This is my 3rd and last time on Carnival Paradise. While the group we sailed with was a lot of fun and the ports provided a great day each time, there is much less to be desired onboard the Paradise. This ship needs a serious upgrade and some actual adult supervision from the crew. IT's definitely a throwback to the 90's and it needs some serious upgrades. They say no shorts or bathing suits or tank tops in the main restaurants in the evening, but all of these are present every night, I don't really care about shorts and -shirts, but if you have a dress code, enforce it or just can it. There is a very casual dress code in the Lido, as it should be. But it is a restaurant and as such, requires clothing of some sort including shirts and footwear - flip flops completely acceptable. However, every day there were men in there with no shirts, no shoes, wet bathing suits - and not the kind of men who need to be shirtless - not judging as I am one of these. But really? Is it that hard to put a t-shirt and flip flops on? Seriously, you can't even go into Subway looking like this - but no Carnival person ever said a word, even when they were asked, they just said yes, there is a dress code. It's kind of disgusting actually, but the staff is too afraid to say anything, the white shirts need to step in as this ship is getting to be the lowest class of any. And then there are the falling down drunks who grab at other guests, spew nothing but F words at the crowded bar, scream at their companions who are a mere foot away from them, and are just flat out stumbling face planting drunk - and these are not 20 somethings, these are people over 40!! I had to intervene when one of these idiots started holding onto my girlfriend as he tried to introduce himself, nicely of course so as not to start a bar fight, but where the hell is security? Oh, no, they want you to drink more!!! I saw a white shirt actually buying another drink for this one moron who was at his limit on the Cheers package - 15 for the day. That's responsible management, give a drunken idiot more to drink. Seriously, it's all about having fun, but there is a limit anywhere. But it seems to be par for the course on Carnival Paradise to see how stinking drunk and obnoxious you can be!! I've had my last Paradise cruise, this has deteriorated further each time - kids in the late night comedy show, drunks in the serenity deck shouting obscenities ever other word (yes shouting), fall down drunks in the bars anytime after around 6, no dress code enforcement in either the Lido or the dining rooms, no security ever present, hallways that are constantly filled with carts, blowers (to clean up after the drunks), trays, vacuums.
Not to say it's all bad - but the behavior of some of the guests really impacts others who have paid just as much to be on there, and there is no control whatsoever. So why have rules if you just ignore them? Why have a limit when the goal is to see how fast you can get to 15 and then just buy more? Not surprising why there are fights on board.
But the shows are great, the production very cool, the singers and dancers very talented. Shiplash was the best bad they had - Grovalicious, well, not so much. But at least they moved the band into the night club this time - last time the club sat empty while the band played on the Casino Bar stage making it impossible for people to walk down the Promenade and no room for dancing. So good call on moving them to the night club! The senior staff was very visible and very friendly - always nice to see the guys who run the ship out mingling with the guests. Our room steward Arthur was AWESOME!! Friendly, polite, always smiling, room was perfect. Darunee at the Casino Bar is simply THE BEST ever - she should be a trainer and show others how to enjoy their job and do it perfectly, and Karla also there and the coffee bar is just excellent. Antoniu at the Casnio bar was just not good - never smiling, seemed to actually hate his job, no customer service, maybe he just didn't want to work in a smoking bar (I don't smoke, but the Casino and Casino Bar are smoking areas)
Nice cabin in the aft part of the ship - with a window that let's you see where you've been. Love that room in the very back of the ship - and Arthur did a great job! Definitely need some nicer chairs or loveseat to sit on - you can't really enjoy the room having to always sit on the bed. Retrofit....upgrade....
If you just want a great day at the beach, skip the excursion. Skip the bus. Walk a block to the cab stand and for $2.50/each, take the local transportation to Calico Jacks. Then grab a table in from of Jack's that has an umbrella - free! Order a Caybrew and some wings and just chill on the beautiful beach. Best day ever!
If you want a great day at an all inclusive private beach club, try Mr. Sancho's. $55/each gets you all the drinks and food you want. Two big pools with swim up bars, beautiful private beach with lounges, Mexican buffet or order off the menu - all included. Add ons for massage or private lounges with curtains. But who needs that when you have all this awesome stuff already? A short $10 cab ride away and you're good to go. You'll love it!
I love it here, I live here!