Many small details made this hard to enjoy

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

terrillschmidt

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

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

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

The lights in the cabin only worked 3 of the 5 days (days 2 and 4 they did not work) Closet door latch was broken so it would swing open/closed when the shipped rocked during sailing.

Ship tip

This cruise ship has multiple SMOKING areas, to include main hallways. If you do not smoke, do not take this cruise!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

George Town, Grand Cayman

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

17 Comments

jamesdecatsye 8 years ago

In the casino yes might have been rough yes I have to pay for lobster now no more6 at dinner but I always always had a wonderful time in paradise on the paradise I love this ship

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jamesdecatsye 8 years ago

I love this ship outside dining is great all casinos have smokers she my not be the pretty girl at the ball but she'll turn a few heads try royal Caribbean and see how much you pay for lobster what's an xtra 20 for 2 lobsters I love paradise as it also takes you to paradise never been on a poor cruise my next on the paradise wifi be my 15th yes some things weren't perfect yes I lost money in the c

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TeresaC1963 8 years ago

The Paradise was built to be a non smoking cruise but that didn't go well so after a few years they added smoking. I thought the food on the Paradise was better than the food on the Breeze except for no Guy's Burgers. Lol. And my service in the MDR on the Paradise was far superior. I still prefer the Breeze due to more to do but I liked the Paradise too. It has its charms.

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smcmillan 8 years ago

In comparison, the Paradise ship is not as nice as some of the others I have been on, the food was not as great, nor was the service. I wouldn't say it was bad really, just not as good. Still I enjoyed the cruise. I did read that they tried to make a non smoking cruise but had a decline in sales, so they brought smoking back.

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nursetami 8 years ago

I don't blame you isnip4u...... go to the face book page all about the Paradise run by Patty M. she keeps it positive and the people on there are active and positive too! 😊 a lot of great info there.

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jlchase5165 8 years ago

Currently on the ship & food is terrible. Why is Carnival the only line charging for Lobster, all others have lobster night??

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isnip4u 8 years ago

I stopped following this app just for this reason...I was bored and thought I would check out some pics. ..hmm...no work..traveling to islands..having someone cook and clean for me=priceless....just sayin

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srsmith 8 years ago

Just got off yesterday morning and I loved it!!

Thumbs Up 5

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TeresaC1963 8 years ago

I love the Paradise.

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taylor9692 8 years ago

also, if you have such a problem with the smoking then you should have done your research. almost every ship allows smoking. no matter if it is carnival or any other company. if this isn't the kind of trip for you then don't go again. but don't down the whole ship just because you had a bad time. from other reviews everyone loved it. maybe it wasn't the ship.....

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lewana 8 years ago

Ok that's what I thought it was for to enjoy urself

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taylor9692 8 years ago

vacations are suppose to be about relaxing. not complaining about every little thing. cruise ships will always have their ups and downs, cause their are rude people that don't take care of the ships while they are on it. I have been on multiple cruises (with very good expectations) and have never been let down. don't blame the ship cause things you constantly complained about can happen anywhere.

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lewana 8 years ago

I LOVE DIS SHIP AND WILL BE RETURNING BACK IN OCTOBER AND I DON'T SMOKE AND I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT DIS SHIP

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karenheiser 8 years ago

We just got off the ship today and we had an amazing time no complaints from our group and there was 13 of us.

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lpgove52 8 years ago

We had a blast! It's all about choices and perspective!

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sunshine220 8 years ago

You will always find smoking in casinos and some bar areas on carnival if food is not as hot as you would like send it back until you are pleased with what you have every vacation can have its bad points but try and find the positives and enjoy yourselves regardless

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girlygirl50 8 years ago

I'm sorry but we just got off this ship and had a wonderful time. We don't smoke so we avoided the area as much as possible. I do not think any cruise is smoke free. Your comment "many little items made the cruise feel poor" is just sad. I think you must have very very high expectations but this ship met ours just fine.

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Other reviews of this sailing

It was just 'OK'. The Boat is old but if its cheap enough go for it. I won't go on it again.

great vacation

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