Relaxing, price valued cruise

This was our fifth sailing with Carnival Cruise Line's Pride. Once again, a relaxing cruise experience.  Every ship member we encountered was courteous, friendly, and very professional, many quickly learning our names and addressing as such ... a nice personal touch.  Sailing out of Baltimore is a snap IF you have the proper documentation and identification.  Food service, in both the grill and dining room, was wonderful with plenty of meal variety.  Reading other negative reviews, I can't understand what some people are expecting ???  For the price of this cruise, it more then met our expectations.  Anyone who went hungry .. shame on them for it was their own fault.  Great cruise for relaxing but if you wanted to go ashore you have to do your homework and search out activities in port.  Excursions were still a bit over priced.  Carnival needs to sharpen its pencil and find more short, cost effective beach excursions for those passengers who cruise south in search of a warm, sunny beach to relax on.  Balmoral Island needs more shade! Nassau has a public beach which has been cleaned up since we last visited.  Freeport has a nice little dock side area which appears to be undergoing improvements and upgrades for those who elect to stay close by but still leave the ship.  Room service onboard was exceptional ... stewards worked very hard to meet our every need.  Evening entertainment was very good, featuring so many young talents who sing and dance their hearts out to please the audience.  Casino was a bit smoky for those who elect to play.  And do people really win .... you bet. One customer won a new BMW on a slot machine but elected to take the cash equivalent.  ONLY complaint from me is that the Sushi Bar was discontinued in lieu of some little snack food Taste Bar .... no comparison.  We need the Sushi Bar reinstated !  All in all it was a very cost effective and relaxing vacation away from the snow and ice of home.