new to carnival

[powderyoli]

Hello, just looking for some opinions about the Paradise...

[Paul Motter]

Carnival Paradise Ship Review; food, entertainment, staterooms, itinerarary and service.

Above is our official cruise review. It is one of the older carnival ships (Fantasy-class) all of which have been upgraded in the last few years.

In all honesty, any ship by Carnival, Royal Caribbean or NCL built before 2000 is not one of my top recommendations. However, if you are looking for a quick getaway vacation just to let off some steam they are great.

Just understand that there are newer and much more state of the art ships out there, often for not much more money.

[lhp]

It is an older ship. We sailed on her years ago, so I am not aware of her current condition first hand.

I like the Fantasy Class ships because they are a good size.

Shorter cruises on Carnival (from other ports) can be more of a party crowd. I am not sure about California.

It isn't 5 star, but you will get your money's worth.

I would suggest that you book a cabin on Main or Upper deck. It is always better to have cabins above and below yours, if possible.

We prefer the AFT of the ship to reduce foot traffic.

Personally, I would not pay for a suite. You get the same service with an OV (Ocean View) or Interior.

Carnival does still offer 24 hour room service for free. Their pizza (at least on all the ships we have been on) has been good and is available all the time. You can get free speciality coffees in the Main Dining Room during meals. (expressos and cappicinos ...non alcoholic)

I am not a foodie...but I have found Carnival to be fairly consistant from ship to ship. I have always been pleased with their meals. (just know that the strip steak will be tough and dry on all their ships~partly my fault for eating it well done)

You are allowed to bring on soda and water, since they charge for both onboard. You are allowed to bring on a bottle of wine or champagne per adult.

If you are flexible, Carnival posts a Pack N Go rate on their website every Wednesday. You have to book it by Friday.

Hope this info helps and hope you have a wonderful cruise.

[lovepea]

I like the Paradise. It was the first ship I went on and holds a lot of fun memories for me. Even if it's smaller, I don't recall ever feeling crowded. There were always plenty of things to do or see, although we did spend a decent amount of time on the Lido deck just hanging out. We had wonderful service in the dining room, our stateroom and any other bar we visited.

Our cabin was nice, we had a porthole room on Upper deck. I am sure I wouldn't pick this room again, as the anchor dropping sounded like it was going directly through our room.

Visiting Ensenada isn't on everyone's must-do list, but I've enjoyed it. I've done the two winery tours, plus wandered around the downtown area. Family has gone to la Bufadora and had an enjoyable time too.

[powderyoli]

Thanks for all the great responses... I need to change my signature, a bit outdated since the last time I logged in (RCC cruise in 2007). can anyone remind me of how to do this??

[Donna]

Here is a link to some cruisers reviews of Paradise:

Carnival paradise

[katlady]

Hello fellow Sacramentoian (is that a word). Sounds like you are doing a 4 day cruise from Long Beach to Enseneda and Catalina. I have cruised this ship and these ports. In fact I got my purse in Enseneda at Marios Silver shop. Isn't is cute got one in brown also. Anyway about the ship Fanasty class ships are the smaller of the carnival ship. Which is an advantage because you will tender in Catalina (the ship can't dock so you take tender boats from the ship to the pier) the line is shorter to tender on a ship with less passengers. It has a gym, spa, salon, jogging track etc. I think you will really enjoy the ship. From Catalina it's fun to rent a golf cart and cruise around the island. Or hang on the beach. Enseneda in my opinion isn't as nice. It's more a shopping and drinking town. I'm not much of a drinker so I shop.

Are you trying to delete something off your signature? If so click on user CP at the top of the page. Then click edit signature on the side bar. It will give you an edit window. I hope that helps.

[powderyoli]

Thank you Catlady! I figured out how to alter mty signature, now the time clock....
I'm not much of a drinker, either. I am too nervous to wander around the city without an escort. Was thinking about doing the horseback ride in Ensenada and the Segway tour in Catalina.

[powderyoli]

Thanks, Donna!