2nd time around

Item: Carnival Pride
Rating: 3.8
Author: ladyduffie

Carnival Pride Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

ladyduffie

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 107

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Baltimore Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 29, 2018

Ship: Carnival Pride

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8184

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We enjoyed the cruise and would cruise on the Carnival Pride again. We've had the pleasure of sailing on 5 different Carnival ships.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

This really should be 3.5 stars. Even though we arrived at the assigned time, we stood in line for approx. one hour from luggage check-in to assignment of sail card. This is a long time to stand for a senior citizen of 74 year. Additionsly, in an email all were directed not to bring alcoholic beverages aboard. Yet we observed that guests were permitted to carry wine aboard as long as they held it in their hand. Fair is fair. Either wine is permitted or it is not permitted.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food should be separated from drinks--food deserves a 4 star rating because food was in abundance and service was given graciously. However, drinks has earned a 2 star rating. We thought we paid all gratuities up front. We learned at the end of the cruise that an additional $90 per person was added to our bill to cover bar gratuities. All costs should be laid out clearly and up front. This is a hidden cost. To charge an additional $180 after charging $52 per person for drinks is obscene.

Guy's Burger Joint

5 out of 5

Love those burgers& fries. The service is swift, and the variety of items available to stack on the burgers was an absolute joy. Guy's was a big hit with me--missed going to Guy's only 1 out of the 7 days.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Loved the fitness center; the various movies shown each night were good; while the production cast was not as skilled as I have experienced, they did provide a different show each night and kept us entertained. The comedy club was ok; we very much enjoyed the towel class--however, the class was offered during docking at a port so my sisters missed the class. One should not have to decide between going ashore and attending a desired class. The class could have been offered during one of the sea days.

Library

3 out of 5

I see the library as a place of quiet. Too often, guests come in to chat. There are so many areas on the ship where persons can talk, why come to the library to talk when some are trying to read, concentrate, play games in quietude, or just sit and enjoy the quiet. Talkers should go elsewhere. Would love to have a puzzle to put together, but could not find a puzzle. The games should be better organized by staff so that desired games can be found without too much effort. Overall, the library was too noisy.

Fitness Center / Aerobics Studio

4 out of 5

Enjoyed the fitness center. The variety of fitness machines was admirable. Five stationary bikes were available, but only 4 were operable. We senior citizens need the back support so keep those machines up and running. Would have enjoyed having ear plugs to watch/listen to the TV. Next time I will try to remember to bring my own.

Venus Main Pool

3 out of 5

Too many hold chairs for hours. Staff should be assigned to move personal items when chairs are abandoned for longer than 45 minutes. However, the Lido area is a very busy and happening place. I enjoyed the busyness of the Lido. Parents need to monitor their children more closely. Serious problems can occur around water and with so many adults drinking, I was concerned that a little one would attract trouble either for themselves or someone else.

Hot Tubs

4 out of 5

The hot tub in the fitness center was enjoyable. The Lido hot tub was always packed with children.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Overall the staff was gracious enough, but a few individuals were somewhat aloof, or rather stoic. Staff shold be mindful that guests spend a good deal of money to be treated special. Kindness goes a long way to make a guest feel special. If I were rating those individuals, one star would be given, but because so many were very service oritented and friendly, we are giving a 3 star rating.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Common area bathrooms were clean; eating spaces were kept organized and clean;

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

This was my 2nd cruise on the Carnival Pride (2011 & 2018). The ship is small enough to be enjoyed. I would recommend that more space be given to those who book future cruises. Persons should not have to stand on line during this experience. Perhpas a number could be given as individuals arrive. Having senior citizens stand for upwards of 30 minutes is quite a lengthy time to wait for assistance. Since this is such an important part of what is done, perhaps an office space dedicated to this purpose could be assigned. Additionally, the hours should be increased. Especially during the last 2 days of the cruise, more than 4 hours should be dedicated to this purpose. The 2 staff were so busy they forgot to give me my gift, and I didn't think abut it until an hour after the counter closed (at 5p) on the final day. Since one staff person was being oriented means only one person was available to work with all those guests trying to sign up for a future cruised---not good marketing strategy (as I saw several persons leave the line). So try to work with the future cruise staff prior to the last day (3-5p).

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Baltimore, Maryland

4 out of 5

It is 3 hours from my home, so I enjoy cruising from so close to home.

Thumbs Up 10

Grand Turk Island

4 out of 5

Enjoyed the upbeat attitudes of the islanders; the colors were vibrant and happy. Would like to have stayed 1-2 hours longer. Since the walk is so long, Carnival should arrange for buggies to ride senior citizens along the extended pier.

Thumbs Up 12

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

3 out of 5

No one lives on the island. We could have stayed here less time and spend more time on the other 2 islands. The food provided provided was good, but the drinks were costly.

Thumbs Up 6

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

4 out of 5

Enjoyed the island. The stay was too short. It was publicized that we would stay until 2p, but many guests were told to be back on board at 1p. Why was the stay in Grand Turk and Freeport so short? For what purpose did we stay on Half Moon Cay until 4?

Thumbs Up 3

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

4 Comments

joyandjerry 6 years ago

Gratuities of $90 pp are added the everyone's account. It is spelled out in the contract that it is for general grats and has nothing to do with the drink pkg.

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carmelea1955 6 years ago

Any time I have had a drink, the gratuity was added to the price of the drink.

Thumbs Up 0

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shadowscooter 6 years ago

One bottle of wine per person has always been allowed to be carried on carnival cruises.

Thumbs Up 0

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umpa063 6 years ago

I have been on the Pride twice out of Baltimore.. I really enjoy sailing on her.. I will sail on her again.. Sailing on the Miracle in November and looking forward to seeing how this ship is...

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Other reviews of this sailing

This was my 7th Carnival cruise and very disappointed in the quality of service.

Hard to Find Fault

Really enjoyed the staff