Paradise review June 4-9

I'll start by saying there will be no pictures. Jamman54 has all the pictures your could ever want to see so there is no sense in me duplicating.Cruising was myself and my 19 year old daughter. We had a very hard beginning of the year. My father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer 2 days before Christmas. It was the worst 6 weeks of our lives until he passed on Valentines Day. I've had a very hard time dealing with his death and needed to get away. He loved my daughter so much as she was the only granddaughter out of 5 grand kids. Her birthday was June 2 and the anniversary of my mom passing away was also embark day so it was a very emotional time. Both my parents loved to cruise so I thought it would be the perfect vacation.

Embarkation: We had FTTF and it was well worth the money to me. We arrived at the port about 10 am. Stood outside for about 15 minutes and then was able to go inside the terminal. We were the first ones in the FTTF section. We were able to board about 11am. We tried to go straight to our rooms and were told at the elevator by an employee that we had to wait until 11:30. I've never read that anywhere. We told him of but we were going to wait on our floor. Took the elevator to the Main deck and went straight in to our room. We had no problem. We dropped our carry on's off and went to Lido. We were the first to get a deck chair. Left our bags and went to get lunch. We wore our swimsuits on so after we ate we laid out in the sun. I was the only one in the pool. That would be the only time I got in the pool the entire cruise. With 2200 people on the ship about 2100 were in the pool the rest of the cruise. I'm kidding but there were a TON of people and I never saw anyone leave to go to the bathroom if you know what I mean :o

Room: We had M109 Balcony Cabin on the Main deck. Yes, I'm a balcony snob. Our attendant was Po and he was awesome. He always called us by name and if he saw me or my daughter alone he would always ask where the other was. The room was extremely small. I feel that it was the smallest room we've ever had. I don't know if they had to take space away to add the balcony? I'm use to the 2 beds and then a couch. There was no couch. We ended up moving the beds in to an L shape so that we would have room to walk around. After that we had a good amount of space. I liked the addition of the fridge. It came in handy because I ordered a 12 pack of water for the room and some chocolate strawberries for my daughters birthday and we kept them in there.

Food: I know that the food is subjective but I'm not picky and it doesn't take much to make me happy. Everything I had was good and the service and wait staff was awesome. No complaints at all.

Entertainment: We saw a few shows. Missed the Welcome Aboard Show. Saw the Rock show. It was ok. Saw the 80's show and it was terrible. Now, in their defense it was a new cast. Their first show. You could tell that they didn't know some of the words to the songs and we off on the dance moves but they tried really hard. I was disappointed in the actual content of the 80's music more than anything. No Bon Jovi, Journey, Def Leppard. It was mostly Madonna, Janet Jackson, and a lot of Michael Jackson. The old 80's show was so much better. The band the Alcoholics that played around the ship were great. I listened to them several times by the casino. Watched the Love and Marriage Show. There are no words. I cried because I was laughing so hard.

Cruise Director: OMG Leon is HILARIOUS!! He is so funny and I laughed until I cried during 80's trivia in the atrium. He was also awesome during the mixologist contest. He is truly an asset to Carnival.

Ship: It was in good shape as it had just been through dry dock. I would always see people cleaning and working. I just found it to be really small. I have also sailed on Fascination and Sensation and I think they are the same class but it seemed to be smaller than them. I'm sure it was just me though.

Excursions: We visited at Cozumel and Grand Cayman. FTTF came in very handy since we had to tender to GC. We did a snorkeling tour to a reef then visited Sting Ray City and Star Fish Point. We had a great time and would use the company again. We used Island Marketing and had Capt. Bob as our captain. Very professional group of guys and for only $50pp and 4 hours it was well worth it. For Cozumel we went to Mr. Sanchos. It was $55pp all inclusive. We didn't eat or drink $55 worth of food or alcohol but it was well worth the money. I had a massage on the beach. It was $30 for 20 mins. We also parasailed while we were there. It was $130 for the 2 of us and we were up for probably 15 mins or so. Had a great time there and would go back.

To be continued...

Soda Card: I have noticed that the waiters are not happy when you order a soda. I get it. They don't get a tip and still have to do the same amount of work. I had several not say a word to me when I asked for a soda and then put it on the counter and walk off and not say a word. At one of the shows I ordered a soda and was pressured to order something else. I know it was because he wanted a tip. On my last cruise I still had to sign a receipt and I would always add $1 so they would at least get something but this time I never had to sign.

Pixels: I LOVE LOVE that I can look at and purchase them through the Carnival Hub app. Best thing they have ever done. I didn't have to go to the Pixels store once.

Overall we had a great time. There was someone on our floor that was smoking pot regularly. We smelled it ALL THE TIME. We even talked to a couple that was on our same floor at dinner and they said they smelled it all the time too. This is not the first cruise this has happened on either.

There were a lot of graduating Seniors on this cruise and they all seemed to behave well.

Debark: We had a late flight so we stayed on until about 9am. Debark was a breeze. We were off withing 20 mins or so.

I know that there is more so when I think of it I'll post. Please let me know if you have any questions.

...Embarkation: We had FTTF and it was well worth the money to me. We arrived at the port about 10 am. Stood outside for about 15 minutes and then was able to go inside the terminal. We were the first ones in the FTTF section. We were able to board about 11am...

But did you scream really loud?!?!?!

Thank you for your review, It seems you had some well-deserved fun with your daughter!

Thanks for the review. I've sailed "Paradise" many, many times, and once since refit, and I agree with about 95% of your comments. I do, wish they'd get rid of the shows, (especially that 80's show) and get some like they had before the current batch of crap. When "Love & Marriage" is one of the best shows on a given cruise, there's a problem. LOL

"SKY"

But did you scream really loud?!?!?!

REALLY REALLY loud!

Just a note about your cabin...Fantasy class ships have never had a couch in the cabins other than the suites. EM

Thanks for the review.

Just a note about your cabin...Fantasy class ships have never had a couch in the cabins other than the suites. EM

Oh ok. I guess I've never sailed a Fantasy class before.

Oh ok. I guess I've never sailed a Fantasy class before.

Fascination and Sensation are both Fantasy class ships.

The balcony did not take away room, but unlike newer ships where balcony rooms might be a bit bigger - they're the same size as ocean view on Fantasy class ships. They just welded balconies onto the hull and cut a hole for a door, without expanding the size of the room.

Been on her twice, will be on her again for daughter's onboard wedding. Anxiously watching all of the reviews post drydock so I know what to say to wedding guests questions.,

DH and I have been on the Paradise many times and glad you enjoyed your cruise. The older Carnival ships' ocean view cabins do not have couches and your cabin was a regular ocean view cabin that just had a balcony added on to it outside. You would have had to book either a junior suite or grand suite to get a couch.

Fascination and Sensation are both Fantasy class ships.

 

The balcony did not take away room, but unlike newer ships where balcony rooms might be a bit bigger - they're the same size as ocean view on Fantasy class ships. They just welded balconies onto the hull and cut a hole for a door, without expanding the size of the room.

I've been on both of those multiple times. I swear they had couches. Guess not.

Pixels: I LOVE LOVE that I can look at and purchase them through the Carnival Hub app. Best thing they have ever done. I didn't have to go to the Pixels store once.

Hi, thanks for the review. I have a question about Pixels on the Paradise. Did you get printed photos or were they sent to your phone digitally? Thanks.

Hi, thanks for the review. I have a question about Pixels on the Paradise. Did you get printed photos or were they sent to your phone digitally? Thanks.

Sent to my phone. You download them from the app. I loved it. They told me you can just print them as you wish

Thank you!

Great review! Boarding her on July 2nd. Looking forward to the cruise!

Entertainment: We saw a few shows. Missed the Welcome Aboard Show. Saw the Rock show. It was ok. Saw the 80's show and it was terrible. Now, in their defense it was a new cast. Their first show. You could tell that they didn't know some of the words to the songs and we off on the dance moves but they tried really hard. I was disappointed in the actual content of the 80's music more than anything. No Bon Jovi, Journey, Def Leppard. It was mostly Madonna, Janet Jackson, and a lot of Michael Jackson. The old 80's show was so much better..

That would disappoint me too (I love those old 'hair bands'). I haven't cruised Carnival since 2015, but on that last cruise we saw the 80's Rock show. In fact the very first song was KISS "Rock n roll all night". I don't remember there being a rock show and a separate 80's show, but maybe my memory is failing me. Enjoying your review, though. Sorry about your Dad (sadly, I know how that feels, lost my Dad a couple of years ago).