Thanksgiving on the Pride 2014, a review

[hinestravel1]

Review is great so far! We sail in 48 days. Your pics are making me very excited!

[Cruise Envy]

Day 1 - the Slides

 

We also walked around a little to see what was up. My oldest son was the only one to try Green Thunder during the cruise. He loved it, and said it was VERY fast.

 

 

He didn't like the yellow slide as he said it was too slow. Take that with a grain of salt, he's a daredevil...

 

 

 

 

[Cruise Envy]

More Day 1

 

We loved the "Dive In Movies" screen on the Lido:

 

 

They had varying activities there during the week. (You can see the Blue Iguana salsa bar in the background)

 

 

Here is the Red Frog Rum bar on the Lido (not to be confused with the Red Frog Pub on Deck 2)

 

 

And the Blue Iguana Tequila Bar

 

 

All of the 2.0 upgrades on the Lido with the exception of the slides can be covered by the retractable roof.

[Cruise Envy]

Day 1 Serenity Deck & Other spaces

We didn't spend much time out here until Friday.

 

 

 

Here are some random shots as we walked around day 1.

 

 

 

 

[Cruise Envy]

Seriously?

 

Yes. Perhaps I don't have high expectations? I didn't wait in lines, I had a seat, and I boarded within 20 minutes of boarding started. I've sailed from Charleston, Jacksonville & Tampa. My complaint about Tampa was the confusing announcements. :)

[Cruise Envy]

Day 1 - Muster Drill

 

First moment of annoyance with Carnival for me, the drill was late. The Fun Times said 3:00 PM, but it was closer to 3:30 PM. I hate to be late, so I am always early, therefore, we sat along the promenade for a WHILE waiting. At least there was comfortable seating. We were assigned to Muster Station A.

 

 

 

Eventually we ALL moved outside to stand on the Promenade. It was a little hard to hear due to the band channelside playing sail away music.

 

 

Regardless, it ended, and we headed up to deck 9 to meet the rest of the Cruise Critic folks.

 

 

 

We had a few more show up after our amateur photographer disappeared.

[Cruise Envy]

Day 1 - David's Steakhouse

 

We made reservations months ago to have dinner at the steakhouse, since this was our first ship with one. Given advanced intel that if we sailed on time, we would pass under the bridge 2 hrs after sailing, we chose 7:00 PM.

 

We spoke to several people -- apparently they are sailing late due to delays in getting supplies on board? Jumping ahead, we sailed about 9:30 PM.

 

We did get to experience sunset, kind of, from our table in the steakhouse. It was an OUTSTANDING experience. From the amuse bouche from the chef (mini cheeseburger for son, tomato soup for us),

 

 

 

to the rosemary focaccia with spreads... it was a HEAVENLY START!

 

 

 

We kind of enjoyed the chefs getting a kick out of our 14 year old enjoying his meal.

 

[Cruise Envy]

Is that the connecting door to the right of the chair?

 

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Yes, it is.

[Cruise Envy]

We skipped the salad and ordered two appetizers each. We had the shrimp cocktail, the escargot, the New England crab cake,

 

 

 

 

Every single appetizer was great. The shrimp were bigger than my thumb!

[Cruise Envy]

My son and I both got the spice rubbed prime ribeye, and my husband ordered the chilean sea bass. My son declared it the best steak he had ever eaten.

 

 

 

 

Connor was stuffed, so he left and asked us to bring his dessert back. We ordered him the cheesecake to go, I got the fresh fruit, and my husband ordered the cheese plate. I wouldn't repeat the fruit or the cheeseplate.

 

 

 

[Cruise Envy]

Last Thoughts on Day 1

 

As I mentioned, we were FTTF. All the suitcases arrived pretty quickly (before muster) except one. I joked at the M&G that it was probably in the naughty room as they studied my perfume to see if it was booze. Funny thing... it WAS in the naughty room! They confiscated my BRAND NEW extension cord for my husband's CPAP, and left a nice note in my suitcase. I went to Guest Services and explained that I kind of needed it. :rolleyes: She was very nice, and said they'd get me one to use. OK, I'll take that. We did have it slightly before bedtime that night. Lesson learned, carry on next time.

 

While I didn't spend a huge amount of time listening to them, they had a live band called the Rocking Dead, who I thought were pretty good. They performed alot in the atrium.

 

 

There is a special in the photo gallery on days 1 & 2. If you buy any photos then, you get 10% off, and get a free lanyard. They have a "rewards program" now where you can earn gifts as you buy more pictures. The rewards are a luggage tag, a coffee travel cup, a USB drive shaped like a carnival ship, a tote bag, and a 20x30 canvas of one of your pictures. In addition, for $9.95, after buying (I think) 10 pictures, you can get 10 of your purchased photos put on the thumb drive. You can also get 30 christmas cards done for $17.95.

 

We did purchase my son the Bottomless Bubbles card on day 1. The sign showed $6.00 in large print, per day in smaller print. (He's 18). I laughed at the lady in front of me, who bought the card for her two kids plus two of the cups, started to walk away, and then turned back in a panic saying "I thought this was $12 and you charged me almost $100!!" Yep, it's per day, not the whole cruise.

 

They do charge you $0.11 tax per soda until you sail.

 

We went under the bridge about 11:20 PM. While I would have enjoyed it being closer to sunset, my kids got a kick out of seeing the bridge lit up. There was a big cheer from up on deck when we sailed under.

 

Leaving you at the end of our first day with our towel friend.

 

 

I will have some rebuttal thoughts to our earlier poster about Belize, but I'll share them when I get there. Thanks for reading this far. Next up, Day 2 (my 50th birthday) and a sea day!

[jacmo24]

More more!!!

[Cruise Envy]

Finally, found the picture of us as we passed under the bridge!!

 

[Cruise Envy]

Day 2 - Sea Day

 

Happy Birthday to me! We woke up around 8:30, and headed to the Normandie dining room for breakfast. I shot a little food porn, but have to say I prefer the regular breakfast and lunch.

 

 

Made the common rookie mistake -- don't ordered scrambled eggs, order a plain omelet. Much better!

 

 

 

We walked back on deck 3, and perused the shops and met the gift shop manager Carol.

 

 

My son wanted a Carnival Pride hat/shirt combo.

 

We returned to the cabin so I could open my birthday presents, then we spent a little time at the forward pool & whirlpool in the morning

then proceeded to Guy's Burgers for lunch. YUM!

 

As mentioned in Connie's review from the same sailing, we joined some fellow CC members for a gathering in the piano bar.

 

Three of us got dressed up, and headed down to meet the officers, take some pictures, and have dinner.

 

 

 

Jerseycandyman, recognize anyone in this photo?

 

[Cruise Envy]

Dinner was good -- we sere seated right away (we had anytime dining), and got a table by the window.

 

My son debated between one and two lobsters, so the wait staff brought him three.

 

 

My husband got the ribs, I got the lobster and the prime rib.

 

 

We got a visit by the table magician, who amazed my son.

 

 

I got a visit from the waiters with a cake and a song:

 

 

 

Next up... after dinner entertainment!

[jetta8300]

Thanks very much for your review! Those are the first good pictures I've seen of the new lido deck!

 

 

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Edited December 8, 2014 by jetta8300

[Cruz77]

What kind of music did the rocking dead play?

 

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[Tinkerkelle]

Loving the review and all the pics...we sail in 3 weeks. Excitement is BUILDING!!!

[OHCruisin]

Wow, how strange. I started reading your review and thought your family looked familiar. Figured out I was at Nachi the same day as you. In fact, you were right next to me. I was on RCI but we were at Cozumel the same day. Too funny.

[saharadweller]

I am really enjoying all of your photos and comments. I was just reading another review that was great with photos and comments. Then I saw those people next to you in your pics. Small world.

 

Looking forward to more.

[Cruise Envy]

What kind of music did the rocking dead play?

 

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I remember an 80s set, but I will check the Fun Times and get back to you.

[meatloafsfan]

Great review and great pictures of the Pride - I'm so excited to be sailing on her in March.

 

Could I please ask - why would you not order the cheese plate again in the steakhouse? It looked wonderful (different kinds of cheeses, varying accompaniments, nice presentation). Was it the kinds of cheese, the quality or was it just overwhelming after so much food?

[kidstwo2]

I am enjoying your review very much! We sail on the Pride 12/21 with our two sons, 23 & 22. Thanks for all the pictures.

[bunchesofun]

Connor was stuffed, so he left and asked us to bring his dessert back. We ordered him the cheesecake to go, I got the fresh fruit, and my husband ordered the cheese plate. I wouldn't repeat the fruit or the cheeseplate.

 

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Last time we were on the Pride we ate a bit of our cheesecake and asked to take it back to the room and were told we could NOT take it!

[Cruise Envy]

What kind of music did the rocking dead play?

 

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Besides 80s Pop & Rock, they did Motown & Beyond, "Soul and rock & roll", and "The Woodstock Generation", according to the Fun Times.