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Just off Pride

twinsmom2001

By twinsmom2001,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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twinsmom2001

twinsmom2001

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We stayed at Holiday Inn Express, which had a cruise and stay package. Check out was at 11, so we arrived at the terminal at 10:30am. We were some of the first ones there and were in zone 3. We did not board the ship until 1:30pm. The Pride was late coming in then. We have no idea why.

We all enjoyed ourselves and are looking to book the Pride going to Bermuda next year. The only thing we did not like was the short amount of time we were in port.

The weather was hot. We had a cabana at Half Moon Cay so it was not so bad there, but the heat in Freeport was horrible.

I hope you have a great time on your cruise.

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CrusinCyndi

CrusinCyndi

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You said you stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. Did you fly in or drive? I was wondering if they pick up at the airport BWI. Was breakfast offered at the hotel? Also, was anything in short walking distance for shopping or something like that?

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bar1068

bar1068

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We stayed at Holiday Inn Express, which had a cruise and stay package. Check out was at 11, so we arrived at the terminal at 10:30am. We were some of the first ones there and were in zone 3. We did not board the ship until 1:30pm. The Pride was late coming in then. We have no idea why.

We all enjoyed ourselves and are looking to book the Pride going to Bermuda next year. The only thing we did not like was the short amount of time we were in port.

The weather was hot. We had a cabana at Half Moon Cay so it was not so bad there, but the heat in Freeport was horrible.

I hope you have a great time on your cruise.

 

I do believe we watched you come on the Pride while we were getting off on Aug 1 right? Actually or technically, the Pride arrived back in Baltimore pretty much on time on 8/1 according to the revised itinerary we were sent just prior to prior sailing out on 7/25, our sailing time and return time both were changed from what was originally booked, but made zero difference.

 

We did luck out somewhat on our embarkation day, due in part to the Prides sailing the week prior which was impacted by TS Bonnie. I believe the Pride got back to Baltimore earlier than normal due to the storm's forcing the cancellation of port visits the week prior to our sailing. We arrived at the terminal about 11:40 on 7/25, placed in group 6, were on the ship by 12:30, had our bags in our cabin and unpacked by 2pm!! /we did not sail though until almost 6pm due to some nasty thunderstorms that rolled through Bmore that afternoon. But after the storms passed, we were on our way and had smooth sailing the whole week!! We had a great time, and yea, it sure was hot in the Bahama's!!

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twinsmom2001

twinsmom2001

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You said you stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. Did you fly in or drive? I was wondering if they pick up at the airport BWI. Was breakfast offered at the hotel? Also, was anything in short walking distance for shopping or something like that?

 

 

We drove in, but they do pick up at the airport. They had a continental breakfast. There is a shuttle service available that will take you around. There was a mall about 5 minutes away from the hotel that we went to. There is also a Denny's restaurant on the hotel property.

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ksoze

ksoze

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We are doing the pride in less than 3 weeks, how long does it take to get out of port and out to sea? I am new to VA and believe you have to go down through VA....

 

You will be fast asleep and into the next day before the ship clears the bottom of the bay and moves into the ocean - it takes all night.

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serene56

serene56

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You will be fast asleep and into the next day before the ship clears the bottom of the bay and moves into the ocean - it takes all night.

 

 

Does the casino and stores etc open that first night?

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Drewgirl

Drewgirl

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Bar1068, I was caught in those thunderstorms driving on rte 95 that day, and I saw your sailing's muster drills on deck! I got really excited because we're sailing that same route and ship in a few months. I hope the weather that day didn't make it too awful!

 

Twinsmom, I'd also like to know about when the casino opens---or really, my husband does. ;) Were you sailing with kids, and if so, what are your tips? It'll be our kids' first cruise so I'm collecting any advice I can get.

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bar1068

bar1068

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We are doing the pride in less than 3 weeks, how long does it take to get out of port and out to sea? I am new to VA and believe you have to go down through VA....

 

Takes around 9 hours from the port in Baltimore to then cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel ( which is basically at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay) to the open ocean, Was worth it to my wife and I to skip dining in the MDR to watch the Pride pass under the Key Bridge and then the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (about 2 hours from Baltimore) before heading down the rest of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

And to our surprise, the casino was open shortly after leaving the port of Baltimore.

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bar1068

bar1068

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Bar1068, I was caught in those thunderstorms driving on rte 95 that day, and I saw your sailing's muster drills on deck! I got really excited because we're sailing that same route and ship in a few months. I hope the weather that day didn't make it too awful!

 

Twinsmom, I'd also like to know about when the casino opens---or really, my husband does. ;) Were you sailing with kids, and if so, what are your tips? It'll be our kids' first cruise so I'm collecting any advice I can get.

 

Yea, those storms were pretty severe that day, we worried all was ok with our house and all, which it was thankfully. But after the storms were over and we got underway just before 6pm, we had great weather the whole week!!!

Tell hubby, when we sailed on 7/25, casino was open not long after we left port, which was a surprise to me....wife was happy though!!

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twinsmom2001

twinsmom2001

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Bar1068, I was caught in those thunderstorms driving on rte 95 that day, and I saw your sailing's muster drills on deck! I got really excited because we're sailing that same route and ship in a few months. I hope the weather that day didn't make it too awful!

 

Twinsmom, I'd also like to know about when the casino opens---or really, my husband does. ;) Were you sailing with kids, and if so, what are your tips? It'll be our kids' first cruise so I'm collecting any advice I can get.

 

 

The casinos opened shortly after sailing. How old are your kids? We went with our 9 year old twins. They enjoyed Camp Carnival. They have a late night program from 10 pm to midnight that costs extra. It was $6/hr for first child and $4/hr for each additional child. Our kids wanted to go every night. One night there was a party until 3:30 am for them. There was additional costs for that. Our kids loved the camp. They only ate dinner with us 3 nights. The rest of the time they wanted to eat with their friends from camp. They were always at the camp so my husband and I had plenty of time to ourselves. If your kids are in the 9-11 age group, I have the camp activities sheet. I can send them to you if you are interested.

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Drewgirl

Drewgirl

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Thanks to both of you!

 

Our kids are 8 and 5, and I am so excited to hear good things about Camp Carnival---it was one of the big reasons we decided to try Carnival. I wouldn't be heartbroken if the kids want to spend more time there than with us. Makes the trip more relaxing! :D

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ladycaveat

ladycaveat

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We are doing the pride in less than 3 weeks, how long does it take to get out of port and out to sea? I am new to VA and believe you have to go down through VA....

 

Hi neighbor! I live in Ashburn but work in Leesburg. I've only cruised once before out of Baltimore (next month will be my second cruise out of Baltimore). From what I can remember, I think it took about eight hours to reach open water. Have a wonderful cruise . . . .

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going to see the world

going to see the world

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Bar1068, I was caught in those thunderstorms driving on rte 95 that day, and I saw your sailing's muster drills on deck! I got really excited because we're sailing that same route and ship in a few months. I hope the weather that day didn't make it too awful!

 

Twinsmom, I'd also like to know about when the casino opens---or really, my husband does. ;) Were you sailing with kids, and if so, what are your tips? It'll be our kids' first cruise so I'm collecting any advice I can get.

 

The casino/shops open as soon as it's legal, which I assure you doesn't take one minute longer than it is has to lol. Have a great trip, the Pride was AMAZING.

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richstowe Great Review Rare

richstowe

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If anyone has any questions, please let me know and I will answer them.

Will be on Pride in January and am very happy they are doing a drydock in November. Did you observe any things that needed "freshening up"? Was the ship in good shape?

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