Great First Time !!!

This was my first cruise and my partner thought I might go on one with Key West being on the itinerary.  Shortly after booking, however, the itinerary was changed from Key West being deleted and Costa Maya being added.  So the cruise was Tampa to Cozumel to Costa Maya back to Tampa.  I was disappointed at first but realized that I needed to change my attitude or my first cruise would be ruined, and it would be my fault entirely.  Was I surprised !!!!  This turned out to be such a great time !!! The Carnival Paradise is an older ship, but I knew that before boarding.  The ship was just beautiful and immaculately clean.  The crew was always busy doing "the little things" to make it "ship"shape.  The Port of Tampa definitely knew what they were doing.  We had Fast to the Fun and check in was a breeze. The stateroom was ready when we boarded so we just unpacked, explored the ship on our way to lunch on the Lido deck ( Paris restaurant ).  The food was excellent . I was never disappointed.  The dining room, however, was a bit of a sore spot.  We ate there only 3 nights.  Each time our server, Joseph, kept forgetting to take drink orders for us and our dining companion.  When that was done individually, one beverage failed to arrive and I waited 10 minutes for the creamer for my coffee. Oh well.  The food was better in the Paris restaurant----so much variety.  Brandon, our cruise director, was awesome, continually keeping the ship busy with activities and his own brand of zaniness.  We went to learn towel animal folding and watched the Towel Animal Theatre, both of which were cute and fun.  His Q & A afterwards was interesting.  The ice sculpture demonstration was "cool".  So many pics.  Cozumel was a disappointment for me as it reminded me of Key West too much, as I expected something different.  But Costa Maya was great.  From the ship it looked like we were in the jungle, but once off the ship it was a great "little" port.  We went on the "Bird Walk" and we literally flying in the air with the birds.  It was great.  Plus, the scenery was just beautiful.  Cruising back to Tampa was a delight--calm seas and nothing but sun.  The Port of Tampa, again, was very efficient.  Off the ship, through Customs, and on the road home to Orlando in less than 30 minutes.  I highly recommend the Paradise which will be even better once it's dry dock is completed early next year.