recently and is now called Starfish Island. It looks very different now though compared to when I was there in the past.

[JAYVIATION]

This is a really great review, I'm enjoying this immensely. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

tis a pleasure... that people are enjoying it is motivation a plenty :)

[JAYVIATION]

Yes, definintely amazing! Thanks for posting it to youtube & sharing the link. I'm putting it in "My Documents" under San Juan ideas. However,when I googled it, I couldn't find where his show is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

 

he dosen't have a "set" location. I believe he finds a hall in a hotel, rents it out for the times the ships will be there. The two times I saw him, they were at different places, but both near the San Juan port area within 5 miles and a bus will take the excursion there from the ship.

 

there were about 100 folks at the last show I went to and none that I polled saw him before. Suffice to say they were all blown away. There is one flamenco dancer in particular that will stand out from the rest. she is a little thing, but she takes it as seriously as he does the spanish guitar. Makes the whole thing something special.

 

glad you liked it!

[CruisingSnooter]

So enjoying reading your review! I find myself constantly peeking at my computer to see if there are any updates! I leave on the Pride in 2 weeks & reading your review is making me more excited than I already was; although I didn't think that was possible! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[CruisingSnooter]

As a 'side note,' I'm wondering from your review title if I have correctly guessed what the culmination of the trip is...the suspense is killing me!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[JAYVIATION]

 

 

 

 

after lunch and a few hours

 

, we began our pivot to leave the area. I was suprised to see this last tender pull up and come along side as the Pride was thrustering counterclockwise..

 

 

once all were aboard, we headed south east to Roatan..

 

 

on the way to Roatan..next

[cruiser fanatic]

I went to "Starfish Island" when it was Bannister. I will NEVER go back to that place again. The only thing good about that place was the food and drinks. The water was awful. I had to put on my shoes because the sand was so rocky in the water. Most people were demanding to go back to the ship early!

[JAYVIATION]

As a 'side note,' I'm wondering from your review title if I have correctly guessed what the culmination of the trip is...the suspense is killing me!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

ah...patience young jedi...you will learn soon enough. it's a whole new chapter yet to be told :)

 

glad I haven't derailed your hype-train :) It makes me very pleased to see others enjoy my pictures and story !!

[JAYVIATION]

I went to "Starfish Island" when it was Bannister. I will NEVER go back to that place again. The only thing good about that place was the food and drinks. The water was awful. I had to put on my shoes because the sand was so rocky in the water. Most people were demanding to go back to the ship early!

 

 

I am sorry it was not to your liking. I heard quite a few negative things regarding the past "ownership". That being said, my expectations were zero so I was already very suspicious. When I was there, the water was calm and clear..yes the initial entry area to the area was annoyingly sharp on the feets... it was substantially better a meter or so in. One can only judge for themselves. I was trying to be as unbiased as possible on my observations.

[Bluemoon319]

I went to "Starfish Island" when it was Bannister. I will NEVER go back to that place again. The only thing good about that place was the food and drinks. The water was awful. I had to put on my shoes because the sand was so rocky in the water. Most people were demanding to go back to the ship early!

 

Bannister used to be very nice a long time ago. I went back a 2nd time as part of an excursion because I liked it so much. It even had a nice, non-rocky beach at the time. I wonder if it got damaged due to a bad storm or something. have heard that it went downhill. Hopefully the new owners will turn things around.

[JAYVIATION]

who needs a treadmill when you have so many places to walk on this ship..

 

 

 

 

see that little gadget hangin over the left (port) side there?... it is a FLIR ( Forward Looking Infra- Red) camera. this one on the back (stern) points forward. There is another at the front (bow). I think I read somewhere they are for searching those that find themselves overboard.

 

hmm... speaking of treadmills.. did a quick runthrough of the gym at the start.

 

 

most of the equipment is new from the refit. the spirit class has a neat 3 floor tiered workout area with pretty much any machine you could need including free weights, resistance equipment and spinning bikes.. alas I did not find this to be a destination during our cruise.

 

 

the steam and sauna areas ( separated areas for men and women ) and the dressing room corridors are Greek Mythology themed.

 

 

more to come..

 

[JAYVIATION]

 

there is a nice spa in the gym area not a lot of people notice. If you are looking for one and the ones above deck are occupied...head here

 

 

 

now for a few more random shot around the ship...

 

midship pool

 

 

new seating area by the Blue Iguana Cantina

 

 

 

 

uh huh..more

 

 

[sjn911]

Wow, not just local time, but military time, as well! That's a pretty dangerous combination for all the drunk people trying to figure out what time they need to get back to the ship. :p

 

Great review! I'll be on the Pride in less than 3 weeks.

 

And when I first saw the title of your review, I had no idea what a Rhino is. I was thinking it was some sort of dice term (like snake eyes, or something), and it was referring to a story that would take place at the Craps table. Now I know!

 

Me too..LOL.

 

OP..I looked up A-ha and I am 55..never saw the video but remembered the song.

 

I too have scoured this ship types plans and the right deal on Costa or Carnival would be great in many special cabins.

 

You both are very cute and thanks for sharing your trip..with so much info on ports and ship....it is VERY APPRECIATED.

 

I had a deck seven inside which was not far from Lido on Spirit I adored ..but it was just an "off" cruise before going to Aussie.

 

You certainly are helping me fall in love with the ship type and when things go right...

 

I would absolutely love to have a cabin that is more like home and a balcony with cover...

 

Now with the no smoking for me this may just equal heaven and be within reach for a solo on Carnival....thanks soo much..Sarah

[Bluemoon319]

the amount of stay seemed perfect as noon approached, it got rather hot and our group was about ready to go. I recommend this place highly !

 

 

 

I loved these trees. :) I had a great time there as well. :)

[Miss_Mono]

ahh the shopping area in Costa Maya... it is essentially a large circle of shops with a central eatery/bar with a large pool in the middle. Lots and lots of craft stores and lots more trinket stores. EVERY SINGLE STORE had a guy calling you over.."hey amigo, come see, come buy"... sorry but that is an automatic 180 from your store/booth. We cannot stand that kind of in your face "adverising"...cute area nonetheless.

 

 

 

these guys were banging away on xylophones playing some great stuff. they were crazy go nuts !

 

 

 

they even had a dolphin tank right by the water..almost missed it.

 

 

it was time to head back to the ship..

 

 

more to come

 

 

 

Picture size is great for me...and I'm bummed I didn't notice the dolphin tank when we were there!

[cruiser fanatic]

Bannister used to be very nice a long time ago. I went back a 2nd time as part of an excursion because I liked it so much. It even had a nice, non-rocky beach at the time. I wonder if it got damaged due to a bad storm or something. have heard that it went downhill. Hopefully the new owners will turn things around.

 

I went in 8/13. I think shortly after that it was sold to a new owner. Hopefully, things turn around there.

[JAYVIATION]

after wandering around a bit, the sun started to go down and so did our food gauge... so we headed in, had dinner and took an evening stroll..

 

 

here is the piano bar..nice cozy little place. It seemed to be quite lively during the cruise during the evenings...just not in this picture heh.

 

 

here is one of the coffee stations...love it or hate it, it's ready 24-7 with all the pink, white, yellow and blue packets you can stuff in the cup..in addition to several kinds of Bigelow tea... my choice.. "Earl Grey..Hot" Annie liked the coffee she just thought it was a bit strong.

 

 

If you are in the group that sides that the free ships coffee is the syrup of satan then at the back of the lido area just by the aft elevator bank you will find an at-charge coffee station for all your mocha-chai-latte-half-caff-frappe with whip desires. It is only open 11am to 4pm

 

 

there is another specialty coffee bar with desserts and such on deck 2 forward promenade area, I have a pic later for that but it's open 11am to midnight..so in the meantime, here is the deli station (one of the permanent stations around the lido oval I explained before. They are fast at making sandwiches to your liking and will heap on the meats by request. I had quite a few hot roast turkey sandwiches on a fresh club roll...perfect every time..

 

 

and here we have a random sitting area near the atrium..

 

 

man this day is taking forever..still more

 

 

 

[JAYVIATION]

Me too..LOL.

 

OP..I looked up A-ha and I am 55..never saw the video but remembered the song.

 

I too have scoured this ship types plans and the right deal on Costa or Carnival would be great in many special cabins.

 

You both are very cute and thanks for sharing your trip..with so much info on ports and ship....it is VERY APPRECIATED.

 

I had a deck seven inside which was not far from Lido on Spirit I adored ..but it was just an "off" cruise before going to Aussie.

 

You certainly are helping me fall in love with the ship type and when things go right...

 

I would absolutely love to have a cabin that is more like home and a balcony with cover...

 

Now with the no smoking for me this may just equal heaven and be within reach for a solo on Carnival....thanks soo much..Sarah

 

thanks Sarah ! the A-ha reference was from that "take on me" video when he was a comic drawing smashing himself from one side of a hall to the other to become a "real man"...its a classic, but not so funny when you are doing it yourself on a rocking ship heh!

 

we appreciate the kind words..hope you stay tuned :)

[Bluemoon319]

Love the decor of this ship :)

[JAYVIATION]

what do you mean...we are still on the Belize day ??? for crying in the sink...... don't worry gang, almost done..

 

shore excursion desk just adjacent to the guest services desk. There were two young ladies that worked here. They were very helpful, didn't think any question was stupid and had smiles that could warm the coldest souls so be nice to them if you see them.

 

 

random stairwell artwork to give an idea of decor

 

 

inside of one of the glass atrium elevators: IMPORTANT NOTE: the reflection in the glass of the guy without pants IS NOT ME ! it's the David statue...yea...thats what it is.

 

 

and so another day draws to a close. There is nothing more welcoming when you are tired at night on a cruise then that cozy lit turned down cabin.

 

 

 

just want to say thanks to all that have visited and stayed around for our little adventures... there are more towel animals to come..

 

 

tomorrow: Roatan...