Will it be ‘Paradise’ ?

[Shell557]

Hello, my SIL and and I are taking my MIL on a cruise this December. We, along with several others take a girls trip every spring-usually a cruise. 85 yo MIL missed it this year because of complications from a broken hip. She is now back on track, so we wanted to take the opportunity and book a cruise with her. Due to several reasons I won’t bore you with, we booked the Paradise. I’ve never sailed Fantasy class (my favorite ship so far is a tie between Horizon and Magic). I love comedy, piano bar , serenity area and thermal spa. But this trip is for her and her priorities are easy navigating, casino , a balcony cabin and a nice Serenity area. Balconies were sold out so we are in a junior suite G29. There is an area next to it that I’m not sure what it is though. 

I don’t see a lot of reviews for the Paradise. If anyone has sailed her recently and has input they’d like to share I’d love to hear it. 

Thank you 😊 

 

[mz-s]

Well she's nothing like Horizon or Magic, that's for sure.

 

Your room is actually on a deck that was added to Paradise over the past few years, so only a few elevators go up there. But the room should be very nice.

 

The rest of the ship is 90's cruising at its best - plenty of lounges, adequate public space, and unique decor. The serenity area is small. I do not use the spa so cannot comment.

[brew62]

I just got back on Monday. The serenity area is in the back of ship. I didn't use the spa area but my wife did to go to the gym. We booked at the last minute and had an ocean view. The ship was updated since our last voyage on her (2018). The bathroom looked new.

 

Like previous response the ship is entirely different than the Magic or Horizon but we have sailed every class except for the Splendor. We enjoy every one of them. I was even spoiled by the Mardi Gras and have since been on the Magic and now the Paradise. The casino is easy to get through. In fact there were several people with the scooters running around in there.

 

We did a four day cruise which is what we wanted for the Labor Day Weekend. 

 

If anything else ask away.

 

Dean

[May1cruiser]

i believe that area shown with arrows is outside with steps going up to golf. i was just up there a few weeks ago. hopefully my memory is correct

 

[ober134]

Following. I like fantasy class ships. But I like  others as well. We sailed Elation earlier this year, but also have Horizon and Celebration in the coming months. I looked at Paradise for next year solely for a noon to 6pm stop at Key West. On Elation we had what we needed, great staff, good food and its very navigable. The Paradise doesn't have an Alchemy bar and I would miss that.

[sc4125]

I've sailed on Paradise alot because I live so close.  I've also sailed on Mardi Gras, Magic, Breeze and a bunch more (over 30 cruises with Carnival).

 

The area you pointed out are indeed outside stairs - shouldn't bother you at all.  I was in G1 and my sister in G2 a few months ago (btw those are great rooms - no balcony but floor to ceiling windows and the rooms are very big - loved them).  

 

The only thing to beware of is only forward elevators service this floor - and the ones on starboard side forward also do not go to the G deck - so basically the 2 port side forward elevators are the only ones you can take.  It did cause a bit of a wait during really busy times, but nothing that bad.

 

I spend alot of time in the casino - it's not a huge casino like the newer ships, but it should be fine.

 

Also - just something to keep in mind if you book the Paradise in the future - the regular balcony cabins are very small - no couch or anything.  They were basically ocean view rooms that they added a balcony to during dry dock a few years ago.  I think you all will be much happier in the Junior Suite.

[Florings]

We've sailed on the Paradise several times, with a few more booked.  Love that deck 14.  We've stayed in the G1 and G2 and G8 junior suite.  It is very quiet and a lovely spot to be.

 

If you need to take the elevator, the port side forward as sc4125 posted above is the only elevator that goes to that deck.   BUT, if you don't need the elevator - say you want to go for a quick snack or cold drink, you can walk down the hall, take some stairs down and be on the Lido deck, and a short walk to the buffet, pizza, etc.   

 

She is a small ship, but a wonderful crew and we always enjoy the ambience.  Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

 

 

[grammymarcia]

On 9/7/2022 at 7:22 AM, Shell557 said:

Hello, my SIL and and I are taking my MIL on a cruise this December. We, along with several others take a girls trip every spring-usually a cruise. 85 yo MIL missed it this year because of complications from a broken hip. She is now back on track, so we wanted to take the opportunity and book a cruise with her. Due to several reasons I won’t bore you with, we booked the Paradise. I’ve never sailed Fantasy class (my favorite ship so far is a tie between Horizon and Magic). I love comedy, piano bar , serenity area and thermal spa. But this trip is for her and her priorities are easy navigating, casino , a balcony cabin and a nice Serenity area. Balconies were sold out so we are in a junior suite G29. There is an area next to it that I’m not sure what it is though. 

I don’t see a lot of reviews for the Paradise. If anyone has sailed her recently and has input they’d like to share I’d love to hear it. 

Thank you 😊 

 

We were in G27 not to long before Covid. It is just like a regular balcony on any other ship. We had a 3rd person with us, and it was nice that the couch made into a bed . 

[Shell557]

Thanks all  for the information , especially the elevator input. MIL is doing well with her cane, but I don’t think we want to test it if she might have a long wait, so I think we’ll bring along the walker that has a seat.

 

I really enjoy reading reviews, watching videos, etc pre-cruise. I can’t wait and it’s part of the excitement and anticipation for me. Thank you again for your input.

I was trying to be ‘cute’ with my title, but truly any cruise is Paradise!!!

[ober134]

12 hours ago, Shell557 said:

Thanks all  for the information , especially the elevator input. MIL is doing well with her cane, but I don’t think we want to test it if she might have a long wait, so I think we’ll bring along the walker that has a seat.

 

I really enjoy reading reviews, watching videos, etc pre-cruise. I can’t wait and it’s part of the excitement and anticipation for me. Thank you again for your input.

I was trying to be ‘cute’ with my title, but truly any cruise is Paradise!!!

As mentioned above, we've sailed most classes and honestly have never had a bad time on any cruise. We first sailed on Paradise when she was a relatively new ship, and boy did we think she was the cats meow back then. She's been on my radar for a few years. We decided to go ahead and book a B2B on her next year after the scheduled dry dock in October 2023. I was surprised to see many categories are sold out or limited already! So she's apparently still a popular ship. Happy cruising!

[mz-s]

11 minutes ago, ober134 said:

As mentioned above, we've sailed most classes and honestly have never had a bad time on any cruise. We first sailed on Paradise when she was a relatively new ship, and boy did we think she was the cats meow back then. She's been on my radar for a few years. We decided to go ahead and book a B2B on her next year after the scheduled dry dock in October 2023. I was surprised to see many categories are sold out or limited already! So she's apparently still a popular ship. Happy cruising!

 

It can be a challenge to get a balcony or suite on the Fantasy class ships as they have so few.

[Florings]

By the way, my PVP says that Paradise is consistently one of Carnival's top rated ship.    Despite the lack of all the new bells & whistles, that's always good to hear.

[ddavis5us]

As Tampa residents, we have done Paradise on multiple occasions.  Just did a back to back (10 days total) in early August.  Have another Paradise back to back scheduled for New Year's.  Older boat but we enjoy.  Serenity is small but because you have to go through a "club" to get to it, it may not be as packed as some, particularly after lunch.  My wife play slots and because of the ship size/people ratio, she is ok relative to the Casino.  As the club mentioned above relative to Serenity is the club for the Comedy Show it is significantly bigger than some of the newer ships.  As long as you are not last minute, you don't have to wait in line to get a seat for a show for the Comedy Club.  How good it is depends on the Comedians.  The first week of the August cruise was fantastic.  Second, so, so.  Not as much music around as the bigger ships, but you can find a couple of place going each night.  I"m an old guy but the disco was packed a couple of nights and fun to watch people having a LOT OF FUN.  You should enjoy it.

 

 

[UPNYGuy]

just off the paradise about a week and a half ago. she is in fine condition, especially for the age. I was surprised Carnival even added USB ports to the cabin, and in 2 separate areas.

 

[adventuredancer]

we were on the Paradise in May. We had beenn on it before. we had been offered an upgrade for a grande suite or a junior suite. we chose the grande suite. we were friends with someone in one of the junior suites and that area is stairs. it is not big enough to hang out. plus people use it to get to the putt putt and out.

but beware of that junior suite. those balconeys are MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH smaller than a regular balconey. at least our friend's junior suite balcony was. the cabin was bigger than a normal cabin but it had a tiny balconey. nothing was ever packed. on the ship. never felt crowded