Not recommended

Item: Carnival Paradise
Rating: 2.7
Author: James2420

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

James2420

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 08, 2017

Ship: Carnival Paradise

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: U-81

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Overall we can honestly say that it will be a long time before we go on a cruise again. This may be our first and last time! If we do go on another cruise, it will be on another ship and a different cruise line.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

I was being held up by TSA because the clerk did not process my passport correctly in the computer. Operator error!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

The buffets were fine. They do not open or cater to the early birds like myself. Did not open until 7:30 a.m.. The destiny dining room staff were great. Wish that I could say the same about the chefs. The food more often than not was cold. My wife did not get everything that she ordered on her plate. There wasn't any side dish or potato with her prime rib one night. Her flat iron steak was medium rare and not medium well done on another night there.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

The casino was good! The art auction was a rip off!

Entertainment

3 out of 5

The karaoke, musicians, and the comedy club were good.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

The waiters were good. The room stewards were ok. We changed our own bed linen and towels because they said that they will not change them with us present. We had six small bottles of water taken from our luggage before it arrived to our cabin. They did not return it as we disembarked. I had throat cancer and needed the water to hydrate myself at night! Thanks!

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Bathrooms were not the cleanest. Especially the Lido deck. Out of toilet paper. Water leaking on the Lido deck led to more than one person slipping and falling. There was a bucket catching water on the Promenade deck. There was not a yellow warning sign place there. My wife tripped over the bucket and twisted her ankle. Crew members were standing the talking to one another without warning the patrons.

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

The room is small and outdated. Needs to be renovated. The bed was uncomfortable.

Ship tip

Don't!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

4 out of 5

We live here.

Thumbs Up 0

Key West, Florida

3 out of 5

Nice and hot! Take the local sight seeing bus. The drivers are great to explain everything for history buffs.

Thumbs Up 2

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5

Take the Isla Passion trip on the catamaran. It was great on the beach. Bathrooms were not so clean.

Thumbs Up 2

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

It was O.K..

12 Comments

ScottNWDW 7 years ago

Yes you can bring soda and water on board, but in cans only. Not bottled.

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Family2003 7 years ago

Cans only

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Family2003 7 years ago

You can bring soda on board 12 pack per person and water

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ScottNWDW 7 years ago

The contract clearly states that you cannot bring bottled water or soda on board. The only bottled beverage you can bring on is a 750ml or less bottle of wine. Bottled water purchased from the ship is only $4.50 for 12 bottles. That's cheaper than Publix or Target. We were just on the Paradise in April and given that the ship is 20 years old I do not expect it to look as though it was just entered into service last week. The ship was clean and well maintained. The room stewards are not supposed to change the linens in the room while you are there because you will be in their way and it will take them longer than they are allowed to be in the room sprucing it up. So the fact that you changed the linens yourself is entirely on you not them. All you had to do is ask them return later or leave the room so they can do their job.

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lcoble 7 years ago

Personally I would never judge a cruise line by one ship, aside from that it clearly states online and in your contract that you can not bring bottled water on board, you can buy bottled water on board for a reasonable price. I have to ask, why do the crew members have to warn the patrons that they are talking and why in the world do you need a yellow sign to tell you a bucket is there?

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Family2003 7 years ago

Try Royal Caribbean. I will never cruise carnival again.

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alant40 7 years ago

Just my opinion of course. But I would never choose a ship that's over 20 years old for my first cruise. I went on the Paradise back in 99. It was a smokeless ship then and it was great. Went on the Grandeur of the Seas in 97. It was a year old. Not sure why you hated it but I can imagine why after reading other reviews of the Paradise. Try a newer ship. You'll be surprised.

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cruiseluv 7 years ago

I've cruised on the Paradise twice and enjoyed it both times. It was smoke free then which was such a blessing since I have asthma.

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Summerholiday 7 years ago

Oh that's sad ð what was so bad ???

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jacmac 7 years ago

If you tell us what you liked and didn't like, we can recommend other cruise lines!

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Mike61283 7 years ago

What happen and what was the details? It was to bad it is just verily below average instead of zero stars!

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venusofwisconsin 7 years ago

No explanation? Ok then...

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Other reviews of this sailing

Fun Trip to Key West

Meh...next time just fly straight to Mexico and stay at an all inclusive resort instead of doing cruise

FANTASTIC CARIBBEAN CRUISE!!!!!