Carnival Paradise Review
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Additional details
Background Information
We have recently returned from the 4-night Carnival Paradise cruise from Tampa to Cozumel! We were on the 2nd cruise after the ship was dry-docked for a couple of weeks. Cruising this time was just DH and me: "forty some-things" with much cruising experience on cruises from 3 to 7 days in length. We cruise about every 9 months or so, and have cruised out of every Florida home port plus New Orleans and Charleston. Sometimes as a family, sometimes just us, and sometimes with friends. Most of our cruises have been with Carnival, a few with Norwegian, and one with Costa.
Travel to Port of Embarkation
Cabin Review
Junior Suite (obstructed views)
We had cabin V-34 on the port side Verandah deck. It is a "junior suite" which is the only way (plus the grand suites) to get a balcony room on this ship. These cabins are only slightly larger than the ocean view cabins on the same class ship. Pretty much the same closet/drawer/bathroom space as any standard cabin on Fantasy class.
My first impression was that the cabin was very dark! The decor included lots of dark wood. Usually Carnival cabins are bright and gaudy...not the case here. The cabin was sold as an "obstructed view" cabin for a slightly lower price than the unobstructed cabins in the same area. We were pleasantly surprised to find no obstruction!
The cabin location was perfect for peace and quiet from the hallway (no one ever goes there unless they have a cabin there). The cabins just aft of us (two) had the obstructed views (lifeboats). None of those forward of ours had any obstruction. The very front ones were less private because anyone who found the "secret" deck above the bridge could see right onto those balconies. Although the outdoor promenade was right below us, we noticed that no one ever looked up as they were walking by! Also, not many people walked by below us anyway.
The balcony is small by comparison to the newer ship standard balconies. Another 10 inches in either direction would have made it better. The balcony was really nice to have though! We spent an average of 3 hours/day out there.
There is a refrigerator (not very cold) and a cabinet with a selection of glassware to use for your drinks. The TV was a flat screen. However, they still had a VCR (yes---I said VCR) hooked up to it. Who even has VHS tapes to play anymore? They should have just trashed that thing during dry-dock (or at least replaced it with a DVD player).
The Carnival comfort bed was comfy, but a bit firmer than the last time. I like a softer mattress (my sleep number is 35 on our sleep number bed at home...lol). Love, love, love the pillows and duvet!