DH and I are in our mid 40's. We traveled with three sons, ages 20, 13 1/2 and 12. The two younger boys and ourselves sailed on the same ship in February of this year. We took our 18 year old daughter that time; this was only our second cruise.

We drove to Long Beach Sunday morning, leaving at 5:15AM and with a few stops made it to the terminal by 11:30. We joined the Carnival Vacation Club on our last cruise and were happy to embark early. I was in my bathing suit sipping a cocktail by by the pool at 1:30.

The food on the Pride is outstanding. I know folks have different tastes and one person's delicacy is another person's garbage, but honestly when the fruit is fresh, the deli meat is lean, the bread is soft, the veal is tender, the fish doesn't smell like fish - you know you are somewhere where the head chef cares about the quality of the food. Read more