Amanda's Birthday Family Cruise on the Pride, May 28-June 4: A Trip Report w/ Photos

[amandajean06]

Day Nine: Sunday, June 4: Debarkation and Heading Home

 

As mentioned previously, we had FTTF and wanted to get off the ship and head home ASAP, due to the death in our family. The best option for that of course is self-assist, which is quite a pain in the ASS-ist. This was our choice, though, so we would have to buck up and deal. The problem was, my parents and brother didn’t have FTTF, so we were concerned about us getting off awhile before them (even if the y did self-assist) and then having issues with the shuttle timing to get back to our cars at the hotel. So, my brother, who is quite charming and not at all shy, decided to pull Saffie, the CD, aside after the previous night’sHeart of Soul show and explain our predicament to her. She was so kind, and reassured us that it would be no problem to stay together and allow my family to exit with us. Yay! Now, on to the next challenge: luggage,strollers, toddlers, and elevators-yippie!

 

We arrived back to Baltimore right on schedule. We were eating breakfast at Blue Iguana/Mermaid Grille a little before 8, as our assigned meeting time was 9:15 outside the RedFrog Pub for self-assist guests with FTTF. I do not ever recall on any of my previous cruises seeing that many people doing self-assist! The hallways, stairwells, and elevator lines were just packed. It was a real shock to us!Is that just a port of Baltimore thing? Or are more folks trying to carry off their own luggage these days? Wow, it was nuts. Since the elevators were out of the question,the men in our group decided they would take ALL the luggage (which was a lot-7people’s worth) and mom and I would just be responsible for the kids. We all hoofed it down the 5 flights of stairs from our cabins on 7 down to 2 and made it to Red Frog sweaty, hot, and grumpy just in time to form a line to head out! I wish I would have had a spare hand to take photos of the people literally EVERYWHERE! I was a little busy pushing two strollers and pulling a suitcase though, hahahahahahaha! I cannot complain about anything on Carnival’s part, though. The debarkation was right on time, seamless, and fast. We walked right through the line, off the ship, through customs, and out to the parking lot in maybe 10-15 minutes.

 

As soon as we were outside, we called the hotel to request a shuttle. We gave them our name and they said “it would be awhile.” Well, my husband wasn’t a fan of that response and was eager to get home, so he called them back and said we need someone here STAT. That worked! Our van arrived within 10 minutes. A bunch of other people attempted to bum-rush the van and climb on, but the driver called out our name and the name of another family, and we were the only ones allowed to board. I am not sure what the other folks were doing, or if that was even the correct shuttle. Maybe they were just as crazed about heading home as we were! Lol! Once we were all loaded up, we enjoyed the short ride back to the hotel and had a friendly chat with our driver. Once back, we reloaded our cars, took a potty break, and hit the road. It was about 10:30, which we thought was amazing! I estimated that we would make it to the interstate by noon if we were lucky. Both kids were soon asleep and we made some good mileage. Everyone was in need of some lunch at about 2, in West Virginia. We stopped at a Taco Bell that had the nicest, most courteous and friendly employees I have ever encountered anywhere!They were amazing. They even gave my boys some free cinnamon twists, which was a win-win for me! We stopped once more to stretch, potty, and snack in Columbus, OH (yes, those were the same two places we stopped on the trip to Baltimore!) and made it home to Indiana at about 8:30. Not bad at all! We all agreed that driving to and sailing from Baltimore was SO easy and convenient for us that we would love to do it again. I do wish there was some variety in the itinerary, though. We have just about grown tired of the Bahamas runs.

 

 

Up next: Final Thoughts

[amandajean06]

 

 

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[Jamman54]

Thank You Amanda for this wonderful review!! It brought back great memories of when we first cruised with our two boys, though they were a little older at 3 & 5 at the time. Looking forward to your final thoughts. GREAT job!!! :D

[amandajean06]

Final Thoughts

 

 

We had a simply wonderful time on our cruise. I really cannot think of anything that was a major enough issue that would cause us to not cruise Carnival, or the Pride, again. If we had one complaint, I guess it would be the dining room: i.e., slow service, incorrect orders, sub-par food and menus. Again, we are not picky and did not let this ruin our time nor did we complain about it! This is just an observation. I do agree with the other millions of folks who love the Pride and Spirit-class ships. The ship seemed to be the perfect size and well laid out, except one thing. We are not smokers, and my mom has severe asthma. I do wish we could have enjoyed a walk across deck 2 from the Taj Mahal to the Atrium without having to go through the casino. Yes, I know you can go up and over and then back down, but for convenience sake, it would have been nice. Otherwise, the ship was great. Our room had just a couple of spots that showed wear, but again, nothing to complain or get worked up about. I have already mentioned that I loved the fact that Baltimore was an easy drive for us, so for that reason alone, I seethe Pride in our future, and I hope it’s soon!

 

Thank you to those who have patiently kept up with my long-winded ramblings. I look forward to cruising with you all in the future!

 

 

Happy Sails!

[Clarea]

Very much enjoyed the review and excellent photos.:)

[DaisyandMoe010]

"For any who might be wondering, the arcade is a bit hidden! It is at the VERY front of the ship, past the Taj Mahal theatre, down a secret hallway."

 

 

 

Great review! This is my favorite part of the ship. I have been on the Pride twice already. This is my favorite ship. I am going on her again in Jan 2018 and Sept 2018.

[amandajean06]

Thank You Amanda for this wonderful review!! It brought back great memories of when we first cruised with our two boys, though they were a little older at 3 & 5 at the time. Looking forward to your final thoughts. GREAT job!!! :D

 

Thank you so much, Jeff! I appreciate your positive comments. I am sure those were some special memories with your precious boys. =)

[amandajean06]

Very much enjoyed the review and excellent photos.:)

 

Thank you so much, Bob!

[amandajean06]

"For any who might be wondering, the arcade is a bit hidden! It is at the VERY front of the ship, past the Taj Mahal theatre, down a secret hallway."

 

 

 

Great review! This is my favorite part of the ship. I have been on the Pride twice already. This is my favorite ship. I am going on her again in Jan 2018 and Sept 2018.

 

 

Thank you very much! Enjoy your two upcoming trips on this wonderful ship.:)