Pride Maitre'd and cruise review

[tilliebob1919]

Hi everyone!!! Just off the Pride today. Doing a short review of our trip and would like to start it off with Ken Byrne, Maitre'd. A couple of weeks ago I emailed Mr Byrne with a seating request and never expected an answer as I have never received one in the past and thought I would have to wait till I was aboard to find out. I was shocked to receive a response within a couple of hours assuring me that we would be well cared for and taken care of. I could not believe that he would personally take time out of his busy schedule to contact me. I was very appreciative of this as well as his subsequent emails regarding my request and his offered seating suggestions. So glad that I went along with what he thought was best for us because it certainly was!!! Last Sunday evening I introduced myself to him and my family, thanked him for responses/suggestions etc.. He remembered me and our emails. He was fantastic in person. Great guy with a wonderful personality and so outgoing with all that were dining every evening. He sang at least 2 songs each evening. His staff also did a little something 4 or 5 night during the cruise. It was definitely our best main dining room experience of all over our many Carnival cruises through the years that we have taken. Can't say enough about how it was and you could tell everyone dining were enjoying it also.

 

Now for the rest: We overall had a great cruise except for only ONE negative that I would assume impacted not only my husband (by Wednesday he had developed bronchitis and has gone downhill since then and continues to do so and will be going to the doctor's tomorrow) but effected many others...most of the common areas were freezing..not cold but freezing. Never saw so many wearing sweaters, long sleeves etc.. Also our cabin was no better. You could not get it comfortable or warm for anything. Even had maintenance in twice and they could not make it better. Heard as well as spoke with others and they basically said the same.

PARKING- we chose to valet our truck right there at the luggage drop off. It was $125.00 and well worth it. Had we parked in the garage closest to the Pride, it was $105.00. The Pride was docked at Terminal 3 and the walking distance was not as short as we thought it was going to be so for us, the valet option was the best way to go. The valet parking area is adjacent to the terminal building in a gated and secured section with with 24 hour security.

EMBARKATION - our staggered time slot was 11-11:30am and we we there a little earlier. After giving our luggage to a porter and getting our valet ticket we went in. Our wait to check in line was less than 10 minutes to check in and than maybe another 10 minutes before we were called to board.

OV ROOM - it was ideally located on the mid section, even side, of the Riviera deck around the corner from the glass elevators. Absolutely heard no noise the entire cruise. There were no inside cabins in that area also. The only flaw was the freezing temperature that was always present in the cabin the entire cruise. Even my sister-in-law, who is always hot (we live here in the St Pete area) could not believe how colder than cold it was. Our steward was Nector and he was fantastic. Did our cabin twice a day, made super towel animals and made sure we were in need of nothing.

DINING ROOM - we had early dining. Our servers were "Ninja" and his assistant, Parmean. Both very attentive to us all each evening despite have many tables and much to do. They were super.

FOOD - in the dining room...we enjoyed most of what was offered and what we chose. In the buffet...the usual choices for breakfast and lunch. If I did not enjoy something I found something else and made out fine. Did not try any of the "xtras".

ENTERTAINMENT - did not go to much from Wednesday on because as I said my husband did not feel up to it but what we saw show wise earlier in the week was good. Others in our party did more and enjoyed all as well as the audience participation shows.

SHIP LAYOUT- was different but easy to maneuver about after a day or so. Like the Serenity area...great spots and comfortable chairs, loveseats to rest and relax in the shade if you did not want to be in the sun. A lot of loungers for use in the sun as well as a few covered clam shell lounges and a couple of hammocks.

CASINO - was larger than I thought it was going to be. Lot of slot machines to choose from. Lot of different table games offered as well as craps and roulette. Casino hostess and her assistants were very nice and were walking around often. Lot of smokers playing as well as sitting around the bar area. Could definitely smell the smoke before entering. Only saw one person who won almost $3,000 playing max bet on a quick pick machine otherwise not sure if there were any other big winners. Me...I donated as usual.

PORTS - Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay and Grand Cayman. Weather cooperated and none cancelled. The Grand Cayman tender each way was about 6 minutes. The Belize tender was between 20-25 minutes each way.

WEATHER - from Tampa on Sunday till late Monday Night, Mother Nature was not nice to many cruisers and some of the crew. The winds were very strong and seas were very rough. Lot of rock and rolling as well as sick people.

SUMMARY - had a great time because we were able to cruise with immediate family for the first time and definitely plan to do it again, would have had a much better time though if it had not been so cold air conditioning wise just about everywhere especially in the cabins or had my husband not gotten sick from it and was not able to enjoy it to the fullest extent what we were all looking forward to. As the expression goes "things happen" and some you have no control over.

 

 

 

 

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[nicole9s]

Thanks for your review. Sailing the Pride next year, so always happy to see a review.

 

Hope your hubby gets better soon!

 

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[tilliebob1919]

nicole9s, thank you so much and enjoy your cruise too!!!

 

 

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[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[easyboy]

Sorry to hear about your husband but glad to know that you enjoyed your cruise with the family.

Thanks for the feedback

[T2C]

Hi everyone!!! Just off the Pride today. Doing a short review of our trip and would like to start it off with Ken Byrne, Maitre'd. A couple of weeks ago I emailed Mr Byrne

 

 

 

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Wow!! Ken is back on the Pride, Alright!! I hadn't been keeping track as our cruise isn't for a while but this is great news, Ken is the best there is

[FormerFloridian]

Thanks for posting! We are sailing the same ship/itinerary in 3 weeks...

 

Did you happen to see if there are any 2-tops by the windows? I was considering making a request but all the photos show large tables at the window, so that might be out of the question anyway. I've heard quite a bit about this Ken Byrnes fellow, looking forward to the entertainment!

 

How did you find the outside temperatures? Were the pools heated sufficiently while in FL waters, or was it still a bit chilly? What about water temps at port? Thanks :-) :-)

[StolidCruiser]

Wow!! Ken is back on the Pride, Alright!! I hadn't been keeping track as our cruise isn't for a while but this is great news, Ken is the best there is

 

Ken's back from the Vista? Cool!

 

Thanks for posting! We are sailing the same ship/itinerary in 3 weeks...

 

Did you happen to see if there are any 2-tops by the windows? I was considering making a request but all the photos show large tables at the window, so that might be out of the question anyway. I've heard quite a bit about this Ken Byrnes fellow, looking forward to the entertainment!

 

How did you find the outside temperatures? Were the pools heated sufficiently while in FL waters, or was it still a bit chilly? What about water temps at port? Thanks :-) :-)

 

There are no two-tops near windows to the best of my recollection. The pools aren't heated. If you want to sit in lukewarm water, the hot tubs are your best bet.

Edited January 30, 2017 by StolidCruiser

[crusinpsychRN]

Captain Carnival and his wife were on this cruise. Did you meet them?

[MRVEGAS711]

Super excited that Ken Byrnes is on the Pride. Now I got my fingers crossed he is on in September.

[Kel040]

Wow!! Ken is back on the Pride, Alright!! I hadn't been keeping track as our cruise isn't for a while but this is great news, Ken is the best there is

 

Thank you for your review ! Sorry your husband was ill... :(

 

I too am glad to hear Ken is back. :D I also wrote to Ken last year when we were going on the Pride and he set us up in with a great table and we spoke with him every night.

 

We will be on the Pride for our 3rd time, this May. Can't wait ! :D

[Momma1980]

Hello! I was also on this sailing. Was very happy that Ken was the maître d' as he is something of a celebrity on Carnival. He has a beautiful singing voice.

 

The Pride is a beautiful ship. Wish it would stay in Tampa year round. I love the Spirit class ships. We did hear the cruise director say that the Miracle was going to reposition to Tampa and stay year round. I hope this is true.

 

We stayed in a balcony cabin on deck 4. Had no problems with the room temperature. Sorry that you did.

 

Thanks for the review. It's always nice hearing someone else's perspective.

[JMAE]

Thanks for the info! We are also glad Ken is back, we are sailing on 4/2/17 and hope he is not on vacation.

[tilliebob1919]

Thank you all. My husband did see his doctor today. Diagnosed with severe bronchitis. Received appropriate medications and treatment for and hopefully will kick in within 2-3 days. Also cautioned not to go somewhere where there is a big difference in temperatures from what he is normally accustomed to. You never know. It was an ac issue and it happened.

We had several friends that did the January 22nd and they said it was just the opposite...too hot in the cabins and majority of common areas were warm .

Also Ken told us he will be on the Pride thru May 2nd. Then he will be going back to Dublin til July, will then return to the Pride thru January of next year. After that will be on the new Horizon indefinitely.

 

 

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Edited January 31, 2017 by tilliebob1919

[Crusin Karen]

Thanks for your review. We just booked another Pride Journey cruise for next January. We have sailed with Ken 3 times-our lst sailing with him was on the then new Dream. He has done a number of "personal things" for us and the lst thing DH asked when I brought up the idea of booking the Pride again was whether Ken was still there! :p I assumed he was still on Vista and am happy he is back on "our ship." :D Since you said he will be on Pride until January, I am keeping my fingers crossed he is still there for our cruise on 1/7/18! Hope DH has a speedy recovery.

[lindap6619]

How was the cruise director?