Our Carnival Pride Spring Break cruise - 4/5/15 (with pics)

[Jamman54]

Ryan is waiting for the bucket to tip…..

 

 

There she goes…..

 

 

The Twister Slide…..

 

 

 

Tonight’s sunset…..

 

 

 

To be continued……

[Jamman54]

Tonight was the second Cruise Elegant night. Patti started off with the eggplant appetizer…..

 

 

I started off with the Maryland corn chowder…..

 

 

We both then had the green bean and tomato salad…..

 

 

For her main, Patti had the seafood pasta……

 

 

Ryan had the grilled chicken……

 

 

I had the grilled jumbo shrimp…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Tonight, Ken Byrne wows the crowd with his rendition of “My Way”

 

 

Ryan joins the waiters to dance “Gangham Style”…..

 

 

 

Leaving the Dining Room, we passed the Alchemy Bar, which was pretty busy…..

 

 

I made my way to the Taj Mahal Show Lounge to see the Playlist Production of “88 Keys”. Tony, the piano bar piano player, was on stage warming up the crowd…..

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Here are a few shots of “88 Keys” I did enjoy the show…..

 

 

 

 

 

After the show, I made my way to the Butterflies Lounge to catch the late comedy show starring Diane Ford. I remember seeing her on Showtime as one of the Ladies of the Night”. I enjoyed her show as well…..

 

 

Back to the cabin where Patti and Ryan had ordered some room service grilled cheese sandwiches and veggie platters. Yum!!! Here was tonight’s turn down service and towel creature…..

 

 

Coming up next: Heading back to Baltimore. Our final sea day!

[BlueHonu]

Loving your review. We r on pride in 3 weeks. Can't wait.

[Jamman54]

Loving your review. We r on pride in 3 weeks. Can't wait.

 

Thanks for reading!! Won't be long for you now!! :)

[Tutontow]

It looks like you had a lot of "fun" at Senor Frogs. LOL

[Jamman54]

It looks like you had a lot of "fun" at Senor Frogs. LOL

 

Oh Yea!! Taking my son out for his first Senor Frog's experience was priceless!! :D

[Tutontow]

Oh Yea!! Taking my son out for his first Senor Frog's experience was priceless!! :D

 

We are taking my wife's sister, who is a total blast, on her very first cruise. We are doing the Sunshine for five days out of Port Canaveral in mid August.

 

We are so pumped. She drinks and gambles like us. It ought to be so cool. Everything will be new to her and as we all know the first time you walk into a ship the atrium is overwhelming. We like to sit in the lobby bar before we even go to our cabin just to watch peoples expression when they first get onboard.

 

My wife and I really enjoy your reviews. Maybe someday you and I will share a blackjack table.

[Jamman54]

We are taking my wife's sister, who is a total blast, on her very first cruise. We are doing the Sunshine for five days out of Port Canaveral in mid August.

 

We are so pumped. She drinks and gambles like us. It ought to be so cool. Everything will be new to her and as we all know the first time you walk into a ship the atrium is overwhelming. We like to sit in the lobby bar before we even go to our cabin just to watch peoples expression when they first get onboard.

 

My wife and I really enjoy your reviews. Maybe someday you and I will share a blackjack table.

 

Sounds like you have a GREAT cruise planned!!

 

Thanks for following along. You never know, someday our paths may cross! :)

[sjn911]

LOL.....well I am back and caught up again..the hot springs was cool and a rare warmer May 1 in Montana...there is lithium in the water...dad would not let us try a sip...we stuck to soaking and a burger and...cough cough...3 wines...they make you get out to get the wine...you can't bring the third back to your almost 81 going on 60 dad...or anyone else...a good rule in hot lithium water...soo good..I slept from midnight until 2 PM today...whew..I needed it...ok on with the show and could not help the interruption..but thought you might get a kick out of almost full moon inland water/bar experiences...LOL....sarah

 

So dying to hear rest of the story...and final count...S.

Edited May 2, 2015 by sjn911

[Princess_K]

I have never seen HMC in such detail!! Tell Patti I said thanks so much! I am only 7 days away from sail away on the Fascination and 10 days from being in that paradise!!!

[Jamman54]

I have never seen HMC in such detail!! Tell Patti I said thanks so much! I am only 7 days away from sail away on the Fascination and 10 days from being in that paradise!!!

 

Patti says thank you for the compliments!! She still amazes me with the things she finds to photograph! Enjoy your cruise on the Fascination, and your time at HMC!

[Jamman54]

LOL.....well I am back and caught up again..the hot springs was cool and a rare warmer May 1 in Montana...there is lithium in the water...dad would not let us try a sip...we stuck to soaking and a burger and...cough cough...3 wines...they make you get out to get the wine...you can't bring the third back to your almost 81 going on 60 dad...or anyone else...a good rule in hot lithium water...soo good..I slept from midnight until 2 PM today...whew..I needed it...ok on with the show and could not help the interruption..but thought you might get a kick out of almost full moon inland water/bar experiences...LOL....sarah

 

So dying to hear rest of the story...and final count...S.

 

Sounds like you had an awesome time Sarah, especially if you needed a 14 hour nap to recover!! :D

[sjn911]

Sounds like you had an awesome time Sarah, especially if you needed a 14 hour nap to recover!! :D

LOL..well uh, hmmmmm....a great burger...lovely green salad...and THREE glasses of red..two while soaking in "Water of the Gods" LOL...it naturally has lithium in it..we did not drink it...I was zonked...first time seeing dad since Feb...next steps of everything..lol.and not drinking much loosin weight...YUP...LOL..just ZONKED...twas funny...:D....I am hopin your son took home the biggest booty:D..but will be happy if any ended up in the black!!!:D

Fun to joke...Geez it's good...love to your family....

[gborra2004]

Had Cabana #10 when we were here. I just loved it here.

Enjoying your review of the Pride thanks so much. We will be on her the 10th from Baltimore headed to Cape Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport.

[Jamman54]

Had Cabana #10 when we were here. I just loved it here.

Enjoying your review of the Pride thanks so much. We will be on her the 10th from Baltimore headed to Cape Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport.

 

Thanks for reading!! Enjoy your cruise on the Pride. My friend Cruisin Karen will be aboard with you.

Edited May 3, 2015 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

Well, sadly this cruise is winding down. It’s time to tell you about our last sea day. Sigh……

 

 

We all slept in until about 9am today. Stepping out onto the balcony, we could see it was a little cloudy, and felt a little cooler today. The seas were fairly smooth…..

 

 

We’re off to get some breakfast. We passed our room steward Imam, and his assistant Kitipon, in the hallway…..

 

 

Patti was in the mood for an omelet this morning, while I was craving another breakfast burrito…..

 

 

After breakfast, Patti wanted to check emails and do some last minute shopping, while I was ready for my first Thirsty Frog Red. I grabbed the camera and took some photos along the way. The Venus Pool…..

 

 

The Blue Iguana Cantina…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

The Blue Iguana Cantina Salsa Bar and beverage station…..

 

 

 

I made it to the Red Frog Rum Bar, ordered my TFR, and enjoyed my view of the Venus Pool……

 

 

Finishing my beer, I made my way back to Serenity, where I hung out relaxing until it was time for Brunch with the Captain.

 

One of the perks of being a Diamond member, is that on each cruise you will be invited to an event hosted by the Captain. He decides what each cruise’s event will be, based on the number of Diamond members aboard. Since there were only three of us, he invited us all to brunch. Last night at dinner, Ken Byrne, who’s job it was to set up the event, asked Ryan if he would like to go too. Of course Ryan said yes. The invitation said to meet at Guest Services at 12:15pm, so as we waited, Patti took a few shots in the Lobby. Bonsai Sushi was open for lunch…..

 

 

One deck up is the Pixels Photo Gallery…..

 

 

Right on time, Ken came and led us to our table on the lower level of the Normandie Dining Room. There would be 12 of us at the table. The Captain, the three of us, the other Diamond couple,(I feel bad that I can’t remember their names), and six Senior Staff members.

 

At 12:30 Captain Francesco Borgogna arrived, and sat down next to me. In a matter of seconds, the whole table was conversing like we were all old friends. We were there for about an hour, and let me tell you the time flew by! It was a great meal, with great company, and an event that I will never forget.

Afterwards, Captain Borgogna posed for a picture with us…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Here’s a group shot, though I don’t know what happened to the other couple……

 

 

After the Brunch, Patti, Ryan, and I made our way to the casino, as there were going to be one last slot and blackjack tournaments held this afternoon. Ryan played a qualifying round and immediately guaranteed himself a spot at the final table…..

 

 

In fact, Ryan wound up being the top qualifier for today’s tournament…..

 

 

Meanwhile, Patti was trying to qualify for a spot in the finals of the Slot Tournament…..

 

 

And she too, qualified for the finals……

 

 

It was so cool that Patti and Ryan were going to play for the big bucks. I didn’t participate, as I just wanted to cheer them on! In her final, Patti has chosen machine # 4…..

 

 

To be continued….

[Jamman54]

One of the Casino Hosts, Merci, gets the final started, and cheers on the participants…..

 

 

Patti is doing her best, but she wasn’t even close to the winner’s total. She had fun though. Good try baby!!

 

 

Meanwhile, over at the blackjack final, Ryan has chosen his seat…..

 

 

Casino Host Gonzalo explains the rules.....

 

 

Ryan also did his best, lasting all 7 hands, but falling short to the victor. Good job son!! Not bad for a first timer!!!!!

 

 

 

Afterwards, Patti wanted to get a jump on packing, so Ryan and I stayed and played some more blackjack for a few hours. Ryan again broke even, but he was the winner amongst us, as he would be bringing over $500 dollars home with him. Though I won $200 dollars this afternoon, I was still a little down for this cruise, but I had a great time. The casino hosts, pit bosses, and dealers were awesome!!

 

To be continued…..

Edited May 3, 2015 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

After that, I went next door to the EA Sports Bar, and had a few TFR’s while watching the Masters, until it was time to get ready for our last dinner. Out on the balcony, you could see that the seas were now really calm…..

 

 

Our last sunset of the cruise…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…..

[gborra2004]

We have 2 friends who will be taking their 1st cruise. Sure hope they enjoy. Did the Bon Voyage decoration for their cabin. Its not much but I thought they would get a kick out of it

[Jamman54]

For tonight’s dinner, Patti and I both started out with the crab cake…..

 

 

I also had two orders of the Portobello mushrooms…….

 

 

Patti tried the sweet potato soup…..

 

 

For my main, I had the panko encrusted shrimp…..

 

 

While Patti had the eggplant and mozzarella…..

 

 

Ryan had the bacon mac and cheese with chicken. For dessert, I tried the cappuccino pie, which was very good…..

 

 

To be continued…..

[Jamman54]

Patti had the apple pie as her dessert…..

 

 

Ken sings a great rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon”…..

 

 

The waiters march in to sing “Leaving on a Fun Ship”…..

 

 

Our wait staff…..

 

 

Here’s Patti and I with Ken. I hope we get to sail with him again soon…..

 

 

After dinner we just walked around for a while, before heading back to the cabin, putting our bags out and calling it a cruise. Here is our final towel creature of this cruise…..

 

 

Coming up: Debarkation day and final thoughts.