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Great picture!! Also love the pride..we've sailed her twice..and also sail Hal...looking forward to your review and pictures:):):):)

Wonderful wonderful photos!! You are a great photographer:):):) We did the chef's table on the Pride in April and enjoyed it soooo much...

Your review makes me want to book another Carnival cruise!! Thanks so much for sharing:)

Good post:) As someone who has had to give up heels I am so happy that cute dressy flats are in style now!! They still don't look as good as heels but they make me feel better:D

I used to way overpack but now try to cut it down to:

2-3 pair dressy, sparkly flats, black, silver and blue

black and beige Sketchers that can double as walking and casual

My Reef flip flops which I live in during the summer

and maybe a patent leather pair of flip flops!!

So guess that's about 7 for me....7 day cruise...maybe some tennies but I hate tennis shoes:eek:

Dh is limited to his dress shoes for his tux

Rockports for his khakis

Tennis shoes for walking

slip on shoes for the pool and the beach---I'm a meanie:D he doesn't get a lot of room!!

Glad you had a safe trip home! Enjoyed your postings so much:):):)

Monday, Sept. 5, at sea (continued)

The weather did improve throughout the day, with the winds and seas dropping. It’s not exactly calm and smooth, but a big improvement over last night. Weather decks are still closed. Captain Bowland said we experienced 7-meter seas and 55-knot winds at the height of passing the storm, at 2 a.m.

He also said he and HAL HQ are watching Hurricane Katia, which is forecast to veer right and pass several hundred miles from New York Friday night – which is when we are due to be making our approach for a Saturday morning arrival. But, weather forecasting still being uncertain, especially the further out you go, everyone is paying close attention. He said he and CD would start broadcasting updates on the ship’s TV system starting tomorrow afternoon. That tells me that at least the St. John’s port visit seems to be assured, which is great, because we missed that on the Eurodam northern TA in 2009 … due to Hurricane Bill

Remains to be seen if “The Hurricane” Captain will be dodging a Hurricane for the third year in a row.

More later,

Dave

Interesting:) Capt. Bowland was our Capt on the Zaandam in April of 2010..we had a pretty rough going and coming and missed Maui:eek: He remarked then that it was an especially rough crossing..actually the roughest of the season:) He was a great Captain though...I'll always remember him saying...one hand for yourself and one hand for the rail...and no heels:D We did great though...loved the rocking and rolling!

okay....is it just ME????

or

does anyone else read the Menu Dave posts and start picking out items you would order??

 

of course, I always pick two desserts to have :D

 

I'm always hungry after I read this thread......

.

Always! But I usually go with two apps:D and just one dessert:)

Thanks for taking us along:) would love to do a TA some day! Capt Bowland was on the Zaandam last year on our hawaii cruise, he was one of the best captains we've ever experienced!

Wonderful photos:). Congrats to Tracey. Know you all will be happy to have her back home with you!

Absolutely loving this review-memoir:):) DH is a great story teller and Shaky you're not so bad yourself:D. I cannot tell you how many times I have said while reading - that's us, you are so right, done that before, thought that before! Bravo to you both for a fantastic read!

Interesting. We were in the galley on Dream and thought it was surprisingly quiet--even quieter than the MDR. The waiters were in and out near by, but our table was away from the traffic flow. Chef didn't even have to raise his voice to be heard. You'd think Dream and Magic would be similar.

 

I can see why it wouldn't be enjoyable if the chef had to wear a mic! I wasn't sure what I was going to think about being "surrounded by stainless steel" because atmosphere is such a plus, but in this case it seemed to work okay--and everything was so clean. Sorry you had a negative experience.

Our first and only Chef's Table was on the Pride in the Disco...we really enjoyed the whole experience..but I would have much preferred eating in the galley whether it was quiet or loud or a lot of stainless or not! As we were leaving the galley after our canapes and champagne we walked out by the line were the waiters pick up your food..we got to say hi to our waiter..it was so much fun...and I would have loved to have stayed there for our entire meal:)

As usual with ANY thread on here, people are giving out of date info. The fact that YOU got a cookbook on your cruise last year or even last month is not changing the fact that they seem to have stopped this. My guess : they ran out of them and they are not reprinting them (they were pretty much out of date anyhow I think, from the days when Carnival served Beef Wellington LOL)

 

I do think it is great when people post their experiences...both good/bad/mediocre....and also post the details.

 

The seating...and the time length...and the sheer amount of food does NOT appeal to ME. The descriptions really help

 

frankly for someone on a 3 night cruise I would also worry about "missing" other things, shows etc.

 

The ONLY time I would personally consider this would be IF I was (lucky) on a transatlantic or on one of the 8 night cruises that have a lot of sea days. Then it might be a "change" or an "event' in and of itself.

 

Everyone is different and the more detailed reviews help people to decide, so thanks for them. However.....the fact that YOU got a cookbook really means zip at this point. I think future chef table diners should certainly NOT count on a cookbook

I got a cookbook on our April Pride cruise...and IMHO...glad to have an out of print cookbook to add to my collection...as you said everyone has an opinion.

I don't think stating that someone received a cookbook on such and such ship on such and such date is giving out of date info....just stating that they got a cookbook:):):)

The red at our dinner was very nice. A Black Opal Shiraz from Australia.

 

I should also note a couple of other things that I disliked.

 

I metioned the food being lukewarm as a complaint. The calamari , I thought, were soggy. I do like calamari, and I ate them, but they were nothing to write home about. Maybe they lost their crispiness in the attempt to keep them warm. Thinking about it, I'm not sure fried calamari should be served on 7 course meal.

 

The other complaint we had is that we were seated at one end of the table next to a mother and twelve year old child. This is not an evening to bring children. It should be excusively for adults. Needles to say we had no one to talk to but the child's mother. And of couse, half way thru the meal, the kid was over the dinner and placing his head on the table and falling asleep. It would have been more enoyable having other people our age to converse with. Other than the twelve year old, all the other couples were of similar age.

 

They had a CT the night before ours and we noticed it was all elderly couples. So Carnival did make an attempt to form groupings of similar age. kudos for that.

Thanks...you jogged my memory about what red it was...I agree a 12 year old at the CT is probably not the best idea unless they are real foodies..not many are...We were with all middle aged adults...dh and I were seated across from each other...table was on the wide side so most of my conversation was with the lady to my left...we were the first ones at the table...the Chef spent most of the night right by us explaining the dishes...I enjoyed that and did not feel self conscious at all eating while he talked...I think he enjoyed watching all of us enjoy his food:)

While DH and I LOVE to eat and touring the kitchen and speaking with the Chef would be great, we booked the steakhouse and not the Chef's Table for our upcoming cruise, since neither DH or I drink and the emphasis seems to be on wine.

White was a simple pinot grigio and I cannot even remember the red...emphasis was on the food...what inspired the chef to prepare it like he did and trying and tasting food prepared in a differant way...wine was served with the meal as an enhancement to the whole dining experience..but it was not high end at all...although enjoyable..it was the food..the chef.. and the setting that made it special:):):)

Sorry it wasn't that good..and wondering why you didn't get the cookbook...that was a real plus for us. I do agree by the time you leave all you can do is waddle back to you cabin...I should not have eaten my filet...but felt bad not...Chef was standing right at the head of the table and we were first couple at the long table:D Also finally had to say no to any more wine:eek:

We did have one lady who crashed and burned about two thirds of the way through..she just left and didn't come back!!

We did love it..but we were on the Pride..it was held in the disco..right next to the dining room...Not sure I would do it again...but had to try it once!!

Mike...thanks for posting the article about Tracy...it's inspiring! I retired from public safety but was non-sworn... I know it's a great career and know she will do great in her training!

Also don't worry about the bathroom question:D ...I think maybe there are counters:)

Mikey..having to walk through the casino is one of the main things I remember about the Pride:) Certainly different from the Fantasy class.

I don't think you've gotten to pictures of the bathroom yet? We're in a balcony cabin on both the Pride and Spirit this year and trying to remember what type of storage space is in the bathroom..I usually bring my over the door hanger...but we're trying to cut back in the luggage department as we will be driving with a total of 7 people...Will you be posting pictures or can you tell me if there is a counter or shelving...our last time on a Spirit class was 2002...way too long:D and I can't remember:eek:

Thanks so much Mikey for posting your review:) Guess I should get online more often...already at 5 pages!

We are on her in April and am thrilled as I love the Spirit class.

Sending Tracey very best wishes on her training...hoping the time will go by quickly for you all at home.

Your pictures are amazing and I also love the decor on the Pride:):)

Thanks so much for doing a live from review...love those:) We've never sailed out of Tampa...loved the photo of the hotel...beautiful lobby.

Valley..thanks for the info..will be looking forward to your report. Think we are on Veranda deck either midship or a little aft...need to look at the deck plan again:)

rraydon..thanks for the dates of the Chef's Table Dinner..I've already requested a reservation...

Serene..menus and pictures are great although Carnival's menu has really changed over the years...I remember a lot of the dishes from our Fantasy cruise in September and still think Carnival's food is pretty good:):):)

Looking forward now that it's the new year to our Bermuda cruise on the Pride...We have not sailed on the Pride since Thanksgiving 2002...does anyone know what changes have been done to her? Didn't she just come out of a drydock?

Thanks for starting this thread..have also booked the Chef's Table Dinner..but I sent a message thru John Heald's blog...haven't heard back yet but just did it on the 29th.

I wanted to thank you again for a wonderful review with wonderful pictures:) I think you'll love the Pride....the Spirit class are beautiful ships!! Will you be doing another review with pictures?? Hope so...we've sailed her before but will be on her again next April:)

Thanks so much for the description of the Chef's Dinner...and the picture:) Definitely planning on doing this on the Pride in April..we are just off the Fantasy 09-18 and they did not offer it.

I noticed some of the dishes were different than what you get in the dining room..such as the Calamari..how was the Chilean Sea Bass?

Wonderful job on your review and pictures:):):)

Great job:) I have forwarded your review to a friend who is taking his first cruise 09-18. If I had to look at the ship every week...don't know that I could help myself..I would have to book...just book something and pay on it monthly..like it's a bill or something:D Works great for us:)

A great review and the pictures were great too!! I sent a friend who is cruising with us but doesn't post here a link..they've cruise before but this will give them so much info on the Fantasy...thanks so much:)

She was our second cruise..and this September will be number 3 or 4 on her...I love the Fantasy class ships:):)

You are so right about hand washing...and if you watch people at the buffet...you will probably pass on eating a lot of it:eek: I wish they would just serve everything to you...I cannot tell you how many times I've seen someone just reach in and grab a roll...after they have handled about half of them in the basket:eek:

Anyway....great job:)