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Carnival Cruise Line

MS Paradise

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Sue Behm
# previous cruises: 2
Date of Trip: March 10, 2000
Itinerary: Caribbean - Western

Consider this: NON SMOKING ! If you are a serious non-smoker, then the Paradise is for you. Carnival took a chance at putting this policy into action because the public was asking for it. Thank goodness Carnival listened. Our trip was an absolute delight. In fact, we have just booked our next cruise on the Paradise for the Eastern itinerary to sale in a few weeks.

The ship public areas were just fine. Again, and I am not sorry to repeat myself, butthe non smoking atmosphere in the casino, disco's and lounges were dynamic. How great it was to be able to sit and relax, anywhere, without have to constantly move out of the way of stinky smoke. We were able to meet and talk to people everywhere or choose to find an out of the way place and be alone. In fact, there were a few areas on the ship we did not make it to as we were so busy.

Food and Service were excellent. Much improved since our first cruise way back when the Mardi Gras was in service. (What a cute little ship she was, now sadly a reef off of the Australian coast). We had many dining room choices for each evening, and always served in a professional manner. Buffets were also available with different items all of the time. Of course 24 hour pizza was available if there was an empty spot that needed to be filled. We did buy the "soda" sail and sign card for the kids. However, the next time we will skip it because the lemonade and fruit punch were adequate.

We had two ocean view cabins on the Upper deck. We enjoyed having a little bit of natural light to wake up to and to look out of when we were in the room. However, if you have to choose an inside cabin due to cost or not go on the cruise, take the inside cabin. You get plenty of natural, (smoke-free) sunlight on deck.

The entertainment was top notch. We took in all of the shows and tried to attend as many other venues on the ship as possible. This includes the great classical trio that performs in the atrium.

On board we took advantage of as many activites as possible. BINGO, dance lessons and contests (My husband and I won the first place real 14 karat plastic trophy for the twisting contest). Our sons (ages 16 and 19) played all sorts of games and grouped up with the teenage crowd. We didn't use the pools as we were too busy doing everything else, however the pools looked top notch. We didn't use the casino very much as we are not casino gamblers. We did try our luck at the BINGO games, which, we will curtail for our next trip. We were caught up in the moment shall we say.

Being our second cruise and with knowledge from other cruisers I must say this ship is a tad different from your regular rowdy party-hearty Carnival crowd. You don't see as much alcohol consumption and groups are quieter. We have come to the conslusion it is because of the non-smoking policy. Since smoking is out of the question, and very often smoking and drinking are connected, you tend to see more people meeting to talk, play games and simply relax. Our table mates were wonderful and we would definetly invite them to our home.