Forced to sail a different line

[sdmike]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

[kannruss]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

 

Carnival? Oh the horror after Epic. :eek:

 

I look at this cruise as a Cruise to Nowhere, staying on the ship the whole time. Hope you enjoy yourselves (sans kids). Please provide your "bacon police" stories upon your return. :p

[DMH15]

Mike,

 

I found myself in LA for 5 days in March and when our deluxe accomodations with a friend fell through, (her daughter died of cancer and she was not up for company) So I figured why not a cruise? To my horror the only option available was Carnival. Furthermore it was the Paradise... And all the balcony/suites were sold out. We took a leap of faith and booked an outside cabin. It was a wonderful decision. Meeting a family in the waiting area who had booked most of the suites, I learned that Carnival offers little in way of "the suite life" compared to NCL. In addition, the balconies were small! Definately not worth the extra cost.

 

We had actually planned to stay on board in Ensenada, but I won a gift card to a silver shop in town. But instead of joining the mass exodus off the ship in port we did 1.5 hr hot stone massages and then lounged in the sun up on the top deck next to the mini golf. I have to say that it was wonderful with the sun and the breeze. We walked into town a little later and just happened to be escorted by the "Shopping Guy". I got a beautiful ring.

 

The casino was fun. They had free sushi each night right outside of it.

 

In addition, I arranged in advance with Stan the Maitre D to participate in "The Chef's Table", cost $75 plus i gave extra gratuities of $40. Chef Russel really hosted a fine event.

 

We were one of the first to board, (after the suites and VIPs), so the buffet was pretty fresh and untouched. I was bummed that my only lunch options were the outdoor grill and the buffet. But they had a panini station, so I ate there the next two days. Of course, they still had dancing waiters and the hairy chest contest at the pool. But the main cruise elements were there: the sun and the sea, a clean ship witha friendly crew and the sailaway... that reminds me each time why I love cruises so much.

 

Go for it.

[C Cruise Dude]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

 

Hey Mike, it should be great. The Paradise was my first cruise (based in Miami then). It was a smoke free ship at the time but not any more. I only got off in one of three ports. Cool just being on the ship. Have fun.

 

My Room R208

 

The Paris Buffet - I don't remember bacon police back then, I think that's a new phenomenon.

 

Jogging Track - Notice a little nude sunbathing up there - No, it was not allowed but no one complained.

 

Casino - I made money, I lost money.

 

 

[sdmike]

Thanks guys. I'm feeling better about this already. We got an ocean view room at just about water level :) I didn't go inside because it would have only saved us $50 due to the resident discount I got for the OV.

[cruisemainiac]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

 

 

It sounds like you still have time to make this work but you must hurry. Monday AM go right to you Doctor. Ask to see him in private and then ask for the old army surpluse of blue/yellow ocean traveling pills, (whatever you do don't get the yellow/blue ones, fun at first but then goes south really quick). At first he'll pretend he doesn't even know what they are, but they've been used in Med School to convince interns that they just slept 20 hours when it was more like 20 minutes. He's not only a Dr. but a patient, too.

 

The blue part works the first week, so place pictures of the ship you want to be on all over the house and tell yourself how excited you are to be going on the Epic. The week before you leave is when you intrduce all the wonderfull things you'll be doing on the ship and the ports of call.

 

By the time you hit the pier you''ll be convinced you're on any ship you picked and will be enjoying all the activeties you want.

 

 

:) This public service has been brought to you by the "men who stare at goats". ;)

[sdmike]

Ha! Awesome :)

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

I took this cruise when there were bargains due to the swine flu epidemic.

I had very low expectations. It far exceeded my expectations and was one of my favorite cruises. I spent the port day enjoying the adult serenity area at the back of the ship.

 

Service was great too.

 

And i have been on the Epic.

[clarkg]

I would like to take this cruise, just to see, but wife won't go to Mexico. A booked a friend of my sons on it for their honeymoon however, (His friends use me like a travel agent) they absolutely loved it. But it was their first cruise. have fun! Keep us posted on how it goes.

[NJGeorge]

No balcony:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::mad:

[iluvdoxies]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

 

Hey there Mike....we've not been on the Paradise, but have sailed on other Fantasy class ships- they are a nice size.

 

THe piano bar is fun at night if there is a good singer/player there.

 

The Chef's Table is really nice, I've talkes to people who have done it and they say it's worth every penny. It's just too much food for me.

 

You are right about the balconies, too small to justify the price.

 

Food was good in MDR, eat breakfast in the dining room if you can, not crowded and food is better there than on the Lido buffet. The only thing I didnt like about the MDR is that the ceilings are LOW, but you get used to it.

 

The bacon police arent that bad - they will give you as much as you want.

 

Enjoy your cruise :)

[spacepotatoes]

DH and I are in the same boat...sort of :) We wanted to go on a short cruise over the Christmas/New Year's break but NCL's only option that fit our schedules was the Sky. We just did the Sky in March and didn't really feel like doing it again so soon, so we looked to Carnival. The Imagination was better priced and is going ports that we've been wanting to see. It'll be our first experience with Carnival, too, and we're really excited about trying something new. We're also trying out a port hole stateroom this time around, after doing two insides.

 

Hope you have a great time, and please come back to tell us all about it!

[Medtech2]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

Oh I can't wait for a comparison review! We have the Carnival Fantasy based right here in town but have never sailed her out of fear, although we could get a week as low as $299/per inside...

Have fun without the kids and try not to miss them too much-- our first trip without them all we talked about was them and how they would have loved this or that.

Now we just have fun--course they are 21 and 23 now and we never see them anyhow, lol!

[Tanless]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I sailed on the Paradise a couple of times when it's claim to fame was being "smoke free". I stayed in the biggest and best suite on the ship and can tell you that is wasn't perky at all. You are not missing much by not being in a suite. The ship was fine and we had a great time.

[mittchelandsophie]

With the absence of 3-4 day cruises in SoCal from any vendor but Carnival, I'm being forced (well, if you can call it that) to try a different line. My wife and I decided to take a 3 day jaunt out of LA down to Ensenada on the Carnival Paradise in a couple of weeks. It's an older, smaller ship with no balcony rooms except for a handful of suites, and nary a Blue Man Group or steakhouse to be found.

 

I know this will be fun simply because my wife and I have not done a vacation without the kids, even a short one, for 15 years. However, I'm going to have to work hard at not comparing this to my beloved Epic, or even the wonderful Vision of the Seas that I sailed on a few years back. So, wish me luck. May I avoid the dreaded "bacon police" :)

 

Oh yeah, I know that Ensenada is the armpit of Mexico. Been there before. What a great day to spend the day by the ship pool without any crowds.

 

Leaving in 13 days. Bon Voyage!

 

You will be just fine, I have never sailed the Paradise but I have sailed the Freedom, Legend and the Destiny. Carnival offers a great product at a great price. I have never had a bad experience or a bad meal.

Now, with that said... I am sailing the Sky (first time with NCL) in October. My other half wanted to try something different so here we go! I am very surprised with all of the wonderful reviews that NCL Sky has. I booked it because it fit our short time frame and then I read the reviews (so I am looking forward to NCL and the Sky).

I hope the Carnival experience is good for you as I am hoping the NCL experience is good for me!

Happy Cruizin'

[sdmike]

Thanks guys. I just have to go in with the right frame of mind. My last cruise was the inaugural western caribbean on the Epic. Brand new and amazing. Before that I was in a huge suite on the Vision of the Seas. I've not been in a non-balcony room since my Disney Magic cruise, and that ship was beautiful in every way.

 

This is going to be a different animal for sure. I do love the suggestions and the hints, and they "you'll love it" posts make me feel much better about having done this. I really doubt we could have a bad cruise. That's just not our make-up. :)

[C Cruise Dude]

Thanks guys. I just have to go in with the right frame of mind. My last cruise was the inaugural western caribbean on the Epic. Brand new and amazing. Before that I was in a huge suite on the Vision of the Seas. I've not been in a non-balcony room since my Disney Magic cruise, and that ship was beautiful in every way.

 

This is going to be a different animal for sure. I do love the suggestions and the hints, and they "you'll love it" posts make me feel much better about having done this. I really doubt we could have a bad cruise. That's just not our make-up. :)

 

I can see it now, this will be Mike:

 

;)

[valleyvillage]

...is that water slide! At least it is better than the wimpy one on the Star.

 

I decided to take the Paradise for a 4 day Ensenda cruise as a single in an inside, just to see what it was like.

 

I had a blast!

 

The cabin was really roomy, it was an inside GTY so it was dirt cheap even with the single supplement.

 

I enjoyed all of the Cunard memorablia on the ship, the chamber music in the atrium. The MDR was OK, did not really like the fixed dining time, group table so only had 2 meals there.

 

I could live without the dancing waiters and waving napkins, but some people love that stuff!:D

 

Other options were OK, not super, but fine.

 

Loved the free sushi!

 

The spa was really nice, no additional charge. Of course that might have changed.

 

The shows were a lot of fun and I loved wandering around Catalina. The Ensenada excursion to La Bufadora was just right.

 

It was fun getting to the Long Beach Port early, as there is a lot to do and see around there. You can have breakfast on the Queen Mary without paying for a tour. Once on board you can wander around the ship.

 

Have a great time!

[cruise pup]

I did the Epic last November to the W. Caribbean and I think I would prefer the Paradise. The only parts of Epic I will miss are O'Sheehans and Moderno. The rest of the ship didn't impress me at all. Tiny swimming pools for a ship that size. Mediocre food in the main dining room. And the entertainment was a major disappointment. I guess if you stayed in the suite section with the private sun deck and restaurant then I could see having a better experience.

As for Carnival's suites, they seem like a waste of money since they just amount to a bigger stateroom and not in the true sense of a suite which would be a series of rooms. I haven't checked if their latest launchings have a different set-up. Enjoy your cruise and especially enjoy having the ship to yourself in Ensenada.

[sdmike]

I did the Epic last November to the W. Caribbean and I think I would prefer the Paradise. The only parts of Epic I will miss are O'Sheehans and Moderno. The rest of the ship didn't impress me at all. Tiny swimming pools for a ship that size. Mediocre food in the main dining room. And the entertainment was a major disappointment. I guess if you stayed in the suite section with the private sun deck and restaurant then I could see having a better experience.

As for Carnival's suites, they seem like a waste of money since they just amount to a bigger stateroom and not in the true sense of a suite which would be a series of rooms. I haven't checked if their latest launchings have a different set-up. Enjoy your cruise and especially enjoy having the ship to yourself in Ensenada.

 

We loved the Epic and differ from your opinion in every way (except loving Moderno and O'Sheehan's). Your post makes me more worried about Paradise

[Sauer-kraut]

:DMike!

I just got off a CCL ship last week, okay it wasn't the paradise but it was the Destiny and one of the ones considered the armpit of the fleet.

 

I had a fine time, I made sure to attend the final free drink activity on the ship called the FUN FAREWELL PARTY, keep an eye out for it on the last day's Fun TImes (I don't know if they do that for less than 5 day cruises).

 

There is shushi available, the Casiino was okay to me, I put back all my measly winnnings. I didn't care for the assigned dining and was really pleasantly surprised with my final meal I chose to eat in the Lido Buffet. I had a window seat, got to watch the sunset and there were NO LINES!!! The noise level was minimal as there were very few people eating there and converstations didn't have to be shouted to each other. Waiting in line was actually a huge problem there for lunch and breakfast.

 

Have a wonderful time, do your comparisons and then just nod and say well its a different cruise line and varity is the spice of life.

[cruise pup]

We loved the Epic and differ from your opinion in every way (except loving Moderno and O'Sheehan's). Your post makes me more worried about Paradise

 

I respect your right to be wrong.

[sdmike]

I respect your right to be wrong.

 

Mature

 

By the way, one cannot be "wrong" with opinions. They're just that. Opinions. My statement simply suggested that since you and I clearly have different opinions based on Epic, and if the same holds true for small Carnival ships I'm likely to be disappointed on my paradise trip.

[jame_g]

Mature

 

By the way, one cannot be "wrong" with opinions. They're just that. Opinions. My statement simply suggested that since you and I clearly have different opinions based on Epic, and if the same holds true for small Carnival ships I'm likely to be disappointed on my paradise trip.

 

Yep. Just like no one can force you to cruise in the first place, much less force you to cruise another line if you don't really want to. Start a silly topic, get silly responses.

[Hikini]

Have fun - I'll look for your comparisons when you return!