12/12/15 Paradise Review

[Schoifmom]

DH and I sailed on the Paradise for a 5 day beginning 12/12, going to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Just a little background to help you with your "grain of salt" for this review ...

 

DH and I are in our early 50's. He was traveling this cruise for the first time with a mobility scooter due to some back issues that limit his ability to walk/stand for longer periods of time. This is our 3rd cruise and all have been on Fantasy class ships (so I can't compare to other classes for you, sorry).

 

Two days prior to our departure from home (that would be on Wednesday), I ended up on crutches due to a sprained knee. What a sight we were!!

 

There will not be a lot of pics with this review, but I will post some later (maybe tomorrow).

Edited December 23, 2015 by Schoifmom

[Schoifmom]

We left Central Ohio on Friday (the day before the cruise), flying Southwest Airlines. I have to say that the level of customer service that the presented was simply outstanding! Since DH was in a mobility scooter and I had wheelchair assistance due to my crutches, they voluntarily moved us to a direct flight so we wouldn't have to change planes. They were very proactive in making sure that we had a pleasant experience.

 

Upon arrival at Tampa, we called for the shuttle to our hotel (Hampton Inn Rocky Point). The shuttle driver was great about dealing with the scooter and was very sympathetic to my being on crutches.

 

The hotel was ... well, it was a Hampton Inn. Nothing super special, but not bad either for a mid-tier hotel. The front desk clerk, Anthony, was great. We elected to have dinner at Bahama Breeze which is just a short walk away. Because of our mobility issues, we asked if the shuttle could take us there. They wanted to charge us $6 each way, but Anthony explained the situation and they were able to accommodate us without issue.

 

In the morning, we took a taxi to the port. Because the hotel is outside of the flat-rate area, it was just a little bit over $25, but not by much.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Schoifmom

[Schoifmom]

The porters at Tampa were great. I had so much to deal with that I forgot to attach our luggage tags before leaving the hotel. They were prepared with staplers and were able to help out.

 

The port was a little congested. We were arriving and people were leaving and it all happens at the same time in the same place (more on that during debarkation).

 

Once we got upstairs to the check-in area, everything was smooth. I had to wait for a wheelchair, but once we were able to get one, DH and I were moved right up to the assistance line. We did have FTTF, but were actually onboard prior to the call for FTTF boarding!

 

Slim (who told me he was a room service waiter) took us directly to our room and helped with all of our carry-ons.

[Schoifmom]

We had the typical first day aboard ... lunch on the Lido, which was crowded. However, that's what you get when it's the only place for people to be at that time. We really only had salad and pizza. That was the usual and nothing special to write home about, but not bad either.

 

Our luggage did not arrive before others in our hallway that did not have FTTF, but was still delivered before 3:00.

 

I used the priority lane at GS to apply gift cards to my on-board account. As I was waiting, a lady was very directly trying to look at the card in my hand (I have a red card). I looked her straight in the eye and said that I have FTTF, so that this is the line I should be in. In very broken English she replied that she was Platinum and that this was her line, huffed and walked off. Oh well, people like that don't really effect my vacation!

 

We had Your Time Dining and made it dinner around 6:30 that evening. We were seated immediately and enjoyed a leisurely dinner. I am gluten-free and did not go to the dinning room earlier to pre-order; however, our server assisted with make correct selections and ordered my gluten-free warm chocolate melting cake for the following evening.

 

We attended the Welcome Aboard show that evening. Drake, the Comedy Show Manager walked up to us and introduced himself. He was fantastic and said that he wanted to make sure that we had anything that we needed to make this the best vacation for us. He offered us priority seating in the Comedy Club (which, of course, we took him up on). We met him multiple times throughout the cruise and he was ALWAYS doing whatever he could to ease the way for us.

 

The show was the typical Welcome Aboard show; however, on the last day they were previewing a new show (we didn't attend), so I would think that there are some changes on the horizon for it.

 

We attended the 18+ Comedy show that evening. I have to say, both comedians on this cruise were great! I have seen both of them at different times on television and greatly enjoyed all of the shows that we attended.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Schoifmom

[Schoifmom]

This is our first sea day. Of course, we slept in!! We made it to the sea day brunch around 11:00. We were seated with 4 other couples and had some lively conversation and enjoyed meeting them. The food and service were, as usual, superb.

 

Sea days for us are all about relaxation, so we didn't really participate in any of the Lido deck activities. Instead, we head for the Serenity deck and chill. We enjoyed the hot tubs and relaxed atmosphere.

 

Dinner in the dining room again. SURPRISE! We saw a familiar face from a previous cruise. On the Elation last year we had a server that we just loved, and here he was! We were not seated in his section (but we asked for him on subsequent evenings). Our serving team did a fantastic job of again helping with my gluten-free diet and provided the entire menu for me to pre-order for the following day.

 

We spent a little time enjoying the band at the Casino bar. They were VERY good! Played all week and played all different genres of music. There was a couple that were "feeling good" and dancing. In fact, they were "feeling good" every time we saw them, including the day before at the safety briefing. I have to admit, they were entertaining :)

 

Early to bed because we dock at Grand Cayman at 7am.

Edited December 23, 2015 by Schoifmom

[Keith1010]

Enjoying the first part of your report and review.

 

Keith

[Schoifmom]

Along with all of the other FTTF, Platinum, and Diamond cruisers, we waited for the tender in the lounge next to the night club. We were finally escorted to the first tender of the day around 8:00.

 

I had reserved an excursion with Stingray Sailing to go to Stingray City and snorkeling via catamaran. There were only two other couples on this excursion with us and we all arrived early. Keith from Stingray said that he had access to a faster boat and if we didn't mind taking that instead, we could get to the sandbar early and beat the crowds. We did so and were glad that we did! I had a tremendous experience with tons of stingrays swimming all around us and us feeding them. DH elected to remain on the boat, because he was afraid that with the sand and waves, he would not be able to handle it.

 

Next stop was snorkeling. I wish that I could say that I enjoyed my first time snorkeling, but I can't. I chickened out. Maybe some other time! Keith felt bad that DH hadn't gotten out into the water and, since we left so early, he took us to Starfish Point. That was shallow and calm enough that DH was able to get out. It is a nice, quiet little stretch of beach. We got to see some starfish and back to the port we went :)

 

We returned to the ship around 1:00. Had lunch on the Lido (deli, pizza, and salad again). Again, crowded and adequate.

 

Nap time :)

 

This evening, we requested Donovan (our waiter from our previous cruise) at dinner. He said that he remembered us, but being the skeptic that I am, I'm sure that he didn't. He was still great!!

 

I'll post more about shows in a separate post!

[anthvick]

Hi! Would you mind sharing the name of the server you liked? We sail on New Year's Eve and I always like to find a name before we go and ask for them ever night.

 

thanks!!

[elainmir]

I am so glad you didn't let the lady who was platinum and staring at your Red card at GS mess with you. Not a single reason to act like that...:rolleyes: glad you had an awesome cruise...I love the Paradise..

[hpugirl27]

Loving the review so far! We sail on her in a couple of days!

[Schoifmom]

Hi! Would you mind sharing the name of the server you liked? We sail on New Year's Eve and I always like to find a name before we go and ask for them ever night.

 

thanks!!

 

That was Donovan, but his contract was up. He was flying home to Jamaica as soon as we hit port.

[Schoifmom]

Thanks everyone. I'll try to finish this up as soon as I can. It's been CRAZY since we've been back (I think I need another cruise) :p

[meatloafsfan]

Thanks for the review.

 

Question - How did your husband tender? I'm assuming he had to leave the scooter on the ship.....

[Captain Carnival]

Once we got upstairs to the check-in area, everything was smooth. I had to wait for a wheelchair, but once we were able to get one, DH and I were moved right up to the assistance line. We did have FTTF, but were actually onboard prior to the call for FTTF boarding!

 

Glad we were able to get you onboard safely and quickly too!

[Schoifmom]

Thanks for the review.

 

Question - How did your husband tender? I'm assuming he had to leave the scooter on the ship.....

 

He did. He is able to walk, but really needs the scooter for distances. Since we had FTTF, we were on the first tender and our excursion met right at the pier. He was able to manage the walk with his cane (they let us use the elevator down to where we boarded the tender, so avoided stairs).

[spearnreel]

Hi! Would you mind sharing the name of the server you liked? We sail on New Year's Eve and I always like to find a name before we go and ask for them ever night.

 

thanks!!

 

Ask for Maros. We frequent the Paradise and have sailed half of the other fleet. Maros has been the best we have had...gets you in and out if that's what you like. We were on over Thanksgiving and he was just beginning his new contract. Tell him Jeremy and Erin say Hi!