leaderdogmom

I was on the Sunshine in February and had an inside room on deck 7. There was no refrigerator but the room steward asked if we would like one. We declined, but it was nice to know we could have one if we wanted to.

I probably have everyone beat- 758 days til the Magic in April 2018. Booked the other day with the $49 pp deposit sale.

That evening dinner was good as usual, it is kind of funny how you get into a comfort zone with the staff. They work hard to pick up on your wants and desires in regards to dinner and this was group was not an exception to that.

 

One of the things I kind of do is track the view I have of how they (and others) service their tables, who shows up for dinner and who does not and also my pet peeve, who come into the MDR 20 minutes after dinner has started. This cruise was pretty much everyone getting in there on time. This is certainly more meaningful on early seating as compared to late seating. There was one booth who never came that was assigned to our team.

 

The assistant Maitre'd (I cannot remember her name, but she had ours-computers help there) stopped over a couple of times and asked if everything was OK,and this night was one of those times.

 

One of those things I did not see on this cruise was the Magician wandering around from table to table. After dinner we caught part of the dive in movie and made an early night of it.

 

Next up San Juan

Funny you say that- this is the one cruise we did have the magician visit our table. We did anytime dining every night, but only saw him the one time.

Enjoying your review! I was hesitant going on the Sunshine, but I really enjoyed it. There were some things I didn't like ( crowds in the pool and Serenity areas and the so-so live bands) but it wouldn't stop me from sailing on her again.

I highly recommend parking at the Port Of Miami. I would not trust parking my car at any of the off site lots. Check out the Florida Departures Board and you will see similar thoughts by many of the locals who live in or near Miami.

 

Keith

Agreed! We have parked twice at the port and found it very easy. No waiting for shuttles and didn't have to worry about our car being there or damaged.

I agree with just about everything already listed. One thing new I experienced on the Sunshine a few weeks ago- it was my birthday and my room steward decorated my mirror in the cabin wishing me a happy birthday and gave me two gift cards (held by the towel animal!) one was for a $25 bottle of wine from Cherry on Top and the other was for a free 6x9 photo taken when getting off the ship in one of the ports. My son and his wife were across the hall from us and also got the gift card for the wine, the card said "just because". That was a nice touch!

I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Did you literally see yourselves in it (which scene?) or just figuratively? ;)

We were there, sitting at the Alchemy Bar at 5:33. I had to laugh since that was the only time we went there. I expected to see my group in the Red Frog since we spent so much time there!

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I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. Did you literally see yourselves in it (which scene?) or just figuratively? ;)

We were there, sitting at the Alchemy Bar at 5:33. I had to laugh because that was the only time we went there. I expected to see my group in the Red Frog since we spent so much time there!

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Enjoyed the video- it's a nice remembrance of our cruise. It was fun to see ourselves in it. :D

We were in 11218 on the Breeze last year. Great location, quiet, and we never felt much movement from the ship. Didn't hear any weights from the weight room either. Love the thalassotherapy pool and steam rooms, so worth the extra cost of the spa rooms.

Deck 7 is a better choice- only rooms above and below use. We were about five rooms in front of the aft elevators, very quiet and close to the stairs and elevators.

Just off the Sunshine today. DH got the Thirsty Frog Red. Sign at the dispenser says $4.00 but sign $ sail card said $5.00. Went to guest services and they said $5.00 is with the gratuity. DH kinda po'd as he served himself

Thanks for the replies, I think we'll be OK if we avoid going between 6:60 and 7:30.

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What is best time for anytime dining with the least wait time? We are on the February 13th sailing on a full ship. We have always had a good experience with it in the past, but have heard about long waits on the Sunshine.

We were in a 4K on the Pride last October. Our room was between lifeboats. We had a small view of the water. The advantage was not only could you open the door a foot or so for fresh air, but there was natural light. And best of all, the room is the same size as a regular balcony room, couch and all.

I guess, perhaps because of my profession, I feel differently than many on this issue. My thoughts are:

 

1) the people are wrong to film;

2) the media is wrong to show it, indulge it, and try to make money off such a tragedy - the purpose of media is the educate and inform on the issues - a mission they have long forgotten, rather than attempt to make a buck by sensationalizing a tragedy;

3) the family of the deceased deserves any assistance Carnival can provide, and I am confident that they will. The reason I say this is even for a burial at sea, for guests, they charge nothing. The provide a time and place, staff to accompany you, and without request, a letter memorializing the event with a large photo of the ship in an album. If they are so generous when essentially doing a guest a favor, I am confident they will take care of their own.

4) no one else deserves anything. Crime, violence, accidents, death, and destruction happen everyday all around us. For the most part, we live in a bubble so we seemed shocked when we witness or are victimized by it, but it can happen at anytime. It is simply a fact of life. What if, as another poster said, you were witness to an equally horrific car crash? Who is going to compensate you for the horror? We have turned into a society where we are so "me first" and "what can I get out of this" that we have lost all perspective.

 

Personally, I watched the video. And believe me, I see, hear and smell much worse in my job as I have been a prosecutor working first hand with cops for almost 20 years. Most people have no idea what humanity can really do to each other. The news might report a robbery in a nearby city each night - I promise you there were 5 more that went unreported by the news, here in my area alone.

 

So what should be do? We pray for those who have died and those who grieve, discuss any fears with our kids and families, and move on and live our lives as a source of light against such darkness.

Well said.

We will be turning Platinum in the middle of our next cruise in February. Our boarding pass for that cruise says Platinum, and our luggage tags say priority. There is also a FTF symbol on the luggage tag (do all platinum tags have this on them?)

We just got off the Pride last Sunday. There is a future cruise desk on deck 2 forward between the casino and the theater.

Hello leaderdogmom! I love your name and the leader dog! I live in PA just across the MD line 20 minutes from Baltimore. The good news is that the rain has stopped here. I'm sure that you will be fine on the Pride tomorrow although it may be a little rocky. I have been on the Pride numerous times and love her! Just a note to let you know that my husband 1st VDG of the New Freedom Lions Club, New Freedom, PA and I visited Leader Dogs for the Blind in August and just loved it. The center will be top notch and beautiful when completed. So bon voyage from this Lioness and our club's leader dog Dutch, a golden retriever.

Thanks for the weather update Emilycat! We just crossed the PA state line. Ohio was very rainy, windy and cold. The rain is letting up now and it warmed up to 46 LOL! We are staying in Frederick MD tonite and will drive to the port in the am. I am so looking forward to the Pride, heard so many good things about her. I think we'll have a wet and bumpy ride for the first few days, but it still beats work!

How cool that you were able to visit Leader dogs in Michigan. We raised 2 puppies and were a breeding stock host. We're proud of our Leader Dog Mom Abby whose 15 of her 19 puppies became Leader Dogs.

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Hi, Were driving to Baltimore from Michigan in Feb. Excited to hear how long it takes. Are you driving the day before? Have Great Fun!

We are driving in the day before. Should take about 9 hours. Maybe longer tomorrow with the weather issues there.

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Just got an upsell call from Carnival ( first time ever!) for this cruise. Offered to move us to a balcony room from a french door obstructed view interior for $250. I passed, but was wondering if a lot of people were cancelling??

So they will ask everyone to arrive early? Not saying I'd have a problem with it, but I've never heard of that happening

No, they won't have anyone arrive early. If anything, they may delay embarkation until Monday. But I agree with BigDoug, the ship may return a day earlier on Saturday and shelter in Chesapeake bay.

Leaderdogmom, I too just went on the Pride on August 30 and I also live in Armada Michigan! : ) It was during tropical storm Erica, so hopefully you ( and everyone else on this cruise and others) will be as lucky and it will disperse like it did for us!

Sure is a small world!! Wonder if we know each other?? LOL!!! If you ever went to the hardware store ( the old Ace), my husband Don worked there til they closed.

I sure hope this hurricane fizzles out- I don't mind the rocky ocean and I'd be ok with a change in itinerary. I don't want to drive all the way to Baltimore only to have to drive home again. I did stock up on some ginger pills and dramamine just in case!

They rarely cancel a cruise. First of all, it depends on the Pride getting back to port on time. There may be a delay in boarding if she arrives later than scheduled, or a later sailing time. Often itineraries get changed to go around hurricanes, but with sailing down the Atlantic coast, I don't know where else they could go. Let's keep our fingers and toes crossed that everything goes as planned!

I'll be watching this thread as well. We are driving to Baltimore from Michigan Saturday for Sunday's cruise on the Pride. Looks like it will be a rocky cruise at the very least!

Great start! Can't wait to read the rest.

Enjoying your style of review. We we on the March 15th sailing on the Breeze. We also had anytime dining. Never had to wait more than five minutes for a table. However, the service was the worst we ever had on Carnival. We kept asking for a better server and finally was seated in Vladmir's section- finally the service we were accustomed to from Carnival. Not sure what was going on there.