Carnival Paradise May 18th-23rd 2013

[BenjiRodney]

This is will a short review of our recent cruise on the Carnival Paradise from Tampa to Grand Cayman to Cozumel.

 

We flew in 1 day prior and stayed at the Hampton Inn Ybor City. They offer a hot breakfast and free shuttle to the port.

 

Lots of places to eat and bars in this area, so plenty to keep you busy until the time of the cruise.

 

I will be posting some pictures and will be happy to answer any questions.

 

We had Faster to the Fun.

 

Stateroom was U12 a porthole cabin.

[BenjiRodney]

Here is the ship, quite on Embarkation Day:

 

[BenjiRodney]

We arrived at the port at 1040, right upstairs and through security and to the FTTF line. Boarding was not going to start until 1130. There were 3 wedding parties and their guests to get on board first. We were called to board at around 1145. We were able to go direct to the room and drop the bags off and then head up to lido and eat.

[BenjiRodney]

Atrium of the Paradise.

 

Edited May 27, 2013 by BenjiRodney

[BenjiRodney]

Sailing away from Tampa.

 

[BenjiRodney]

Heading out towards the bridge.

 

 

[BenjiRodney]

We skipped dinner the first night in the Main Dining Room as I wanted to see us go under the bridge. We had early dining 6pm in the Elation Dining room and were at table 201.

[BenjiRodney]

We cleared it by a few feet.

 

[BenjiRodney]

Here is a view of the ship from the wings over the bridge.

 

[howielovescruisin]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures with us. Did you like the Paradise? I've heard conflicting reviews on it and am on the fence of booking it.

[BenjiRodney]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures with us. Did you like the Paradise? I've heard conflicting reviews on it and am on the fence of booking it.

 

I liked this itinerary, it was the first time for Grand Cayman. It has to be my least favorite ship since I like the neon and splashes of color. This ships decor is toned down compared to others. The theme of the ship is Great Ocean Liners of the world.

[BenjiRodney]

I will be back with more details and pictures on Sunday.

[cruiseclues]

Nice eye on just how much to include in the photo and the selection of what to photo. Looking forward to more. :):):):)

[sunshine0]

Thanks for the review.

As usual, I really enjoy looking at those pictures. But this time, im more interested in waiting to see the activities & photos in Cozumel :)

[BenjiRodney]

Day 2 of the cruise is the first of two days at sea, I am one of the rare one who do not relish the thought of a sea day, I would rather be out and exploring. That is why we are doing the southern route out of San Juan for a third time, only one sea day during the 7 day cruise.

[BenjiRodney]

We had alarms set so that we could get up and do breakfast as we had a tour booked in Grand Cayman through Carnival. Set the alarm for 630 pm instead of 630 am, luckily we were early to the anchor spot an the rattle of the thrusters woke us up. So we had time to shower and eat before making our way down to Guest Services to be escorted down to the tender area.

[BenjiRodney]

This is what the tenders look like that you ride to shore. In 9 cruises on Carnival this was the first time that we had to ever tender to a port.

 

[BenjiRodney]

View on the tender and from the tender.

 

 

Paradise parked/anchored just off shore.

 

[BenjiRodney]

Once on shore we found our meeting point for the Island Tour:

 

[BenjiRodney]

I booked this tour as this was our first time to the Caymans. I wanted to go to Hell (lol) see the beaches, and the turtles and I always like see an Island for the first time and hearing about the local history and culture.

[BenjiRodney]

The first stop after a short drive out of town would be the Tortuga Rum Outlet.

 

Samples of rum cakes and rum were available, any rum purchases were sent direct back to the ship for you so you did not have to drag them around.

 

[BenjiRodney]

One of the places we drove by was this residence that survived a hurricane. It was called a Ginger Bread house.

 

[BenjiRodney]

Next up would be the town of Hell. If you take your Passport they will stamp it here for you. I left mine in the safe in the room. But I did send my boss and myself a postcard, still waiting for them to arrive.

[BenjiRodney]

Gift shop in Hell:

 

[BenjiRodney]

Some of the rock formations that give Hell its name: