Swodog's E. Caribbean Adventure: Carnival Pride 23-30 July 17

[swodog94]

Grand Turk (Cont.)

For our entrees I chose the beef spare rib, while she ordered the meat lasagna. This was the second cruise she's ordered this, and she quickly remembered why she had not liked it the previous time. I tried it too and I have to agree with her...there is too much ground beef in the lasagna and it's poorly constructed.

Tonight was one of the nights that the wait staff put on a show. This time it was them dancing and lip synching to Gangnam Style

 

I can't say enough good things about our wait staff. They work hard to make sure they get your food to you quickly and accurately. And then they're expected to be entertainers, too! Our team of Dickson and Rebecca were awesome!

[swodog94]

Grand Turk (Cont.)

After dinner we decided to kill some time in the casino. The slots were not good to me, but my wife played a game where you drop quarters into the machine in an attempt to move a pile of coins over the edge. There a various prizes laying on these coins and the idea is to move enough of the pile to get these prizes to drop over as well. She managed to win a couple of ball caps and a drink token, which she selflessly gave to me!

We headed back to our room pretty early, because we knew we would be getting up early for the arrival at Half Moon Cay. We found that the Room Steward had once again left us a gift, this time courtesy of the casino: cookies!

 

Well, at least I have something to show for all the money I've been losing! Our newest towel critter silently laughed at me!

[swodog94]

I'd like to see the Margarittaville menu if you don't mind posting please! :)

Sure, here are all the menus!

 

 

[swodog94]

More menus!

 

 

[kesrya]

Ha! That towel creature *is* laughing at you! So cute!

 

What all is involved in the process to get back on the ship at Grand Turk? Do you just walk on? Is there a security search again? This is our first cruise and I'd like to understand how difficult it will be if we need to get on and off several times cause of the kids while at GT?

[nybumpkin]

One was a gift certificate to use at Pixels for pictures. We had already bought the pics we wanted and didn't buy any more after that, so we didn't use that cert.

 

We were also given a $200 gift certificate to use at an art auction. We have always steered well clear of those things. For starters, not really a fan of the style of artists they push, and secondly, all I've ever heard about these art auctions is that they are pushy, hard sell events. We chose not to use it, and my worst fears were reinforced later that day when we got a call from some guy pushing the art auction. He urged to "not be suspicious" of the gift and come use it...I'm sorry, when you have to specifically ask folks not to be suspicious, you look especially shady!

We probably would have used the photo card, but I'm with you on the art - it's not our style and at this stage of our lives DH and I are thinking about downsizing, not adding to our possessionns. Besides, DS the SWO likes to shop for us - there's a Persian rug from Bahrain in a box waiting to be opened. :D

 

The other gift card we've received is for the spa. In all of our cruises, the only times I've set foot near the spa are when I want to visit the hot tub in the gym.

 

Enjoying your review - we've done this itinerary twice on Pride.

[swodog94]

Ha! That towel creature *is* laughing at you! So cute!

 

What all is involved in the process to get back on the ship at Grand Turk? Do you just walk on? Is there a security search again? This is our first cruise and I'd like to understand how difficult it will be if we need to get on and off several times cause of the kids while at GT?

A crewmember will scan your S&S card to check you in or off the ship. Yes, they will run your bags through the xray machine, checking for booze.

[swodog94]

We probably would have used the photo card, but I'm with you on the art - it's not our style and at this stage of our lives DH and I are thinking about downsizing, not adding to our possessionns. Besides, DS the SWO likes to shop for us - there's a Persian rug from Bahrain in a box waiting to be opened. :D

 

The other gift card we've received is for the spa. In all of our cruises, the only times I've set foot near the spa are when I want to visit the hot tub in the gym.

 

Enjoying your review - we've done this itinerary twice on Pride.

Bought my share at the rug flops in Bahrain! Glad you're enjoying the review.

[DCCruiser1013]

Awesome review! Ashley (the wife) and I are trying to venture out and try new things in the cruising world, but as long as the Pride is in Baltimore it will always be our "home" base for cruising.

[swodog94]

Awesome review! Ashley (the wife) and I are trying to venture out and try new things in the cruising world, but as long as the Pride is in Baltimore it will always be our "home" base for cruising.

Yeah, It's very convenient and I know the ship like the back of my hand now. That being said, I think we will change it up for our next cruise, there are just too many great itineraries out there that we want to do. Thanks for following along!

[swodog94]

Half Moon Cay

The day finally arrived! I had been wanting to come to Half Moon Cay (HMC) since I first read about it, and so we had booked a cruise last year that went there. Unfortunately, the weather had not cooperated, and we missed our HMC day. This time, we were going! And on top of that, I had managed to get us a cabana (see page 2 of this review to see the story). The day was beautiful and sunny and we were up and around by 7am because we wanted to get a real breakfast before catching our tender.

 

All the normal breakfasts foods were available, but y wife ust went some cereal, and I (shockingly!) got a burritto - sorry, I was hungry and had already taken a couple of bites before I remembered to take a photo!

 

 

Folks who were not Priority, have FTTF or a pre-arranged excursion were lined up on the Lido at 8am to get their tender tickets.

 

We had our excursion ticket for our cabana, which told us to be in the Taj Mahal at 8:45. Being suite guests and FTTF, we also had a letter that directed us to go to the Butterflies at 8:45. I asked the Entertainment rep who was there which was better...he said that although everyone in the Taj Mahal and Butterflies would be on the first tender, the folks in the Taj Mahal would board first.

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

The ship anchored right around 8:30 and the first tender was making it's approach shortly thereafter.

 

 

 

We headed down to the Taj Mahal to wait for our tender. The entertainment staff was diving us into two groups: group 1 was the 8:45 group and group 2 was the 9:15 group. The majority in there were in the 8:45 group.

 

 

By 9:06 we were on the tender. The boarding process was smooth, the special needs folks were the last to board, and we were pulling away right around 9:10.

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

Our tender boarded at the forward hatch. There was a tender loading at the aft hatch as well. Not sure if that was more people or where the crew was loading all the food. Everything has to be brought to the island, including food, drinks, booze.

 

It's not a very long ride to the island and by 9:14 we were entering the man made channel that leads to the pier.

 

 

Once you're there you disembark and find yourself at the entrance to a paradise!

 

 

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

As you enter the gates you'll find yourself in a courtyard. If you have an excursion, your first stop is the Information Hut, where you give them your ticket and sign in.

 

There are also some shops and bars around this courtyard, as well as a unique fountain.

 

 

There are 15 cabanas, each numbered individually. The higher the number, the further down the beach your cabana is. Ours was #10. Luckily, we didn't have to walk there, because there's a tram that will drive you there.

 

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

The tram drops us off at a bus stop and we can see our cabana from there.

We hike down a short trail and arrive at our cabana!

 

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

A cabana comes with quite a few amenities. There are two loungers, as well as a table with four chairs.

 

 

For me, two of the most important amenities (especially in July) are the mister fan and the air conditioner.

 

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

The cabana also comes with four floaters (more on that later!) and your own outdoor shower.

 

 

I've seen other folks report on here that in the lower numbered cabanas, which are located at the end of the beach closest to the piers and therefore the busiest and most crowded areas, that somme people will walk right up into your cabana and use the shower. We didn't have that issue, although at one time when we were both in the water and I heard a girl tell her boyfriend to go up on cabana and take the floaters...thankfully he demurred.

There's also a fridge which we used to chill our drinks (beer and soda).

 

Next to the cabana was a hammock. I tried it out and it was very uncomfortable!

 

Since cabanas 9, 10 and 11 are further down the beach they tend to be quieter and less crowded, because less folks will walk this far down. Plus, they are very close to the bathrooms!

[E@syPe@zy]

Just found your review....great job!! Really enjoying the photos and narration.

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

Finally, they also provide a bunch of snacks, including cut fruit, oranges, chicps, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. You can also choose soft drinks (Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite).

Periodically servers will come down the beach selling beer in these very convenient insulated totes. I bought a bag of six and stuck them in the fridge!

 

The beach stretches out on either side, with rows and rows of chairs.

 

Some of the chairs have clamshells to provide shade. You have to pay for those, but I didn't really see anybody using them.

 

Along with the cabanas there are five villas. These are pretty big and can host a group of 8 or so.

[swodog94]

Just found your review....great job!! Really enjoying the photos and narration.

Thank you! Hope you get some good info from it.

[Mr & Mrs Happy]

Thank you! Hope you get some good info from it.

 

Loving your review. I've never been to Grand Turk or HMC, so Im always excited when I see pictures of both ports. Just hoping nothing happens that we miss either port when we cruise in Oct.

[Halfmoonfan]

Outstanding SIT-REP Commander!

[swodog94]

Outstanding SIT-REP Commander!

Thanks!

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)

A bit down the beach is what appears to a pirate ship on dry land. This is the Captain Morgan "Pirate Bar". I headed down to take a look while not a lot of people were on the beach yet.

 

 

[swodog94]

HMC (Cont.)