Nice escape from reality

Item: Carnival Paradise
Rating: 4.3
Author: lfsgr84me

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

lfsgr84me

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 11, 2019

Ship: Carnival Paradise

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: E10

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Enjoyable and relaxing. Did not appreciate the gratuity being added automatically to my bill. I would've left more, so you jipped your employees.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Incredibly smooth and professional

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Most all of the food was good. Nothing extraordinary, but good.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

The shows were fantastic!

Children's Programs

No kids

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everyone very professional and personable.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cleanliness was fine, but layout was a challenge to navigate

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Reasonable size, tremendous storage space. Should've been a cover over the crevice between the two beds when pushed together. Shower curtain missing Hooks. Needed weights in bottom to prevent billowing in and sticking to body while showering.

Ports of call

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Very smooth and professional

8 Comments

mrslprince66 5 years ago

The gratuity policy is clearly spelled out in your contract. This should not have been a surprise if you actually read what you agreed to. Also they can be removed if you request it at first services. We prepay gratuities and tip extra for exceptional service!

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aharbison66 5 years ago

If you go to some restaurants with a group of 6 or more, the gratuity is automatically added.

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ddhjbd99 5 years ago

The services on our cruises has been fantastic ! There are so many people working behind the scenes to make your experience enjoyable that you will never see. Tip them ! We also tip our MDR waiters and favorite bar tenders and our steward at the end of the cruise. Not all the time. Last cruise we didn’t ever meet our steward once.

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maryred 5 years ago

This must of been your first time cruising from a North American departure port. The auto-gratuity is a cruise industry standard. Since a gratuity is discretionary every cruise line allows you to opt-out them once on board but before the cruise is over, BUT you really shouldn't. About 40% of the amount goes to your cabin staff which includes you steward, the assistant steward, and the on call housekeeper. Another approximately 50% goes to food services wait and bus staff ( both in the buffet and in the MDR) with the bulk of the amount going to your assigned dinner table staff taking care of the head waiter, assistant waiter, waiter, buss persons, and runner (and if using Anytime Dining some goes to the hostess staff that seats you). A small amount goes to a general tipping pool that is split among public area housekeeping (like those that clean the public bathrooms) and odd-n-end service personnel like the people that restock the self-serve ice cream and drink dispensers.

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donf407 5 years ago

I agree the idea of a tip is to show gratitude that’s why they call it gratuity if they are going to force it on me then that’s all I give in a perfect world they should pay there employees enough so they don’t have to rely on tips this forced gratuity is ridiculous

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funboomer47 5 years ago

A lot of people tip extra at the end of the cruise to those employees that stand out and gave you excellent service.

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aharbison66 5 years ago

You can always tip more. The gratuities also go to crew members whom you don't see.

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onlysail 5 years ago

Yea right

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Other reviews of this sailing

Did not expect much and got what I expected

Great

It was a wonderful cruise! The only downside I never received my onboard cash I was promised!