Carnival Pride - June 14-21 (2015) sort of a review

[Cyber Kat]

I did a long rambling review of the Splendor awhile back. This is not going to be like that. I did a review of the Pride on the CC review section, but we just booked a Viking River Cruise for next year and I'm going nuts. So you benefit because I'm going to chat about our cruise on the Pride.

 

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We drove down from NJ the day before the cruise and we stayed at the Best Western on O'Donnell St - where we had booked their Park and Cruise package.

 

Tip: if you want this call the actual hotel. Do not hit the number for reservations in their answer tree. You will get the 800 # and they no nothing about this package. Call the hotel, ask for the front desk.

 

Now I have to tell you that we were warned off this hotel many times. People said the neighborhood was bad. That the hotel was run down. That there was nowhere decent to eat. I read reviews on TripAdvisor and most were good - so we went with it, and I'm glad we did.

 

It was in an industrial area right off the highway - very convenient. Not a great area, but not bad. I didn't feel unsafe. There were plenty of hotel guests around - waiting for shuttles or getting off. They have a shuttle that goes to downtown Baltimore, as well as the cruise shuttle.

 

Our room was on the 7th floor and while the hall needed updating, the room was fine - clean, bed comfy, TV worked - what more can you ask. They are in the midst of a big renovation, so later on this year it should be fine all around.

 

This was the room - 703

 

 

We could see the ship sailing in the next morning!

 

Here's another couple of views ..

 

The bathroom

 

Amenities:

 

And anoanother shot of the room.

 

I was quite satisfied. We took their shuttle over to the Inner Harbor, and it was HOT, HOT, HOT. We walked around a little, but it was just crazy. I'd almost wished we'd had time to do the Aquarium, because it had to be cool in there.

 

 

There's a lot to see and do - lots of shopping, as well! We mostly wanted to grab something to eat, and head back to the hotel. I didn't want to eat at chain that I could eat at home. I did some research and found the Pratt Street Ale House - which sounded right up our alley, It was a bit of a walk, but they had Maryland Crab Cakes & local craft beer.

 

I don't know what we were thinking, but we sat outside - I know nuts!

 

 

They brought BIG glasses of ice cold water with the menus - nice! I got the crab cake sandwich and DH got the burger. We both got the Irish Red Ale. Everything was good. DH said it's one of the best burgers he's ever had. So I recommend this place if you're in Baltimore. It's near Camden Yards if you want to take in a game.

 

After we ate and had a couple of brews, we headed back. We were too early for our scheduled shuttle, but we went to the pick up spot anyway. There were a couple of people waiting and when an earlier shuttle pulled up, we asked if we could take that one. The driver said, hop on!

 

We got back to the hotel, and crashed for the night. The heat wore us out and we were ready for our cruise!

 

More in a bit!

[Cyber Kat]

So where was I ...

Cruise Day - yay! And oh - I forgot to mention that we were a group of 10 - all related in one way or another - My sister, her son, his wife and their 2 boys (10 & 11), his mother-in-law and step-daughter and my sister's brother-in-law. They all drove down that morning and my sister's B-I-L lives right in Baltimore. He had someone drop him off.

 

We got up around 7 - I think. I got dressed and got all my stuff put back together. First time staying over night before a cruise - we usually cruise out of NYC - pack once and go!

 

We headed down for the free breakfast. They had quite a spread with a variety of items. The sausage wasn't great, but the do-it-yourself pancakes were fabulous! It's all set up. You fill a provided cup with batter, pour it in the machine, snap the lid shut and rotate it. The buzzer goes off when it's done. Hot maple syrup and butter - yummo! They had fruit, cereal, eggs, yoghurt, bagels, English muffins and danish. Toaster available.

 

After we ate, we went back to the room and shilly-shallied around a bit, then my husband said we should go down in case there was a line for check out or to check in with the shuttle.

 

Check out was a snap. We talked to the shuttle people and he marked us down (we had reservations on the 10:15am), so we took a seat in the lobby. A few minutes later, the shuttle guy said he had room on the 9:45 shuttle - did we want to go on that one. I asked if they were letting people into the terminal. He said, yes - that they were already bringing people back from the last cruise.

 

Well - we didn't get off at 9:45 because they were shuffling people around - some people who were supposed to be there weren't and they were filling in with folks like us - but we left about 10am and we were at the terminal before 10:30am.

 

 

Here's our ship!

 

 

And here's the terminal

 

 

We got our luggage and walked inside - no one waiting, but the cruise terminal people, We had FTTF, so they took us through security and had us wait a bit in a small waiting area. After just a few minutes, they called for people needing assistance, then they called FTTF. The VIPs were off in their own area. I don't know what they were doing!

 

Check in was quick, then they took us to another waiting area that had comfy chairs, water, snack machines and nice cruisey music. We waited there maybe 45 minutes - mostly for a HUGE wedding party. They must have had a 100 people - maybe more!

 

After they were taken care of, they brought the VIPs over to our area, but in a separate section, then they started boarding them and those needing assistance, then the FTTF. We walked right up and on to the ship - easy peasy!

 

We dropped our stuff in the room. It was ready - they hadn't even closed over those big doors yet - that's how early we were. I went to the Shore Excursion desk to pick out our HMC cabana and DH went to get a drink and check out the Red Frog Pub.

 

I went up to the bar, while DH got us seats and I spotted the B-I-L at the end of the bar, so we all hung out a bit expecting to see my sister and the rest of the crew. I had spoken to her, so I knew they were at the terminal. Her son and his wife dropped them all off and went to park the car, and were never heard from again! Just kidding - we don't know what the delay was, but it took them forever!

 

My Funship Special - now I'm on a cruise!

 

We got tired of waiting, so we took our drinks up to get a Guys Burger. My sister and her family - with their platinum boarding were still down in the parking lot. Yay FTTF and hotel shuttles!

 

 

Here's my Guy's Burger - I don't do a lot of food porn - I'm usually digging in, so take what you can!

 

 

 

I'd finished mine when my sister and her herd of cats showed up :)

 

The new public spaces are nice - good layout, lots of seating We ate at Guys, and the Blue Iguana (get the shrimp in the burrito - yum!) over the course of the cruise. I also had a tasty Ruben from the Deli and some Chinese from Chopstiks and we ate at Bonsai Sushi (extra charge) - all good. Overall the food on the Pride was the best we've had on any ship - at least so far. MDR, David's steakhouse - all very good.

 

This is the new pool area

 

 

 

And I'm going to leave you with that, because I want to talk about our cabin and I have lots of pictures!

[MysticMiss]

Enjoying your review!

[LUVMYGSDOG]

Thank you so much for writing this review!! We sail on the Pride next month!

 

 

 

Kim

[peekinglemer]

Thank you so much for this review. We are taking this cruise in Sept. and we are also staying at the Best Western. We also have FTTF so your input is SO APPRECIATED!!!!

 

We are just going to copy everything you guys did. Hee hee. (Unless something sucked and then we will do the opposite). :p

 

Can't wait to read more.

 

Tracy

[Weeziblu]

Following!!! We sail on Pride in 11 days so I'm super excited to follow along!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[windan]

Just a few questions please. How is the blow dryer in the cabin? Does it have a cool shot button? Does the in room safe require a card to slide or do you get to punch in the number that you want to lock it? Lastly are the walls metal so that you can use the magnetic hooks on the wall? Thanks very much for your help and the review. We sail on the Pride next month. Can't wait. We're also staying at a Best Western BWI Arundel Mills.

[Chelly]

Enjoying your review. Thanks so much for taking the time to do it.:)

[Barbluvstocruz]

Just a few questions please. How is the blow dryer in the cabin? Does it have a cool shot button? Does the in room safe require a card to slide or do you get to punch in the number that you want to lock it? Lastly are the walls metal so that you can use the magnetic hooks on the wall? Thanks very much for your help and the review. We sail on the Pride next month. Can't wait. We're also staying at a Best Western BWI Arundel Mills.

 

Jumping in with my Pride experience on these...blow dryer was the usual weak cruise ship dryer. I don't recall a cool shot. I usually just let my hair airdry and then used a straight iron. ;) The safe requires a card. The only magnetic space I found in our cabin was the bathroom door.

 

We will be on her again Sunday. Can't wait! :)

 

Kat - Love the review! :cool:

[JMAE]

How much did the sushi cost at Bonsai Sushi?

[Crusin Karen]

Hey Kat!!! We did the Pride in May also. First time on her and had a WONDERFUL cruise. Actually did a B2B! Am reliving the cruise experience thru you. It was our lst time with Guys and I am HOOKED! :p

[ladygal4.4]

I know this is silly, but I really liked your amenities in the hotel! The last few I've stayed in have really weird stuff :)

[dvond]

Just curious who the comedians were and if they seemed good? Also I have heard the rock/pop band is excellent in the Red Frog Pub, wondering what you thought

[mweiss1998]

What cabana did you choose on HMC and why did you choose it?

[windan]

Thanks Barb & Jeff. Thank you CyberKat for taking time to do the review.

[Barbluvstocruz]

How much did the sushi cost at Bonsai Sushi?

 

I don't remember the exact prices, but it wasn't expensive at all! I'll try to remember to grab the pricing next week.

:)

[Cyber Kat]

Just a few questions please. How is the blow dryer in the cabin? Does it have a cool shot button? Does the in room safe require a card to slide or do you get to punch in the number that you want to lock it? Lastly are the walls metal so that you can use the magnetic hooks on the wall? Thanks very much for your help and the review. We sail on the Pride next month. Can't wait. We're also staying at a Best Western BWI Arundel Mills.

 

The blow dryer was okay - but I only use it for my bangs. I have really long hair and just let it dry in the wind out on the balcony. I think it only had one speed - on and off. You have to hold the button.

 

The safes on the Pride had a swipe card thing. I brought an expired gift card - worked fine.

 

Yes the walls are magnetic. I have magnetic clips and they worked great!

 

We were in the Best Western on O'Donnell St - not the one by the airport. The one we were in was about 15 minutes from the port - very convenient!

 

I've heard good things about the airport one - so you should be fine!

[Cyber Kat]

What cabana did you choose on HMC and why did you choose it?

 

We've had #13 and #8 . We got 13 because I put us on the wait list the last time we were there. They were all booked, but you can get on the list at Guest Services. They had a cancellation and that's the one they had.

 

This time I picked #8 because it was close to the bathrooms, the BBQ lunch and the bar - but not too close! #13 was less crowded, but far from everything. I'd get 8 again!

[Cyber Kat]

I don't remember the exact prices, but it wasn't expensive at all! I'll try to remember to grab the pricing next week.

:)

 

There are different prices for different items. Depends on what you get. I had the cold noodle salad - spicy, but tasty and some sashimi - 4 pieces IIRC and DH had the Waygu beef appetizer. I think it was under $20.

[Cyber Kat]

I know this is silly, but I really liked your amenities in the hotel! The last few I've stayed in have really weird stuff :)

 

That's why I took the pic! They were so nice!

[Cyber Kat]

Hey Kat!!! We did the Pride in May also. First time on her and had a WONDERFUL cruise. Actually did a B2B! Am reliving the cruise experience thru you. It was our lst time with Guys and I am HOOKED! :p

 

Hey Karen! We loved the Pride! I really like the Spirit class ships and the Pride felt like an ocean liner of old. The crew was great and the food fabulous. If I can talk DH into the 3 hour drive, I'll sail her again!

[Cyber Kat]

The Cabin! 7299

 

I do a lot of research before I chose a cabin. Lately I've been booking premium balconies. They are just a bit more than a regular balcony, but boy is there a difference!

 

This one was fabulous - practically a suite, but with the regular size bathroom. Tons of storage space and a huge balcony with a lounge chair and 2 regular chairs, plus the little table.

 

Here it is in all it's glory!

 

From the entrance door

 

From the balcony door to the room door

 

The bed

 

The desk area

 

The balcony

 

MY lounge chair

 

The counters all had granite like the suites. It was near the elevators but not noisy. Just fabulous!

[Cyber Kat]

Here's another shot of the room and the bathroom

 

 

 

There were 3 huge closets and lots of drawer space. Hair dryer in the drawer - usual kind ;)

 

Safe has swipe opener and the room had a mini-fridge and a flat screen TV

[Wiredusk]

Thanks so much for the review! My husband and I were on the Pride in October 2013 for our honeymoon and then did the Royal Caribbean Grandeaur last year...the Pride was just OK in comparison. But we are sailing on the Pride in 2 weeks and the ship just came back to Baltimore in May after its big renovation. So I am so excited to see all the updates! I have been snooping around to see if anyone had any reviews on the new stuff. I'm happy to hear the burger place is good, that's what I am most looking forward to food wise. I am born and raised in Baltimore City, within walking distance of the hotel you stayed at actually. The next time you are in the area you should try out Matthews Pizza if you are a pizza lover. I know we are known for our MD crab cakes but I am telling you, Matthews is the best pizza you will ever have! It's a tiny little family owned place right on Eastern and Elwood Avenue. I recommend the mozzarella cheese...so good! Growing up I must have eaten there once a month if not more! Just a recommendation for anyone who isn't familiar with the area.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Wiredusk

[denas]

Here's another shot of the room and the bathroom

 

 

 

There were 3 huge closets and lots of drawer space. Hair dryer in the drawer - usual kind ;)

 

Safe has swipe opener and the room had a mini-fridge and a flat screen TV

 

Thanks for the pictures! We are booked in 7301 next door next summer and I have been hoping to find pictures!!