Pride balcony cabin suggestions

[GleeFrog]

I'm thinking of getting married on embarkation day on the Pride on a cruise to Bermuda in the next year or two. I have only cruised twice before, once on the Carnival Valor where we got upgraded to a balcony and once on the Norwegian Breakaway also in a balcony (we're spoiled now :) ), both midship and 2-3 decks below Lido.

I was originally thinking of treating ourselves by getting the Vista Suite aft wrap around balcony or an extended aft balcony because I love the look of the wake, but I've never been aft and have read negative reviews about shaking and soot. I'd honestly be happy with any balcony room, so I'm looking for any input on the various balcony categories on the Pride as well as any tips for cruising to Bermuda or getting married on embarkation day (I know there's a wedding board as well, once I'm a bit more set in my plans I'll be posting there as well!).

[BoDidly]

Seems you're experienced in midship balconies , my choice . The feel of the Aft balconies will be definitely more noticeable. Sometimes you just have to learn from your own personal experience if it's to your liking . Sorta like getting married ;p. It can be stormy making more vibrations then necessary :D.

 

Or smooth sailings all the way :cool:

 

Congrats . Check out Horse Shoe Bay .

[A&Jfamily]

Congrats! If it were me, I would go aft wrap for the huge space. If friends or family end up sailing with you, it would be a great space to have a gathering.

[swodog94]

I would also choose a balcony midships somewhere. Vibrations back aft on Pride can get pretty bad...I've seen silverware rattled off tables in the MDR. It might not be as bad as you go higher up, but I've read reviews by folks who are light sleepers getting zero sleep in aft balconies. Here's another consideration...how's your significant other deal with motion? My wife uses a scopalomine patch when we cruise, but if the stateroom was shaking the whole time she would be unhappy (therefore I would be unhappy...happy wife=happy life).

 

I'll make a suggestion: if you're getting married on Pride, look into splurging on an Ocean Suite. We've sailed on her in OS's three times and love them. Plus, priority boarding and priority tendering (if you go to Half Moon Cay) is totally worth it. The OS's are roomy, they're on deck 6 so no danger of loud venues near you, and they're centrally located amidships, so it's an easy walk to anywhere on the ship. Take a look at my reviews listed below, or go on youtube and search for my channel (Swodog94) where I've posted video tours of our three Ocean Suites on Pride. Good luck!

[GleeFrog]

I would also choose a balcony midships somewhere. Vibrations back aft on Pride can get pretty bad...I've seen silverware rattled off tables in the MDR. It might not be as bad as you go higher up, but I've read reviews by folks who are light sleepers getting zero sleep in aft balconies. Here's another consideration...how's your significant other deal with motion? My wife uses a scopalomine patch when we cruise, but if the stateroom was shaking the whole time she would be unhappy (therefore I would be unhappy...happy wife=happy life).

 

I'll make a suggestion: if you're getting married on Pride, look into splurging on an Ocean Suite. We've sailed on her in OS's three times and love them. Plus, priority boarding and priority tendering (if you go to Half Moon Cay) is totally worth it. The OS's are roomy, they're on deck 6 so no danger of loud venues near you, and they're centrally located amidships, so it's an easy walk to anywhere on the ship. Take a look at my reviews listed below, or go on youtube and search for my channel (Swodog94) where I've posted video tours of our three Ocean Suites on Pride. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the tips! I will definitely look into your reviews and videos! Neither of us have felt motion sick on our 2 cruises, but I am a lighter sleeper so maybe aft isn't for us, at least not on a wedding/honeymoon cruise :)

 

Thanks everyone so far for the tips!

[chipperberg]

I would choose the vista aft wrap on deck 4. Have done it 2x and would do it every time if they allowed 4 in the room now that we have children. We had this on our honeymoon cruise to alaska. Watch out! You may come home with an extra souvenir that appears 9 months later! Lol

[maryred]

I'm thinking of getting married on embarkation day on the Pride on a cruise to Bermuda in the next year or two. ... on the Pride as well as any tips for cruising to Bermuda or getting married on embarkation day (I know there's a wedding board as well, once I'm a bit more set in my plans I'll be posting there as well!).

Congratulations. On the Pride they are only able to do 1 wedding w/ reception on the ship on embarkation day. But I've heard of them doing 2 ceremonies without reception or when reception is on another day.

Another option I've heard of is paying for a private officiant (public or religious) to sail as a guest of yours (separate cabin of course) then perform the ceremony in a cabin before leaving the Chesapeake with your 2 witnesses. I'm personally not sure of the legality of this or if it is a token ceremony, but if state Maryland allows it could be a fall back plan if the wedding date slot for the cruise you want is booked already. But then all your wedding guests need be sailing as well, and fit in a cabin to view the ceremony. A private party later in the cruise can always be arranged to be your reception.

Any other weddings during a cruise will be done when at a port of call that allows it and has one of their officiants to preside, either as an on board wedding or at a venue in port. I'm not sure Bermuda is one of the ports that allow tourist weddings without an extended stay (1 week or more). Sometime in the future Carnival will offer Weddings at Sea but from what I've heard this keeps getting pushed back. So if embarkation day is the base plan start planning now as the Bermuda sailing are generally very popular.

Also to note, the Pride is notorious for being late to dock in Baltimore. Once your plans are set make sure you and your wedding guests (especially if there are non-sailing ones) are flexible about the day's schedule being suddenly delayed or altered to fit the possible "new" embarkation times.

 

...

I have only cruised twice before, once on the Carnival Valor where we got upgraded to a balcony and once on the Norwegian Breakaway also in a balcony (we're spoiled now :) ), both midship and 2-3 decks below Lido.

I was originally thinking of treating ourselves by getting the Vista Suite aft wrap around balcony or an extended aft balcony because I love the look of the wake, but I've never been aft and have read negative reviews about shaking and soot. I'd honestly be happy with any balcony room, so I'm looking for any input on the various balcony categories on the Pride ...

First off your concerns about motion and vibration are not unfounded. Because you are sailing in what is the North Atlantic there is a greater chance of wave motion acting on the ship. Greater the movement and further from the stabilizers the more you will feel the ship "rock-n-roll". Engine vibration is something that tends to affect lower decks and is not just an aft problem.

Though I have not sailed completely aft on the Pride in a balcony, but we prefer the aft pool area, and I have not noticed soot though you can get a whiff or the smokey smell on occasions.

Here's a problem once docked in Bermuda and aft balconies... your view once in port can be spectacular - of the whole Great Sound and interior Parishes or of the Keep and Atlantic north of the docks. OR leave you feeling jipped because half of your view is of the other ship in port. It's a 50/50 chance on how the ships will dock and mostly up to the Harbour Master/Pilot not the ship's captain. Balconies and Suites on either the port or starboard sides also have an equal chance of facing the Great Sound or having views of the Royal Dockyard.

The great thing about Bermuda is almost all itineraries have you there overnight, with most being docked for 2.5 days. This allows greater freedom in choosing private and direct tours on your own without worries about the ship leaving in the early evening. Public transportation is safety, affordable and friendly to tourists so getting around the island is a snap. Most "must do" attractions and locations have a public bus stop or ferry dock 1/2 mile or less from their entrance. With the unlimited transport pass no worries about having exact change to board a bus or ferry. The US dollar is always accepted, amply available, and on par with the local currency, so no concerns about getting local change (unless you want it) or conversion rates.

As honeymooners you should research the island's "Honeymoon Gates" lore and which ones allow you to visit for a kiss under for wedded luck and picture opportunities. There is one right in the Royal Dockyard that is there for the public, but it was built as an iconic photo stop (kind of like the British red phone booths) by the Frog and Onion Pub.

[GleeFrog]

Congratulations. On the Pride they are only able to do 1 wedding w/ reception on the ship on embarkation day. But I've heard of them doing 2 ceremonies without reception or when reception is on another day.

Another option I've heard of is paying for a private officiant (public or religious) to sail as a guest of yours (separate cabin of course) then perform the ceremony in a cabin before leaving the Chesapeake with your 2 witnesses. I'm personally not sure of the legality of this or if it is a token ceremony, but if state Maryland allows it could be a fall back plan if the wedding date slot for the cruise you want is booked already. But then all your wedding guests need be sailing as well, and fit in a cabin to view the ceremony. A private party later in the cruise can always be arranged to be your reception.

Any other weddings during a cruise will be done when at a port of call that allows it and has one of their officiants to preside, either as an on board wedding or at a venue in port. I'm not sure Bermuda is one of the ports that allow tourist weddings without an extended stay (1 week or more). Sometime in the future Carnival will offer Weddings at Sea but from what I've heard this keeps getting pushed back. So if embarkation day is the base plan start planning now as the Bermuda sailing are generally very popular.

Also to note, the Pride is notorious for being late to dock in Baltimore. Once your plans are set make sure you and your wedding guests (especially if there are non-sailing ones) are flexible about the day's schedule being suddenly delayed or altered to fit the possible "new" embarkation times.

 

 

First off your concerns about motion and vibration are not unfounded. Because you are sailing in what is the North Atlantic there is a greater chance of wave motion acting on the ship. Greater the movement and further from the stabilizers the more you will feel the ship "rock-n-roll". Engine vibration is something that tends to affect lower decks and is not just an aft problem.

Though I have not sailed completely aft on the Pride in a balcony, but we prefer the aft pool area, and I have not noticed soot though you can get a whiff or the smokey smell on occasions.

Here's a problem once docked in Bermuda and aft balconies... your view once in port can be spectacular - of the whole Great Sound and interior Parishes or of the Keep and Atlantic north of the docks. OR leave you feeling jipped because half of your view is of the other ship in port. It's a 50/50 chance on how the ships will dock and mostly up to the Harbour Master/Pilot not the ship's captain. Balconies and Suites on either the port or starboard sides also have an equal chance of facing the Great Sound or having views of the Royal Dockyard.

The great thing about Bermuda is almost all itineraries have you there overnight, with most being docked for 2.5 days. This allows greater freedom in choosing private and direct tours on your own without worries about the ship leaving in the early evening. Public transportation is safety, affordable and friendly to tourists so getting around the island is a snap. Most "must do" attractions and locations have a public bus stop or ferry dock 1/2 mile or less from their entrance. With the unlimited transport pass no worries about having exact change to board a bus or ferry. The US dollar is always accepted, amply available, and on par with the local currency, so no concerns about getting local change (unless you want it) or conversion rates.

As honeymooners you should research the island's "Honeymoon Gates" lore and which ones allow you to visit for a kiss under for wedded luck and picture opportunities. There is one right in the Royal Dockyard that is there for the public, but it was built as an iconic photo stop (kind of like the British red phone booths) by the Frog and Onion Pub.

 

Thank you for all of the amazing information! I will definitely be saving your post and referring back to it as I continue to plan out this wedding. I definitely want an embarkation wedding (we chose the Pride because family that wouldn't cruise live close by) but figured I may have to wait until the 2020 dates are posted (though I have my fingers crossed for late 2019). Very helpful to know they may squeeze in 2 if you don't do a reception, I'll keep that in mind if I need to bargain a bit :P Thanks also for the tips on the late arrival, I had seen a couple reviews where the ship was late. Hopefully the rest of the ship won't hate the wedding party for delaying embarkation for them even more!

I hadn't even really looked into what Bermuda has to offer yet, I just knew I wanted to go somewhere new for the wedding and we had already been to the Bahamas. The Honeymoon Gates look like amazing photo opportunities. Thanks again!

[serene56]

the best balcony on the ship is 6232 but its for 4 people.

 

so go up to 7258 and that one is for 2 as is 8232

 

these are the only 3 balconies like this

 

http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff367/bigd31998/Carnival%20Legend%20November%207th%202010/P1000098.jpg

 

why pay for a suite when this balcony is so much more better. For one-- its covered

two-- ocean breezes

 

 

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/bmcquaide/legendbalcony.jpg