Live Carnival Pride April 24, 2022 Tampa to Barcelona

[kwokpot]

31 minutes ago, Newly Retired Teachers said:

We arrived in Barcelona this morning about 5:30 am.  Disembarkation went quickly and smoothly.  We were off the ship, right after all the unassisted passengers left.  The terminal we arrived at seemed very new, and customs and baggage were the easiest ever.  There was a marathon in the city this morning, but the cab navigated a way around the street closures just fine to get us to our friends home.  It's nice to have internet again.  I'll post more a little bit later.

Bob

Thanks for the update. I was getting worried I haven't seen or heard from anyone on that cruise. Most important question. Were there any Covid issues on board, and if so do you know how the cases were handled and whether quarantines went smoothly? I think with the issues on the Spirit your long cruise was cause for concern. 

[Newly Retired Teachers]

14 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Thanks for the update. I was getting worried I haven't seen or heard from anyone on that cruise. Most important question. Were there any Covid issues on board, and if so do you know how the cases were handled and whether quarantines went smoothly? I think with the issues on the Spirit your long cruise was cause for concern. 

 

The last morning on the ship, I did hear that a small group of passengers had tested positive and were quarantined until the next morning (debarkation day in Barcelona).  Not aware of any other issues.

[victory2020]

Are they letting you have free internet the last day to do proctored covid tests? Do you have any idea how they are handling people who are positive?

[maryann2]

6 hours ago, Newly Retired Teachers said:

 

The last morning on the ship, I did hear that a small group of passengers had tested positive and were quarantined until the next morning (debarkation day in Barcelona).  Not aware of any other issues.

I spoke to a couple doing a B2B and they were not testing for people doing B2Bs which I found surprising. 25% of the ship were doing B2Bs

They were not testing on board for passengers returning to the USA. Norwegian were testing on board, spoke to people at the airport. Also Princess I believe were testing. People were told to book tests at Barcelona airport so we have no way of knowing who had to quarantine in Barcelona.

Very few people wearing masks although the crew were all wearing N95s and it was recommended that guests wear them except in their cabins and while eating and drinking.

 

[maryann2]

41 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

Are they letting you have free internet the last day to do proctored covid tests? Do you have any idea how they are handling people who are positive?

No mention of covid cases on board. I did bring my own tests and tested every few days. Remained negative. I did wear n95 masks whenever near people . I was okay doing this as I was so happy to get back to sea.

They did give me 45 minutes of free upgraded internet to access email to use verifly which I needed to check in to my British Airways flight via Heathrow to Vancouver. Which didn't work anyway.  Also they printed out my ArriveCan receipt when the website was down as I needed a paper copy.  Guest services were very accommodating.

[maryann2]

On 5/3/2022 at 12:31 PM, Clairescurtains said:

Please keep posting, there are lots of us on the ship in the next few months and are dying to hear all about it.

You will have a great time Claire. The staff were all lovely and couldn't do enough for us.

[maryann2]

On 4/29/2022 at 3:23 PM, kwokpot said:

Thanks for the update. On another thread I ask about Covid issues and testing for b2b Europe cruises ( I'll be on 2b2b2b starting May  19th to June 19th) and someone responded there hasn't been any mention of Covid cases and no word on B2B testing. Care to share any other information you know on either topic?

No mention of cases and no B2B testing.

[kwokpot]

17 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

I spoke to a couple doing a B2B and they were not testing for people doing B2Bs which I found surprising. 25% of the ship were doing B2Bs

They were not testing on board for passengers returning to the USA. Norwegian were testing on board, spoke to people at the airport. Also Princess I believe were testing. People were told to book tests at Barcelona airport so we have no way of knowing who had to quarantine in Barcelona.

Very few people wearing masks although the crew were all wearing N95s and it was recommended that guests wear them except in their cabins and while eating and drinking.

 

Thank you VERY much for this update. I'll be boarding next week for 3 consecutive cruises, so this information is vital for me. I'm maintaining an active stance (But not panicking) about possible covid infection by making sure we have our own OTC medications to ease any symptoms; making sure I have enough vital medications (taking an extra 10 day supply, and will leave extra with family members in case I need them to FedEx additional meds to our recuperation hotel) ; having enough credit cards for additional off ship hotel nights, and even spending some time scoping out lower cost hotels either in Barcelona or Dover/London area to complete recuperation. In other words prepare for the worse, hope for the best! 

 

Did your contact have any other information to share that would be useful for upcoming cruisers on the Pride? Thank you for any other information you can share.  

Edit: I didn't realize you were on the TA.

 

Edited May 9, 2022 by kwokpot

[maryann2]

On 5/3/2022 at 9:52 AM, kwokpot said:

It's strange that the Carnival Pride isn't listed in the Barcelona Cruise Port website schedule.

https://www.bcncruiseport.com/

We didn't see much of the terminal except the luggage pick up area.

Four ships in a row. Carnival Pride the baby, Norwegian Eclipse, Norwegian Epic (I think) and the giant Royal Wonder OTS. 

[maryann2]

22 hours ago, Newly Retired Teachers said:

We arrived in Barcelona this morning about 5:30 am.  Disembarkation went quickly and smoothly.  We were off the ship, right after all the unassisted passengers left.  The terminal we arrived at seemed very new, and customs and baggage were the easiest ever.  There was a marathon in the city this morning, but the cab navigated a way around the street closures just fine to get us to our friends home.  It's nice to have internet again.  I'll post more a little bit later.

Bob

I agree easy disembarkation. Diamond self assist left from Red Frog Pub about 6.30. I had number 1 tags and left with the self assists and picked up my luggage in the terminal. On the bus to the airport at 7am as I had a flight at 10.15 ,booked with Fly2Fun.

[maryann2]

8 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Thank you VERY much for this update. I'll be boarding next week for 3 consecutive cruises, so this information is vital for me. I'm maintaining an active stance (But not panicking) about possible covid infection by making sure we have our own OTC medications to ease any symptoms; making sure I have enough vital medications (taking an extra 10 day supply, and will leave extra with family members in case I need them to FedEx additional meds to our recuperation hotel) ; having enough credit cards for additional off ship hotel nights, and even spending some time scoping out lower cost hotels either in Barcelona or Dover/London area to complete recuperation. In other words prepare for the worse, hope for the best! 

 

Did your contact have any other information to share that would be useful for upcoming cruisers on the Pride? Thank you for any other information you can share.  

Edit: I didn't realize you were on the TA.

 

Yes I was on the TA. Did Trivia but wore masks and kept my distance, won my SOAS which is always my goal. Wore mask in the casino which was always buzzing. Wore mask in the theatre etc.

We all by now know what to do to protect ourselves and know that covid is not over yet.

[victory2020]

17 minutes ago, maryann2 said:

Yes I was on the TA. Did Trivia but wore masks and kept my distance, won my SOAS which is always my goal. Wore mask in the casino which was always buzzing. Wore mask in the theatre etc.

We all by now know what to do to protect ourselves and know that covid is not over yet.

Hopefully people wore masks & didn't pack in the elevators? For you diamond casino $25 cash, did they give you actual selling money or casino credit?

 

Edited May 9, 2022 by victory2020
typo

[maryann2]

1 minute ago, victory2020 said:

Hopefully people wore masks & didn't pack in the elevators? For you diamond casino $25 cash, did they give you actual selling money or casino credit?

 

People crowded into elevators unmasked. I waited until the crowds had gone, preferred being 5 minutes late for dinner etc. 

Yes they gave $25 cash.

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, maryann2 said:

They did give me 45 minutes of free upgraded internet to access email to use verifly which I needed to check in to my British Airways flight via Heathrow to Vancouver. Which didn't work anyway.  Also they printed out my ArriveCan receipt when the website was down as I needed a paper copy.  Guest services were very accommodating.

Do you know if everyone was given the complementary wifi minutes? SO it seems it didn't work for you to use it for Verifly? I'm trying to help others on the FB page for Pride cruises. Some people want to use the ship wifi on the day before debarkation to do the proctored covid test to fly back to the US. Sounds like the ship's wifi won't be able to handle that task?
 

[Clairescurtains]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

Do you know if everyone was given the complementary wifi minutes? SO it seems it didn't work for you to use it for Verifly? I'm trying to help others on the FB page for Pride cruises. Some people want to use the ship wifi on the day before debarkation to do the proctored covid test to fly back to the US. Sounds like the ship's wifi won't be able to handle that task?
 

Thanks for that information, not good news but forewarned is forearmed.😬

 

Thanks for all the info Maryann, I hope you really enjoyed yourself. I am so looking forward to our cruises starting in July. 

Edited May 9, 2022 by Clairescurtains

[maryann2]

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

Do you know if everyone was given the complementary wifi minutes? SO it seems it didn't work for you to use it for Verifly? I'm trying to help others on the FB page for Pride cruises. Some people want to use the ship wifi on the day before debarkation to do the proctored covid test to fly back to the US. Sounds like the ship's wifi won't be able to handle that task?
 

I'm sorry I wasn't clear . Verifly worked but after all that wasn't accepted for British Airways.

The ship's internet was spotty at best, was down for several days.  My friend didn't rely on it to do her proctored test and booked a test at Barcelona airport.

[victory2020]

6 hours ago, maryann2 said:

I'm sorry I wasn't clear . Verifly worked but after all that wasn't accepted for British Airways.

The ship's internet was spotty at best, was down for several days.  My friend didn't rely on it to do her proctored test and booked a test at Barcelona airport.

Was your friend able to get a same day appointment at the airport?

[maryann2]

10 hours ago, victory2020 said:

Was your friend able to get a same day appointment at the airport?

Yes she reserved a spot a week earlier and paid 30 euros I think.

My other friend used the Carnival offer for $100 at the pier after disembarking. She didn't get the results in time for her flight so had to get another one at BCN and paid as a walkup 50 euros I think. Otherwise she would not have been able to board.

[maryann2]

Tested positive today.  Glad I am home.

Neg Saturday morning and Negative yesterday.  Runny nose and sneezing. Like a cold.

No fever.

I'm sure I picked it up on the flight from BCN to London or at Heathrow where everyone was coughing and sneezing without masks. 

[EllieinNJ]

2 hours ago, maryann2 said:

Tested positive today.  Glad I am home.

Neg Saturday morning and Negative yesterday.  Runny nose and sneezing. Like a cold.

No fever.

I'm sure I picked it up on the flight from BCN to London or at Heathrow where everyone was coughing and sneezing without masks. 

So sorry.  Good that you are home.  Take care.

[Eli_6]

How as capacity? Did they sail completely full?

[Clairescurtains]

5 hours ago, maryann2 said:

Tested positive today.  Glad I am home.

Neg Saturday morning and Negative yesterday.  Runny nose and sneezing. Like a cold.

No fever.

I'm sure I picked it up on the flight from BCN to London or at Heathrow where everyone was coughing and sneezing without masks. 

So sorry you got sick, I hope it doesn't amount to much and that you recover quickly.

I almost always get a cold when I travel, germs from other parts of the world that I haven't developed an immunity to.

[maryann2]

33 minutes ago, Clairescurtains said:

So sorry you got sick, I hope it doesn't amount to much and that you recover quickly.

I almost always get a cold when I travel, germs from other parts of the world that I haven't developed an immunity to.

Thank you Claire.

Yes I try very hard to avoid picking up seasonal viruses from other places when I travel.

I take EmergenC routinely which I find does help. 

[nwcruiselover]

I am Mary’s friend who was on the Pride TA.  I had originally planned to do a proctored self-test on the ship the day before arrival into Barcelona, but because of the poor internet service I couldn’t count on that.  I had the premium plan but it wasn’t good.  I booked the test at BCN airport for 30 euros, and it worked well.  I was only there for about 20-25 minutes total. There was a huge line at the BCN testing center for people with no appointments.  They had to pay 50 euros and wait as long as two hours before they could be tested.  I would highly recommend booking an appointment.  My appointment was for 10:25 AM but I got there at about 9:05 and they took me right in.  Nancy

[victory2020]

3 hours ago, nwcruiselover said:

I am Mary’s friend who was on the Pride TA.  I had originally planned to do a proctored self-test on the ship the day before arrival into Barcelona, but because of the poor internet service I couldn’t count on that.  I had the premium plan but it wasn’t good.  I booked the test at BCN airport for 30 euros, and it worked well.  I was only there for about 20-25 minutes total. There was a huge line at the BCN testing center for people with no appointments.  They had to pay 50 euros and wait as long as two hours before they could be tested.  I would highly recommend booking an appointment.  My appointment was for 10:25 AM but I got there at about 9:05 and they took me right in.  Nancy

How much in advance did you book appointment? I was planning on trying proctored but if it doesn't work to then make appointment. How long did it take for results?

Edited May 11, 2022 by victory2020