go-cruisin-gal

We sail on the Paradise this coming Monday, April 9th and I will post some pics here in this thread upon our return.

 

So excited.....first time in a Suite!

 

.

GREAT !! Can't wait to see them, leaving out a few weeks later and I really want to know what you thought of the upgrades and excited to see some pics !!!! :DHave a GREAT time !!

(not-so patiently) Waiting for reports back from the first post dry dock cruise on the Paradise! Anyone??? :D:D:D

Ditto on that !! LOL can't wait to see photos and reviews ! :rolleyes:;pOnly a few weeks I will be on the ship !

I don't know if I would buy it now. When we first bought it, it was like 35 or 40, totally worth it. I think they even raised it maybe to $49, still worth it. At that time our DD was small and in a stroller and we would bring on water. We would stay in a hotel near port, so a later arrival is not really ideal, because we would be checked out of the hotel with little to do. So it was really worth it for early boarding and early cabin access. And we also liked it for debarkation, because we could get off the ship and on the road quicker, without having to use self debarkation. Since we drive we would always end up with a later debarkation time. Unfortunately for us, it is a 12 hour drive and we usually do park and stay with a hotel, so we have to wait for hotel shuttle or get a taxi to the hotel and then get our car, load it up and start driving home- making it more like a 13 hour drive.

But NOW, DD is 7 so she can walk on her own. By the time we go on another cruise she will be 8 or 9. And it sounds like carnival started offering cases of water at a decent price, so we would probably just preorder that and not carry on any drinks, but the two bottles of wine. Which means we could probably get down to one or two carry on bags. So the early cabin access is not as big of a deal. As far as debarkation, we would probably just do self debarkation. We did it on our last RCCL cruise and it was not that bad. It would not have been doable when DD was in a stroller, but now, she can walk on her own and possibly even push a light suitcase or carry a smaller bag (maybe- I am not sure I am confident in her ability to not lose something).

So- long story short, I just talked myself out of needing FTTF.

Awesome, thanks! Have FUN!

GREAT !! Can't wait to see them !! I'm so excited for the new upgrades !! HAVE AN AWESOME TRIP !!! ;p

It's actually this coming Monday the 26th. We're booked on her leaving that day. We're staying with family for a week after the cruise so I'll try to post some information about it when we have down time. I've never been on her before or any Carnival cruise for that matter so my observations may be a little different than others. :)

That would be so fantastic !! I am so excited to see photos or at least some reviews on the new refirbs !! I am going out on the 23rd of April and soooo excited to fond out how you liked the upgrades and new restaurants !! Thanks !! Look forward to your posts ! :D(y)

Can you order these through room service ?

We have cruised 2 times in late April and 2 times in mid May, with our child and there were children every time. The late April cruises had kids but definitely not overrun. May cruises had a lot more kids, as some of them were out of school by then- mine included.

Thanks cruzinlisa !! Guess you never know, Honestly my 4 yr old here would love to go and I would enjoy having her ! Just looking forward to relaxing for 5 full days of ME time !! ;p:cool:

How about a thread telling cruisers where not to stay. I was just on the Carnival Triumph, room 8410, below the back of the lido - pool deck. I didn't think it would be too bad, as usually the rear pool bar closes early at night. My room was near the 24 hour pizzeria. DON'T STAY IN THIS AREA. Due to the wooden deck, you will hear chairs and tables being moved between 11 pm and 5 am while you are attempting to sleep. It's constant. It seemed at 4:45 AM the staff was cleaning this area. One night they had a private party at the rear pool area, a dj started at 11 pm and it went until 3 am. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM you get the picture. On the other hand, being just one deck below the pools and buffet was nice. Just take a sleeping pill like I did every night.

Where are other places to avoid?

I did the "let them chose the room" for the cheaper rate, now I'm really getting worried of what room and the circumstances may be?? Was this a bad idea ?? , have never cruised before so didn't think of what may be above or beside the room!! uggggh :o:(

Spring break where I live is the week of April 8th. But after month I would think most schools would be done with breaks.

 

Mid-to-late April is my absolute favorite time to cruise. I’ve found that time to have the best weather (not really rainy yet not blazing hot yet), better pricing (post Spring Break-pre Summer) and less crowds in general. We’re doing the Paradise to Cuba next April and I cannot wait!

That is sorta what I was thinking when I chose that date for a cruise ;p I was hoping that date would be in between vacation times for many families and more of an adult time for cruising. We'll see ! lol :confused::p Either way I will enjoy a week away to rest up and de-stress from life ! :DBeing my first cruise I will totally enjoy everything !!

We like Residence Inn Tampa Westshore. When we booked asked if there is a park and cruise "package", and were told no package, but they will let us park there while on our cruise.

How far was that to the port ? and did you take taxi to port ?

Check out the Holiday Inn Westshore. Stayed there three weeks ago and it was a nice hotel. I believe they offer a park/cruise package.

Thanks!! Will check it out ! :D

Leaving out of Tampa on the Paradise April 23rd, can anyone suggest a good hotel for stay night before and one night on the return. Possibly where you can park and cruise. Want to drive back to NC on Sunday 29th. Have been looking but not really seeing anything that has a package for all of that. Thanks! :p:cool:

I don't mind kids normally, I have a 4 yr old in my house daily and love to hear her play and have fun!!! Just want a little down time and lay in the sun and chill !! Haven't been on a vacation in 2 years so I am totally ready for the relaxation !! Never cruised before so will be a great escape ! I chose this date hoping it would be a little more quiet, we'll see ! :-)

:rolleyes::confused:well maybe they will take the newer, larger ships...lol :pI won't have to wait in line for the waterslide ! ;p

You go girl !!! ;p(y):bottle-pop:

I am cruising the Paradise after refirb on 23rd of April (first time cruising) is this time of year less children onboard ? :confused::p Not saying I don't like children, just wondering if there are more adults at this time when most kids are in school still.

yeah, that would be nice to have your own personal bottle of Tequilla to bring onboard! ;-(

question? If I have a glass of wine in my room can I take it out on the deck or by the pool with me in a closed container? Being a "newbie" here just wondering what the rules are for drinking at pool or outside of the bars ?? :D

This is my first one!! So I’m trying to learn the ropes! I’m ready to sail!! Just not ready to pay their drink prices. Thought I could sneak on a few extra bottles of wine . Free cruises would work too!!

Got ya, I can handle that without any problem ! lol :confused::p Even without intention, those senior moments are normal for me! Hope I can find my way back to the ship. haha ;p

That could work for me, I have those quite often ! LOL

Great! Thanks was not sure if you could take to your cabin or not !

Cruising on Paradise in April, just had a question on bringing bottles of wine back on cruise ship from port, first time cruiser so not sure if this would be allowed or not ?? :confused::D

Thanks !! for the info and link!

I'm a newbie here :pfirst cruise coming up end of April, (( beyond excited!! )) question on wine bought at the ports, can you take them back on the ship if purchased at port? :hearteyes::confused: