Carnival Paradise Cruise Reviews - Reviews

The staff could not have been any better.  But, we felt like we were on the QVC shopping network from the time we got on till the time we got off.  There was no enforcement of dress codes for the one dress up night.  We went expecting a nice evening and they were letting in people with shorts and ball caps.  For all those that wanted dress up it was disapointing! 

The buffet was worse than any I had ever seen on a ship.  very few choices and even fewer hand sanitizing stations.  When you did find one it was empty.

Information for the tenders on Gd Cayman was very disorganized.

We purchased the bubbles package and the only place you could get a cola was at the bar.  It was not a place where children should be waiting for a drink.  They didn't open the bars till 10 so if you wanted a cola or a bubble you couldn't get one!

This was a girls cruise for a special birthday celebration. Had a great time because of the group sailing together But a few of us have been on Many cruises and the food on this cruise was  TERRIBLE. Cruises must have great food and friendly service. This cruise had neither. We will NOT be cruising Carnival again.

The cruise was fun overall. The crew on the ship was very kind, our room and dining room staff remembered our names the entire trip and always addressed us by name. They made an effort to make sure that everyone was happy and comfortable. 

The down side is that the food was TERRIBLE. The first night my mom sent her dinner back twice. My ham during the breakfast the second day was rancid. Not good. The lunches provided while the dining room was closed were not appealing, they had a Wok station that was decent but it took a few minutes to cook each entree so the line was always long. The deli had a reuben that was ok, but again had very long lines as there were not many options and lots of hungry people. 

Room service was a better bet, but the waits were around 40 minutes to an hour each time I called. 

Our cruise director Calvyn was also wonderful. He was funny and upbeat and made the entertainment really special. 

Had a great time, will go again in 3 month...only thing that i saw you need to chance is the picture taking thing... you guys THROW out so so so so many pictures at the in of each cruise....if you wound charge $1 or $2 for each picture you wound sell most of them....im SURE you would make more money then you do now... Try it on one cruise to see if it would work.....thanks for the Great time... will be back

This cruise, although being short (5 nights) is ideal not only for regular cruisers, can only be highly recommended for people who never cruised before. The ocean view cabin was quite big, stateroom very clean and equipped with everything needed. Stateroom staff very helpful and available for whatever needs. Food in the different restaurants and at whatever time was excellent, well prepared, a lot of diversity - something thus for everybody. Dining was a very good experience, presentation of the plates was a highlight. Entertainment on board provided something for everybody, starting from the casino to live shows. Excursions suggested provided something for everybody and for every budget.

We really enjoyed being able to relax and no limits on time refrains. 

Would nd like to see security walk the halls during the night. We had people arguing in our hallways which woke us up 2 nights. 

I was surprised about the great entertainment on this cruise. Theater shows and Comedy shows were very good. I didn't like the shopping onboard, very scarce selection. And I would like to see Ramazotti served or in the collection of Aperitifs. Since Carnival is Italian, it should also offer original Italian food/drinks. I would recommend this cruise, due to the great entertainment and the 2 ports Grand Cayman and Cozumel were also great. Cruise Excursions are a bit overpriced.

Small ship which is convenient and easy to navigate. Older style but very clean and for small ship, had 3 pool areas.  BUT the food was bar far the worst of any cruise I have ever taken.  If you like burgers and hot dogs everyday, then you will be fine, otherwise, bring your own food.  The lunch and buffet items are very, very limited and almost always the same.  The fine dining is somewhat better in terms of appetizers and desserts but don't plan on gourmet dinner options.

Our cruise was ok , very basic, easy boarding and  leaving, the  overall  is this  the Paradise  is an old ship and needs to be  either scraped or  severely  renovated, my state room was  fine  although  fairly noisy  , the  crew  was  really good  ,  there was only one port  Cozumel  and that  was  just ok, most of our time  was on the  ship.While  the  staff did their best to keep us occupied and having fun  the  bare fact that the  ship is old and does not have  all the amenities of  Carnivals other ships  was  apparent in many areas  except for one  the entertainment, it  was  just plain over the top some of the best i have ever seen either on a  cruise ship or  off  broadway. Clearly  this was the  shining star of this trip  from the  Band "Ship Lash"  to  the "Epic Rock" dance review  just  awesome !!!!!. Unfortunately  that was  where the  good  ended.Food on the entire  cruise  was  fair at  very best ,the  Spa  was  very expensive as usual  and the  hard sell ups were getting annoying , actually  there was  so much selling  and  Hawking  being done on the ship that  you were  never  free from it  including during dinner . Bottom Line  this was a  budget  cruise   basically used for  most of the  Tampa  locals to have a  quick get away weekend . I have been on  other  Carnival ships  as  well as  many other  cruise lines  this  definitely  below  par , not the worst i have ever  been on just not the  awesome experience  the  Cruise director  keeps telling you your having . 

We were very disappointed in cruising. We expected to have super meals in the dining room. They were not anywhere near expection. Seemed like there was nothing going on mornings. Not everyone stays up late some of us like mornings. 3 highlites were the Atlantis excursion in Cozumel. Listening to the kareoke people on ships. Then getting off the ship back in Tampa. I can't think of anything good to say.

I was The Carnival Fantasy the first year she sailed. The Paradise is her sister ship. I like this size ship ,bigger is not better in this case. I hope she sails for many years to come.

we had a wonderful time.  the food was not that tasty and we thought. the food would be available to us at all times.  we had to get our meals in at certain time frames.  very nice staff everyone was helpful and friendly.  we really walked a lot.  I even lost 3 #.  the excursions were great, I finally got to swim and kiss a dolphin.  we loved having a break at Margaritaville, and shopping there.  It was so hot we were glad to get back to the ship. we had a great celebration in honor of our 50th wedding anniversary.  We will never forget it.  also got lots of pictures. 

Many little items on this cruise made this cruise feel poor.  The main item that we did not like:  this is a SMOKING cruise.  Smoking is allowed inside in multiple areas to include the Casino and main hallway on one of the main walk-through decks.  There are no doors to keep this smell from traveling, so you can smell the smoke in the stair wells next to this area for several floors.  One of the main dining rooms front opens to this area, so you need to walk through the smoking are to get to the dining room. 

The food for the main dining was never served hot.  It was usually warm or cool (and tasted like it had been sitting for hours).  After the first few days, we were afraid to order seafood since the first few times it was cool and rubbery (like it had been sitting for too long).  It took a full 2 hours to eat (we waited for each coarse longer than one would expect).

Alternate dining options have very limited hours, including during the day many would close for a few hours as they changed menus or simply close for the day.

Only have of the elevators worked.  This became very noticeable during diner, leaving the ship or returning to the ship since you would commonly have to wait for several elevators since many were full. (carrying scuba gear up or down 6 flights of stairs is tough or 7 flights to go to diner in dress heels).

main stage entertainment was fair at best.  The single musicians in the smaller clubs or side stages (in the smoking area of course) were better than the main stage.  Piano bar was great.

Our specific cabin also had issue (see below).  

The hot tubs were warm at best.  even the hot tub in the "adult" area was lukewarm.  

With a cruise, many times it is the little details that make them good or great. This cruise had the opposite, many more poor details than positive details, especially compared to other cruises.

The food was good.  The service was great in the room and in the dining area.  Worth the monies.  Would of like to have more things to do on the ship during the day instead of everything at night especially when you have to get up early for the excursions the next morning.

My cruise experience booking through Delta was a pleasant experience.  Initially, it did not start off well as the customer service rep that initially started off helping book this trip never ended up returning my call the complete the booking and I had to start the entire process over with a different representative.

Was a excellent cruise! 5 days of pure fun. Well worth it. This was my wife's pre cancer operation cruise. Calvin from the carnival cruise ship kept everyone informed on what was the next awesome event to do in the ship. Food was great, and the port stops to Cayman islands and cozumel was great to from the rum cake factory to the beaches and the awesome money bar where we went snorkelling. To many things to post. We had a blast, I hope we will be able to enjoy many more cruises. My wife has surgery 5/11 to remove some cancer then starts her other treatments to follow. As soon as she is clear health wise we will be back!

cruise was for younger crowd not us old geezers,,elevators did not go to all the decks,so you had to backtrack a lot to get where you wanted to be,hard if your older and use a cane to walk,,could not take stairwells because of age and use of canes,not senior friendly,,also when coming into port most of the ships stores are closed until you are back at sea,,not everyone takes excursions when at port,very disappointed,probably will not cruise again,,will just fly to an all inclusive resort and enjoy our time there.

I don't know if I'll go on another cruise again. This one was a bad experience for my family. The only great thing about it was my son really enjoyed the activities in Camp Carnival. 

THE XPLOR EXCURSION WAS GREAT. THE ZIP LINES AND CAVERNS WERE AMAZING. HAD A BLAST ON THE SHIP. COMEDY SHOW WAS QUITE FUNNY. FOOD WASN'T THAT GREAT AND IT WAS ONLY OFFERED DURING CERTAIN TIMES, UNLIKE THE LAST CRUISE I WAS ON WHERE THE BUFFET WAS OPEN ALL DAY AND HAD A GREAT ASSORTMENT. OVERALL IT WAS A GREAT TIME AND WE HAD A GREAT FAMILY TRIP. WOULD DEFINITELY GO AGAIN, MAYBE JUST ON ANOTHER SHIP CARNIVAL HAS INSTEAD. 

1st time on the ship, and while it may not had all the bells and whistles of the newer and larger ships, it clearly met my expectations of a nice get away of peace and relaxation. The service and the cruise members were on the money. Their service was precise and intentional. The shows were also rewarding, and the food met the needs of anyone when they are hungry... Overall, great experience that I would clearly do again!