My trip report is going to concentrate on the things that I wanted to know before we cruised - Embarkation and Ports. We were a family group of 8, ranging in age from 5 to 80 and we have all cruised many times. Even the 5 year old has 4 cruises. If you have any questions about the Pride and cruising in general please send me a note .... DianeNJUSA @aol.com.

Embarkation - I was dreading this day because I had heard so many stories about how awful it was. BUT - this was the best embarkation I have ever experienced in 20+ cruises. We actually enjoyed it. Maybe we were just lucky with the timing and weather or maybe everyone else hasn't experienced the really bad embarkation!! We arrived at the Queen Mary for early check in at 10:10. We completed check in and were sitting outside on a beautiful spring day by 10:30. Plenty of places to sit, get refreshments, etc. At about 11:15 they started the line and I joined the line while the others stayed in their seats. I enjoyed conversations with those around me (and then ran into them all over the ship for the week - that was fun too). We started boarding around 12:15 and were sitting on Deck 9 by 12:30.

Puerto Vallarta - We went to the Krystal Hotel (walked). WONDERFUL. There are loungers (and umbrellas) on the beach, two great pools (with swim up bar, tables and loungers in the pool, slide, bridges), a playground and good food at the restaurant. Three of our group got the day pass - $15 per person but you get $15 credit towards the food and drinks. Two paid nothing. DH, DS5 and I gave the lounge chair guy $10. There was a big sign that said "welcome cruisers". None of us were hassled or questioned. Read more