Home from Pride. Any questions?

[stargate fan]

We had a wonderful cruise on Pride! Loved the ship. We had a good room steward and amazing dining room staff.

 

First two sea days' weather were not great, but we made our own fun. (Won our ninth Ship on a Stick. :D)

Port weather days were fantastic.

Last sea day was a bit cool because we were headed north back to Baltimore.

 

Grand Turk was a nothing port-lots of poverty, broken down cars, and half-built homes everywhere. The beach was amazing, though. Water was clear; could see straight down. We stayed at Local Village Bar's beachfront. No charge for beach chairs or umbrellas. We didn't get nagged to buy any food or drink. There were not many people there so it was a calm, relaxed day at the beach.

 

LOVED HMC. The sand was fine like baby powder. Most people took spots at the sand closest to the tender dock. We walked a little way down and claimed our spots. There were hardly any people there, but the beach and water by the tender dock was full of people.

 

Freeport was a stay-on-the-ship port. We took a taxi to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Meh. Spent an hour there then taxied back to the ship. Lots of other must have felt as we did-ship was packed.

 

We had a couple of minor maintenance issues in our cabin. Staff bent over backwards to fix things.

 

We are not smokers and found the ship very clear of smoke. There were only two clubs that allowed smoking. Serenity Deck was totally non-smoking.

 

I'm not a big review writer, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

[soccersharon]

Thank you! Sounds like you had a good cruise :)

 

We are considering the Pride for this summer. I have only read good reviews of the ship, and would love to go back to HMC and GT. Freeport - never travelled there, but would definitely get off the ship for a bit.

[dwaterhouse]

How was debarkation?

I am worried about making a 1230 flight.

 

P.s. very jealous.... I still don't have a ship in a stick....lol

[amillard222]

How was debarkation?

I am worried about making a 1230 flight.

 

P.s. very jealous.... I still don't have a ship in a stick....lol

 

We were on the Pride in Feb and debarkation was crazy, everyone was trying to rush off that the same time of self assist. I dont know how far the airport is or how busy but with the Pride not getting in until 9am and then having to get cleared thru customs a 1230 flight may be stretching it, others who have flown will probably have better information,

[DaveRRT]

did you do the piano bar? here there is a new guy there.Did you do any casino? Who was the host and was he or she friendly? Will be on the Pride in 19 days so any hints would help

[momof2cruiser]

Any talk about a dry dock while you were on board? We were on the Pride in April, and there were rumors about it being dry docked in 2013. I'd love to hear what they are doing and the time frame....

[birdistasty]

Any talk about a dry dock while you were on board? We were on the Pride in April, and there were rumors about it being dry docked in 2013. I'd love to hear what they are doing and the time frame....

 

The drydock has been pushed back to 2014. I believe February, but I'm not entirely sure. I do know that Mary (moderator at Funville) has confirmed it will not be happening next year as was originally scheduled.

[Room Service!]

Have the nipples been replaced in the elevators?

[John Reid]

Have the nipples been replaced in the elevators?

 

I was on the same cruise. Unfortunately, those elevators are still nippleless!

[MrPete]

How many feet does the ship move on a barrel of oil?

[Missmypomswhencruising]

No. LOL

[JaniceB]

Did you go on an excursion in Grand Turk, rent bikes, moped ect in order to see the island?

[novinha]

Have the nipples been replaced in the elevators?

I think you cruise before me. Are you going to take of the nipples or should I bring my stickers on 11/4?

[Room Service!]

I've got some Honey Boo Boo stickers I want to get rid of. Think they'll do the job. :)

[stargate fan]

How was debarkation?

I am worried about making a 1230 flight.

 

P.s. very jealous.... I still don't have a ship in a stick....lol

 

The ship did not arrive in port until after 8:00 AM. Self assist we called shortly after. We were off the ship at 10:00; there were lots of others still on. If you can use self assist for your luggage, you should be able to get to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.

 

This was our ninth Carnival cruise and we won our ninth Ship on a Stick. It's my personal goal-to win one each cruise. Good luck on your next try.

[stargate fan]

did you do the piano bar? here there is a new guy there.Did you do any casino? Who was the host and was he or she friendly? Will be on the Pride in 19 days so any hints would help

 

Sam, a 19-year old English "kid", was the piano player. He was new to the ship and had a very limited repertoire of songs. But he was very willing to learn new songs as requested. We walked by the Piano Bar one afternoon and found him learning new music. We talked with him quite a while. He was a very nice young man.

 

You have to ask him to play Inflatable You. Hysterical!!!

 

We lost a whole dollar in a slot machine :eek: and never went back to the casino. Obviously we are not big gamblers. Can't help with that, sorry.

 

[stargate fan]

Did you go on an excursion in Grand Turk, rent bikes, moped ect in order to see the island?

 

We went to Local Village Bar to sit on the free loungers. While there, we were offered a tram tour of the island for $20 pp. It was about an hour and a half long. (The island is only 7 miles by 1.5 miles.) While informative, we were surprised at the poverty, amount of broken down cars littering the island, and the number of half-built homes everywhere.

 

Should we ever go back to Grand Turk, we'll park ourselves on the beautiful beach and stay there.

[novinha]

I've got some Honey Boo Boo stickers I want to get rid of. Think they'll do the job. :)

Hehehehe! I'll be on the look out for them. Have you ever checked out the art on the ladies room door nearest David's steakhouse? All I'm saying for that one is "what the heck???"

[Room Service!]

I'm sure I've seen it, but will be looking at it closer now, and yes we'll be going the week before you. Can't wait!

[John Reid]

How many feet does the ship move on a barrel of oil?

 

Passengers - 2,400

Crew - 930

 

Times two

 

About 3,330 feet are moved with each barrel!

[JaniceB]

We went to Local Village Bar to sit on the free loungers. While there, we were offered a tram tour of the island for $20 pp. It was about an hour and a half long. (The island is only 7 miles by 1.5 miles.) While informative, we were surprised at the poverty, amount of broken down cars littering the island, and the number of half-built homes everywhere.

 

Should we ever go back to Grand Turk, we'll park ourselves on the beautiful beach and stay there.

 

Would you recommend the tram tour to 1st timers or just say forget it and stay on the beach?

[Room Service!]

I think stargate fan is saying skip the tour, ... unless you want to see poverty, etc.

I sure wouldn't.

[novinha]

Would you recommend the tram tour to 1st timers or just say forget it and stay on the beach?

IF you haven't already been to the port of calls board you may be interested in the Grand Turk info. Some have said that most folks turn left at the end of the pier but if you go to the right instead you will find a less crowded beach. I don't think there is much other than that, unless you want to go conch shell hunting. All the main attractions are from the visitors center and to the left. I'm going to take that beach less traveled in a few weeks.

[stargate fan]

Would you recommend the tram tour to 1st timers or just say forget it and stay on the beach?

 

Just enjoy the beach. We were on GT for such a short time-until 2:00 pm. Wish we had not wasted those 90 minutes seeing what we did. GT is definitely NOT a tropical island-it's very desert-like and dry.

 

Cool thing about the beach at Local Village Bar. About chest deep in the water was a rocky area. In that area alone I saw over 20 varieties of fish and different kinds of coral. They were so cool. We had brought our own inexpensive snorkeling gear. I am not a strong swimmer at all and I had no problems floating around that area.

 

Another thing I wish we had done was brought our own floating blow-up mats. Didn't see any for rent at GC and the rubber ones were $14.99 at HMC. I actually bought a couple on clearance for $1.98 at Target but left them behind. Next time.

[KirkNC]

Come back. We agree on Grand Truk, would not care to go back.