Embarkation: Hello! My boyfriend and I went on the Pride Sept. 17, 2006. We arrived at the Long Beach Terminal around 10:00, dropped off bags with a porter and did the early-check in. However, we did not get inside the ship until 12:45-1:00, they were doing some custom inspections of the ship. So, we were waiting and waiting outside of the huge white dome building. At least we already received our sail & sign cards from early check-in, a lot of other people had to get into another long just to check in. So, I recommend coming early. First the VIP went in, then wedding party, then handicapped, and then us. Each person has to go through the security machines and their bags through the other machine, so that took a while. You have to show your sail & sign card at a couple different spots, take a Mexican background picture, and then we were in. We were quite hungry, and headed up to the Lido Deck (Mermaid's Grill) and ate some lunch. The Pride is a beautiful ship. The promenade has lots of couches and chairs with portrait pieces behind the couches. I have taken the Mexican Riviera cruise 13 years ago with Carnival ( I was 13 year old) and much has change to my liking. The ship is newer and the food is much better. After lunch, we went straight for our cabin. We took the Atrium balcony that has floor to ceiling windows overlooking down to the whole atrium and you could look all the way up to The Statue of David in the Supper Club. We booked a balcony (6210) on the 6th floor (Empress Floor). I have never had a balcony and now that I've experienced it, I could never have anything less. There are 2 deck chairs and a small side table to place your drinks and such. There is ample storage space. The bathroom is small, cabin size standard. There is a shower, but the division from the shower to the rest of the bathroom is like only 1.5 inches, so when you are showering there is a thin curtain and water splashes everywhere on the other side. After that, I placed long towels allover the floor before I showered again. They give you razors, toothpaste, lotion, gum, shampoo, & body wash in the cabin. We had dinner in the Normandie Dining Room. Beautiful room, great food, great service. Reminds me of being at a really nice restaurant. The Cruise Director, Wee Jimmy, is a funny British guy.

1st Formal Night:We dressed up took formal pictures. Went to the Captain's Cocktail Party in the Taj Mahal, got a few appetizers and free drinks. We ate lobster & prime rib each. Oh, by the way, my boyfriend and I each bought a Fountain Fun Card for unlimited sodas throughout the trip, it cost 99 dollars for the both of us. (It includes the 5.50 per day, plus gratuity, plus tax, that's why it ended up costing total 99 for 2). We should have just bought 1 card because I only ended up drinking one soda a day, so it's not worth buying if you don't drink a lot of soda. With one card you can go to one bar after another and get soda for others if you wanted to, they don't even swipe it, you just flash it to them. Plus, they have iced tea, fruit punch, apple juice, guava juice, coffee, & orange juice that is free.

2nd Sea Day: Just lounged around the pool. My boyfriend played in the casino. Enjoyed relaxing. Ate and ate. Took a nap and ate some more. They have a free sushi bar from 5-8:30p.m. next to the Starry Night Lounge every day. Very good. Read more