We booked thinking it would be an awesome way to ring in the new year with friends. I can honestly say, I have been on several Carnival ships and other cruises but this one was just MEH! I was hoping it to be a FUN packed cruise and I left feeling very underwhelmed. :( We boarded on NYE morning and it was quick and very smooth. Everyone was polite. The boat was older but it was beautiful and clean. I could see here and there things that needed touch up but overall it was very pretty! I love the beautiful atrium views! NYE night was nice... we did not go on deck because it was so cold! We stayed at the bar near the casino wear a great band was playing fun live music that the crowd definitely was enjoying, we were all dancing, drinking and having fun. Then it came time for the countdown! A crew member, with an iPad...stepped on stage near the band and proceeded to do the most LAME of NYE countdowns I have ever witnessed!!!! BOOOOOOOO! Thankfully the band started with a new song. We tossed out the old year and danced in the New! Day 1 was a sea day... typical get up, eat, lay on the deck, drink, and talk to people. We did a little dancing on deck but not much. There is a large stage (that in my opinion should be removed) that takes up a HUGE amount of space for the DJ. Move him up to the balcony like on other ships and make space for fun! Dinner was dressy night, It was very yummy and the staff was very helpful. The REX club was LAME! DJ did not read the crowd! No one was dancing and there were plenty of people ready to go if he would have played good music. (We tried several nights and they were all the same....LAME) Day 2 was in Nassau Bahamas. Last time we were there we did excursions this time we just went to Junkanoo beach. DIRTY! People were nice enough but very territorial! I can't say I'd go there again. Back to the ship, wash, and repeat! (Club still LAME) Day 3 was at Grand Bahamas Carnival Island. Beautiful day, clean beaches, nice people, unorganized food lines, good drinks, all in all a nice day! Back to the ship, wash, and repeat! (Club still LAME) Day 4 at sea... Best day on the boat! Drinking, dancing, fun with friends and new people we met. The sun was hot and the drinks were cold. Lunch was yummy! Dinner was hard for me as we had sped up to beat the fog coming into Tampa. I spent the evening hours in the room. I was a little nauseous. Day 5 Home! Easy exit off the ship. They have it down to a science. Good bye Carnival Paradise. I don't think I will see you again. Jen read more

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First time on a cruise and I was really impressed with the cleanliness of the ship. For it having some outdated things like the carpet and the decor around the ship, it was still in very good shape. The staff was extra friendly and the food was tasty. Especially Guys burger! You can enjoy breakfast everyday along with dining in or just going to the buffet and making yourself a plate. Our staff made sure to make our beds each day and just tidy up our rooms if we need anything they were always around to help. You can play shuffleboard, ping pong, chess, mini golf and corn hole. Theres plenty of activities for families and adults only to do. There's a pool which is pretty small along with two hot tubs. Plenty of deck seating. We slept comfortably in our cabin and made it work for a family of four (2kids 8 and 10). I will definitely be doing this again! read more

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The service is excellent from the quick boarding process to the great service offered once aboard. I highly recommend booking the Thing 1 and 2 breakfast. It has an additional charge of $15 per person and must be booked in advance as it gets booked. I love how they incorporated food color to make the eggs green making it a whimsical experience. You also get to take pictures with the characters. Overall I love Carnival, although this is one of their older ships and it's not the largest its perfect for shorter trips. read more

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Don't let this ship determine your opinions of Carnival. Nearing retirement, the Paradise is one of Carnivals oldest fleets. Her last renovation was back in 2012 and it shows. The great thing about cruising is once you're sailing away, you're officially on vacation! Paradise resides in Tampa among other small cruise ships. My voyage went to Nassau and Bimini, and was about a week long. I wouldn't recommend any longer than 6 days on the smaller ships. Pros: Good sushi. Funny comedians. Great cocktails. Serenity deck is Aft, offers adult only refuge, hot tubs and great views. Carnival is amazing about food allergies - gluten free was clearly labeled. It's Carnival, so it's a fun ship! Cons: Only one pool, congested interior with some obstructed theater views, nowhere to walk along the exterior. Fewer amenities, only one restaurant besides the included ones. Out of style. Would I sail her again? Not likely but I have zero regrets and loved the trip overall! read more

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The staff- our steward, Mega was outstanding. Jess- the "insider" was fabulous, friendly and informative. The performers for the music shows were the best I have ever seen on any of the ships- hands down! The spa personal- fabulous! Hein, Kat, Immaculate, Jin (he cut my hair & sorry if I misspelled any names) and the rest of the staff were just perfection! We had one hiccup in the dining room the first night- they sat us on one side of a waiter partition and apparently we belonged to the wait staff servicing the other side- so we were forgotten for quite a while, watching those sat after us and right next to us get food even before our order was taken- but after that night, we had a different section and I loved- the team was Jonathan, Manuel & Wai. Manuel really made sure to go above and beyond for me- with my food allergy, I do appreciate greatly when the staff double checks everything. And the piano bar guy was just the best. I've had 2 cruises now where I couldn't wait to get to the piano bar! This was one of them!!! We tried Chef's Table for the first time on this cruise. I tried to book it online and it wouldn't let me "checkout" and pay for it- but as soon as we were on board and in our stateroom- they called and confirmed that we wanted to participate. This was one snafu- they had Chef's Table on Formal Night. This was a ding because the best night to eat in the dining room is formal night! Prime Rib- heeeeyyyyy. And before you go and assume we could do both- nope. You meet for Chef's table before the dining room opens and the event lasts almost until the dining room is closed (like 15 minutes before). And - we were stuffed. I enjoyed Chef's Table a lot, but it wasn't quite the experience others had bragged about. Example: each guest has a server, all the plates are set down at the same time in front of each guest.... Yeah- no. We had fabulous staff, but it wasn't one per person. Another oop's- you are advised to wear closed toe shoes, because you go on a tour of the kitchen! Cool- I didn't pack closed toe shoes AND it was formal night- I dressed to impressed, including footwear. Bonus- we bought spirits on board, duty free, to take home & then saw it cheaper in port & YES- the price match!!! Take a photo and they will reimburse you- another win! My favorite things to doon Carnival: Dine as many meals in the dining room as possible (some have tea time in the afternoon) The shows!!! Piano Bar Movies played in the lounge Alchemy bar- this ship does not have it!!! Spa- ladies pamper parties are a must for massage specials and pro tip- they have steam rooms and some have dry saunas in the spa- FREE of charge (shh, don't tell too many people) This ship had a coed steam sauna Serenity deck- need to escape kids, hide here! read more

Don't bother. One of the oldest and smallest ships in Carnival's fleet and it shows. You're definitely not getting the same level of amenities and options that you get on bigger and newer ships. Everything seemed outdated. Food options were limited and not that great except for maybe the main dining room. The staff tries and are helpful but I get the sense they all wish they were on the newer ships. Entertainment options were limited. I've been on other ships and bingo was never a main entertainment option. Here it is lol Clothing shops are very limited also. Not to much to choose from. A lot of locals from the Tampa area on the cruise. The whole vibe seemed lame. The worst part though? Just one pool. It was total chaos. I saw some kids playing in the outdoor shower by the pool for like half an hour because the pool was so packed. The serenity "adult" area is not on a top level of the ship like on other ships. It's right below the buffet area. Nothing but 19 yrs old making out in the hot tub. Never again on this cruise ship that's for sure. Oh, and we can do without all your hosts having a lame British accent read more

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This is definitely not 5 stars but not 2.8 either so Si tried to bring up rating. It is an older ship and doesn't have all the bells and whistles BUT they compensate on GREAT food, service, and oversll experience!! Canins have bern updated so not horrible at all. read more

The worst cruise we have ever done, there are no activities on this cruise, it is just for eating and sleeping, it is very small and boring read more

Carnival Paradise - This is the best entertainment they have if you planning to have fun please don't do it is the worse - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Tampa, Florida