Welcome to the new post for those going on the Cruisemates sailing on the Carnival Pride Feb. 1 to the lovely Mexican Riviera!
You may wish to re-cap your posts for those new to the sailing, and let's go from there! I'm sure we have all kinds of knowledge and information to share!
We are booked on an extended balcony 8182 -- our 4th cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We have sailed on the Pride's sister, the Spirit, two times before. Love the ship!
I have attached our photo from the 1st repeaters party on the Spirit.
Let's share notes, questions and excitement about the trip!
Harry, good thinking, now lets get the rest of the people on this thread. Also unless you get a cat.11 on the back of the ship, it would not be an upgrade and should'nt cost you anything.
Art and I both agreed that we will come one day in advance again, rather than heading out from home (only a 1 1/2 hour car ride from San Diego).
The reason being is that I am running around like a crazy man the day we leave, trying to ready the house for his sister and boyfriend to stay with Andy, answering pages, cleaning house, and ensuring all is in the car.
We went up one day before the cruise on the Star Princess (our sailing with you) and we both agreed that I was a helluva lot more relaxed.
We're lucky, in that I can get a cheap rate on Hotwire.com and decide from there whether to park the car or have Maria drive us up and pick us up after. We also have a friend nearby to drive us to the terminal. (Hell, a 4-star hotel for $109 in Long Beach or 3-star for $61).
I think what I will do is book early, and then you, and Cruiseguy (and anyone else) can decide to use Hotwire or not. (It's very easy to pick out whether you will be at the same hotel). This way, I can get a cheap-o rate and find out if you all can park and we can get a shuttle over to the terminal.
Cruise, sent the email ... Art and I said if same price, no prob. We also liked with our cabin we could pop up one deck for food late at night, so let's see what the cards hold.
By the way, this class of ship has SUPER quick elevators.
Harry!
Thanks for putting into action the new thread. I was getting worn out trying to find all the places we've posted!
It would be sooo cool if you and Art could get a room aft. I remember another cruisemate cruise had kites...Maybe would could set up some sort of a contest for aft-flying! )
I realize that's probably not gonna work if the Pride is cruising along at 21 knots - not to mention the red-tape (just a thought)
Please keep your fingers crossed for us - if this room ends up already being booked, I don't know what our options will be for an aft. Maybe an upgrade to PH?!! Hahaha.
Mike! - Now I know where you've been. I really like the way you've set up this site!!!
You won't have a problem with any of the shows ... Carnival schedules 'em great. Worst was one day we had to go to the show before dinner, but otherwise had no problem after (10:30 p.m.)
Breakfast and lunch are open seating, and we also had no prob requesting a table for 2 at lunch.
Just booked our hotel on Hotwire -- got the Holiday Inn Long Beach (3 stars) for $60 a night ($73 with taxes). Not a great deal but still a $25 savings from Travelocity)
They have complimentary shuttle within 5 miles ... terminal is 7 miles. I will call tomorrow to see if the terminal is OK (I can't believe they won't). Also free parking ... I will check to see if it's OK for cruise parking.
Harry,
Please let us know if they'll shuttle to the ship. Still no info from Ginny. I called her this morning and she said that she hadn't forgotten me and would call me at work, as soon as she hears anything.
Ginny called me again about an hour ago and said that she hasn't been able to get through to group sales, the lines have been busy. This worries me greatly.
Wow, guys!
This is what I've come up with so far: Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown offers a Bon Voyage package. So far this is the best thing I've seen for this caliber of hotel:
Bon Voyage Package includes:
4 days free parking: $109 (in their covered garage)
or
7 days free parking: $124 (same garage)
with
Breakfast for two
Room with two Double beds or King
and
Transportation to and from the cruise terminal.
We'll probably go with this, depending on when/if I get my cruise reservation confirmed.
Hi Cruiseguy!
I'll surely let you know. I still haven't heard from Ginny. I've never had a TA take so long to keep their client updated. I'd rather know one way or another if I got my room, than being kept waiting. I hope it works out OK. It'll be a real disappointment if we don't get to go.
Ginny came through so we're in (watch out here we come!) Thanks very much for your good wishes.
I decided to call the Courtyard Marriott so I could pass on the info and they were totally booked for January 31st. I'll try calling the hotel directly and see if there is any avalability - if not I'll keep checking other resources.
Harry - Did Holiday Inn say they'd shuttle to the ship?
Gee Guys, I'm sorry to be monopolizing this board
(guess who doesn't cruise very often?)
I was able to book a room at Courtyard by Marriott in Long Beach. I called the reservation number and used a different tac - rooms are still available for the Bon Voyage package for 7 days if you ask for two double beds - the kings are all booked on Jan 31st. Small price to pay...
The price was $124 plus 12% tax and does include r/t transportation to the pier AND two breakfasts.
Cruiseguy, the only better rate I've heard is the Best Western Long Beach for $110 ... I think it would be best to book the Courtyard -- better quality and not much more.
Art's sister can drop and pick us up, so the parking was not as big as an issue for you folks coming down farther down the coast. That's why I played Hotwire roulette.
Cruisemates Cruise on the Pride
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