BarbieGee

I was thinking 'carbonara' too! Great idea, to order an appetizer portion then an entree or 2.

I am happy to read that the portion size is small. I would prefer that. After sampling, in most restaurants, the bread, eating an appetizer, then digging into the main course, I am ready for a 'take-out' box. I've often gotten desert to go. One my first cruise (Royal Caribbean) the 'at sea' night included surf and turf. I ordered an extra lobster tail. No problem!

Long ago, on some of my first cruises, our server said to us, "order as many entrees, deserts and anything else that you want. Try them all! " And we did just that at times, just to try different dishes. On the last night, we ordered all the deserts! I have not cruised in 6 years and am wondering if this is still the case. Example: Ordering a pasta dish and I ask to have a serving of grilled salmon also. A great dining experience is a part of a fun cruise, IMHO. 😋

I wanted to book the JS on deck 14 but could not get 2 cabins together or even on the same side of the ship!

I was reading about the amenities included with a Junior Suite booking for the Paradise. Will my party receive all of these benefits. We are only VIFP Blue. Actually this will be my first sailing on Carnival. I would LOVE to have priority boarding and bottled water included as a benefit. Will I? Junior Suite Amenities exclusive to suites: Priority check-in and express boarding Priority Main Dining Room time assignment Priority debarkation at all ports Two large bottles of water Pillow-top mattress Bathrobes

Just an FYI.... Called Port of Tampa [313.905.7678] and Carnival is sailing from Terminal 3. Port of Tampa's website had Carnival embarking from Terminal 2.

We have wheeled walkers for on board. Short distances aren't a problem but if there is a long walk through the terminal then this would become an issue. Long, continuous walking presents problems. I am not familiar with Port of Tampa at all and am not even sure which terminal from which Carnival sails. Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. If anyone is familiar with these terminal perhaps their personal experience can tell me how long a walk it is? We've got time, our cruise is not till Feb 6. 2023. My first cruise with Carnival! It has been 6 years since my last cruise and I am so excited! Guess I just want everything to be perfect.

From the Port of Tampa website: "Cruise terminal #2 is a state-of-the-art passenger terminal home to Carnival Cruise Line. Parking is located directly across the street with valet services also available. Before or after your cruise you may want to visit Sparkman Wharf or The Florida Aquarium which is directly on either side of the terminal." Yet I've seen photos of the Paradise at Terminal 3. Perhaps a change was made? What disability services are there within the terminal? We will have 3 'walking challenged' persons in our party. Are there golf cart type services available such as those offered in airports?

From the Port of Tampa website: "Cruise terminal #2 is a state-of-the-art passenger terminal home to Carnival Cruise Line. Parking is located directly across the street with valet services also available. Before or after your cruise you may want to visit Sparkman Wharf or The Florida Aquarium which is directly on either side of the terminal." Yet I've seen photos of the Paradise at Terminal 3. Perhaps a change was made? What disability services are there within the terminal? We will have 3 'walking challenged' persons in our party. Are there golf cart type services available such as those offered in airports?

I was reading a 'cruise tips' for the CCL and as of 3 years ago, cruisers were allowed to bring up to 6 canned non alcoholic drinks on board. (Canned soda, carton of milk, boxed juices, CANNED water -- NO glass or plastic) Is this still in effect? Wonder if I could bring a cooler jug of water? 😏

All right! I just did not dig deep enough in the Carnival website. Thanks! 😁

What specialty restaurants are now on the Paradise? I've seen Guy's Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina and Chef's Table. Are there any others other then the buffet and the main dinning rooms? A Deli Street was mentioned on a video I viewed, and an older post here in CC mentioned a sushi place but I've not seen these listed. If anyone has done a current sailing, please post what this ship provides. THANKS! 🍽️🍣🦐

In reading the check in procedures on the Carnival website, one gets to select the check in time. 10am seems a good time which would then allow boarding by 11am? I would love to go aboard early to explore and familiarize myself with the layout of the ship.

To be honesty, I do not mind paying the corkage fee. I've done it at restaurants where I had a very very special bottle of wine I wanted to serve at our table for a special occasion and I was happy to pay for that service. I may just 'fess up' upon arrival so there are no guilty feelings.

😆🤣😂

Soooo smart!

I've looked at a few videos of cruisers embarking from Tampa and one of them said they got on board at 11am. Really? I've sailed out of Miami and the earliest we were allowed to begin check-in was 12pm with boarding beginning at 1pm. What is the earliest anyone has checked in at the Tampa port for a Carnival Paradise cruise?

Well, I've gotten some good options and advice here and I thank you all! Knowing these things help make a cruise so much more relaxing. LaffingLady.bmp LaffingMan.bmp

You bring your own wine glass? How do you prevent breakage?? I too love a beautiful glass to accompany my wine but I would hate to have bits of broken glass in my luggage! 😛

This is an idea I had not thought of. But if I were to bring the wine bottle with me then I may be charged that corkage fee?

So, if I read this right, I can request wine glasses if I am in a suite? Or are these already in the cabin next to the water glasses? I will be staying in a JS. I had thought to bring some 'elegant' plastic goblets but perhaps that is not necessary! Excellent!

I would like to BYO wine 🍾 and have it at dinner. Can I bring it with me into the MDR or must I turn it over to someone to have it served? And if so, will a corking fee be charged? Sailing on Paradise - Feb 6-11 2023

Royal Caribbean was my first cruise ever and that was 2003, on Majesty of the Seas. After that we cruised on Norwegian. The Pearl and the Sky. My last cruise was 2016 on the Sky. It could be that it was a specialty dining room that I was thinking of? (Indigo Room?) Great steaks!

Ah, thanks for this answer. On other cruise lines (Royal Caribbean and Norwegian) menus were different in each dining room. We had the choice, it was 'open seating'... first come, first served.