Carnival Paradise- May 14, 2007- 1st Cruise

[Danis Daddy]

Going on our first cruise and would like some tips. I have read a lot of them on different boards, but would like to know what some recent folks have also found that worked or didn't work for them. This is our anniversary and I want to make sure it is a memorable one for us.

 

Thank you in advance for your help!!!:)

[Wennfred]

Going on our first cruise and would like some tips. I have read a lot of them on different boards, but would like to know what some recent folks have also found that worked or didn't work for them. This is our anniversary and I want to make sure it is a memorable one for us.

 

Thank you in advance for your help!!!:)

 

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic, are you from Southern Cal? My tip is to drive/fly up the day before and stay at The Coast Hotel, they have a Park and Sail package. The day before you can rest up and take a water taxi across to the Seaport across the way. Lots to do and lots of resturants, we went to the Bubba Gump shrimp Co. for dinner, then took the water taxi back.

 

In the Morning from your balcony at the Coast, you can watch the Paradise sail in while having coffee.

 

Fred

[Sterling30D]

Going on our first cruise and would like some tips. I have read a lot of them on different boards, but would like to know what some recent folks have also found that worked or didn't work for them. This is our anniversary and I want to make sure it is a memorable one for us.

 

Thank you in advance for your help!!!:)

 

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! Our first cruise was a three day on the Majesty of The Sea. We figured we would start off with a short cruise to see if we even liked cruising. We DID!!!! You'll get hooked.

 

As far as the Paradise and the Baja Mexico cruise is concerned, my wife and sister-in-law were on her last week, Jan 19th to Jan 22nd. They loved the ship. My wife stated that the Paradise has a nicer dining room that the Pride. She didn't like Ensenada though. Papas and Beer is the main attraction there but she said the people weren't really friendly and it seemed really dirty. She turned around and got right back on the ship.

[cathyz]

We were on the Paradise last October and had a great time! The food was great, every employee we dealt with was great. We didn't see our room steward very often, but he did a good job. We had the 8:00 dinner seating and had a great wait staff, Bonijon and Supatra. We had a good time walking around Catalina, but only got off the ship in Ensenada for about 45 minutes and bought some tequila at the shops right there at the ship. We had a great time just relaxing around the ship that day. Then the 'sea day' is really just hanging around off of San Diego, they even told us not to worry that the engines weren't running, we were just going to 'drift' all day, which made for a very nice calm non-windy day on the ship! You'll have a great time just like we did!

[Danis Daddy]

Could you possibly tell me which Coast Hotel to stay at. There are two listed, one being on Queensway and the other on Elm. Thanks for the heads up and I appreciate your information. By the way we will be driving down from Central Valley.

[Wennfred]

Could you possibly tell me which Coast Hotel to stay at. There are two listed, one being on Queensway and the other on Elm. Thanks for the heads up and I appreciate your information. By the way we will be driving down from Central Valley.

 

 

The one on Queensway, its right next to the Queen Mary.

 

Fred

[jstbuch]

I took this trip in November. It was my second cruise. My first to Baha. Went with some friends for my birthday.

 

The crew is great. The only problems I ran into were in the casino. Some of the poker dealers were great but a few were some of the worst I had ever had. One treated me so poorly, I refused to play until the pit boss removed her. I have been plaving poker for 5 years and had never been treated so badly (and I am usually very forgiving of dealers because I know it is a tough job). I am sure this was a rare experience.

 

The Karaoke guy was okay but he skipped us a few times for people who tipped him well the first night so if you are interested, tip him and you get to sing.

 

A lot of people will tell you not to get off the boat in enscinada. I didn't believe them and thought there was no way I wasn't going to get off the boat. I would give you the same advice but I am sure no one would adhere to it since it would be really hard not to get off the ship.

 

I recommend NOT doing the blow hole tour. They will offer you the trip for like 10-15 bucks. I did not realize it was like an hour and twenty minute drive each way. Then you are there like 2-3 hours. The blow hole was a huge disappointment and it was not exciting at all. Watched it for like 2 minutes, got bored, went to the bar and waited for the bus to leave. Not worth 5 hours of your day.

 

Papa's and Beer was really fun and we made some friends who were on the same cruise and hung with them the next few nights.

 

The art auctions are fun but don't buy the art because it sounds like a good deal. They will tell you something has a land gallery price of X but it really isn't true. Well, it is true, so much as that is what some gallery may list it at. However, the actual price you could sell it for will usually be less than what you bought it for. I made this mistake my first cruise. If you like the art, buy it but don't do it because you think you can sell it later. You really can't. They are fun though and you can learn a lot just going.

 

Over all, the cruise was great. Just wanted to give you some tips.

[Calistar]

Its in three parts...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=459092

 

hope it helps,

 

Cali.

[Danis Daddy]

Thank you all for your comments. I can't wait for my cruise.