Pride Review--7/3--7/10, broken into several posts

[cuyahoga11]

We rented a cabana months ago and it proved to be a great decision... I thought you could not rent a cabana until you were onboard?

 

That has been changed. You can now book online prior to sailing

[Shelli]

Thanks TF.. who knows what to do...I so wish we were protected in the UK where changes are made which are "deal breaking" situations for us. If we cancel now, we lose each around $600, then there is a point where we lose airfare too,, but no way will we cruise on a ship where there is no smoking in casino and at least one club. We would choose a land vacation. 14 nights, two cruises B2B, plus UK airfares and hotels..lot of money to spend to not have 100% enjoyment. Hmmmmm.... :(

 

Great review and pics...!!! Thank you!!!

 

I have my doubts as to whether the smoking changes will include ALL indoor spaces, since Carnival's website says:

 

"Smoking is prohibited in all public areas except in designated exterior open deck areas, certain dance and jazz clubs, and designated areas in the casino. The Spa suite and stateroom accommodations are an entirely smoke free environment, including the outside balcony. Effective December 1, 2011 smoking is prohibited in all staterooms. Beginning December 1, 2011, Guests with a balcony stateroom may only smoke outside on their balcony. "

 

And to the OP: thanks for a great review!

[saw1953]

Thanks for the review. We sail the Pride in Sept to Bermuda. Can't wait. Is the Serenity area non-smoking?

[cruisenanny]

Loved your pics of HMC, thanks so much for a great review:)

[Tribe-Fans]

Thanks for the review. We sail the Pride in Sept to Bermuda. Can't wait. Is the Serenity area non-smoking?

 

I didn't see any ashtrays or ashtray stands on either side of the serenity deck nor did I see any smokers there during the day. I went out there at 1:00 AM one night to catch a smoke but didn't see anything for an ashtray so I went back to my usual spot on the sun deck.

 

Don't know for sure but I am guessing it is non-smoking.

[dolfinmusic]

Great!!!! Thank you so much for the review and pics! I leave Oct and can't wait!

I'm sorry - I guess I missed it but did you stay overnight in Baltimore and if so - how was the hotel?

 

Thank you!

[Tribe-Fans]

Great!!!! Thank you so much for the review and pics! I leave Oct and can't wait!

I'm sorry - I guess I missed it but did you stay overnight in Baltimore and if so - how was the hotel?

 

Thank you!

 

Stayed at Homewood Suites, Columbia, Maryland, which is about 20 minutes from the cruise port. Great hotel, nice location, easy to get to the port. I posted a little about it and a few photos early in this review.

[Heirloom]

Nice guy, great review.

 

Been on Pride twice myself, and still enjoy reading good reviews about her. 2 1/2 hour drive from Baltimore port, will likely do that ship again !

 

(just hoping they have more stops like the ones you enjoyed, vs. the Canaveral/Nassau/Freeport which we're a bit tired of ! ).

[threeds]

Thanks Tribe-Fans for the great review and pictures. I have been having trouble finding detailed reviews of your itinerary, only the other Bahamas itinerary and totally enjoyed the way you broke everything out. My family and I will be doing the same cruise as you next month and was wondering if you could post the Fun Times for port days (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). I was trying to get an idea of what time the shows and activities will be on those days. Thank you.

[rpmljm]

Thanks Tribe-Fans for the great review and pictures. I have been having trouble finding detailed reviews of your itinerary, only the other Bahamas itinerary and totally enjoyed the way you broke everything out. My family and I will be doing the same cruise as you next month and was wondering if you could post the Fun Times for port days (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday). I was trying to get an idea of what time the shows and activities will be on those days. Thank you.

I have posted a review of this sailing as well. Another viewer BigDoug said he will post the Fun Times tomorrow. I didn't know how to do it. So check that thread tomorrow (Just back from Pride 7/3-7/10...some tips and a bit of a review).

[pmoniz]

Great review!! Loved it!! Enjoyed the pictures as well. We sailed on the Miracle twice and we all felt the same as you - time for a change! It's nice to know the layout arleady but twice was enough for me!

 

Not sailing on the Pride until May 2012 and enjoy reading reviews about the ship! We've booked the Private Oasis as well so enjoyed those pics too!

[BigDoug]

The Sports Bar was indeed pretty much empty all week. Making the Sports Bars non-smoking is a decision I think the beards will have to rethink. Also, the lounge area in the casino bar is also non-smoking. It was also very empty all week. The funny thing is that smoking is allowed at the bar only four feet away.:confused: Previous cruises these areas were packed. Now they are empty and non-revenue producers.

[xz3k3x]

We are trying to convince our friends to join us on this itinerary. I plan on showing them this thread. Thanks for the review.

[Tribe-Fans]

The Sports Bar was indeed pretty much empty all week. Making the Sports Bars non-smoking is a decision I think the beards will have to rethink. Also, the lounge area in the casino bar is also non-smoking. It was also very empty all week. The funny thing is that smoking is allowed at the bar only four feet away.:confused: Previous cruises these areas were packed. Now they are empty and non-revenue producers.

 

As a smoker I didn't want to sound biased but I also think the non-smoking rule in the sports bar and casino lounge limited the crowds there. Last year the sports bar had a constant flow of people (mostly men) stopping in for a smoke, catching a 1/2 hour of sportscenter highlights and getting a drink or two. I sat in there for 2 hours once this trip in the middle of the day reading a book and not a soul entered.

[Cruise_Q]

Nice Review...thanks for the info and advise...I think I'll have to try this ship out!!

[Tribe-Fans]

I have posted a review of this sailing as well. Another viewer BigDoug said he will post the Fun Times tomorrow. I didn't know how to do it. So check that thread tomorrow (Just back from Pride 7/3-7/10...some tips and a bit of a review).

 

Thanks rpmljm and BigDoug for adding to the info on this cruise. Unfortunatley I didn't being any Fun Times home with me....I meant to, just forgot.

 

And thanks to all for the kind words about the review....I hope it helped some people as much as many of you helped me leading up to our cruise.

 

Like I was telling some people at work today, unless you have some kind of acute fear of the water or are extremly sensitive to motion sickness, I don't see how a cruise vacation such as this would not be great for all.....there is literally something for everyone.

[Shelli]

Like I was telling some people at work today, unless you have some kind of acute fear of the water or are extremly sensitive to motion sickness, I don't see how a cruise vacation such as this would not be great for all.....there is literally something for everyone.

 

Well, I'm deathly afraid of water, and my husband has inner ear problems and tends to get seasick... yet, we both adore cruising! I'll be going on my 16th one in September (on the Pride!) and can't wait.

[cruisebie]

Thanks for your review! We will be on the Pride in September, but going to Bermuda instead of your itinerary. I was glad to see the information & pictures you posted of Homewood Suites in Columbia. I had just been researching hotels and thought that might be a good place to stay the night before the cruise. Were there restaurants close to the hotel?

[Tribe-Fans]

Thanks for your review! We will be on the Pride in September, but going to Bermuda instead of your itinerary. I was glad to see the information & pictures you posted of Homewood Suites in Columbia. I had just been researching hotels and thought that might be a good place to stay the night before the cruise. Were there restaurants close to the hotel?

 

There is an Appleby's right across the street that we walked to for dinner, and several other similar chain-type places close by plus a mall nearby with more. My wife went to Target that Saturday night to get a digital clock since we had forgotten to pack one, and that was a quick 10-minute trip.

 

This hotel is in a nice neighborhood....nice enough that we considered leaving our cars all week and calling a cab. I did ask and they don't offer "stay and sail" packages as they consider themselves outside the cruiseport area, but I disagree. We did end up driving to port.

[rockabutzer]

Thanks for the review TF. My DW and I will be sailing on the Pride in December. I love reading all the reviews about the ship as I get a lot of good information.

 

Can't wait to go. ONLY.................

[suezyq50]

Thanks for the post. Going to Bermuda on the Pride.

[cruiseloverohio]

Deck 1 was where the drama unfolded, about mid-ship.

 

FCC, Future Cruise Certificate, costs $100 each, only can buy 1 per cabin, will be applied to a future cruise deposit when we sign up for the next one, must be used in 24 months, gets us $100 On Board Credit, so for us knowing we will cruise again in the next 2 years, its $100 free money x 3 cabins = $300 free money.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your review. We are sailing on Pride 10/2 and look forward to it. Since you are a "Tribe Fan", are you from Cleveland? From the Cleveland suburbs ourselves.

 

Question about the FCC....if it costs $100 how does it save you money? Does $100 get applied towards deposit AND OBC of $100?

 

Pictures looked great as well! Thanks again.

[mommyof3girls]

Love the review!!! We are going to HMC And GT on our Valor itinierary in 29 days! We will be traveling with lots of kids in our party who will all be in Camp Carnival! I would love to sail out of Baltimore in the future, we live in Philly, so it's only about a 2 hour drive for us.

[BigDoug]

Question about the FCC....if it costs $100 how does it save you money? Does $100 get applied towards deposit AND OBC of $100?

 

That's exactly how it works.:D

 

I know that I promised to scan the FunTimes but I've had some scanner and computer issues. Hopefully, all issues will be fixed this weekend.

[lady_cruiser]

While I will never cruise on the Pride, too far from home-port to drive and I don't fly, I had to read your review. You did a great job. I especially liked the photographs. Thanks for including them.

 

Next cruise for me - Carnival MAGIC!