Chrissandra's 2012 Carnival Pride Review May 27 - June 3 (lots of pics)

[LisaT12]

I am really loving this review!!

[novinha]

I still have yet to see a decline in food quality in the MDR. They changed the chicken finger app that first night but I couldn't call that a drop in quality, it's just different. Besides that, the food has remained incredibly consistant from cruise to cruise. Granted we just started cruising in 2009 so that's all we have to compare it to.

 

We never go 'dancing' or visit the night clubs. Not my thing at all. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing karokee but the Starry Night Lounge is like walking into a smoke screen. It's one of the few inside areas to smoke so of course that's where most smokers go.

I would love to see karaoke moved from Starry Nights. When we sailed Pride last year the first night of karaoke was in another lounge, after that it was Starry Nights for the rest of the cruise. So...Carnival, if you read this, please move karaoke to another venue. Starry nights is way too smoky.

[MsMot]

Hi Karen!

 

Loving your review! Thanks for taking the time. I have searched Amazon for the program your husband used, but no luck.

 

Please help:-)

[retiredgram]

As usual, I am loving your review. Waiting patiently for the rest.

Sorry for the loss of you dog. Know what that feels like.

[Anung Un Rama]

Hahaha thanks...I do like to think I'm pretty cool for a Yanks fan :p

 

I've been missing trivia this week, too tired to play at our bar yesterday...I think I might have to bring my ship on a stick there next week when I go back!

 

-Emily

 

Hi Emily!!! Work has been a beast this week as I knew it would. You should definitely take your trophy to show off.

 

Trying to get the rest of this review pounded out before Friday............:D

[ardnassac79]

Cassandra, when is your wedding date? And where are you going for your honeymoon?

 

Hey Cass did ya have wedding??

 

I look read great cruise review!!!!:)

 

Our official date is April 6, 2013 - so just under a year now... we booked our Honeymoon for the Liberty sailing on April 13th 2013 :D This time we're planning to do at least a couple days in South Beach before the ship sails.

 

Hahaha thanks...I do like to think I'm pretty cool for a Yanks fan :p

 

I've been missing trivia this week, too tired to play at our bar yesterday...I think I might have to bring my ship on a stick there next week when I go back!

 

-Emily

 

Hey Emily!! Yes you definitely have to take it with you!!

[ardnassac79]

Hi Karen!

 

Loving your review! Thanks for taking the time. I have searched Amazon for the program your husband used, but no luck.

 

Please help:-)

 

Hi there! I'm not sure you posted this in the correct thread... :confused::confused: Sorry I can't help, not sure what program you're talking about, and we aren't Karen! :p

[dvond]

I still have yet to see a decline in food quality in the MDR. They changed the chicken finger app that first night but I couldn't call that a drop in quality, it's just different. Besides that, the food has remained incredibly consistant from cruise to cruise. Granted we just started cruising in 2009 so that's all we have to compare it to.

 

We never go 'dancing' or visit the night clubs. Not my thing at all. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing karokee but the Starry Night Lounge is like walking into a smoke screen. It's one of the few inside areas to smoke so of course that's where most smokers go.

 

We go back to 2000 and do compare the food to the cruises before 2009 which is not close but we have even seen a difference since then comparing different Carnival ships within that time frame. We do our our food so it does not stop us from going but we were quite disappointed in the 2011 Pride food at dinner. Now its not awful but quality has continued to go down

[carnivalcruiser10]

Our official date is April 6, 2013 - so just under a year now... we booked our Honeymoon for the Liberty sailing on April 13th 2013 :D This time we're planning to do at least a couple days in South Beach before the ship sails.

 

 

 

Hey Emily!! Yes you definitely have to take it with you!!

 

Ohhhhh that nice!!!!:)

 

Love your review can't wait more!!!

[Anung Un Rama]

Tuesday - Fun Day at Sea

 

After closing down the Piano Bar we took advantage of a sea day and slept in. I will say this about our room, it was very quiet. I'm not sure why but I loved it. Never needed ear plugs and was never once woken up by slamming doors or cabinets.

 

Grabbed a late breakfast at the Mermaid Grill and ran into Karen and Brian again. Talked with them for a bit and went back to the room to get our books. It was raining off and on all day so we got some chairs in the covered part of Serenity.

 

 

It cleared up around noon and everyone rushed out to grab chairs only to have it start raining 15 minutes later. It was pretty amusing to see everyone running back in forth while we were just relaxing in our spot. There were a couple trivia's at Raphael's but lost both :o. Both trivias were very well attended since it was raining out. Neither of us were very hungry so we decided to try the room service. It was there very quick but they certainly could've taken a few more minutes to melt the cheese in my grilled cheese. Cass had the Chicken Fajita Wrap. The wrap looked and smelled much better but there wasn't much chicken in it.

 

I took a quick power nap to freshen my brain for Super Trivia round 2. There were a lot of free rolls for the ladies but being the superior sex, we were still able to extend our lead to 31. I didn't want to get too cocky as I knew some bonus would be offered in later rounds.

 

The Past Guest party started shortly after but we knew we did not want to drink that day as we had to get up very early the following morning. We found some friends we had made early on in the cruise who were at Super Trivia and just gave them our tickets. Was very pleased to run into them later that night and they seemed to have really enjoyed the free booze.

 

We played Scattergories with Mike and Emily but didn't do too well. Spent a little time in the sports bar playing video poker before going to the room to get ready for dinner. I took the couple of hours that Cass needs to get ready to type up more notes on my Fire.

[Anung Un Rama]

We walked around the Sun Deck a bit before heading to Normandy for dinner. There was another long wait for dinner, at least 30 minutes. I guess YTD is getting more popular than I thought.

 

 

 

 

[Anung Un Rama]

We both started with the Chicken Quesidillas, which is quickly becoming my favorite app.

 

 

I had the Jerked Pork Loin - Delicious! Another of my favorite dinners on the cruise.

 

 

Cass had Braised Short Ribs. She loved them and I know I would have too.

 

 

We both skipped desert that night in the MDR but walked up to the Lido Buffet and I had a lite moose while she had a small cheesecake. After that we went to the casino and played Let It Ride for an hour or so before turning in.

 

I know today wasn't very exciting but we were building up the excitement for the next two days, culminating with The Quest :eek:

[silvercrikhix]

Hi there! I'm not sure you posted this in the correct thread... :confused::confused: Sorry I can't help, not sure what program you're talking about, and we aren't Karen! :p

 

I believe she is referring to the app Chris uses on his Fire to tap out his notes?

He got free on a special deal for it day.

[ardnassac79]

I believe she is referring to the app Chris uses on his Fire to tap out his notes?

He got free on a special deal for it day.

 

Ohhh, yes... ok it's called Quickoffice - and it's definitely not free usually. I believe it was the "free app of the day" sometime in January or Feb.

 

Thanks!!

[Anung Un Rama]

Wednesday - Port Canaveral (Universal Islands of Adventure) - more importantly Harry Potter World!

 

WARNING - Extreme Dorkness Ahead!

 

OK, so we are hard core Harry Potter fans. I mean really bad. We had to make up our own rules for Harry Potter Scene It because it was too easy :o. This section of the review is going to get very picture heavy and our dorkness is going to shine through.

 

We had room service delivered at 6:30 and actually woke up a bit sooner. We were down to the bus around 7:40 and on the road shortly after that. As we were turning onto the highway by the water that's to the right (Banana River, I think) a few of us were lucky enough to see a dolphin in the wild. The trip took just under an hour as we arrived at 8:40. Cass took advantage of the bus ride to catch up on FB and also look up some answers for holdover questions of Super Trivia :rolleyes:

 

We had already been to Harry Potter World once back in 2010 and knew that we needed to head to the main ride, The Forbidden Journey, first as the line could get ridiculous later in the day.

 

 

[Anung Un Rama]

There's the cart I'm looking for

 

 

Ahhh, Butterbeer (we got the frozen as it's not quite as heavy as the regular), God's gift to taste buds.

 

 

We were pretty surprised to see that there was already a 45 minute wait but it doesn't seem like it as the line takes you through Hogwarts and it is sheer awesomeness (I just realized that awesomeness is a word. That's pretty..........awesome)

 

 

 

[Anung Un Rama]

 

Once you enter, you are not allowed to take purses or bags if you are going on the ride. They do give you the option to just walk through Hogwarts and see how cool it is so if you don't feel like waiting you can still see the coolest line of all time. If you do want to do the ride they have free lockers to put your stuff in.

 

 

The line winds around the Green House. Once past this point, the line really starts to move.

 

 

 

 

I think there was a miscount as Slytherin should clearly be in the lead. Me and Cass both got sorted to Slytherin in Pottermore. She was upset but I told her it was because we were destined to be together.

[missamy03]

Omg i'm loving your review so far! Can't wait to see the rest of your Wizarding World pictures - I am a fellow HP dork as well!

[Anung Un Rama]

Cass forgot the password to Dumbledore's office so we continued on.

 

 

The line continues through an area of moving picture frames which is done incredibly well. No pictures really come out because of the screens but it's very cool. We them move into Dumbledore's office and then Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

 

 

 

 

[chibearsfan]

First off, sorry for the loss of your dog. I understand cruise therapy very well. We had to put our cat to sleep last July. I needed a pick-me-up so I booked the Pride at the last minute and left the next week. It's great seeing another one of your reviews; I always enjoy them.

[Anung Un Rama]

You finish up the Forbidden Journey line in the Gryffindor Common Room. Now I must say that this is probably the best ride I've ever been on. The Spider Man ride in this park is a close 2nd, but this is as in your face as a ride can get. I won't post any spoilers about it but any amusement park fan should experience this at least once.

The ride lets you out at Filch's Emporium where you can buy all sorts of souvenirs and pictures of your ride. It's cramped and packed, like most stores in HP World. I know they're going for realism, but sometimes it's a bit much.

 

We proceeded to the Dragon Challenge which is two very similar coasters. It also has a fun line to go through (centered very heavily on Goblet of Fire film/book) even though this ride is never that crowded (only 10 minute wait total).

 

The line also takes you by Hagrid's Hut and the Weasley's Car.

 

 

 

There's some very cool blue smoke coming out of the Goblet of Fire that unfortunately didn't come out in this picture.

 

 

Be careful not to touch this as it's a Port Key.......

 

 

And probably my favorite

 

 

We waited for the front of the coaster because it's a great one to be up front for and we weren't in a hurry. Well worth it. This really is a good coaster as it's smooth and not jerky at all.........unlike another coaster we'll be on later.

[Anung Un Rama]

It was packed on this side of the park but Cass wanted to get an idea of what she wanted so we braved Honeydukes for a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A great shot of Hogwarts heading to the rest of the park.

 

[bethannk511]

Totally loving your review!!

 

I'll be on the pride in 19 days!! Quick question. When you docked in Port Canaveral, how quickly did they let you off the boat? We're going to Magic Kingdom and because we have annual passes, we're renting a car and just trying to figure out what time for planning purposes. Thanks!! And keep up the great review!!

[jetravel]

Hi my friends!!! So excited to see a review already! You guys always do a fantastic job!

[Anung Un Rama]

We didn't even stop in the Jurassic Park or Toon Lagoon area. There's really only a water ride and some kiddie rides there and we really wanted to get to the Marvel section.

 

 

 

Now Marvel is obviously huge with the success of The Avengers and all the previous fantastic comic book movies so of course this side of the park was full of people as well. When we were here 2 years ago, we walked right onto the Spider Man ride (this time, over an hour wait). We wanted to try all the big rides on this side of the park so since we hadn't eaten yet we decided to start with Dr. Doom's Fear Fall.

 

 

It's your typical free fall ride but once you've done it on top of the Stratosphere in Vegas, they never really feel the same.

 

We got a lite lunch in the Fantastic Four Cafe and then went on the Hulk. Again, no bags allowed so you have to use the free lockers if you want to get on this ride. This is a ride I will never go on again. It wasn't that special and all it did was give us both headaches. They should have Bruce Banner handing out aspirin as you exit this ride.

 

 

 

We closed out the Marvel side with Storm Force which is basically a Tilt-A-Whirl without the tilt. It was still fun and I got wicked tired spinning the center thing (honestly my best workout of the week).