Carnival Paradise Cruise Reviews - Reviews

This was an awesome cruise. We enjoyed all the activities, the food, the service. The CHICAGO concert was the best. I was so impressed with the concert and the islands. I would consider another Carnival cruise. It is comparable to other cruise lines, but honestly speaking, my favorite is Royal Carribean. The Carnival is definitely worth the price.

writing this email about my most recent Carnival experience . It was my first cruise for my son and I. I didn't quite have a fun experience. I found most of the staff to be unhelpful especially as first time cruisers. Once we boarded we were told to go to our room. My son was very hungry so we made our way to the buffet. By the time we arrived there was not much to pick from. When I finally ordered a drink I was told I have to drink it fast because I need to go to my emergency training which I knew nothing about. Later it was dinner time we were placed with a family who was very rude to my 12 year old son he had his leg up he put napkin on his head used wrong fork. It was stressful and we didn't like the food didn't know I could order anything else. During this trip a man was following me and saying obscene things. I said something to staff and was told he was bothering everyone. I actually got a knock on my door at 1am which I didn't answer because I was scared. I only got cute little towels in the room once I called front desk whenever I had questions about anything on the cruise I was told to read my fun times. Everyday I had to search for it in my room some days it was in corner of floor other days in my suitcase. When I called about dining change the maitre d came up to us while we were already eating asking us if we wanted a new table. The guests at the table heard him and it made things super uncomfortable so much so we never went back and just ordered room service for the duration of the trip. I was hoping for a fun experience but did not have this at all. I feel as if staff already assumed we new what we were doing. We went back to our cabin very early every night and just stood there. The only real help I got from anyone was from fellow cruisers who felt really bad for my son and I. I spent so much money I had to make a dream for us to come true. I totally regret it and its likely this will be our last cruise. Thank you.

The staff on this ship really made the cruise better! The sailing was great, and the places we visited were fun... But the staff made the entire cruise a wonderful experience.

This Cruise was one of the most relaxing trips we have ever experienced.  The entertainment staff were just as friendly as the food staff & servers--our room service, as always, was EXCELLENT.  It seemed that the workers on the ship enjoyed their jobs & it was reflected in their performance.  The incredible talent of the Cruise director was exceptional & he was so humble in sharing his talents with us.  We also liked the unusual dinner choices to experience--never had that before; for instance, the frog legs, gator tail, etc.  We also appreciated the history behind the Skyway Bridge from the Captain  as we approached & also the location of Cuba in our sight range--this made the trip more personal

Our trip was more than anyone coulld ask for.  the food, entertainment and service was above all expectations.  The weather was good and the ship only rocked a little.  The wait staff at all meals were the greatest.  Considerate, funny, entertaining and so nice to everyone.

 We had a great time on this five night cruise. The staff was great and we could not have asked for a better experience. The ship was clean and the ocean view room was definitely worth the extra money. Definitely recommended and we will go on another soon!

 We had a great time on this five night cruise. The staff was great and we could not have asked for a better experience. The ship was clean and the ocean view room was definitely worth the extra money. Definitely recommended and we will go on another soon!

Faster to the Fun upgrade is a great perk added value to the cruise experience. Cruise was very entertaining and the spa experience wth seminars and gym workout added a wellness balance to all the fun.  Ports of call were great, I shopped in Grand Cayman while my spouse Parasailed. In Cozumel, Mexico we did the Horseback & Beach excursion which was a real adventure.  The cruise ship shows were very good as well the Bingo, Art Auction and Casino.  I won several Art pieces fom the Art Auction.

The dining was perfect scheduled for early dining our wait staff did excellent, buffet was good but Room service had the best desserts onboard.  Shopping onborard brought great surprises for purses, cologne, watchsets and signature cruies items. Overall the intimate size of the ship was a better deal than much bigger cruise ships, really had fun.

The days at sea are fun - lots of good food, music, shows, swimming, sunshine and sea view. Staff are attentive and helpful. My daughter (4) loves the kids camp room on the ship. My son (6) basically swam all the time and if he was not swimming, he had ice creams with his friends on the top deck. However, the day on Cuzumel, the island, just sucks. We went to the assigned deck on time but waited at least half an hour to get off the ship. Once on land, we found ourselves in a crowed small shopping mall. So many people just stood there waiting for excursion groups or basically were too hot to go anywhere or do anything else. We had registered a submarine trip on ship so we found the group, went on a boat, then a submarine, but hadn't seen any colorful fish or coral reef because they had been destroyed so badly, there were basically nothing left to be seen. It was a waste of money($99/adult, $49/child). After that we wanted to go to a beach but there wasn't any beach at walking distance. We asked a man who stood nearby where to find a beach for the kids, he said we had to take on another excursion activity which includes snorkeling, otherwise no way to go, and he started bargaining with us.  We gave up, just went back to ship. Later we got to know that you could take a 10~15 minutes taxi to a nearby beach park, and to find a taxi, you should just walk out of the mall area. That man just lied to us! Can you believe it? Because of him, we went on a cruise vacation but didn't step on a beach, that is just ridiculous! Of course, it's basically our own fault. We should do more research on shore excursions before we go. And that's my advice to you, if you plan to go. Thanks!

Service and food was fabulous!  Older ship was a little rocky in 8-10 ft waves and strong winds.  Pool small.  Hot tubs were lukewarm.  TV's are older;  tube television set.  Picture was dark and no sound on movie due to set.  But whose on cruise to watch tv!  

We enjoyed our cruise with Carnival on the ship Paradise.  Even though it was an older ship with fewer amenities, it far exceeded my expectations for cleanliness.  The ship was very well maintained and the staff were excellent.  I was a little dissapointed with the entertainment offered.  The show was mediocre at best and there were very few other entertainment options offered that didnt inclue spending money onboard.  However, I will definitely cruise again with Carnival.

This was our first cruise together. Our original plan was to go snowmobiling in the UP but the Midwest winter was too long, too gray, and too cold. Not quite last minute but very little planning in getting to the warmth and sunshine. Tampa was a convenient port and our thought was at least sunshine, cocktails, and descent food. Got the sunshine. Cocktails were there but the service and value was a joke. And the food...community college cafeteria fare would be a compliment to the slop that was served throughout the voyage. The first thought and continuing theme I have for the tale I share with those that ask about our "3 hour tour" is that... Carnival cruises and the ship known as PARADISE is the Walmart version of what a cruise should be. We will definitely cruise again but we will take the extra few months of savings to get on a ship (cruise line) that takes pride in their service, comfort, and culinary skills. The folks on this ship were overly concerned about two things:

*Cutting food costs

*Upselling everything to the point that after day one, we felt the service staff was more concerned in proving their sales skills to the Carnival brass rather than the reason we paid a good dime to relax...SERVICE SKILLS!

There were a few bright spots on an otherwise welfare version of a cruise that we expected to be money well spent...

*Francisco, our room care captain was outstanding. He had a genuine work ethic and was proud of the effort his staff put forward (and they were fabulous)!

*Barbara, the room service guru, was friendly and warm, the kind of person I would hire in a heartbeat to run an FOH in the Midwest...she GET'S the concept of service and patience!

*Armando the pool deck Bar keep...may not tow the company line in upselling everything but was charming enough to get us to "up-buy"! (The only one that talked us into an up-sell, like a rum-runner I wanted no part of). I'd hire Armando to be a barkeep in my local tavern.

The photog’s provided made it look like luxurious and large pool(s) that were user friendly for adults and kids alike…WRONG! My husband and his Chris Farley-esque physic absorbed nearly half of the water displacement during a descent cannon ball. My children would have been painfully bored if they would have had to endure this 5 day cruise.

With all that being said, I just can't, in good conscious, recommend Carnival or PARADISE. Loved the concept of Cruise but was seriously disappointed in the value and performance of this crew!

I would highly recommend this cruise.it was a fantastic cruise.the staff went out of their way to please everyone.The food was great.The experience was great.i know why it's called the fun ship.

We were lookin for more of a Family vacation. There was plenty to do if you were to drop your children willingly off at Camp Carnival. I think you need more family activities. Cozumel was beutiful and exceede our expectations. Didnt feel there was much to do on the ship itself (as far as for the family together).

Fine dining was galactical. Lido deck pizza was bland. An unsupervised kid broke glass containers @ poolside grill. Crew immediately secured & swept , but did not remove debre. Rm svc -ok. Wall phone was dusty. Pulman (beds) allowed more floor space. Phone charger went missing. Got full cost credit. It returned 24hrs later. Miss professional theatrical productions. Loved the kareoke master. He had thee best selections. Our 3yr old sang Happy. Better located in a smokless lounges across from a hallway bar outside the casino. Which makes this bar entertainment & excellent foot traffic local from the dining rm. The poolside DJ & activity host rocked. Cruise excursion was to Tiki beach was ok. They should "announce" (ring a bell) when the shuttle arives. Took a taxi back. Operators said we could not ride back on the 2nd bus which was empty. Food was "tourist pricey."

Very desappointed with overall experience. I was expecting more!

We cruised with Holland America before and everything was way better.

On Paradise the food was ok not great.

We had no chair to loundge on during sea days! You have to get up early to save chairs and no one is at their chair anyway.

We had a bad experience with getting to our activity in Cayman. We had to wait an hour in line in a hot cage like chickens, they wouldnt let us go by our self only when I demanded to be rehemboursed they told me I could go by myself with a taxi. Riddiculous!

It was very disorganised at the port, not fun.

I was told I had VIP embarquation and desembarquation because we had suites. We were laughted at when I was telling A member of the team. I had no VIP privilage to leave.

Carnival's crew is amazing. Our stateroom steward, Ikadek, was amazing. He remembered our names even if we weren't standing in front of our room. The only advice is that if you are looking for relaxing time, choose earlier or later dates, not with the young spring breakers. Still had an amazing time.

Lots of fun with Kids & grandkids & friends. The dining room experience was great. there were 21 of us, on 2 large tables, the waitress & waiter did an unbelivable job taking care of us. (10 kids). the rooms were kept inmaculate by our room stewart, the ship was clean and full of travelers, all having lots of fun, specially in  the pool area. The only hicup was I made a mistake of bringing a small bottle of wine in the luggage(should have been in the carry on) which was confiscated, later returned.  The excursions (private) were great, a big sail boat in Cayman, and then rented a JEEP in Cozumel, traveling thru-out the island, making stops along the way to eat (+beverages). Great food @ PLAYA BONITA, excellent view while dining. I recommed this to anyone willing to have lots of fun in just 5 days. My cruise agent @ CRUISE.COM was as good as they come. Alex..........thanks

Awesome food, lovely people serving in restaurants make the cruise special. Entertainment amazing especially the magician in restaurant. reta Canyman Island and Cozumel are wonderful islands to visit. Would recommend to people of all ages.

This was our first cruise.  Great first experience.  Wonderful service and top notch food.  We did the SNUBA excursion in Cozumel and they exceeded our expectations!