Positive points about the Paradise: Ship was well maintained. Entertainment in the Normandie Lounge included singers who were talented and didn't yell loudly during their performances. The dancers were also very talented. Cabin was comfortable with lots of storage space and a decent sized shower. The grilled Reuben and turkey sandwiches were delicious. We enjoyed a very nice slice of Le Chevre pizza in the pizza place. The casino was almost smoke-free every time we visited there. That is unusual on a ship. The golf course was fun. The Serenity area was nice, with spas that actually had hot water in them.

The negative aspects included: Very, very low water pressure in the shower, a disgusting tasting cappuccino that was served to us and two other passengers in the dining room, and waiters who didn't seem to care about giving us any service beyond putting our plates in front of us. When I didn't like a dish, they would look the other way if I tried to get their attention. When it was too late to order another dish, the assistant waiter picked up my plate without asking if there was a problem with the uneaten food. These are just a few examples of the mediocre service we received. Lunch in the dining room was hit and miss as usual, some waiters ruder than others. The buffet didn't look appetizing at all. The "ice cream" was not good to me. Hard to describe, but I'll try by saying it it was like eating cold water and sugar...not creamy at all. I love soft serve, but not the junk Carnival was serving. The frozen yogurt was no better. We could not attend the afternoon tea service because it was served in the Piano (America's) Bar, which was too small for us to find a seat. It was very crowded with lots of people walking around the bar, and it didn't look comfortable for the people who did have seats.

We enjoyed the cruise because we loved being at sea and visiting Ensenada. As always, we met lots of interesting and fun passengers. We don't ever expect a lot from Carnival. We take our longer cruises on Princess and Celebrity.