Very disappointing by
jack s from wash. state
Sailing date: Jun 2010 Pros:
housekeeping of the rooms
Cons:
Food service, entertainment,shore excursion
The gaudy theme of the ship was overdone. It was clean, but the buffet restaurant was set up so that if you wanted a little of everything you needed to wait through 6 buffet lines. The rooms were fine. The cruise director I only saw on TV, entertainment was poor.
Ship Quality Too much gaudy trim all over the boat. The covered promenade had absolutely no chairs to sit outside and read. The library was only open one hour a day.
Dining/Food The main dinner dining room was OK. The meat tended to be over cooked. A "mediun well" came out very very well done, a medium would come out rare. We had birthday cake on our group of 11. The ice cream came out melted after the cake was eaten, followed by coffee. Our waiter recommended trying the main dining room for breakfast. Four of us ordered the Belgium waffles with strawberries. They all came out cold with little plates containing three strawberries. They should train at IHOP. In the buffet the trays are snatched from your table with your food if you go up to get a coffee. While there is some fruit punch at breakfast (POG) the only drinks at lunch are overly strong lemonade or ice tea. Never a carving station at lunch. One in our party ordered a Denver Omelet from room service and had to tell the peopole what it was.
Stateroom Quality They did a fairly good job here. My only real complaint was that anything I left on the night stand including book, glasses, alarm clock, etc. was every day moved to the couch. The room steward did a good job, and while not overly outgoing or friendly tried to help us when he could.
Ship Staff Quality The cruise directors staff was the worst I have seen and could learn a lot from those on RCL. Norgegian, or Princess. I asked a staff member in the Internet cafe if the ship had daily news summerins like the other cruise lines. He said no and suggested I suscribe to the high priced internet to get the news. On the sixth day of the cruise I finally spotted one of the daily news summerys he said they did not have.
Entertainment & Activities The shows were the worst I have seen on a cruise ship. The bingo often consisted of one game. You got in line to pay for the game, waited 20 minutes to play the 5 minute game, then left. The TV reception consisted of about 6 channels advertixsing the ship, a few Denver channels and CNN news. There was no Fox News and ESPN was only available in the sports bar. The shore excursion that was suposed to last 4 1/2 hours waisted the first 40 minutes standing on the pier in 95 degree heat, then following the guide 1/2 mile to the bus. On the way back, the bus purposely stopped a couple blocks further away to force you by more of the local shops.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Fabulous cruise! by
Nancy S. from Alaska
Sailing date: Mar 2009 This was a great vacation! All of the crew were friendly and helpful. The shore excursions were outstanding. The food was excellent. The entertainment was great-something for everyone. Overall, I would give this cruise a 10!
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
Children's Programs
Collapse List of Ports
Mazatlan, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Don't Miss: Swimming with the dolphins at the Sea Life Park
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Fun, Fun, Fun by
Rick H from Spokane, WA
Sailing date: Dec 2008 Pros:
Friendly Service, Great Entertainment, & Tremendous Cleanliness
Cons:
Weight Gain
This was our first cruise, so I don't have anything to compare it with. Let me just say that I had very high expectations, and they were met. The staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. Everyone was always smiling and seemed genuinely committed to you having a pleasant experience.
Ship Quality The staff was always cleaning. Dirty dishes were picked up immediately and tables were cleaned and disinfected quickly. I liked the fact that you could traverse from one end of the other to the ship entirely indoors on the third level, or completely outdoors if you went on the 9th level. Bathrooms, bars, pools were well placed throughout the ship. The artwork on the ship was quite elegant. I heard some prudes complain about the amount of nudes, but come on folks it is art.
Dining/Food The food was very good, but I wouldn't say it was the 5 star quality I was hoping for. We didn't eat at the upscale dinner club, which I did hear from all involved was a luxurious treat. The lobster at the dining room was fantastic, but the steak was average, as was the prime rib. The pizza was very good, as was the sandwich line (great pastrami). There were plenty of choices with the other buffet lines and everything I tried was good quality. Right at noon the lines were a bit of a problem, but what were you in a rush for?
Stateroom Quality Comfortable bed, nice balcony and the attendent was always close by, but never seemed to be in the way. She did a tremendous job of cleaning and it felt as though she changed the sheets almost daily. This was truly one of the strongest points.
Ship Staff Quality I would have a hard time believing someone who criticized this crew. Either they have outrageous expectations, or they experienced someone who truly did not perform like the rest of the highly motivated, friendly crew.
Entertainment & Activities The comedy shows and hypnotist were my favorites, although the musical entertainment was entertaining (not great, but good) as well. I enjoyed the trivia and bingo as well.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
It was great! by
A Traveler from Puyallup, WA
Sailing date: Nov 2008 Pros:
The staff all over the ship, the cleanliness, and the safe and secure feeling we had aboard ship.
Cons:
The dining room food was average, cafeteria quality, but presentation was lovely.
The ship was beautiful, the staff was awesome. It was a bit chilly with the air conditioning. When you are in nice weather, you would like to wear summer clothes aboard ship, however, it was too cold especially in the Taj Mahal to not have a zippy or sweatshirt/sweater on all the time. Our head waiter and assistant waiter, Picholo and Henry, really made our evenings fun. Our room steward was excellent. Our room was always clean and we loved our towel animals very much. The photos were much too expensive, however. We would have purchased more had they been about half the prices.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
Collapse List of Ports
Mazatlan, Mexico We loved watching the cliff diver, riding the polmonia and our driver, Marcos. He showed us all the sites for over an hour, 4 of us for $20 U.S. It was wonderful. Loved the cathedral, the houses, the streets, the architecture, the Golden Zone, the Shrimp Bucket for great Margaritas.
Don't Miss: Riding in the polmonia and having the best drivers. They were fun, easy to engage and spoke great English. They also put up with my very weak Spanish.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico We enjoyed the catholic church in Old Vallarta and walking around the shops and the beach area. All the locals were very friendly. We found taking the local bus very easy and inexpensive. Highly recommend it for those on a budget or not. We would have liked less time in Puerta Vallarta and more time in Mazatlan
Don't Miss: didn't see much, no excursions here, so don't know
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico We did not like getting bombarded just getting off the tender, even though we knew we would. The weather wasn't very nice, very windy, and not very warm. We didn't feel safe getting in the water taxi because it was rough. We had trouble scouting out our own real taxi from the marina. Time was too short so you couldn't go far on your own, but we went to Billigan's and it was okay.
Don't Miss: don't know, nothing really
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
My first and certainly not my last by
Lucy S Darling from Anchorage, Alaska
Sailing date: Oct 2008 Pros:
Everything
Cons:
Drink Prices
Everyone was very friendly, waiters, room service, ship directors etc. I loved all the food choices and rooms being cleaned twice a day. It was more than I could have hoped for. I especially enjoyed being in the Carnival Legends Show. It was alot of fun for me and my employees (12) to be exact...OUr treat. Did not really like Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan, very commercial and smelly areas...Dirty water...not very good beaches within walkin distance...After being on a ship for a few days ...was looking for beach time...that was disappointing.
Ship Quality Very Clean, beautiful, layout was great...finally got to know the ship after about 3 or 4 days....so much to see and do.
Dining/Food Food quality was great...the help was tremendous, sad to see so many overweight people eating constantly.....Dining times were perfect and 24 hour service was great.
Stateroom Quality Need a rug from deck to inside carpet...Soot tracked in from balcony ruined your carpet. Stateroom very spacious and comfortable.
Ship Staff Quality They were all just wonderful...from the room service person to the waiters to the entertainment directors, all were excellent....you've taught them well. Unless of course that how they all are. I loved them all.
Entertainment & Activities I was an entertainer for 37 years so it was fun to be chosen to perform in the Carnival Legends show..that was fun for me. The energy of all the entertainment staff was impressive. Especially, Luda
Collapse List of Ports
Mazatlan, Mexico Industrial, smelly water, no beaches unless you went a ways out. Locals not very friendly,, lots of armed military ..why...to protect the tourist?
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico After being on a ship for a few days you want a beach...not very clean and too far away..
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico This was the best port of all....lots to do..nicer beaches, shops, etc. Too many drug dealers approaching us trying to sell us jewelry and drugs on the promanade to the shops. It got a little old after awhile...but definitely the best stop of all. Cleaner waters, everything was right there.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Less than expected by
April E from Portland, OR
Sailing date: Oct 2008 Cons:
Food was bland and limited choices. Kids pool was over ran by drunken adults soaking their feet
Overall we were not impressed. If you are young and a partier or older and just want to play cards all day then this is the trip for you...otherwise???
Ship Quality Ship was clean. By mid way through the cruise the smell of the bathrooms was almost unbearable....
Dining/Food Bland and limited options. If you threw a roll at someone it could do some damage, that is how hard they were. Impossible to get a high chair.
Stateroom Quality We had a full balcony. The stateroom was clean and our room steward was exceptional.
Ship Staff Quality Mixed reviews. Some staff were exceptional and great with our fourteen month daughter. Others were rude and very unfriendly.
Entertainment & Activities
Collapse List of Ports
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Cabo was beautiful. You couldn't walk ten steps down the street without being solicited to buy drugs.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
A Perfect family anniversary cruise by
A Traveler from Gresham, OR
Sailing date: Jun 2008 Pros:
The all inclusive - lodging, entertainment and dining and other fun options
Cons:
The embarkation bottleneck
The staff was personable, warm and skilled in their areas of
responsibility.
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
The Most Relaxing Vacation Ever!! by
Janine Z. from Seattle, WA
Sailing date: Nov 2007 Pros:
Food, atmosphere, ports of calls, friendly staff
Cons:
Everything was great
The Pride is a beautiful ship. We found it to be very clean and pleasant. This was the most relaxing vacation my husband and I have ever been on. From the entertainment to the food, we were always pleased and happy during our cruise. The ship seemed so spacious too, we kept asking ourselves "Where is everybody?". The staff was superb. Special kudos goes to the Maitre'D in the dining room. For some reason the first night of our cruise we were seated at a table for 2. That was okay, however we really wanted to dine with others. He not only found us a couple to sit with but also changed our dining time to the later seating because we found we wanted more time during the day to do all the great activities. Two years later and were still writing letters back and forth with our dining companions!!!
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality Balcony room on the very back of ship. Great view!!!
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
Children's Programs
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Another great Carnival Cruise! by
debra S from Leona Valley, Ca.
Sailing date: Nov 2007 Pros:
We brought our 10 year old grandson for his birthday. I loved seeing the awe on his face as he saw and experienced things that were new and exciting!
Cons:
Nothing! This was our 21st cruise and we were soooo impressed with the PRIDE
The Camp Carnival program was awesome, weather wonderful, utilized our balcony alot and loved the extra perks of being a Platinum Member!
Ship Quality Our 10 year old grandson was impressed with the art all over the ship. He even exclaimed," You don't see detail like that these days!"
Dining/Food Our waiter, bus boy and bar service were one step ahead of us- knowing our likes, favorites and way to cook our steaks!
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality Great service all around!
Entertainment & Activities Our grandson was brought up on stage 2 separate nights to interact with the performers...what a treat for him and a real confidence boost!
Children's Programs
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
Carnival Pride by
Lyn C from St Petersburg, FL
Sailing date: Oct 2007 Pros:
Whart's not to like! Everything was awesome
Cons:
Someone at the travel agency neglected to finalize the arrangements for us to sit together. The maitre'd was kind enough to shuffle people and work it out for us by dinner time on the second night.
We had aneawesome time. Mom and sisters vacation and it was great. We wore ourselves out doing fun things in port and relaxed and enjoyed what the Pride had to offer while at sea. Overall, it was a wonderful and fun time for all. I was the only one who had cruised before but now, we all have another one planned for next year!!
Ship Quality
Dining/Food
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
Collapse List of Ports
Mazatlan, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico The canopy trip with Vallarta Adventures was one of the best experiences ever! I highly recommend it t (and have) to anyone. The guides were awesome - especially Benjamin and Pepe.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
