Did not meet expectations

Carnival Pride Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 12

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Pride

7 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 15, 2017

Ship: Carnival Pride

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 6156

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

As much as Carnival stresses that their cruise is all about the customers experience I found it a continuous effort to try and extract money from us be it on board, shore excursions or shopping at their ports of call stores. I found the decor very dated and tired, the staff was okay but not great, the food was cafeteria worthy - quantity over quality. Dining in The David Restaurant one night did show what they were capable of providing. It is apparent Carnival has found ways to minimize costs (and quality) of food and staff to the detriment of cruisers. Mandatory tipping policy diminishes staff's desire to provide superior service. Even so we provided extra tips when merited. 

 

Spa services were staffed with relatively inexperienced masseuses. My wife's treatments were very good - but pricey.

 

Boarding was a breeze, departure somewhat less so.

 

In the future we look to cruise on a higher rated line with four or five star vs two to three star which I rated The Pride on this trip.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
The Pride needs to be refitted and modernized. Website "photos" are not representative of actual accommodations. Better electrical outlets near bed needed. Glad we brought extension cord.

Ship tip

Wait for it to be dry docked and refitted (this or next year?). Do your research to make sure experience matches expectations.

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

3 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

1 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 12

2 Comments

dsw1470    7 years ago

So ignore it and move on! I did in Nassau with all the pushy vendors, and staff trying to sell me stuff. No thanks and stroll on. Enjoy what you got! If you are such an epicurean go on a chef cruise, or just take it in stride, gotta be something you like with the cantina, deli, pizza, Guy's, room service! Don't know what you expect with such a discounted cost

auntmawa    7 years ago

The shore excursions and ports of call are the people who live at those ports trying to make a living, not carnival and no matter which cruise line you go on, you will experience the same thing.

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