Just off the Pride (Canaveral, Nassau, Freeport)

[katiedidthat]

Hey all, just back from a 7 day on the pride (our third) so if you have any questions, let me know!

 

Just a few highlights:

American Table-- not good, IMO. The loss of tablecloths didn't bother me at all, and I enjoyed the water pitcher and bread basket, but the food options were so limited, and the quality of some things was really lacking (veal was very tough, pumpkin cheese pie was poorly executed), while other things were outstanding (crab cake was amazing, short ribs melted in your mouth).

We ate in the MDR every night and service was on point. Ken sang every night, the waiters did three dances (both formal nights and the final night). We never waited long for our next course and our cups were never empty. Dinner lasted about 90 minutes a night.

 

Shows:: this was a low point for us. The idea was good, but the execution was not. The singers just didn't seem into the songs and the backing tracks made it forced (track cheering in 88 keys, really?). The choreography was awesome, although a bit risqué at times, and the costuming was beautiful.

Two nights the comedy lounge was karaoke and the one show we actually made it into was packed, but funny. Hasbro was not entertaining and was too short.

 

Suess at Sea:: loved it! The parade and story time were cute, the breakfast was well thought out and detailed, and the character inclusion was just enough without being too much.

[BattyL]

I really like this ship and love Ken's singing. I think I read he will be the Maitre d on the Vista. We've always had good service in the MDR, we had the regular menu last April. I haven't seen very many good reviews for the American Table menu. Glad you enjoyed your cruise although I am about tired of those same ports....:cool:

[Coopie]

We were just on over Thanksgiving. We did not care for the American Table either. As for our ice water,,,,,ours was usually empty once we all got our glasses filled for the first go round. Our Bar service for soda/beer was horrible. Husband agrees that the choices were limited. We also agree about the entertainment. We did enjoy the music at the Red Pub (where Starry Night Lounge was).

 

All that aside our trip was great as usual.

[katiedidthat]

We were just on over Thanksgiving. We did not care for the American Table either. As for our ice water,,,,,ours was usually empty once we all got our glasses filled for the first go round. Our Bar service for soda/beer was horrible. Husband agrees that the choices were limited. We also agree about the entertainment. We did enjoy the music at the Red Pub (where Starry Night Lounge was).

 

 

 

All that aside our trip was great as usual.

 

 

Maybe ours wasn't an issue because we were a table of 4, and they brought us a new one as soon as it dropped below half. Our sodas were on the table when we got there and the waiters had no problem getting refills. We didn't order any other drinks though, just the same soda each night.

[cruizinisthebest]

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

What did you do in Port Canaveral?

[katiedidthat]

Glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

 

 

What did you do in Port Canaveral?

 

 

Magic Kingdom excursion. We were traveling with our two sons and my oldest wanted to see Mickey Mouse.

[cruizinisthebest]

Magic Kingdom excursion. We were traveling with our two sons and my oldest wanted to see Mickey Mouse.

 

How did you like it? Was it a good use of time? I'm thinking of booking the Pride and doing this same itinerary. We have been to Disney many times but never as a port stop. Just wondering your thoughts.

[katiedidthat]

It was great for us. We've done the same excursion all three times we've done the Pride, and this was the busiest day at Disney so far, but we still saw most things we wanted to do.

When we went in 2011 with no kids, we got to the park at 9am and had to be on the bus by 5, in that trip we met 5-8 characters, saw the parade, ate lunch, walked around the whole park and shopped. We rode a few things (I think haunted mansion, small world, maybe splash mountain?) but we were more interested in just exploring. The crowds were about a 1 out of 10.

In 2013 we took our 1 year old. We got to the park at 930am and had to be on the bus by 330. We used fast pass to see Mickey Mouse, rode 5 rides (small world, carousel, tea cups, dumbo, and the train), saw both daytime parades and the stage show, and did some shopping. And we walked about 1/2 the park. The crowds were about a 3 out of 10.

This time we had two kids with us (3 & 1) and we got to the park at 915, had to be back on the bus by 415. We set up fast pass as soon as we got on the bus, and saw Mickey Mouse, rode dumbo twice, and small world, then met goofy and Donald, rode the teacups and the carousel, ate a 45 minute lunch, saw the stage show and street performances, shopped and walked 1/3-1/2 the park while our kids napped, and then caught the 3pm parade before riding the ferry back. The crowds were getting bad by the time we left, I'd say a 7 out of 10, Small World had a 90 minute wait at one point in the day. The good thing about the Disney trip through the Pride is that you get there basically at rope drop, and leave just after the 3pm parade, so it's not too busy until lunch time and you can knock out your favorites first thing. If you have older kids, or want to ride the coasters, I wouldn't recommend it, since you get 6-7 hours in the park and can't reserve fast passes until they give you your tickets on the bus, but if you just want a quick day at Disney with a few characters and the smaller rides, it's nice.

[Vigorosity]

What about Nassau and Freeport? :)

[Djonemore]

I got off the pride on 12/6 (depart 11/30)

American table wasn't to shabby.. I do miss them unfolding the napkins for you, I was traveling with a first time cruiser and was under the impression they were going to do this and knew she would have enjoyed the idea.. Hasbro was cool but very short. The casino I couldn't breathe. We had late seating dinner and missed many of the family friendly shows because they started just before dinner (We traveled with 2 10 year olds), same with comedy after dinner nothing family friendly, and the adult comedy I honestly thought was to 'race/black/white' oriented .. Alchemy bar was on-point as was the red frog

Our shower flooded the bathroom due to a drain back up and the AC unit in our cabin was way to warm as I made guest services aware plenty of time they stated it was within normal range... yeah from satan. :eek:

I really did like the 2.0 upgrade tho those water slides and dump bucket are a blast

Edited December 14, 2015 by Djonemore

[katiedidthat]

We walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau, it has actually gotten nicer since we were there last. There is now security patrolling the beach regularly, and the vendors have been moved back to the sidewalk. We spent about 3 hours there playing on the beach and in the water, walked the main shopping, and spent the rest of the day at the waterworks on board.

In Freeport we did the "beach getaway" excursion. It was okay, but we wouldn't do it again. The buses were packed shoulder to shoulder with no ac for the drive over, you get to the beach and spend 20 minutes being lectured to like children before you can go sit, and then the chairs are lined up two deep the entire length of the beach right up to the waters edge from one side of their property to the other, so you can either sit in a chair or stand in the water. No laying in the sand or space for kids to play. The food was reasonably priced and good, but their vendors are all very pushy. We had about 2.5 hours total there before we had to be back on the busses. Not worth it for us. Next time we'll take a taxi back to Lucaya resort like we have in the past.

[JMAE]

How many comedy shows did they have?

[cruizinisthebest]

It was great for us. We've done the same excursion all three times we've done the Pride, and this was the busiest day at Disney so far, but we still saw most things we wanted to do.

When we went in 2011 with no kids, we got to the park at 9am and had to be on the bus by 5, in that trip we met 5-8 characters, saw the parade, ate lunch, walked around the whole park and shopped. We rode a few things (I think haunted mansion, small world, maybe splash mountain?) but we were more interested in just exploring. The crowds were about a 1 out of 10.

In 2013 we took our 1 year old. We got to the park at 930am and had to be on the bus by 330. We used fast pass to see Mickey Mouse, rode 5 rides (small world, carousel, tea cups, dumbo, and the train), saw both daytime parades and the stage show, and did some shopping. And we walked about 1/2 the park. The crowds were about a 3 out of 10.

This time we had two kids with us (3 & 1) and we got to the park at 915, had to be back on the bus by 415. We set up fast pass as soon as we got on the bus, and saw Mickey Mouse, rode dumbo twice, and small world, then met goofy and Donald, rode the teacups and the carousel, ate a 45 minute lunch, saw the stage show and street performances, shopped and walked 1/3-1/2 the park while our kids napped, and then caught the 3pm parade before riding the ferry back. The crowds were getting bad by the time we left, I'd say a 7 out of 10, Small World had a 90 minute wait at one point in the day. The good thing about the Disney trip through the Pride is that you get there basically at rope drop, and leave just after the 3pm parade, so it's not too busy until lunch time and you can knock out your favorites first thing. If you have older kids, or want to ride the coasters, I wouldn't recommend it, since you get 6-7 hours in the park and can't reserve fast passes until they give you your tickets on the bus, but if you just want a quick day at Disney with a few characters and the smaller rides, it's nice.

 

Thank you so much for the detailed information. Much appreciated!

 

My kids are older than yours, and we probably would aim for Universal or Hollywood Studios/Epcot if those parks were available as an excursion. But this gives me a good guideline to go by. If you can do all of that in Magic Kingdom, the others should be fine. Thanks again!

[Barbluvstocruz]

How many comedy shows did they have?

 

I was on this cruise too. They had a lot of comedy shows. I think it was two comedians the first 2 nights and a different 2 the last two nights. I believe 4 shows a night. 2 family friendly and 2 adult only.

 

I enjoyed the American Table. I sailed the Pride twice this summer on the old menu. It was nice to have a change. We found things every night that we enjoyed. We did eat on the Lido deck 2 nights because we didn't feel like going to the dining room. Between the buffet, deli and pizza were were totally fine.

 

:)

[RVachon]

We were on the same cruise (Dec 6-13) and our first time on Carnival.

 

Overall I really liked the ship - the decor and layout - seemed bigger than it's size. Only bad thing is lack of hot tubs. Only 2 hot tubs for the entire lido deck is ridiculous, and at one point, the one by the main pool wasn't hot, and the one in Serenity was a small 5-6 person size. As soon as someone came out, there was a mad rush to try and beat everyone else to get in. Bad design. You look at any NCL ship, and they have at least 4-6 on the lido deck, 7 on the Epic.

 

Loved the comedians (adult shows), great karaoke with Oohh LaLas (Nadine is hot. :D). Only did the MDR once in Your Time Dining and wasn't impressed. Food was fast and warm, just not very tasty. Did the buffet most of the time, and David's Steakhouse on Saturday night - now that was amazing. Great service and food was outstanding - had the Surf & Turf.

The Pizza Pirate - not my cup of tea. It's basically sauce & cheese on a thin pita crust.

 

Entertainment wasn't great but dancers were, especially Erin - I've never seen someone with such an infectious smile and also smoking hot. :D

 

Staff in general weren't as friendly as we've experienced on NCL cruises. There were a few that were great, but overall, nobody seemed too happy.

 

We'll cruise Carnival again - it wasn't as bad as we tought it was going to be. ;)

[globetrottingVA]

We were on the same cruise (Dec 6-13) and our first time on Carnival.

 

Overall I really liked the ship - the decor and layout - seemed bigger than it's size. Only bad thing is lack of hot tubs. Only 2 hot tubs for the entire lido deck is ridiculous, and at one point, the one by the main pool wasn't hot, and the one in Serenity was a small 5-6 person size. As soon as someone came out, there was a mad rush to try and beat everyone else to get in. Bad design. You look at any NCL ship, and they have at least 4-6 on the lido deck, 7 on the Epic.

 

Loved the comedians (adult shows), great karaoke with Oohh LaLas (Nadine is hot. :D). Only did the MDR once in Your Time Dining and wasn't impressed. Food was fast and warm, just not very tasty. Did the buffet most of the time, and David's Steakhouse on Saturday night - now that was amazing. Great service and food was outstanding - had the Surf & Turf.

The Pizza Pirate - not my cup of tea. It's basically sauce & cheese on a thin pita crust.

 

Entertainment wasn't great but dancers were, especially Erin - I've never seen someone with such an infectious smile and also smoking hot. :D

 

Staff in general weren't as friendly as we've experienced on NCL cruises. There were a few that were great, but overall, nobody seemed too happy.

 

We'll cruise Carnival again - it wasn't as bad as we tought it was going to be. ;)

 

I Spent a lot of time in the red frog pub and, butter fly lounge with Nadine and the Ooh LA LA's

[CKEA_Cruising_Family]

What time did you board? We leave Saturday on the Pride! Can't wait.

[Georgeny]

I have to admit, did not catch the American Table thing at all before I sailed Pride Xmas cruise. I just did my review on cruise critic, our dining experience sucked, no other way to say it. Did not realize the water pitchers, no table clothes etc were actually, and lack of service were actually intentional. We have sailed Pride 6 times, last cruise before Xmas cruise was April. We were cruising 3 to 4 time a year, multiple lines. We are now planning more land trips. There is little difference in cruising now than hitting local diner and a bar afterwards. In fact better service local diner etc.

 

They can call it American Table, they can say your convenience on all these things but it is simply dumbing down the experience. I admit I am old school and don't get it. Pay more get less and be happy about it.That and hope ship doesn't rock and roll.

 

Will we sail still, sure, but only when price is cheap just like experience now and certainly not as often.

 

Hahahah there was a name for no service, American table, who knew?

 

 

George in NY

[dvond]

Those those asking we have rented a car numerous times in Port C and drove ourselves to Disney, pretty easy 45 min ride and gives you a full day just when you get back make sure u have a taxi waiting for ride back.

 

IN Freeport the day pass at the hotel was perfect and cheap, easy taxi ride and they right to casino entrance

[CruizinMama1026]

We walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau, it has actually gotten nicer since we were there last. There is now security patrolling the beach regularly, and the vendors have been moved back to the sidewalk. We spent about 3 hours there playing on the beach and in the water, walked the main shopping, and spent the rest of the day at the waterworks on board.

In Freeport we did the "beach getaway" excursion. It was okay, but we wouldn't do it again. The buses were packed shoulder to shoulder with no ac for the drive over, you get to the beach and spend 20 minutes being lectured to like children before you can go sit, and then the chairs are lined up two deep the entire length of the beach right up to the waters edge from one side of their property to the other, so you can either sit in a chair or stand in the water. No laying in the sand or space for kids to play. The food was reasonably priced and good, but their vendors are all very pushy. We had about 2.5 hours total there before we had to be back on the busses. Not worth it for us. Next time we'll take a taxi back to Lucaya resort like we have in the past.

 

We'll be cruising on the Pride in May and Freeport is one of our stops. How much is the day pass at Lucaya resort? Do you just get it at the front desk? We'll have our 3 and 5 year old with us, do you think this is child friendly?

[CruizinMama1026]

We walked to Junkanoo beach in Nassau, it has actually gotten nicer since we were there last. There is now security patrolling the beach regularly, and the vendors have been moved back to the sidewalk. We spent about 3 hours there playing on the beach and in the water, walked the main shopping, and spent the rest of the day at the waterworks on board.

In Freeport we did the "beach getaway" excursion. It was okay, but we wouldn't do it again. The buses were packed shoulder to shoulder with no ac for the drive over, you get to the beach and spend 20 minutes being lectured to like children before you can go sit, and then the chairs are lined up two deep the entire length of the beach right up to the waters edge from one side of their property to the other, so you can either sit in a chair or stand in the water. No laying in the sand or space for kids to play. The food was reasonably priced and good, but their vendors are all very pushy. We had about 2.5 hours total there before we had to be back on the busses. Not worth it for us. Next time we'll take a taxi back to Lucaya resort like we have in the past.

 

We'll be cruising on the Pride in May and Freeport is one of our stops. How much is the day pass at Lucaya resort? Do you just get it at the front desk? We'll have our 3 and 5 year old with us, do you think this is child friendly?

[SurferJoe57]

I really like this ship and love Ken's singing. I think I read he will be the Maitre d on the Vista.

Oh that'll be fantastic.

[Heirloom]

Ken's singing IMHO inspires the whole staff, to the point that they are

really enjoying the show that THEY put on.

 

Just the best Maitre d and dining crew we've ever had. Pure entertainment each and every night at the Normandie !