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October 26, 2022

This is one of six Atlantica/Spirit class ships delivered between 2000 and 2004 by the Helsinki shipyard, then part of the Kvaener Masa Yards group. Two ships went to Costa Cruises (“Atlantica” and “Mediterranea”) and four to Carnival Cruise Line (“Spirit”, “Pride”, “Legend” and “Miracle”) from this lucky class. Why do we say lucky? Because not all prototypes are born well, but in this case the result produced was excellent. In fact among panamax ships these are the units with the best livability around. For the same amount of public areas, they have one less cabin deck than most of their competitors. Why this luxury? Quite simply, the height limitation of the ship was imposed by the limited height of the Helsinki shipyard’s covered dock: thus an extra deck could not be added as, for example, on the former Costa Luminosa.

But let’s come in detail to Carnival Pride‘s technical data: entered service in December 2001, she has a gross tonnage of 86,071 tons for a capacity on a double basis of 2,142 passengers (2,680 total capacity). Her “overall” length is 292.50 meters, while her width is 32.20 meters. For electric generation we find on board 6 Wärtsilä 9L46D diesel engines for a total installed power of 62,370 kW. Propulsion, on the other hand, is provided by 2 ABB azipods of 17.6 MW each, enabling her to reach a service speed of 22 knots and a maximum speed of 24 knots.

By now, this ship is more than 20 years old and therefore has undergone several refits over the course of her career, but these have not unaltered her original spirit as was the case with other Carnival ships (“Destiny,” “Triumph,” and “Victory”). In fact, all the upgrades made improved the public areas arranged on a total of 12 decks dedicated to passengers. So let’s see how this unit has been improved: externally there are few things that are noticeable, an extra emergency diesel generator has been added bringing her gross tonnage from 85,920 t.s.l. to 86,071. Also, just aft of the generator was implanted a large water park with waterslides starting from a height at funnel level. Internally, the main additions are the “Redfrog Pub,” “Bonsai Sushi,” the “Cherry on Top” store and the “O2 Club.” On the lido deck, on the other hand, the new additions inherited from the company’s most recent ships are the “Blueiguana Tequila Bar,” the “Redfrog Rum Bar,” the “Blueiguana Cantina,” the “Guy’s Burger Joint,” and finally at the stern the “Serenity” adults-only area. But the most spectacular areas of this ship remain the original ones: mention must be made of the main theater on 3 decks, the aft restaurant on 2 decks, the winter garden, and especially the steak house located in the shaped skylight inside the funnel structure.

What’s it like on board? Definitely good given the favorable tonnage/passenger ratio. Carnival’s product is calibrated to the typical tastes of American cruise passengers, so at the buffet perhaps we might struggle to find a good plate of pasta. In fact, this ship lacks “The Captain’s Kitchen” of the newer ships where Italian dishes are always served and prepared beautifully. However, there is no shortage of the always available lemonade and ice cream on tap.

Once the European season is over, the ship will reposition in Tampa from where it will leave for cruises in the Western Caribbean. But for the old continent it is only goodbye since “Spirit” will return there next year dividing her time between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Don’t miss Carnival Pride Reviews and updates on Cruising Journal with videos, photos and cruises on offer!

Matteo Martinuzzi

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