My friend and I decided on the 4 night Carnival Paradise cruise because we both wanted to try cruising and this one offered the best value, since we live in California.

We drove to port and found adequate parking for $12/day. Port directions were easy to follow. Embarkation probably took about an hour, involving a lot of waiting, but that's to be expected. The only thing truly unpleasant about waiting was all the crying babies and whining kids around us. The woman who checked us in was very friendly.

Our inside cabin was roomy and comfortable. The beds were very comfortable, with plush white duvets. The steward happily brought me a firmer pillow when I requested one. We used our plush robes often. The bathroom was roomy, with plenty of hooks both there and in the room. Storage space was plentiful. Read more