HoosierAUEagle

We're on the Pride starting on Sunday and we just got the official Freeport cancellation notice via email on Monday (so basically a week before we board). Through some weird snafu, our shore excursion was actually cancelled several weeks ago, but my guess is standard practice would have been to automatically cancel it when they officially canceled the stop. 

We just got another sea day. Partly I think because they have to hustle to get back to Baltimore (we would have left Freeport at 1:30 as it was), but I imagine the logistics of a last minute port change are somewhat difficult. I'd also imagine Freeport is on the less expensive end of ports to visit in terms of fees so finding a replacement that doesn't cost more money is difficult (and we are already going to Half Moon Cay). 

My recollection in my January and February cruises out of Baltimore is that it's usually reasonably warm by the first full day (so the day after you leave Baltimore). Though I think it was unseasonably warm (like 60 degrees) in Baltimore the last time I left in February, so YMMV. On the way back it tends to get a bit cool on the last full day. 

Per John Heald's Facebook page:

Here are January's Dive In Movies to be shown on the 14 ships that have the big screens on Lido:

The Magnificent Seven

Jason Bourne

Sully

Suicide Squad

Central Intelligence

Ghostbusters

The Light Between the Oceans

Me Before You

Miss Peregrine's Home for the Peculiar Children

Deepwater Horizon

Trolls

Trolls 2 - We Hate Heald (this is a joke)

The Secret Life of Pets

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Captain America: Civil War

Bad Moms

It did when I was on it February. I'm pretty sure they have not switched back.

I'd recommend the MARC train as well. I'd recommend Penn Station over BWI because, unless I'm missing something, you will be much closer to Penn Station (there's also a West Baltimore station that might be a tad closer, but Penn offers a much more pleasant waiting area). An Uber to Penn station should only be a few bucks. I'm guessing you will be coming in on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case the Penn Line will be your only option. The Penn Line will take you all the way to Union Station and cost $8 (if for some reason you want to be east of DC, you could also get off at New Carrollton). You can find timetables online, they will be different for Saturday and Sunday so note which day you are looking at.

Hope that helps!

I tend to like toward the middle, both because it makes you not far from anything and the reduction of rocking you might feel. Ideally it'd be on a deck between Lido and Promenade so you could fairly easily take the stairs to and from your room. I like to be close but not too close to the elevator/stairs.

Check to see what's around your room, particularly what's above it. ideally it's something quiet (like another guest room or a shop). Being right above the engines can be a bit annoying.

Though it's going to come down somewhat to personal preferences. Are you really concerned about rocking? Look for a lower-deck cabin. Love to stay out in the sun? Maybe a cabin on the Lido deck would be ideal.

On at least the Spirit Class ships, Carnival classifies some rooms with windows or French doors as interior. These have an obstructed view but they still let in natural light if you are into that sort of thing.

At least some of the ships have kiosks where you can check your card activity and whatnot. I'm pretty sure I used one of these to put money on my S&S card from a gift card.

Unsweetened iced tea available and free at the buffet. You can also get it in the main dining room. It's not very good (in my opinion) but mixes well with the also free lemonade. If you really care about quality, there are (I believe Lipton) tea bags and hot water available to brew your own. Hope that helps.

Yeah, car service is probably going to be your best bet.

However, there is a MARC (commuter) train leaving Union Station at 12:30 that puts you in Baltimore at 1:30. The train station in Baltimore is about 20 minutes from the cruise port. That would give you plenty of time on the Baltimore end to get to the ship and you'd skip the drama of I-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Unfortunately, it would be really tight to get from the hotel to Union Station in time so I don't think I can recommend this. There could be a better timed Amtrak train if the train option is appealing to you, but it will be more expensive than the MARC train (though possibly cheaper than the car).

I'd lean toward the Pride here. Not only is it far cheaper, it is also longer. Let's put it this way: It's about $287 a day versus $583 a day for your party. So are you going to like the Vista twice as much as the Pride?

I haven't been to St. Kitts but St. Thomas should offer an excursion to Trunk Bay, which is pretty much the definition of beautiful beach.

Can we label a case of water and have it delivered to our stateroom?

If you are sailing with Carnival, the answer is no. They only allow cans on board (and only one 12-pack for each person). You can however buy a 12-pack of bottled water on board for $2.99.

I don't think Royal Caribbean allows you to bring any beverages on board (except for a couple of bottles of wine per stateroom). I don't know how expensive their bottled water is but I don't think it is as cheap as Carnival.

Looks like the current CD schedule peters out before your cruise, but depending on the ship, some of the the cruise directors have unknown end dates that might hint and who you could have:

http://johnhealdsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/John-Version-11.11.15.pdf

The Pride CD is Chris "Donkey" Salazar. We just enjoyed his presence on

our New Year's 8 day cruise.

 

He's the very best we ever had.....a real entertainer that smiles. dances,

sings and inspires fun, fun, fun.

According to John Heald's Blog, Donkey is off of the Pride in a couple of weeks. Looks like they have him moving over to the Sunshine:

http://johnhealdsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/John-Version-11.11.15.pdf

Hi RecoveryDude. We are on the same sailing. Our cruise director will be Steve Kinsley. I don't know if he's any good.

Ah, the "which ship should I take out of Baltimore" question. I was on the Grandeur in January and am going on the Pride in a couple months so I'll be able to give you a better comparison in March. But I was on the Pride's sister (Legend) a few years ago.

In general I think the ships are close enough that I wouldn't let any perceived difference in quality be the deciding factor. They do have some different amenities that come down more to personal preference than anything else. Some of it just comes down to the slight differences between Carnival and RCL.

If Grandeur is comparably priced to Pride, I might recommend Grandeur just so you can see and compare for yourself, though I don't think I can recommend paying much of a premium.

Might want to ask the people over on the Royal Caribbean board what they think.

According to Carnival's website, it's on the Breeze, Freedom, Glory, and Sunshine (so those are your 4). Other than that it says all other ships should get it in the next 12-18 months. From my recollection this is a change from what I read previously. I think the previous time I checked the roll out was going to be complete by the end of 2016. Before that, I seem to remember thinking the Pride would get in plenty of time for my February cruise. Now I kind of doubt it will happen. Which is sad as I was kind of looking forward to using it.

TL;DR: Don't know, but there seem to have been a couple of delays already.

You'll need a smart phone of some sort to use Uber. If you haven't signed up already one of your friends will likely have an account. Have them invite you and you'll both get like a free ride.

Enjoy the Grandeur! Sailed on it in January

My friends and I used Uber to get between the train station and the port in Baltimore and found that worked well. We plan on doing that again for our next cruise. It will probably be a bit cheaper for you than a taxi. It looks like a taxi would cost (using Taxi Fare Finder) around $13 with tip while an UberX would cost between $7-$9.

I've sailed out of Baltimore once on the Grandeur of the Seas (and will be sailing on the Pride in February). Pretty standard experience as I recall. At the time nothing struck me as odd. Anything in particular you are worried about?