Carnival Cruises
This family-friendly ‘fun’ ship is fine for ultra-casual cruising
The Ship. Carnival Paradise (the last in a series of eight sister ships) provides a vibration-free ride thanks to its pod propulsion system.
While the open deck space is reasonable, it is inadequate when the ship is full and everyone wants to be out on deck. The aft decks tend to be less noisy, whereas all the activities are focused around the main swimming pool and hot tubs (one with a thatched shade).
Serenity is an adults-only ‘quiet’ lounging space on Deck 9 aft. There is no walk-around open promenade deck. The lifeboats (six double as shore tenders) are positioned high in the ship, rather than lower down, as in newer ships.
The interior design is the work of Miami-based architect Joe Farcus; it’s clever, functional, and extremely colorful, with a theme of yesteryear’s ocean liners.
The interior focal point is an ‘open’ atrium lobby, with a balconied shape; styled to impress, it spans six decks and is topped by a large glass dome. The lowest level houses the purser’s desk and shore-excursion desk, together with a popular Atrium Bar with live music, and a small sushi bar off to one side; it’s a good central meeting place.
There are many public entertainment lounges, bars, and clubs, with something for everyone (except quiet space). Most of these rooms are connected by a double-width Carnival Boulevard Promenade – a sort of shipboard Main Street – which runs between the showlounge (forward) and the Queen Mary Lounge aft. Gamers and slot players alike can play in the Majestic Casino, with its gaming tables, and array of slot machines. The Blue Riband library is a pleasant room; although it has only a few books, there are several models of ocean liners. Another dazzling room is the Rock and Roll Discotheque, with its guitar-shaped dance floor, video dance club, and dozens of video monitors.
Carnival Paradise is a floating playground for the young and young-at-heart. This really is cruising Splash Vegas style. Because it’s a large resort ship, there will be lines for things such as shore excursions, security control when re-boarding, and disembarkation.
Carnival is not known for its cuisine, but the real fun begins at sundown, when the ship excels in sound, lights, and high-volume shows. Venues from the Rex Dance Club/Disco to the Rotterdam Cigar Bar will certainly keep you occupied.
Niggles include annoying announcements, and the never-ending hustling to get you to spend money. Also, shore excursions are booked via the in-cabin ‘Fun Vision’ television system, so obtaining personal advice on trips can be difficult.
Accommodation. There are numerous price grades for accommodation, priced according to size and location. Standard outside-view and interior cabins have simple, unpretentious decor. They are fairly comfortable, and practical (most are of the same size and appointments), with good storage space and no-nonsense bathrooms. With a queen-bed configuration instead of the standard twin-bed layout, note that one person has to clamber over the bed to get in, which can be awkward.
Suites have a little more space, but they are much smaller than those aboard ships of a similar size of competing companies.
Room service is available 24/7, although in standard cabins only cold food is available. Those in suite-grade accommodation are able to choose from a greater range of both hot and cold items.
Dining. The two large main dining rooms, Elation and Destiny, are located amidships and aft. Both have ocean-view windows and attractive, but very bright decor, but they are noisy. Choose either fixed-time dining (6pm or 8.15pm) or flexible dining.
The food is best described as uneventful, with simple presentation and little in the way of garnishes. The selection of fresh green vegetables, bread, rolls (these and other bakery items are first thawed, then baked, from frozen ‘starter’ dough), cheeses, and fruits is quite unimaginative, and there is too much use of rice, canned fruit, and jellied desserts. There’s a decent wine list, but no wine waiters, and the wine glasses are small. The waiters sing and dance, so it’s really more about ‘eatertainment’ than food quality. For something really simple, there’s an ‘always available’ list of ‘Carnival Classics’ including mahi mahi (fish), baby back ribs (beef), and grilled chicken. Note that the two main dining rooms are not open for lunch on port days.
A Lido café, called the Brasserie Bar & Grill, features the usual casual self-serve buffet eats, most of which are non-memorable. The venue includes a deli counter and pizzeria.
A patisserie offers specialty coffees and sweets (extra charge), and a so-called sushi bar off to one side of the atrium lobby bar on Promenade Deck is open prior to dinner only; the sushi could not be called authentic.
There is no specialty (extra-charge) restaurant, as aboard some of the larger ships in the fleet.
Entertainment. The 1,010-seat Normandie Main Lounge is the showlounge, and the venue for large-scale production shows and major cabaret acts – although 20 pillars obstruct some views. During a typical cruise, there will be one or two high-energy production shows, with a cast of two lead singers and a clutch of dancers, backed by a large live band.
Spa/Fitness. SpaCarnival is a large, glass-wrapped health, fitness, and spa complex. It is located on the uppermost interior deck forward. It includes a fitness room with ocean-view windows, with cardiovascular equipment, an aerobics room, changing rooms, sauna and steam rooms, beauty salon, and rooms for body treatments. Some fitness classes incur an extra charge.
There are also sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, and table tennis, plus a banked jogging track outdoors on the deck above the spa, and a mini-golf course.