Carnival

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

jwinters

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 24, 2017

Ship: Carnival Paradise

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: E207

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Carnival changed from Grand Caymen to Costa Maya. Costa Maya is a very dirty area with very little to do. all we got was room credit.

Built in gratuities ensures that you will not get good service. they are getting paid anyways.

Ship Needs Maintenance

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was average

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Lobby entertainment and piano bar where awful. so disappointing stage shows where good

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Held Meet and greets with no one from boat to facilitate. basically walked away

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Built in gratuities ensures that you will not get good service. they are getting paid anyways.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Elevators out of service. needs lots of polish. everything is sun faded

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

1 out of 5

14 Comments

jessjacono 7 years ago

Reread what I wrote. Not all first time cruisers. Only the ones who buy the cheapest possibly ticket, don't want to pay gratuity, complain that you have to walk on a walking tour.... And then expect everything to be free, drinks and upgrades. We heard people last week who said they felt like $5 was enough gratuity for a room steward for the entire 5 days. They felt $12.50 per person per day, which is split up amongst all the staff, is too much. They clean your room twice a day. Fresh sheets and towels, they keep tour ice bucket full if you have one, they leave you cute little towel animals... And that is just the room stewards.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Katievp 7 years ago

Either way, your family is bashing first time cruisers. Maybe just maybe they haven't learned yet and need to be taught.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jessjacono 7 years ago

If you both look at the different names, I am always respectful. And I am the wife. I differentiate between the rude and the non-rude.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Katievp 7 years ago

Jessjacono, you talk about being respectful but every post or comment you've had had been rude and disrespectful. Everyone was a blue card once including you. They'll either learn the ropes or move on but either way there's no need for the condescending remarks over and over again. We get the point. You think you're better than everyone.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Frogboo95 7 years ago

jessacono... Not all "Blue Cards" as You say are that way. We started off Blue and sailed into Gold. We love Cruising. They just look at life different. They don't seem to look for Joy in things. But no need to call them names, just smile, hold your wife and say... Wow Babe... We are going to Cuba! God Bless...Peace

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jessjacono 7 years ago

Yes. But I never acted like I was entitled to everything for free or was drunk and offensive. I was brought up to respect myself and others. We are only talking about the people who think that Carnival is a high end cruise line who should bend over backwards for people who don't want to pay for anything of who complain about everything. If you have never cruised before and are expecting the best, then you need to pay for the best.

Thumbs Up 4

Flag

sharisullivan 7 years ago

You were a blue card once too

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jessjacono 7 years ago

First time cruiser. You get a blue card.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

shopnagain 7 years ago

What's a blue card?

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

josephjacono 7 years ago

typical blue card! nuff said

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

jessjacono 7 years ago

Food was good. Service was good. We just got home Saturday from 5 days on the Paradise and it was a fantastic week. We go on the same ship again in October to Cuba.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

jessjacono 7 years ago

Loved Costa Maya... went and say the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. Learned a lot and had fun doing it!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

bubba12 7 years ago

last time I went there was a free beach and swim up pool within walking distance but I prefer Cayman islands

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

venusofwisconsin 7 years ago

Most people say the opposite. That prepaid gratuities makes you get treated better actually. We gave people some extra anyways.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Not my idea of a first cruise.

Amazing Time

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western