Nickle and Dime

Item: Carnival Paradise
Rating: 1.9
Author: patrickdunlap

Carnival Paradise Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

patrickdunlap

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 54

Overall rating:

1.9 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 04, 2020

Ship: Carnival Paradise

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: U223

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

Nickle and Dime you to death. You pay for the cruise and then have to pay for water, soda, drinks and then ADD tip onto that AFTER paying the gratuity BEFORE your trip. If you want a basic, poor expectation, rude staff and very poor food, Carnival is for you.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Food was terrible. No taste.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Stage shows were just ok. I have seen better shows at some high schools.

Service and Staff

2 out of 5

Overall the staff were not friendly. Our Steward Made was AMAZING. The rest of the staff need to take a lesson.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

The deign was terrible. Go up, walk forward or back and then back down to get to anything. Ship was clean, OLD, but clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Very small for the money they charge. Bed kept coming apart so it isn't a true king bed.

Ship tip

DON'T DO IT!!! They nickle and dime you to death. Charge for this.....add tip for that. HOW ABOUT 1 PRICE.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

2 out of 5

Grand Cayman ...didn't dock where we were to go. Got off the ship and no transportation to our original port UNLESS YOU PAY FOR IT.

Thumbs Up 0

George Town, Grand Cayman

1 out of 5

More and more money.

Thumbs Up 0

Cozumel, Mexico

1 out of 5

WATCH OUT HERE. I was offered so many drugs at this port. Weed, cocaine, pills, ANYTHING we wanted. Didn't feel safe.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

GET OFF THE BOAT AS SOON AS YOU GET THERE. DON'T WAIT FOR YOUR DECK TO BE CALLED.

7 Comments

katrinadixon 4 years ago

I have heard nothing but good things about carnival I researched everything much better than expected my first is feb 1

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iCommodore 4 years ago

I see this is your first cruise. Looks like you really went into it with zero knowledge of what to expect. Also, that you say you pushed your way off the ship without waiting your turn tells me all I need to know about the kind of cruise you’d be. Don’t think it’s for you.

Thumbs Up 3

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rancher2019 4 years ago

I'll be on this ship next Saturday, cant wait. Please let me know if ur having calm seas..

Thumbs Up 1

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squirrelking 4 years ago

Agree with jt

Thumbs Up 0

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sundalangur 4 years ago

Basically what JT said. Budget cruises are all like this. Coffee, lemonade, and ice tea are about the only free drinks. Bring your own bottle and fill it with tap water. It's just as good. I might be inclined to agree about the entertainment on older ships, though. Best entertainment is reserved for the newer ships.

Thumbs Up 0

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TheSnoMan 4 years ago

Water in tap and ice is always free if you choose to pay for bottled water, which is not cheap ones cruise ship, it's you call. We always use insulated water bottles on cruise we fill as needed with free ice and water

Thumbs Up 0

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CruzeFan 4 years ago

Sounds like cruising is not for you or you did not do much research prior to your cruise. Most main stream cruise lines have a basic fare and gratuity charge, then charge additional for things everyone may not want, such as soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, excursions, etc. If You are an all-inclusive experience, you will be better off on Crystal, Symphony, Seabourn, Regent seven seas, Viking or other upscale lines. Just be prepared to pay 3-5+ times what Carnival charges.

Thumbs Up 6

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Other reviews of this sailing

I had a ball, Cruise director Leon is awesome! If you never sailed with him, you're missing out!

Cruise with friends

Great cruise !