Carnival Cruise Review

Cruise reviews can be helpful tools for passengers interested in learning more about different vacation options before setting sail, and a Carnival cruise review can be particularly valuable because of the line’s popularity. With more than 20 ships sailing worldwide, there is a Carnival cruise right for everyone, and reviews can help prospective passengers find the best cruise vacation for their needs and preferences.

The Carnival Paradise sets sail from Long Beach.

This Carnival cruise review is based on the Carnival Paradise four night sailing to Catalina and Ensenada on April 14, 2008. Future passengers should note that one guest’s experiences can vary significantly from another’s, even on the same ship, and reading multiple cruise reviews can help eliminate any potential bias or discrepancies and may include information about activities and ship features that other reviewers did not include.

For more reviews about Carnival Cruise Line and the different Carnival cruise ships, visit:

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Three Stars: Embarkation from the Long Beach cruise port is mildly tedious, particularly for a mid-size ship such as the Carnival Paradise. While check-in itself is rather swift, there is little seating available while waiting for embarkation to begin, and lines designating early check-in passengers, V.I.P. passengers, and standard guests are not clearly marked. The presence of a few Carnival employees to help direct lines does alleviate some confusion.

Five Stars: The public areas of the ship – lounges, dining rooms, bars, whirlpools, the library, etc. – are tastefully decorated and well maintained. Attentive staff ensures the public areas are clean, and the bold color scheme including primary hues, dark woods, and copper accents invoke a fun and festive atmosphere.

Four Stars: Cruise ship dining is one of the main attractions of these unforgettable vacations, and the menu options on board the Carnival Paradise are themselves unforgettable. The strawberry bisque, beef Wellington, chocolate melting cake, and other appetizers, entrees, and desserts are superbly prepared and presented. The alternative menu selections are less visually stunning but no less flavorful.

Other dining options include pastries and specialty coffees on the Promenade Deck (well worth the minimal extra charge) and the casual dining available in the Paris Restaurant on the Lido Deck. The buffet selections were both adventuresome and delicious, while the deli and pizzeria both provided adequate, if not quite outstanding, fare. Bar service was prompt and helpful both during dinner hours and in the show lounges, as well as occasionally on deck.

Hairy Chest Contest

Five Stars: A wide selection of entertainment and cruise activities was scheduled for such a short cruise. Bingo games, gambling tournaments, scavenger hunts, trivia contests, spa lectures, and exercise classes were cheerfully presented even with small crowds, and the ice carving, dance classes, hairy chest contest, towel folding demonstration, and other activities were outstandingly popular. Passengers interested in unsupervised activities could enjoy plenty of deck chairs, lengthy waterslide hours, and plenty of whirlpool space. Cruise ship trophies and prize medallions were handed out freely for participation in different events.

Four Stars: Carnival cruise cabin assignments in different stateroom categories differ, but the oceanview cabins are moderately spacious with plenty of closet and drawer space for a cruise of this length. The generous supply of free samples in the bathrooms can be a nuisance, however, and when two twin beds are joined to create a king-size bed, the window is difficult to access. Linens were luxurious and comfortable, making relaxing in the cabin a sumptuous treat.

Catalina Harbor

Four Stars: This particular cruise called on Catalina Island in California and Ensenada, Mexico. The ship is required to tender (ferry passengers) in Catalina, but the pleasant ride and welcoming atmosphere of the island are both enjoyable. A wide range of shore excursions is available on Catalina, and while there are fewer things to do in Ensenada, Carnival has worked to create a suitable variety of options for passengers to experience. The cruise shore excursions were somewhat heftily priced, however, but still worthwhile.

Four Stars: Shopping on board the Carnival Paradise is remarkable for such a small Galleria area. Free liquor tasting on the first evening allowed guests to sample more exotic drinks and take advantage of outstanding deals. Jewelry sales and discount merchandise on the last day were kept restocked and offered substantial bargains for souvenirs. The gift shop also sampled rum cakes for passengers to try and offered different types of cakes for purchase.

Five Stars: The Carnival Paradise crew represents more than 50 nations around the world, and their attentive hospitality made the cruise a wonderful experience. Personal greetings, smiles, and helpful hints gave every passenger the best possible service, while many crew members went above and beyond with their charisma and enthusiasm, turning this sailing into a true Fun Ship cruise.

Four Stars: The debarkation process was recently renovated and those changes were thoroughly explained to ensure a swift, easy debarkation. Self-assist passengers who chose to take all their own luggage off the ship were permitted to do so early, and other passengers were debarked efficiently by zones.

The Carnival Paradise is a remarkable ship with a remarkable crew that delivers outstanding vacation value for all passengers. From first coming aboard to exploring the ship to partaking in different activities and sampling delicious meals, this ship truly is a paradise for cruise lovers.

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