obx_fintoo

We also enjoyed the "annex" as they call it.  It is so nice to have a zero smoke option.  Also, the bar there was well staffed and served the coffee/tea drinks as well.

We did the Pride partial Panama in Feb 2022.  It was definitely a bucket list trip!  Here's a link to my mini-review if you are interested.  Hope you have a wonderful time!

Yes, sea days at 3 is the norm.  Because it is a smaller ship the Elation has done Tea Time in the Piano Bar in the past.  It's not always just older folks.  My daughter used to love dressing up for Tea Time when she was in the 7-10 range, and our last cruise we went just for nostalgia's sake.  Hope you and your wife enjoy!  

Cheers!

On 12/4/2022 at 11:23 AM, Saint Greg said:

My next one is in two months on Magic out of Port Canaveral. Not my favorite ship. Not my favorite port. But this cruise was booked two years ago. I booked it for the ports. Actually I was supposed to go this route on Breeze in 2020. Then again in 2021. Both were canceled.

I booked this to replace those. St Kitts and St Maarten will be new ports for me. I believe I have the prepaid highly discounted cheers package on that one as well as a a steak house and cucina at the old prices and 20% off internet from last springs spa sale.  I think i have 700-800 OBC again. 
 

Maria from both of my 2018 Dream cruises and my 2021 Mardi Gras will be on Magic. So that’s cool. My all-time favorite stewart Rafael should still be there. Unfortunately my room is a couple down from his section. I tried to move after New York but his section was booked.

 

 

The Magic needs some love, but they were painting over some of the rust spots when we were on.  The steakhouse was great!  Very attentive staff, quick service and food was delish!  

Also, look for Mirela at Alchemy.  She was amazing.  She was actually working the Casino 4 Annex bar on our cruise but it was a rotation, she is normally at Alchemy - which was always packed!

Cheers!

On 11/30/2022 at 10:24 PM, Thenagers said:

I am noticing that you keep coming back to this? I have heard mixed reviews? I’m a southern girl. Is the biscuit not good? I have only heard raves for the chicken. 

On 12/1/2022 at 12:04 AM, IntrepidFromDC said:

I'll share my experience from January.  The chicken sandwiches were fantastic, right up there with cfila.  The biscuit and honey something at breakfast was really disappointing to me.

 

  Just have to chime in on this discussion.  The bread that is called a biscuit is not.  But, it's ok as bread.  We got to the point where we could enjoy this if we called it chicken and breakfast bread.  😎  It's a mind trick!  

Great review as always, Greg!  Thanks for your hard work!  Happy New Year to all!

Great trip and review @MeganGC1983!  Thanks and happy holidays to you and your family!

On 12/6/2022 at 3:14 PM, Jamman54 said:

How are you guys doing? What do you have planned for next year?

Hey Jeff, we are actually leaving tomorrow for the Magic!  First time sailing on her.  Then we are doing our first B2B on the Liberty this Spring.  So many firsts!  Wishing you Patti a lovely Christmas!  Happy cruising!

All caught up and looking forward to the rest!

Cheers!

Make that 12 👍.  We really enjoyed Rudi's and definitely plan to try it on the Celebration.

I would call their Customer Service and explain the situation.  I had a simliar issue with my CVS results in February.  It only showed my first name and last initial.  The CVS rep was able to change it while I was on the phone so that I could reprint.  Good luck!

12 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

The Backyard Band is playing at the Pig & Anchor……

 

  This band was awesome!  We saw them play several times.  A good mix of genres and the lead singer has some pipes!  😍

Yay!  The review is here!  😎  It was so nice to meet you and Patti and we look forward to reliving week 1 of the B2B.   We are already plotting how soon we can get back on MG!  

Looking forward to the rest!  Cheers!  🍺

T

On 5/8/2022 at 6:07 AM, Jamman54 said:

Just off a B2B on the Mardi Gras, and there were late night snacks at the Pig & Anchor every night from 11:30 - 1:00. Never partook myself, so I don't know what was offered. 😎

We tried these one night, actually hanging out at the P&A bar until the snacks came out.  Most of it was good, but there was one small sandwich that had a bun that was inedible.  Literally rock hard.  We had already taken them back to the room so I did not bring it to anyone's attention, nor did I get a picture. 

But, as I said, most was really good and there were plenty of folks lined up for the snacks.  

On 4/4/2022 at 10:43 AM, sc4125 said:

Thanks for the review and info.  I will be on an elite cruise on the Celebration in November - actually the week of Thanksgiving, so expecting lots of families.  

 

I had heard that there should only be 30 - 40 elite cruisers on a cruise.  Did you find this to be true for your cruise as far as drawings were concerned - were there any for elite only?  I've cruised 3 times so far post Covid and it seems that the casino is always pretty packed - but I took advantage of cruise offers on each of those cruises, so expected crowds - all were Premier or Ultra.  I was just wondering if being on an elite cruise may be different (maybe a better chance of getting name called in drawings.

 

 

I have not done an Ultra cruise, but I am hearing that those are better for prizes and exclusive drawings.  While I don't know the exact #, it felt like there were a lot of folks on our Elite sailing.  The perks are what really make the Elite worthwhile.   I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Celebration cruise.

Cheers!

On 4/1/2022 at 9:54 PM, cruzmaniac said:

Thanks for all the great information on your cruise!!  My hubby and I will be taking an Elite Casino cruise the end of June so this helps us know more of what to expect.  The drinks every benefit -  how does that work?  Do you have to qualify in the casino first by playing so much $$ or is it from the time you get onboard like the Cheers package?

 

Thanks!!

The Elite drinks starts as soon as you board.  Prior to getting your room key, you can use your boarding pass.  Enjoy! 

16 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

Spring break cruise?

The irony is, the next cruise after ours was a 2 week Bare Necessities group cruise, so I'm thinking that number increased a bit then! 

It was a pretty decent size.  Not sure what ships you are familiar with.  

The casino on the Pride is on deck 2 midship.  It spans the entire width of the ship with a walkway through it, so if you are coming from the aft and want to go to the theater, you will walk right through the casino.  There are lots of slot machines on both sides.  As you walk in from the back, to your left are the cashier cages, slots on both sides, table games in front of cashier cages, then a seating area and the bar. There was a mix of newer and older slots, but more new than old that I saw.  

We were on a casino event cruise, so there were lots of times it was packed, however when we went during dining/show times, it was much less crowded and easy to move around.  I particularly enjoyed the Little Shop of Horrors, Heidi's Beirhaus and the small bank of slots in the far back left that give LOTS of free spins.  

Two pics below - example of the free spin slots and in the seating area in front of the bar.  I made it through the whole review without a sideways picture.  Figures they would fall over this time! 😄

2 hours ago, sthrnbll said:

Awww shoot. I love the movies. So no big screen at all?

 

They show them in one of the lounges.  They had one most nights of our November and December cruises on Elation.  

14 hours ago, luvs2beachit said:

Thanks for taking the time to write such a great report.  It was exactly what I wanted to read.

I was looking at cruises today and saw the Pride partial transit and since it's on the bucket list 

I came on here to see if I could find some recent info on the ship and that precise cruise itinerary.  I thought the Pride was familiar but after 50 plus cruises I couldn't remember whether or not I had sailed on her . It wasn't until you mentioned the nudes all over the ship that the light went on!  I remembered that.  To be really sure I checked my cruise history and we sailed on her in 2009. Anyway, I was hoping that you might be able to answer a question I have about the casino.   Can you tell me about the casino? 

Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, we spent a lot of time in the casino. 😎 I will be happy to answer your questions if I can.  What specifically did you want to know?

Thanks for the info @kwokpot!  We have not done an Ultra cruise.  In fact, just got some invites that start this week.  I would definitely agree that the perks of an Elite are worth it and we would definitely do an Elite again.  I think for the Ultra, it would have to be an intinary or ship we were really looking to do to make it worth while.

Your Europe plans sound amazing!  Hope you will do a review.

Happy cruising!

That's it!  Thanks for following along.  If there are any other questions that I didn't answer, just let me know.

Happy cruising!

Final thoughts - this was such a fun and memorable experience.  It was the longest cruise we have done so far, and for us, it was one day too long. 😊 We would definitely go back to Costa Maya and would do the Panama again, given the chance.  

Debarkation was much easier than embarkation.  We met at 6:45am for Diamond/Platinum self-assist in the Ivory Piano bar.  I took a pic of the carpet because it looked like cinnamon buns to me.  Guess I was hungry.   We were the 3rd and 4th passenger off the ship and in the car by 7:10am.  See you next time, Pride!

Some pics of early morning Tampa and our complete route...

Deck parties - the ship wasn't full and it was a little older crowd, so the deck parties were not very crowded.  But they were fun!  We made to the Mega Deck party and the 80s Rock and Glow party.  Alexis was our CD, but I believe someone else came on after him.  He was ok.  Kind of young and finding his stride, but he has potential.

Shows - we attended 2 of the shows, 88 Keys and Getaway Island.  I have to preface this with some background.  We saw some really well done shows on the Elation, with multiple strong performers who could really sing.  The shows on the Pride were just not up to the same level.  They were well done with sets and choreography, but the male lead in 88 Keys was just not strong enough to carry all of the songs.  Getaway Island is a cute premise, but only a few of the cast sang, and again, were just not strong.  The also have some "3D" elements in Getaway, so they hand out these glasses.  It's not really necessary, so don't feel bad skipping getting the glasses.

Other notes:

The Diamond lunch was on the 2nd sea day in the Captain's Club.  Still no real interaction with the crew, which was sad, but lunch was delicious and we chatted with a lovely couple for the entire time.  We were some of the last to leave.

I had the lobster bisque, sea bass and hazelnut and malted chocolate.  Hubby had the pork belly, steak and shared my dessert.   I was busy chatting and forgot to take entree pics.