Paradise Review 3/17-3/20 -- Background: DH and I were looking for a quick, fairly inexpensive, fun and relaxing getaway weekend without the kids. We found this 3 Day Cruise starting on St. Pats Day, the price was right; the dates were right so we booked it.

Flew in to Long Beach Airport Thursday night. Id heard flying in to Long Beach was like flying back in time, its true. Mere words cannot explain the LGB Airport, it is truly an experience to behold. However, we received our luggage quickly, grabbed a cab to Holiday Inn Downtown Long Beach and went to bed. We used our points for the hotel, it was nice but kind of a scary area, I doubt I would stay there again, but again&the price was right and they did have a free shuttle to the Pier the next morning!

Embarkation: We arrived at the Pier around 10am, checked our luggage with the porters and headed over to the Queen Mary for early check in. It was very easy to find as there were Carnival employees Directing people. Check in was a breeze, no line. A few odd things did happen however to give us pause and a giggle. We have recently moved from CO to AZ and I have a new AZ ID, but DH does not, so the lady checking us in wasnt too sure of if we REALLY were husband and wife as we had ID from differing states. Then as we were all done the check in lady said, I have one more thing. We are required to ask all female passengers if they are pregnant. I answered GOD NO, as I have 3 boys at home and off we went. I wish I had asked why they had to ask this as I have wondered ever since. Anyway, we were given a slip of paper labeled ZONE 1 and went off to wait. We enjoy hanging out and watching people so that is what we did and met some of our fellow travelers. There was a dance troupe from Nevada with about 30 girls and boys and their families that would be performing on the ship; we enjoyed talking with the Moms of the group. Then we met a group of guys, who were already enjoying a nice cold Corona. They told us they were with a group of about 20 guys for a BACHELOR PARTY!!! At that point we knew we were going to have fun! We later met the Bachelor and actually his Bride to be came with them. He said he invited her because he knew they would have more fun TOGETHER! AWWWWWW!! We saw them several times throughout the 3 days and they were definitely having a blast!!!! Read more