Christmas Cruise?
Carnival Pride Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas
6 Night Bahamas (Baltimore Roundtrip)
Sail date: December 20, 2015
Ship: Carnival Pride
Cabin type: Inside
Cabin number: 7266
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
We booked a family Christmas cruise on the Carnival Pride anticipating a wonderful experience for all of the family. I had worked for a cruise ship company in the past and had fond memories of holiday season on board - a time where we appreciated our passengers' choice to sail with us during the holidays. Not so Carnival Pride. Many of the staff were unfriendly - they warmed toward the middle of the cruise, but the damage was done. The ship seemed to have forgotten that we were celebrating Christmas - there were few decorations (only in the atrium) and the staff seemed unaware that the holidays were coming. Food was only edible in the dining room - the buffet was laden with greasy foods (especially at breakfast) and few choices.
While the cruise did improve at around day 3 - we will never sail on the Pride again.
A captain that I once sailed with said that clients chose to sail with us during the holidays and that it was our job to make their vacation as memorable an experience as possible. Carnival Pride succeeded in giving a memorable experience but not in the way we expected. I am unsure whether the lack of decor and holiday themed events is a Carnival standard, but if we ever cruise at Christmas again - Carnival will not be on our short listt of cruise companies.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Eat the brunch in the dining room as the food is excellent!! The buffet breakfast leans heavily on bacon swimming in grease and sliced hot dogs masquerading as pork sausage. Also - unless they improve, do not expect a Christmas experience on this ship.