Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Paradise 3 Day Ensenada Cruise

Morebeer

By Morebeer,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

Morebeer

Morebeer

Posted
Posted

Just returned home tonight from a Carnival Paradise 3 day Thanksgiving weekend cruise. Could certainly understand why there were so many non US citizens on board don't know for sure but if they have access to cruise critic.com they wouldn't have known how badly planned, and service provided on this ship really is. The enthusiasim on this cruise was less then zero both by the guests as well as the crew and staff. The so called third day of the cruise the ship basically just anchors itself somewhere near Catalina Island and sits in one spot all day long which they somehow call a sea day. To me tying up to the pier in Long Beach is still in the salt water so would be a sea day as well. Every other of the 7 cruises I've taken on Carnival a sea day meant movement somewhere or back not basically just throwing out the anchor. The food on this ship is extremely poor often coming to our table after a lenghty wait at best lukewarm if not cold. The first night my 16 year old son was served sometype of brown wilted lettuce the other nights the food was cold. The last night I found it silly they left us a Maiter D tip envelope never saw the man or women couldn't even tell you which one it was fortunately that's a volunteer gratuity that I decided non participation was the best way to handle not even knowing who I would have been tipping. I applaud Carnival for there new ships the Dream, now the Magic, and still coming the Breeze but they've obviously forgotten to keep up the quality on the Carnival Paradise and I would strongly recomend staying away from this ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cathyz

cathyz

Posted
Posted
Just returned home tonight from a Carnival Paradise 3 day Thanksgiving weekend cruise. Could certainly understand why there were so many non US citizens on board don't know for sure but if they have access to cruise critic.com they wouldn't have known how badly planned, and service provided on this ship really is. The enthusiasim on this cruise was less then zero both by the guests as well as the crew and staff. The so called third day of the cruise the ship basically just anchors itself somewhere near Catalina Island and sits in one spot all day long which they somehow call a sea day. To me tying up to the pier in Long Beach is still in the salt water so would be a sea day as well. Every other of the 7 cruises I've taken on Carnival a sea day meant movement somewhere or back not basically just throwing out the anchor. The food on this ship is extremely poor often coming to our table after a lenghty wait at best lukewarm if not cold. The first night my 16 year old son was served sometype of brown wilted lettuce the other nights the food was cold. The last night I found it silly they left us a Maiter D tip envelope never saw the man or women couldn't even tell you which one it was fortunately that's a volunteer gratuity that I decided non participation was the best way to handle not even knowing who I would have been tipping. I applaud Carnival for there new ships the Dream, now the Magic, and still coming the Breeze but they've obviously forgotten to keep up the quality on the Carnival Paradise and I would strongly recomend staying away from this ship.

Sorry you had such a bad experience on the Paradise, she's one of our favorite ships and we have never had a bad time on her. But you'll be happy she's now left the west coast for Tampa, maybe that's why the crew was upset, having to move to Florida?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cathyz

cathyz

Posted
Posted
Cold food that is supposed to be served hot has become the norm on Carnival. I hope your next experience will be a better one.

I'm not sure it's the norm, we have never experienced this problem, so certainly not the norm for us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CWcruisers

CWcruisers

Posted
Posted

I just got off the Spirit yesterday from the Thanksgiving cruise and our general consensus was that they were letting the condition of the ship go because it's being moved, going to dry dock, etc. That does not forgive a badly stained carpet in my aft wrap suite that I pay top dollar for. But I didn't complain because someone did and they came and cleaned her carpet and the smell from the cleaning fluids and the dampness was very bad. I just kept my socks on. And the general overall condition was run down. This is year 4 for my friends and I on the Thanksgiving Spirit cruise so we know what the ship looked like in the past. Didn't ruin my cruise, but I sure wouldn't want to do a long cruise on her in her present condition.

 

Not a fan of the new menus at all. Very pedestrian.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cathyz

cathyz

Posted
Posted
I just got off the Spirit yesterday from the Thanksgiving cruise and our general consensus was that they were letting the condition of the ship go because it's being moved, going to dry dock, etc. That does not forgive a badly stained carpet in my aft wrap suite that I pay top dollar for. But I didn't complain because someone did and they came and cleaned her carpet and the smell from the cleaning fluids and the dampness was very bad. I just kept my socks on. And the general overall condition was run down. This is year 4 for my friends and I on the Thanksgiving Spirit cruise so we know what the ship looked like in the past. Didn't ruin my cruise, but I sure wouldn't want to do a long cruise on her in her present condition.

 

Not a fan of the new menus at all. Very pedestrian.

That's interesting, we were just on the Spirit last month and will be again in March (after dry dock) and didn't notice any issues like that, I guess we were in different areas of the ship. Our cabin was spotless, but it was just a regular balcony cabin. We are really going to miss the Spirit when she leaves the U.S. with no apparent replacement from Carnival. We'll see what they're doing during dry dock, but I sure didn't see much that was needed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rosefloater

Rosefloater

Posted
Posted

Wow. I have been on the Paradise 10+ times and always had excellent service and everyone was always friendly.

 

FYI - The ship sits off San Clemente Island. Since it is such a short run between Ensenada and Long Beach, the captain doesn't move the ship around to save fuel.

 

Sounds like your other cruises have been in the Caribbean and you have been going from 1 port to another during.

 

Never had brown lettuce. I have also received less than hot food on the Paradise. But the same holds true for every ship I have been on.

 

I have never the need to tip the Maitre d'. I agree with not tipping him.

 

If you didn't like the Paradise and the 3 & 4 day cruises out of Long Beach, then don't even think of going on the Inspiration.

 

Sorry you had such a bad cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rosefloater

Rosefloater

Posted
Posted
I just got off the Spirit yesterday from the Thanksgiving cruise and our general consensus was that they were letting the condition of the ship go because it's being moved, going to dry dock, etc. That does not forgive a badly stained carpet in my aft wrap suite that I pay top dollar for. But I didn't complain because someone did and they came and cleaned her carpet and the smell from the cleaning fluids and the dampness was very bad. I just kept my socks on. And the general overall condition was run down. This is year 4 for my friends and I on the Thanksgiving Spirit cruise so we know what the ship looked like in the past. Didn't ruin my cruise, but I sure wouldn't want to do a long cruise on her in her present condition.

 

Not a fan of the new menus at all. Very pedestrian.

 

I'm glad we will be on the Spirit in March after it goes into drydock.:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rosefloater

Rosefloater

Posted
Posted
Rosefloater.. I just noticed your signature.. I'll be getting OFF the Inspiration when you're getting on.. Don't throw me off too early, ok??

 

I will let you stay on until you hear our favorite saying on debark day: "Will the last 100 passengers PLEASE disembark NOW!!":D

Link to comment
Share on other sites
azpilot

azpilot

Posted
Posted

Yea the Paradise food was about how we felt when we sailed her, the crew seemed ok and the ship seemed fine, but just something about that cruise hit us wrong. The Spirit cruise we did last month was just outstanding, we loved that ship.

 

Looking forward to the Inspiration cruise we have coming up in 18 days

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SadieN

SadieN

Posted
Posted
I always enjoy the 4 day cruise with the stop in Catalina. Leave Long Beach at 5:30 and travel the 26 miles in 13 hours. The Paradise cruises must have the cheapest fuel bills in the fleet.

 

I believe this is the only itin that departs from and has the first port in the same county. Gotta love Home County Cruising.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CWcruisers

CWcruisers

Posted
Posted
That's interesting, we were just on the Spirit last month and will be again in March (after dry dock) and didn't notice any issues like that, I guess we were in different areas of the ship. Our cabin was spotless, but it was just a regular balcony cabin. We are really going to miss the Spirit when she leaves the U.S. with no apparent replacement from Carnival. We'll see what they're doing during dry dock, but I sure didn't see much that was needed.

 

 

Check out the large stain on the carpet on deck 4 near the aft elevators. It didn't go away the entire 9 days we were there so who knows, it may stay. And there was a lot of rust in various places, especially on the aft cabins, as I had several friends that also were in the aft.

 

As I said, not enough to ruin my cruise, but it was definitely a topic of discussion with other passengers I spoke with. Just little things, but a lot of little things add up.

 

I've been on the Spirit 10 times and will definitely miss her, and I would rather have a run down ship than no ship at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Morebeer

Morebeer

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Not quite sure I understand the Spirit ship comments on a Carnival Paradise thread but with so few ships on the west coast understand the comments about those west coast ships everywhere. Never had a complaint prior to this weekends Carnival Paradise 3 day cruise our 7th Carnival cruise experience. Don't understand why the ship has to leave port in Ensenada to go park itself off the coast of Catalina. It certainly wouldn't expend fuel sitting at the Ensenada pier. Also why not make a stop in San Diego on the way back to Long Beach understand why Catalina's not a option due to that being a tender stop but do know the Elation when we took it 3 or 4 years ago tied up to the pier in San Diego. I'm thinking they can't keep there casino open if they did that, however I certainly don't cruise to spend time in the casino when the Phoenix area is so close to Vegas anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cathyz

cathyz

Posted
Posted
Check out the large stain on the carpet on deck 4 near the aft elevators. It didn't go away the entire 9 days we were there so who knows, it may stay. And there was a lot of rust in various places, especially on the aft cabins, as I had several friends that also were in the aft.

 

As I said, not enough to ruin my cruise, but it was definitely a topic of discussion with other passengers I spoke with. Just little things, but a lot of little things add up.

 

I've been on the Spirit 10 times and will definitely miss her, and I would rather have a run down ship than no ship at all.

We were never on deck 4, so I guess we missed that one, and bits of rust outside are meaningless, they were even on the Splendor when it was fairly new, the ocean air is tough on everything. What I do notice is the crew that is cleaning and cleaning everywhere, polishing brass, cleaning bar stool bases, dusting around windows, cleaning doors, floors, decks, railings, etc., etc., still with time to say hi and smile (I wish I could take just one of them home with me). The Spirit is a great ship and we will miss her too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cathyz

cathyz

Posted
Posted
Not quite sure I understand the Spirit ship comments on a Carnival Paradise thread but with so few ships on the west coast understand the comments about those west coast ships everywhere. Never had a complaint prior to this weekends Carnival Paradise 3 day cruise our 7th Carnival cruise experience. Don't understand why the ship has to leave port in Ensenada to go park itself off the coast of Catalina. It certainly wouldn't expend fuel sitting at the Ensenada pier. Also why not make a stop in San Diego on the way back to Long Beach understand why Catalina's not a option due to that being a tender stop but do know the Elation when we took it 3 or 4 years ago tied up to the pier in San Diego. I'm thinking they can't keep there casino open if they did that, however I certainly don't cruise to spend time in the casino when the Phoenix area is so close to Vegas anyway.

There are a couple of reasons they 'park' off San Clemente island (it's not Catalina), so they can open the shops and the casino and don't have to pay port fees. We really like the sea day on the Paradise, no engines or movement or lots of wind, it's very quiet, and we do like the casino as do many other folks. I could do a cruise with no ports, only sea days, so this way everyone gets some of what they want, a couple of ports, and a sea day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
qwertysue

qwertysue

Posted
Posted

Same cruise, same issue with food temperatures. The desserts in Paris Restaurant were hit or miss.

 

It was a more subdued weekend than other weekenders to Ensenada that I've been on. I was surprised at the lack of partying & quietness of the casino.

 

 

We found service to be prompt & full of smiles. For us, it was what I expected & enough to create a cruiser out of my mom.

 

I'm sorry it was such a let down for you :-/

Link to comment
Share on other sites
askimdog

askimdog

Posted
Posted

I did that cruise last January and thought the food was fine. The only problem was finding out I really dislike cruises that short, especially coming from Minnesota to board the ship.

 

What I did like were the two stops, Catalina I found was great for hiking up into the hills, gorgeous place. And Ensenada was incredible for the street food and friendly folks once you got a ways into town away from the ocean. I had the freshest best seafood from those street vendors.

 

k

Link to comment
Share on other sites
DrivesLikeMario

DrivesLikeMario

Posted
Posted
Just returned home tonight from a Carnival Paradise 3 day Thanksgiving weekend cruise. Could certainly understand why there were so many non US citizens on board don't know for sure but if they have access to cruise critic.com they wouldn't have known how badly planned, and service provided on this ship really is. The enthusiasim on this cruise was less then zero both by the guests as well as the crew and staff. The so called third day of the cruise the ship basically just anchors itself somewhere near Catalina Island and sits in one spot all day long which they somehow call a sea day. To me tying up to the pier in Long Beach is still in the salt water so would be a sea day as well. Every other of the 7 cruises I've taken on Carnival a sea day meant movement somewhere or back not basically just throwing out the anchor. The food on this ship is extremely poor often coming to our table after a lenghty wait at best lukewarm if not cold. The first night my 16 year old son was served sometype of brown wilted lettuce the other nights the food was cold. The last night I found it silly they left us a Maiter D tip envelope never saw the man or women couldn't even tell you which one it was fortunately that's a volunteer gratuity that I decided non participation was the best way to handle not even knowing who I would have been tipping. I applaud Carnival for there new ships the Dream, now the Magic, and still coming the Breeze but they've obviously forgotten to keep up the quality on the Carnival Paradise and I would strongly recomend staying away from this ship.

 

Unfortunately, I've been on a few of these cruises due to DH's work who offered them to us for free. They are consistently the epitome of what everyone thinks a Carnival cruise is. I will never, ever go on one again even when they're free. I would much rather be at home than subject myself to one of them again. The ships are not taken care of well at all, the crew are totally apathetic, the food is terrible and the smells linger in areas where they shouldn't. Truly not a good cruise experience. I won't even book clients on these, especially the newbies. I don't want their first cruise experience to be like this and have all their negative cruise suspicions confirmed.

 

Now, the 7 day Carnival cruises are totally different and a great value for the money. How they can be so different amazes me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...