Pride Review 9/2 - 9/9

[pooh99]

We were on the Pride from 2nd Sep till 9th Sep. with the itinerary change. Since I got much info on this board, I want to share my thoughts and feelings about our 1st cruise with you. Please keep in mind, everything is my subject feeling.

We arrived in LAX from Germany on 31st Aug. and drove to Long Beach and stayed at the Coast Long Beach. Was very disappointed about that, but this is a different story, but we had a nice view.

On the 2nd I already read in the internet about the possible hurricane and wondered what Carnival will do. Since we wanted to make early check in, we drove over the port at 9:30 am and parked our rental car. We were met right away by a Carnival rep. who told us about the itinerary change (Catalina, San Diego, Ensanada). Since it was our 1st cruise, we were really disappointed, but we know it was hurricane season and it’s not Carnival fault. So after some talk, we took the $100 OBC per person and did the early check in at the Queen Mary (I don’t think we can use the 25% rebate for a next cruise). Check in was smooth, but I was surprised that the agent never had e-docs before, and she needed do ask her supervisor how to handle it. After check in we returned our rental car. After a wait in line number 1, we were on board around noon and hit the Lido deck.

I really liked the size and the style of the ship. I don’t think there is really nudity, but since we are from Europe, we might have a different view on thisJ. Our cabin 6232 (Empress Deck), had an extended balcony and we loved it. Since we had a kind of service room next to us, our balcony was twice or triple as long, as the usual balcony (I can share pictures). Our room steward was very nice and took good care about us. Room was serviced twice a day and we never had any complains, we gave her some extra tip at the end. Since there was a service room next to us, we had some noise during some days, but I wasn’t bad.

I think the food in the dinning room (Normandie) was always very good, even if I had one or two dishes I didn’t like. But thinking of catering for up to 2000 passengers, I think they do just a great job and our waiters were just wonderful. Got a little sing for our wedding anniversary J I had cappuccino every night. Bar service was fine as well (all of then got an extra tip). We never had breakfast or lunch at the main dinning room, so I can judge on that. Food on the Lido was good as well; I always found something I liked. Pizza was good as well.

We didn’t do all shows, but the ones we visited we liked. Had some laughs at the adult comedy and the Legend show was a blast. Our CD was Jeff Bronson, who did a good job. We spend some time in the casino, and the staffs there were extremely friendly and joyfull. My wife was lucky and won the $500 at the slot tournament.

Ports: More or less nothing to do in Catalina, in San Diego we visited Sea Word and had a very good time (but we did it by our own). In Ensanada we had a ride with the Banditos horses and had a good time as well. For the rest, nothing really nice in Ensanada.

To make it short, we never met an unfriendly employee on this ship and had a wonderful time, even with these ports. I think it is a great value for the money, and would cruise with them again with no thoughts. We had some very nice talks with some staff members and I just couldn’t imagine working for 6-8 month in a row (I always keep this in mind), without getting home. The purser’s desk was very nice and helpful when I discovered that I lost my credit card at Sea World. They let me phone to my credit company for free and had even a German speaking employee for us if needed (I don’t take this for granted)

Disembarking was smooth, our number (5) was called at 8:30 am, and we quickly got off the ship. I don’t know how many passengers did this cruise, I didn’t feel crowded at all.

I could write even more, but I think it will do for now.

Feel free to ask any question, I’ll be happy to answer if I can J

[Jdleong]

Did you request that cabin? and how many of you were in the cabin?

I have had it many times, it is wonderful to have such a large balcony.

 

Jan

[melika091900]

can you share any pics ???

 

 

thanks

 

you can email me directly, my email is in my signature..

 

 

im glad you liked the cruise, our friends were onboard this cruise also

[glrounds]

What a great review, Pooh

I so regret that you didn't get to do the Mexican Riviera. I've done it many many times and I'm positive you would have really enjoyed the port calls on this regular cruiseline route. :) (see PRIDE cruise pics on my webshots website below)

You did your best to make the best of a bad situation. I congratulate you.

I'm also amazed at your mastery of the English language. Very very good ! ! :D Almost all of my ancestors were from Germany and I would relish the idea of visiting your country and being able to speak German with the same degree of fluency you have in English.

Please schedule a return to LA and book the Mexican Riviera again. Its very rare that weather causes the disruption in your travels to that extent on the West coast.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

What was your trouble with the Coast Hotel. We are scheduled to stay there in 2 1/2 weeks. I booked it because of the great reviews. Now I am wondering.

[pooh99]

Did you request that cabin? and how many of you were in the cabin?

I have had it many times, it is wonderful to have such a large balcony.

 

Jan

 

It was the only cabin left, free for choosing. We were just the two of us, but the cabin is for up to 4. We loved it.

[pooh99]

What was your trouble with the Coast Hotel. We are scheduled to stay there in 2 1/2 weeks. I booked it because of the great reviews. Now I am wondering.

 

We have booked the cruise and park package, which should include breakfast as well, but the say it’s just one time, even if you stay two nights (and pay the full rate of course). Had an argument about that during check out and the refunded my finally the 2nd breakfast. But worse was the noise in this hotel. Both nights there were yelling and screaming people in the courtyard till 3 and 4 am. I complained but I don't think the hotel took care about it. The room isn't very stylish and our air con. was so loud, I needed to turn it off when we were in the room. For me, it was more a motel style. I was just disappointed and regret not to have stayed in the Hyatt. We paid $ 219 per night, and I think it was too expensive for that. But the view of the bay is nice :-)

[pooh99]

I'm also amazed at your mastery of the English language. Very very good ! ! :D Almost all of my ancestors were from Germany and I would relish the idea of visiting your country and being able to speak German with the same degree of fluency you have in English.

Please schedule a return to LA and book the Mexican Riviera again. Its very rare that weather causes the disruption in your travels to that extent on the West coast.

 

Thanks :)

Even we fly regular long haul, now with a two year child, I don't think we'll be able to make this trip very soon. But maybe we blow some frequent flyer miles and take the 25% in 2009? Would love it, but it all depends and our shedule here.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

Thank you for replying about the coast hotel. I hope we have less noise. I have the park and sail package and noticed that it stated specifically that only 2 breakfasts would be included. I am taking my two daughters so guess I will have to really pay for one of them if she wants to eat! I thought perhaps I would get the third person's meal free but that sounds like a slim possibility at this point.

[pooh99]

Thank you for replying about the coast hotel. I hope we have less noise. I have the park and sail package and noticed that it stated specifically that only 2 breakfasts would be included. I am taking my two daughters so guess I will have to really pay for one of them if she wants to eat! I thought perhaps I would get the third person's meal free but that sounds like a slim possibility at this point.

 

I would try to talk to them right at check in and ask for the coupon. I found out that some of them at the reception are more willing to help. The first one I talked to, just said it was the rules. The 2nd person, talked to the manager and I got the refund. So I would try. The buffet in the morning isn't really a big deal.

[pooh99]

On our last day, we visited the disembarkation talk. The CD told us about the comment cards and told everybody to fill them out, during that he told us, that in 2007 the Carnival Pride became the best rated ship in the whole Carnival Company. Just some information I forgot to write earlier.

[jimbug]

We stayed at the Coast about 2 years ago. I realize a lot can change in 2 years, but I felt we had an exceptional experience. Now, I must add...we got the hotel on Priceline for a rate of about $70/night, I believe. I don't think I would have paid $219/night when the Hyatt was also available.

 

What I liked about the Coast was that the rooms (our room, at least) were very large, well-decorated, and comfortable. We even had a marble bath, which was not what I was expecting from the "blah"-looking outside.

 

Also, check out a restaurant just across the street called The Reef. They have a Sunday champagne brunch to die for!! It's expensive ($30/pp), but there's more food than one can possibly imagine. It's also 10x better than cruise food, and I like cruise food, so that's saying a lot! It's not terribly fancy (we were there in jeans and fit in just fine), but it does help to call either the day before or early the morning of to get a reservation so you don't have to wait.

[corybmcfly]

It's cool to hear a review from somebody on this cruise. I too was on the Sept. 2 Pride.

 

We came in to LAX and had bus transfer to the port. It was at that point we actually found out about the change in itinerary. We all thought the guy was joking at first. When we realized it was for real, we were totally depressed. We quickly got over our depression though and enjoyed the extra $200 they gave us. Plus we still got to see places we had never been, and the 25% off gives us an excuse to take a Mexican Riviera cruise in the future since we've still never been there either, LOL.

 

In Catalina I rented a jet ski with a buddy of mine and went and buzzed around the ocean. That was a blast as that is something you don't get to do everyday (at least I don't). The rest of our group rented golf carts and traveled around the town and shopped. They too had lots of fun.

 

We too went to Sea World in San Diego and we were very pleased about how slow business was. We got to walk right on to anything we wanted to do with no waits whatsoever.

 

We took the Papas and Beer beach trip in Ensenada. There was absolutely nobody there either. That was good and bad. I don't like hanging out at an over crowded club, but a few people to party with would have been nice. I saw pictures from the labor day party they had 4 days earlier and it was a sea of people. The vendors on the beach got annoying at times. Some were nice enough, but others were way too pushy. After dealing with one or two of them, I figured out the only way to not get mobbed by them was to ignore them and keep walking. I'm a polite person, so that was kind of hard for me to do, but didn't want to spend my entire trip getting stuff sold to me.

 

Pooh, that's cool that your wife won the $500 slot tourney. I got a chuckle out of that because my good friend won the $500 blackjack tourney. He won it from the wildcard position of all things. My wife shared a $700 bingo game as well. She had to share it with 4 others, but it was still $175 and fun for her to do. Based on your activities, it sounds like our paths crossed a few times, so I'm almost sure I would recognize you.

 

One other benefit I can think of that the diversion brought was 1/4 of the people (from what I've been told) backed out of the cruise so the ship was far from full.

 

One scary part was on the first night, they thought they had a person overboard. Everybody was told to return to their stateroom and the staff would be conducting a head count. Also they turned the ship around and helicopters and divers were being brought in. After about 2 and 1/2 hours they said everybody on the ship was accounted for, so that was a relief. I still never found out what the whole story was on the incident, so if anybody knows any information, we have been a little curious on the matter.

 

All in all, we had a blast and are looking forward to cruising again (at a 25% discount of course LOL).

[pooh99]

It's cool to hear a review from somebody on this cruise. I too was on the Sept. 2 Pride.

 

The rest of our group rented golf carts and traveled around the town and shopped. They too had lots of fun.

 

 

Pooh, that's cool that your wife won the $500 slot tourney. I got a chuckle out of that because my good friend won the $500 blackjack tourney. He won it from the wildcard position of all things. My wife shared a $700 bingo game as well. She had to share it with 4 others, but it was still $175 and fun for her to do. Based on your activities, it sounds like our paths crossed a few times, so I'm almost sure I would recognize you.

 

One scary part was on the first night, they thought they had a person overboard. Everybody was told to return to their stateroom and the staff would be conducting a head count. Also they turned the ship around and helicopters and divers were being brought in. After about 2 and 1/2 hours they said everybody on the ship was accounted for, so that was a relief. I still never found out what the whole story was on the incident, so if anybody knows any information, we have been a little curious on the matter.

 

 

We did the tour with the golf carts as well. It was some fun, but it was just for one hour, tried to rent a jet-ski to, but we were to late, all were gone for that day.

 

My wife won the slot tournamet with the wildcard as well :), she was choosen 2nd, after the 1st didn't appear.

 

Yeah, forgot to tell about the missing person. I believe it was about 2am and took 2.5 hours for the whole search (3rd night in a row with interupded slepp :().

[pooh99]

What I liked about the Coast was that the rooms (our room, at least) were very large, well-decorated, and comfortable. We even had a marble bath, which was not what I was expecting from the "blah"-looking outside.

 

 

They seem to have different rooms, because we didn't have a marbel room. My reservation stated a deluxe ocean view room, but I don't think we got it.

 

Sometimes you just have bad luck, even when it should be a nice hotel. I read a lot positiv things about the Coast, so I supposed we just had bad days.

[RedDevil]

We heard that around 20% decided not to board the ship due to the itinerary change and we also heard quite a few decided to debark in San Diego and head home (as they lived nearby).

 

Regarding the man overboard, we were in the nightclub when suddenly everything got turned off and there were staff running everywhere telling people to go back to their cabins. Whether this is true I'm not sure but we heard a few days later that somebody had thrown a sun lounger overboard and that raised the alert.

 

With regard to the 25% discount, I assume we can use that in addition to any past gues discounts/upgrades? How do they know we qualify for the 25%, is it on their systems?

[pooh99]

With regard to the 25% discount, I assume we can use that in addition to any past gues discounts/upgrades? How do they know we qualify for the 25%, is it on their systems?

 

I was thinking about that too, maybe some one knows?

[gusandgidgetsmom]

I had just changed my package to a sign and sail at the coast when pooh had posted his review. That day I got an email that was incorrect as far as the number of occupants. I told the guy 3 at least twice and he had my past reservation in front of him. I was quoted 229.00 a night (inclusive of taxes). I even questioned the man about it including the taxes and he said yes. I emailed right away to say that they had put two quests instead of three. I got an email back 2 days later stating that they had changed it to three the rate jumped to 244.00 not including taxes. I have emailed but no response. I hate to think my trip is starting out that way. From so many reviews I was looking forward to this stay,but not now.