Carnival Pride Review
Cold and Great Cruise, but Cruise Port and Communication
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It started with a horrible Embarkation Experience. We went to cruise port at designated time (12:30 PM) and after waiting a little while in a line (vehicle line), we were told previous cruise arrived late and we should return an hour late (a letter given to us). I was disappointed that Carnival sent us an email or text advising us that boarding time was to be delayed by an hour.
When we came back an hour later, traffic was absolutely terrible. We couldn't get off at the exit. Baltimore police and Dept. of Transportation made us deviate 5 times. We had to pay the toll because the cruise port exit (last exit before toll) was closed. I just wanted to drop off passengers (one in a wheelchair) and then return rental car. What was suppose to be a quick drop off became almost 2 hours with all the deviation and the traffic. The only reason it didn't take longer is because I dropped off the passengers about a block away from the cruise terminal with wheelchair and luggage. At this pace, it seemed like impossible for me to return the rental car and take a cab back to the cruise terminal by the latest boarding time (now 5:00 PM). This was very stressful and unacceptable. I contacted Carnival because all I wanted to know if they we actually had to be on board by 5 PM or were they going to hold of sailing until later due to the horrible traffic mess and rerouting to get to the cruise port. I get could get any answer on this from Carnival. I finally dropped of my passengers about 3:20 PM and went to return car. I took a cab back and made it fairly quickly because traffic was significantly less by about 4:10 PM. I still got out of the cab earlier because there was still a line, but the walk wasn't the far to the cruise terminal.
Everything was delayed. Dinner was about an hour late. We did not sail by 6:00 PM and people were still boarding after 5:00 PM. Carnival needs to have better communication. Even if they post what's going on on their web page. Turns out parking lot was still full of previous cruise passengers so new passengers couldn't park. They should have delayed embarkation more and informed us. The could have also set-up a drop off point by one of the other entrances to alleviate traffic.
Cabin Review
Port Reviews
Baltimore
City of Baltimore needs to work closely with Carnival regarding traffic to Cruise Port. It was a horrible experience as listed in my Embarkation Review. Redirected 5 times and forced to take a toll road only to return via the same toll road. It seemed like it was the first time ever a cruise ship had arrived late in Baltimore. The police officers were seemed confused and kept changing how the directed traffic. If they would have had a plan, one or maybe two re-directions would have been sufficient.
Baltimore does have plenty of restaurants and hotels. Didn't seem like a bad city, but didn't have time to explore city.
Nassau
Lots of opportunity for shopping. Nice beaches and safe place. As always, be aware of your surroundings and don't wonder off out of the tourist areas.