Anyone just off the Paradise

[derf5585]

Looking for anyone just off the Carnival "Paradise" Monday 22 Nov 2004

 

Review?

[bbrabozo]

Hi. I have to make this quick but we had a nice time on the ship. This was our first time sailing carnival. I didn't go with huge expectations and therefore wasn't disappointed. This is a weekend cruise so you have some college kids who definately make it a booze weekend and can be a little loud. It wasn't enough to ruin my cruise we just moved to a different part of the ship when we encountered them. The weather was mostly cloudy and not warm enough for swimming. Although there were some people who were determined to get out on deck in their bathing suits on sea day and hit the pools ,most were in the hot tub or on chairs with warm clothes reading and listening to the band. We ran around in long sleeved tops and some had sweat outfits on because it's pretty breezy. The temps on sea day were 65 degrees. My husband golfed in Ensenada and said it was very breezy (he wore long pants and a golf shirt). I brought shorts and never wore them, but some did. My daughter had a lot of homework so we took a quick trip into downtown Ensenads (the pits) and quickly came back to the ship and just hung out onboard. They had a well attended excursion to the wine country that sounded nice.

The food on the first night was very good. They offered lobster tails (done nicely and not dry) and prime rib ( ordered mine medium rare and it was perfect)and some kind of sauteed or grilled fish as well as chicken. I kind of thought that meal would have been more appropriate on the formal night (Saturday). The other two nights fare was okay, not great. They offered Beef Wellington ( mine was tough and hard to cut) They offered a smoked duck appetizer that was excellent and the shrimp cocktail although the shrimp were small was good. The Chateau B. was quite good. Their desserts were a bit lackluster but my husband thought the ice cream in the dining room was good. Breakfast was good. Lunch was served once in the dining room. We didn't go so I can't comment on it. The rest of the time in the Paris dining area (food was good not great).

I was pleasantly surprised by the shows. They were great. The comedian was not that funny. We didn't go to the late night adult show but the regular show evoked a smattering of laughs. I really felt for the guy. He tried but just wasn't funny.

The casino was filled with cigarette smokers and it bothered my husband so much that he had to leave after 20 minutes.

The ship is in good condition and our room was fine. We usually do suites on other cruise lines but wanted a cheap weekend getaway so we stayed in an outside stateroom. It was my husband ,daughter and myself. It was a little tight but we managed just fine. The people onboard were a mix of college students, families, groups of friends etc. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. They had activities for kids and teens. They met on the first night and got a bulletin that listed activities for the next days. We did see a group of small kids on a scavenger hunt with counselors who were having a blast. Debarkation was smooth and quick for us were had to leave early and were off of the ship and through customs by 8:15. Hope this is helpful. You will enjoy. Other cruiselines we've been on : NCL. RCCl, Princess, and Holland America. Would go again but on a different ship because we don't like to sail the same ship twice. Crew was friendly, and work very hard. Take care. Mary

[derf5585]

Thank you very much.

 

Who was the Captain?

Who was the Host

Where there any other CruiseCriters aboard?

Is here a CruiseCritic log in the library?

[MDavis23]

bbrabozo: We are sailing 2/14 on the Paradise. My husband and another couple are golfing in Ensenada. I am hoping to tag along and not golf. Anyway, any suggestions, opinions, comments about the golf course?

 

Thanks

Mary

[paradise214]

We are also going on the Paradise 2.14.05. It's our first cruise- I'm so excited! Hope you enjoy your vacation!

[txjudy]

We are going out of Galveston on Elation on 3/13/05 and was wondering if there is a stingray/shark excursion in Progresso or Cozumel. Not interested in swimming with the dolphins. Done that. Doing the canopy tour in Belize. TIA:)

[wispr]

We are going on the Paradise 2/14. Was on her 3 years ago in the Carribean. We have been on the Ensenada cruise on RCCL so we are lookiing forward to Carnival's rendetion of this cruise

[Chorts]

We were on the Paradise 1/17/2005. Took my mom and aunt. First time cruising for them. Mom is 79. We anchored at Catalina Tuesday a.m. and tendered to the island. Went to the old Avalon Ballroom and took the museum tour, which is a self tour and the cost was $2 I think. Did some shopping, lots of walking. Could rent a golf cart for $30 an hour but didn't. Felt that was a little steep.

The next day we were in Ensenada. You dock there. Took a shuttle into town and the cost was $1 per person. Took the tour to La Bufadora blowhole. Nice ride, guide gave lots of info about the schools, military service and the fact that you have to pay to use the toilets at La Bufadora since there is no running water there. The water has to be trucked to that point. Street shopping is the usual touristy stuff but fun.

Thursday was a sea day so we just piddled around on the ship. The Paradise is a nice ship. The rooms were large enough so you don't feel cramped and my bed was quite comfy. The food was good. You're not going to get five-star but we enjoyed dit just the same. We ate breakfast at the buffet each day. That way we could eat when we wanted and not need to wait or hurry for someone else.

Embarking was no problem. We got there about 12:30 and got in the line for people who already had their fun pass filled out. Took about 15 min. From there we had the embarkation picture taken, went upstairs for a 2nd picture for security, on to another room to get our sail and sign card and walked across a gangway to the ship and straight to the Lido deck for lunch. We had cabin M222 which is pretty much aft but the ship is going so slow that you feel a little side to side motion and little or no up and down motion.

Getting around on the ship was a little confusing at times. Some decks don't "go through". You need to do some creative maneuvering to get to some places. Once we figured it out, we were fine though.

Debarking was a little longer. Our color was called and it took about 10 min to get off the ship but once off you have to go through customs. That's where the bottleneck is. That took us almost 45 min to get through.

All in all, we had a great time and it's a perfect cruise for someone who has never cruised before just so they can get the feel for cruising.

Enjoy!

[Chele60]

I just took the Paradise 1/31 - 2/4/05. I wrote a cruise review, and you can find it here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=131971 . Just a warning, this was my first cruise so the review is rather long.

 

Enjoy!

[derf5585]

I just took the Paradise 1/31 - 2/4/05. I wrote a cruise review, and you can find it here: Just a warning, this was my first cruise so the review is rather long.Enjoy!

 

Yes, it was long (not a problem) and a very interesting review. Should I be upset, thrilled, suprised, questioning why you are maybe planning another cruise. What were your Mothers thoughts about the cruise.

[Chele60]

Yes, it was long (not a problem) and a very interesting review. Should I be upset, thrilled, suprised, questioning why you are maybe planning another cruise. What were your Mothers thoughts about the cruise.

 

Perhaps suprised? :) Actually, I'm open as to how I might do Alaska and cruising is but one option. If I do cruise Alaska, it will definitely be very port intensive and fewer days at sea. Also, I would add a land package to it.

 

My mother's thoughts were like mine. It's important to note, however, that my mother is not an independent traveler. She does not go off and do things on her own. Part of the problem for her might have come from the fact that I caught a cold and really needed more bed rest on the day at sea. (Normally I don't nap during the day.) So, while I was sleeping in the early afternoon, she was in the cabin reading. She said she didn't mind, but I know I felt badly (as if the cold weren't enough!) about that. I'm thinking if we were to cruise again, and if it were with a line that stopped at ports more frequently, she might enjoy it. We are both similar in traveling styles: on the go, doing things, non-stop sight-seeing. This is just difficult for cruise ships to provide. For me, I can sit and relax at home, and mom is retired so she can relax whenever. So, for us anyway, vacations that have lots of "down time" are not as interesting. Hope this makes sense?

 

However, if folks want to relax, kick-back, and let time flow by cruising is perfect. (My boyfriend is like this, by the way, and would like to try cruising, so I think he would quickly become "addicted"!)