3 day Paradise Questions

[iceman111]

Been a while since cruised and first time as a parent. We are going on the 3 day cruise 10/3/08 and have a few questions.

 

1.Being that I will have a 15 month old with us, is it better to arrive super early with forms filled out and try to get on fast or do we show up late in afternoon (I don't know what is latest time?) so we don't have to wait in long lines with baby?

 

2. for anyone who has traveled with a baby, is crib ok? does it come with a sheet?

 

3. dinner dress, the boards are so full of contradictory info, is Khakis or black pants and either a button down or polo ok for men? I know it is only the 3 day, so is it more formal than that one night?

 

4. anyone that has gone with a baby b4, I know no swimmie diapers, so what kind of activities have you done with your kids?

 

5. any tips for a parent?

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Even though I've BEEN a 15 month on a cruise, I can't remember that far back.;)

 

But for what I can help you with...

 

For Paradise out of Long Beach, if you get there too early, yes you will have to wait in line until they board.

 

If you want to get on fairly quickly, if you get there around 1:30ish, the vast majority of the "need to be on the ship first" people are already onboard.

So, you can show up, park, and get on the ship fairly quickly.

The latest I would show up is 3 PM.

 

The bonus of that for you as well, is that the cabins are ready, so you can go straight there and drop off carry-ons and such.

 

As far as dressing, the boards here are far more judgmental than anyone on the actual cruise. Just go with the dress guidelines, and you will be fine.

 

Enjoy yourself on the cruise!

 

:D

[Curt Jerome Wild]

3. dinner dress, the boards are so full of contradictory info, is Khakis or black pants and either a button down or polo ok for men? I know it is only the 3 day, so is it more formal than that one night?

 

Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

 

 

 

I think that if you go with black pants, and a button down shirt (polo is not really a dress shirt) you will be completely fine and okay.

There might be people more dressed up, and there could be a couple of slobs.

But since you are traveling with a youngin', and sound like you want something low maintenance to be okay, again black pants and button down shirt will cover your bases and be fine for this cruise.

[Wennfred]

Been a while since cruised and first time as a parent. We are going on the 3 day cruise 10/3/08 and have a few questions.

 

1.Being that I will have a 15 month old with us, is it better to arrive super early with forms filled out and try to get on fast or do we show up late in afternoon (I don't know what is latest time?) so we don't have to wait in long lines with baby?

 

2. for anyone who has traveled with a baby, is crib ok? does it come with a sheet?

 

3. dinner dress, the boards are so full of contradictory info, is Khakis or black pants and either a button down or polo ok for men? I know it is only the 3 day, so is it more formal than that one night?

 

4. anyone that has gone with a baby b4, I know no swimmie diapers, so what kind of activities have you done with your kids?

 

5. any tips for a parent?

 

Oct 3rd is a Friday, since this is more of a quick get away cruise and more of a party boat, most people wont be getting their till after 3pm, after work. The ship will pretty much be empty from 11:30am till that 2:30pm time frame and thats when you will see more people showing up. So I recommend showing up earily around 11:30am as there are no crowds and you simply walk onboard.

 

In Oct. its going to be nippy so make sure your kid has enough warm clothing because with going in and out of the ship spaces he or she will get sick fast by catching a cold.

 

What you wrote above about mens clothing is perfect. Thats pretty much what I wear, black dress pants with different color Polo shirts each night. Don't over pack, you are only going for a quick 3 or 4 dayer. There is only 1 formal night on that cruise.

 

 

Fred

[iceman111]

you guys are awesome thank you

[cruisemamma99]

We did the four day one and loved it! Left on a Monday and really wasn't a party scene. I heard the ones that leave on the weekends can be that way, so maybe consider that and the extra day if you can make the change.

 

I think it will be fun and you can put your child in the camp I believe- for a break. Also the ship was beautiful, and we especially loved Catalina so I am sure you will have fun!!

[cruisemamma99]

I just realized yours doesn't include Catalina, hey the 4 day one leaves the 6th, but understand a lot of people do the weekend because of work fyi.

[Rouge Wave]

Been a while since cruised and first time as a parent. We are going on the 3 day cruise 10/3/08 and have a few questions.

 

1.Being that I will have a 15 month old with us, is it better to arrive super early with forms filled out and try to get on fast or do we show up late in afternoon (I don't know what is latest time?) so we don't have to wait in long lines with baby?

 

2. for anyone who has traveled with a baby, is crib ok? does it come with a sheet?

 

3. dinner dress, the boards are so full of contradictory info, is Khakis or black pants and either a button down or polo ok for men? I know it is only the 3 day, so is it more formal than that one night?

 

4. anyone that has gone with a baby b4, I know no swimmie diapers, so what kind of activities have you done with your kids?

 

5. any tips for a parent?

 

I love the 3 night Paradise cruise.. but is is NOT the cruise I would ever consider taking any child on.... its just not that kind of cruise. It tends to be roudy.. kinda Vegas style of roudy. People try to pack as much into the 3 nights as they can. Its a darn good time, but again, not the kind of cruise for kids. It tends to be heavy on the adults looking to let their hair down and is very light on kids of any age. I'd leave the child with Grandma etc or pick a different cruise. If you must take the child, go on the 4 night on the Paradise or better yet, take the 5 night Elation cruise out of San Diego.

[Drew B]

I totally disagree. While the overall tone of the 3-day Paradise cruise may be more wild and rowdy than others, nobody forces you to participate in any debauchery, and it's very easy to avoid, especially if you're with a toddler. It's not like you'd be going to the casino or the nightclubs, anyway!

 

Now that is not to say that other cruises may not be MORE family friendly. However, if this is the one you can do, don't feel that you shouldn't do it because you'll be with a kid.

[geezersgirl]

We did the four day one and loved it! Left on a Monday and really wasn't a party scene. I heard the ones that leave on the weekends can be that way, so maybe consider that and the extra day if you can make the change.

 

I think it will be fun and you can put your child in the camp I believe- for a break. Also the ship was beautiful, and we especially loved Catalina so I am sure you will have fun!!

 

We are thinking of booking the Paradise 9/01/08 for the four day cruise. We have only cruised on the Conquest and are booked on the Victory for 2/09. I noticed this ship has no balcony rooms, is it worth it to get the OV for this one? Any recommendations?

[Drew B]

Rouge Wave, I shudder to ask, but what IS that pictured in your avatar?

[woolfairy]

I've done this cruise with 2 littles (2 and 6) and it was no problem. They enjoyed the kid's club, we were able to be entirely clear of any debauchery and it was quite pleasant. Our across the hall neighbor was known all over the boat for her drunkenness and debauchery and *still* our cruise wasn't disturbed. (although she could be loud here and there, but it wasn't enough to spoil anything.)

 

I overpacked with warm clothes for our December sailing. Bring a sweater for the little one and some pants, but most of the time we were indoors or it was pleasant (nights on the deck got cold, but we didn't do much of that at all).

 

I will say to bring a stroller instead of renting one. The Jeep strollers onboard were okay, but not great. I wish we had our nicer umbrella stroller instead.

 

Oh, and there were plenty of people in line at 1:30. It was a good wait, but not horrifying. Also, I loved our ocean view room. I would totally do that again. Wouldn't even consider the inside cabin given that I really enjoyed watching the stars from my cabin while I had a sleeping little one.

[Kurbanfan]

The 3 nite Paradise is definitely a party ship. But as the other poster said you can avoid it. The ship is big enough for everyone. But no doubt it is a party ship;)

[TortieGal]

I sailed her in April and fully expected a booze cruise based on what I read here. It was nothing like that.

 

Was the crowd a little younger? Yes but there was also a range of ages sailing. There were quite a few bachelorette parties on board and when we saw them, they were a little boisterous but I never saw them to the point where they were disturbing other guests.

 

On our last night, we were up until 3 with some of our tablemates and in all honesty, it seemed like we were the only ones still out and about between 1:30 and 3.

 

Maybe everyone else was passed out in their rooms. ;)

 

Like previous poster noted, if you are on a booze cruise sailing, there are plenty of places to avoid it. At least on my sailing, everyone was well behaved - drunks and sobers alike. :)

[iceman111]

any more info or tips on boarding?

[Rouge Wave]

Rouge Wave, I shudder to ask, but what IS that pictured in your avatar?

 

It is EXACTLY what is says it is, a ice sculpture of the leaning Tower of Pisa. I am sure I spelled it out clearly in the right upper corner of the header. Do you have some sort of fear of ice sculptures perhaps? ? I can’t imagine why a pic of an ice sculpture would make you shudder.

Feel free to highly disagree with me all you want. I am fairly confident I have been on the 3 night Paradise cruise more then anybody else on this board. 8 times so far and it will be 10 times by the end of the year. I do have real experience to back up my point of view. Sure, just like Vegas one does not have to participate in the debauchery as you put it, but none the less, not participating does not make it a suitable cruise for a child. The 4 night is a much better choice and the 4/5 day Elation is an excellent choice.

[iceman111]

I of course understand that the cruise will be geared toward more partiers than families, but I have no choice, my dad is paying for a bunch of us to go, so I will make our own fun on the ship

[iceman111]

i agree with party atmosphere, but my dad is taking a bunch of us for his 60th bday, so we will make the best of it

[Wennfred]

It is EXACTLY what is says it is, a ice sculpture of the leaning Tower of Pisa. I am sure I spelled it out clearly in the right upper corner of the header. Do you have some sort of fear of ice sculptures perhaps? ? I can’t imagine why a pic of an ice sculpture would make you shudder.

 

 

I was thinking the same thing, from my point of view, it didn't look like an Ice sculpture of the leaning Tower of Pisa but a male private part with a condom or some type of lubricant all over it. I was thinking who in their right mind would post of picture of that LOL. :confused:

 

 

The Picture is too small to see what exactly it is. No one reads the fine print on the upper right side to see what it is suppose to be.

 

 

Fred

[Rouge Wave]

I was thinking the same thing, from my point of view, it didn't look like an Ice sculpture of the leaning Tower of Pisa but a male private part with a condom or some type of lubricant all over it. I was thinking who in their right mind would post of picture of that LOL. :confused:

 

 

The Picture is too small to see what exactly it is. No one reads the fine print on the upper right side to see what it is suppose to be.

 

 

Fred

 

Hmmm "no one" reads the fine print in the header... then why is it there? What is its purpose if not to provide information? It is where the oh so coveted post count is located… are you suggesting people do not make note of “see” post counts?? Surely not… The post count is used all the time as a way to beat up on people, call them trolls etc.

The type size in the header is only slightly smaller then the normal body of the post type size and is larger then the type in some signatures. In any case, I do spell it out CLEARLY what my avatar is, I have no control of people not able, willing to read what is clearly stated. Some people take the time to read others don’t. Some people jump to conclusions as to what they “think” they see, others are more thoughtful, such is life.

[Rouge Wave]

any more info or tips on boarding?

 

Yes, do take advantage of early check in on the Queen Mary. I think it is great! I find it is fun to be on the ship early and people watch. Do not try to drag you baggage onboard... CHECK IT with the porters…. Yes, take on a carry-on Kiddy bag etc.. but check the suitcases and don’t self disembark either, the line of people who self-disembark on this cruise is tremendous. It is like ¾ of the ship tries to self-disembark, the line goes on forever.. just relax, have a nice breakfast and wait and do the regular disembarkation.

I think you will have a great time... its not like your child will be corrupted for life or anything going on this cruise... and although I don’t view this cruise as child friendly… clearly those who have taken a child along say it was fine… in any case, this is a very fun cruise, the energy level is high and every one is friendly. It is money well spent and I am sure you will have a great time! Do the newlywed/not so newly wed game, see all the shows etc, no matter how silly they may sound.

Although the Elation is my Favorite Fantasy class ship, the Paradise runs a strong second. She is in great shape,the crew is wonderful. Do eat in the dining room for dinner, the food is good, the buffet food for dinner, not so good. Although some knock it, I enjoy Ense. The fish taco stand by the McDonalds’ has GREAT fish & shrimp and Carne Seca tacos… 1 buck each.

[Da808inIrvine]

I'm a newbie on this board but I wanted to say thank you to all for the great info. Been reading a lot about this ship and the 3-day cruise. I have a 2-year old with wife and grandparents in tow. It'll be our first cruise but at least we will have the right expectations going in. I consider ourselves....conservative...don't really like the Vegas scene but glad to hear that there's room for boring folks like us.