(Pride) Very Rough Shape!

[M&A]

7 hours ago, MJSailors said:

You get what you pay for.

😉

Yes, I'm not expecting much for what I paid.

We bought the B2B out of Dover back in April, $200 each in a balcony cabin for the 12 day Northern Europe cruise and we got the $200 cabin credit.  Booked the Dover to Rome cruise right after for $200 each, balcony cabin and got the $200 cabin credit.  Used air mile point to fly to England and back from Venice. 

Staying in England for a week pre-cruise with friends.  The only real expense will be a week in Italy...................😉

 

Edited July 6, 2022 by M&A

[EllieinNJ]

We are booked on a B2B next year on the Pride, May 28 through June 18th, 2023.  The only other cruise on the Pride before us that I can see is the transatlantic from Tampa, April 13-April 26, 2023.   Where will she be from April 26th to May 28th?  I asked this question before here on cruise critic if she will be going into dry dock then but many answered that she is not scheduled to go.  I had read several posts about not taking the first cruise when a ship comes out of dry dock because many upgrades are not completed on time and they will still be working on them as you are cruising.  After reading the above comments I do hope she will be getting some refurbishing but hopefully not at our expense.

[RobertandEileen]

    My issue with the needle gun noise was that the adjacent area on Deck Ten is one of only 2 non casino designated smoking areas, and is the largest, but they did not temporarily re designate the opposite side as smoking for the duration of this event, and it was skull splitting.

[CarnivalShips480]

1 hour ago, EllieinNJ said:

We are booked on a B2B next year on the Pride, May 28 through June 18th, 2023.  The only other cruise on the Pride before us that I can see is the transatlantic from Tampa, April 13-April 26, 2023.   Where will she be from April 26th to May 28th?  I asked this question before here on cruise critic if she will be going into dry dock then but many answered that she is not scheduled to go.  I had read several posts about not taking the first cruise when a ship comes out of dry dock because many upgrades are not completed on time and they will still be working on them as you are cruising.  After reading the above comments I do hope she will be getting some refurbishing but hopefully not at our expense.

Yes, Pride is scheduled for a dry dock for those dates.

[bguppies]

9 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Shipyards quickly filled with ships from all cruise lines. The shipyards were not immune to COVID and had enough problems of their own trying to stay open.

 

It is impossible to defeat rust on a ship. Continual maintenance is required to just keep up with it. All cruise lines are suffering from a lack of staff.

I don't buy the all shipyards filled up or had staffing problems.

 

I've been on at least 3 of my cruises (including the one NCL) where they were doing rust cleanup and repaiting while in the midst of a cruise. Doesn't seem to be a problem usually.

 

Couldn't Carnival have gotten workcrews out to the ships during the shutdown and done the work, seen in these pictures, no matter where they were docked at the time.

I understand needing a drydock for larger issues Engine issues or exterior rust or painting.

 

But the issues that I keep seeing repeatedky in people's post cruise reviews are simple, on deck or in room maintenance, that could be done anywhere. (usually on a moving cruiseship)

[garkar87]

Just returned from a cruise on the pride.  During our 12 nights our balcony was cleaned 3 times and painted 1 day.  The port days are the only days this can be done and we were happy with the efforts to make it enjoyable to sit on the balcony.

Karen 

[Eli_6]

For those of you on the Pride, how is check in going?  What is the earliest check in appointment time?   Is it super busy at that time?

 

When I checked in, the earliest I could get was 11 am check in. (Although, I have a suite so I thought that suites could go any time, but I guess they still make you pick a time.)  I had made my taxi appointment (and paid for it already) for 9:50 am thinking that check in started at 10 am. I am now having some difficulty trying to change it as I can't get anyone at the taxi office and there isn't any way to change it online. 

 

Frankly, if it was up to me, I would just as soon sleep in and go at 11 if I can change my taxi time and it isn't "crazy" by 11 am.  The reason I ask, is that we went a little later for a Seattle cruise (i.e. got there right before the second check in time) and it was a pretty long line already.  It took us way longer to get on then it has in past cruises when we had A1 or priority boarding group.  

[Eli_6]

3 hours ago, M&A said:

Yes, I'm not expecting much for what I paid.

We bought the B2B out of Dover back in April, $200 each in a balcony cabin for the 12 day Northern Europe cruise and we got the $200 cabin credit.  Booked the Dover to Rome cruise right after for $200 each, balcony cabin and got the $200 cabin credit.  Used air mile point to fly to England and back from Venice. 

Staying in England for a week pre-cruise with friends.  The only real expense will be a week in Italy...................😉

 

Oh man. I am sooo jealous. I think we paid about 8k-10k for an aft balcony and vista suite.  Although, I think that particular super cheap cruise is after school starts so would not have helped us anyway.  I have not seen any super good deals on the "summer" Europe cruises.  

[Eli_6]

10 hours ago, MJSailors said:

You get what you pay for.

😉

The problem is that some of us not on casino offers or who booked these cruises a long time ago are still paying the full fares.  I don't expect much if I get a free or almost free cruise. If the cruise is costing me 10k, I expect more.  And, yes, our cruise was nearly that much because we have a vista suite and an adjoining balcony.  Granted, to have a suite and adjoining balcony on Royal, it would be at least 12k-15k and on Disney, Celebrity, etc. it would be 20k or more. So, perhaps, maybe the sentiment still holds true...

 

With that said, I recently priced a cruise out of Barcelona for a 2 story family duplex on MSC and it was only 8k so maybe I need to look into MSC...and the room was absolutely INCREDIBLE and I think was even in the Yacht club.

[Hoosierpop]

I’m pretty sure rust is the main reason why carnival stock is so low. Who wants to put up with that?

 

The smartest decision would be to cancel the full sailings (some people just don’t realize how bad the rust is) until they can get all new ships. Only way to protect their brand.

[PittsburghGirlee]

Truth Be Told......the LEGEND was no better.  I was on her/LEGEND for the first time in June 2022.  I also, have another cruise booked on her with a 1st time cruiser and was actively rethinking switching to another ship.  BUUUUUUT, with flight prices and the cancellations, we are just going to make the best of it.

[csm5986142]

14 hours ago, bguppies said:

s you can see in my signature, many Carnival cruises under our belts, but after a couple of cruises since the shutdown, on the Sunshine in bad shape and an upcoming cruise again on the Sunshine and Pride, if they are still looking this bad, we may have to begrudgingly look at other cruiselines who have managed to keep their ships in better condition.

 

You don't have to look at other cruise lines, just book one of their newer ships.  We have been on 9 cruises since cruising resumed (from Sunrise to Mardi Gras and several in between).  The newer ships are fantastic.  I was disappointed with Sunrise (it had just undergone a $200 million renovation like Radiance, yet it was not in near the nice condition of Radiance).  There was even one area on the deck stairs that was so damaged, I was concerned it was a safety issue.

But like someone mentioned, you get what you pay for. When I book the older ships, I lower my expectations.  I'm currently debating booking the Pride.  If it were my choice, I would not (based on the reviews here) but friends/family are booked and for the right price, I would like to spend time with them.  

 

[NYcruzzer]

20 hours ago, mz-s said:

Ripped a gash in my foot from a hole in the deck and need a tetanus booster, but I AM ON A CRUISE SO I AM MAKING THE MOST OF IT!

Don't forget "As long as I don't have to cook or clean for the next week, I'm a happy camper" or the infamous "A bad day at sea, is still better than a good day at work"

Edited July 6, 2022 by NYcruzzer

[thunderingherd11]

On 7/5/2022 at 3:42 PM, cellfree said:

We have been on the Pride two times recently and thoroughly enjoyed both cruises. We like the layout of the ship and even the decor! Yes she is showing her age but we didn’t think she was awful. I do remember doing a little of my own cleaning on the Balcony which of course one should not have to do but not the end of the world. We have her booked for TA October 2023 and maybe the “rust” will be covered by then. I usually see things like that but have got to say I didn’t notice it. I remember coming back  from a cruise on the Legend a few years ago and suggesting to our PVP she shouldn’t put a new Carnival cruiser on it due to rust! Anyway, enjoy, wish it was us. 

Rust doesn't bother me.  All ships have rust.  The window broken will bother me if it isn't fixed with in a crusie or two.  I am sure they don't have a replacement on the ship for all windows.  The floor with a hole is a bother.  i will be on this ship right before christmas.  

[lazydayz]

We live in Tampa and have the eight night cruise booked for the Pride over New Years.  I was worried because we cruised Mardi Gras in February and May and love it and that new ship smell.  LOL.  However, we cruised on the Liberty in June with our three grands, and I loved that too.  Yes the ship is older and the balcony rail could have been in much better shape, but I like the old school cruising vibe and the Liberty's main dining room was exceptional.  On some ships, I give up on the MDR after a meal or two then retreat to specialty restaurants for the remaining dinners.  If we have not pre-paid for hubby's birthday dinner at the steakhouse, we would have chosen to eat all of our dinners in the MDR.

 

So I am sticking with my plan, Mardi Gras again in September then Pride in December.  Hey, it's close by and there are five ports, so that helps.  

[kwokpot]

1 hour ago, csm5986142 said:

 

You don't have to look at other cruise lines, just book one of their newer ships.  We have been on 9 cruises since cruising resumed (from Sunrise to Mardi Gras and several in between).  The newer ships are fantastic.  I was disappointed with Sunrise (it had just undergone a $200 million renovation like Radiance, yet it was not in near the nice condition of Radiance).  There was even one area on the deck stairs that was so damaged, I was concerned it was a safety issue.

But like someone mentioned, you get what you pay for. When I book the older ships, I lower my expectations.  I'm currently debating booking the Pride.  If it were my choice, I would not (based on the reviews here) but friends/family are booked and for the right price, I would like to spend time with them.  

 

I agree with your conclusions 100%. While ideally the overall experience should be the same regardless of new or older ship the reality is it isn't. I was on the MardiGras in April for 2 weeks and the experience was excellent, especially the food. That's why I was disappointed on the Pride when comparing the same meals to the MardiGras. I knew the kitchen could do better (MDR and buffet, specifically).

 

[vacruizer]

The Sunshine in May was in similarly bad shape. I understand that they let things go during the shutdown but was shocked at how much. Sunshine had been in dry dock only 6 months prior. It made me question what else wasn’t being maintained that we couldn’t see. Add the short staff situation and not so great food and I’m not in a hurry to book again right now.  
 

I’ve sailed old ships before and not seen the issues I did in May. Rust, sewage in the hall that they were trying to stop for several days and couldn’t, broken elevators, broken glass, broken tables and chairs…it was sad to see what the ship had become. 
 

[mz-s]

4 minutes ago, vacruizer said:

The Sunshine in May was in similarly bad shape. I understand that they let things go during the shutdown but was shocked at how much. Sunshine had been in dry dock only 6 months prior. It made me question what else wasn’t being maintained that we couldn’t see. Add the short staff situation and not so great food and I’m not in a hurry to book again right now.  
 

I’ve sailed old ships before and not seen the issues I did in May. Rust, sewage in the hall that they were trying to stop for several days and couldn’t, broken elevators, broken glass, broken tables and chairs…it was sad to see what the ship had become. 
 

 

I was on Sunshine in February - basically 60 days from her drydock - and other than the fresh hull paint you would have never known she was drydocked. Carnival is really letting their ships go right now. It's a shame.

[markkw07]

Oh Wow!. Sad to see these pics. I was on Pride many moons ago. The ole girl is definitely getting up there in age and needs more TLC! Launched March 29, 2001. Some of these things are just unacceptable, and Carnival has to do a better job with preserving their older ships. Yes, that takes

more time and more $$$ but that's the tradeoff with older ships. Hopefully they give her some much

needed love soon!

Edited July 6, 2022 by markkw07

[mz-s]

13 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

A lot of it probably was, but this is not something that just happens once.  It is a continual process, where rust is dealt with in one area, and the next day some pops up in another area.  Same with varnish failure.  Even when the ships were running full time before covid, the crew were dealing with this daily.

 

"If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, paint it." is the motto of the Navy I have heard.

[quickrate]

On 7/5/2022 at 7:19 PM, jsglow said:

I spent 14 days on Pride last October.  Honestly, I thought she was fine for a 20 year old ship.  And in fact in better condition than Miracle.  Sailed on her in March.

We were on the Pride in January for 13 days and loved her. Yes, she has some rust and is showing her age but love the layout of the ship and the crew. Will be on her October/November for 32 days. Looking forward to it.

Pat

[Eli_6]

I was on The Splendor recently and it is an older ship and it was in great shape! I didn't notice anything like the photos.  

[chengkp75]

10 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

"If it moves, salute it. If it doesn't move, paint it." is the motto of the Navy I have heard.

And look how much profit the Navy makes.  Most of that on the Navy, and on commercial ships as well, is known to be a waste of money, and is done just to keep the crew busy.  Many ship owners (fair enough, not cruise ship lines, as they care more for cosmetics) don't even stock paint on the ship, as they know it is just money thrown away, and they get far better for their money when the paint is completely gone over in shipyard every 2.5 years.

[sparks1093]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

And look how much profit the Navy makes.  Most of that on the Navy, and on commercial ships as well, is known to be a waste of money, and is done just to keep the crew busy.  Many ship owners (fair enough, not cruise ship lines, as they care more for cosmetics) don't even stock paint on the ship, as they know it is just money thrown away, and they get far better for their money when the paint is completely gone over in shipyard every 2.5 years.

It is about cosmetics and rust on a ship is an eye sore and as this thread demonstrates it is held against the cruise line if not kept in hand (and against a division on a Navy ship as well during inspections😉). I wielded a chipping hammer many times in my day and there were definitely times when it was busy work, something that I myself ordered from time to time when I was put in charge as well (as much as I personally hate the concept). When we were last in Nassau every cruise ship in port had visible rust on their hulls. I've seen rust on every ship I've ever been on but rust has never interfered with my cruise (and the same holds for fading varnish on handrails and other material imperfections).

[1kaper]

On 7/6/2022 at 11:49 AM, Eli_6 said:

The problem is that some of us not on casino offers or who booked these cruises a long time ago are still paying the full fares.  I don't expect much if I get a free or almost free cruise. If the cruise is costing me 10k, I expect more.  And, yes, our cruise was nearly that much because we have a vista suite and an adjoining balcony.  Granted, to have a suite and adjoining balcony on Royal, it would be at least 12k-15k and on Disney, Celebrity, etc. it would be 20k or more. So, perhaps, maybe the sentiment still holds true...

 

With that said, I recently priced a cruise out of Barcelona for a 2 story family duplex on MSC and it was only 8k so maybe I need to look into MSC...and the room was absolutely INCREDIBLE and I think was even in the Yacht club.

Oh man,  I would have jumped on that.  I liked my cruise on MSC but it was not Yacht Club.  I'm dying to try it.  I'm afraid I could never go back.