Paradise

[funinthesun1964]

We just booked a five day on the Paradise in September. Never been on the Paradise, but have been on other Fantasy class ships: Fascination, Ecstasy, and Fantasy.

 

Would like to know if any differences between the others? If someone who has recently sailed on Paradise could let me know their experiences - or share a review, that would be great. Thanks!!

 

Brenda

[just4cruzin]

I leave on Thursday for the 4th time on the Paradise. It is the smaller of Carnivals ships and one of the oldest if not the oldest. It is your typical Carnival décor type of ship, however for its age, it's in good shape. When I travel, I do it to get away from the hustle and bustle and relax, so I don't look for all the bells and whistles. Rooms are typical size and the restaurants have the same menu's as other ships, however they do not have specialty restaurants or the 2.0 upgrades. Enjoy your cruise, it's better than being at work!

[crusinpsychRN]

I find it dumpy. Needs a big make over. Right now it's the only ship out of Tampa! They need to bring Miracle here.

 

How hard is it to serve Guy's at the grill w/o redoing it to make it look like 2.0?

[SkyMaster]

I find it GREAT! I've NEVER had a bad cruise aboard "Paradise", and always enjoy the fantastic crew, outstanding food and service, and one of the absolute best C.D.'s in the fleet. LOVE the serenity deck, and you'll note that it really is serene, and not overloaded with LOUD music like some of the others. Go aboard with a positive attitude, and I'm positive you'll have a wonderful cruise.

 

"SKY"

[funinthesun1964]

I find it GREAT! I've NEVER had a bad cruise aboard "Paradise", and always enjoy the fantastic crew, outstanding food and service, and one of the absolute best C.D.'s in the fleet. LOVE the serenity deck, and you'll note that it really is serene, and not overloaded with LOUD music like some of the others. Go aboard with a positive attitude, and I'm positive you'll have a wonderful cruise.

 

"SKY"

 

Thanks for the info...who is the current CD on the Paradise?

[amber381]

I enjoyed our sailing in April, but I am not hard to please! The only thing that vastly needs improvement is the ventilation in and around the casino area! The food was amazing, our cabin was clean, the staff was great!

[djcass4199]

Thanks for the info...who is the current CD on the Paradise?

 

Calvyn Martens until Steve Cassel gets back. We board this Thursday. Can't wait!

[bubbles4ever]

It is the smaller of Carnivals ships and one of the oldest if not the oldest.

 

No in fact it is the newest of the Fantasy class......Fantasy is the oldest being built in 1990 and the Paradise in 1998.

Edited July 12, 2015 by bubbles4ever

[funinthesun1964]

Calvyn Martens until Steve Cassel gets back. We board this Thursday. Can't wait!

 

 

Wonder when Steve Cassel gets back? We had him some years ago on the Ecstasy out of New Orleans and he sure did play a fiddle! He was funny. I do believe we have had Calvyn on another cruise also, can't remember which one though. CD is not a deal breaker for me, just nice to see another familiar face.

[islandatsea]

I find it GREAT! I've NEVER had a bad cruise aboard "Paradise", and always enjoy the fantastic crew, outstanding food and service, and one of the absolute best C.D.'s in the fleet. LOVE the serenity deck, and you'll note that it really is serene, and not overloaded with LOUD music like some of the others. Go aboard with a positive attitude, and I'm positive you'll have a wonderful cruise.

 

"SKY"

 

Totally agree with SkyMaster. We cruised on Paradise in 2013 & 2014 and also never had a bad cruise on her. Steve Cassel was the CD and was very interactive with the passengers, very visible around the ship. Crew was helpful and friendly to us. Easy ship to get around. Have a great cruise!

[SkyMaster]

Thanks for the info...who is the current CD on the Paradise?

 

Yep, I was referring to Steve Cassel. As noted, he can play the hell out of the fiddle/violin, and is all over the ship talking to the passengers. Until November, I think, they still have the BIG shows and that's a plus as well. I'll be sailing "Paradise" again in September, and am watching for another good deal on a last minute before then. See y'all aboard. ;)

 

"SKY"

[Surfwench]

I've sailed on Sensation, Fantasy, and Paradise, (last December). Paradise is showing her age. The smoke from the casinos permeates everything, I'm afraid, (kind of ironic considering how she started life). She needs to have all her interior stuff replaced, upgraded. Her lido area is just tired looking. The decking especially. The so-called adult pool aft was full of kids. The Serenity was very small and had no bar. The bands and comedy acts were not the best.

 

HOWEVER, the staff was wonderful, attentive, gave great service. The food was good. Steve Cassell was a great CD and his fiddle playing was showcased on the production 8 seconds. Lines were non-existent, no wait for comedy shows.

 

We won't sail the Paradise again unless she does an interesting itinerary, (I'm Coz'd out). However, if you are looking for a quick getaway and you still love GC and Coz I think it an excellent choice.

[islandatsea]

Even though we prefer longer cruises, for a quick getaway, the Paradise is a good choice for what we want to do at an affordable price.

[funinthesun1964]

Yep, I was referring to Steve Cassel. As noted, he can play the hell out of the fiddle/violin, and is all over the ship talking to the passengers. Until November, I think, they still have the BIG shows and that's a plus as well. I'll be sailing "Paradise" again in September, and am watching for another good deal on a last minute before then. See y'all aboard. ;)

 

"SKY"

 

We are considering the week of 14 Sept. The price isn't bad now but thinking it may drop even further.

[funinthesun1964]

I've sailed on Sensation, Fantasy, and Paradise, (last December). Paradise is showing her age. The smoke from the casinos permeates everything, I'm afraid, (kind of ironic considering how she started life). She needs to have all her interior stuff replaced, upgraded. Her lido area is just tired looking. The decking especially. The so-called adult pool aft was full of kids. The Serenity was very small and had no bar. The bands and comedy acts were not the best.

 

HOWEVER, the staff was wonderful, attentive, gave great service. The food was good. Steve Cassell was a great CD and his fiddle playing was showcased on the production 8 seconds. Lines were non-existent, no wait for comedy shows.

 

We won't sail the Paradise again unless she does an interesting itinerary, (I'm Coz'd out). However, if you are looking for a quick getaway and you still love GC and Coz I think it an excellent choice.

 

We really like the Serenity areas on the Fantasy class ships. Not large, but not that many passengers on the ship either. We never found it to be overly crowded.

 

This will be our third time at GC and fourth time in Cozumel, but more than the ports, we were just looking for some quiet time away and alone.

[rolaur]

Was on Paradise June 4th for my wife's birthday. It was our 2nd time and it was so much fun, we are going again July 30th!! Go with an open mind and have fun. Nice ship, great crew and we always make a few new friends.

[boerboelmom3]

My 4th cruise on the Paradise is in 10 days. It is NOT the smallest ship Carnival has. It is the same size and layout as the other Fantasy Class ships. She is small compared to the mega ships but we prefer the smaller ships with less people and its easier to navigate. She is showing her age but its still a great cruise and you will have lots of fun. The cruise port in Tampa is very easy to navigate and easy to get in and out of. The new terminal is nice. They are no longer docking at Channelside but have moved just north of the Aquarium to the new terminal and its very nice. Its directly across from the parking garage. Hope you have a great time!

[crusinpsychRN]

Yep, I was referring to Steve Cassel. As noted, he can play the hell out of the fiddle/violin, and is all over the ship talking to the passengers. Until November, I think, they still have the BIG shows and that's a plus as well. I'll be sailing "Paradise" again in September, and am watching for another good deal on a last minute before then. See y'all aboard. ;)

 

"SKY"

 

Steve will make your jaw drop!

[sjn911]

It is the smaller of Carnivals ships and one of the oldest if not the oldest.

 

No in fact it is the newest of the Fantasy class......Fantasy is the oldest being built in 1990 and the Paradise in 1998.

 

Plus one...and not super picky but discerning people seen to find the vibe on the ship consistently good and the food and service terrific..my cruise on her was too long ago now 2009...but still such great reviews...

 

Yup..cabins..many still have old baths and pink/orange formica, but mote drawers and one under main desk more than new layout..but old baths have more vanity storage on mirror. New refurb fantasy baths..you need to use drawers or a shoe bag for that. Still kept up with carpet and drapes etc. and she has a pretty atrium lobby...lower navigational stress and smaller Fantasy class ships,,sometimes simply have happier less stressed crews...I would take her again in a heartbeat if I was looking for Fantasy class or close to her, or got one free..LOL, so many more on my list now..but she is fine IMHO....thanks for question.

[funinthesun1964]

Was on Paradise June 4th for my wife's birthday. It was our 2nd time and it was so much fun, we are going again July 30th!! Go with an open mind and have fun. Nice ship, great crew and we always make a few new friends.

 

Good for you! You're lucky! I wish we lived in Florida, then we could cruise more often! Have fun on your cruise in a couple weeks! Thanks for your post!

[funinthesun1964]

My 4th cruise on the Paradise is in 10 days. It is NOT the smallest ship Carnival has. It is the same size and layout as the other Fantasy Class ships. She is small compared to the mega ships but we prefer the smaller ships with less people and its easier to navigate. She is showing her age but its still a great cruise and you will have lots of fun. The cruise port in Tampa is very easy to navigate and easy to get in and out of. The new terminal is nice. They are no longer docking at Channelside but have moved just north of the Aquarium to the new terminal and its very nice. Its directly across from the parking garage. Hope you have a great time!

 

Thanks for your answer. It will be nice to cruise out of a different port. We will be flying in and taking a taxi to and from the port so hope the taxi driver knows where they're going (I'm sure they will ;))

[funinthesun1964]

Plus one...and not super picky but discerning people seen to find the vibe on the ship consistently good and the food and service terrific..my cruise on her was too long ago now 2009...but still such great reviews...

 

Yup..cabins..many still have old baths and pink/orange formica, but mote drawers and one under main desk more than new layout..but old baths have more vanity storage on mirror. New refurb fantasy baths..you need to use drawers or a shoe bag for that. Still kept up with carpet and drapes etc. and she has a pretty atrium lobby...lower navigational stress and smaller Fantasy class ships,,sometimes simply have happier less stressed crews...I would take her again in a heartbeat if I was looking for Fantasy class or close to her, or got one free..LOL, so many more on my list now..but she is fine IMHO....thanks for question.

 

Thanks Sarah, the bathroom modernizations aren't a top priority for me...I will just have fun relaxing!!! I would rather have a nice crew and happy fellow passengers :)