Pride Review Solo 5/4-5/11 GT, HMC & Freeport

[lovermonkey]

Awesome Review! I was there last year so this was a treat. Thanks again.

[NCTribeFan]

OK, so I'll try to finish up tonight. And if not tonight, tomorrow for sure (because I have a 4-day weekend coming up - wish I could find a quick cruise!).

 

I've scanned and uploaded the FunTimes, too. I'll post the links to the full photo albums at the end.

[Shake-n-Bake]

Waiting for you to finish up! By the way looked up the Burmuda cruise. Never been there before. :D

[NCTribeFan]

Sunday, 5/11/14, disembarkation and drive home – Good thing we didn’t have an early arrival because I felt awful. Mildly hungover (again) plus the multiple sleep interruptions had me really dreading the drive home. But there was nothing I could do about it, so I got up and went upstairs for my last omelette. As Gede was finishing it up, I told him I’d miss him and thanked him for his hard work all week. After all, he was there bright and early every morning and still behind the counter making pizza every time I went past. The next woman in line simply barked “bacon and cheese” at him when he asked what she wanted. I was feeling rather grumpy, and I’m just so tired of rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate people with no manners, so I turned to him and said, “Gede, I’m sure she meant to say “I’d like a bacon and cheese omelette, please,” and looked at her and said, “and I’m sure you’ll say “thank you” when you receive that, right?” and went to get my sides and beverages. I found a spot outside and devoured my food, made another cup of tea and headed down to finish packing up.

 

My FunTimes and all the other pieces of paper are at the office, and I can’t remember what time we (VIP self-assist) were supposed to be down in the atrium. I arrived about 20 minutes early (I thought) and the seating was already full. We ended up leaving about 10 minutes earlier than the stated time. This luggage dragging/carrying stuff is not my favorite activity. Yes, I’d gotten rid of two books and the wine I’d carried on, but I was leaving with two bottles of wine and in my state of near-exhaustion, it all felt very heavy. Going down the ramp, I was having trouble controlling it all. Anyway, going through customs was a breeze, and I was out at the pick-up stand in minutes. I sat down and called the hotel, and was told the shuttle would be there in about 20 minutes.

 

Back at the hotel, I said goodbye to some Roll Call folks, loaded the car, and was quickly on I-95. The traffic wasn’t horrible, but there were still slow-down areas until I was well south of DC. The traffic heading north was stopped for miles. I couldn’t live in that area. I’ve lived in several different places (including outside Atlanta), and I’ve seen my share of traffic congestion, but every single time I’ve been anywhere near DC, it was stop-and-go. That would make me crazy.

 

Anyway, I really hate driving when I’m not alert. I’d feel really stupid if I fell asleep and died. I’d feel even worse if I drifted off and caused someone else to die. So I made several stops just to get caffeine and to try to keep my brain focused. I was home in just over 5 hours. I walked in the door, dropped my bags in the hall, and plopped down on the couch. Phew! And then I made myself get up and do a load of laundry so I wouldn’t have to go to work in the morning in my nightie!

[NCTribeFan]

Other Thoughts…

 

Food – Overall, I thought the food was pretty good. I honestly think the whole Your Time Dining has had a negative impact on the meals. Think about it. The kitchen used to have two dining times. Now, they have to prepare those same meals over the course of several hours. If they get the timing wrong (there’s only so much they can do ahead of time), the people either have to wait a long time or they get something that isn’t right out of the pan.

 

I love my made-to-order omelettes, obviously. And my deli sandwiches. It annoys me that you can’t get chips at the deli. They have them on the ship because you can get them through room service, so why can’t they put them at the Deli? HAL has them at deli! Why is this not possible on Carnival. I know Small potatoes, right. Get it? That was a joke. I haven’t tried the pizza in years. I used to think it was horrible, but I know they’ve changed things and I keep meaning to try it again, but there are just too many other things to eat that I know I enjoy. As noted, I rarely eat from the main buffet. I don’t like buffet food, and it’s just way too easy to load up a huge plateful and then either over-eat or toss food, and I hate to do either. No ice cream or frozen yogurt for me, either. I don’t eat a lot of sweets, but that’s my one real weakness, so I simply avoid it. If I’m going to consume even more calories, I’ll have another beer, thanks.

 

Entertainment – I’ve commented on the one show. The comedians were good, I guess. I laughed. Dropping an F-bomb every three words doesn’t make something “adult” and doesn’t make it any more amusing, but that’s what you get in the late-night comedy. I stopped by the club by the sports bar a couple of times and caught the band just as they were going on break, so didn’t hear much of them. The other band, I heard in passing a couple of times and wasn’t all that impressed, either. But I am a music snob. If you’re making a living playing and/or singing, you should at least be above average, imho.

 

The Ship – Love the Spirit class. Hate that Carnival seems to be trying to rid themselves of them as quickly as possible. But they’re intent on building larger ships with even worse space ratios. Let’s cram even more people into basically the same space. As a shareholder, I understand. As a cruiser, I hate it. Really didn’t like the shaking in the aft cabin. It was much, much more pronounced than what I’d experienced in 4230 on Miracle. I’m not sure I’ll ever have another aft cabin because it was so unpleasant. I think I’ll stick to midship, when possible. I say this after booking a PH cabin for Splendor to Bermuda (and I know all about the issues with one of those, as I had one on Glory to Bermuda). I was not impressed with Josh, but I’m rarely impressed with a CD. I really dislike the blaring 5-minute “commercial” that we’re force-fed multiple times a day. I understand, but I don’t like it.

 

The Itinerary – I’d wanted to sail Pride ever since she moved to Baltimore because I liked the ship layout so much, but the prices always seemed high. If I was going to pay that much, I wanted to go somewhere other than “just” the Bahamas. I mean, I could take fewer days off work and drive to Charleston and sail from there. So I hadn’t really been checking prices on Pride. I just stumbled across this one and when I saw Half Moon Cay, I couldn’t resist. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out on a really wonderful port stop. Grand Turk is great for diving and snorkeling (I don't do either), and I love the Horseback Ride & Swim, but now it's just another beach day for me. Freeport is what it is. I don't hate it, but I don't look for itineraries that include it. It has some nice places to visit, but you have to be willing to get out there and get away from the port.

 

The Passengers – As I’ve noticed for the past several cruises, there were lots and lots of blue cards, so Carnival’s marketing and low costs are bringing in lots of new cruisers. I personally think people, as a whole, are not nearly as courteous as they should be and need to do a much better job of saying “please” and “thank you” and “excuse me” and all the other little things that make living in a society manageable. Show a little consideration for your fellow humans – that includes the crew, too. They aren’t your servants. They’re extremely hard-working people who are away from home for months on end. Be polite. Be pleasant. Show them you appreciate all they do for you. AND STOP BELLOWING AT EACH OTHER AND SLAMMING DOORS. Sheesh.

 

SUMMARY – I had a wonderful time, other than the drive home. I would most definitely do this itinerary again.

 

Overall, it was exactly what I needed and had hoped for my post-tax-season-relaxation cruise. No cruise is perfect, but I don’t expect perfection. Carnival give me a great value for my vacation dollar, which is why I keep coming back.

 

Still, it’s very likely that once I get my Milestone 25th cruise (and big OBC), that I’ll be done with Carnival. I just need something that offers me a little less blaring noise and activity. I shouldn’t have to retreat to my cabin to get away from the sensory overload. We’ll see what I think if/when I get to that point.

[NCTribeFan]

Here's the link to the FunTimes...

 

 

and to my photo album...

 

[Lisa0719]

Thanks for the review . . . I too am booked in a PH cabin for Splendor Bermuda . . . we might be neighbors.

 

Funny, I don't care for Josh either but some of my cruising friends absolutely love him.

[WetToes]

Nice review and nice photos. ;)

[KroozFoolz]

As always, Joan, I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for taking the time to do a review. I look forward to reading your next one.

[SoCalKJ]

Do it! I've been single forever, so I've been doing things on my own for a long time. As nice as it is to share these experiences with others, it's also very nice (and liberating) to just have the opportunity to do what you want, when you want. And you can totally be yourself or be anyone you want!

 

 

 

I agree! And...I'm actually disgustingly & happily married. LOL!

 

I went on my first SOLO adventure last month sans DH and had a blast!

 

DO IT!

 

BTW, OP, there are too many things to list that I love about your review, your sense of humor and your sense of SELF. Thank you for being true to yourself!

[Shake-n-Bake]

Thank you for a great review and for all the pictures you posted on here and Flickr. You made me think when you were talking about ice cream and frozen yogurt. I have been on only 9 cruises with 10 coming in November and I've never had either on a cruise. I am mostly a MDR and deli guy but looking forward to the Tandoor. I also agree with the Solo people, 6 of mine has been solo, and you do what you want when you want for however long you want. Look forward to seeing you on our cruise in November and your review when we get back. :D

[NCTribeFan]

I know what I forgot! I do this every time. Spend all that time writing and posting the review and then I keep remembering things I'd meant to write about and forgot at the time.

 

There was a thread not long ago asking people what they wanted (or didn't want) in a review. Someone complained about pictures of toilets. Now, I don't specifically take photos of toilets, but I do tend to take pictures of the hotel rooms and cabins, including the bathrooms. People seem to want to see pictures of them, so I like to provide them.

 

I had fully intended to take a photo of every toilet I encountered but realized, after I checked into the hotel in Baltimore, that I'd already forgotten to take one of the place I stopped on the drive there.

 

And then once on the ship, well, the public toilets are all exactly alike. I figured one photo would be sufficient.

 

Here's the toilet in the bathroom of my room at the Holiday Inn Express Stadiums...

 

 

And here's one of the toilets in the ladies room outside the casino. Wait, maybe it's in the ladies room off the Serenity Deck. Or maybe it's in the one as you're walking from the MDR forward after you go through the lounge before you reach the atrium. :p

 

 

There. Now my review is complete. :D

[WetToes]

Nothing wrong with a toilet pic, as long as they are flushed, and not occupied. ;)

[Shaded Lady]

Thank you NCTribeFan... I like your posts here on CC so I was happy to see your review... Needless to say you did not disappoint!

 

I cruise with my DH but some day would love to do a solo for exactly the reasons you posted... But I think I'd need a back to back because my first half of the cruise would be spent sleeping or vegging on my balcony!

Edited May 26, 2014 by Shaded Lady

[poppadevan]

Great Review NC. It is ashamed, though, that it had to finish in the Toilet. HeHeHe. Just being naughty. Thanks again.

[Chelleum]

Great review and pics!! and I agree with you about the aft cabins too much shaking. One experience was enough for me.

[sammee]

Why did I have to read your review? It's great! The problem is, I have the cruise blues from the Fantasy on 5/11. I've been looking at the pride for next May. Our anniversary is in April, but we want warm weather for HMC. The drive is only a few hours from NJ so we won't need a hotel. Have the May dates bookmarked just waiting to pay some bills before I can justify a downpayment.

 

You did a great job. We haven't decided on interior, oceanview or balcony yet. They all have their good/bad points.

[karen1821]

Going on the Pride the end of June and have someone picking me up, so I will be using express departure. What is a good time to tell them to be there? Thanks in advance.

[lowroller]

Thanks for writing your review NC, I will be on the Pride in 2 weeks!

Glenn

[NCTribeFan]

sammee - I've been at HMC in mid-December and while the water was quite cool, the weather itself was gorgeous. The water wasn't all that warm in early May. I'm missing Fantasy, too. I keep checking to see if there's a way I can squeeze in something on her before too much longer. And I keep checking to see if there's a way to repeat this cruise.

 

And then I decide I should just go ahead and book the 6-night Bahamas (that goes to HMC!) that's before the Bermuda sailing and give myself a 13-night B2B (solo!). I can't stop myself!!! :eek:

 

karen - when I got out to the pick-up area, there were already cars being parked along the entry there waiting for people. So, fairly early in the disembarkation process. Depending on how far away your driver lives, I'd just wait until I was close to being ready to leave and call.

[sammee]

sammee - I've been at HMC in mid-December and while the water was quite cool, the weather itself was gorgeous. The water wasn't all that warm in early May. I'm missing Fantasy, too. I keep checking to see if there's a way I can squeeze in something on her before too much longer. And I keep checking to see if there's a way to repeat this cruise.

 

And then I decide I should just go ahead and book the 6-night Bahamas (that goes to HMC!) that's before the Bermuda sailing and give myself a 13-night B2B (solo!). I can't stop myself!!! :eek:

 

karen - when I got out to the pick-up area, there were already cars being parked along the entry there waiting for people. So, fairly early in the disembarkation process. Depending on how far away your driver lives, I'd just wait until I was close to being ready to leave and call.

 

Just went back and forth deciding on this pride cruise or RCC Liberty (which is closer). But even with their half off 2nd, pride can't be beat. Hubby wants HMC, we've done that with Cabana on Fascination. He wants Bermuda too, until I told him what's available. So we're going to take the 3-4 drive to Baltimore next year.

[Shake-n-Bake]

And then I decide I should just go ahead and book the 6-night Bahamas (that goes to HMC!) that's before the Bermuda sailing and give myself a 13-night B2B (solo!). I can't stop myself!!! :eek:

I just looked at the Bermuda cruise and it looks like it is already very popular even though it's 16 months away. I'm a lido balcony type of guy and it seems they have all sold out. NC, you are a serious cruising woman and I admire that. Go for it! :D

[Susie51]

Great review and pics. Thank you for sharing your cruise with us. For a long time, I wanted to cruise solo, but I didn't. Now due to health issues, I have to have a companion.

 

Glad you had a good cruise and thank you for the selfie.