Just returned from our Carnival Pride 10/31/10 cruise from Baltimore. We have cruised a number of times, but this was our first Carnival cruise so I thought I would post a review. I have to say right up front that I strongly feel vacations are what you make them, and my husband and I had a wonderful time. But a review that just raves about my wonderful time wouldn't really help anyone LOL so here are my impressions:

1) The ship: They say it's a crazy dEcor, which is true. But I like it. I sure didn't feel I was in a chain hotel! I thought it was a fun dEcor for a cruise ship. And even though this was the last cruise before a two week dry dock clean up, I felt the ship was very clean and well maintained and I am picky about cleanliness. Some things, like toilet seats in the public bathrooms, looked worn (not dirty, just worn) but I bet they will take care of that stuff in dry dock.

2) Our stateroom: The night before we left for the cruise (we left a couple days early to visit our daughter who lives in DC) the upgrade fairy called and offered us an upgrade from our category 8 aft balcony to a category 12 "penthouse suite" (to me penthouse means the top of the structure and the Pride's penthouse suites are on deck 6) for a couple hundred dollars. I am pretty intent on staying on budget so it was a difficult decision for me, but I thought what the heck and took the suite. This was absolutely the best decision I made regarding this entire cruise and you will see why through this review. The room was large and lovely with a huge deck. The bigger room was a good idea for a couple with different sleep schedules, there was enough room for my husband to turn the TV towards the couch and stay up late watching a show and for me to sneak in and out with a cup of coffee early in the morning. Read more