A First Time Cruiser's Review: Carnival Paradise 7/14/12-7/19/12 (LOTS of Pics)

[quiet1p]

Love it so far... 1st time cruiser in Sept. TY for the list!!!:)

 

 

Okay... I'm going to try to get this review done as quick as I can. I know how nice it is not to have to wait weeks for a review to be finished. Keep in mind that this is the first time I've done this and I still feel like I'm rocking and swaying, so bear with me.

 

I'm currently uploading all my pics, so I'll get started with listing some stuff that I found very useful while at sea and other stuff that I didn't use at all...

 

Useful Items:

 

Bonine! - I got the one a day chewable kind. DH and DD didn't need them, but I definitely experienced some queasiness.

Fabreeze - Came in handy when those small bathrooms were not so fresh.

Binder Clips - Used to hold the towel to the chair on our first sea day (which was extremely windy) and to keep papers left in our room together.

Empty Foldable Bag - Packed flat in our suitcase and used to carry off our souvenirs.

Pop-up Hamper - Obviously used for dirty laundry. We kept it hidden away in the closet.

Post It Notes - To leave notes for each other in the room.

Snorkeling Gear (Mask & Snorkel only) - For excursions in both ports.

AA Batteries - Our camera runs on regular batteries and I took so many pics that I had to change them 3 times.

*don't laugh* Dark Colored Doggie Poo Disposal bags - (For Women Only) Those little provided bags are thin paper.

3 Plug Outlet - Charged multiple electronics

First Aid Kit - I also added the single packs of headache/pain meds, sinus meds, Pepto tablets, Tums and cold/flu meds to the kits.

Conditioner - I used the provided shampoo and body wash, but between the salt air/water and the wind, my hair needed conditioning.

Insulated Coffee Mug - This saved DH from having to make multiple trips to the beverage station.

Refillable Wide-Mouth Sports Bottle - Also to avoid trips to the beverage station (didn't want to leave my lounge chair unoccupied).

Small Notebook and Pen - I didn't end up using it for taking notes, but used it for keeping score while playing cards.

18 16.9oz Bottles of Soda - 6 each for the 3 of us.

Small Battery Operated Alarm Clock

Mints and Gum

Hand Sanitizer

Chapstick with SPF

Plenty of Sunscreen

Assorted Sizes Ziplock Bags

And... A well packed toiletries bag

 

Did Not Used (but would still pack in the future):

Disposable Poncho - We got lucky and it didn't rain while we were in port

Small Flashlight - Didn't end up getting up in the middle of the night

Travel Size Detergent - Surprisingly, we did spill any food or drinks on ourselves.

Stain Stick - same as above

Drink Mixes - We found the water, tea, lemonade and coffee provided on the ship to be enough.

Highlighter - Didn't highlight anything on the Fun Times. Not being on a schedule was more enjoyable.

Tablet/eReader - Never found time to read

Duct Tape (wrapped around a card to take up less space)

Safety Pins

Mini Sewing Kit

Small Nail Kit

Ear Plugs

Binoculars

 

Up next... Embarkation

[Gemynii]

Embarkation Day Cont.

 

I managed to drag DH over to the rail for a pic. Geez, worst pic ever. I couldn't have looked more frumpy. DD took the pic, so I blame her :p.

 

Next, we went to see what the view was like from the front of the ship.

 

I thought this pic was cool with the three ships out in the distance.

 

I think there may have been a wedding on the ship and there was a group taking photos out on the sports deck.

 

Since it was already 7:30pm, we decided to eat at the buffet. On our way there, we saw that security had been called to take care of a situation.

[rajones007]

Great review! Thanks. Keep it coming!

 

I love this photo! (quoted below). You know why? Because, for the most part, all the seats are full!

 

Any time I walk up to the bar it is always filled out like this;

 

person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT.

 

And that really irritates my GF and I when we just want a drink at the bar...together...as a couple.

Embarkation Day Cont.

 

Some more pics from around the ship...

 

Bar and piano in the atrium

Edited July 20, 2012 by rajones007

[Gemynii]

Love it so far... 1st time cruiser in Sept. TY for the list!!!:)

 

Thanks and you're welcome. I looked at so many lists before our cruise. Just remember that everyone's needs are different, so what may have been useful for one may not be for another. I hope you have a great trip!

[Gemynii]

Great review! Thanks. Keep it coming!

 

I love this photo! (quoted below). You know why? Because, for the most part, all the seats are full!

 

Any time I walk up to the bar it is always filled out like this;

 

person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT, person, person, EMPTY SEAT.

 

And that really irritates my GF and I when we just want a drink at the bar...together...as a couple.

 

Yep... and it was the same way at the United Stated bar next to the casino. DH and I would often end up with one of us sitting and the other standing. Only about 8 seats of the bar was considered a smoking section, so we would have to lean over one another to use the ashtray.

[Gemynii]

Embarkation Day Cont.

 

I tried a variety of foods from the buffet. The beef was okay. The lasagna was good even though the meat had the texture and flavor of deviled ham.

 

There was rain visible on the horizon, but we didn't sail into any.

 

The sunset was beautiful.

[Gemynii]

Embarkation Day Cont.

 

Some pics of the atrium lit up. I had to turn my flash off and for some reason, pics blur when I do that, so I apologize for the quality.

 

 

 

And the wall art just off the elevator on Main deck.

 

 

We were really tired since we woke up really early, so we were back in our room by 9:10pm. We set the sleep timer on the TV and watched it until we fell asleep.

 

 

Next up... 1st Sea Day.

[Gemynii]

1st Sea Day

 

We woke up at about 7:30am to the ship rocking. My tummy was not too happy, but luckily, I didn't get physically ill. We got ready and headed up to the buffet for breakfast. I opted for 1/2 a bagel with cream cheese and a green apple while DH loaded up his plate and DD grabbed a couple boxes of cereal without milk.

 

View of pool from smoking section of Lido deck (starboard).

 

The area around the pool was already starting to fill up by 9:15am.

 

There were still some chairs available, but most were "occupied".

 

The water was beautiful, but very choppy. The wind was crazy and the binder clips I brought came in handy to hold the towels down.

 

[wrigley80]

Great Review. Can't wait to see more. Sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is always exciting

[Gemynii]

1st Sea Day Cont.

 

By 10:15am, pretty much all the chairs were taken.

 

It was getting hot, so we each got a smoothie. The raspberry peach was really good. DD didn't care for the strawberry pina colada, but she liked the simply strawberry that DH got. DH said that in the 15 mins it took to get the drinks, several people tried to take our chairs :p.

 

Ahhh... this is the life.

 

At noon, we decided to give up our chairs and head to lunch. As soon as we stood up, there was a group of 3 there to take them.

 

Around the pool:

 

After lunch, I snapped a pic of the Master Mixologist Contest that was going on.

[Gemynii]

Great Review. Can't wait to see more. Sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is always exciting

 

Thank you.

 

It was quite exciting. I had to keep telling myself that they've sailed under it many times and wouldn't let it hit, but that didn't stop me from remembering when the old Skyway was hit by a barge and crashed down :eek:.

[Gemynii]

1st Sea Day Cont.

 

Spent some more time on the upper decks enjoying the view.

 

DD (left) and one of my nieces had another smoothie.

 

A pic of the wake:

 

Sis had won some money at the casino, so she talked me into going down there. I put $5 into one slot machine and lost it. Sis matched my $5 on a different machine and we lost that money, too. I was ready to go at that point, but sis wanted to play another game. I sat down at one of the machines where smoking is permitted and, since you have to play to smoke there, I put the 4 ones I had into the machine. On the 2nd spin, I got the "Bonus Round" and ended up winning 15 free spins. During the free spins, I was given 10 free spins twice. By the time the machine finished spinning, I had won $48. I cashed out and did a happy dance.

[Gemynii]

1st Sea Day Cont.

 

After leaving the casino, we went out to the casino bar where they were doing karaoke. Here are a couple of minute videos.

 

After karaoke, we headed to our rooms to get ready for cruise elegant night in the dining room. I thought DD looked beautiful all dressed up. So did my niece.

 

The lobster tail was very good... I ordered two. DH had the lobster and the steak which was excellent. DH was not turned away for wearing a polo shirt and khakis.

 

After dinner, we went to the family comedy show in the Queen Mary Lounge deck 9 Aft. I had a Tirimisu Martini which was very tasty.

Edited July 20, 2012 by Gemynii

[Gemynii]

1st Sea Day Cont.

 

This cute little guy was waiting in our room when we got back from dinner.

 

We went back up on deck and got to experience another beautiful sunset.

 

Can you see the whale tail in the clouds?

 

We spent some time on the Lido deck and I snapped a shot of the deck all lit up. My flash was off again for this, so it's blurred.

 

 

We went to the adult comedy show that night. The Queen Mary Lounge was packed, so I was stuck sitting next to my mom and her BF. I found it hilarious, but I felt weird clapping with mom sitting there. I felt like I should appear shocked or something. Awkward! Afterwards, we all went to our rooms to try and get some sleep before our early port day.

 

 

Up next... Grand Cayman

[Gemynii]

Okay... gonna take a break. I'll try to post more later tonight.

[mrsd912]

Great review so far! I love to read reviews by first timers!

[Avril]

Thanks so much Kim!! :D I also love reviews by 1st timers, I get to relive my 1st cruise all over again!! You're doing an awesome job and I love your pics!! :D I'm taking my boyfriend on his 1st cruise next year on the Imagination, can't wait!! :D I sent him a link to this review as I like 1st timers to read reviews by 1st timers as they can relate to the reviewer better (IMO)!! I sailed on the Imagination for my 1st cruise so I hope I love the ship as much as I did last time!! :D I love the Fantasy Class (even though I've only ever been on 1 ship in it) and would love to sail them all someday (the Paradise looks beautiful)!!!!

[Shaded Lady]

Hey Kim- I guess we know what we both spent the first day after our cruise doing!

 

I just posted my review- not nearly as many great pics as yours, but maybe some folks will find the info helpful as well!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=34611162&posted=1#post34611162

 

I wish I'd made arrangements to meet you somewhere when we were onboard! It turns out we were in a lot of the same places at the same time!

 

Thanks for all the chats before the cruise- really helped keep my cruise-anity in check!

[Spring1onu]

Fabulous review so far - cant wait to read more!

[Gemynii]

First, I want to apologize for not making it back last night to add some more. I'm just still worn out from all the excitement, so I had to head to bed early.

 

Great review so far! I love to read reviews by first timers!

Fabulous review so far - cant wait to read more!

 

Thank you both. :)

 

Thanks so much Kim!! :D I also love reviews by 1st timers, I get to relive my 1st cruise all over again!! You're doing an awesome job and I love your pics!! :D I'm taking my boyfriend on his 1st cruise next year on the Imagination, can't wait!! :D I sent him a link to this review as I like 1st timers to read reviews by 1st timers as they can relate to the reviewer better (IMO)!! I sailed on the Imagination for my 1st cruise so I hope I love the ship as much as I did last time!! :D I love the Fantasy Class (even though I've only ever been on 1 ship in it) and would love to sail them all someday (the Paradise looks beautiful)!!!!

 

Thank you. I hope you and your BF have a great cruise. Make sure you bring Bonine or some equivalent. I've never been motion sick in my life, but the rocking on the ship definitely got to me. It could be the same for your BF.

 

Hey Kim- I guess we know what we both spent the first day after our cruise doing!

 

I just posted my review- not nearly as many great pics as yours, but maybe some folks will find the info helpful as well!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=34611162&posted=1#post34611162

 

I wish I'd made arrangements to meet you somewhere when we were onboard! It turns out we were in a lot of the same places at the same time!

 

Thanks for all the chats before the cruise- really helped keep my cruise-anity in check!

 

I read your review. You did a great job! It did remind me that I forgot to mention that we had YTD as well. We showed up at 5:45pm each time and always walked right in. For our group, they ended up pushing a few two tops together for most of the nights. One night we were at a round table. The waiters were great and I will post some pic and video of the dining room later in my review.

[Gemynii]

Day 3 - Grand Cayman

 

We woke up at about 7am and noticed land outside the window. We headed up to the buffet for breakfast before our early tender to Grand Cayman.

 

We booked online to do the full park tour at The Cayman Turtle Farm. By booking online we were able to get a 20% discount, so we paid $92 for 3 people.

 

We met up with the rest of my family on Main deck 5 right at 8am and were asked to go down to deck 4 and wait in the line that was stretching down the hallway. Surprisingly, we didn't have to wait long. We were through the line and on the tender within 20 mins.

 

Cool little pirate ship.

 

Be aware that there will be people literally grabbing you to pose for pictures with them that, of course, they will want you to buy later.

 

Our view of the Paradise.

[Gemynii]

Day 3 - Grand Cayman Cont.

 

The Turtle Farm was providing transportation to the park at 8:30am local time, so we had an hour wait in the port area. There are people wanting you to book excursions everywhere as well as a bunch of stores and vendors. The kids did a little shopping in Sugar Time while we waited. DH said it felt like we were in a prison, but I informed him that we could leave the fenced in area if we wanted to.

 

 

Our tour guide/driver came and got us right on time and we found out that we would be riding with those who booked the excursion through Carnival. This was good for us since we knew that the ship wouldn't leave without them if there was a delay due to a breakdown.

 

 

The driver was great and told us a lot of great information about the island.

Here are a couple pics of local businesses.

 

 

 

 

Did you notice the gas prices in the last photo? Those prices are in CI, so it would amount to $6.90 USD per gallon for regular. :eek:

[Gemynii]

Day 3 - Grand Cayman Cont.

 

The driver was really good about pulling over so that he could talk a little more about the local history and so that everyone had the opportunity to take pictures.

Here is the Government House:

 

 

Seven Mile Beach:

 

 

The Old Homestead:

 

[Gemynii]

Day 3 - Grand Cayman Cont.

 

We pulled into The Cayman Turtle Farm just before 9am local time.

 

 

As we got off the bus, the driver gave us coupons that we could use in the gift shop on our way out. Spend $10 and receive a free gift.

 

We went inside and gave our printed confirmations to the lady behind the desk, received our wrist bands and headed outside to meet our park tour guide.

 

 

Our first stop was the turtle breeding pond.

 

 

There were over 300 of these huge turtles in the pond.

 

 

[Gemynii]

Day 3 - Grand Cayman Cont.

 

There was some local wildlife watching us as we checked out the turtles. Can you see him?

 

 

And more watching us from the roof.

 

 

Next we headed over to where they kept the smaller turtles.

 

 

Here is a short video as well:

 

 

This guy was wondering around the area: