Mini Paradise Review (no pics)

[FlaCruiser007]

Just off the Paradise this week - Sat 2/8 to Thur 2/13. 5 Day with stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Early Valentines present to ourselves! Quick thoughts and comments on our experience:

 

Check in was fast! Our son dropped us at the port at about 11:30am. Looked like a lot of people in line, but actually went through check in (being Platinum helps) and were in our cabin within 25 minutes. Cabin steward greeted us immediately, introduced himself, said he was expecting us, and that our room was ready.

 

Room was U2 - porthole cabin. Loved the room because it is about 2 feet longer than other comparable cabins as its at the very front of the ship. Allows for bed (king setup) to be set up so that the "headboard" is against the bathroom wall, foot facing the portholes, pushed against the front (foreward) wall. This leaves a small walkway between the bed and desk area, but a large sitting area at the foot of the bed with full access to the porthole and related porthole shelf area. (probably should have taken a pic of this). When arriving, the default king bed arrangement cuts off access to the portholes, and exiting the bed on the porthole side requires a "leap" over the corner cabinet upon which the ship corner light resides. Cabin steward said he had never seen anyone do our re-arrangement before but was very impressed with the set up. Only downside to the room is noise during docking or anchoring. There is an adjacent mooring station immediately on the other side of the wall. There is about 30 minutes of noise, some loud (especially when anchoring).

 

Luggage was delivered at 12:15 (wow!). We were unpacked, room decorated, and heading to lunch by 12:45.

 

Cabin Steward was very attentive. Kept the ice full (including our small cooler), room clean, and always greeted us by name with a smile. Complimented our door decorations.

 

Ate every dinner in the main dining room (Elation). Requested and got a table for 2. Head waiter was Presciliano (Press) and his team was also very attentive. Requested lemon for the water and iced tea on day 1 and it was waiting on the table for the remaining nights. Thought the food was all very good. Served hot and correctly. Request for peanut butter with the WCMC was met with a questioning glance, but happily given (they said it comes from lido deck-none in the main kitchens).

 

They had a new sea day brunch started last month on the Paradise (I know its on other ships). We really enjoyed that menu. Steak and eggs, fancy chocolate pancakes, corn flake french toast were all excellent. And desserts!

 

We also used our drink coupons at the brunch. Asked for unopened beers for later on-deck consumption.

 

Ordered room service twice. Once mid afternoon for a couple sandwiches and one early morning for coffee, pastry and fruit. Both times was delivered in under 15 minutes.

 

We really enjoyed the entertainment! The 2 production shows, In 8 Seconds and Shout, were both high energy and the male/female leads were excellent. The male lead was different than in Dec and was a major upgrade. Poor sight lines in the Fantasy class showrooms, so get there early for good seats.

 

There was a Hypnotist show which was really funny. Still not sure its real, but was definitely entertaining! Hope they bring in more of them.

 

Saw both comedians and enjoyed both. Saw the adult shows and really enjoyed that they were funny without being too crude (IMHO).

 

The Filipino cover band, Blood Power, was also excellent. Have seen them a few times. They told me their contract is up in 3 months.

 

Don't usually do any excursions anymore, and this trip was no exception. Took a "bus" in the Caymans to 7 mile beach. Hung out at Calico Jacks and rented a couple chairs and enjoyed a bucket of beer. Water was perfect and refreshing. Chatted with one of the hypnotists there. Said they were a large group and that the show (that evening) was a try out for them (the show only featured 1 hypnotist and an assistant - the guy we chatted with). As mentioned earlier, I'd like to see them again. After waiting about 30 minutes for a cab to fill up (it didn't), we walked back to the road and grabbed a return bus.

 

We like Cozumel. Everything seems much cheaper than Grand Cayman. Did some shopping downtown (DW now has some nice new sterling jewelry) enjoyed some cheap/free cervezas, hung out at Mr. Chile swing bar, and enjoyed some cheap but delicious chips and salsa. Made it back on board just in time for dinner.

 

As most know, the Paradise is an older ship. However, we really enjoy her. We think she is very well maintained, and the service levels are all excellent. In general, we believe that you receive a more personal level of service on the smaller ships. We also think the common areas feel less-crowded than on the larger ships. Now if they could add Guys Burgers...

 

Debarkation was our fastest yet. Put our bags out the night before, so met for priority debark at 9:30. At 9:25, we were escorted off. Had our bags, through customs and out at the private vehicle pick up (across the street from the port) in under 15 minutes!

 

All in all, this was one of our most enjoyable cruises! Top level service, food and entertainment! Enjoyed it enough to book the 4 day version (Cozumel only) for Labor Day weekend. Got the same cabin assignment too!

[joeyancho]

Great review, thanks. Even the Fantasy class ships are old and funky, they are still fun.

[peck]

That is an encouraging review after some pretty poor ones, which I honestly took with a pinch of salt. Looking forward to our cruise on 12th April. Did you chat to anyone about the Tullum excursion as we are really keen to go as this maybe our only trip to that part of the world. Once again lovely review.

 

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Forums mobile app

[C#C3]

Thank you for the review! We cruise on the Paradise tomorrow. :D

[joeyancho]

That is an encouraging review after some pretty poor ones, which I honestly took with a pinch of salt. Looking forward to our cruise on 12th April. Did you chat to anyone about the Tullum excursion as we are really keen to go as this maybe our only trip to that part of the world. Once again lovely review.

 

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Forums mobile app

 

We have taken the excursion to Tulum. It is an all day trip. The ruins are very interesting and the beach there is gorgeous. The boat ride to the mainland can be rough. They don't call it the vomit comet for nothing. I did not get sick but others did. That being said the trip is very worthwhile, especially if you are interested in history.

[FlaCruiser007]

That is an encouraging review after some pretty poor ones, which I honestly took with a pinch of salt. Looking forward to our cruise on 12th April. Did you chat to anyone about the Tullum excursion as we are really keen to go as this maybe our only trip to that part of the world. Once again lovely review.

 

Sent from my GT-P5110 using Forums mobile app

 

As others said, the Tullum excursion is an all day event and requires the ferry to the mainland. I have an interest in seeing the ruins, DW not so much. Since we both enjoy Cozumel, we have yet to do that trip.

 

I do want to see them though, and plans to do the ruins in Belize. The reading I've done suggests they are on par with Tullum, and Belize doesn't look to be as fun a port for us.

 

However, if this is your one-and-done to this area, the Tullum excursions seem to get high marks. I would suggest going through Carnival since its a lengthy journey. Wouldn't want to miss the boat due to travel delays.

[FlaCruiser007]

Thank you for the review! We cruise on the Paradise tomorrow. :D

 

Congrats! You'll have a great time!

[crusinpsychRN]

You're so right about the bad sight lines in the main theater. Upstairs has very few seats with a good view. And in the main seating area downstairs, the back of the sofa hit the low back, not so comfy. (Go early to get a good seat.)

 

Did Steve Cassell, the CD, play the fiddle? He's unbelievable!

 

Really like Blook Power. They have so much fun while they play. A guy at our table who was the only Diamond on board is a groupie with them. He was probably there too! The best music on the ship! They would do well nixing the DJ on the Lido with ear splitting racket!

[FlaCruiser007]

You're so right about the bad sight lines in the main theater. Upstairs has very few seats with a good view. And in the main seating area downstairs, the back of the sofa hit the low back, not so comfy. (Go early to get a good seat.)

 

Did Steve Cassell, the CD, play the fiddle? He's unbelievable!

 

Really like Blook Power. They have so much fun while they play. A guy at our table who was the only Diamond on board is a groupie with them. He was probably there too! The best music on the ship! They would do well nixing the DJ on the Lido with ear splitting racket!

 

Yes, Steve played the fiddle. He is very good!

The downstairs seats are very uncomfortable. We try to get there early for first row upstairs seats.

Blood Power seemed to play mostly in the Leonardo lounge. The Casino stage seemed to be mostly (poor) karaoke. Last night, they played an extended set and the karaoke host sang a number of Prince songs with them. Very entertaining.

[crusinpsychRN]

The karaoke was the ship's main entertainment for most folks, it seemed. Blood Power didn't have a lot of people in Leonardo's even though they were so good. Once I heard a truly awful couple of ladies sing karaoke and had the remember they're just having fun. Following them was a young lady who belted out a song with all her heart and should have been on stage! Resounding applause!

 

The main shows were well done. Hope they keep them. I've seen them before but each time they get a little tweaked and are a little different.

 

Sure do miss the Inspiration...

[FLNascarGirl48]

Was one the same cruise. Awesome time the staff makes this cruise the best... I made and I Wayan on the lido are amazing and also Louis in the Elation diniing room can't forget him the best waiter we had on all the cruises we've been on...:D

[Jenhem31]

Thanks for the Paradise review. I'll be taking my first ever cruise on her April 28th!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[rhiansmom]

We were on the same cruise. I'm planning on posting my review later with pictures. I was one of the unfortunate ones who got food poisoning on the last evening and am just today finally feeling somewhat like I'm going to live.

[FlaCruiser007]

We were on the same cruise. I'm planning on posting my review later with pictures. I was one of the unfortunate ones who got food poisoning on the last evening and am just today finally feeling somewhat like I'm going to live.

 

 

Oh no! Didn't even know there were issues on the cruise. Hope you're feeling better.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[FloridaAdGuy]

Thanks so much for the review. My girlfriend and I are jumping on the Paradise this Thursday and are looking forward to seeing Blood Power. Greatly appreciate the information and if you have any tips for Cozumel please share!

[dogchopper]

My husband and I will be on her in June so I'm glad to hear it was a great cruise!! I've seen many mixed reviews.

 

 

 

We were on the same cruise. I'm planning on posting my review later with pictures. I was one of the unfortunate ones who got food poisoning on the last evening and am just today finally feeling somewhat like I'm going to live.

I'm so sorry you got sick!! But I do look forward to seeing your pictures when your feeling better

[FlaCruiser007]

Thanks so much for the review. My girlfriend and I are jumping on the Paradise this Thursday and are looking forward to seeing Blood Power. Greatly appreciate the information and if you have any tips for Cozumel please share!

 

 

Cozumel is one of our favorite stops. Lots to keep you you busy and entertained. Depends on what you want to do.

 

We like the shopping downtown. Los Cinco Soles is a cool store. A little bit if everything. Cheap beer and tasty chips/ salsa in many places. Shopping is good - silver prices are excellent. Be prepared to haggle. My rule of thumb is offer 10% of whatever the quote is and go from there!

 

The money bar is a cool place a short cab ride south of the port. Snorkeling off the sea wall, beach chairs, hammocks and inexpensive food and drink.

 

We've done the submarine excursion. Thought it was fun and cool views. Goes down 100 or so ft.

 

The west side of the island is undeveloped. Numerous beaches and a few places for food and drink.

 

So just pick what interests you and do it!

 

My only word of caution is not to rent a vehicle. They view accidents much different and way too many horror stories. We've rented cars and scooters in a number of places, but will not in Mexico

 

Have fun!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[KNowme1st]

taking grandsons on this cruise next month, 11 and 12 yrs. They are beyound excited !