Our Carnival Pride Repo Journeys Cruise (with pics) - 2/26/17

[Jamman54]

He got us! There we are…..

 

Great job guys!

 

We are almost completely in the lower lock……

 

You can see that over in the other lane, the CSL Tarantau is being lowered to our level…..

 

To be continued…….

[Jamman54]

Ahhhhh, and here I have built you up in my mind to be "all knowing" and figured that you were born with this knowledge ;p

 

Seriously though, I was planning to research whether or not they would have discussions/lectures/announced info about the locks/canal and what is going on either before or while it is happening. Thanks for saving me that research. We are close to choosing which Panama Canal cruise we are doing in 2018 and this is most helpful in confirming that this is what we want to do!

 

You caught me!!! :D The same gentleman gave a couple of lectures on the Panama Canal in the Taj Mahal, but for some reason we missed them.

[Jamman54]

The Carnival Pride is completely in the lower lock…..

 

The CSL Tarantau is leaving the middle lock and heading into the lower lock…..

Our photographers and their escort are walking to the middle lock…..

 

That’s a heck of a lot of stairs to climb…..

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

The CSL Tarantau makes her way into the lower lock…..

 

The Carnival Pride is being raised up so she can enter the middle lock…..

 

Here is a view to the front as seen on our cabin television…..

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

You can tell looking down at the “mule” that the Carnival Pride has been raised to the level of the middle lock…..

 

We are now moving into the middle lock…..

 

Some canal workers are doing repairs to one of the gates…..

 

We are moving further into the middle lock……

 

Looking back towards the lower lock…..

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

That ship in the upper lock is being lowered…..

 

Here’s a closer look at the gates…..

 

This is the Panama Canal office…..

 

Here is a tourist observation area…..

 

This is the crowded elevated observation deck……

 

A view of the office and elevated observation deck…..

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

The Angol is leaving the upper lock…..

 

This is the Gatun Locks Operations building……

The Angol is making her way into the middle lock.....

 

The Pride is completely in the middle lock, and is starting to be raised up…..

 

The ships photographers are back at work and waiting for the Pride to begin moving…..

 

The Pride has been raised up to the level of the upper lock…..

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

The Pride begins to move into the upper lock. The ship’s photographers swing into action again…..

 

The Pride continues to move into the upper lock…..

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Here are a few views looking aft……..

 

Here are a few views looking forward…..

 

To be continued…….

[Jamman54]

The Carnival Pride is now completely in the upper lock…..

 

The Pride is being raised to the level of Gatun Lake…..

 

The Coral Princess is in Gatun Lake waiting for her turn to enter the locks. She is also doing a partial transit today…..

 

The gates are opening to let the New Jersey enter the upper locks…..

 

Another look back to where we have been…..

 

To be continued……

[Hoot51]

Your review so far is fantastic! I'm enjoying it immensely. Your pics and writing style make it easy to feel like your readers are on the cruise too. Going through the Panama Canal is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for sharing. Can't wait to read/see the rest!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[kruisinkris]

Jeff,

I've LOVED your review so far. I'm posting my "mini review" that I posted on our roll call as you requested. I hope you still don't mind. I know it's been a couple of days since the request, but we were out of town visiting family and their computer was weird, so I couldn't get into CC.

Thanks again to you and Patti for being new friends of ours, and I hope we see you both again soon.....and not just on a cruise. :)

Kris

I had a GREAT cruise. I love cruising because my DH doesn't make me glued to his hip, so I can flit here and there, and dance and be a little crazy while he just relaxes. It was also great having dinner with my in-laws each evening and catching up on what we did.

I LOVE the Spirit Class ships. I fell in love with their layout when I cruised on the Carnival Spirit back in 2008. It was reaffirmed when I cruised on the Carnival Legend in 2013 and again on this repo/canal cruise on the Pride. My next cruise will be on the sister ship the Carnival Miracle later this year and I've already booked a journey cruise again on the Pride (not thrilled about cruising out of Baltimore, but thrilled about being on the Pride again).

I LOVED the itinerary. First time going through the Panama Canal locks, and first time in Limon and Bonaire. I like Aruba and LOVE Cozumel and St Marteen.

Staff on the ship were great, food was great (as usual), the CD was very visible, energetic and approachable, and while evening entertainment wasn't always perfect, there was a lot going on during the day.

What really helps to make a cruise extra special for me, though, are the people I meet. So here's some thanks: Thanks to Ginger, our OP, who organized a special rate for us at the Bay Harbor Hotel, who kept the roll call up to date, and who contacted a shuttle company to get all of us to the port and organized at least one port excursion. That's a lot of work and she's not a travel agent or someone who got any financial rewards from arranging all of this....and she even had some health issues during the cruise. It was great meeting you, you are a truly lovely lady inside and out and I hope you're feeling better.

Thanks to everyone who recommended the Best Western (very nice hotel) and the Timbuktu restaurant in Baltimore. The crab cakes at the Timbuktu were awesome!

Thanks to Brenda, who gave up her intimate 10 person tour in Limon, and instead had about 35 people she was keeping track of, and who got more than she was looking for when my dear, never been sea sick before husband, got deathly sea sick fishing in Aruba. We're taking patches, etc, etc on our next cruise "just in case" and no more small boats for him (unless the sea is "glass")

Thanks to Vicky and Chris who organized the slot pulls and LCR on board. I had a blast and was "soo happy". (pronounced "sew happy", like on "Robin Hood, Men in Tights".)

It was so great meeting and hanging around with our new friends Patti and Jeff.

It was wonderful meeting Al and Linda, Julie and Edith, Norma and sisters Teresa and Paula, Brenda and Bill, Lisa and Dennie, Dave and Erin, Crystal and Charley, Shella and Butch Kevin and Penny, Jerry (ie: Manuel) and Linda, Tina and Donna, Barb and Diane, Tracy and Bob.... and geeze, I think I'm forgetting some people...must be "sometimers", oh! wish I could have spent more time with Angie and John. I was quite a shock to get acquainted with Patrick, only to find out he lives in the same town we do, and Angie is who spearheads their cruises. I also don't know if Jean, Sally, Kenny & Joseph are on CC, but I sure liked all of you. If I missed anyone, I'm sorry. I ended up forgetting a few names.

It sure was nice to have others around who liked LCR, cards, dancing, and just having fun.

BTW, I really WAS hypnotized. I've been hypnotized before (and didn't like it), so was a little apprehensive and only went on stage because my DBIL & DSIL kind of pushed, but this time it was a very pleasant experience.

Kris

[Jamman54]

Your review so far is fantastic! I'm enjoying it immensely. Your pics and writing style make it easy to feel like your readers are on the cruise too. Going through the Panama Canal is on my bucket list. Thank you so much for sharing. Can't wait to read/see the rest!

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thanks for reading and your kind words! Much more to come! :D

[Jamman54]

Jeff,

I've LOVED your review so far. I'm posting my "mini review" that I posted on our roll call as you requested. I hope you still don't mind. I know it's been a couple of days since the request, but we were out of town visiting family and their computer was weird, so I couldn't get into CC.

Thanks again to you and Patti for being new friends of ours, and I hope we see you both again soon.....and not just on a cruise. :)

Kris

 

Hey Kris!! Thanks for stopping by again, and for posting your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to jump in any time!!

Patti and I had a great time hanging out with you guys, and I'm sure we will get together again. Patti will be emailing you with some pictures. Give our best to the original Kenny G!!! :D

[lildolphin08]

I would second this also! We bought the 5 bottle package on our last cruise, and got 5 bottles of the Moscato that they offer. Very delicious, and I hate a dry wine.

 

 

Question for you, We are thinking of buying the wine package also. If we buy it are you allowed just in the dinning room or in your room as well?

[jocko4279]

Jeff- Great review once again ,may I say maybe you're best to date with the thorough, detailed description of the lock transit process. Thanks for whisking me away to a special place once again when I'm not actually there. Pride (Spirit class) in my opinion is really the ultimate "cruise" ship. Going back again in July for round 3!

[WinstonsMom]

Thank you SO much for the Panama Canal pictures! I've always wanted to do a transit or partial transit and your posts (and Patti's pictures) have convinced me that it really is a must-do and that a balcony is also the way to go. Can't wait to read the rest of the review, especially since we will be back on the Pride in November when she makes her maiden voyage to the Princess Cays.

 

Lisa

[smitty89]

Question for you, We are thinking of buying the wine package also. If we buy it are you allowed just in the dinning room or in your room as well?

 

That I'm not sure of, sorry. We just had our bottles in the dining room. Hope you get an answer!

[TrqoisWtrs]

Great pics and explanation of the Canal! I was amazed by the mammoth ships that were going through the canal. Pictures cannot do them justice; they are just huge. It is an amazing engineering feat.

 

We had John Heald and Mr. Radu (cruise line photographer) sailing with us, and so Mr. Radu got off in Limon and hustled over to the Canal. He went up in a helicopter and took outstanding aerial views of our ship going thru the Canal. Then they were selling them in a package - I think it was ten 8x10s for $30. Great deal. Its so awesome having those type of pictures knowing you are on that ship! :D

 

If you get a chance to cruise the Canal, do it!

 

(sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread, but thought people would enjoy seeing the aerial pics.)

 

 

 

I'm in the middle somewhere on the deck above the bridge! :p:D

 

[bettyboop16]

Jamman.....How long was the ship docked in Colon? Where you able to take any excursions while in Gatun Lake or Colon? We did a partial canal cruise 2010 on HAL Zuiderdam & was offered an excursion that went through rest of the canal on a ferry to the Pacific Ocean & then was transported back to Colon by bus. It was a great excursion to see almost all of the canal & the Centennial Bridge & Bridge of the Americas without doing a full transit by cruise ship.

[dogbert's mom]

Hi Jeff, Got home from the cruise last week after spending 8 in Pennsylvania and opened Cruise Critic for the first time today. The first post I saw was your review. You are doing a fabulous job. Its funny to see yourself in pictures that you didn't even realize were being taken.

 

Your pictures of the canal and description are wonderful. The only thing I would add is if you are planning a trip and have the time I would definitely book a complete passage. The portion travelling through the middle of the canal was fascinating.

 

Can't wait to read the rest of your review. Thanks for devoting so much time.

 

Janice

[Jamman54]

Jeff- Great review once again ,may I say maybe you're best to date with the thorough, detailed description of the lock transit process. Thanks for whisking me away to a special place once again when I'm not actually there. Pride (Spirit class) in my opinion is really the ultimate "cruise" ship. Going back again in July for round 3!

 

Thanks for coming along for the ride once again, and for your kid words. Enjoy your return to the Pride!! :D

Thank you SO much for the Panama Canal pictures! I've always wanted to do a transit or partial transit and your posts (and Patti's pictures) have convinced me that it really is a must-do and that a balcony is also the way to go. Can't wait to read the rest of the review' date=' especially since we will be back on the Pride in November when she makes her maiden voyage to the Princess Cays.

Lisa[/quote']

 

Thanks for reading! The canal is amazing. We would like to do a full transit one day. We were glad that we watched from our balcony instead of the open decks. :)

[Jamman54]

just got back from my week in Tampa and Orlando and finally caught up on the review. Can't wait for the rest!

 

Thanks for following along!! Much more to come. :)

Great pics and explanation of the Canal! I was amazed by the mammoth ships that were going through the canal. Pictures cannot do them justice; they are just huge. It is an amazing engineering feat.

 

We had John Heald and Mr. Radu (cruise line photographer) sailing with us, and so Mr. Radu got off in Limon and hustled over to the Canal. He went up in a helicopter and took outstanding aerial views of our ship going thru the Canal. Then they were selling them in a package - I think it was ten 8x10s for $30. Great deal. Its so awesome having those type of pictures knowing you are on that ship! :D

 

If you get a chance to cruise the Canal, do it!

 

(sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread, but thought people would enjoy seeing the aerial pics.)

 

Thanks for reading and sharing those amazing photos!!! :cool:

[Jamman54]

Jamman.....How long was the ship docked in Colon? Where you able to take any excursions while in Gatun Lake or Colon? We did a partial canal cruise 2010 on HAL Zuiderdam & was offered an excursion that went through rest of the canal on a ferry to the Pacific Ocean & then was transported back to Colon by bus. It was a great excursion to see almost all of the canal & the Centennial Bridge & Bridge of the Americas without doing a full transit by cruise ship.

 

Thanks for reading!! The Pride did not stop in Colon, which is why no excursions were offered. I know that the Coral Princess did have excursions that departed from the ship in Gatun Lake. The ship then made a two hour stop in Colon to pick those passengers up. Wish Carnival would have done the same.

 

Hi Jeff' date=' Got home from the cruise last week after spending 8 in Pennsylvania and opened Cruise Critic for the first time today. The first post I saw was your review. You are doing a fabulous job. Its funny to see yourself in pictures that you didn't even realize were being taken.

 

Your pictures of the canal and description are wonderful. The only thing I would add is if you are planning a trip and have the time I would definitely book a complete passage. The portion travelling through the middle of the canal was fascinating.

 

Can't wait to read the rest of your review. Thanks for devoting so much time.

 

Janice[/quote']

 

Hey Janice!! Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to chime in whenever you want. :D

[Jamman54]

The New Jersey moves into the upper lock…..

 

The Carniva lPride is leaving the upper lock…..

 

The gates close behind the New Jersey…..

 

To be continued……