Pride Returning to Baltimore

[jabberjaw070596]

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES, PORT OF BALTIMORE ANNOUNCE RESUMPTION OF

YEAR-ROUND SERVICE FROM BALTIMORE IN MARCH 2015

 

Carnival Pride to Undergo Extensive Multi-Million-Dollar Makeover That Will

Add Variety of Line’s Fun Ship 2.0 Innovations Prior to Baltimore Deployment Next Spring

 

 

MIAMI (January 30, 2014) – Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of Baltimore today announced that the cruise line will resume year-round departures from Baltimore when the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride begins seven-day cruises in spring 2015.

Carnival Pride is currently based in Baltimore where it will remain through October 2014 then reposition to Tampa for a winter cruise schedule before returning to Baltimore for year-round service in March 2015, hosting nearly 120,000 guests annually.

In anticipation of Carnival Pride’s return to Baltimore, the ship will undergo an extensive multi-million-dollar makeover in fall 2014 that will add a host of dining, bar and entertainment innovations that are part of the line’s $500 million Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement program.

In addition to the new on-board features, Carnival Pride is one of several Carnival Cruise Lines ships that will be outfitted with exhaust gas cleaning technology – known as scrubbers –designed to reduce air emissions from cruise ships and large marine vessels. Scrubber technology will be installed on Carnival Pride prior to its Baltimore deployment in spring 2015. This new technology will enable the Carnival Pride to exceed the stricter air emission standards established for operation within the North American Emission Control Area (ECA).

“Baltimore is a convenient mid-Atlantic embarkation point for ‘Fun Ship’ cruising and we’re pleased to resume these attractive year-round departures which offer our guests an opportunity to visit a variety of beautiful, tropical destinations,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “We would like to extend our thanks to officials from the port and the state of Maryland for their outstanding support in our efforts to resume year-round cruising from Baltimore,” he added.

“We are pleased to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines back to Maryland and the Carnival Pride cruise ship back to the Port of Baltimore,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our Administration has a proven track record of advocating for a strong, healthy environment and fighting for high-quality jobs for Maryland families. I’m pleased Carnival and the Environmental Protection Agency and Coast Guard have agreed on a plan that will keep family-supporting jobs in Maryland and allow a cleaner and even greener Carnival Pride to return to this thriving cruise market.”

 

Year-Round Seven-day Cruises From Baltimore

On its year-round deployment from Baltimore, Carnival Pride will offer two distinctly different itineraries with voyages departing every Sunday beginning March 29, 2015. Week-long exotic eastern Caribbean cruises will visit Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Freeport, The Bahamas, while a Florida/Bahamas schedule will feature Port Canaveral, Fla. (Orlando), and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.

During these cruises, guests can relax on beautiful white-sand beaches, participate in fun watersports activities and visit popular landmarks and attractions throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Central Florida.

 

Exciting Fun Ship 2.0 Innovations

Carnival Pride will undergo a three-week dry dock from October 19 to November 9, 2014, during which it will be outfitted with a variety of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, including:

Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries in an atmosphere that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture

BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas that can be personalized with a variety of salsas and toppings

Bonsai Sushi, a full-service sushi restaurant offering delicious Asian-inspired delicacies – sushi, sashimi, rolls and more – all enjoyed amidst a contemporary Far East décor

WaterWorks, highlighted by Green Thunder, the steepest and fastest water slide at sea, as well as the line’s signature Twister slide full of exhilarating twists and turns and a spray park

Hasbro, The Game Show, where guests are part of the show through a series of larger-than-life productions and entertainment activities based on the company’s iconic and popular games

Playlist Productions, builds upon Carnival’s reputation for high quality entertainment, combining captivating live performances and high-tech special effects, all set to popular and recognizable songs

EA SPORTS Bar, a sports and video game lovers’ paradise where guests can catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS games on a 16-screen video wall

BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool

Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” that’s the go-to spot for guests seeking a unique experience with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients or guests’ own custom-created cocktails

RedFrog Pub where guests can enjoy the Caribbean’s best rums and beers – along with Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red private label draft brew – and island-inspired pub fare while soaking up the distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West ambiance

RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside adaptation of the RedFrog Pub offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red

The Library Bar, a warm and cozy venue offering self-serve wine dispensers and full bar service for those seeking a more intimate spot for before- or after-dinner drinks

Cherry On Top, which celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun fanciful gifts and novelties, custom apparel and more

[falkcor]

good news for baltimore and NE cruisers! and it's nice to see they're doing a substantial upgrade to pride in terms of the 2.0 features.

 

yet another bit of wacky deployment news though, you'd think they could have figured this out a few months ago rather than pull the ship for all of 5 months... :confused:

Edited January 30, 2014 by falkcor

[runner15km]

There was some arm twisting concerning stack emissions, CCL won for now.

[Captain Carnival]

So much for replacing Legend permanently in Tampa when she goes to Australia; I wonder if Tampa will get another ship?

[Mjsturg1]

I was so excited to hear this I just wish the itinerary could be changed up a little bit but I understand making that haul from all the way up here limits the locations and all :(

I love the Pride and def want to sail on her after she gets the upgrades !!

[4Tacos]

Looking forward to having a ship close enough that I can drive to it. Very excited!!

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[monzo48]

Woohoo great news - Ive been on Pride twice now and was really disappointed that she was leaving - Looking forward to more great times on the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore. :) :D :)

[retiredgram]

Great news. Have been on the Pride numerous times. Love her.:D

[Branman]

It's really interesting that they listed the Waterworks as part of the FunShip 2.0 enhancements.

[nokidz]

Woot!!:)

[toad455]

I wonder if the Legend will return to Tampa in the spring/summer 2015. I thought the Legend was only going to be seasonal in Australia.

 

I just wish they thrown in a 9 or 10 day cruise here and there instead of the same 7 day schedule.

Edited January 30, 2014 by toad455

[lovestocruise19]

Super excited! I was sad when I heard Pride was leaving Baltimore. She holds a special place in my heart because she was our very first cruise and was where DH proposed!

 

The repo from Tampa to Baltimore looks A-MAZE-ING! :eek: :D I wonder if I can convince DH to go on that for our 2015 cruise. ;)

[vols_159]

What ship is going to Tampa?

[Captain Carnival]

I wonder if the Legend will return to Tampa in the spring/summer 2015. I thought the Legend was only going to be seasonal in Australia?

 

Good question....curious minds would like to know!! :D

[TrinaLC]

Super excited! I was sad when I heard Pride was leaving Baltimore. She holds a special place in my heart because she was our very first cruise and was where DH proposed!

 

The repo from Tampa to Baltimore looks A-MAZE-ING! :eek: :D I wonder if I can convince DH to go on that for our 2015 cruise. ;)

 

I couldn't find the repo cruise on the carnival site - is it listed as available for booking?

[Captain Carnival]

What ship is going to Tampa?

 

Hopefully something more than the Carnival Plain-Jane, err I mean Paradise! :rolleyes:

[bar1068]

I couldn't find the repo cruise on the carnival site - is it listed as available for booking?

 

It's POSSIBLE and I stress POSSIBLE they may not do a repositioning cruise. A repo cruise was originally planned for the Pride when she relocates to Tampa, but that was canceled when the drydock improvements were scheduled. The Liberty is relocating to Port Canaveral without a repo cruise as well.

 

Either way, great to hear the Pride will be coming back to Baltimore!!

Edited January 30, 2014 by bar1068

[Ontario_Cruiser]

Until Tampa gets around to raising its bridge, I think that the choice of ships will be limited to the Spirit and Fantasy classes. With Pride in Baltimore, and Miracle on the left coast, and Spirit and Legend down under, the only option left is for Fantasy ships in Tampa.

[Greysea74]

It's POSSIBLE and I stress POSSIBLE they may not do a repositioning cruise. A repo cruise was originally planned for the Pride when she relocates to Tampa, but that was canceled when the drydock improvements were scheduled. The Liberty is relocating to Port Canaveral without a repo cruise as well.

 

Either way, great to hear the Pride will be coming back to Baltimore!!

John posted on his FB page that there will be a 14 day repo cruise from Tampa to Baltimore in March 2015, he says that it should be posted on carnival.com sometime today to book.

[Ontario_Cruiser]

It's POSSIBLE and I stress POSSIBLE they may not do a repositioning cruise. A repo cruise was originally planned for the Pride when she relocates to Tampa, but that was canceled when the drydock improvements were scheduled. The Liberty is relocating to Port Canaveral without a repo cruise as well.

 

Either way, great to hear the Pride will be coming back to Baltimore!!

 

There is another thread that give the dates (next March) for a 14 day repo cruise to Panama, Costa Rica, St maartan, and a couple of other ports. I do not see it online yet though.

[leisurely mandy]

It's POSSIBLE and I stress POSSIBLE they may not do a repositioning cruise. A repo cruise was originally planned for the Pride when she relocates to Tampa, but that was canceled when the drydock improvements were scheduled. The Liberty is relocating to Port Canaveral without a repo cruise as well.

 

Either way, great to hear the Pride will be coming back to Baltimore!!

 

They stated in the press release that there is a 14 day repo cruise from Tampa to Baltimore, with many interesting ports (George Town, Grand Cayman; Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; Aruba; Curacao; and St. Marteen, Netherlands Antilles). I understand cruises occassionally get cancelled, but with the interest generated in this particular cruise I would say any chance of cancellation is slim.

Edited January 30, 2014 by leisurely mandy

[dixieva]

Good news but I am bummed that the ports will not change. Sure would have been nice to have some new places to cruise to on Pride.

[bar1068]

They stated in the press release that there is a 14 day repo cruise from Tampa to Baltimore, with many interesting ports (George Town, Grand Cayman; Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama; Aruba; Curacao; and St. Marteen, Netherlands Antilles). I understand cruises occassionally get cancelled, but with the interest generated in this particular cruise I would say any chance of cancellation is slim.

 

Opps...my bad...my browser cut part of the announcement off!! Didn't see the whole article....even better news after reading the WHOLE article!!!

[penguin85]

This is wonderful news. We love the Pride, so glad we will be able to drive to Baltimore and get on board.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

There was some arm twisting concerning stack emissions, CCL won for now.

 

Could you elaborate on this as I am not privy to any of that information.

 

I just thought they left because they would not be in compliance with the emissions standards and after the drydock she would have the new scrubbers in place to comply with the new standards.

 

What did Carnival win?

 

Bill