katiedidthat

$400 more for a suite might be worth it if you're sailing with 4 people in the room, but for 2? Nah.

If its closed, its news to me. We've been on the Pride twice and the only time I can remember it being closed was if it was extremely windy or icy coming back into Baltimore.

they do not wiave it, i had medical docs pregancy papers from our last cruise and they said we both had to purchase it, because the package is not only alcohol its also soda and smoothie/ virgin drinks as well

I couldn't get it waived when I was pregnant either, but I have talked to people on fb who claimed they got it waived.

She certainly *can* go and sign herself into Camp Carnival as long as your parents have it on file that she is able to do so, but as a parent, I can see your mom's concern with her being by herself. I think letting her go to camp to be with other kids is a great idea, but I would never be comfortable letting my child get there on their own. I like the security of knowing that they go from my supervision directly to camp staff supervision and back. A cruise ship isn't an inherently dangerous place, but it isn't 100% safe either. There are bad people on cruise ships too. There is no knowing what she could encounter between your room and camp, and there is no guarantee that she wouldn't decide to take a detour and land herself somewhere unsafe. Think of it this way-- would let your child walk 1/4 mile to a friend's house unsupervised?

Can anyone tell me if both people in the cabin still have to purchase the Cheers program? I've never had an alcoholic drink in all my 40 years but my bff does drink and she would like to get it on one of our upcoming cruises. But of course, if we both have to, now way in heck. :p

Yes, all guests over 21 in the stateroom must purchase. There have been a few anecdotal cases of people getting the requirement waived due to verified health problems or pregnancy, but just being a non-drinker won't cut it. She will have to buy by the drink or pay for your package.

I'll be sailing the Pride with my 2 year-old on July 5th. I plan on writing a detailed review upon our return. Let me know if there is anything specific you'd like me to report back on. Stay tuned...

 

P.S. My son LOVED our two prior cruises on the Freedom and the Sensation.

Looking forward to your review. We'll be on the Pride for the third time in December with our (then) 37 and 21 month olds. We sailed her once before when our oldest was just over a year, and once on our honeymoon, but not since the upgrades. Can you keep an eye open for booster seats in the MDR and buffet? Our oldest is okay in a high chair now at restaurants despite being in a booster at home, but I'm worried that at 3 he'll start the "But I'm BIG" away from home too.

The only excursion we've done in Nassau was "Discover Atlantis" and it wasn't good for our 1 year old. We just walk to Junkanoo now and let our kids play on the beach.

I disagree with the folks saying not to mention it. I would let Carnival know by way of marking it on your online check-in, and then get the form signed. Carry it with you, because it is better to just have the form if asked than be denied boarding. Don't stress about getting it sent in early, just throw it in with your ID and call it a day.

(I'm aware of the family board but would like Carnival specific answers)

We're going to be cruising with our two sons in December on the Pride and I was wondering if anyone has ever noticed if they have booster seats in the main dining room. I know they had high chairs on our last cruise, but my oldest is almost too old for a high chair but not quite ready to sit independently. Thanks!

I don't think there's any way to tell. We've been in three cabins and its been left twice and right once, all were starboard on the Pride. I assume they alternate, with headboards on walls back to back, so if you can find a photo of a room near yours, you might be able to figure out which one yours will be by alternating them down the hall.

I agree with the others, its $15 a night (so $105 for a sun-sun cruise) and its a ground lot adjacent to the terminal. I have never felt uneasy leaving our car there and the security always seems to be on point. For example, a friend left their lights on the whole time and security came right over to jump their car when they got back. The lot is HUGE and fully fenced. I know personally that the razor wire would be enough to deter me from bothering the cars. The terminal is in an industrial area too, so its not like anyone is just hanging around there.

We are going to be on Conquest. My party is 5 people. Would Carnival place us at a 6 top? Is there a 6 top? Thanks!

They'll put you at a 6 top by yourselves, or a larger table with another similar party (3 to make an 8, 5 to make a 10, etc)

For a 7 day cruise DH takes:

3 polos

1 pair khaki slacks

1 black suit

2 dress shirts

2 ties

3 pair of shorts

5 t shirts

7 pair socks

7 pair underwear

3 dress socks

tennis shoes

sport sandals

dress shoes

2 swim trunks

1 pair basketball shorts

1 track jacket

He wears jeans a tshirt and a button down overshirt, plus usually dockers or chuck taylors. He's set for the week with one carryon size suitcase and a suit bag.

We've sailed balconies with obstructed view and all it was, if you looked down from your balcony, you were looking at the top of a life boat. We could look out and see everything, just not down. If that's the case, I wouldn't pay the $$$. Just saying.

That's part of why I'm conflicted. I have seen places that say you just can't look down to the water, and then places where it says the boat will be level with the balcony and you can only see out on the horizon while standing. On our last cruise, our oldest son loved standing at the railing watching for other boats and I'm worried that the lifeboat will be blocking his view if its level with the railing instead of the floor.

Like this-

I'm currently booked in a 7A (obstructed view)- 5191 on the Pride and I'm considering upgrading to an 8A- 4161 because its only $40 more total fare. The catch, however, is that we booked Early Saver, with the 50% deposits. I don't mind having to finish paying the deposit if I do the upgrade, but before I call and wait to talk to someone at Carnival, I was wondering if anyone could weigh in on whether its worth it to pay the $200 in change fees, plus the $40 difference in fare to go from an obstructed balcony to a regular balcony. Both cabins are right by the elevators and in an area of the ship we like. It'll be myself, my husband, our 3 and 1 year olds, so we'll spend a lot of time on the balcony. Usually we have been in extended balcony cabins, this will be the first time for an obstructed view or regular balcony.

Another photo for comparison- this is the crib we had on the Pride, in a standard balcony room. We called and requested it ahead of time, they do run out if you're sailing during a busy time. The steward had it set up at turn down the first night and it stayed up the whole week. Our 13 month old slept fine in it, but they just wrap the mattress with full size sheets, so if you have a restless sleeper, you'll want to bring pack n play sheets. It did take up a good bit of floor space, but it was nice to have it ready for naps or to set him in while I showered, etc.

When we cruised in November and December, the roof was usually shut, but even then it was still too cold to use the pool for the first day and a half, and the last day. Once we were off the coast of SC, then it was warm enough, but the roof doesn't keep the cold out!

Our little guy ate a lot from the salad bar- chunks of ham, cheese, veggies, etc. And we also spent a lot of time at the grill for things like grilled cheese, fries, etc. Cruise ship food is pretty kid friendly.

Camp Carnival has a few open family activities, but very few when we were on the Pride with our son. There was no open play time, just structured in camp activities (build a bear, a few other crafts, a dance party). The only time where parents could go in and play with the toys was during the under 2 playtime on sea day mornings.

No toy lending program, unfortunately. We asked about borrowing a specific toy that DS got really attached to during his time in Night Owls and the staff was nice enough to let him take it to our room, but they said they weren't really supposed to and that they could only do it because there were less than 20 kids on the entire ship that week.

We've said quite a few times that we wish Carnival would install something like a mall play area. A few padded slides, climbing objects, that sort of thing. Basically a splash park without the water. It wouldn't cost that much and they would appeal so much more to families. But then again, it also wouldn't make them money, so it won't happen, haha.

Our first cruise we booked as far from the elevators as we could, and then got the upgrade call to a room that was right at the midship elevators. We ended up loving it. It was quiet, finding our room was super easy, and if we wanted food from Lido- it was a quick up and down with no winding the halls

When we cruised with our son the first time, we purposely booked a room right at the forward elevators. We had a toddler at the time, so we liked the convenience of the elevator for our stroller, and again- our room was easy to find. We didn't notice any noise, and we spent a LOT of time in the cabin.

The next cruise we have booked a cabin beside the midship elevators again. We really like that location.

That being said- just because you have a cabin for 4 next door, you aren't necessarily going to have a lot of noise. I know we spend less time in the cabin when there are more than two of us. Its just too cramped.

I've never had an upper in a balcony room. It's always been a fold out couch. (three cruise lines). That's with a kid and with two adults as the 3/4th.

Our last cruise and the one we have coming up, the 4th bed is an upper. We have the single bed (non pull out) couch and then a drop down bunk. Both balcony (one extended, one obstructed view) on Carnival Pride. I'd be happier if it was a pull out couch since I'm not so sure about my then 3 year old in an upper.

I was 22 weeks pregnant on our second cruise and loved it. I had no complications with my first pregnancy and felt confident I'd be okay at that point in the 2nd. There was food everywhere, I slept like a baby, and I didn't have to do a thing for an entire week.

I ended up delivering early 2 months later though, so I don't know that I personally would do it again that close to the cut off. But that's only related to my own comfort, not to the cruising experience. I say if your doctor is okay with it- go!

We bought a circle tub plug on amazon for a few dollars and covered the shower drain, used the handheld shower to fill the "tub" then let our son splash in the 2-3 inches of water that filled the shower area. We would rinse him quickly with the shower head if he needed his hair washed. He loved it, we loved it, and he stayed as clean as necessary. It didn't take up any space in the luggage and we keep it in our travel kit for hotels without tubs.

None of the NCL ships have diaper-friendly splash zones. Almost all ships have splash zones for potty trained kids, but they are still a part of the same water system as the other pools.

We looked at the Breakaway out of NY for our last cruise and when I called they said that no, none of their ships have an area that allows swim diapers. RCL has some baby splash zones, and Disney ships have a few places but nothing on any other line yet for the diaper-crew.

I also think its pretty expensive, but it could be worse (look at the Grandeur in comparison).

We're paying just under $3500 including all our excursions and projected onboard expenses for a week in December for 4 of us in a balcony room. We looked at a similar week with the Grandeur and fare alone was over $4k.

For us- the cost to fly all four of us and all our stuff to another port just isn't any cheaper than sailing out of baltimore. Plus- here we can drive out the morning of and be home the night we dock. No hotels means no extra packing or unpacking with two small kids. Worth it.