kwillia
n/a
I'll be on Triumph in 62 days. I can't wait to have some delicious warm chocolate melting cake. It's one of my favorites!
Can't you just stick a hoho in the microwave for a few seconds...:shrug:
Carnival Cruise: Baltimore....
- Thread starter Hessian
- Start date
Can't you just stick a hoho in the microwave for a few seconds...:shrug:
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
vanbells
Pookieboo!!!
I was on the Pride from Jan 17-24. Trip was fun.
Lots of fun stuff to do on the ship.
Places to know...
Taj Mahal(forward, levels 2-4, ) is on the front of ship. Bingo, entertainment such as shows will be here.
Mermaid Grill(midship, level 9) buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner. Pizzeria is open all night long.
Normandie(rear, level 2 and 3). See swipe card for table number, seating time and floor. You can keep ordering more food. You are not limited to one plate.
Try the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake!!!!!!!!!! BTW, there is one formal night for dinner. You can go in shorts. I did. Just tell them you haven't got your luggage.
Shops(midship, level 3) Wait until the last Fun day at sea after leaving Freeport to go to the souveneir shop. That Saturday they will clear inventory in order to make room for the following week. For example, I bought shirts 2 for $20 on Friday. Saturday, they were 3 for $20.
Jafur Currey band - often plays jazz music. Lots of Stevie Wonder. They are usually at Butterflies(forward, level 1) This is directly under the Taj Mahal.
There are two pools on level 9. The one near the stage is covered until you get closer to Florida. They open the roof.
There are 4 jacuzzis. Sorry I can't spell. All of them on level 9. The one on the rear of the ship on level 9 is only for adults. The one in the gym is the only one indoor.
Lots of foreigners working, but the staff is really friendly.
Gratuity is added on the final bill for everything. So tip if you choose to.
For me the days at sea were rough. So, Tuesday once you are out of the Chesapeake Bay, it's going to be rough. Returning will be even worse since you are coming back in half the time that you spent going down to Bahamas.
Advice for the Bahamas. You won't see prices on anything at the Strawmarkets...BARGAIN, BARGAIN, BARGAIN!!!!! I got my best deals in Nassau after the Ferry ride to Paradise Island. I got 4 shots glasses for $4.
I think there are roughly 9 bars/lounges throught out the ships.
Corona costs $5.69
Bud Light costs $5.99
White Russians costs $6.33
Tall white russians costs $12.65
Mojito costs $10.06
You can check your Sail & Sign Statement at Guest Services located in the Atrium(midship, level 2).
Shore excursion desk is also in the Atrium.
Carnival puts their schedule of events in your mailbox outside your door the night before every day. This schedule shows everything that is going on that day for the entire ship.
Take your Sail & Sign Card everywhere. When you leave the Pride, take your Sail & Sign Card and a photo ID with you.
BTW, if you smoke, you can buy single packs of cigs at the bar at the rear of the ship level 9 near the huge Chess game.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Like I said, I just came back Jan. 24 from the Carnival Pride.
Lots of fun stuff to do on the ship.
Places to know...
Taj Mahal(forward, levels 2-4, ) is on the front of ship. Bingo, entertainment such as shows will be here.
Mermaid Grill(midship, level 9) buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner. Pizzeria is open all night long.
Normandie(rear, level 2 and 3). See swipe card for table number, seating time and floor. You can keep ordering more food. You are not limited to one plate.
Try the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake!!!!!!!!!! BTW, there is one formal night for dinner. You can go in shorts. I did. Just tell them you haven't got your luggage.
Shops(midship, level 3) Wait until the last Fun day at sea after leaving Freeport to go to the souveneir shop. That Saturday they will clear inventory in order to make room for the following week. For example, I bought shirts 2 for $20 on Friday. Saturday, they were 3 for $20.
Jafur Currey band - often plays jazz music. Lots of Stevie Wonder. They are usually at Butterflies(forward, level 1) This is directly under the Taj Mahal.
There are two pools on level 9. The one near the stage is covered until you get closer to Florida. They open the roof.
There are 4 jacuzzis. Sorry I can't spell. All of them on level 9. The one on the rear of the ship on level 9 is only for adults. The one in the gym is the only one indoor.
Lots of foreigners working, but the staff is really friendly.
Gratuity is added on the final bill for everything. So tip if you choose to.
For me the days at sea were rough. So, Tuesday once you are out of the Chesapeake Bay, it's going to be rough. Returning will be even worse since you are coming back in half the time that you spent going down to Bahamas.
Advice for the Bahamas. You won't see prices on anything at the Strawmarkets...BARGAIN, BARGAIN, BARGAIN!!!!! I got my best deals in Nassau after the Ferry ride to Paradise Island. I got 4 shots glasses for $4.
I think there are roughly 9 bars/lounges throught out the ships.
Corona costs $5.69
Bud Light costs $5.99
White Russians costs $6.33
Tall white russians costs $12.65
Mojito costs $10.06
You can check your Sail & Sign Statement at Guest Services located in the Atrium(midship, level 2).
Shore excursion desk is also in the Atrium.
Carnival puts their schedule of events in your mailbox outside your door the night before every day. This schedule shows everything that is going on that day for the entire ship.
Take your Sail & Sign Card everywhere. When you leave the Pride, take your Sail & Sign Card and a photo ID with you.
BTW, if you smoke, you can buy single packs of cigs at the bar at the rear of the ship level 9 near the huge Chess game.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. Like I said, I just came back Jan. 24 from the Carnival Pride.
vanbells
Pookieboo!!!
One last thing, when you first get on the Pride, you will not be allowed in your room until 3:30pm. Just go straight to Mermaid Grille on level 9 and eat lunch before the crowd figures lunch is already being served. Casinos and shops aren't open until you hit international waters.
Why 3:30pm? Keep in mind, that the same ship just got back to Port of Baltimore around 9:30am and is leaving Bmore at 5:30pm, so the cabins are getting cleaned that same day.
Why 3:30pm? Keep in mind, that the same ship just got back to Port of Baltimore around 9:30am and is leaving Bmore at 5:30pm, so the cabins are getting cleaned that same day.
Hessian
Well-Known Member
Vanbells
Wow,...this is a great review for someone who has never cruised before. My wife still has not been told...we go in 7 weeks.
I think the food & accomodations are my priority. However, I have been spending a little time looking at the three stops.
what is there to do in Port Canaveral?
a) Take a Taxi to see...Launchpads & museum?
b) Beach nearby?
c) Decent restaurants?
I understand Freeport got hammered by a hurricane a few years ago,...and has not really rebuilt...Should we find a taxi to get us down the coast a bit?
Did you bring your passport or some similar ID? (my passport expired
)
naturally I'll bring my Drivers license...maybe my BirthCert.
How accomodating are they to newbies? It seems like veterans know how to see & do the things they want to while the newbies get lost, miss meals, wait in lines...etc.
If they don't let you get to your room until after 3:30...how much earlier should you arrive? I watched a Carnival Pride Video on You tube and it looked like people were waiting in this cargo hall for quite a while.
I might watch a few more and then...ask a few more questions: Hessian & Frau Erlöschen zum Meer!-- Marz 28!
Wow,...this is a great review for someone who has never cruised before. My wife still has not been told...we go in 7 weeks.
I think the food & accomodations are my priority. However, I have been spending a little time looking at the three stops.
what is there to do in Port Canaveral?
a) Take a Taxi to see...Launchpads & museum?
b) Beach nearby?
c) Decent restaurants?
I understand Freeport got hammered by a hurricane a few years ago,...and has not really rebuilt...Should we find a taxi to get us down the coast a bit?
Did you bring your passport or some similar ID? (my passport expired
)naturally I'll bring my Drivers license...maybe my BirthCert.
How accomodating are they to newbies? It seems like veterans know how to see & do the things they want to while the newbies get lost, miss meals, wait in lines...etc.
If they don't let you get to your room until after 3:30...how much earlier should you arrive? I watched a Carnival Pride Video on You tube and it looked like people were waiting in this cargo hall for quite a while.
I might watch a few more and then...ask a few more questions: Hessian & Frau Erlöschen zum Meer!-- Marz 28!
F
forceofnature
Guest
Do not buy the cruise tours.... I repeat DO NOT BUY THEM... they are double the cost of what it costs on shore.
Pay a taxi driver to give you a tour of the area. We spent $100 for a very detailed tour of the area for 4 of us. If you did that on the ship it would have been 50 per person.
Here is an example of how we got jacked. We paid for a cave tour 65.00 per person and it was friggin free to go in to the cave. The next day when we paid for the taxi he took us to the area of the cave and no extra cost to go in.
Pay a taxi driver to give you a tour of the area. We spent $100 for a very detailed tour of the area for 4 of us. If you did that on the ship it would have been 50 per person.
Here is an example of how we got jacked. We paid for a cave tour 65.00 per person and it was friggin free to go in to the cave. The next day when we paid for the taxi he took us to the area of the cave and no extra cost to go in.
angelbaby
Active Member
I'll be on Triumph in 62 days. I can't wait to have some delicious warm chocolate melting cake. It's one of my favorites!
That was my hubby's favorite also! We went on our cruise back in Oct. and he is STILL talking about it!
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
That was my hubby's favorite also! We went on our cruise back in Oct. and he is STILL talking about it!
I plan to have one every night for dessert.
Or maybe I'll just skip appetizers and entree and head right for three of the cakes. 
dustin
UAIOE
dustin
UAIOE
from what i've heard and experienced, it really depends on what port you are visiting. In some places I would rather have the peace of mind that the guy I'm dealing with is legit (screened by cruise line) and pay the extra bucks through the ship
Chasey_Lane
Salt Life
Not to mention, the cruise line can't leave you if the excursion is running behind schedule. 
awpitt
Main Streeter
This is very important. On our last cruise, our excursion was over an hour late but we bought it through Royal Caribbean so once we did get back, the ship was still there, waiting for us. Once we got onboard, the first annoucement we heard was, "our last group has arrived and we are now getting underway". If we had bought that excursion on our own, we would've come back to an empty pier.
BadGirl
I am so very blessed
You're absolutely right about the "peace of mind" thing, but a flip side to that argument is this:
if using an outside source to do your shore excursions, it is impatative that they maintain a good reputation to ensure continued business from recommendations and reviews of previous customers. It behooves them to stay on track and get you back to the ship at the appointed time. To lag behind and get you back too late hurts their future business dramatically. One bad review on a vacation/cruise forum could/would cause them to lose their independent travel guide license (and yes, these guys are regulated and taxed!), and would negatively hurt their wallet. They will do everything in their power to get you back to the ship before departure.
But having said that, their are still instances - obviously - that gets people back to the ship too late.
We've had the best tours and experiences from the independent guys, and not the cruise-ship provided tours.
dustin
UAIOE
that is a great point!
I do agree though that the cruise sponsored tours may not be the best overall experience.
One just has to weigh all of the factors and make an educated (i.e. sober) decision.
speaking of sober. It's a good idea to budget in a couple hundred bucks for adult beverages. Nickel and I probably spent $300 on drinks during our 7 day cruise a few yeara ago. Rum Runners are my breakfast Fav!
Nickel
curiouser and curiouser
I'm pretty sure it was much more than that.
vanbells
Pookieboo!!!
Wow,...this is a great review for someone who has never cruised before. My wife still has not been told...we go in 7 weeks.
I think the food & accomodations are my priority. However, I have been spending a little time looking at the three stops.
what is there to do in Port Canaveral?
a) Take a Taxi to see...Launchpads & museum?
b) Beach nearby?
c) Decent restaurants?
I understand Freeport got hammered by a hurricane a few years ago,...and has not really rebuilt...Should we find a taxi to get us down the coast a bit?
Did you bring your passport or some similar ID? (my passport expired
naturally I'll bring my Drivers license...maybe my BirthCert.
How accomodating are they to newbies? It seems like veterans know how to see & do the things they want to while the newbies get lost, miss meals, wait in lines...etc.
If they don't let you get to your room until after 3:30...how much earlier should you arrive? I watched a Carnival Pride Video on You tube and it looked like people were waiting in this cargo hall for quite a while.
I might watch a few more and then...ask a few more questions: Hessian & Frau Erlöschen zum Meer!-- Marz 28!
A. I was in a tour group from St. Mary's so we ended up going to a zoo in Port Canaveral. Zoo was pretty cool, but I think NASA would be better. There are plenty of taxi's waiting at Port Canaveral once you go through the Customs building.
B. Not sure about beaches down there. I focused more the beaches in the Bahamas.
C. We went to some seafood restaurant for lunch and they barely had any seafood on their lunch menu. Maybe, we got a special menu since we were on a tour group?
Definitely get a taxi in Freeport to the beach. It was like a 10 minute car ride towards the beach/Strawmarket/casino area.
As far as newbies, I'm pretty outgoing when I'm on vacation. Just talk to people. Find the veterans and ask how you should approach time, meals and things to see. Everyone was pretty nice. Carnival crew members are pretty relaxed to. They go off the ship when they get a chance. Keep in mind, the work 6 months straight and then 2 months off, so they know the places to go since they have very little time off the ship. Talk to your waiter or waitress in the Normandie or even the bartenders in the lounges, they could point you in the right direction as well.
Passport...I would really focus on that now. Its' better to be safe than sorry. You can get in done at the post office and pay a little more to rush it. To be honest though, I think they only asked for the passport once, when board the Pride in Baltimore. Don't risk it though.