Ava_Girls PRIDE August 15th-22nd Review!!!

[baylivin]

Gail, I think I know the dress. I almost got it, too. You wouldn't have seen me in it though because we were at the Chef's Table on the 2nd elegant night. That would be funny if we passed each other and had on the same dress!

Marcia

[luv2gonow]

Hi,

Caught up to page 4.

I noticed on one of your pics that you had 4 bottles of Capt in your room. Were you able to order 4 bottles to your room???

 

The only thing you might want to consider with your Bermuda itinerary is that it seems you like the casino and the casino is closed while you are in port. Bermuda is awesome though.

I can't get over seeing men with shorts on with suit jackets and socks till there knees....LOL...

[ava_girl_123]

Other then Photo Bucket where does everyone host pictures for free? Just received an email saying I am appraching my limit..:(

[ava_girl_123]

Hi,

Caught up to page 4.

I noticed on one of your pics that you had 4 bottles of Capt in your room. Were you able to order 4 bottles to your room???

 

The only thing you might want to consider with your Bermuda itinerary is that it seems you like the casino and the casino is closed while you are in port. Bermuda is awesome though.

I can't get over seeing men with shorts on with suit jackets and socks till there knees....LOL...

 

Yes, we ordered 5 bottles from Bon Voyage for the week.. Came home with one that we were able to take off the ship. Our friends ordered 4 bottles too..

Won't mind next time around if the casino is closed the whole time.. (Huuummppppphh:mad:) Lol

 

Gail, I think I know the dress. I almost got it, too. You wouldn't have seen me in it though because we were at the Chef's Table on the 2nd elegant night. That would be funny if we passed each other and had on the same dress!

Marcia

 

Marcia,

 

The black one with silver on the top and bottom? I will post pics when I get to it..

[frogman68]

Other then Photo Bucket where does everyone host pictures for free? Just received an email saying I am appraching my limit..:(

I have never used it but friends rave about

http://imageshack.us/

[chasinraynbowz]

Other then Photo Bucket where does everyone host pictures for free? Just received an email saying I am appraching my limit..:(

 

 

You can post to Flickr.

 

I used that and for me, it was MUCH easier than Photo Bucket. Here is a secret with Flickr - when you reach your limit, create another account and keep going. I had to do that with the World Cruise pictures.

 

Email me if you have any questions.

 

I understand Webshots is easy too!

[All4fun&fun4all]

Other then Photo Bucket where does everyone host pictures for free? Just received an email saying I am appraching my limit..:(

 

That happened to me too. I just went ahead and upgraded. $2.99 a month and I will just take more cruises so I can write more reviews to make it worth it. :p I had no idea that photobucket had limitations until I tried to continue to write my review the next day and all the pictures said "bandwith exceeded". :eek:

 

I have seen some folks using Flickr and Webshots.

[ava_girl_123]

Day 3 Grand Turk!!

Wow is all I have to say! This was one of our favorite days! Woke up in the morning at about 5:45.. Room service delivered our much needed morning coffee after our nightly Captain take over.. Lol..He just kept showing up.. (sheesh, I am making us sound like a bunch of lush's huh?) We just never get to relax with a drink in the evenings with so much going on with the kids and it was vacation so we endulged nightly with the Captain.. Hhaha..

 

 

Ate, showered and off the boat we were.. The Captain (of the boat that is, Lol) or Kirk, can't remember which one said later in the day we were going to be joined by another Carnival Fun Ship.. Which one was it? You shall see..So they said come noon it was going to be a mad house. Stepped off the boat and we were in one of the closest places to paradise. Me and hubby are beach bums. Can swim in the water for hours so this was great. But first we wanted to head on over to Margaritaville first. I have to say this place was AWESOME.. The day was just as I pictured it.. Hanging in the cool water all day long, drink in hand, my best friend and lover by my side and some good old and new friends as well.. Again, trying to take each and every passing moment and freeze it into my brain as one great memory.

 

 

Grabbed 4 lounge chairs in the shade under a palm tree and got into the pool. It was a massive, beautiful pool surrounded by lush plants and flowers. A true heaven at that. The day was spectacular. So, by this point it is only 7:30 a.m. and the place was relatively empty at this point. Now as I said before we rarely get to relax with a drink, but I must say I was pretty toasty come 10:00 a.m. along side of a whole bunch of other people from the ship as well.. The bartender kept saying to me "Baby, this is Jimmy Buffet's MargaritaVille, it is 5:00 p.m. somewhere mon' all is good." The sun was shining and hot, the pool was cool and life was real good in that space and time..

Here are tons of pictures from this amazing day..

[ava_girl_123]

[ava_girl_123]

[As You Wish]

I'm loving your review so far and can't wait for more. I've been seeing your posts on here the last several months, and it was great to see how eagerly you were anticipating this cruise. I know I can't wait until I sail the Pride in 3 weeks! I'm glad you had a good trip, even if it wasn't exactly as relaxing as you were hoping.

 

I'm curious which all inclusives you've been to that you really enjoyed. I've only been to one so far, and found it to be a bit boring compared to cruising. I did enjoy it, but I kind of ran out of things to do there, so it may just be that I didn't chose the best resort for keeping busy.

[ava_girl_123]

[hillcountry]

Love your review! Your narrative style is terrific, and has me all excited for mine coming up - and it's still a month away! Keep it comin'. Great job!!! :)

[ava_girl_123]

[ava_girl_123]

[ava_girl_123]

The view leaving Grand Turk from our balcony..

 

 

 

[Handsome58]

your review is so great!!!!! I love your writing style.......I see you all did not make it to Jack's Shack on Grand Turk....we had a ball there. I agree the time in port on this cruise is way too short. I will not cruise out of Baltimore again [unless for free..lol lol] Plus I love the larger ships with an open Lido deck and big screen etc. It will be better to fly to Florida for me even though I live 35 minutes from B-more.

[ava_girl_123]

I'm loving your review so far and can't wait for more. I've been seeing your posts on here the last several months, and it was great to see how eagerly you were anticipating this cruise. I know I can't wait until I sail the Pride in 3 weeks! I'm glad you had a good trip, even if it wasn't exactly as relaxing as you were hoping.

 

I'm curious which all inclusives you've been to that you really enjoyed. I've only been to one so far, and found it to be a bit boring compared to cruising. I did enjoy it, but I kind of ran out of things to do there, so it may just be that I didn't chose the best resort for keeping busy.

 

 

Oh it was relaxing, just with a tad of rush factor to it..We have been to the El Dorado Royale in the Riviera Miya and Riu Palace Mexico in Playa Del Carmen as far as all inclusives go.. When at both, we never stayed inside of the AI.. We ventured out into Cancun and into the 5th Ave area of PDC. Went to Xel Ha and Akumal.. I would never be able to just sit at an All Inclusive all week without going nuts.. I like to go into the area we are visiting and take in as much as that culture has to offer.. :)

[ava_girl_123]

your review is so great!!!!! I love your writing style.......I see you all did not make it to Jack's Shack on Grand Turk....we had a ball there. I agree the time in port on this cruise is way too short. I will not cruise out of Baltimore again [unless for free..lol lol] Plus I love the larger ships with an open Lido deck and big screen etc. It will be better to fly to Florida for me even though I live 35 minutes from B-more.

 

 

Milton,

 

We had Jacks Shack lined up for that day too, but once we stepped into MargaritaVille I just couldn't leave. It was amazing. Next time around if we are in GT I would make it a point to go there.. Had the rum coupon on me ready to go.. Lol..

 

 

 

MargaritaVille was expensive.. Bought a bucket of 7 beers $39.00, 2 of those huge frozen Margarita's that were very good, first ones I have ever tried, those were $18.00 a piece after grats and taxes..

 

Friends of ours went on the Dune Buggy excursion and wanted us to post to everyone that it was worth every penny too..

 

Good Bye Grand Turk, we had a blast! :D

[cruisinnewbie629]

Hi Gail,

Love your review! We were among the island hijackers on the Fantasy:eek:..LOL We weren't supposed to be there originally, but the itinerary got changed last minute!! Sorry for crashing the party but it was an awesome day. We loved Margaritaville as well:D

Thinking of going on the Pride next, so I look forward to hearing more:)

Keri

[ava_girl_123]

Hi Gail,

Love your review! We were among the island hijackers on the Fantasy:eek:..LOL We weren't supposed to be there originally, but the itinerary got changed last minute!! Sorry for crashing the party but it was an awesome day. We loved Margaritaville as well:D

Thinking of going on the Pride next, so I look forward to hearing more:)

Keri

 

 

 

No, by all means you guys didn't crash the party.. I found it amazing seeing these huge vessels side by side together. It took my breath away as I rounded the corner to head back into the Pride.. ;) Now, the fantasy didn't have any balconies? Only in the huge staterooms I assumed?

[All4fun&fun4all]

 

 

 

 

YAY! Its the Fantasy that was in port with you. Cant wait to get back onboard in February...I hope. I have watched sailaway in the harbor on my way home from work almost every single time since she has been in port here. Great review by the way!

[Meyer2]

More awesome pictures & review Gail!! I look forward to more!

[cruisinnewbie629]

No, by all means you guys didn't crash the party.. I found it amazing seeing these huge vessels side by side together. It took my breath away as I rounded the corner to head back into the Pride.. ;) Now, the fantasy didn't have any balconies? Only in the huge staterooms I assumed?

 

I know what you mean, it really was awesome to walk between the two and just look up....my DH kept saying how much bigger the Pride looked than the Fantasy. Balconies are hard to come by on her that's for sure....only the suites had balconies:( We would have def. enjoyed one with 5 of us in a room..lol

[wone3]

DRUM ROLL PLEASE:

 

 

Ava_Girl_123 Carnival Pride Trip report is here!! Long awaited by some of yall...Yay!!!:D

 

I am starting this review 2 days before we actually leave for the Pride out of Baltimore. I do this as I feel that there is so much anticipation before we leave for this vacation as this will be our first cruise. But I hear every cruise is just as exciting as the first. Maybe you are reading this while anticipating a future cruise you have booked. I hope I can tap into some of what you may be feeling right now. My mind is racing. "Am I going to like cruising?" Maybe I will, maybe I won't.. "Do I have everything we need?" I have learned from this board that if I do not, don't worry just relax and enjoy the cruise..Take in the sights, breathe in the fresh air of the ocean and just C-H-I-L-L Gail....

 

 

So, today is Thursday August 12th @ 3:18 pm. We leave on Sunday. My countdown on Cruise Critic says 2 days-9 hours-42 minutes and 16 seconds!! Have watched that darn thing since it said 133 days! I know, short compared to some of your countdown clocks. Not complaining but you know the agony and excitement watching that stupid thing go down over the hours, days, weeks, months, over even years...Uuuugghhh..I feel a little sad as well. This is almost over and I haven't even got on the ship yet. I am sure this is something that some of you feel right before you get on the boat knowing the excitement will be over in a few days. I know what I have to do to cure the cruise blues, BOOK ANOTHER ASAP!!

 

 

Laundry is done, bags are packed, house is cleaned, dinner is prepared, kids are tended to. I have called the bank and notified them that we will be out of the country, called cell phone company, made an emergency contact list for my Mother in law who will be here watching our children for the week. "She raised 5 children of her own, she raised 5 children of her own, she raised 5 children of her own" is what keeps repeating in my head. My husband and my brother and sister in laws are all ok (for the most part).. Lol..

 

Done food shopping for the house while we will be away. Bills are paid.. Made copies of passports, birth certificates, credit cards. Printed up documents, fun passes, Bon Voyage receipts, steak house reservation confirmation email. Money is ready to go, I have enough dollar bills for tipping, luggage tags are attached to our bags..

 

I have bought sunscreen, packed meds for husband, bathing suits and bungee cords, clothing, shoes and undies, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash. Hanging shoe organizers for a cabin bathroom that does not have enough space, hand sanitizers, and sanitizer wipes. Cabin door decorations are packed, (my door will look so freaking cool!) I have little yellow "post it notes" for our door too to leave messages for my party. (wink) Camera, check.. Downey wrinkle release, check... I have bought 2 formal night dresses, beautiful heels and jewelry, a suit for the husband. I know what a mustar (sp) drill is. I know where the Lido deck is located. Pursers desk (sp)...I know starboard and port side. Aft and the front thingy part of the ship...Lol Oh, I now know what a tender is too.. :) I know that I can check my sign and sail card balance on my television. I know not to be a "chair hog" and to only leave my chair for approx 20 minutes or so and NOT to stick a "RESERVED" sign on it. I know I can order double or triple, unlimited amounts of whatever I want to eat. I know I can try to break the most lobster tails ordered record..(although I intend on not doing that to my hips).

 

 

I have my "bubba mug" to fill my "purchased" liquor with, that I ordered from the Bon Voyage department over the past few months and anything else I may or may not try to chance getting in "illegally" by smuggling (Don't ask, I will not tell you if I did or didn't..Lol). I also ordered an anniversary cake for the other couple that is traveling with us to be in their stateroom for when they arrive. Formal night is Monday the first sea day.. Second formal night is Friday. I have a Peep Meet or Meet and Greet thingy the first day before the mustar (sp) drill @ 3 pm on the Lido deck with my roll call that includes Cruise Critic members MS._FUN_BUNCH, HANDSOME, BAYLIVIN, EMJAY, CNB0817, SEANREN, SHIRLEY&DALE, WONE3 and a whole bunch of what seem to be really cool people. We are also doing a group casino slot pull the first sea day @ 11 that I may attend, haven't decided yet..

 

Gonna get to the port by 10:30 a.m. even if my recorded call from Carnival that came yesterday told me to get there by 2 pm, because reading these boards constantly over the past few months, I have gained the knowledge to know that if I want a shot at one of the cabanas on Half Moon Cay, I need to get there early.. (Did I get one? We will see right?) I know ALL OF THIS only because I have read these boards daily since April. I can not stress enough how thankful I am to you all, really.. Thank you.

I tell you all of this not to just tell you this, not to exhaust you before I officially start my Trip Report, but I am telling you this to paint a picture of EXACTLY what is running in and out of my head at this very moment.. I WILL need this vacation after this, my brain is SHOT. I have been in an absolute "Cruise Fog" the past few months and it only got worse and better at the same time the closer we have gotten. But, I have a feeling most of you know exactly what I am talking about, don't ya? Yea, you do..

 

 

Some background on me and DH.

We are both 33. Originally from L-O-N-G-U-Y-L-A-N-D (Long Island) New York. (Sing it Frankie~~ Start spreading the news). Live in Pennsylvania now..(Banjo playing in the background with some cows). Married for 13 years with 3 very active, very hyper, energy filled non stop going children ages 12, 8 and 4. The 4 year old is going to be the "Straw that broke the camels back" child if ya get my drift. Love her to death but my daughter sucks the life out of me on a daily basis and I believe it is done on purpose too. LOL... We were married young at the age of 20. Lets just say it was a Bang, Bang, Bang, "Shot gun wedding." People said we wouldn't make it, but we did and this cruise is for our 13 year anniversary which was August 7th.

 

Saved, saved and saved some more for our first home which we bought 3 years ago. Busy life, busy, busy, busy. I do daycare from home so I am with little ones ALL DAY LONG:eek:!! Soccer, gymnastics, school, homework, bills, house.... I assume I am painting a picture of your life too, maybe close to what it is, was or maybe will be some day, so you must understand just how much this vacation is needed then right? Right. Forgot to mention that my husband also had a heart attack on December 13th of last year. He is doing great now. Scared the jeepers out of all of us. But my man is A-Ok now. I mainly booked this cruise for him. He is a wonderful man, great father, and works very hard for me and my children. The man needs a break and this cruise will give him that, I hope.. (that is, unless I lose to much money in the casino's, but I have already established in my mind that I am going to be a huge winner, so no worries babe, Lol) I myself am also a survivor of ovarian cancer and have been in remission for about 14 years with a few scares here and there through the years, including a few weeks ago, but all is well.

Ok, enough of all of that.. On to day 1 of our Carnival Pride August 15th, 2010 FIRST EVER CRUISE with a TON of pictures too!!

　

Day 1 Sunday August 15th, 2010

 

OMG! WE MISSED THE SHIP! Really, not kidding.. Yep, holy cow.. standing at the pier as it pulls away, what do we do.. Panic, panic, panic.. (Sound of alarm clock) Gasp... Ok, ok only a NIGHTMARE! Wwhhhhhhheeewwww.. Felt sooooooo real!

I am awake, it is 6 a.m. on Sunday August 15th, all is well, we didn't miss the ship Gail, calm down! Lol Shower for both of us, makeup, hair.. Breakfast.. Kiss the kiddies good bye, go over last minute BS with the Mother in law and out the door we head to Rob and Michelles house to go pick them up and head to Baltimore!! It is approx 9:30-9:45 a.m. First cruise for all of us so the car is hopping with conversations about what to do, what to see, how to spend our days and every little detail about what I have read on these boards. It was a great car ride down. Only 45 minutes as we all live on the PA/MD line. Arrived at the port around 10:30..

No way! Is that the ship?? OMG!! I was telling my roll call that my husband passes the ship often as he works right in the Baltimore area. He has told me the past few months that until I see the ship up close and personal, I have no idea exactly how massive it looks. Well Oh My!! I have actually never seen a cruise ship other then on television and on the Internet in pictures. It looked massive. I am so tiny compared to it and I am a "thick" woman! Lol.. It was beautiful, scary, amazing, powerful, and overwhelming all at the same time. Words can not express what I felt at that very moment seeing this structure.. This is going to be an amazing week..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gail can I say OMG...you were right beside us at the gate...since my dd was being rather anti social upstairs at the bar.. we missed ya!!! The red car behind the balck Jersey plates was ours I'm pretty sure.