New to Carnival and Pride

[Pentlands]

First time with Carnival on Pride next year. In Grand Suite. Any tips for onboard life?

 

[mz-s]

Do you have any specific questions?

[asalligo]

I love the Pride. Although getting old, she is still my favorite ship. She has the most square footage of public space per passenger in the fleet which means that waiting in line for most things is greatly reduced. I personally feel that the classical art on the ship also effects people's behavior a little. Don't get me wrong, it is still a Carnival crowd, but they seem to behave a little better on the Pride. Check out the Piano bar on the Pride. Most Carnival ships just carve out some space for a Piano bar. The Dream practically has it in a hallway, but on the Pride, it is atop this sweeping staircase. The Pride also has a wonderful serenity deck for adults. Facing out the rear of the ship, right behind the buffet area and having its own bar and covered seating area.  Very large main theater and rear theater. Another feature I love about the Pride is the shaded area around the pool for sitting. I miss that on the Carnival ships that do not have it. 

[Essiesmom]

Spirit class also have the lovely, quirky interior promenade around the bow on deck 3.  On Pride it’s called the Sunset Garden.  Great place to go to sit by a large porthole and watch the ocean.  Not much traffic, I think most don’t find it.  If you go sit for awhile, traffic is mostly people exploring, or crew passing through.  On Spirit it’s called The Jungle…and is full of…giraffes?  EM

[pogoism9]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

Spirit class also have the lovely, quirky interior promenade around the bow on deck 3.  On Pride it’s called the Sunset Garden.  Great place to go to sit by a large porthole and watch the ocean.  Not much traffic, I think most don’t find it.  If you go sit for awhile, traffic is mostly people exploring, or crew passing through.  On Spirit it’s called The Jungle…and is full of…giraffes?  EM

It's funny, because there are outside doors on deck 3 that lead into the interior promenade area, but I have never seen them open. There is also outdoor signage indicating that at some point, those doors were originally open for indoor/outdoor access, but now the entrance is "hidden" inside the theater entrance...I really wish we had some form of historical record on some of these ships to see how they were operated 20 years ago...

[asalligo]

1 minute ago, pogoism9 said:

It's funny, because there are outside doors on deck 3 that lead into the interior promenade area, but I have never seen them open. There is also outdoor signage indicating that at some point, those doors were originally open for indoor/outdoor access, but now the entrance is "hidden" inside the theater entrance...I really wish we had some form of historical record on some of these ships to see how they were operated 20 years ago...

I was on most of them 20 years ago. I wish I had recorded and stored video of the ships better back then. I do have the cruise video of the Pride from 2014 that they used to sell. I miss those videos. I bought one for every cruise. 

[pogoism9]

2 minutes ago, asalligo said:

I was on most of them 20 years ago. I wish I had recorded and stored video of the ships better back then. I do have the cruise video of the Pride from 2014 that they used to sell. I miss those videos. I bought one for every cruise. 

 

My first time on Pride was November 2013, and I don't recall access to the Sunset Garden area from outdoors, so it would have to go back into the early to mid 2000s if it was ever used. If I were them, I would remove the fire doors and set it up with the automatic doors similar to Mermaid grill

[Pentlands]

23 hours ago, mz-s said:

Do you have any specific questions?

What are the speciality restaurants like/ Are they worthwhile/costs?

Which bits are worth visiting on the ship that tend to get missed (some listed above).

Is the MDR OK?

Can one get coffee OK, with no kettle in the rooms can one fill a flask?

How rigorous are they with buying alcohol off ship and bringing it back?

Do they provide toileteries in the bathrooms?

How many wear tuxes on elegant night, I know most ladies will usually dress up, usually it is we men that are the slobs! Though I like to wear a suit.Drinks do sound expensive, is that correct?

What is the mix from UK/USA?other on cruises starting in UK?

Anything else that strikes you that is unique to Carnival?Pride that one would benefit from knowing before boarding?

 

[GalaxyJane]

Only upcharge specialty restaurants on the Pride are Steakhouse and Bonsai Sushi, both are good, but steakhouse is open to the main lobby, so one time we went was very loud because of a big Atrium party. They also have Guys Burgers, which are pretty good and I love the Blue Iguana Cantina for huevos rancheros at breakfast and tacos for lunch.  They are both included in the fare and are on the Lido deck.

And I have always found the MDR food to be excellent on Pride, but I also always took her out of Baltimore and Ken Byrnes (the head Carnival Maitre  d') always works that run and wouldn't allow anything less, I know nothing about the Europe runs.  

MDR Breakfast and Sea Day Brunches are also good, a lot of folks b=never make it down from the Lido buffet for those and it's a shame.

Afternoon tea is served at 3 PM on sea days and is fun, a lot of folks don't seem to know about it.  Just finger sandwiches and petitfour but nice.  Lipton is free, fancy tea an upcharge.

Coffee and hot chocolate (and more Lipton) are always available for free on Lido and I fill an insulated tumbler.

Alcohol from port has different rules in Europe than the US, I think, so can't speak to that except to say on all ships it just depends on who is working the turn in desk and how much they really care about stopping you.

Toiletries provided, but if picky bring your own.  Generic combination shampoo/conditioner and body wash in shower dispensers, and pretty good bar soap.  Anything else is on you unless you want to buy overpriced deodorant in the Gift shop.= (says the chick that once forgot to bring any and had several sea days to the first port).
 

Tuxes depend more on departure port than anything else, there are always some out of Baltimore,, but you won't be out of place either way.

Drinks are inline with casual restaurant bars on shore, mildly overpriced, but not obscene hipster overpriced.

I have not taken her (or any other ship) in Europe yet, so take all things with a grain of salt, but she is my very favorite ship in the fleet.
 

[kwokpot]

I was on the Pride in Europe this past May/June for 32 days. Here is my thoughts.

*There's no body lotion provided and no hair conditioner. 

*The main dining room for was barely passable, and sometimes inedible. For example, the lasagna served was the size of a brick and looked liked a burnt meatloaf with dried cheese on it. It was truly inedible. 

*Guys burgers, the deli, and pizza we're very good.

*The buffet food was OK. In the morning there were occasional issues with food being hot. I enjoy having oatmeal/porridge for breakfast and it was never hot, just lukewarm (every morning, in both locations it was served)

*The buffet is in very poor condition and needs renovation. There are these blue light fixtures that are supposed to look like waterfalls and all they look like now is worn- out broken plastic. 

*Loved the Steakhouse, excellent food. 

*The theater also needs renovation. I saw many ripped upholstery. 

*You're allowed to bring back wine from the various ports of call.

*Alchemy Bar is one of the nicest spots on the ship since it was a newly renovated space. 

*The casino was totally updated and has new slot machines and table games. It's always a busy spot with lots of energy.

*For the most part the ship is kept cold. If you enjoy that, you'll be very comfortable, otherwise you'll need to wear a sweater or trainer. People actually wore their outwear coats inside the ship throughout the 32 days I was on the ship.

*Despite sailing from Dover there weren't kettles in the cabins. You can get hot water from the buffet, so it would be good to bring your own flask to fill up with hot water for your cabin.

*The tea selection was abysmal, even if you wanted to pay extra at the coffee place. You should bring your own teabags.

*Dress on Elegant Nights were a mixed bag but most men didn't wear suit, and almost no one wore tuxes. You are certainly welcome to buy you will be in the very minority. 

*Despite departing from Dover the passenger mix was mostly Americans. Maybe 15% UK? 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 10, 2022 by kwokpot

[staceyglow]

I was on the Pride in Europe in October, and I would agree with most everything that Kwokpot said, except I thought the food in the MDR was fine.  Also, I did not think the ship was particularly cold, and I don't remember seeing anyone wearing their coats inside.

[let's go cruising]

On 12/9/2022 at 10:20 PM, kwokpot said:

I was on the Pride in Europe this past May/June for 32 days. Here is my thoughts.

*There's no body lotion provided and no hair conditioner. 

*The main dining room for was barely passable, and sometimes inedible. For example, the lasagna served was the size of a brick and looked liked a burnt meatloaf with dried cheese on it. It was truly inedible. 

*Guys burgers, the deli, and pizza we're very good.

*The buffet food was OK. In the morning there were occasional issues with food being hot. I enjoy having oatmeal/porridge for breakfast and it was never hot, just lukewarm (every morning, in both locations it was served)

*The buffet is in very poor condition and needs renovation. There are these blue light fixtures that are supposed to look like waterfalls and all they look like now is worn- out broken plastic. 

*Loved the Steakhouse, excellent food. 

*The theater also needs renovation. I saw many ripped upholstery. 

*You're allowed to bring back wine from the various ports of call.

*Alchemy Bar is one of the nicest spots on the ship since it was a newly renovated space. 

*The casino was totally updated and has new slot machines and table games. It's always a busy spot with lots of energy.

*For the most part the ship is kept cold. If you enjoy that, you'll be very comfortable, otherwise you'll need to wear a sweater or trainer. People actually wore their outwear coats inside the ship throughout the 32 days I was on the ship.

*Despite sailing from Dover there weren't kettles in the cabins. You can get hot water from the buffet, so it would be good to bring your own flask to fill up with hot water for your cabin.

*The tea selection was abysmal, even if you wanted to pay extra at the coffee place. You should bring your own teabags.

*Dress on Elegant Nights were a mixed bag but most men didn't wear suit, and almost no one wore tuxes. You are certainly welcome to buy you will be in the very minority. 

*Despite departing from Dover the passenger mix was mostly Americans. Maybe 15% UK? 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Kwokpot! I was supposed to be with you earlier this year. Will you be going on any of the Pride sailings this coming summer?

[kwokpot]

2 hours ago, let's go cruising said:

Thanks, Kwokpot! I was supposed to be with you earlier this year. Will you be going on any of the Pride sailings this coming summer?

No, not the Pride. I'll be on the Celebrity Apex in July for Iceland, Ireland and Scotland. But will be on the Carnival Luminosa in September for the 30 Transpacific Japan cruise from Seattle to Brisbane, Australia. 

[JimmyTheSaint]

We spent 31 nights on Pride in Europe this year so can answer some of your questions.

 

Speciality dining: anything food related is very subjective so I'll give my opinion, on Pride it's not worth the cost. We were underwhelmed with the steakhouse, not worth the cost. The only other onboard is the Sushi place, we've never been and appeared to be empty every time we walked past apart from some crew members.

 

Missed bits: difficult to miss bits on a relatively small cruise ship, probably just Sunset Garden on deck 3

 

MDR: we enjoyed the main dining room, food was fine, service was good, much better experience on Pride compared to our recent Mardi Gras cruise.

 

Coffee: the brown liquid provided for free could loosely be described as coffee. The stuff I paid extra for one morning in the Lido was equally as bad.

 

Buying alcohol off ship: no issues whatsoever bring any type of alcohol on board at any port.

Toiletries: shampoo and shower gel in the cabins, nicer stuff in the showers at the Spa.

 

Tuxes: didn't see one at all, didn't see many in a suit either, this is Carnival after all, the most informal cruise line and thank goodness for it.

 

The vast majority of passengers are from US.

 

Anything else: there is a jacuzzi in the gym and sauna + steam room with free access through the Spa entrance, also good showers there. The theatre and comedy club are a very good size so no need to queue for a seat 30-40 minutes before a show. Something you can't say of newer ships. 

[n6uqqq]

On 12/9/2022 at 4:49 AM, asalligo said:

I love the Pride. Although getting old, she is still my favorite ship. She has the most square footage of public space per passenger in the fleet which means that waiting in line for most things is greatly reduced. I personally feel that the classical art on the ship also effects people's behavior a little. Don't get me wrong, it is still a Carnival crowd, but they seem to behave a little better on the Pride. Check out the Piano bar on the Pride. Most Carnival ships just carve out some space for a Piano bar. The Dream practically has it in a hallway, but on the Pride, it is atop this sweeping staircase. The Pride also has a wonderful serenity deck for adults. Facing out the rear of the ship, right behind the buffet area and having its own bar and covered seating area.  Very large main theater and rear theater. Another feature I love about the Pride is the shaded area around the pool for sitting. I miss that on the Carnival ships that do not have it. 

Rear theater? I don't recall that on the Spirit class ships. 

[kwokpot]

38 minutes ago, n6uqqq said:

Rear theater? I don't recall that on the Spirit class ships. 

I think the poster is referring to the theater on Deck 1 below the main theater and is misremembering it's actual location.

Edited December 11, 2022 by kwokpot

[n6uqqq]

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

I think the poster is referring to the theater on Deck 1 below the main theater and is misremembering it's actual location.

I think you are correct. Butterflies Lounge is below the main showroom and is where comedy is. 

[Pentlands]

Thanks all that clues me in. You might have gathered we are from UK, actually live about 8 miles away from Dover port.

 

[asalligo]

14 hours ago, n6uqqq said:

I think you are correct. Butterflies Lounge is below the main showroom and is where comedy is. 

Yes, I was wrong, thought that was in the rear under the MDR. Hard to keep all the ships straight. 

[n6uqqq]

6 hours ago, asalligo said:

Yes, I was wrong, thought that was in the rear under the MDR. Hard to keep all the ships straight. 

No big deal. I haven't been on the Pride since 2007 and didn't know if something was altered. The comedy area is great on the Spirit class ships.

[ninjacat123]

20 hours ago, Pentlands said:

Thanks all that clues me in. You might have gathered we are from UK, actually live about 8 miles away from Dover port.

 

When will you be on Pride?  DH and I will be on Pride Oct 18 out of Rome.😃

[let's go cruising]

On 12/11/2022 at 12:00 PM, kwokpot said:

No, not the Pride. I'll be on the Celebrity Apex in July for Iceland, Ireland and Scotland. But will be on the Carnival Luminosa in September for the 30 Transpacific Japan cruise from Seattle to Brisbane, Australia. 

Wow! Those sound wonderful.

[Pentlands]

On 12/12/2022 at 8:39 PM, ninjacat123 said:

When will you be on Pride?  DH and I will be on Pride Oct 18 out of Rome.😃

July 23