Carnival Pride Day 7 – One Last Fun Day At Sea

Carnival Pride’s Fun Farewell Day at Sea

This is it: my last full day aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Pride. Tomorrow, we’ll dock back in Baltimore, Maryland and a new group of lucky passengers will get to have their own FunShip vacation to the Caribbean.
After sailing through a spectacular electrical storm around 5:30 a.m. this morning that lit the sky up in Tesla-esque fashion, the weather has gradually improved. Overcast skies and early morning showers gave way to sunshine and warm breezes coming off our bow. Sea conditions have remained exceptionally good throughout, without even the slightest movement from the Carnival Pride.

The Best I Can Do: an out-of-focus shot of some sheet lightning that absolutely lit up the sky just after five o’clock this morning as Carnival Pride sails north on the Atlantic to Baltimore. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

It may be our last day onboard, but what a week it’s been! From Baltimore, those of us on Carnival Pride spent two days on the Atlantic, stopped in Grand Turk, explored the island paradise that is Half Moon Cay, and then spent a half-day in Freeport, Bahamas.
The full Live Voyage Report here on From the Deck Chair:

Carnival Pride – Eastern Caribbean from Baltimore

Carnival makes disembarkation a snap: from Guest Services, I purchased a transfer to Baltimore BWI Airport for $25, which is going to let me jump the queue and get off the ship much faster than if I’d hung around and waited for a taxicab. A customs form and baggage tags were laid out in my stateroom this morning, and I was able to check my onboard account balance using my Sail & Sign card (keycard) and one of Carnival’s self-serve kiosks.

Carnival makes it easy to check your onboard account balance (or withdraw cash or add cash to your account, for that matter). Just look for these automated Kiosks on Deck 2 by the Casino or the Coffee Bar. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

My account came out at a page and a half – exactly what I was budgeting for. I feel frightened for the one couple that stood around while the machine printed out page after page of onboard charges: that’s going to hurt!

Why Carnival?

This is the part of the Voyage Report where I need to quantify why it is that Carnival and its Fun Ships appeal to me so much.
I’ve come to the conclusion that one of the biggest reasons I like sailing with the line is because everyone is welcome on Carnival. Blue collar, white collar, Carnival doesn’t discriminate. Maybe you’ve never been out of your own State, or perhaps you’ve encircled the globe: either way, you’re welcome here.

Today, I went for another great lunch at Bonsai Sushi on Deck 2 midships. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Not a lot of cruise lines can make that same claim. Many – understandably – prefer to target a single demographic, with some variance. Luxury lines cater to a more sophisticated traveller. Expedition lines cater to the adventure-seeker who’s been everywhere. Even other mainstream lines – like Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean – have their own special niches.
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