Paradise Review June14-19th

[cookiejarvis]

Paradise review June 14-19

I read cruise critic religiously prior to any cruise to gather as much information as I possible can prior to leaving. I wanted to share our experiences in hopes that we can help others in the future.

 

Precruise- Great bid on internet travel site for $70 got us one night at Hilton Tampa downtown. Five blocks from port. Walked around Riverwalk that evening to get a feel. Nice hotel, lots of food choices within walking distance. Nice bar in hotel. Great place to stay.

 

Embarkation-drove five blocks, parked in garage across street from port terminal. Cost was $75 ($15/day). Walked across street, dropped luggage with porter, and walked through security scanners. No lines at 10:30. Went straight to check in, received our cards, and were given Zone 1 for boarding. Large wedding party and lots of priority guests. No worries, on board by noon.

 

Cabin-Booked last minute under a pack and go rate for $336/pp. Thought this was a good rate until week before sailing and saw another drop. Oh well, we were satisfied with paying what we did. Assigned inside on Riviera Deck. First time back in an inside in a very long time but since we are going on another cruise in two weeks, we thought we could save here. Room was fine. Our steward, Antonia Jr., was great. He quickly learned our routines and habits . We had great service the entire stay. Not sure if he had helpers, Never met anyone but Antonio. Old tv in room.

 

Food-All subjective, I guess, and depends on what you like and what you are used to. No flames here, please.

Paris –Buffet food was just ok. The salad bar was always fresh and inviting. Did not eat here often.

Lido-Burgers, dogs, and chicken tenders were good. Long lines during peak dining hours

Deli-great fresh sandwiches, hot and cold. My favorites were the rueben and turkey wrap

Room Service-morning deliveries were always timely, the coffee not so great. The late night BLT calls were timely and best damn BLTs I think I have ever had. BTW-the menus for room service are located on a single sheet inserted in the first day’s FunTImes and morning menus are located on door hanger card found in room.

Destiny dining late seating- sat at tabletop for 6 with another couple and their teenage son from Alabama. Nice family. Food was well above average. Lobster cooked to perfection…not rubbery mess. Had flat iron steak that was plump and tender. Crab cakes as starter was also worth mentioning. Servers were very friendly, but lacked in efficiency. Could have something to do with the number of diners they served each night. We ate there four of five nights, skipping nite we docked in Cozumel, overslept from nap after mucho tequila shots onshore.

Taste Bar-Tried twice. Great food with a great promise of nice things to come from the Blue Iguana and the Italian Cucina coming soon. Located near the Photos shops on Promenade 5:30-8:00

 

Entertainment: We, DD, DH, and I, think that the live music entertainment on Paradise was the best overall on all other Carnival ships we have been on. Pleasantly shocked.

 

Music-Live music everywhere. Atrium bar with female folk guitarist. Very good, but sometimes often drowned out by her location. She is too soft for the Casino bar area but great by the Atrium bar. House band was astounding rock and roll band. Their performances late night near casino drew huge crowds for singalong rock anthems. Young female lead with the other band did well but she lacked charisma. The one show production that we caught was a country themed show. It was really great and one of the best things about it was that it was performed to live musicians playing, not that old taped crap. Performers were really well rehearsed. Great show. Not to mention, our CD Steve contributed by playing the “fiddle” on several numbers.

 

Games- Same old stuff, hairy chest, mixology, gender challenger, not so newly wed, trivia, trivia, and more trivia, and bingo. I won at bingo and scored $750 for my first ever try at bingo. Sports deck and below had basketball courts, ping pong, cornhole, chess, miniature golf, and shuffleboard.

 

Pools-clean and well maintained. Whirlpools were regulated and children were told to vacate adults only tub. Slide up and running what seemed like all of the time. Children and adults alike had fun coming down the slide. Serenity appeared serene at all times. Very few chogs on this trip. Never had a difficult time finding at least two loungers side by side at our desired locations.

 

Staff-One of the best crews we have experienced. Everyone tried to remember to call us by names. Makes for a more personal experience. Best pool server..IMade

 

Ports of Call:

Cayman was tender port. Long lines to tender but moved fairly rapid. Took Cab to Hell, mailed obligatory postcard back home, and dropped off on return at Calico Jacks beach stop, Free beach but pay for loungers. Since we were only ship in town for Queens Birthday holiday, not so crowded. One note, without snorkeling equipment, viewed medium size stingray swim past my feet in about waistdeep water. Excitement for the day. Taxi to beach $5/pp each way. Bar, limited food, showers and changing rooms. Not bad place, great value.

 

Cozumel was second port. Docked at Puerto Langusto (downtown pier). Took 15 minute ride cab to Paradise beach, cabfare $15/up to four passengers. Entry fee is $3/pp to use facilities that include nice pool, showers, changing rooms, beach, chairs, umbrella. Access to food and drinks (extra$) For an extra $15/pp you had the use of the water toys, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel equipment and the climbing toys anchored out in the water. Again, great value for your $. Ended trip with DD wanting to experience Senor Frogs. While there, Mexico was playing in the World Cup. Game broadcast on projector screen. Great excitement to pull for Mexico with all of the employees and locals at the bar.

 

Notes: Before we embark each cruise, we do a mental list of at least one new thing that we would like to try on the cruise…This year, DH and I (both just turned 50) decided to pull a first and go down the water slide. We can mark that off our list. Great fun and especially seeing the gigantic smile on our DD (17)’s face as she ranked our water entries. We had our own mini slideolympics. We also played shuffleboard. We also did a first, we played Bingo…..and won $750. Covered all of our charges on the sign and Sail card with about half to come home with in our pockets. Great first for sure.

 

Debarkation: Easy, self assist. Cleared customs and in car by 9:00.

 

Final Thoughts: Paradise is older ship but in great condition. Sure, there are some rust stains, but painting was occurring daily by the staff. She has not yet been upgraded to the 2.0 improvements but hear she is headed to dry dock in Feb 2015. Tampa is an easy port to navigate to and from. Would certainly cruise on Paradise again if timing and price works.

Sorry no pictures.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[DGP1111]

. . . Entertainment: We, DD, DH, and I, think that the live music entertainment on Paradise was the best overall on all other Carnival ships we have been on. Pleasantly shocked.

 

Music-Live music everywhere. Atrium bar with female folk guitarist. Very good, but sometimes often drowned out by her location. She is too soft for the Casino bar area but great by the Atrium bar.

 

 

Agree totally on your assessment of the entertainment.

Was onboard Carnival Paradise last month, and really enjoyed the shows and live music.

 

The vocalist at the Atrium Bar was so superb, and I'm certain there were many passengers unaware of just how talented she was in those very acoustic live sets. Some evenings I'd go up one level and listen from there, as it removed some of the passenger noise.

Glad to read that you enjoyed as well.

 

I had a somewhat different take on the condition of the ship, however.

I had an enjoyable sailing, meeting lots of fun passengers and quality crew/staff, but felt that numerous areas of the ship gave the proverbial "Bucket Of Bolts" sensation. So I reminded myself about its age.

 

.

[SkyMaster]

I too, have sailed "Paradise" a number of times recently, simply because it's such a GREAT cruise, and the pre 2.0 entertainment is outstanding. I kind of hate to see the ship go through refit, simply because I'm afraid that they'll "upgrade" the entertainment to 2.0, and we'll lose those great shows to the "Playlist Production" shows. Not nearly as good. I'm hoping they'll do what they did on "Liberty", and simply upgrade all the food and dining to 2.0, but leave the entertainment at 1.0. That would be MUCH BETTER, IMO.

Thanks for posting, and perhaps I'll see you aboard "Paradise" one of these days. :D

 

"SKY"

[Keith1010]

Very nice review/trip report.

 

Keith

[crusinpsychRN]

I too, have sailed "Paradise" a number of times recently, simply because it's such a GREAT cruise, and the pre 2.0 entertainment is outstanding. I kind of hate to see the ship go through refit, simply because I'm afraid that they'll "upgrade" the entertainment to 2.0, and we'll lose those great shows to the "Playlist Production" shows. Not nearly as good. I'm hoping they'll do what they did on "Liberty", and simply upgrade all the food and dining to 2.0, but leave the entertainment at 1.0. That would be MUCH BETTER, IMO.

Thanks for posting, and perhaps I'll see you aboard "Paradise" one of these days. :D

 

"SKY"

 

Agree totally! Don't 'upgrade' to Playlist. Atrium entertainment was especially good. Steve can really play that fiddle!

[SMSACE6]

Thanks for your review. The Paradise remains on my list of possibilities for 2015. I usually like to take 7 or 8 day cruises, but because I love the Tampa area, I would love to take this cruise. Thanks for your review.

[mommom of 7]

Thanks for your review. The Paradise remains on my list of possibilities for 2015. I usually like to take 7 or 8 day cruises, but because I love the Tampa area, I would love to take this cruise. Thanks for your review.

 

You can always do a B2B, you get you 10 days & a great ship with 4 shows instead of 2. Plus the Tampa area.

Great review of one of our favorite ships.

Char

[Sr9218]

Thank you for the very detailed Carnival Paradise review! I will be on that ship for the very first time at the end of July! First time cruising! From what I read you do not have to book an excursion and pay over $60 per person to go to any of the beaches in Cayman Island or Cozumel?

This post was very useful for me and I really appreciate you taking the time to write the review!

[Captain Carnival]

...From what I read you do not have to book an excursion and pay over $60 per person to go to any of the beaches in Cayman Island or Cozumel?...

 

Correct!!!

Edited June 21, 2014 by Captain Carnival

[cookiejarvis]

For Lilliebell

[Lovefuninthesun]

Thanks for the review -- it is my personal style, as well -- short, sweet and to the point! "Just the facts, jack"! :)

 

I keep saying I want to do the Paradise for a 4- or 5-day getaway -- so easy since we live in Tampa! I just booked the RC Brilliance instead, however, for January -- just the better deal at the moment. Next time!

[Keith1010]

I enjoyed your review.

 

Keith

[conceptualkay]

This was a great post! It was to the point and easy to read. Paradise will be my first cruise in September and so far I have heard great things about it. Glad to see you enjoyed yourself.

 

I am counting down the days! It can't come soon enough =))

[DarthGrady]

Thanks for the review!

 

I've got a trip booked on her in September, so I've been keeping an eye out for recent reports.

 

I'm pretty excited to get back on a Fantasy Class ship that still mostly in it's original condition. After many cruises on ships that got the Evolutions of Fun "upgrades", I'm of the opinion that the original designers knew best.

[paleskin]

what was the name of the band doing the rock anthems? we were on Paradise in Jan and the band was Bloodpower. They were amazing, but said they were going home for 6 months. I'm hoping another great band just like them will be onboard for my upcoming Jan cruise!

[Cruising Photographer]

We cruised on the paradise in Jan. 2014. Our favorite spot on the ship was the new Adult Only Serenity area at the back of the ship where we relaxed most of the day on our two days at sea. This is one deck below the Lido deck.

[Oppalopa]

Thank you Joe and Karen. I was thinking of taking this cruise.

[cookiejarvis]

what was the name of the band doing the rock anthems? we were on Paradise in Jan and the band was Bloodpower. They were amazing, but said they were going home for 6 months. I'm hoping another great band just like them will be onboard for my upcoming Jan cruise!

 

 

For the life of me I cannot recall name of band but I can tell you they were awesome. Four maybe five guys. Electric guitars drums keyboard. The played all over the ship but always had the promenade rocking late evening.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[cookiejarvis]

Thank you all for reading. I hope my notes and thoughts help someone else. I hope to do one similar for sunshine. We leave on her July 5

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Vinnis]

The bands name was "True Identity" i saw them on the Splendor and have kept close contact with them ever since. Booked a sept cruise on Paradise just to see THEM!!!!! Justin - Guitar, Jessie - Bass, Nathan - Drums, Archie - Keys. They ROCK!!!!!!

[cruzcrazy336]

Great review! We can't wait to sail her in just 6 weeks. Now we're looking forward to seeing /listening to the entertainment. Yeah!

[Vinnis]

Well unfortunatly Carnival has let this band go. Another loss for Carnival in entertainment. and a few thousand dollars lost by me in a cruise booked to see them. The band is very disappointed and looking to join a diff cruise line. I would imagine this was part of the "new" entertainment carnival has planned?? :( They lost one of the best if not the best band Carnival ever had.

[thecruiserofships]

Thank you for sharing!

[FlaCruiser007]

I too, have sailed "Paradise" a number of times recently, simply because it's such a GREAT cruise, and the pre 2.0 entertainment is outstanding. I kind of hate to see the ship go through refit, simply because I'm afraid that they'll "upgrade" the entertainment to 2.0, and we'll lose those great shows to the "Playlist Production" shows. Not nearly as good. I'm hoping they'll do what they did on "Liberty", and simply upgrade all the food and dining to 2.0, but leave the entertainment at 1.0. That would be MUCH BETTER, IMO.

Thanks for posting, and perhaps I'll see you aboard "Paradise" one of these days. :D

 

"SKY"

 

 

Also agree with this 100%.

 

Looking forward to sailing her again in Aug. will be curious to see who re,placed the excellent Blood Power.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app on my Commodore 64