14-Days Cruising the Caribbean~ Tampa ~ Grand Cayman ~ Costa Rica ~ Panama ~ Aruba ~ Curacao ~ St. Maarten ~ Baltimore

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Saturday Morning Musings, Issue No. 1


It has been quite an exciting week for our not so little group.  If we were a sports car I think we would have set the land speed record for 0:60.  You have to wonder if Carnival is watching... I suspect they are.

A couple of things to note...

What I plan for this website:  While I am filling the spaces on the website I will have fairly frequent posts highlighting the updates.  As I mentioned previously, I will be putting the links in the post for mobile users to access more easily.  I will be looking at ways to make this more mobile friendly once I have the majority of the links etc populated.
Update:  I changed the mobile setting to be the same as the full desktop version.  Please let me know if this causes problems for any mobile users.

Once we reach a point where I think we have the bulk of the information available here, I will be cutting back to once a week between updated posts. I will be starting with the 2.0 upgrades in a couple of weeks.  Have an idea for a topic or want to write a post yourself?  Send me your ideas!!

I am a bit indecisive right now on how the timing is going to work but I will start giving a SPOTLIGHT ON... post for each port as we get closer.  Part of my quandry is this group wants to book everything now!  I know part of this is the excitement of initial booking but I can't work that fast!!!  Also, many  places don't even start opening reservations until a year or 9 months prior.




GIVE ME YOUR FEEDBACK!  What kind of timing would you like to see?  What do you want to know more about?  What have you done in the past that is a MUST DO for first timers?

Comment here, message me on facebook or email here:  2015priderepo@gmail.com




It's been a great first week my friends.  I look forward to the next 399 days!

New Links for all ports have been added!!        ---------------------------------->



Friday, February 7, 2014

My Aren't We Social!

As I build the page I will highlight the updates with new blog posts.  This is the first...


What a whirlwind it has been since John Heald and Carnival announced our Pride will be coming back to Baltimore.  Many of you have found this little blog from the Cruise Critic Roll Call, others from the first (of now 3!) Facebook group page and we now have a thread going on Cruise Fellows and an account on Pinterest!

For those viewing in normal mode, all links for the relevant pages can be found on the right menu bar ----->
I know mobile viewers of this blog don't see the sidebars on the left and right.  Since all the links are on the right I will be adding the related links at the bottom of every post.

Cruise Critic Roll Call -  WOW is all I can say.  At time of this publication we are already up to 22 pages. This is really an incredible response and level of activity.  THIS WILL BE THE OFFICIAL ROLL CALL!

For those not familiar,  Cruise Critic offers a community forum for ALL things cruise related.  You can search the message forums by cruise line, port and roll call for nearly every sailing on every cruise line.  If you aren't a member yet I recommend you check it.  Log in set up is required to participate and starting in the Roll Call is a great way to get a feel for it before jumping into the deep end of the pool...There are a few sharks you will need to ignore ;)

Facebook - TA Led - This facebook page was started by two TAs, Una and Shelien, as soon as the cruise was announced and bookings opened.  There has been a lot of talk about this only being a TA page, not being a US based TA, etc.  I will be sharing their wealth of knowledge when I start the Port pages.

For full disclosure, here are a couple of clarifications and comments where I stand on this Facebook/TA thing...
1.  Yes, Una and Shelien are TAs and they did start the group page BUT they have made it very clear they want this to be a page for everyone to use and share input and ideas to make everyone's cruise better.
2.  Yes, Shelien lives in Curacao but Una lives in Orlando.  They are friends and work together on bookings and excursions.
3.  Now for the full disclosure part....  I booked with Una.  She is an absolute sweetheart and on the up and up.  I understand everyone being resistant to booking with someone out of the country, I had the same concerns.  I am not trying to convince anyone to book with them but please let's keep it respectful in any forum.

Facebook - Roll Call Led - This facebook page was started by a couple of early members to the CC Roll Call.  Another location for messaging and sharing ideas.  (Full Discloser:  I was made one of the admins of this group.)

3rd Facebook group - I have been told there is now ANOTHER Facebook group formed and they have a group booking they are trying to fill.  PLEASE no offense is meant but Enough is Enough is Overkill now.  I had to make a decision and that decision was to stop.  This group is not TA led and with the well established CC Roll Call, the TA Facebook, and the roll call organized Facebook, I really can't see how there is going to critical new or earth shattering opportunities provided.  I hope if they have such great opportunities they will be sharing on the CC Roll Call as well.

Cruise Fellows - This is a nifty little site that also sets up a picture roll call.  It collects and posts user provided profile information only.  There isn't a discussion board.  The other feature it offers is the opportunity to set up events such as cocktail party, slots pull, cabin crawl, excursions, etc.  It is all user driven.  We have such a large group already, I think this tool could be invaluable when it comes time to start organizing our events!

Pinterest - This is another tool that can be used for sharing ideas.  Have a pin you want to share?  Use the "send" feature and send to:  2015priderepo@gmail.com


Mobile Users:
Cruise Critic Roll Call
Facebook - TA Led
Facebook - Roll Call Led
Cruise Fellows
Pinterest


h/t to Pamela Krist on Facebook for this great graphic:

  Days!!




Tuesday, February 4, 2014

WELCOME

Greetings and Welcome to our very first post!


I know I am excited and I bet you are too.  How great that the Carnival Pride is returning to Baltimore AND we are lucky to have a 14-day re-positioning trip to bring her home!!

I will be working on adding important information to help everyone plan, pack, and play for a fantastic vacation.  I will use information that has been gathered from friends, past cruises, research AND YOUR IDEAS!  Please keep posting on Cruise Critic and Facebook, I will be watching and gathering.

I will be starting with general information for each port, while also highlighting the improvements the Pride will be receiving during dry dock.  As time goes on, additional information will be added for excursions and ideas for activities in each port and of course those fabulous Sea Days.

Links of interest:

Facebook - This page was started by two TAs that are working together.  This is a closed group but request to join and you will be added.
Carnival Pride Repositioning

Cruise Critic - Roll Call
PRIDE: March 15, 2015