quickrate

On 7/4/2023 at 4:46 PM, CineGraphic said:

 

I don't think I've ever heard anyone not being thrilled with the food at the dock, other than to say they refuse to try octopus. The grilled shrimp with garlic yogurt and alepo butter is so delicious, I now make it at home.

 

Hoping you're still enjoying the cruise.

I have to agree with you! I could have eaten that shrimp at the dock all day and all night! I found the food on virgin to be wonderful but I am an adventurous eater willing to try new things.

My husband Paul and I will be joining you on April 3rd. We are staying on till April 29th.  Friends of NCTribefan. We fly to Lauderdale one week from today.

Pat

On 2/18/2023 at 12:06 PM, bar10der421 said:

Thanks so much to you and Patti for doing these awesome reviews. I really enjoy reading them even if the ship and or ports are not currently on my radar,

I do have a Grand Turk question.  You mentioned that the beach in front of Margaritaville is rocky,  Would you recommend water shoes or would bare feet be okay? 

I would wear water shoes if you go into the water by the pier. the hurricane that hit the island last fall sucked a lot of the sand away from the beach so the water is rockier than it has ever been.

Pat

On 2/17/2023 at 8:28 PM, Jamman54 said:

After the show Patti went up to browse around the shops, and I went to the Red Frog Rum Bar for a couple of Thirsty Frog Wheats. I met Patti back at the cabin and at noon we went to the Diamond Luncheon……

 

 

 

It was held on Deck 3 of the Empire Restaurant all the way aft by the windows…..

 

 

 

This was our table……

 

 

This is the Diamond Luncheon menu…..

 

 

Our server Pariana takes our order……

 

 

The drinks just keep on coming…..

 

 

Here are our Cruise Critic friends Paul and Pat (quickrate)…..

 

 The Luncheon on the next cruise of the Spirit, we were B2B2B, had a different menu.  It was very good! We thought most of the food on the Spirit was better than some of the other ships we have been on lately.

Pat

To be continued…….

On 2/17/2023 at 3:41 PM, Jamman54 said:

 

Thanks for reading Maryann!  I was drinking Turks Head and I believe they were $6. By the bucket is probably cheaper. Enjoy your cruise on the Spirit! 

 

 

Hey Stephanie! I've been reading recent reviews online, and the biggest complaint by far is the service by the bartenders. One person stated that they waited for twenty minutes before getting up and leaving. The second biggest complaint says that per the website chairs are free and the umbrellas are $10. Everyone stated they were charged $23. We were too, but I didn't know about what was stated on the website. I didn't think that was too much, but they should change it on the website. 

 

We also went to Jack's shack that day. After Paul stood in line for over 20 minutes just to get 2 beers and was only half way thru the line, we gave up and left. We were sad to see how bad the service is and the lack of competent help.  On another note, enjoying reading your review of our cruise! Was great meeting you and Patti

Pat

16 minutes ago, asalligo said:

This is the problem with legalization. Smoking it in your home is fine. Smoking it in public is unacceptable and if users do not chill, they are going to get a backlash and prevent their legalization from occurring. 

That won't happen. states make too much money off the sales tax.

11 hours ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

This thread title got the song "Happy Together" sick in my head. 

 

You'll be able to pick an arrival time at 16 days out.  Other couple will at 14 days;, even if they purchase FTTF, and it's not known for sure if FTTF let's you arrive earlier than arrival time. 

 

If they get stuck with a late arrival time, early FTTF boarding call will not help as they won't be in the terminal yet. 

I don't think this is true as FTTF boarding pass will have priority FTTF on it.

12 hours ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

You will get priority boarding having a suite.  The other couple will have to board later unless they purchase faster to the fun.  Then you can almost board at the same time.  The order of boarding is weddings, suites, diamond, platinum and then faster to the fun.  With FTTF you will be able to sit together in the priory lounge.

This is not always true about sitting together in priority lounge. All depends on how many diamond and Platinum on the sailing and how big lounge seating area is.

Just got off her Nov. 12th after being on her for 32 days. Loved the ship and most everything about it. dining room for dinner was hit and miss. sometimes very good, some nights not so much. when I cant find an entree that appeals, i just order 3 or 4 appetizers. Friendly crew, great bartenders in the atrium.

4 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

Well, we all have different impressions of a cruse, even when on the same sailing.  It's so subjective.  And so much depends on expectations, what people choose to do and at what times, etc.

 

I like the Spirit-class and that has an impact.  And I know the ship layout.  I try to ignore the hideous decor.  After all, that really doesn't matter.

 

I'll be in Copenhagen for a day in late April on my Rotterdam B2B2B.  Shuttle bus sounds good to me!

Subjective is right, my cruising friend, you think it's Hideous and I like the decor. You know I love the Spirit class ships, so happy to be on her for 32 days and on the spirit for 22 in January.

On 7/30/2022 at 8:51 AM, jimbo5544 said:

10/01 sailing

You will be getting off as we are getting on. Have a great time

Pat

On 7/23/2022 at 9:06 PM, MoCruiseFan said:

We sailed the Pride on our only Carnival cruise ever.  She was very dirty, had a LOT of rust in many places, the only late night food was pizza that was served half raw and dripping with grease, AND the casino poker table did not have a live dealer (it was one of those horrid automated things).  We have not been back and probably never will, especially on that ship.

We were obviously on 2 different ships. we were on her for 13 days in Janaury and had none of these issues.

Pat

17 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The MSC Grandiosa is cheaper and embarks from a real port (Southampton) instead of Dover, where the Pride embarks from.

If you like cruising MSC. Not a good choice for us.

Pat

On 7/23/2022 at 8:08 AM, jimbo5544 said:

Nice post, we cannot wait to get on her on October for a Greek Isles cruise (think it will be the 8th time on her).

When will you be on the ship, Jim?

Pat

On 7/22/2022 at 3:54 PM, lazydayz said:

 

There is a long thread on the Pride in Europe, which raised doubts about the ship and the crew.  I have had my doubts for a while.  

 

We have done two Mardi Gras cruises this year and they have been fantastic.  Could be the newness of the ship and that Carnival picks its best crew members for its new ships.  So that has made us leery of the older ships. However, we went on the Liberty recently and liked the vibe.  I am trying to hang in there with the Pride as the Port of Tampa is 15 minutes away from my house and I love being at sea on NYE.  Decisions, decisions. 

We were on Pride in January for a B2B, 13 days, and enjoyed every day on her. Sorry to hear there are struggles right now. We will be back on her for a B2B2B in October taking her back to Tampa.

Pat

On 7/13/2022 at 4:58 PM, jetsfan58 said:

I still have visions of cruising in warmer weather all year round. My vision of Alaska is cruising with a Coat, socks, sweaters and long pants. After being in Corporate America for decades the flipflops and shorts are just fine with me.

 

Maybe one day Alaska will call and I will answer. Just no plans for that part of Cruising any time soon.  

we weren't going to cruise alaska either because of the cold but when Hal offered me a free balcony wit $500 OBC and drinks in the casino, I just couldn't say no! glad we didn't as we truly enjoyed it. we cruised with NCtribefan.

Pat

On 7/12/2022 at 11:31 AM, pe4all said:

Good to hear.  Next cruise is on Spirit in January.  No school vacay, but will still be nice to have an area without even little kids not in school yet.  I taught elementary school for 37 years - love kids - just made Diamond on CCL so not quite ready to try lines that are a bit "stuffier" than CCL - lol.

we will be on that cruise. doing B2B2B with that cruise being the third one.

Pat

On 7/6/2022 at 5:07 PM, Crusin-Suzan said:

We live in Estero so very close to you!  Yes I agree about the casino bill!   Was on Rotterdam before and the casino is very nice!

We now live in Myrtle Beach. guess I need to change my profile!

On 7/5/2022 at 7:19 PM, jsglow said:

I spent 14 days on Pride last October.  Honestly, I thought she was fine for a 20 year old ship.  And in fact in better condition than Miracle.  Sailed on her in March.

We were on the Pride in January for 13 days and loved her. Yes, she has some rust and is showing her age but love the layout of the ship and the crew. Will be on her October/November for 32 days. Looking forward to it.

Pat

On 6/28/2022 at 7:50 PM, Tennessee Titan said:

We take these cruises mainly for the sea days, so the more the merrier....

Same here! Love sea days.

20 hours ago, NeilBBB said:

We too booked the April 15, 2023, TA Rotterdam cruise. And were notified on June 28th that the cruise is now 16 nights with a complete itinerary change.  That we will receive the extra 2 nights at no cost and our HA Flight Ease flights will also be changed at no additional costs to us.  Several days after our original Rotterdam April 15 booking we received an email offer from HAL to upgrade our cruise to "Have it All" package for $50. per person, per night. We took advantage of the upgrade and upgraded to the "Have it All" package for the $50 p.p. per Nt.  And now are hoping HAL includes the other 2 nights and does not downgrade our "Have it All" package.  We looked at the Highspeed trains and can visit Amsterdam in 30 minutes for next to nothing. Plus, using the highspeed trains, we can visit Paris and other places we want to see.  So, we are extremely grateful HAL did not cancel us but simply changed us to their 150th Anniversary Cruise.  It will be a GREAT TIME with lots of extra festivities no doubt! 

Thank you for the tip on the high speed train! We will for sure be taking advantage of this!

On 6/28/2022 at 6:42 PM, *Miss G* said:

 

Oh my gosh, we originally had a Spring TA with 7 days at sea, but couldn’t make it to one of the ports (weather in the Azores) and ended up with 8 straight days at sea.  That was definitely one day too much.  😳

We love days at sea which is one the reasons we book Trans-Atlantic cruises so 8 days won't bother us. My casino bill might be another story!

We are also booked on this cruise but only for 16 days. We get off in Rotterdam. We are going to stay with the cruise even though the itinerary changed. 

Pat

Thank you for the advice! Will check into it and make sure our ticket is valid.

Pat

4 hours ago, Buckeye10640 said:

Is the train running again?

We have tickets booked so I hope so!

Pat