Bored on the Paradise

[Schoifmom]

everything people are suggesting, I could do at home. I can spend time with my husband, read a kindle, take a nap, play cards- at home.

 

To each his own, but If I can do those things while unplugged from stress and work and gazing out at the magnificent seas without having to worry about schedules and organizing, I'll do it every time! I certainly don't find that boring, and for me home is NEVER not stressful! I can do those things at home, but they don't have the same impact, nor do I have the time for them at home.

Edited September 14, 2015 by Schoifmom

[mosel]

There also has to be an understanding that cruising is not the vacation for everyone. If you found yourself bored on Carnival you might want to look into a vacation that involves adventure travel. There are days at sea and no cruise line can necessarily have something that will entertain everyone. We have sailed most of the major cruise lines and have found there are differences on all of them. I don't cruise to go to lectures or craft but on my cruises on other lines I have not seen that available either. I did do a short drumming class on Princess that was fun though.

I think a lot of people see the commercials for cruising and their expectations are a little higher than they should be. If you want to be entertained all day you are going to have to look at the big RCCL ships because I think that might be the only ship that will meet your expectations. NCL is also another line that might work for you but only on their newer ships. However you will not get on those ships for the price you paid to get on the Paradise. You chose the wrong vacation for what you wanted. There is nothing wrong with The Paradise, she just wasn't right for you. You might want to try the bigger ships and then decide if cruising is truly the vacation that you want. I hope you are able to find the right fit for you. Cindy

[MsTabbyKats]

Enrichment programs can be many things- not just lectures. Anything that fills the day on the ship. It's a LONG day when there is nothing planned. The problem with the cruise I was talking about was EVERYTHING (even crafts- which I think have disappeared in recent years, they probably no longer have the budget) was scheduled in an area so close to the casino that you couldn't breathe with all the smoking.

 

For me, a sea day is boring. Some ships do better with their schedules than others (we really do enjoy trivia, if we can breathe through it), but everything people are suggesting, I could do at home. I can spend time with my husband, read a kindle, take a nap, play cards- at home. Why pay for the cruise? I know that a sea day is boring, or otherwise no different than my standard weekend day, and that's fine. It's a necessary evil to me to get to visit all the ports. I do bring my own entertainment. But a lot of people new to cruising don't realize they have to provide their own entertainment, because Carnival really doesn't do much.

 

Of course, for some people, hanging out on the Lido deck with the super loud music, or playing in the casino, or something else is a great day. It isn't for me.

 

Agree 100%. I can eat better food, get better entertainment at home and go to much larger casinos. (For example...I have a 5 minute walk to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Can I compare the art auctions to this???)

 

Nevertheless, I enjoy "the ride" for the cheap price. My husband, on the other hand, is bored to tears on sea days.

 

Pretty much the only thing we do is "people watch"...and it's not because we're impressed with what we see.

 

We just got off the Splendor yesterday...and his boredom led to "issues between us". I vowed...no more Carnival cruises.

[mzloolue]

I have not been bored, but there are times that I wished for some entertainment in the evening.

 

So far, and this is for 10 years, the shows basically suck.

 

I'm not hard to entertain, but I don't like cheap poo shows.

 

I'm not saying that they have become worse because 10 years ago they were awful...

 

DH and I enjoyed the karaoke with a live band on Elation.

Some people could sing and some were funny.

The band helped a lot.

[OCruisers]

Thanks for your time to report back! It's YOUR report so YOUR thoughts are what matter. :D

 

Went on a 5 day western carribean on Paradise Aug 31

We were bored with a total lack of entertainment. Only two shows with the dancers. They were good. But the first show was country western them. We did not like that. The cruise director did a fantastic job of playing the fiddle just like Charlie Daniels. The other show was a revue of 50' to 70's It was amazing. That is the kind of show they should do every night. The other choices involved using the passengers. You get dressed up. Have a wonderful dinner. Then all you have to do is to go the main theater to watch on stage passengers learning how to dance. Awful! Hardly anything to do in the daytime.

If you don't drink heavy, gamble, smoke, shop or bingo you will be bored.

Bring something to do like cards or books. The lounge areas stay empty. Saw many passengers walking around bored. No discovery at sea programs,movies under the stars, ceramics, game shows, just bingo and art auctions and shopping.More stuff to entertain kids.

Food was alright. But not gourmet as it should be on a cruise. About like going to Golden Corral buffet. At the main dining room some food looked like it was throwed on the plate. Not attractively presented as should be.

Don't waste your money on this ship. Try Princess instead!

[Tapi]

4 nights is my cutoff for Fantasy class ships. Anything longer than that and I find myself pacing around the ship, looking for something to do. I know that some people go on cruises to relax and unwind from their jobs and hectic lifestyle, but ironically, my job already provides me with A LOT of quiet, down time by myself, so that's the last thing that I want to do on vacation.

 

But as people have mentioned over and over already, you get what you pay for, and you need to make the most of what you get for that budget price. Go with realistic expectations and you'll have a great time. Go with UNrealistic expectations and you'll end up with a review like the OP's, JMHO.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Tapi

[OCruisers]

But as people have mentioned over and over already, you get what you pay for, and you need to make the most of what you get for that budget price. Go with realistic expectations and you'll have a great time. Go with UNrealistic expectations and you'll end up with a review like the OP's, JMHO.

 

Totally agree with you!

 

LuLu

[drgonzogoo]

I'll be on the Paradise next week, and am looking forward to the relaxation! When I want to find something to do, I will look and more than likely find some fun.

We just went on our first cruise ever on the breeze. here's something that occupied our time for about 15 minutes the first morning. go to the top most deck, past the mini golf to the front of the ship. on either side will be a small door going out to the front observation area. with the ships speed and the wind, it creates a wind-tunnel type effect and the wind moves thru that little doorway at about 60+mph. our little girl and i had a blast, she's 10 and i had to hold on to her. i am north of 250lbs and i had to hold on for dear life. have fun...