Paradise ?

[sternfanla]

Hello All! I would like to know about the Paradise. I will be sailing on 9/26/05. Like what are the extra things that you pay for? Any freebies you could ask you room steward for? Do the rooms have a fridge in them? Or anything you could help me with. I cannot find much information on these boards for her. Thanks for all the help.

[Cotton]

Haven't been on Paradise, but all Carnival ships have the little amenity baskets (bowls) of sample sizes of toothpaste, toothbrush, razors, Rolaids, mints, shampoo, conditioner. If you need more, the steward will usually bring them.

 

As far as other FREEBIES aboard the ship, the purser's desk will give you a pack of playing cards, as well as post cards with the ship on them....and you can get a lanyard from the casino. Also, comp champagne at the art auctions.

 

Paradise cruisers will be along to tell you specifically about the ship, I'm sure. Enjoy!:)

[jleq]

Standard inside/outside rooms won't have refrigerators. I can't speak for suites/balconies

[southbayer]

Sternfanla, I was on the paradise a few weeks ago, and i'll be posting a review on her in the next few days.... watch for it :cool:

[mister ed]

Just got back from a 4-day to Baja on the Paradise. It was my girlfriend's first cruise- my third or fourth, I forget. My impressions are as follows:

 

Embarkation: Good- stayed the night before on the Queen Mary, same parking lot as Carnival's (12 bucks per day). Boarding was actually quite quick, porters were helpful and friendly. Have paperwork in hand, in line.

 

Ship: Good- the ship was a little glitzy and worn around the edges. Dust on several flat surfaces in our room (oceanview R177), great windows, boring TV selection (although not used much). Beds were a little hard but the covers and sheets were good quality. Room steward was not as proficient as those I've had in the past, seemed to be asking too much (effort) for some things...Used to more willing, helpful room stewards. Nice laundry room on same deck with irons ready to go. Bring extra hangers for your clothes, we found that wrinkles came out real easy by hanging them in the shower stall with a hot spray running, took 10 minutes, perfect!

Gift shops seemed to be closed at inopportune times. Photos were not available until 11:00 A.M last day as told by staff, went at 10:00 A.M., could not get pictures!! We took other pics on our camera though.

Food: Good- Dining room service was pretty good and they were willing to do whatever we asked of them. Multiple lobster tails and extra whatever, no problem. If you get the prime rib on Thursday night, med rare is actually medium. The"well" would have been "too well". Portions are small but have as much as you want. The wait staff dancing around was pretty bad, although most gave it some effort. Pizza from the 24 hour cafe was awesome!!

Caught some each night after the casino closed around 2:30 OR 3 A.M. Room service was basic cereals, fruit, juices, danishes, etc. Delivered promptly and tipped 2.00 each time, no problem.

No fridge, would have been nice.

Casino: Very good- Nicest people on the ship were the casino staff. Mix of Eastern European and American males-all with a smile and friendly banter. We found our new game of choice -3-card poker--

The only trouble with it was the $10 dollar minimum bet (which they changed on the last day-lowered to $5 minimum). We both had very good luck and actually came out a few hundred ahead. What helped was my girlfriend's play on the Wheel-of-Fortune $1 machine (there are two on board- the machine facing forward (the bow end) paid off regularly in hundred dollar increments, as well as someone else spinning the wheel for $1000. You've got to try this machine!

Bar: This is where you will meet the "Stepford Wives" of the ship! Somehow aliens invaded the ship in the form of Eastern European women from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, etc. that had all the charisma of a Chia Pet. All I can do to illustrate my point is to have you remember back to the 70's and 80's when the Eastern Europeans were competing at their best in the Olympics Gymnastics. Their stoic, expressionless faces (although showing a natural beauty) and bored attitude really don't do it for me. I would hope that CArnival provides them with a "charm school" in interpersonal relationships, or send the homesick ones back home quick!

Overall:

Good- but I am more interested in finding a cruise line for next summer in the Carribean that is more like the Sitmar or Disney (minus the rugrats) quality I hoped for. If Walmart had a Cruise line I would assume it was CArnival...

[Chele60]

Wow, Mister ed really nailed it! I was on the Paradise this past January for the 4 day cruise. The only thing I would add is there is a bakery cafe type of place that has really good cookies, cakes, and pastry. However, for some odd reason that I never did figure out, this costs extra. (Part of Carnival's attempts to nickel and dime?) I tried the cookies served via room service and was VERY disappointed. Two tiny cookies and a miniscule (sp??) brownie (advertised as "assorted cookies and brownies"). The bakery cafe did have great cookies, though.

 

I have to disagree on the pizza thing. I thought it was...eh...okay. No better or worse than I could get at home from the Pizza Hut around the corner.

[PINEVIEW01]

Hello All! I would like to know about the Paradise. I will be sailing on 9/26/05. Like what are the extra things that you pay for? Any freebies you could ask you room steward for? Do the rooms have a fridge in them? Or anything you could help me with. I cannot find much information on these boards for her. Thanks for all the help.

fridge are only in the suites. I did the Paridise when she was smoke free. Loved her!

[southbayer]

yeah MR ED, I agree with you on the bar women, the one just near the pizza station from Lithuania seemed bored, and smile-LESS... But she did remember me the next day and what i drank, and said hello to me by name when i was in the buffet line as she walked by... I guess she normally doesn't smile :confused:

 

 

As far as the pizza, I liked it alot, they make it just the way i order it, lite on the sauce, and thicker than normal crust, and always hot

[afrayedknot]

am sailing this monday- june 6th for the 4 day on paradise.

 

booked a suite on the halloween cruise 10/29 04 and it was fantastic-

they decorated the whole ship and lots of people were in costume...

 

this time booked 1a and am going solo- the 4 day is more relaxed.

but the weather should be good...

 

just did 2 RCCL MOS 3 day bajas in may... love the boleros lounge, dance floor and band but miss the piano bar ( and fun) on carnival....

 

 

pam

[Bsan1221]

. If Walmart had a Cruise line I would assume it was CArnival...

 

 

Oh gosh!!! Once again. ;)

[sternfanla]

Thank you all for all the great help.

[GoinCruisin]

WHUT??? Carnival is the Wal Mart of cruises... but at least most of their cruisers can count to 4 ;) I could understand losing count at 39 or 40 LOL...:D 3 or 4 would seem pretty simple to count ;)

[mister ed]

I guess I have a mental block from my prior marriage- the number of cruises just is a foggy blur. I am finally coming around...

As far as the Walmart reference, it was not intended as negatively as it sounded upon my rereading my post. I should have more accurately described my experience with Carnival as Good Overall- and a lot for the money. Relatively clean and bright, helpful staff for the most part, and good food (not a Silversea or Cunard experience, but then again the price was right). Let's see---Clean, bright, helpful people, alot for the money- some of the same qualities we expect and receive from Walmart (no, I don't work there)....

 

:) Our experience was ours alone- I wish all who sail with them a wonderful cruise and happy times!

[dad son team]

I was on the Paradise in February, and I thought it was ok. I too did not care the pizza. I thought it was just ok, nothing special. I had an inside cabin that I thought was fine--no fridge though. I do understand the comment about the hardness of soome of the eastern European women on the ship, but I will say that it does nto allpy to all of them. I thought my dining room head server was wonderful. Probably the best I have ever had. FYI-my Disney servers were the worst. I always had fun in the atrium bar, and I thought the waitresses in the casino were fantastic. I was never looking for a drink. It is a fun trip for the money.

[southbayer]

I wanted to sail again on paradise this nov or december...But I hear she will be in drydock for upgrades.... The only other alternative is RCCL Monarch.. I have looked at thier site before, and for an old ship, RCCL sure wants to gouge you for the price...But since I have no choice if i want to go again, Has anyone else sailed the Monarch of the Sea's before who could change my mind about sailing her... I mean if i have to bite the $$ bullet i will, but only if I hear from others that ITS WORTH THE MONEY... Thanks a bunch!!:confused:

[BobbyK]

Ironically, I wanted to post a request for information about the Paradise. I have two questions:

1. Do they have an omelet bar?

2. I'm probably going to make this cruise with many teachers and aides in

their 40's and 40's plus. Some are very frugal and might want to have

3 or 4 in the cabin. Is that possible?

Robin:cool:

[BobbyK]

I wanted to sail again on paradise this nov or december...But I hear she will be in drydock for upgrades.... The only other alternative is RCCL Monarch.. I have looked at thier site before, and for an old ship, RCCL sure wants to gouge you for the price...But since I have no choice if i want to go again, Has anyone else sailed the Monarch of the Sea's before who could change my mind about sailing her... I mean if i have to bite the $$ bullet i will, but only if I hear from others that ITS WORTH THE MONEY... Thanks a bunch!!:confused:

I have been on the Monarch 3 times. It's an okay ship. Each cruise experience is different as you have different cabins, waiters, attendants, etc. I've had great experiences and the opposite on that ship. Life happens. The cabins are very small. Just be ready for that. Check the location where your cabin is ahead of time and make sure it will work for you. Through a mishap we wound up with a simply awful one the last time. The time before we had the best. The food is fine, nothing spectacular. The entertainment is good, but I'm thinking much like the Paradise in that we have two ships sailing out of southern California where we have some of the best entertainers. I think you will enjoy the ship.

Robin:cool: