Had a great time and will do it again. Wish Carnival would reassign another ship other than the Pride from the Baltimore port for a change of pace.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was smooth and helpful, people were everywhere so you knew what was expected next and what you had to have out next (Passport/boarding pass etc.)
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
All dinners and breakfast (3 times) were in the Normandie. Our table staff for #194 was superb, attentive and on point. The breakfast in the Mermaid Grille was good but the very same every morning. Our first night in the Normandie Pork Loin was offered and it was the best meal I had the whole week on the ship. Don't get me wrong they were ALL good but that choice was my favorite. Guy's Burgers were popular and very tasty the toppings bar was always full and had many options.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
BINGO is expensive on the ship and offer 3 packages starting at $20, $30 and $40. No matter what package you purchase their are only three games each time you play. You are not offered a dobber unless you purchase the $40 package which is ridiculous, how can you play without a dobber? They offer you small pencils to use if you do not get the $40 package. Most games over 100 people played and if everyone only purchased the $20 packet x 100 people = $2000. Most people purchased the $40 packet. This activity is extremely expensive and you are throwing your hard earned money away. The main BINGO caller Fran aka "Frantastic" and she is "cutesy" and repetitive in her BINGO jokes The Serenity pool was nice and we were lucky enough to get a hammock twice and a clamshell once. Appeared that many people had reserved lounge chairs and showed up hours later which really is just greedy.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Every night during dinner we were amazed by Magician Anshul he is incredible!!
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our stateroom steward was Pratito and he was friendly and professional. Waitstaff for table #194 was over the top, never needed anything because it was there before you even had a chance to ask.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Ship tip
I noticed on MANY sites people were stressing about not being able to bring bottled water on the ship. Water is avaialbe everywhere from the bathroom, to the self serve water dispensers on some bars to the water fountains to the drink dispensers in the dining halls. Get your picture taken, get many pictures taken and only purchase the ones you like you are not obligated to purchase them if you do not want them. If dinner starts at 6p arrive at 6:05 or 6:10 AFTER the mad rush. If you want to see a comedy show arrive EARLY if you do not want to stand through the show. Go to a HASBRO show you will have fun and if you are lucky enought to be a contestant you will win a small prize.
Shopping was fine but the music outside of Froots was very loud and never ever stopped. Made conversation with someone right next to you or on the phone completely impossible. Went to The Beached Whale to try the coconut shrimp and no prices were listed. Had to place my order before I was given any idea what anything cost so I placed an order for the coconut shrimp and a slice of key lime pie and the total was $36 so I had to cancel my order due to not having enough cash (since prices were not listed) but that was a ridiculously high price. Beach on left side of the pier is nicer and much easier to access the water. The right side has a steep drop off it get to the water and has many large rocks. From what I have been told and experienced myself ALL beach lounges and clam shells are free. Never hit Margaritaville the beach was what I came for so I enjoyed it as much as I could. Watch your transactions I was short changed twice when using cash thankful I caught it. If using a card check it before you sign it.
This island is incredible and very beautiful!! Ordered a clam shell ($25) and the staff at the rental hut on the beach were very kind and helpful. They have round tubes and rafts to rent for $25 each. Need to use your sail and sign card for everything on the island except for the small market area to the right as you enter HMC. Small tram runs from the welcome center to Tropics (lunch). The water was wonderful the sun was brilliant and had to force myself to leave. The tender for this port was large and the ride from the Pride to HMC was short and smooth.
Our only excursion for this cruise was at Freeport and we did the Dolphin Close Encounter excursion which started at 7:15. We were off the boat as soon as customs allowed which was about 7:10 and we immediately loaded onto a 20 minute bus ride to a gift shop. Instructed to walk through the gift shop and exit the back of the shop to a boat. The boat ride was approximately 20 minutes as well. The "Captain" was friendly, helpful with everyone entering onto the boat and exceptional helpful with the elderly. Boat ride was informative and questions were encouraged and answered eagerly. Arrived to the Dolphin Encounter and the excursion was great. Many questions and information about the dolphins was by the two gentlemen (very nice and professional) from the Dolphin encounter. We were allowed to touch and then the dolphins kissed us for our photo. When you return to the gift shop the pictures are upstairs and displayed on the wall for purchase. Not much more time was allowed for shopping at the gift shop so keep that in mind. Had never been to Freeport before this cruise and no beach is at the pier like Grand Turk and HMC. Was informed a taxi could be used to get to a beach but was told that next time to take an excursion that included a beach area afterwards. Highly suggested by numerous others that the beach quality is better that is offered after an excursion.
I have to agree with the Serenity deck. My husband and I went around 8:15 in the morning and all the clamshells were taken. Only a few actually had people in them. I would understand if there was people in the pool or hot tub but no one was in them. I thought that’s pretty greedy. I guess people just go as soon as they open and claim there spot.
Problem is, it would be tough putting a smaller and more dated Fantasy class ship there when the Pride is generally pretty high regarded. I've been on Fantasy and Imagination, and Pride blows them both out of the water.
I agree, it would be nice if Carnival reassign other ships to leave from Baltimore. The Ecstasy or Fantasy would be nice and they are smaller ships so they will be able to fit under the two bridges.
Went on the Pride for the 1st time 9/9 headed for Bermuda-but Florence had other plans for us😩. Embarkation was great, however, I was totally amazed at how long it took to get to the “real” ocean! Once I looked at the map i understood why it took 9-10hrs to get there. We really liked the ship & the port .
We were surprised at how low the bridges seemed that we went under.
I'm glad that you had a nice cruise. We will be on the Pride in November. The Pride is the only ship in the fleet that can sail under the two bridges leaving Baltimore...so, the Pride is there to stay.
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