Many small details made this hard to enjoy
Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)
Sail date: April 30, 2016
Ship: Carnival Paradise
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: R206
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
Many little items on this cruise made this cruise feel poor. The main item that we did not like: this is a SMOKING cruise. Smoking is allowed inside in multiple areas to include the Casino and main hallway on one of the main walk-through decks. There are no doors to keep this smell from traveling, so you can smell the smoke in the stair wells next to this area for several floors. One of the main dining rooms front opens to this area, so you need to walk through the smoking are to get to the dining room.
The food for the main dining was never served hot. It was usually warm or cool (and tasted like it had been sitting for hours). After the first few days, we were afraid to order seafood since the first few times it was cool and rubbery (like it had been sitting for too long). It took a full 2 hours to eat (we waited for each coarse longer than one would expect).
Alternate dining options have very limited hours, including during the day many would close for a few hours as they changed menus or simply close for the day.
Only have of the elevators worked. This became very noticeable during diner, leaving the ship or returning to the ship since you would commonly have to wait for several elevators since many were full. (carrying scuba gear up or down 6 flights of stairs is tough or 7 flights to go to diner in dress heels).
main stage entertainment was fair at best. The single musicians in the smaller clubs or side stages (in the smoking area of course) were better than the main stage. Piano bar was great.
Our specific cabin also had issue (see below).
The hot tubs were warm at best. even the hot tub in the "adult" area was lukewarm.
With a cruise, many times it is the little details that make them good or great. This cruise had the opposite, many more poor details than positive details, especially compared to other cruises.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
This cruise ship has multiple SMOKING areas, to include main hallways. If you do not smoke, do not take this cruise!