New paradise reviews

[scpirate]

I haven't seen any reviews on Carnival paradise in a while.we are sailing it to Cuba the end of next year.is it any good or just so so not worth talking about.im sure it's the typical carnival product.mostly concerned about the food and getting in to the shows and comedy club.we are mostly in it for the ports.any info is appreciated.we don't do MDR.after first cruise my wife will not go.something traumatised her but I don't care because I prefer lido dining my self.we did elation a couple years ago and didn't like it much.thanks.

[ricew001]

I haven't seen any reviews on Carnival paradise in a while.we are sailing it to Cuba the end of next year.is it any good or just so so not worth talking about.im sure it's the typical carnival product.mostly concerned about the food and getting in to the shows and comedy club.we are mostly in it for the ports.any info is appreciated.we don't do MDR.after first cruise my wife will not go.something traumatised her but I don't care because I prefer lido dining my self.we did elation a couple years ago and didn't like it much.thanks.

 

Our goal was Cuba. When we first started looking, Paradise and Sensation were our only choices. So I took Sensation. The more I read the worse it got. So I changed it to Victory which we've sailed twice and loved. I am generally of the opinion it's what you make of it but those Sensation reviews just had me unsettled.

 

Good luck!

[SkyMaster]

I sail "Paradise" quite often, and have always found it to be an outstanding cruise. GREAT crew who looks out for the passengers. Shows are good, and if you can arrive a few minutes early, you won't have a problem finding a good seat. Food very good in the dining room, and good at the buffet. I don't "do" the comedy shows, so I can't comment on them. I never hesitate to recommend "Paradise" to my friends, and have never had any of 'em come back and complain.

 

 

"SKY"

[Don Kehote]

Oh jeeze, we were on her in January, and I started writing a review. Then, life got in the way.

[ZoeyVictoria]

Several years ago, the reviews on the Paradise scared me off and I considered cruises on any Carnival ship except the Paradise. Then Casino Royale offered me a free cruise and the 2015 New Year's Eve cruise on the Paradise was the only one we could fit into the schedule, so we booked it. It turned out to be one of our best cruises ever. We loved the Paradise and are booked again for September 29. Should be an even better experience after the recent refurbishment.

[Florings]

Love the Paradise! We've been on her 3 times, with 2 more booked. In her recent dry dock, they added Guy's and Blue Iguana.

 

The crew is awesome, I love the ambience of this ship, and the food is great. Only thing missing is a Steakhouse which we enjoy at least once a cruise on the other ships. But it's a minor detail...

 

You'll love it!

[tallnthensome]

We are sailing her to Cuba next August for the first time. The reviews are ok as expected. She's been cleaned up after dry dock. In this case to Cuba, ships are limited due to size. It's more about Cuba than the ship this time. We were able to snag one of the two new large Scenic Ocean view cabins added at dry dock so that was a nice bonus. I agree though, not a ton of reviews.

[Ken076]

Jamman54 did a nice post-refurb review of Paradise in May 2018 https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2630203&page=4. We'll be doing the 5-Day Key West & Havana Paradise Cruise in early March 2019 and will post a review on return. Ken

[evandbob]

Our goal was Cuba. When we first started looking, Paradise and Sensation were our only choices. So I took Sensation. The more I read the worse it got. So I changed it to Victory which we've sailed twice and loved. I am generally of the opinion it's what you make of it but those Sensation reviews just had me unsettled.

 

Good luck!

 

 

Paradise and Sensation were the only 2 Carnival choices, true. I realize this is a Carnival board, but other main stream lines go to Cuba as well, although also in their smaller, older ships. There's even a cruise that originates in Jamaica that does several different Cuban ports and is not restricted to just an overnight in Havana.

[Lovefuninthesun]

We are sailing for the 4th time on Paradise over New Year's Eve, so we obviously like this great older ship!

This time it will be even better because of the recent dry dock: balconies (yay!), Blue Iguana, Red Frog, and Guys.:)

[Djptcp]

Love the Paradise and have sailed on here 3 times so far this year, including an overnight Havana cruise in May, and have another booked for Nov. Crew is outstanding and some remember us from one cruise to the next. Food is good, although no Steakhouse, we do order Steakhouse Selections in the MDR. Guy's and Blue Iguana are now available. Nice updates from the dry dock last spring. We live 45 minutes from the Port of Tampa, so very convenient for us to sail on the Paradise and Miracle (sailed on her in March). I also receive great bounce back casino offers and we can go anytime since we are retired. Some people don't like the older ships, but we are content with them. We are sailing on the Victory out of Miami in December only because we'll return and spend Christmas with DB and DSIL in Palm Beach. Otherwise, we pretty much stick to the Carnival ships sailing out of the Port of Tampa.

[sc4125]

I really like the Paradise. I was hesitant when I booked the first cruise on her as I had gotten use to the larger ships and thought I might be disappointed. It was quite refreshing to be on a smaller ship. We last went on her in June after the dry dock and appreciated the addition of Guys. I didn't think the MDR food was as good this last time as it had been before, but I too enjoy the Lido for dinner sometimes, and thought that food was fine.

 

Tampa is a wonderful port & is only 30 minutes from my home, so I see many future cruises on the Paradise.

[May1cruiser]

Been on her three times. Two thumbs up from the entire family. We just came back from August overnight in Cuba. Great cruise and great crew. We had one of the best wait staff teams to date in YTD.

 

Like others have said, it really is a mindset.

[oceanlov1]

I just got off the Paradise and did the overnight in Cuba. Have been on Paradise 3 times since the dry dock. It is a really nice ship and I think you will really enjoy her. I probably shouldn't go here, but the CD Brandon was NG(no Good). I have sailed many many Carnival cruises, but this guy needs serious improvement.

 

Cuba was special. There is something about it that just grabs you. The people were all very nice despite there living conditions. You will see what I mean. I cannot wait to go back to Havana.

 

Have fun!!

Happy Sailing!

[tortuga1975]

Sailed on her last May for a B2B. Liked the Serenity in the back of the ship. MDR staff was some of the friendliest we’ve ever had. It’s smaller and older, but it has all the upgrades except a steakhouse which I can live without. Tampa was a easy port to sail out of - the YOUR Captain’s Club guy works there and he was fun while we waited. I wouldn’t hesitate to sail her again.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ABCGreys]

We just got off the Paradise Monday morning. We've sailed a bunch of times with Carnival 10+, a couple of times w NCL and once with Celebrity and this Paradise cruise was one of our best ever! The food in the main dining room was great and the Lido was good. The crew was friendly and helpful and the ship is in great shape. There was always someone cleaning something. That combined with Cuba made for a fantastic time. We wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.

[scpirate]

Jamman54 did a nice post-refurb review of Paradise in May 2018 https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2630203&page=4. We'll be doing the 5-Day Key West & Havana Paradise Cruise in early March 2019 and will post a review on return. Ken

Yes I read it.we are not drinkers so I didn't get to far in the review.if I remember correctly he starts off with a lot of visits to bars .so I didn't get far.i don't care how much people drink as long as long I don't have to deal with them

[scpirate]

My wife mentioned Cuba out of Charleston SC since we are 2 hours away but the ports were Freeport and Havana.so that was a no go.paradise does Cozumel and Havana so I picked it.im not really a fan of carnival cruise I prefer celebrity.but my wife thinks they are the fun ships so every other cruise we do carnival and I pick my choice.last one was msc seaside.it was way to many people.thats a ship you have to pay extra and do yacht club to enjoy.but I think I'll be okay on paradise.im pretty much carribeaned out.so Alaska is next after this.either princess or Holland America I haven't decided yet.but thanks for the replies.

[riclop]

I haven't seen any reviews on Carnival paradise in a while.we are sailing it to Cuba the end of next year.is it any good or just so so not worth talking about.im sure it's the typical carnival product.mostly concerned about the food and getting in to the shows and comedy club.we are mostly in it for the ports.any info is appreciated.we don't do MDR.after first cruise my wife will not go.something traumatised her but I don't care because I prefer lido dining my self.we did elation a couple years ago and didn't like it much.thanks.

It's an old clunker.

[lucyandricky]

On 9/12/2018 at 6:14 PM, oceanlov1 said:

I just got off the Paradise and did the overnight in Cuba. Have been on Paradise 3 times since the dry dock. It is a really nice ship and I think you will really enjoy her. I probably shouldn't go here, but the CD Brandon was NG(no Good). I have sailed many many Carnival cruises, but this guy needs serious improvement.

 

Cuba was special. There is something about it that just grabs you. The people were all very nice despite there living conditions. You will see what I mean. I cannot wait to go back to Havana.

 

Have fun!!

Happy Sailing!

We are on the Paradise in April 2019.  Did you purchase CCL excursions or private excursions?  Also do you know if there were folks that checked "Support of the Cuban People" on the Guest Affivadit and disembarked on their own?

[Anyislandwilldo]

Just off the Paradise last month.  I'm used to the bigger ships and really didn't care much for the smaller ship.  Booked an excursion through Carnival for the Caberet Show at night.  Went to 2 comedy shows and they were great.  Cuba was awesome.  Booked a private tour with Fertours.  Our guide Angel was awesome.  Would love to go back!

[The4Cruisers]

On ‎9‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 9:43 PM, riclop said:

It's an old clunker.

 

It's this kind of nonsense that does a disservice to inquiring cruisers.  

 

Was on Paradise for the second time last month and she was just wonderful.  Would sail her again in a heartbeat if Tampa wasn't so damned far away!  I'll probably stick with Canaveral and Jaxport cruises.

[newcruiser1956]

On 9/12/2018 at 8:38 AM, ricew001 said:

 

Our goal was Cuba. When we first started looking, Paradise and Sensation were our only choices. So I took Sensation. The more I read the worse it got. So I changed it to Victory which we've sailed twice and loved. I am generally of the opinion it's what you make of it but those Sensation reviews just had me unsettled.

 

Good luck!

1

I did the Sensation in January.. It was not bad.. it is an older ship but was clean etc..