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Pride Partial Panama Elite Cruise Review - February 5-13, 2022

obx_fintoo

By obx_fintoo,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Linsuesue

Linsuesue

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Lovely photos! I will be on that cruise in less than 2 weeks. Your photos affirm what a marvel the Panama Canal is today. Do you, by any chance, have a map of the muster stations for the Pride? 

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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12 hours ago, Linsuesue said:

Lovely photos! I will be on that cruise in less than 2 weeks. Your photos affirm what a marvel the Panama Canal is today. Do you, by any chance, have a map of the muster stations for the Pride? 

I don't.  They seemed to be typical though. If you are in the front of the ship, most likely will be in the theater.  We had to visit ours out by the lifeboats and watch the quick demo, then done.  I think we were D, but really don't remember.  It is so much easier than the old days!  

 

It really is amazing!  Enjoy your cruise!

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Linsuesue

Linsuesue

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2 minutes ago, obx_fintoo said:

I don't.  They seemed to be typical though. If you are in the front of the ship, most likely will be in the theater.  We had to visit ours out by the lifeboats and watch the quick demo, then done.  I think we were D, but really don't remember.  It is so much easier than the old days!  

 

It really is amazing!  Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for the quick response. Seeing the Panama Canal is a bucket list item for sure🛳

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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Other notes:

 

The Diamond lunch was on the 2nd sea day in the Captain's Club.  Still no real interaction with the crew, which was sad, but lunch was delicious and we chatted with a lovely couple for the entire time.  We were some of the last to leave.

 

I had the lobster bisque, sea bass and hazelnut and malted chocolate.  Hubby had the pork belly, steak and shared my dessert.   I was busy chatting and forgot to take entree pics.  

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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Shows - we attended 2 of the shows, 88 Keys and Getaway Island.  I have to preface this with some background.  We saw some really well done shows on the Elation, with multiple strong performers who could really sing.  The shows on the Pride were just not up to the same level.  They were well done with sets and choreography, but the male lead in 88 Keys was just not strong enough to carry all of the songs.  Getaway Island is a cute premise, but only a few of the cast sang, and again, were just not strong.  The also have some "3D" elements in Getaway, so they hand out these glasses.  It's not really necessary, so don't feel bad skipping getting the glasses.

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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Deck parties - the ship wasn't full and it was a little older crowd, so the deck parties were not very crowded.  But they were fun!  We made to the Mega Deck party and the 80s Rock and Glow party.  Alexis was our CD, but I believe someone else came on after him.  He was ok.  Kind of young and finding his stride, but he has potential.

 

 

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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Final thoughts - this was such a fun and memorable experience.  It was the longest cruise we have done so far, and for us, it was one day too long. 😊 We would definitely go back to Costa Maya and would do the Panama again, given the chance.  

 

Debarkation was much easier than embarkation.  We met at 6:45am for Diamond/Platinum self-assist in the Ivory Piano bar.  I took a pic of the carpet because it looked like cinnamon buns to me.  Guess I was hungry.   We were the 3rd and 4th passenger off the ship and in the car by 7:10am.  See you next time, Pride!

 

Some pics of early morning Tampa and our complete route...

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urbanhawk

urbanhawk

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1 hour ago, obx_fintoo said:

That's it!  Thanks for following along.  If there are any other questions that I didn't answer, just let me know.

 

Happy cruising!

Thanks for sharing. And all the great photos! Brought back some wonderful  memories. I've been on the Spirit, , the Legend, and the Miracle several times. The Pride is still on my bucket list, as I love this class of ship. 

Just out of curiousity, have you ever done an ultra cruise? I was asking, from your personal experience, if the elite cruise would be the better choice, if you had to pick? Thanks!

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kwokpot

kwokpot

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11 minutes ago, urbanhawk said:

Just out of curiousity, have you ever done an ultra cruise? I was asking, from your personal experience, if the elite cruise would be the better choice, if you had to pick? Thanks!

An Elite cruise provides more cruising benefits than the ultra cruises do. While on an Ultra you do have a CHANCE to get a high value gift more than likely you'll end up with something worth $300. We'll be on the Pride in Europe on a B2B2B, with the 1st and last legs being Elite cruises. Our last leg disembarks in Dover, England. We plan on staying in London post cruise for three nights before flying home. The Elite cruise will provide free PRIVATE transfer from Dover Cruise Port to our London hotel. That benefit alone is worth $232!

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urbanhawk

urbanhawk

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5 hours ago, kwokpot said:

An Elite cruise provides more cruising benefits than the ultra cruises do. While on an Ultra you do have a CHANCE to get a high value gift more than likely you'll end up with something worth $300. We'll be on the Pride in Europe on a B2B2B, with the 1st and last legs being Elite cruises. Our last leg disembarks in Dover, England. We plan on staying in London post cruise for three nights before flying home. The Elite cruise will provide free PRIVATE transfer from Dover Cruise Port to our London hotel. That benefit alone is worth $232!

Thanks, kwokpot for the info. Yes,you are right about the Private transfer-that's quite the savings!

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kwokpot

kwokpot

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1 hour ago, urbanhawk said:

Thanks, kwokpot for the info. Yes,you are right about the Private transfer-that's quite the savings!

We've done about four Ultras and two Elites so far. On the Ultra Cruises they have changed the way you get the valuable gift. Now there's less expensive prizes being given away.  In the past we've won a mini Ipad, a Samsung Mobile phone ($800 value) and $300 free play. Since the re-start for us the Ultra itineraries weren't very good and we were getting more upfront freeplay and better itineraries on the Elite offers so we haven't done an Ultra cruise. You can still win a valuable gift like a bigscreen TV on an Ultra Cruise Giveaway but there's less valuable and expensive gifts now than in the past.

 

Some of the other benefits on an Elite cruise is; Free private port transfers or free port parking; one time cabin full bar setup  (Including 2 bottles of wine or spirits); free drinks everywhere on the ship for 2; a free port excursion for 2 or $300 total credit at the spa; Free social wifi plan for 2. As you can see there's lots of extra benefits and if you utilize all of them it's worth more value than the Ultra cruise benefits. Elite cruise offers are Carnival Players Club's best offer.

 

 

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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Thanks for the info @kwokpot!  We have not done an Ultra cruise.  In fact, just got some invites that start this week.  I would definitely agree that the perks of an Elite are worth it and we would definitely do an Elite again.  I think for the Ultra, it would have to be an intinary or ship we were really looking to do to make it worth while.

 

Your Europe plans sound amazing!  Hope you will do a review.

 

Happy cruising!

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luvs2beachit

luvs2beachit

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Thanks for taking the time to write such a great report.  It was exactly what I wanted to read.

I was looking at cruises today and saw the Pride partial transit and since it's on the bucket list 

I came on here to see if I could find some recent info on the ship and that precise cruise itinerary.  I thought the Pride was familiar but after 50 plus cruises I couldn't remember whether or not I had sailed on her . It wasn't until you mentioned the nudes all over the ship that the light went on!  I remembered that.  To be really sure I checked my cruise history and we sailed on her in 2009. Anyway, I was hoping that you might be able to answer a question I have about the casino.   Can you tell me about the casino? 

Thanks in advance.

 

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obx_fintoo

obx_fintoo

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14 hours ago, luvs2beachit said:

Thanks for taking the time to write such a great report.  It was exactly what I wanted to read.

I was looking at cruises today and saw the Pride partial transit and since it's on the bucket list 

I came on here to see if I could find some recent info on the ship and that precise cruise itinerary.  I thought the Pride was familiar but after 50 plus cruises I couldn't remember whether or not I had sailed on her . It wasn't until you mentioned the nudes all over the ship that the light went on!  I remembered that.  To be really sure I checked my cruise history and we sailed on her in 2009. Anyway, I was hoping that you might be able to answer a question I have about the casino.   Can you tell me about the casino? 

Thanks in advance.

 

Yes, we spent a lot of time in the casino. 😎 I will be happy to answer your questions if I can.  What specifically did you want to know?

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luvs2beachit

luvs2beachit

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13 hours ago, obx_fintoo said:

Yes, we spent a lot of time in the casino. 😎 I will be happy to answer your questions if I can.  What specifically did you want to know?

Thanks I appreciate that since I don't remember the details of our 2009 cruise.

How big is the casino?  Whats the atmosphere like?  Are their lots of different slot machines?

Are they old or new?

Thanks

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