Beachfrog Posted August 27, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Taking mom on her first cruise. Carnival Paradise out of Tampa. After booking, I am finding all the negative reviews on this older ship. ugh! We are not stuffy people and can make a party out of any situation, but I so want this to be a memorable (in a good way) for mom. Please share with me the good things about the Paradise so I will feel better. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Hogs Posted August 27, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 27, 2017 We would not sail on any older ship .. Dream , Magic , Vista ,, and Breeze the best ship Carnival has Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funinthesun1964 Posted August 27, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Personally, I love the Fantasy class ships. Less people, seems like you get to know the other passengers more so than being lost in a crowd in the bigger ships. The only difference I can tell is that there is no steakhouse, or pay restaurants, which is fine with me. There is still a casino, shows, comedy club, piano bar, atrium, Lido deck with buffet and pools, main dining rooms, etc. The Paradise has not been upgraded to include Guy's burgers/Blue Iguana, but still has plenty of options for lunch. Also, waterworks has not been upgraded so the slide is an older type slide which goes directly in the main pool, if that is a big deal. Not for me. I have sailed Paradise two years ago and will again next month and looking forward to it. Bigger and newer isn't always better. I am going to bet you will have a wonderful time. Happy cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor_Sally Posted August 27, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 27, 2017 We sailed on the Paradise last year and while it is a older ship the entertainment crew were the best ever . We had a great time . In fact we are sailing her to Cuba in two weeks . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave the Wine Guy Posted August 27, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 27, 2017 We love the smaller ships. Yes the Paradise does need some work She will be getting that in February I think We will be getting back on her this Saturday. Can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May1cruiser Posted August 27, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Just came back from paradise. Extremely clean. Great crew, very friendly. We had a great time and have been on many carnival ships. It really is whatever you make of it. Yes, larger ships may have more bells and whistles, but we did not have enough time to do everything on the ship. Tampa embarkation was efficient. Best advice is to go with an open mind and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tortuga1975 Posted August 27, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 27, 2017 When are you going? She's scheduled to be in dry dock in March and I imagine it'll get all the 2.0 upgrades and be freshened up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobandsherry Posted August 27, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 27, 2017 If you look you'll usually find only negative comments posted on almost everything. Just the nature of people to spend a few minutes to complain but rarely spend the time when things go as expected. We've been on Paradise recently and had great time. We've sailed her several times and we'd do it again and probably will. Tampa port is great in/out. Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare babyclaytonmom Posted August 27, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Lets hope you go after dry dock. I went on it recently because of the Cuba itinerary. What a run down ship. Worst ship in 20+ cruises but would do it again to go to Cuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacktommom Posted August 27, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 27, 2017 I've been on 3 cruises. The first was Carnival Ecstasy before It got all the upgrades (there was waterworks, but no Guys burger). It is the 2nd oldest ship and we had an amazing time! We just got off Carnival Fantasy last month, the oldest ship, and again, it was an amazing time! We were also on Carnival Pride in February, good ship! But not new by any means. In 6 months, we will be on Carnival Vista. I'm excited to try the newer ship, but my heart is on the smaller, older ships! Don't let the age of the ship scare you! It is so much fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted August 27, 2017 #11 Share Posted August 27, 2017 You will have a fantastic time. The Paradise was the first cruise ship I ever set foot on and I was very impressed. Your mom will have nothing to compare it to so I imagine she'll be impressed as well. I've sailed on bigger ships and actually prefer the smaller Carnival vessels for the intimate feel. We sail fairly often on the Imagination and Inspiration, sister ships to the Paradise, and always have a great time. Please come back and let us know how it was for you. Completely agree with all of this! We've sailed the Paradise and three of her sisters repeatedly over the years. Some like bigger and newer. But this isn't necessarily better. Need to decide what best for you. We can entertain ourselves so we don't need ropes courses or special movie screens to make a cruise enjoyable. The biggest complaint many have is the bathroom vanity. It's puny and barely practical, but this hasn't stopped us from booking two more cruise on her sisters in CA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latitude918 Posted August 27, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Don't let the sticks-in-the-mud get you down. I went on my first ever cruise on the Paradise, and I had a ton of fun. I always have a lot of fun on every cruise my wife and I go on. The cruise is what you make it. Always go in with an open mind and a smile on your face :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachfrog Posted August 27, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Thank you! Thank you! I so very much appreciate your positive responses. You made me feel better! We leave November 2, so, yes, it is before the ship goes to dry dock. I guess that is why I am worried. I can handle stains and worn. (Hell, I'm stained and worn! ;)) As long as the people around us are enjoying themselves, then life is good. We are so excited about this trip! My mother has been packed since June! I will let you know how the trip went! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray98 Posted August 27, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 27, 2017 I had a great time back in June. If it is your mom's first cruise this will be her first ship experience so there will be plenty for her to take in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djptcp Posted August 27, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 27, 2017 DH and I have been on 41 cruises on both older and newer ships. We love them all. Sailed on the Paradise in May and doing it again in Nov. The ship is in great shape with a nice crew and good food. Even though there isn't a Steakhouse, you can still order some of the Steakhouse selections in the main dining room for a $20 charge. Happy cruising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvtoeat Posted August 27, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 27, 2017 A cruise is what you make of it. Many people may not know how old the ship is and have big expectations of what they will get. We have been on eight or nine Carnival ships but not anything that old in a long time. Just don't expect the experience you would have on any cruise lines newer ships. To a new cruiser with no expectations, they should have a wonderful time. Can't remember anytime we have not had a great cruise on Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus1963 Posted August 27, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 27, 2017 My wife and I sailed the Paradise as our first cruise and have been on 2 other Carnival ships the Freedom and the Valor and the steakhouse and Guys burgers will be missed I appreciate the smaller ship and we are going again on the Paradise in 2 months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjaxson Posted August 27, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Thank you! Thank you! I so very much appreciate your positive responses. You made me feel better! We leave November 2, so, yes, it is before the ship goes to dry dock. I guess that is why I am worried. I can handle stains and worn. (Hell, I'm stained and worn! ;)) As long as the people around us are enjoying themselves, then life is good. We are so excited about this trip! My mother has been packed since June! I will let you know how the trip went! Thank you for this post ...booked this cruise as a quick surprise getaway for Mom's 75th bday.... I take all reviews with a grain of salt and have never had a bad cruise but was still a little concerned ....posts like this made me feel better...I'll look forward to what you have to say when your return ....we leave 11/30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyMaster Posted August 27, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 27, 2017 I too, think you'll have a FANTASTIC time aboard "Paradise". Yes, she is a smaller, older ship, but that doesn't take away from her many positive things, and the fact that she is smaller, means fewer people, less lines, and less walking. You and yours are in for a great cruise. "SKY" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandij Posted August 27, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 27, 2017 We did the Paradise in July and she was clean, yes she is old, but we all get that way. we had a great time, a cruise is what you make of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachfrog Posted August 28, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Because of your responses, I am more at peace with our choice of ship. You are right; if you go in with the mindset that you will have a great time, then it will happen. Sooo excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felicemmp Posted August 28, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 28, 2017 My daughter and I cruised on the Paradise just two weeks ago. We did the 5 night Key West and Havana,Cuba itinerary. I,too, had some reservations when we booked but was pleasantly surprised. We are experienced cruisers - she's done 50 and I've got her beat with 54 - and have cruised on big, medium and small ships. We've sailed on old Chandris, Dolphin, Premier's Big Red Boat, NCL, Celebrity, Princess, HAL, Carnival and RCCL. The Paradise held her own with all of them! The MDR food was great. Wine list was not extensive but was not priced sky high. Entertainment was some of the best we've seen - Latin themed and 80's music shows. Cruise director and staff were everywhere and doing a great job. Housekeeping was efficient and friendly. All public areas were clean and well cared for. The casino was not smoky and you could actually walk through and breathe normally! There was a variety of music in different venues - all were worth listening to. The buffet was small but well stocked. Two lines were actually outdoors near the pool on the Lido. They offered burgers, etc and the Mongolian Wok dishes. Pizza Pirate was open 24 hours and the pizza was always fresh. What wasn't great? Well, the cabins were old school. No refrigerator, no hair dryer. Very basic, but clean and well taken care of. We had ordered bottled water and had to ask for an ice bucket and get a bucket of beers from the bar on the first day to hold extra ice. A real sacrifice! LOL! I think you will enjoy your time on this ship. I would sail on the Paradise again if I found an itinerary that interested me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oompaland Posted August 29, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Perfect ship for a first time cruiser. It's dated but still a great ship. Less people, smaller ship. You'll love it Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geffric Posted August 29, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 29, 2017 Just got off the Paradise..I have only been on bigger/newer ships..was so pleasantly surprised..the ship was clean, well maintained..entertainment was the notch..Cruise director was Jaime Dee..one of the best..crew was friendly, we had the best servers ever.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oncruisecontrol Posted August 29, 2017 #25 Share Posted August 29, 2017 The Paradise was my very first Carnival cruise waaay back in 2003 when the Paradise was a non-smoking ship. And what a trip we had! The food, the entertainment, the service was amazing. Fast-forward 14 years and more than 16 Carnival cruises later, we have moved on to NCL's newer ships, as we saw the Carnival product change and especially the food decline steadily from what it had been a decade and a half ago. That said, I recently advised a coworker of mine on his family's first cruise (they booked an older Carnival ship) and he came back with raving reviews of the food, the accomodations, the service. I firmly believe that Carnival is a good product that delivers value for the dollar, especially for new cruisers. After many years sailing Carnival and enjoying their staff, state rooms, and entertainment, we have moved on almost entirely because of food quality. Having said that, some of my best cruise memories and some of the most fun I've ever had was on a Carnival cruise ship. Our voyages on the Paradise, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Victory, and the Miracle and the Liberty rank among my best cruises ever. Happy sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now