Carnival Paradise

[CroozinFamily]

There was just one electrical outlet.....by the dressing table in the cabin. I would highly recommend bringing a small power strip. I was with a group doing scrapbooking. My roommate and I were both using our computers so we needed to charge those, as well as her cell phone and various hair appliances. The power strip came in very handy.

 

As for having a good vacation on this ship.....if you go looking for the negative, you will find it. If you go looking for a good time, you will find it. If what you are looking for in a cruise is top notch food, this would not be the right cruise for you. If you are looking for a good value and a nice getaway, you should absolutely be able to find it. I was not expecting to like this ship. Was just hoping it would be tolerable and was looking to the group I was with to be what I would enjoy most. I was pleasantly surprised by the ship and by Carnival.

 

I think having access to so much information on the internet is a double edged sword. Sometimes it can prepare us for what we are about to find.....and we can either adjust our expectations up or down. Sometimes it makes us crazy worried about things that we may not have even noticed otherwise.

[Gemynii]

There was just one electrical outlet.....by the dressing table in the cabin. I would highly recommend bringing a small power strip. I was with a group doing scrapbooking. My roommate and I were both using our computers so we needed to charge those, as well as her cell phone and various hair appliances. The power strip came in very handy.

 

As for having a good vacation on this ship.....if you go looking for the negative, you will find it. If you go looking for a good time, you will find it. If what you are looking for in a cruise is top notch food, this would not be the right cruise for you. If you are looking for a good value and a nice getaway, you should absolutely be able to find it. I was not expecting to like this ship. Was just hoping it would be tolerable and was looking to the group I was with to be what I would enjoy most. I was pleasantly surprised by the ship and by Carnival.

 

I think having access to so much information on the internet is a double edged sword. Sometimes it can prepare us for what we are about to find.....and we can either adjust our expectations up or down. Sometimes it makes us crazy worried about things that we may not have even noticed otherwise.

 

Thank you for your advice. :)

[BooBooMonkey]

BooBoo, thanks for the speedy reply. The last cruise we were on, same ports 5 day, we had drill in show area, then "handicapped" remained while others checked out their musters. So much better than everyone outside in the hot sun for an hour waiting for those trying to hide out.

We have a cabin with trundle bed. Think that will be better for 21 yr old granddaugher to sleep than a bunk. She may be coming in from the clubs at night in a condition not good for climbing up to a bunk.

How were the numbers of kids on your cruise? Love kids but hope we don't get overpowered like in summer.

Thanks for all your posts. Very helpful. We will be 4 generations together. Mom, 86, me and DH 60's, our son 40 and his daughter, 21. Her celebration cruise!

 

Same here for the muster drill.

There were a far number of kids this time (President's day weekend), but nothing like spring break or Thanksgiving cruises I've been on.

 

This is a great ship for multi-generational travel! Lots of activities for any age and small enough that you can get where you're going easily.

[mrgame101]

We were on the 1/19/12 sailing. It was great overall. I will note what others said about Pizza. Always a wait, and none seemed to be ready, the guy had to keep going in the back area. Previously on Legend, and Glory and they always had Pizza ready and available no waiting.

Deli counter was the same thing, if theres a line you have to weave in and out of tables and the line grew extremely long. I remember I seen a White Suit walking by asking if the deli guy needed help and he said no. There was 10 people in line and it was moving slow. Shouldnt have asked, should have just gotten him help!

We did have a Cabin with Flat Screen.

[KimmiePie]

I sailed on Paradise 2/20 to 2/25 and we had a blast. Sure there were some negatives (my room getting flooded twice, our excursion leaving without us in Grand Cayman) but there were many more positives. It is all about outlook. We were looking forward to a relaxing vacation away from everyone and everything and some quality time with the kids. That is what we got. The food was ok - some meals better than others. Caesar salad was great as was the lobster, shrimp and crab cakes in the MDR. Omelets were great but yes the line was long. Pizza - eh ok. I agree that they should have been better prepared with the pizza and had more help on the deli line. I thought the entertainment was great - and the main band that played at the casino bar was phenomenal!

[Themusicalduo]

We set sail on the Paradise April 2nd and are very excited. H put inas anyone done the chefs table? And if anyone else is sailing that week let me kn

ow.

[ThetaAddy]

We set sail on the Paradise April 2nd and are very excited. H put inas anyone done the chefs table? And if anyone else is sailing that week let me kn

ow.

 

We sailed on the Paradise Feb 11-16 and we did the Chef's Table. It was amazing!! The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. It was such a neat food experience. I was giddy the whole time but I am from Iowa so we don't have very many opportunities like that. I would highly recommend it.

[CheckersMidwest]

We are also sailing memorial Day week ( ~~waving to keystone mama).

 

Did the dining room have any other theme nights we should pack special things for ? I read a different post that said they had a black & white night on their cruise.

 

Oooohhhh...martinii tasting. Any chance of a margarita tasting ? ;

:D. What other cool things should I expect ?

 

What time is the family friendly comedy show ? We have 6:00 dinner and hoped we could still see it once.

[LUVMYGSDOG]

We are sailing on May 10th and I am soooo looking forward to it. I have booked the Chef's table but I am thinking about cancelling it since this is only 4 nite cruise. We are going to be sailing on the Fantasy again in October for 7 nites so I am thinking that might be better for the Chef's table.

 

Kim

[declansdad]

We are also sailing memorial Day week ( ~~waving to keystone mama).

 

Did the dining room have any other theme nights we should pack special things for ? I read a different post that said they had a black & white night on their cruise.

 

Oooohhhh...martinii tasting. Any chance of a margarita tasting ? ;

:D. What other cool things should I expect ?

 

What time is the family friendly comedy show ? We have 6:00 dinner and hoped we could still see it once.

 

 

We just got off a 5 nighter and there were no theme nights in the dining rooms. I can't remember the times for the family friendly comedy show as they changed. I can tell you that we also had the 6 pm seating and were able to get to atleast one of the shows.

[Shannonkris]

Thanks for all the info. We are sailing on the Paradise on March 19th. Love the safe idea.

 

 

I hope it was fun! Do you have any advise or suggestions that I may not or you didn't think of before going? I am going to be in U164 with my mother and Aunt. Which were you in?

 

How was boarding? Do you remember which deck you entered on?

We are going on the clear kayaking excursion in Cozumel.

 

Thanks

[CruiseMomma75]

We cruise on Paradise in a month! Thanks for your review!

[LUVMYGSDOG]

We cruise on Paradise in a month! Thanks for your review!

 

 

We cruise one month from today!!!:D:D

[CruiseMomma75]

I've solved the issue of the safe that uses magnetic strip cards to activate. I take an old gift card. Mine is from Staples. I use the card to lock the safe, then I put the card in one of the drawers along with our clothes. My traveling companion knows where the card is kept. We both have access to the safe whenever it is needed.

 

:D Excellent tip! Will come in handy on our next cruise! Thanks!

[asalligo]

I hope it was fun! Do you have any advise or suggestions that I may not or you didn't think of before going? I am going to be in U164 with my mother and Aunt. Which were you in?

 

How was boarding? Do you remember which deck you entered on?

We are going on the clear kayaking excursion in Cozumel.

 

Thanks

 

I was on the Paradise March 1st. Boarding was directly into the Atrium on Deck 7 (Empress Deck) at Embarkation. I was in U-108, a balcony suite. I did the Deluxe Snorkel and Beach Party with Fury Catamarans and loved it, but in the future would choose a beach and just do it myself.

[kate61880]

We sailed on the Paradise Feb 11-16 and we did the Chef's Table. It was amazing!! The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. It was such a neat food experience. I was giddy the whole time but I am from Iowa so we don't have very many opportunities like that. I would highly recommend it.

 

Which night did they do the Chef's Table on the 5 night itinerary?

 

Kate

[Mom2JJandJ]

I've solved the issue of the safe that uses magnetic strip cards to activate. I take an old gift card. Mine is from Staples. I use the card to lock the safe, then I put the card in one of the drawers along with our clothes. My traveling companion knows where the card is kept. We both have access to the safe whenever it is needed.

 

Another way to deal with the safe issue when there are two of you --- the card keys hotels use! I've used those several times and because you get two (or more) keys when you check-in, they are keyed the same and they both will open the safe.

[keystonemama]

We are also sailing memorial Day week ( ~~waving to keystone mama).

 

Did the dining room have any other theme nights we should pack special things for ? I read a different post that said they had a black & white night on their cruise.

 

Oooohhhh...martinii tasting. Any chance of a margarita tasting ? ;

:D. What other cool things should I expect ?

 

What time is the family friendly comedy show ? We have 6:00 dinner and hoped we could still see it once.

 

Waves back!!!:D:D Just 49 more days!!! I have a countdown on my computer at work and home, now DH is counting the days! We also have 6 o'clock dining, we did that on the Freedom and we had plenty of time to go get good seat at the shows, plus we had plenty of room by 11:30 p.m. to jump on the mini buffet! :p

Definitely doing the martini's, I order my own tequila for the room so I can make low-cal margarita's, my fav! I can't wait for authentic Mexican margarita's! Family shows are early eveing, adult is usually 11 or 12 a.m.

We are night owls, my 21yr is w/us on this cruise too, but don't worry, we will be quiet coming back to our rooms!

I don't worry about so so reviews, we had more people on the Freedom and if you time your eats usually we didn't have major line problems, for instance don't go eat lunch at 12:eek:, go earlier, go later. We always have a fun time, attitude is key! I will try to take lot's of picture's and do some sort of a review the first of June for everyone going after us! Can you tell I'm excited?;)

 

Happy Sailing,

[hermitstyle]

Dining room - service was ok to fine....food was ok...but remember your on a 5 day and don't get the same food as the 7 day cruises. Deserts are just basics...none of the souffles or creme brulees.

Wait, what??:eek: No Creme Brulee?? damn....:mad::(:mad:

[yogimax]

Does the ship have a 1970s Las Vegas look, or have they toned it down?

[ThetaAddy]

Which night did they do the Chef's Table on the 5 night itinerary?

 

Kate

 

We had the Chef's Table on the third night which was the day we were in Grand Cayman. It was nice because we left GC at like 3 or 4 and then dinner was at 6:30 I believe so we had plenty of time to get ready. I believe they always have the Chef's Table dinner on a day that they are in port so they have enough time to prepare the meal since the MDR is closed on these days.

[bmloftis]

We had the Chef's Table on the third night which was the day we were in Grand Cayman. It was nice because we left GC at like 3 or 4 and then dinner was at 6:30 I believe so we had plenty of time to get ready. I believe they always have the Chef's Table dinner on a day that they are in port so they have enough time to prepare the meal since the MDR is closed on these days.

So are you saying that the MDR is closed on port days for dinner? Is the chef's table like an excursion that costs money?

[ThetaAddy]

So are you saying that the MDR is closed on port days for dinner? Is the chef's table like an excursion that costs money?

 

Sorry I should have been more clear. The MDR is closed for lunch on port days. Yes the Chef's Table is extra. It's $75 + tip per person. But it is so worth it! Or at least I felt it was worth it for the menu we had but I have heard there is a new menu that is not so stellar but I don't know when that menu starts.

[suezyq50]

I've solved the issue of the safe that uses magnetic strip cards to activate. I take an old gift card. Mine is from Staples. I use the card to lock the safe, then I put the card in one of the drawers along with our clothes. My traveling companion knows where the card is kept. We both have access to the safe whenever it is needed.

Smart idea. I have never heard of that.

[Sevencruiser]

Anyone know the names of the Main Lounge shows currently on Paradise?