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Great Mexican Riviera cruise... by
Randi from Dallas TX Sailing date: Jan 2009Pros: The opportunity to relax and not do anything; the amazing food; the waitstaff and service; the ports-of-call! Cons: Lack of activities that appealed to us; time change confusion; movie channels on the t.v.; bed bugs! I'll put port-of-call info here---
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Had breakfast at Andale bar in old town (was very good; their refried beans are killer) and then walked the shops and the beach before doing a Tequila Factory tour. They have flavored tequila in Mexico! Peach, almond and coffee/choc. are the biggies. The beach trolls (that's what I call them) are aggressive and it kind of ruins your beach experience. They are at each port, but it was most noticeable (read:annoying) in Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan.
Don't Miss: The shopping is probably the most entertaining thing to do, IMO.
Mazatlan, Mexico
You will get bombarded as soon as you get to the terminal. Bombarded from people trying to get you to view a timeshare. If you don't mind blowing an hour on the spiel, it's definitely worth it if you're on a budget. But act disinterested at first so they'll sweeten the offer. We agreed to see the timeshares at "The Inn at Mazatlan" and in doing so, we got a free taxi ride, free lunch ($50 gift card, which was more than enough for food and several drinks), and a free 1-hour taxi tour of the city. The tour was a little ghetto because it was a taxi driver and not a tour guide, but it was definitely worth it. We got to do all of this and only spent $10 on tips (that we probably didn't have to give). Plus, if we weren't so strapped for cash right now, the timeshare was beautiful and we'd definitely consider something like that in the future.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Definitely the best! Take a water taxi to the arc and lover's beach. They'll do it for as little as $10 a person (maybe lower, but that's probably the best deal you'll get). You will get to see the pelicans (and all of their lovely poop), the seals and the beaches. And the rock formations that look like Scooby, a hand, the upside down Baja peninsula, and a few others. Fun fun. Then have the taxi drop you off at the beach near Billygan's and sit in the shade and have a few beers. We also had breakfast at Las Quesadillas, which was really good. If you can find your way out of the marina (it's a little complicated), Las Quesadillas is just up the street in downtown. Don't bother getting a taxi to take you downtown because it's RIGHT outside of the marina, just a few blocks. They'll charge you $7 for driving you less than half a mile. Anyhoo, it was a great port. And don't do the bicycle tours, they're lame!
Don't miss: The water taxi ride! Ship QualityBig complaint about the time change situation. They change the time once and then change it back later in the week, but it's unclear when you get to port in Puerto Vallarta because ship time doesn't match local time. So if you have an excursion, just remember to GO BY SHIP TIME. Then when they have you change your clocks back, they remind you in the caper TWO nights before you are supposed to return your clocks to CA time, so wait and do it the NEXT night, not the night you get the caper. Otherwise you might miss the ship when you leave Cabo (we were on the last freaking taxi back to the ship because of this confusion). If we hadn't gotten back to the marina an hour early, we'd have missed it. scary! Dining/FoodLoved the food. I don't know about these people complaining? Do you get full hot breakfasts every day in your regular life? hell no. So quit moaning. The breakfast menu doesn't change, but the lunch and dinners are great and the options are plenty. Stateroom QualityCrampy rooms, as always. Fortunately, we had a balcony for the first time and I will not do it any other way moving forward. My sweetheart and I BOTH came home with bed bug bites on our legs though and apparently this is a growing issue on cruise ships. So be mindful when you return home so you don't bring the critters with you. Ship Staff QualityStaff was amazing. Get to know your waitstaff. They are really good people and have interesting stories to tell! Our waiter was from El Salvador and had been working for Carnival for 19 years! He learned English on the ship. :) Entertainment & ActivitiesThe entertainment activities felt like they were either silly or geared toward the senior crowd. Overall, we still had a good time tho. Just spent extra time in our room watching T.V. or sitting on the balcony. The movie channels suck though. They need to fix that situation.  26 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
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  Good cruise overall by
Ron M from SF California Sailing date: Nov 2008Pros: Pleasant staff, clean ship, great room service Cons: Constant efforts to seperate us from our money. Photos taken constantly to buy, pushing the spa, gift shop each day, overeager attempts to push drinks. The Carnival Pride is a very clean and well run ship. I found the decor to be a bit dated but they obviously put much effort into design and layout. Despite carrying a full passenger load there are numerous areas where few people are present. Staff are either friendly or a bit passive; we experience no rudness from anyone and several people go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThere is no end to the food and many people clearly come to tie on the food bag. Breakfast was and lunch selections were average and dinner was hit and miss. Some dinners were excellent and others just so so. By the end of the week cruise much of the food began to taste the same. Stateroom QualityOur stateroom was cleaned very well twice a day. They were in and out quickly and attentive to any request or need. Bathrooms are a bit small (and I wonder how all the 300 pound plus people managed) but servicible. Ship Staff QualityMany friendly staff members and others who seemed a bit burned out. Never any rudness. In speaking to some we found they sign contracts to keep them at sea for months at a time. Most employees are not from the USA, probably because Carnival pays too little for most american citizens to wish to work such long hard hours. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe "vegas" style shows were pretty poor. Other activities seemed geared towards older people. Dancing was fine though they don't start that until 10:00 pm which seems pretty late after baking in the sun all day ( I guess I'm getting old, too). 
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Mazatlan, MexicoAgain, the beaches are beautiful and the water wonderful but people selling junk overwhelm you. I suggest you find any restaurant that boarders the beach and eat there. In exchange, most will allow you to use the pool on their property that is restricted (no beggers allowed). If you don't do that, you can't get a moment's peace from the poor souls selling gunk.
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoSome of the beaches are very nice. Unfortunately, people are so poor there there is a constant wave of people approaching you to buy trinkets. Some of them are very persistent. It's hard to enjoy the beautiful beach and ocean when being constantly asked for money.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoIf you are able bodied, get a water taxi to take you to "lovers beach". It's a short distance from the port and the beach and caves are great. You know what's best? Since you can only arrive by water taxi there are NO BEGGERS. You can actually enjoy the beach and the ocean without being harassed. Since it is out of the way though keep in mind there are no bathrooms, water, etc. You're on your own. It was a great afternoon and despite my worries the water taxi guy actually came to pick me up as promised. You must be able to jump in and out of the boat pretty quickly.
11 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Vacation of a lifetime! by
Loren and Bev D. from Lawrence, KS Sailing date: Oct 2010Pros: The excellent customer service (and the food!!) Cons: Waiting in line to get onto the ship. It was beautiful and luxurious. It was beautifully maintained--everything was spotless. We loved all of the artwork. The staterooms were very comfortable and more spacious than we were expecting. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodFood was beautifully presented. Ambiance a bit on the loud side--a little hard to hear others at the table (in the Normandie dining room). Singing of the waiters was comical but wish "Happy Birthday" singers could've sung on pitch! Stateroom QualityEnjoyed very much. Loved the towel animals. Ship Staff QualityVery impressed with service. Was definitely above and beyond expectations. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe shows were really great, but some of the events were a little too late for us oldsters who need to get to bed a bit earlier.
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Nassau, BahamasWe took a taxi tour of the island with a very interesting cab driver and felt we saw the "real" side of Nassau--from luxury to poverty. Sad to see how terribly poor many of the people are.
Port Canaveral, FloridaWe enjoyed the Universal Studios--esp. since Loren worked in the film industry.
Don't Miss: Depends on one's interests. 10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Perfect Vaction by
A Traveler from New York Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: Exceptional service Cons: TV programs/repeating over and over again Excellent service .... very fiendly staff. Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityWe could not get a head phone for the TV.(to avoid the sound)
No one was able to watch TV while other members of the family were sleeping.
Ship Staff QualityWe could not get a walkie talkie to be in touch with the kids on the ship at all times.
They did not offer to sell it on the ship at all.
This is very very inportant to families with kids . Entertainment & Activities
Children's Programs
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Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Grand Turk Island
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)
Nassau, Bahamas
11 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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TERRIFIC Vacation!!! by
Sonya T from Salisbury, MD Sailing date: Mar 2011Pros: The entire experience was wonderful. Great waiter and waitress. Super cabin steward. The food was excellent. Camp canival was great!!! Cons: Only 7 days and had to go back to reality Everything was clean, people always with a rag and cleaner in hand. Stewards in the halls, keeping everything tidy. The ship was beautiful and family friendly. Something for everyone. Leaving from Baltimore a BIG plus.. Ship QualityLoved the layout. Placement of Elevators and the stairs made it easy to get from place to place. Someone always available to keep things spic and span. Dining/FoodThe variety and quality of the food was great for all. You never went hungry.. And if you couldn't find something to eat that you liked...It wasn't for the lack of variety and food available round the clock..somewhere 24hr room service GREAT!! Stateroom QualityWe had room with extended balcony. Loved it!!! Being able to see the water from our room was beautiful. The location of the room was great for us. Easy access wherever we needed to go. Ship Staff QualityWe had a question one evening. Called guest services, they said they would get back to me. They left a message, then when we were down for the captain's party a representative came up to us and let us know what we had asked about. They knew us out of the many cruisers. Very detail oriented. Entertainment & ActivitiesLots to choose from to do. Nice variety. Children's ProgramsStaff was very nice and made our child and us comfortable. She LOVED the 10pm-midnight dances. Thanks so....much for the peace of mind. Our children our our precious gift, thank you for helping with making her vacation (in her words) "Thank you Carnival for the best vacation of my life". 9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Ship Review by
Sue from Elmhurst, IL, USA Sailing date: Mar 2007Pros: Balconies & decks -- lots of lots of view. Started out cold & cloudy but got warmer & more fun & more comfortable as cruise progressed. Enjoy not having to make many decisions. Felt very comfortable with 2 young adult females on board on their own. Staff very courteous & friendly. Best vacation thus far I've had *(most totally relaxing). Would go again if/when I can. Flight expensive to port, but that's what happens when you live in the Midwest. Definitely worth it's cost in getting a break from the snow. Entertainment & Activities
Entertainment: Talent show last night was fun, Bingo was great too.
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Mazatlan, MexicoSierra Madre tour show the real Mexico.
We did the Sierra Madre tour - a real cultural gem. We all felt very privileged to be Americans and blessed with such wealth that we could afford to travel. Bring gun stick to give to the kids (rather than a dollar) if you want to take their photos (chiclets) -- they loved them & any little trinkets we were willing to part with. Eye-opening & wonderful & tiring. A very solid excursion for the $$$$.
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoNeed more time there to explore. The zip-lining was AWESOME fun.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoWOW!
SUN-SAND-lots of good fun & rest & sunburn, too. As a place of beauty they have the corner on it here with there beaches? Pacific was cold but fun.
Don't Miss: Beaches. 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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A good cruise by
Jeff V. from Wilmington, DE Sailing date: Jul 2009Pros: Overall, staff were very polite Cons: Food was not quite what we have experienced on another cruise line The ship was very good, staff were friendly and accomodating. Was clean and well kept. The food was good but we have had better on another cruise line. We had three good stops and the embarkation was great from Baltimore. The debarkation took longer than we thought it would, especially considering we were doing our own luggage (about 1.5 hrs) Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
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Freeport, Grand Bahama IslandNice shopping areas, clean, not expensive. Public beach area was good, taxi service was good, Prety much just stayed at the beach and relaxed. Quiet area.
Grand Turk IslandWe mostly just enjoye the beach area
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)Really liked the beach area at Half Moon Cay. Great beach, great water, lots of seating in chairs. Only dissapointment was that the burgers were continually well undercooked. Rest of food was fine.
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Fun first cruise by
Dianne S from Pittsburgh, PA Sailing date: Jul 2012Pros: serentiy and activites Cons: not enough time at islands This was my first cruise and I enjoyed myself. I chose the pride because we wanted to be able to drive instead of fly which made it easier. From what I read and heard the cruise ship is not as nice as other boats but it was still nice. Ship QualityThe ship was very clean. Restrooms, food area, and rooms were always kept clean. The decor of the ship was a little outdated but it is 11 years old. Everything is laid out very nicely. Dining/FoodThere was always food available. Breakfast and dinner were great and lunch was good. As for the buffet, I loved the sandwhich station. The dinner had a nice selection but I would have liked to have seen lobster and crab cakes more than one night though. Stateroom QualityBeds were very comfortble. Room was not big but didn't expect it to be. Ship Staff QualityThe staff was great, always willing to make us comfortable. Entertainment & ActivitiesI enjoyed the comedy shows the most. There were four total comedians and they were funny and it was a nice variety. The dance shows were good. The actitivies they had during the day were a very nice variety and gave you something to do when you didn't want to be at the pool any longer. 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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it was a ok getaway by
James Burke from Delaware Sailing date: Jan 2012Cons: the ship just seemed dark and old, entertainment was very hard to find alot of clubs but nothing going on other than the 2 major clubs at night the ship seemed to be decorated using the titanic motif very dark and Victorian style but seemed extremely dated Ship Qualitythe ship was clean just very dated and we are not big par tiers but nothing to do at all in any of the smaller bars its like they cut the entertainment staff in half Dining/Foodwe have cruised many of the other lines NCL and Royal Caribbean we have heard all kinds of war stories about carnival but thought lets give it a try and it was just as we heard its the mc donalds of the cruise lines the food was just food nothing to stand out. Stateroom QualityRoom very clean and nice we did have a suite and it was very nice the room staff were great Ship Staff Qualitythe staff were great just as any other cruise we have ever taken they are very personal Entertainment & ActivitiesBoard to death. Comedy show great Variety show great but its only at night for 1 to 2 hours the rest of the time on the ship was very lame a lot of different clubs and bars but no entertainment did they lay off half the staff? 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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A terrific experience. by
Robert F. from Baltimore, MD Sailing date: Nov 2009Pros: Relaxed atmosphere and impeccable service. Cons: We found nothing about this cruise that we did not like. We had a veranda stateroom and it was in like new condition when we arrived and the stewards, whenever we left the room, were in there to tidy up and replenish anything we needed. They were terrific.
The food was exquisite, the service in the dining room was 1st class and we had a lot of fun with the wait staff.
Our shore excursions were fantastic and well planned with everything going off on time.
This was our third time with Carnival and we would not consider any other cruise line for any future cruises. Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityEverybody had a smile and a pleasant comment no matter what time of day or night. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe shows were well put together and well done but seemed to lack a good degree of variety. Children's ProgramsEven though we had no children with us, I would have to rate this program as the best since there were over 500 children on our ship under the age of 18 and they were rarely underfoot or disruptive. Our congratulations to the staff who operate these programs. 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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