PARADISE - party?? Carribean music on lido??

So, my granddaughter and I will be on the Paradise in April. She is 25. I have read that it may be a little boring on this ship because the lido deck is small, and no big screen, etc etc...

How is the sailaway party on this ship? Is it a good time? Are the clubs pretty fun to go to?

Also, does the Lido deck on the paradise now have the Carribbean music? Or the atrium on boarding day?

I wanted to take her on the Valor, but it is only going to the Bahamas. I chose the Paradise for the ports, grand cayman and Cozumel...

I hope I made the right choice... This will be her second cruise... her first was when she was 10

Hi I hope I can help. I've cruised on both ships and both while in my 20s. If I had a choice of the 2, I'd pick the Valor. But what's done is done lol.

When I cruise, I go based on the ship and not the ports since I'll be doing most of my partying and having most of my fun on the ship. But, that's me.

I went on the Paradise 4 years ago and it is definitely an older ship compared to the Valor. It was my boyfriend's 1st cruise. Wasn't my choice but he wanted a short cruise to get his feet wet and short cruises usually mean older ships.

And I don't know if this had anything to do with it or not but out of 20 cruise (at that time), it was the 1st ever time I got sea sick.

The club was small but we still had a fun time. The big screen wasn't really missed. Yes the Lido is much smaller. The food seemed really blah and thrown together at the buffet. I didn't think this could be different based on ships because I thought Carnival would serve the same things and follow the same recipes on all ships. I guess not. The dining room food was normal.

We still had a good time. And being his first cruise, he didn't know what he was missing lol. We are going on the Breeze in April. He will be in for a nice surprise.

Seeing as your granddaughter hasn't been on a cruise in 10 years, she might not know the difference either. Also it's a FREE CRUISE and she's young! Those are pretty much the only thing needed to have a great time no matter what ship anyway lol.

All in all,she will appreciate it and love you for it.

Oh and I don't really remember the sail away party. So I don't know if there was one or if it was just so boring that it didn't leave an impact.

Also the Caribbean music, that something they recently started adding back to ships so I can't comment on that because it wasn't on during the time I was there.

Just got off the Paradise. Yes the Lido deck is smaller, and sailaway is the DJ playing music and lots of line dancing, but it was still fun. Have cruised ships with the big screen, and it is fun, but really didn't miss it. They played a movie one night in the lounge where the comedy club is.

I recommend checking out the band Shiplash. They play most nights at the bandstand area next to the casino bar on the promenade. They are really good and we went every night they played. Danced quite a bit. They did a classic rock night, a Motown night and an 80s night. Also check out the comedy club, thoroughly enjoyed the shows. The night club was fun, although not really busy on our cruise, but it was February and was a bit of an older crowd.

We had a great time on the Paradise.

I just got off the cruise yesterday and had a great cruise.The night club was packed most nights and the band that played by the casino bar was really good to.The DJ by the pool played a good mix of music also.I would not worry the cruise out of Tampa are always fun.

I've done both ships, over and over again, and ALWAYS had a great time aboard both. Yes, "Valor" is a bit bigger, but bigger isn't necessarily better. I don't think you'll go wrong with "Paradise", as I think you'll find the crew, entertainment, and overall cruise to be excellent. NO PROBLEM. :cool:

Sail away party, and dancing is LOTS of fun as well.

"SKY"

I've been on both, and going on the Paradise in March for a 5 day. I'll agree with one other poster...bigger isn't necessarily better. If you want to have 5,000 or more new "friends" then the larger ships are for you. But if you want to enjoy a cruise on a good ship, then the Fantasy class ships are very good.

Paradise doesn't have all the bells and whistles (neither does the Valor, I don't believe), but it offers a good cruise experience. You and your granddaughter will have a great time.

I just got off the cruise yesterday and had a great cruise.The night club was packed most nights and the band that played by the casino bar was really good to.The DJ by the pool played a good mix of music also.I would not worry the cruise out of Tampa are always fun.

thank you! I am sure we will be spending a lot of time in the night club!

And out by the pool... she loves that!

I've done both ships, over and over again, and ALWAYS had a great time aboard both. Yes, "Valor" is a bit bigger, but bigger isn't necessarily better. I don't think you'll go wrong with "Paradise", as I think you'll find the crew, entertainment, and overall cruise to be excellent. NO PROBLEM. :cool:

Sail away party, and dancing is LOTS of fun as well.

 

"SKY"

thanks SKY, I have been on the Valor several years back, but will be my first time on the Paradise... Sounds like she will have a great time... and that is what matters most to me:D

Thanks everyone for the responses:D

I've been on both, and going on the Paradise in March for a 5 day. I'll agree with one other poster...bigger isn't necessarily better. If you want to have 5,000 or more new "friends" then the larger ships are for you. But if you want to enjoy a cruise on a good ship, then the Fantasy class ships are very good.

 

Paradise doesn't have all the bells and whistles (neither does the Valor, I don't believe), but it offers a good cruise experience. You and your granddaughter will have a great time.

thanks! I loved the Breeze, but prefer the ships that are a bit smaller. Fantasy class ships are great... but don't offer many balconies... My favorite class seems to be the Liberty... But i hope they never do away with the fantasy class ships:):)