Paradise Debarkation Horror

[BoDidly]

I don't do reviews due to personal attacks instead of discussions on this board.

This however is something that must be told.

 

Just left the Paradise ship yesterday morning with a frown on my face , As Diamond members we were asked by a letter delivered to our cabin to meet in a certain area on the ship for debarkation. So we headed to the Diamond meeting area described in the letter. We were stopped and told to ignore the letter and go into the Normandie lounge instead . I then decided to check the area described in the letter, since our friends had not showed up.

 

Not to my surprise they were there ,we had been given miss information. So off we go to the correct debarkation location. Arriving there , everything then seemed to be in order until debarkation started . Being we had our luggage we were escorted to the Atrium stairs to debark, yes the stairs :eek: With luggage and some were in wheel chairs there was no way we were using the stairs .

 

A call to release the glass elevators for debarkation came with another shock. They were filled with people. Let it be known during this time that debarkation had not yet started. People flocked down the elevators ,stairways and packed the halls. It was a free for all.

 

Now for the ship , I liked the ole girl :D The hall areas seemed wider than other Fantasy class ships ,club areas as well. The staff seemed friendly and we were met with smiles. I get the feeling that this is another training ship.

Food was ship food , nothing to get excited about but it will do ;).

 

A few observations ,Captains Diamond party , no Captain. former past guest party for Diamond ,Platinum No Captain . Friends doing a back to back stated He was a no show the past week as well. As for the food left over from the party the staff wasted no time indulging the remains even before the party was over. :D. Would I cruise Paradise again ? Yes I would. Is She run down / No more that any other Fantasy class I have cruised.

Edited September 24, 2016 by BoDidly

[coevan]

Oh the horrors, this is why we get off the ship at last call usually around 9:30-10. Why would you carry your own bags? I never understand people schlepping their bags all over the ship, unless you have a super early flight, which we never do.

[The4Cruisers]

Oh the horrors, this is why we get off the ship at last call usually around 9:30-10. Why would you carry your own bags? I never understand people schlepping their bags all over the ship, unless you have a super early flight, which we never do.

 

Good call! I've been frustrated on several cruises trying to get off the ship. I think we should just go to the MDR and have a nice relaxing breakfast as the crowds "do their thing".

 

We usually get off the ship and stop at IHOP or Perkins as we head up I-95. Might as well save the money and eat onboard!

[SMSACE6]

Bo, this sounds something like the debarkation of my Victory cruise last year October. I followed instructions for zone 1 debark with FTTF, and was headed towards the gathering area for that zone, when a staff member told me to go to the showroom. I showed her my instruction sheet that was left in my room last evening, and she said, NO, that is incorrect, go to the the showroom/theather. Once I got in there, it was filled with self assist and their baggage. I could hardly find a spot to sit and wait. Then they started self assist about an hour after it was supposed to start, and folks started filing out with their luggage. and I mean that whole theater full of folks with baggage.

By the time I got down to customs/baggage area, the line up, crowd was horrendous, this with debark zone 1. Fast forward to this years cruise Splendor, again in Miami. Once again I followed instruction sheet for fttf, and zone 2 (this time). but it was done according to what it was supposed to be, and it worked like a charm.

 

I think it has to do with CD and on board management how debark goes.

 

Just my humble opinion. but I know, I have seen debark be horrendous, and also very orderly. I think it has to do with CD and ship management.

Edited September 24, 2016 by SMSACE6

[SRQbeachgirl]

I'm sorry you had an unpleasant experience getting off the ship. We disembarked from the Paradise on Sept. 8th with no problems. We had FTTF, had our luggage with us, left out cabin about 9am, and went from cabin to valet stand to retrieve our car in about 20 minutes. We were so happy, especially since our last cruise had us crammed into a crew hallway with no a/c for over an hour waiting to disembark. Passengers were literally passing out from the heat. And that was on RCL. Go figure.

Edited September 24, 2016 by SRQbeachgirl

[BoDidly]

Bo, this sounds something like the debarkation of my Victory cruise last year October. I followed instructions for zone 1 debark with FTTF, and was headed towards the gathering area for that zone, when a staff member told me to go to the showroom. I showed her my instruction sheet that was left in my room last evening, and she said, NO, that is incorrect, go to the the showroom/theather. Once I got in there, it was filled with self assist and their baggage. I could hardly find a spot to sit and wait. Then they started self assist about an hour after it was supposed to start, and folks started filing out with their luggage. and I mean that whole theater full of folks with baggage.

By the time I got down to customs/baggage area, the line up, crowd was horrendous, this with debark zone 1. Fast forward to this years cruise Splendor, again in Miami. Once again I followed instruction sheet for fttf, and zone 2 (this time). but it was done according to what it was supposed to be, and it worked like a charm.

 

I think it has to do with CD and on board management how debark goes.

 

Just my humble opinion. but I know, I have seen debark be horrendous, and also very orderly. I think it has to do with CD and ship management.

I do agree here ,I just posted this so others cruising Paradise would not be surprised . Melody the current CD did seem misplaced during debarkation.

Edited September 24, 2016 by BoDidly

[smarks]

I have booked a Journey cruise out of Tampa on the Paradise. I sure hope they get it straightened out before Dec. of next year. I went through that out of Miami on the Splendor except it was embarkation. We are Diamond also. We went to the Diamond lounge that had standing room only which was fine. After about 45 mins. we finally got our card. We were still standing. Someone came and told some of us to go to another room. We got a chair in there but then after about 5 mins. we were told to go to this hall way. Yea, we are on our way to the ship, or so I thought. We stood in the hall for over 45 mins. being pushed farther and farther back till it was so full of people you could hardly move. I'm claustrophobic, not good. I was ready to run out screaming. Finally we moved. It was a mad house. No organization, no explanation, nothing. I think I am through with Miami. Just not worth the hassle. Please Tampa, get it together. Tampa used to be a great port.

[2Shoes2Go]

:( We're heading over to Tampa for Paradise on Monday. Hope it gets straightened out. Thought Calvyn was CD? Going to see a couple of old officer friends.

The down- the-atrium- stairs maneuver was tried on one debark out of Charleston we were on, years ago. It was horrible. Extremely dangerous. We did write it up.

We will see what happens and report back.

[simplelife]

I wonder if those who want to get on the ship as early as possible are the same people that are in a hurry to get off.

 

 

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[Thorncroft]

Next time in Tampa, ask for Captain Carnival. He is the Carnival emissary at the Port of Tampa and can help rush you through.

[riclop]

I don't do reviews due to personal attacks instead of discussions on this board.

This however is something that must be told.

 

Just left the Paradise ship yesterday morning with a frown on my face , As Diamond members we were asked by a letter delivered to our cabin to meet in a certain area on the ship for debarkation. So we headed to the Diamond meeting area described in the letter. We were stopped and told to ignore the letter and go into the Normandie lounge instead . I then decided to check the area described in the letter, since our friends had not showed up.

 

Not to my surprise they were there ,we had been given miss information. So off we go to the correct debarkation location. Arriving there , everything then seemed to be in order until debarkation started . Being we had our luggage we were escorted to the Atrium stairs to debark, yes the stairs :eek: With luggage and some were in wheel chairs there was no way we were using the stairs .

 

A call to release the glass elevators for debarkation came with another shock. They were filled with people. Let it be known during this time that debarkation had not yet started. People flocked down the elevators ,stairways and packed the halls. It was a free for all.

 

Now for the ship , I liked the ole girl :D The hall areas seemed wider than other Fantasy class ships ,club areas as well. The staff seemed friendly and we were met with smiles. I get the feeling that this is another training ship.

Food was ship food , nothing to get excited about but it will do ;).

 

A few observations ,Captains Diamond party , no Captain. former past guest party for Diamond ,Platinum No Captain . Friends doing a back to back stated He was a no show the past week as well. As for the food left over from the party the staff wasted no time indulging the remains even before the party was over. :D. Would I cruise Paradise again ? Yes I would. Is She run down / No more that any other Fantasy class I have cruised.

 

This is nothing new , Carnival is the worst.

[tandemcruzr]

This is nothing new , Carnival is the worst.

 

When was the last time you were on a Carnival cruise and experienced what the OP experienced? Just curious.

[Domino D]

Oh the horrors, this is why we get off the ship at last call usually around 9:30-10. Why would you carry your own bags? I never understand people schlepping their bags all over the ship, unless you have a super early flight, which we never do.

 

Us too. Other than Alaskan cruise, we have always driven to port. We go eat breakfast and and hang out until last call. Not only avoid the confusion, but also easy to find your bags.

 

Bo sorry to hear about the issues. Bad enough having to end vacation, but that is insult on top of injury.

[BoDidly]

Us too. Other than Alaskan cruise, we have always driven to port. We go eat breakfast and and hang out until last call. Not only avoid the confusion, but also easy to find your bags.

 

Bo sorry to hear about the issues. Bad enough having to end vacation, but that is insult on top of injury.

 

We always take our lite bags on a five day and normally we wait to debark ,this time we needed to be home rather early.

 

As the Island people say ,no worries mon ;)

[easyboy]

Oh the horrors, this is why we get off the ship at last call usually around 9:30-10. Why would you carry your own bags? I never understand people schlepping their bags all over the ship, unless you have a super early flight, which we never do.

We also don't take early flights to avoid being stressed on hurried debarkation. We like to take it leisurely. We feel it is not a nice way of ending a cruise.

[SkyMaster]

Just off "Paradise" a couple of weeks ago, and I too, noted the danger of running people down the atrium stairs. Just poor planing.

We had an excellent "Diamond" meeting, with the Captain present, but of course Calvyn didn't show up.

We had the absolute best VETERANS meeting I've ever experienced aboard any ship. FANTASTIC

 

"SKY"

[Florings]

Twice on the Paradise and had wonderful cruises both times! Except....debarkation. I have to agree, it seems like a free-for-all on that ship in particular.

 

We have learned that it is best, regardless of which zone we're in, to just sit and relax and get off close to last....the line in Customs is a bit longer but with a porter, is moves very quickly.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise otherwise!

[JohnSpo]

We also don't take early flights to avoid being stressed on hurried debarkation. We like to take it leisurely. We feel it is not a nice way of ending a cruise.

 

I do the same. I try to avoid the crowds on embarkation, debarkation and the MDR. This results in a much more relaxing and stress free cruise.:cool:

[crusinpsychRN]

I was on Paradise early September. Debark was just a little messy. I'm Platinum, waited until ship cleared and we were escorted to stairs or elevators. I used elevator b/c I had my carry on. When we got to debark line there was already a line of others going out the right side. What happened to true P/D priority debark?

 

Once on Paradise P/D's were left in a cabin hallway for 30 minutes. She actually forgot all about us. When we finally made a ruckus we were escorted to debark area but zones were debarking and would'nt let us get in line. One staff hollered at the lady who'd left us. Took over an hour longer than it should have.

[JohnSpo]

Once on Paradise P/D's were left in a cabin hallway for 30 minutes. She actually forgot all about us. When we finally made a ruckus we were escorted to debark area but zones were debarking and would'nt let us get in line. One staff hollered at the lady who'd left us. Took over an hour longer than it should have.

 

That is a bummer. I wish Carnival would follow a standard operating procedure for disembarkation.

[Captain Carnival]

I have booked a Journey cruise out of Tampa on the Paradise. I sure hope they get it straightened out before Dec. of next year. I went through that out of Miami on the Splendor except it was embarkation. We are Diamond also. We went to the Diamond lounge that had standing room only which was fine. After about 45 mins. we finally got our card. We were still standing. Someone came and told some of us to go to another room. We got a chair in there but then after about 5 mins. we were told to go to this hall way. Yea, we are on our way to the ship, or so I thought. We stood in the hall for over 45 mins. being pushed farther and farther back till it was so full of people you could hardly move. I'm claustrophobic, not good. I was ready to run out screaming. Finally we moved. It was a mad house. No organization, no explanation, nothing. I think I am through with Miami. Just not worth the hassle. Please Tampa, get it together. Tampa used to be a great port.

 

Sorry you had a bad experience in Miami, however I can assure you that here at the Port Tampa Bay (Terminal-3) you will have a smooth and hassle free experience during embarkation.

[elainmir]

I've sailed the Paradise 3 times in the last year and I think what happens is that you get folks whose job it is to direct crowds..they don't care if your FTTF , diamond ..whatever they just send everyone to one place. We had a FTTF letter one cruise and they told us to go to the Queen Mary Lounge I believe it was. They left all these FTTF folks sitting for close to an hour...then someone left and came back and said the person who was responsible for getting us off the ship was a no show. Seriously? :rolleyes: it was just ONE persons job?

[Tapi]

I've learned that most times it's better to wait until the mad dash of early debarkation is over. This is not only for Carnival but for all cruise lines that I've sailed on. Leave the cabin as late as possible. Enjoy a leisure breakfast at the MDR, walk around the ship one final time. It all sounds better than battling the crowds.

 

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Edited September 25, 2016 by Tapi

[BoDidly]

I've sailed the Paradise 3 times in the last year and I think what happens is that you get folks whose job it is to direct crowds..they don't care if your FTTF , diamond ..whatever they just send everyone to one place. We had a FTTF letter one cruise and they told us to go to the Queen Mary Lounge I believe it was. They left all these FTTF folks sitting for close to an hour...then someone left and came back and said the person who was responsible for getting us off the ship was a no show. Seriously? :rolleyes: it was just ONE persons job?

 

 

Something is amiss on Paradise as far as debarkation goes, that's for sure. More or less some members of the staff are overstepping their authority and the person that should be in charge has lost their perspective of what their job actually consist of.

[BoDidly]

That is a bummer. I wish Carnival would follow a standard operating procedure for disembarkation.

 

Sad to say, they just don't show any desire to .