Carnival Pride Review
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I have only been cruising for 18 months and the cruise on the Carnival Pride was my ninth cruise. We booked this cruise one month before while on the Carnival Fascination. I live in Jacksonville Florida and rented a car to get to Tampa. My wife and I left the night before and stopped at a Hampton Inn & Suite in Wesley Chapel. I used the Carnival transfer bus to get from the airport to the ship terminal. The bus was waiting and it only took us about 15 minutes before we were on our way.
They had us down for late dinner seating so once on the ship we went to get it changed to any time dining. We wanted early dining but that wasn’t available. Embarkation at the ship was very organized and didn’t take long at all. The guy at the terminal with the microphone was very funny and made the wait pleasant. As a bonus, the senior Carnival Cruise Director John Heald was at the terminal and he got on the microphone and had us all laughing. This was our first time to the Tampa terminal and I was surprised how quick we got on the ship. Our stateroom 1140 was ready around noon. Bags were delivered around 1 pm. The ship was delayed getting out of port, we were told because of the large amount of supplies being loaded.
The amount of people doing anytime dining on this cruise was unbelievable. The lines to eat were very long. Dinner was good but not as good as I’ve had on other Carnival ships. A few times the food was not hot enough. Other times the food was chewy. Some dishes were outstanding, just inconsistent. The desert menu was not varied like on other Carnival ships. I just would have liked to see more pies or cakes.
Cabin Review
Ocean View
Our cabin was very clean and well maintained. It's under the Red Frog so it can get a little noisy, but usually stop around midnight. The location was great, just down the hall from the Butterfly lounge. You are right in the middle of the front and mid ship gangways which made debarking in the ports very easy. I would stay in the same room again, but if I could I would go just a little farther aft to get away from the Red Frog.
Port Reviews
Aruba
Aruba is one of my favorite places in the Caribbean. We decided to just walk around instead of taking a tour. There are so many shops and restaurants all within walking distance from the ship. If you need free wifi there are a lot of local places that offer it for free.
St. Maarten
You can take a water taxi right near were the ship docks or just walk. We walked to the shopping and beach area. The walk was less than 15 minutes and the beaches are wonderful. There is all kinds of shopping and places to eat right in the same area. Get two beach chairs with and umbrella, use of a restroom, and free wifi (not on the beach, on the boardwalk) for $12.
Tampa
Took a rent a car to the airport and used the Carnival bus to get to the port. The port is right in a very busy area so glad I had a driver and didn't have to do it on my own. Didn't visit any attractions on the way to the ship.