Just Off the Paradise

I surprised DH with a 4-day Paradise birthday cruise and it was great. It was our 30th Carnival cruise and 43rd cruise overall. We live 45 minutes away from the Port of Tampa, so always convenient to sail from there. It was our 3rd Paradise cruise in 8 months. The ship is in very good condition, good food (especially the Steakhouse Selections in the MDR as there is no Steakhouse), and the one stop was Cozumel. One of the best things about the Paradise is the wonderful and attentive crew. Also, the casino (where I spend most of my time when it's open) has been very generous to me on all three Paradise cruises :) I booked the cruise only 2 weeks before sailing and took an inside cabin at a casino rate and had cash waiting for me in the casino. We normally book suites or balcony cabins. The interior cabin was small and a bit claustrophobic, but ok for 4 nights. While we like the Paradise a lot, the Carnival Miracle is moving to Tampa and we are going to sail on her for 7 nights in March. The itinerary is the Western Caribbean.

Thanks again for the review as its seems your the only one who cruises on this ship? If you don't mind, what do you play while in the casino? I have been to Vegas about 45 times and know most machines and games. I leave in 13 days on my first CCL cruise and its to Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

Thanks for the review! We, too, like the little Paradise. She has a wonderful crew and officers. We always enjoy the shorty cruises there and usually b2b them. Looking forward to heading to Tampa next week! :D

I’m sailing on her in April to Cuba. Glad to hear that she’s in good shape even prior to her dry dock.

Appreciate the feedback.

Glad you guys had a great time. I cruised with you some years back. Hope to see you in the future!:)

Thanks for the report.

Thank you for your comments.

Keith

For anyone considering whether they should sail on the Paradise - I agree with those who have sailed recently on her & had a great time. I've been on a 4 day and a 5 day on Paradise in the last year or so. It was the first time in several years that I had been on one of the smaller ships, but I truly enjoyed it.

I too spend quite a bit of time in the Casino - didn't really win a lot, but more than most of my other cruises (at least enough to play with). I will be on the Miracle on Feb 17th on a Premier Casino cruise and really looking forward to it. I live 30 minutes from Tampa & love the port. About time they gave us something to replace the Legend (wasn't that the last 7 day cruise available in Tampa?)

Just a quick addition to my report. I received an incredible bounce back offer from the casino on Sunday night and when I went to look at it online yesterday after we returned home, it turned out to be even more incredible, so DH and I booked the Paradise again for next week (Feb. 8th). To answer your question Shipper 50, I play Buffalo a lot and video poker, too.

I’m sailing on her in April to Cuba. Glad to hear that she’s in good shape even prior to her dry dock.

For anyone considering whether they should sail on the Paradise - I agree with those who have sailed recently on her & had a great time. I've been on a 4 day and a 5 day on Paradise in the last year or so. It was the first time in several years that I had been on one of the smaller ships, but I truly enjoyed it.

 

I too spend quite a bit of time in the Casino - didn't really win a lot, but more than most of my other cruises (at least enough to play with). I will be on the Miracle on Feb 17th on a Premier Casino cruise and really looking forward to it. I live 30 minutes from Tampa & love the port. About time they gave us something to replace the Legend (wasn't that the last 7 day cruise available in Tampa?)

Is the casino smoke-free?

Thank you for the comments about Paradise. We live about 45 mins from P Canaveral so Tampa isn't much of a drive either.

I had never even heard of the Paradise until she went to Tampa.

Our first cruise was on the Sensation and we loved it. She would be a sister ship to Paradise- right?.

But our fav are the Dream Class...

Is the casino smoke-free?

That would be a BIG FAT NO.:mad:

Interesting fact: the Paradise used to be Carnivals smoke free ship! Funny, huh?

My first cruise was on the Paradise and that’s when it was completely smoke free! It was a great ship and got me hooked on cruises. Great to hear about people still enjoying it!

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I wish in dry dock they would update the bathrooms instead of the “vintage “ look.

I am looking forward to pics of the updated cabins...

Yeah people on the paradise. My husband and I sailed on the paradise for our honeymoon in May 2001. We are taking our kids on their first cruise in June on the paradise. I cannot wait to see pictures of the boat after dry dock. My kids (14,14,12) are excited for that new water slides we hear are coming. I cannot remember much of our cruise 17 years ago. But looking at picture always brings back a memory or two.

We're booked on Paradise 3/26/2018 after it comes out of drydock! This is my boyfriend's first cruise and we're meeting my friend on board with her two boys for their first cruise, to celebrate her 40th birthday! I'll try to remember to post some pictures. This is my first cruise since 2006 when I was on RCCL's Soverign of the Seas so we're super excited!

Yeah people on the paradise. My husband and I sailed on the paradise for our honeymoon in May 2001. We are taking our kids on their first cruise in June on the paradise. I cannot wait to see pictures of the boat after dry dock. My kids (14,14,12) are excited for that new water slides we hear are coming. I cannot remember much of our cruise 17 years ago. But looking at picture always brings back a memory or two.

When in June? I'll be on it June 4.