Recently off the Carnival Pride 7/1/2007 sailing - Any questions?

[upa]

Hi there,

 

I have couple of questions for people who have been on the Pride.

 

I am arranging a vacation right now for my family of 8 people to go on Pride around 12/23, including a 3 year old girl and a 85 year old grandma.

 

We currently have 4 balcony room booked together with 2 of them connected. The problem is this is toward the aft on the Upper Deck, 5240 to be exact. We've never been on a cruise before, should we worry about the vibration and getting dizzy with that location?

 

We could possibly get another set of rooms on the Empress deck, a bit toward the middle but only three of the rooms would be connected, not the last one, and we thought it'd be fun to have four balconies connected to have a giant suite sort of feeling.

 

Any thoughts on this?

 

Appreciate any feedback!

[piggs]

Will verizon phones get service on the sea days if you have Mexico service on your plan? (ie, can we use these instead of the walkies on the ship?)

 

Are there in general a lot of 18/19 year olds on board or things this age can do because they won't allow them in the teen club?

 

We'd like to have some beach days (non excursion)- any suggestions for Puerto Vallarta and/or Cabo

 

There were many announcements about cell service in the capers but I have already mailed mine off to cruisedailies dot com so I can't look at them for you. The above web site person takes capers and scans the complete set and you can go look at them. Even if mine aren't up check out another recent sailing and see what is in there. Hope that helps.

 

We had a 19 y-o with us and he never did anything with other people and/or organized by Carnival. There may have been options, he just prefered to hang with his cousins or us.

 

As to the beach days, you can get any taxi/tour bus etc in any port to take you to a beach. I would check out the ports of call board for each place and find out which beaches everyone recommends.

 

We sail the Pride on September 23rd. We are staying at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach the night before. Is anyone familiar with this hotel? Is it close to the ship? I'm hoping the hotel runs some type of shuttle, does anyone know?

 

The Hyatt seems to be connected to or right next to the Convention Center. If so, there is a free shuttle (run by the city of long beach) that runs all day that will take you over to the Queen Mary where you can early register for the cruise. The place to pick up the shuttle is at the other end of the block that has the convention center so would be a long way to haul luggage. (Especially if you have a lot!) I would ask at the Hyatt what they recommend. You will be able to see the Queen Mary sitting across the bay from your hotel and the Pride will be to the far left of the QM, on Sunday morning, when you are looking at her.

[piggs]

Upa,

Stay right where you are in my opinion. We had 5 in a row 4221 through 4229 and had them all connected. There is no more rocking/vibration near the back than there is on the whole ship. We LOVED having all our balconies open and connected. You also (in my opinion) have a way better view when you are looking out the back and do not look past life boats, which you would have both ways when you have a room in the middle of a spirit class ship. Sorry, just went to look at there is no lifeboat blocking up on the next deck. But we did like having all the balconies connected. One family member (cabin) had to be separated from us and I wish we could have been all together.

 

We traveled with people 10-69 and the 69 y-o has mobility problems. In the back of the ship you are right above and below food. The dining rooms are just below you (deck 3) and the lido food is right above you.

 

The only problem is camp carnival is located at the very front of the ship, but this ship is smaller than the others we've been on and it did not seem like a long way to get to the shows and everything else located at the front of the ship.

 

As for getting those balconies connected. Go to the purser's desk as soon as you can and make sure one adult from every cabin is there. You will all have to sign up on a paper that says you all want the balconies open. When we did this it said right on the sheet "Remember only 65 clamps" which I think means that is the most you can have open on any sailing.

[getting anxious]

Hi! I am one in a group of 70 sailing on the Pride on Aug 5th! It is my family's first cruise and I have been reading until my eyes fall out to learn what to pack, where to go, what to see, etc! I'm very excited and appreciate what everyone has to say! Our entire group is on the 8th deck (right above the 3 people that already posted here.) We (my little part of the family group) don't have any excursions planned and don't know that we will plan any. Secretly I really want to do the zip lines in PV but don't think my 8yo daughter will do it. Those of you cruising same time as us - let me apologize now. We are a rowdy crowd - but good people - and I'm sure you will figure out who we are. :) We are staying at the Coast Hotel the night before - the web says this is right next to the QM. Looking forward to the trip! Any packing tips anyone can offer??

[piggs]

Any packing tips anyone can offer??

 

 

Yes, take some of that stuff out of your suitcase!!!!

 

LOL

 

Ok, really that is the biggest problem, overpacking. I am not trying to be mean.

[getting anxious]

Ok, really that is the biggest problem, overpacking. I am not trying to be mean.

 

 

I hear ya! I'm afraid that I will forget something but I'm equally concerned that I will overpack. :confused:

[upa]

Thanks, Piggs!

 

I will keep my original room assignments then! I certainly don't want the people who end up in the other room feel left out if we have a cool connected balconies.

 

Another thing I just heard from my agent is Carnival doesn't have wheelchairs available, so looks like I will have to rent it somewhere.

 

Are the ships fairly wheelchair friendly?

 

Thanks!

[javafreek]

Hello Javafreek! I am also going on the Pride on August 5! I am taking my two teens, a 15 year old girl and a 17 year old boy. They went on a Carnival cruise with their father last year and did not want to spend any time in the teen center. They had a great time just walking around by themselves and finding their own things to do.

Maybe we'll see you on the ship! Seventeen more days! :D

 

 

I hope to meet you all there- we are on the 5800 block of the ship- my DH's parents are celebrating their 50th, so the whole family (19 of us, I think) is going. My name is Kim...

[piggs]

Another thing I just heard from my agent is Carnival doesn't have wheelchairs available, so looks like I will have to rent it somewhere.

 

Are the ships fairly wheelchair friendly?

 

The ships are very wheelchair friendly and you got the wrong information.

 

As soon as you get to the terminal tell someone who looks official that you need help with a wheelchair. That person will let you use the wheelchair until you get on the ship. (Through registration and up over the gangway to the ship) As you are getting the heave-ho from that person tell them you want to rent the chair for the week. They will put a $50 charge on your sail & sign card and then you can keep the chair in your room for the rest of the week. It cannot go off the ship if I remember correctly, as my dad has not gotten off in the last 2 cruises, but it is yours to use as you need on the ship. The last night you have to turn it back in to the purser's desk and they take the charge off. So it is not really a rental fee, but a security deposit. Then the next morning get your person to the purser's desk and they will escort you off with a chair until you get to your car/shuttle etc.

 

In fact we had my dad walk from the Queen Mary and he would walk a few yards and then stop and rest. When we got within site of a carnival worker he said "Are you one of us for this week?" When we said yes, he told us to wait where we were and he got a chair so my dad did not have to walk any further. It was a wonderful start to a great vacation.

 

I have lots of suggestions as we travel with such a wide age range.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip.

[piggs]

Here is a picture of 4 balconies in a row.

[principessa1180]

In Puerto we are doing the rainforest tour and the city tour. in maz we are doing shopping and the beach. in cabo we are doing by land and sea.

[piggs]

:D I forgot to mention, bring binoculars. There were dolphins spotted right along side the ship on all the sea days. Mostly in the mornings before 10:00. It was very cool to watch them jump really high out of the water in very big groups.

[SDBeachLovers]

Hi everyone, this is an awesome thread!

 

My wife and I will also be on the Aug 5 cruise near the middle of the Panorama Deck (Deck 8 - maybe we'll see getting_anxious and the others). We're first time cruisers and celebrating anniversary #18 with no kids. Our anniversary is the night before we dock on the way back (8/11) and I wanted to know if going to one of the supper clubs is a suitably special way to celebrate or if there are any other suggestions.

 

We've signed up for Los Veranos in PV (don't know what we'll do after that - maybe stop in Mismaloya on the way back). In Matzatlan, I haven't planned signed up for anything, but would like us to take a walking tour in the old part of town and then head over to Stone Island. In Cabo (the only place I've been before), I have rented a car that we'll take to see some sights and snorkel (temperature and jellyfish cooperating!).

 

Thank you Piggs, Modnar and others for all of the helpful information!

[debiz1123]

I'm soooo jealous of you all, we sailed on the Pride last October and due to a hurricane didn't get to go to any of the original destinations, we got to go to the wonderful Ensenda (not), San Diego (even worse) and Catalina (which was okay, but not Cabo, etc). I'm from Southern California and have been to all those places. Anyway it put a damper (for me) for the whole cruise and reading about all your wonderful experiences reminds me of what I missed.

 

My mom scheduled another cruise for October to Acapulco, I told her she was crazy for going in October again.

 

Anyway...... those that have already went, glad you had a great time, those who are going, have fun!

 

Debbie

[pooh99]

We'll be on the Pride on the 2nd September sailing. Just saw the hurrican post, how high are the chances of a hurrican in September. I always thought hurrican is more an Atlantic / Caribeen thing. But since I am from Europe I don't know much about hurricans :)

[pooh99]

We'll be on the Pride on the 2nd September sailing. Just saw the hurrican post, how high are the chances of a hurrican in September. I always thought hurrican is more an Atlantic / Caribeen thing. But since I am from Europe I don't know much about hurricans :)

[getting anxious]

My wife and I will also be on the Aug 5 cruise near the middle of the Panorama Deck (Deck 8 - maybe we'll see getting_anxious and the others).

 

Hi SDBeach Lovers! My little part to our big group is also in the middle of the Panorama Deck on the port side ... we walk right out to the atrium. The rest of the group is spread out up one side and down the other and around the back of that deck. I'm sure we'll run into each other one place or another! Congrats on your anniversary and congrats to the newlyweds that will be on the ship, too (can't remember your login name...sorry). Our group is celebrating birthdays, weddings, graduations, sport accomplishments, births, engagements....a little bit of everything.

 

I can't believe we are less than two weeks away! We are really looking forward to the trip!

[piggs]

Modnar,

If you are still reading this post I found out some information about the person's name they were calling. When I see a response from you I will tell you what to go look at on the web.

[piggs]

Modnar,

That photo you took of the Golden Zone in Maz.......you had to be standing RIGHT in front of us. I have almost the exact same picture and the pinkish hotel in the background was the landmark for the kids when they were parasailing to start steering back to shore! ;)

[45640]

You are correct, 1 dining room with two seatings. We had the early seating at 5:45. I think the second one was 7:45 but many nights we were just leaving by that time so maybe it was 8:00 or 8:15.

 

HAve fun, I am already jealous that you are going on a cruise and I won't be traveling again for a few years while we have major college expenses:eek:

Living vicariously through this thread! LOL

 

Cut your college expenses send them to Northern.... lol..

 

I am a former resident of Marquette.... left for the Army in 69 and never returned.... God's country (Is Togo's still open?)

 

I am heading out on the Pride Oct 14.... and someone commented about the Oct weather.. OH, Well ! ! !

 

Dick:cool:

[piggs]

Yes Togo's is still open and still a local favorite!

 

NMU is a great school and the second one may be going there next year, but we'll see. We have been here for 21 years and we love it but the kids need to spread their wings and explore! NMU just raised their tuition, again, and it is closing the gap on the bigger more expensive schools.

 

October weather on the Pride will probably be way better than October weather up here so enjoy! Although occasionally there are the most incredible days here in the fall.

 

Will the whales be heading back by October? We loved seeing the dolphins, I can't imagine the awe of whales:D

[carqueen1]

They have all kinds of slots, I won $2500 off 3 different machines on Feb 11 trip on the pride!! Loved the Perfect Match slot game!! It was a blast!! All slots paid well on my trip!! Have fun!!:D

[45640]

GOOD MORNING ! ! !

 

I hope today finds all well and Brilliant...:D

 

I keep reading about the "JELLY FISH". Are they truly a big problem? Is it just in certain destinations? Or, just isolated areas? How big are these? And, how nasty are their stings? I know some species can really do a number on you and others just irritate for a short amount of time. :(

 

Is the Big Boy still there in the highway out to Ishpeming? And speaking of the town named after "Chief Ishpeming" is WJPD Raido still on the air? That was where I got my start in broadcasting.

Dick:cool:

[piggs]

Good Afternoon right back!:D

 

 

How big are these? And, how nasty are their stings

 

Look back at page 2, post number 24 at the bottom. Modnar posted pictures of them on the beach at Maz. Two of my kids were stung and it was mostly an annoyance. Neither was seriously hurt and the pain was gone within 30 minutes.

 

Yes, WJPD is still on the air. There is a brand new Big Boy in place of the old one. It burned down almost 8 years ago and they finally rebuilt it last summer. It is a very new bright and airy new one!

[tvtd4u]

DW and I will be there in just a few days!!

 

It looks great! Actually spending 7 days AWAY from work....with my DW...on a cruise ship...can't be anything but GREAT!!

 

See ya'all there...we will be the pair with smiles on our faces.