waterwatcher

Where do you purchase the tickets?

1 hour ago, JaniceB said:

Is it now a window instead of a door?

Yes, wall to wall window.  It's just a little bit more money than an inside but you wont get claustrophobic.  Has sofa, etc. Nice room

The cemetery was at St. Peters church in St. George.

We save money by getting 4k cabins.

1 hour ago, boltpeople said:

Do you recommend the starboard side for a view of Bermuda while in port?

If you want to look from your balcony, yes.  Or you can just sit up on deck on the starboard side to see the port if your room is on the port side.

20 minutes ago, boltpeople said:

Beautiful pictures!  I’m hoping to do this cruise this fall.  Did you enjoy the Pride?

Yes, We love the Pride.  We tried this trip last September but got diverted due to a hurricane so we rebooked it for June.  Nice weather but lots of kids since school was out.

This was our 5th time on the Pride.  Boarding in Baltimore is so easy, we were on Lido within 15 -20 minutes of parking the car!  Rooms were ready at 2.

Will share my thoughts on this cruise and then post some Bermuda pictures.  

Muster Drill was around 30-40 minutes by the time you wait for everyone.  Way to long to be standing together in the heat.

Dive-In Movies:  Some movies were shown as early as 6pm.  Lido is not dark enough and is too noisy to enjoy the movies later but 6 was way too early.  It was Dumbo for kids but still, would be nice to have them in one of the closed areas.

Lido:  I have some pics of the wonderful, delicious cakes they put out at lunch time.  As much as we usually love eating in the Dining Room, we found service a little slower and meals taking over an  hour.  So we ate more times on Lido.  Same choices as dining room but also much more!  We enjoyed it better, more relaxing.  Cereal was still in the little boxes.

Fun Shops:  They increased the tables of jewelry in the Diamond store and put the $10 table in the fun shops.  The watch sale was in the hallway where they do the Gold by the Inch. Last day the 2 for 20 tees were set up in the Atrium lobby.  People were 5 deep at this table!  lol

 Pictures:  Previous cruises had the photographers set up for elegant nights only.  On this cruise, they were set up to take "Casual Pics"  every night of the cruise. They were really pushing the large canvas prints at 59.99 but included a free 8/10.  8x10's were 21.99 and 5x7's were 2 for 9.99.  Wallets 4 for 9.99.  When pictures are taken, ask for the card for free wallets.  You will receive 4 wallet size pics for free.  Got this for each pose we purchased.

Rooms: Our room steward, Salman, offered both morning and evening service.  We chose morning only and ice but if you would like both, it is still available.  Someone asked about notepads in room.  There was a small note pad about 3"x3" with maybe 10 sheets and a small "mini-golf" pencil.  Announcement (mostly annoying) cannot be heard in the rooms. Shower was nice with good water pressure.  I think they could use a grab bar for seniors. Bathroom is equipped with bar soap, shampoo and conditioner.  We bring our own. Beds and pillow very comfortable as always.

Decks:  We like sitting out on Deck 10.  Heading to Bermuda there were so many chairs being held with bags and towels that somedays it was impossible to get a chair. We like to sit out after dinner also.  Carnival must prefer you go the shows and the bars because at 5:30 they start stacking the lounge chairs on Deck 10.  If you are already in a chair they will allow you to stay.  Sitting on the Serenity Deck in the evening is impossible because people would sit in the chairs, seating areas, after getting out of the pool or hot tub.  Chairs were always wet so you couldn't sit out in the evening.

Comedy Club: They have expanded the seating area in Butterflies so it is easier to get a seat now for the comedy shows.

Pier Runners:  The Pride carriers around 2500 passengers.  Why is there always 15-25 people who can just not be back on board in the stated time?  It is rude and inconsiderate when more than 2400 people can follow the rules and be on board when told.  The boarding time in Bermuda was 11:30 but there they were running at 12:45!  IMO these people who arrive after the requested time should be fined when there S&S is swiped after the allotted time.  It would teach them to be on time!  Maybe $20 added to each person's card for being late.  Just my opinion.

Posts:  I will be posting pictures after I give some info on the port of Bermuda.  Included are pics of Bar Menu, Kids Club itinerary, Sample Menu and TV Channels.

Bermuda:  This was the most beautiful port we have ever been to.  When the boat docks at Kings Wharf at the Royal Dockyard the Starboard side is facing the dockyard.  There is a free shuttle that you can take to go to the buildings around the dockyard.  Clocktower Mall, Glass blowing factory, Craft Market, etc.  Bermuda is expensive because they have to import everything - they have no natural resources.  We were told cost of living is 50% higher than NYC and 75% higher than most of the US.  A loaf of bread was $7.00, gallon of gas on this day was over %=$8.50.  We did the Carnival Excursion of Hidden Hideaways and Famous Homes.  This was great!  Guide was informative, funny, friendly.  Boat ride was nice with a great breeze.  Left side of top deck was best for picture taking.  The other tour we did was with Bermuda Byways with Heidi.  Our 6 hour tour took 7.5 hours and we saw most of the Island.  Again, great tour with lots of history of the Island.

Questions:  If you have any questions, please ask.  I will now try to post pictures, wish me luck!

We just got back yesterday (7/7)  from sailing to Bermuda on the Pride.  We were in a 4K with flat screen TV.  I will try to write my review Wednesday (7.10).  Some changes, some complaints, some pics.  Great service as usual.

On 6/19/2019 at 4:29 PM, maryhou said:

do you book direct with Carnival or use a second party?  It seems I always find a better price and almost always get OBC when I book with a travel agent.  I just wish Carnival would offer the best price........

Have always booked through the Carnival website.  When I find a price drop I just call Carnival and it is taken care of with no problems.

On 6/24/2019 at 11:39 AM, phoneman69 said:

A cruise i have booked on the Magic in May of 2020 has had the price drop by $20.00. Is it worth calling now to get the price reduced or should i keep checking to see if it goes lower?

Thank you so much for this post.  I just checked my Nov 2020 and it also dropped $20 per person.  I called Carnival and saaved $40 from my balance.  Every little bit helps.

They are also offering besides the full refund, a 100% off next cruise if booked before 12/2020.  Free cruise! Can't beat that!

4 hours ago, Crusin Hogs said:

 If you are booked on The Vista  For  7-6-19  , 7-13-19 or 7-20-19  Carnival has announced this morning per  JH  These 3 cruises  have been cancelled , Vista is out of service , Full  refunds will be given , 

Thank you. 

What is the advantage of using a Carnival Credit Card?  Is it worth having?

Dr. E comes aboard on June 30

I agree about Dr E.  He is awesome!

Carnival is not the only company doing cutbacks.  To keep prices low/steady most retail stores are cutting down on staff also.  It's just sign of the times.  I still enjoy everything about my Carnival Cruises.

We are going on the tour with Heidi first week of July. Looking forward to it.

November is not that bad

John Heald said today that is not going to happen on Carnival.

1 hour ago, mntbikejack said:

According to John Heald Pride is getting the new WIFI, udated serenity area, new arcade, and general maintenance.

They will be replacing the chapel and library with the arcade.  A family room next to the upstairs kids club so parents can stay close  to the younger ones.

Years ago Grand Turk was a great place.  The private Carnival site was nice and you were told to stay within their confines.  When we went there this past October, the locals had basically taken it over.  We were accosted right on the pier walkway with offers of renting golf carts.  You couldn't walk on the beach without being bombarded with the locals selling things including renting chairs.  We walked through the shops and returned to the boat.  It didn't feel safe.

You can request size table you want. If you are happy with your servers that you have the first night, you can request to be seated in their section , even the same table, each night.  Show up any time during the YTD seating times.  We love it!

Grand Turk:  Pride will dock and you just walk off and down to the island.  Has gotten very crowded at the beach with vendors.  Lots of shops to browse.

Half Moon Cay:  Carnival's private island.  You will need to take the shuttle boat to get to the island.  Very nice beach.  Carnival has a cook out there for everyone. It's a favorite of a lot of people.

Freeport:  Not much there when you get off the boat, mostly straw market and some small shops.  You would have to book a tour if you want to go to beach or anyplace else.  We always just stay at the port where the boat docks.  

Enjoy the comedy club on the Pride but get early to get a seat.  When ordering dinner, order as much as you want. 24 hour pizza is great.  You will love it.

We have only sailed on the Pride because we can drive to port.  We love it!  Not too big, not crowded, easy to learn your way around. Everyone is friendly and hospitable.  You will love it.  What ports are you sailing to?