Just off Paradise 4 day yesterday!

[SunPacific]

Just off Paradise yesterday – had a great time!! Will post a review later but here are a few quick thoughts, especially for those of you departing on Monday.

NO SMOKING in the casino – yay! Smoking only in the Piano Bar, Rotterdam Bar, and open deck starboard.

CAT 12 SUITES were the only ones refurbished during drydock – beautifully done with new furniture including new balcony chairs. We had lousy weather but enjoyed the balcony anyway (unfortunately unable to renew our balcony membership, though -- too cold and rainy). :p

SERENITY AREA – the Jacuzzis were not in service yet but the area is very nice. Great aft location.

PIZZARIA – Not impressed, unfortunately. We love pizza and were really looking forward to the fabulous pizza everyone raves about here. P.S. We are not food snobs by any means.

WCMC – My chocoholic husband LOVED it. It was really quite delicious. Order it with milk!

BARTENDER – John from Peru (I believe his last name is Navarro) was fabulous. We like our Mai-Tais made a certain way and he remembered us and the way to make ‘em every time. John works the Lido deck bar during the day and the US Casino bar at night. Tell him Tom & Carol said Hi.

TEMPORARY TATOOS – We got our tattoos the first day – very fun! The “airbrush artist” Jana is located on the Lido deck by the bars. Jana touched ours up on the last day for no charge. She is new to Paradise, but worked on Liberty prior. Some of you may already know her. Tell Jana that Tom & Carol, her very first Paradise customers who got the suns, said Hi.

As I said, I will be doing a review but have lotsa stuff to take care of at home first. All and all, despite the rain and cold (except for Catalina), we had a GREAT time!!!:D

[drjpreston]

Thanks

 

We are looking forward to our Jan 26 four day. Wish they had updated the Ocean View rooms. But any cruise and any room is a great room if it is on a cruise.

[SunPacific]

Thanks

 

We are looking forward to our Jan 26 four day. Wish they had updated the Ocean View rooms. But any cruise and any room is a great room if it is on a cruise.

 

Agreed-hey, you're on a cruise!!! (I didn't make our bed today-still waiting for my room steward :p) They did update a lot of the common areas and lounges -- everything is very clean. The Queen Mary lounge (karaoke) was great!

[SCNNAME]

Did the rooms have refrig's we leave on the 29th and have a cat. 12 room. Looking forward for you complete review.

[SunPacific]

Did the rooms have refrig's we leave on the 29th and have a cat. 12 room. Looking forward for you complete review.

 

Yes, there is a small fridge but no hair dryer. Bring your own, which you will have to plug in at the vanity area and not in the bathroom - outlet in bathroom for shavers only. :)

[crazycath]

So for those of us that don't have a balconey, what changes will we notice on the Paradise?

 

Do all rooms have refridgerators now? and flat screen tv's?

 

Thanks in advace

 

Cathy

[Kurbanfan]

We were in port with the Paradise in Ensenada on Wed. and we noticed they did not have the new WaterWorks.........

[SunPacific]

We were in port with the Paradise in Ensenada on Wed. and we noticed they did not have the new WaterWorks.........

The Elation docked before us -- how cool -- maybe I saw you in the dockside shops??? No, no waterworks. Serenity area, Cat 12's only refurb:D and other general upgrades throughout the ship; kiddie pools and things, which I don't pay attention to. Had a great time in spite of the drizzle!

[Kurbanfan]

The Elation docked before us -- how cool -- maybe I saw you in the dockside shops??? No, no waterworks. Serenity area, Cat 12's only refurb:D and other general upgrades throughout the ship; kiddie pools and things, which I don't pay attention to. Had a great time in spite of the drizzle!

 

 

Yep the Elation. Rain/cold was not too bad......it was the flooded streets:eek: We were literally walking in water from our knees down trying to cross the streets......

Once we got to our destination we had to ring out our socks:p a few beers later it didn't matter:D

Cabo was a perfect blue skies and/ 85 degrees:D

What was amazing was driving home from San Diego and seeing all the snow :eek:

[thunderfox]

So for those of us that don't have a balconey, what changes will we notice on the Paradise?

 

Do all rooms have refridgerators now? and flat screen tv's?

 

Thanks in advace

 

Cathy

 

From what I understand, it's only the Cat 12 rooms that have those upgrades. We had an ocean view room and it was business as usual. No fridge, normal TV. We DID have new carpet and fabulously new linens/duvets (yes, I asked for an extra one because our room was FREEZING most of the time).

[thunderfox]

Just off Paradise yesterday – had a great time!! Will post a review later but here are a few quick thoughts, especially for those of you departing on Monday.

 

SERENITY AREA – it took me three days to FIND this place!! (LOL) It is not advertised anywhere, and the deck plan maps still reference the location as the "children's pool". It does look like it would be nice on a warm, sunny day.

 

Too bad we didn't have any of THOSE!

 

 

PIZZARIA – I'm with you on this one - NOT a food snob of any order, but the pizza was less than ordinary, IMO. The other 8 people in our group felt pretty much the same way about it. I don't get what all the fuss is about...??

 

Then again... I found the food, in general, to be rather unappealing. Almost inedible, in more than a few cases. Not sure if it was just a rough start after drydock, or what... but we found that the best food on the ship WAS the pizza... and that's saying something. Cool food that is supposed to be hot is one thing... warm food that is supposed to be cool, is kind of scary. :eek:

 

WCMC – yes, something worthy of addiction. ;)

[SunPacific]

Then again... I found the food, in general, to be rather unappealing. Almost inedible, in more than a few cases. Not sure if it was just a rough start after drydock, or what... but we found that the best food on the ship WAS the pizza... and that's saying something. Cool food that is supposed to be hot is one thing... warm food that is supposed to be cool, is kind of scary. :eek:

 

 

thunderfox, which dining room were you in? We did not have that issue at all. We were in Elation, early seating.

[Guest Mary49]

Just off Paradise yesterday – had a great time!! Will post a review later but here are a few quick thoughts, especially for those of you departing on Monday.

 

NO SMOKING in the casino – yay! Smoking only in the Piano Bar, Rotterdam Bar, and open deck starboard.

 

CAT 12 SUITES were the only ones refurbished during drydock – beautifully done with new furniture including new balcony chairs. We had lousy weather but enjoyed the balcony anyway (unfortunately unable to renew our balcony membership, though -- too cold and rainy). :p

 

SERENITY AREA – the Jacuzzis were not in service yet but the area is very nice. Great aft location.

 

PIZZARIA – Not impressed, unfortunately. We love pizza and were really looking forward to the fabulous pizza everyone raves about here. P.S. We are not food snobs by any means.

 

WCMC – My chocoholic husband LOVED it. It was really quite delicious. Order it with milk!

 

BARTENDER – John from Peru (I believe his last name is Navarro) was fabulous. We like our Mai-Tais made a certain way and he remembered us and the way to make ‘em every time. John works the Lido deck bar during the day and the US Casino bar at night. Tell him Tom & Carol said Hi.

 

TEMPORARY TATOOS – We got our tattoos the first day – very fun! The “airbrush artist” Jana is located on the Lido deck by the bars. Jana touched ours up on the last day for no charge. She is new to Paradise, but worked on Liberty prior. Some of you may already know her. Tell Jana that Tom & Carol, her very first Paradise customers who got the suns, said Hi.

 

As I said, I will be doing a review but have lotsa stuff to take care of at home first. All and all, despite the rain and cold (except for Catalina), we had a GREAT time!!!:D

 

Glad you had a great time. Did you happen to catch "Music Boardwalk Band"? Hope you did they are a great band. Mary49

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Awesome!

Can't wait for your review, and some pics of the new Category 12 upgrades!

Thanks in advance.

 

[thunderfox]

thunderfox, which dining room were you in? We did not have that issue at all. We were in Elation, early seating.

 

We were in Destiny - late seating.

 

Could have had a lot to do with it, I'm thinking. The dining room experience, as a whole, left a LOT to be desired all week. :rolleyes:

[ParrotHead79]

Here's the 4-1-1 on the drydock

 

According to our discussions with Senior Hotel Director Dennis Dearbourn, while this isn't a full Evolutions of Fun overhaul, this is a substantial, ten-day, $8.5M refit.

The ship won't get the new waterpark for three more years, this refit adds a number of new features:

• Serenity Deck, the kid-free relaxation area with sun loungers and two hot tubs
  
• Circle C tween zone
  
• Mongolian grill, rotisserie chicken, and a bigger deli in the Lido
  
• New mattresses for the whole ship (over 2,000)
  
• Suite enhancements: new tile in the bathrooms, reupholstered couches, new carpet, flat panel TV
  

Additionally, more modular seating has been added to the forward main restaurant to accommodate upcoming plans for open seating.

It's worth keeping in mind that this vessel already has some upgrades relative to the older Fantasy class:

• Camp Carnival youth area (where the Owner's Suites are on other ships). These are being refurbished and will get two new wall-sized TVs
  
• Atrium bar, with a nice piano and seating area
  
• Upgraded fitness center and spa (with lovely relaxation room). The gym will get some new TVs
  
• Minigolf course
  
• Large coffee bar on the main entertainment deck
  

There's also no small amount of basic drydock maintenance: Painting the hull, technical works, removal of azipods, replacement of bearings, classification checks. Also carpets, painting, general maintenance, duct cleaning, tile work.

[victory2020]

The regular rooms did not get flat screen TVs & bathroom remodel? Does anyone remember the dining room's new layout? I was told they were adding tables for 2. Did anyone see any?

[SunPacific]

The regular rooms did not get flat screen TVs & bathroom remodel? Does anyone remember the dining room's new layout? I was told they were adding tables for 2. Did anyone see any?

 

No, the Cat 12 suites only got the upgrade.

 

I don't know about the Destiny dining room, but in the Elation, they added two 2 toppers on one side only. So the tables by the windows are 4-space in between-2-space in between-2. We had a middle 2 and it was great. Could converse with neighbors if we wanted or not if we wanted. Had 2 older couples at the four top next to the window, and a young lady and her mom on the aisle. We lucked out with nice neighbors!:D

[cruisecastle]

Just off Paradise yesterday – had a great time!! Will post a review later but here are a few quick thoughts, especially for those of you departing on Monday.

NO SMOKING in the casino – yay! Smoking only in the Piano Bar, Rotterdam Bar, and open deck starboard.

CAT 12 SUITES were the only ones refurbished during drydock – beautifully done with new furniture including new balcony chairs. We had lousy weather but enjoyed the balcony anyway (unfortunately unable to renew our balcony membership, though -- too cold and rainy). :p

SERENITY AREA – the Jacuzzis were not in service yet but the area is very nice. Great aft location.

PIZZARIA – Not impressed, unfortunately. We love pizza and were really looking forward to the fabulous pizza everyone raves about here. P.S. We are not food snobs by any means.

WCMC – My chocoholic husband LOVED it. It was really quite delicious. Order it with milk!

BARTENDER – John from Peru (I believe his last name is Navarro) was fabulous. We like our Mai-Tais made a certain way and he remembered us and the way to make ‘em every time. John works the Lido deck bar during the day and the US Casino bar at night. Tell him Tom & Carol said Hi.

TEMPORARY TATOOS – We got our tattoos the first day – very fun! The “airbrush artist” Jana is located on the Lido deck by the bars. Jana touched ours up on the last day for no charge. She is new to Paradise, but worked on Liberty prior. Some of you may already know her. Tell Jana that Tom & Carol, her very first Paradise customers who got the suns, said Hi.

As I said, I will be doing a review but have lotsa stuff to take care of at home first. All and all, despite the rain and cold (except for Catalina), we had a GREAT time!!!:D

 

 

 

Carnival Pizza is probably the most over rated things on this board. It's ok but nothing special.

[thunderfox]

Carnival Pizza is probably the most over rated things on this board. It's ok but nothing special.

 

Maybe because the regular food is so unappealing, that the pizza is AMAZING!! <snark> :p

[13point1]

Carnival Pizza is probably the most over rated things on this board. It's ok but nothing special.

 

In comparison to other pizza at sea, it superior.

[thunderfox]

In comparison to other pizza at sea, it superior.

 

 

Well, there ya go! :D

 

(I guess I am grateful to have superior sea-pizza, but what I *really* wanted was a *green* salad and *anything* in the dining room that was warmer than room temperature :eek:)

 

BUT... a cruise is not ALL about food... ;) (we still had a great time!)

[firhill]

Just off Paradise yesterday NO SMOKING in the casino – yay! Smoking only in the Piano Bar, Rotterdam Bar, and open deck starboard.

 

 

Could someone please confirm that you can still smoke in your cabin on this ship?

 

Also, if it's true that there is no smoking allowed in casino?

 

Thanks

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Could someone please confirm that you can still smoke in your cabin on this ship?

Yes. You can smoke in your cabin on Paradise.

[CruisnMom007]

Yes. You can smoke in your cabin on Paradise.

 

 

Aren't there specific cabins designated for smokers? What about those of us who do not smoke and are allergic to the nicotine? I can't go into my dads house, haven't for years due to the residue from the nicotine.

I have always mentioned before I cruise that I needed a smoke free room. On one of our cruises I thought you could only smoke out on deck?? That's what my brother had to do.