Paradise is overall a nice ship. Our cruise this time involved eleven people, two seniors, four adults and children aged 13, 11, one 6 year old, as well as two nine year olds. Embarkation was the only somewhat disappointing feature of the overall experience. The Carnival personnel in Long Beach seem to be less than stellar performance-wise. Not very organized, with a lack of relevant signage to direct arriving passengers. We arrived at approximately 130PM in three cars. The unloading of baggage was easy, and the adjacent parking garage ($15.00 daily) was close and easy to navigate. This is our first cruise experience that we were able to use the 'Self Assist' feature in BOTH Embarkation and Disembarkation, so we elected to roll on our own bags. We have always opted for 'Roll Off' at disembarkation, on all of our past cruises, and were most pleased that we could now bring our own luggage ON board. After about a little more than an hour shuffling in the long, slowly moving line, we finally managed to get to a check-in agent, who verified our info, and issued the Sign N'Sail cards to everyone, including the children. Our three cabins were ready for us, and in perfect, occupancy-ready condition. Immaculate and well stocked, they afforded us every reasonable comfort for the entire cruise. Carnival offers great bedding, and this short cruise was no exception. We met on deck for a quick lunch, and thoroughly explored the ship. The modified lifeboat drill that Carnival has devised worked well, and was easy to understand, and navigate with the children in tow. Other cruise lines could use this pattern.

Weather in February along the Southern California Coast can be a dicey affair, but ours was most pleasant throughout the cruise. We needed the sunscreen! Somewhat overcast just early on the day of departure, the sun shone brightly every day. The children thoroughly enjoyed and were consumed with the waterslide experience, and each were totally exhausted at the end of the day. Proper supervision was always present to keep the flow of 'watersliders' moving and free of delays.

It was evident that this is a well-mastered and crewed vessel. Even though we had a full compliment of passengers, it almost never seemed crowded, with the possible exception of the hot tubs. The ship was bright, clean and attractive, will little signs of being threadbare. This ship is in constant use, but it didn't show. It amazes me that this vessel does the three day-four day pattern and still maintains its bristol condition after such capacity, and short 'turnarounds'. Read more