PARADISE found, plus our CONQUEST of two more ships (with pics) - 4/14/2018

[Jamman54]

Patti continues exploring the Sapphire Falls Hotel…..

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed Patti’s Universal hotels tour. Patti was back at our hotel around 4pm. We decided to have dinner at a nearby Red Lobster. It was a great dinner. On the way back to the hotel we stopped and fueled up the van for our trip over to Tampa. We spent the rest of the night relaxing.

 

Coming up next: We board the Carnival Paradise!!!

[MistyRo76]

Hello again everybody! For those that do not know me, my name is Jeff “Jamman54” Maskall, and along with my lovely wife Patti, have just returned from another nearly month-long vacation. This retirement thing is really a lot of fun! Once again we spent some time in Orlando before driving to Tampa to board the newly refurbished Carnival Paradise for a five day cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Our good CC friends Jim and Pat were also on this cruise, and it was great to share some of our casino, dinner, beach, and pool time with them. We can’t wait to sail with them again on the Pride in October.

 

After our Paradise cruise was over, we drove from Tampa to Fort Lauderdale where we spent a few days before we boarded the Carnival Conquest for a six day cruise to Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. We called this our “cabana” cruise, since we had cabanas booked at our first three ports of call.

 

Once again there were many “firsts” for us on these two cruises. With over fifty cruises under our belts it’s pretty cool that we seem to have “firsts” on every vacation that we take. This would be the first time that we have sailed on the Paradise and Conquest. In our quest to sail the fleet we could now cross these ships off the list. Our goal is to sail at least one new ship, to us, each year. We had never cruised from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), before. We were very impressed with our first experience there. Lastly, we had never been to Amber Cove, so we were excited to finally visit there.

 

This review will cover both cruises, plus our time in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. As always, we will be giving you a lot of detailed information along with lots and lots of pictures. This will help you decide if you would like to sail on these ships, or visit the ports of call we visited. We like to make these reviews fun, and to make you feel that you are sailing along with us. Folks, grab yourself a DOD as this is going to be another long one!

 

Patti once again took well over three thousand pictures during our journey. I brought my laptop along so that I could download the photos from our cameras daily, and try to keep up with resizing and cropping as we went along. It soon became apparent that there was no way that I could keep up with Patti’s itchy trigger (shutter) finger, so as I write this, only the Orlando and the Carnival Paradise cruise are fully finished. I will work on the rest daily as I write this review, so that I can stay ahead of the game. For those that are wondering, our go to camera is the Canon PowerShot XS710 HS, and our water camera is the Fuji FinePix XP60.

 

So, on Sunday April 8th at 9pm in the evening, we began our latest journey. In October of last year we learned how to, or was it how not to, pack for a month vacation. This is what our month long packing looked like. We both agreed that we still packed too much…..

 

Your packing for a month looks a LOT like my packing for a week! LOL

 

Exciting to read your review especially related to the Paradise as my hubby and I are sailing her to Cuba next April. Ours is also a cruise of firsts - First time on the Paradise (and first Fantasy class ship for him, and first for me in the last 10 years), first time out of Tampa and first time to Cuba! Also going to be first time doing Chef's Table!

[rentayenta]

Fun report! Look forward to reading more.

 

I am a Disney girl too. Thanks for the pics of Disney Springs!

[EllaDuChien]

Hope you enjoyed Patti’s Universal hotels tour. Patti was back at our hotel around 4pm. We decided to have dinner at a nearby Red Lobster. It was a great dinner. On the way back to the hotel we stopped and fueled up the van for our trip over to Tampa. We spent the rest of the night relaxing.

 

Coming up next: We board the Carnival Paradise!!!

 

AAAARRRRRGGGG! I'm staying at Cabana Bay Beach...the one onsite that Patti didn't visit! Since this is just a quick stop on the way home from picking up DS from college, I decided to go the cheapie route. I am planning to resort hop also, to see where I might want to stay next time!

[Webecruzen]

We have not stayed at any Universal properties. I went to Universal the first year it opened. Disney always wins out in our house, so we really enjoyed the tour of the hotels on property as well as City Walk. I believe we have only been to city walk once to go to Margaritaville. Pretty sad for central Florida residents. We will have to play tourist next winter and check out Universal and the surrounding area.

[HeyJut]

Thanks for once again taking us along for the ride. I love your detailed reviews and pix and enjoy reading all about your pre-cruise also.

Orlando is my favorite place. My DH and I just went on 3 day on Liberty and then spent 4 nights in Lake Buena Vista. Love Disney Spring. We went to our go-to spot Ghiradellis for our hot fudge sundae.

 

Have you been to the Sleuth’s Mystery Theatre on International? We go every time. It’s a fun time.

[caryatid]

I'm loving your review! We are cruising the Paradise on 12/31 on the same itinerary, so I'm looking forward to a sneak peak! In the meantime I'm really enjoying your Orlando photos. If we aren't cruising we're vacationing in Orlando and spending time at the theme parks, and it is so nice to take a photo tour through some of my favorite places.

[Jamman54]

Your packing for a month looks a LOT like my packing for a week! LOL

Exciting to read your review especially related to the Paradise as my hubby and I are sailing her to Cuba next April. Ours is also a cruise of firsts - First time on the Paradise (and first Fantasy class ship for him, and first for me in the last 10 years), first time out of Tampa and first time to Cuba! Also going to be first time doing Chef's Table!

 

Congrats on booking the Paradise. I think you are going to love her. The crew just raves about Cuba. Someday we are going to have to check it out. :cool:

 

 

Fun report! Look forward to reading more.

I am a Disney girl too. Thanks for the pics of Disney Springs!

 

Thanks for coming along for the ride!:cool:

[nybumpkin]

Hi Jeff! Enjoying your review. The farthest we've driven for a cruise is Upstate NY to Charleston - and even then we did it over two days, staying off 95 as much as possible and going down the Delmarva Peninsula. Looking forward to hearing about Paradise (never sailed) and Conquest (2005, 2010).

[Jamman54]

AAAARRRRRGGGG! I'm staying at Cabana Bay Beach...the one onsite that Patti didn't visit! Since this is just a quick stop on the way home from picking up DS from college, I decided to go the cheapie route. I am planning to resort hop also, to see where I might want to stay next time!

 

I had forgotten about that resort. Patti had wanted to visit there since it was right across the road from Sapphire Falls, but she couldn't cross the road unless she walked a long way, and there isn't access by boat. The best I can do for you is this picture of their sign. :D

 

We have not stayed at any Universal properties. I went to Universal the first year it opened. Disney always wins out in our house, so we really enjoyed the tour of the hotels on property as well as City Walk. I believe we have only been to city walk once to go to Margaritaville. Pretty sad for central Florida residents. We will have to play tourist next winter and check out Universal and the surrounding area.

 

I'm surprised that you haven't spent time at Universal. We think that you would love it there. :cool:

[Jamman54]

Thanks for once again taking us along for the ride. I love your detailed reviews and pix and enjoy reading all about your pre-cruise also.

Orlando is my favorite place. My DH and I just went on 3 day on Liberty and then spent 4 nights in Lake Buena Vista. Love Disney Spring. We went to our go-to spot Ghiradellis for our hot fudge sundae.

Have you been to the Sleuth’s Mystery Theatre on International? We go every time. It’s a fun time.

 

Thanks for following along once again! We'll have to try that Mystery Theatre the next time we are down there. :cool:

I'm loving your review! We are cruising the Paradise on 12/31 on the same itinerary, so I'm looking forward to a sneak peak! In the meantime I'm really enjoying your Orlando photos. If we aren't cruising we're vacationing in Orlando and spending time at the theme parks, and it is so nice to take a photo tour through some of my favorite places.

 

Thanks for reading! You will have a great time on the Paradise. :cool:

[Jamman54]

Hi Jeff! Enjoying your review. The farthest we've driven for a cruise is Upstate NY to Charleston - and even then we did it over two days, staying off 95 as much as possible and going down the Delmarva Peninsula. Looking forward to hearing about Paradise (never sailed) and Conquest (2005, 2010).

 

Hey Kathy! Glad to have you aboard once again! :D

[teknoge3k]

I always love your reviews Jeff. Looks like y'all had fun. We're doing a week on I-DR in 2 weeks so it's fun seeing this. Then we're on the Conquest in July.

[tlw440]

Your off to a great start on another great review. I always enjoy your reviews and Patti's great pics.

[Johnny60]

Thanks so much for a brilliant review. Re lived my time at Disney and Universal and so looking forward to the cruises next. We are on the Conquest in about a weeks time.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[watermelonqueen99]

Didn't bother to look at the author when I clicked on this thread. Was so happy to discover it's another Jeff and Patti review! :D Looking forward to more!

[Bookster99]

Looking forward to the Paradise pictures! We are on her in July. What terrific Florida pics so far!

[Mr. Blonde]

You are my spirit animal! I love cruises and beer as much as you.

I hope to be you one day.

 

It's also funny, that I enjoyed your Magic review back in February, because I was going on the Magic for my honeymoon in March. Now we're booked on the Paradise in October, and you're reviewing that, so I'm looking forward to it. I was on the Paradise in 2012, but I know she's been worked on. Thanks again for the wonderful reviews!

[Jamman54]

I always love your reviews Jeff. Looks like y'all had fun. We're doing a week on I-DR in 2 weeks so it's fun seeing this. Then we're on the Conquest in July.

 

Glad to have you aboard again! Have a great time in Orlando and on the Magic and Conquest! :cool:

 

Your off to a great start on another great review. I always enjoy your reviews and Patti's great pics.

 

Thanks for coming along with us again! :cool:

[Jamman54]

Thanks so much for a brilliant review. Re lived my time at Disney and Universal and so looking forward to the cruises next. We are on the Conquest in about a weeks time.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thanks for reading! Don't know if we'll get to the Conquest part of the review before you leave, but I'm sure you'll have a great time. We did! :D

 

Didn't bother to look at the author when I clicked on this thread. Was so happy to discover it's another Jeff and Patti review! :D Looking forward to more!

 

Hey there! Always great to have you along with us, and look forward to reading about your next adventure! :D

[Jamman54]

Looking forward to the Paradise pictures! We are on her in July. What terrific Florida pics so far!

 

Thanks for reading! The Paradise pictures are coming right up. I'm sure you will have a great time on her. :cool:

 

You are my spirit animal! I love cruises and beer as much as you. I hope to be you one day.

It's also funny, that I enjoyed your Magic review back in February, because I was going on the Magic for my honeymoon in March. Now we're booked on the Paradise in October, and you're reviewing that, so I'm looking forward to it. I was on the Paradise in 2012, but I know she's been worked on. Thanks again for the wonderful reviews!

 

Thanks Mr. Blonde! Glad to have you along. So by your reckoning your next cruise after the Paradise will be the Pride, because that's the ship we'll be reviewing next! :D

[Jamman54]

Day # 1 - We board the Carnival Paradise!!!

 

We awoke at 6am to another beautiful day. We decided to skip breakfast today so that we were super hungry for that first Guy’s Burger! We re-arranged our luggage for the cruise and attached the luggage tags. We left the hotel right about 9am for the hour or so ride over to the Port of Tampa. Soon, we could tell that we were getting close…..

 

Coming over the hill we could see not one, but two whale tails. One was the Carnival Miracle, and the other was the Carnival Paradise…..

 

The Carnival Miracle was docked at Terminal 3…..

Here is the Terminal sign……

 

The Carnival Paradise is docked at Terminal 2. You can see the new Grand Deck balcony cabins up top……

 

 

To be continued…….

 

[Jamman54]

It was about 10:10am when we arrived at the pier. They weren’t letting cars in to drop off luggage yet, so we circled around and went into the parking garage right across the street from Terminal 2. The guy in charge of parking was so nice, and he let us park on the ground floor by the exit nearest to the terminal. They even helped us move our luggage across the street to the terminal, where the porters collected it.

 

We breezed through the Priority line and were checked in by 10:30. Here in Tampa you still receive your Sail & Sign cards when you check in. We were soon joined in the Priority waiting area by our friends Jim and Pat, who told us that they were upgraded for free just this morning to one of the new Grand Deck cabins. Lucky them!

 

A little after 11am we were allowed to board the ship. There was no distinction between Diamond, Platinum, or Faster to the Fun. We are finally aboard the Carnival Paradise…..

Now that we are aboard, here are today’s Fun Times……

 

We told Jim and Pat that we would meet up with them later at the Red Frog Rum Bar, and we headed to our cabin. Here is the new generic sign on the closed big doors to the cabin areas…..

 

 

We had no issues in going to our cabin. We met our cabin steward Phayom (pronounced Pie-oom), and she was absolutely wonderful to us the whole cruise. Twice a day service? No problem. Plenty of ice? No problem. Whatever we needed was taken care of right away. Our cabin was on Upper Deck, U181…..

 

 

To be continued…….

Edited May 4, 2018 by Jamman54

[Jamman54]

Here is a tour of cabin U181. All the cabins on the Carnival Paradise have been completely refurbished…..

 

 

All cabins now have a mini fridge. The cabinets are well vented so you no longer have to keep the cabinet door open for the mini fridge to keep items cold…..

 

There are two sections of closets, and one section of shelves and drawers along with the room safe…..

 

To be continued……

[cpshaye]

I'm on the Paeadise Nov 5th to Rotan and Cozmel. Looking forward to how the Paradise looks, can't be all that diffrent from any other Fantacy class ships.

 

We're booked on the same cruise!

 

Can't wait to see the new Paradise. Thanks for your review.