My family has been over 10 cruises, mainly on Princess and MSC. This was our first Carnival Cruise (May 20 – 27, 2018) and it will not be our last. The staff on the Carnival Pride was the friendliest and most helpful of all the ships we have sailed. As others have echoed in previous posts – I could not find one staff member who did not have a smile on their face in the entire week. We choose this cruise as it was only 40 minutes from home to the port. No flying this time. It worked out great as we were able to use the pool from the beginning to the end of the cruise as the weather was warm. Keep in mind - if you go from October to April – you may have to spend the sea days inside.

Let me run down the week’s events and categorize them.

Embarkation – The cruise port of Baltimore is very easy in and out right off of I-95. With only one cruise ship in port at a time – there is little to no traffic in and out. Tip – make sure you have your tagged luggage ready to be dropped off. Prior to parking – porters take the luggage from your car and place it into airport style luggage carts prior to parking. Parking is $15 a day – and you pay when you arrive. If you have cash there is a separate line to pay. Plan on getting to the port no earlier than 11:30am as they will not let you park prior to that time. Going through security and getting your cruise card was easy and quick. For those who like to be dropped off that is easy as well – follow the signs and they will direct drop offs accordingly. Tip - for out of towners – there is no food available to purchase at the cruise port – you will have to wait until you get aboard. Bonus Tip - Cruise goes under the Key Bridge about 20 minutes after leaving Baltimore and under the dual spans of the Bay Bridge about 2 hours after departure. Nice feature to go under bridges as with Fort Lauderdale and Miami you make the turnout of port and you are in the Atlantic Ocean. Bonus Bonus Tip - you do not need to go to the muster station drill with your life jacket. Just go to your station and the drill took place at about 4:30pm. Each child under 12 will get a wrist band to identify the muster station they need to be for the length of the cruise. Read more