benji
April 11th, 2004, 06:16 PM
We will be sailing on the Paradise this summer and we got a good deal on a cabin with a porthole on the upper deck in the front of the ship. On the deck diagram it looks like these cabins are smaller than the rest of the cabins - has anyone stayed in one of these cabins? Also our flight does not leave Miami until after 6:00pm - should we book one of the shore excursions in Miami and if so which one - we really do not want to have to worry about luggage. Thank you for all of the great advice on these boards!!
simkoreb
April 11th, 2004, 09:47 PM
While I haven't done one of the excursions offered, I would suggest it. Our flight didn't leave Miami until evening, and that was the one part I didn't plan well. My husband and I sat at the airport for hours and hours and hours. (I think we were at the airport at like 10:30 am) I would definaltly have some game plan, I feel like it was a wasted day for us. Have fun on the paradise!
Pianogrl
April 11th, 2004, 10:45 PM
Definately do a "post-cruise" excursion. This is the only one we booked through Carnival...we did the Everglades Excursion & it was awesome. They take you straight to a bus, totally take care of your luggage the whole time & drop you off at your terminal.....what a deal!!
Enjoy!
casamer
April 12th, 2004, 11:42 AM
WE were in U4 on the March 21st sailing. From peeking into other rooms down the hall it appeared the same size to us. The only difference I saw was inside cabins(smaller) that were across from the cabins that had balconies. There definately was more movement up here, but we slept well! Hope this helps.
Casamer
Norway 5/2001
Carnival Paradise 3/21/2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2004;3;21;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500
Till We Sail Away !!
Rdabadie
April 12th, 2004, 03:31 PM
Paradise, my favorate ship! I've had 2 wonderful cruises on her.
I've stayed in cabin M15, a porthole cabin by the bow. It was EXACTLY the same size as the other cabins, the diagram in the brochure was only an approximation. Basically all the standard outside cabins are identical and mass produced, literally being slid into place during construction. Where the cabins are staggered towards the bow of of the ship, there is an enclosure or sleave around the opening that bridges the gap from the cabin to the edge of the hull. In some rooms this actually forms a cozy nook to crawl up into read. My nook was deep and huge, my neighbors' was more or less a deep shelf (It's a great place to display your collection of towel animals!)
As for your post cruise, another option is to rent a car for the day. The rental agencies will shuttle you over to airport to pick it up for free, and your belongings are relatively safe in the trunk. Generally there are no one-way charges in Florida so you can pick up at one location and drop it off anywhere in the state. The post cruise excursions tend to have you back at the airport by 2pm, still a little early for your flight time.
Enjoy your trip!
Rob
Regal Empress 7/97, Nordic Empress 10/97, Sensation 11/98, Paradise 11/99, Ecstasy 11/00, Norway 5/01, Triumph 11/01, Explorer of the Seas 9/02, Paradise 5/03, Victory 4/04