We left Safford around 2:00 Friday to catch a 6:30 PM flight out of Phoenix. After a straight through flight to Orlando, we arrived at midnight and slept in Orlando. The next day, we returned to the airport to catch a shuttle bus to Port Orlando where we would embark. |
Wow! How did Greg pull off another cruise without getting Susan involved and possibly telling him, "No Way!"
Easy... He has an incredibly understanding wife who knows Greg needs to get away from it all every now and then.
Thus, Greg informed her Eugene, Greg's Carnival Consultant, (1-800-819-3902 Ext 82462--Tell him Greg sent you!) found an incredible deal on the newest ship in the fleet, the Carnival Pride. As the reservations were made, the ship had not even gone into service. The Lindsey's would be the fourth set of passengers to set sail March 9, 2002.
The process of booking the trip went smoothly compared to last year's Destiny 2001. All details were taken care of way before it was time to leave. Last year's trip was not finalized until 24 hours before leaving, which left very little time to enjoy the moment until we finally got on the Carnival Destiny.
Video Reminder: If you hate to read, enjoy our adventure by viewing the video clips. This is a five minute movie edited from our DVD. There are two file sizes to accommodate your patience. Click here to view the video. This required Quicktime which is installed on most computers. If not, there is a free link to download Quicktime.
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Friday, March 8, 2002: Getting From Desert to Ocean in 8 Hours....
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It takes a lot of luggage to hold us over for 10 days. Years ago we started with nine bags. We've trimmed it down to eight bags, but the bags just got bigger. |
As the kids grow older, Susan and Greg are trying harder to get themselves into more photos. |
Even with a packing list that we've added to over the years, it still takes a good two days to get everything packed. Technology has especially been a time-consuming job for Greg. It involves collecting DVD's and software, charging batteries, updating computer and GPS software, packing walkie talkies, cameras, video and video tapes. For Susan, it normally involves going to Wal-mart and getting summer clothes, snacks and treats, and basics such as sunscreen, snorkeling equipment and beach balls. This year we saved all of that money as Susan was so busy at work, she didn't have time to shop, and barely had time to pack everything. It wasn't until we got on board that she realized she had even forgotten her swim suit.
We left Safford around 2:00 Friday afternoon and drove to Phoenix. We had a 6:30 p.m. departure on Southwest Airlines. The flight was a straight-through flight which saved a lot of time considering we were not even going to arrive in Orlando till midnight.
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Getting on the plane was a little more difficult with the added security measures. Once airborn, we all felt a sigh of relief knowing that in four hours we would be in Orlando. |
Once on the plane, it's quite a short trip when we have our own entertainment system. Susan and Brooklyn watched Titanic on DVD and Greg and Preston watched Titans on the computer DVD. Greg also keeps up on where we are with the GPS. Currently, we are over Dallas, TX cruising along at 585 mph and just 583 miles from Orlando. |
Preston enjoys playing with the GPS. Even the stewardess gets interested and likes to check in with Preston and see exactly where we are. |
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No Alamo car this go around. We only needed to get to a hotel and sleep for six hours. We would then return to the airport to catch a shuttle to Port Orlando. |
Arriving at midnight, we called Lydia, who was baby sitting Kindra and the guinnea pigs, to make sure everything was okay. Lydia was having a blast and Kindra was already spoiled by her.
We had reservations at the Marriott Courtyard near the airport so we would have easy access back to the airport to catch the shuttle the next day. After checking in, we quickly went to sleep hoping that Greg would settle down and not start horsing around and keeping us all awake. Luckily, Greg passed out before the rest of us. We're sure that he was dreaming of how to get on the ship before any one else.
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Saturday, March 9, 2002: From Orlando, it's a Quick 45 Minute Shuttle Ride to Port Canaveral...
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Although the ship doesn't leave until 4:00 p.m., Greg always wants to be first on the ship to get his hamburger. So, neglecting the kids starvation, he escorts them through the hotel's continental breakfast buffet and gets on the next shuttle to the airport.
Leaving the hotel, we just missed the first bus, so we waited about 30 minutes. Preston stood guard over the vast line of luggage and played nintendo.
Once on the shuttle, it was a fun trip which took about 45 minutes. During that time, we started to get to know the other passengers and would eventually run into them on the ship. It's a pretty drive since everything is so green and lush along the roadway. Living in Arizona, one doesn't always see green grass growing between the lanes of the freeway.
Susan and Greg have sailed out of Port Canaveral twice before on the Fantasy and the Sensation. This would be the kids' first time for Port Canaveral. Although it doesn't have the glamour of Miami Beach, it still serves the same purpose.
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Saturday, March 9, 2002: Embarkation
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You can actually see the ship from five miles away as you approach Port Canaveral. The first thing you see is the wing on top of the ship. |
Seeing the Carnival Pride for the first time is wonderful. The countdown of the days until arriving was finally at zero.
The ship's size, only four weeks in service, falls between the Destiny (101,000 tons) and Fantasy (73,000 tons) class in size weighing in at 89,000 tons.
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Booking the penthouse suit, you automatically belong to the Skipper's Club. This allows you not to wait in line with 2900 other passengers, but to get personal service for all of the paperwork followed by an escort onto the ship. |
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Greg was excited to realize that there were only 12 other passengers in front of him. |
While waiting in line for the ship to open, our cabin was directly in front of us. We could see the room steward putting the final touches of a bon voyage package together. |
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Being members of the Skipper's Club allows us to by-pass all of the lines to complete paperwork and get a personal agent to complete ours. Although we missed the first bus from the airport, upon arriving at Port Canaveral, there must have been over 1,000 passengers already waiting in line. Thus, to get escorted to the front of the line was great.
We only had to wait 10 minutes before Immigration Authorities released the ship back to Carnival and before we knew it, we were walking across the gang plank and stepping on a brand new ship. Please click on page 2, On Board and Setting Sail, to continue aboard the Carnival Pride.
To continue Anchors Away... | Page 1: Getting to the Ship | Page 2: On Board and Setting Sail | Page 3: Tour The Ship |
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