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Carnival Cruise Line

MS Paradise

Your Rating:
Reviewed by:Herb Meisen
# previous cruises: 9
Date of Trip: November 25, 2001
Itinerary: Caribbean - Eastern

While we were very impressed with the smoke-free environment of the ship especially the stunning atrium decorated beautifully for Christmas, we were disappointed with the music provided in the lounges and the entertainment in the theatre.

While there were over 500 seniors on board, not one of the lounges featured ballroom dance music. They had a teen disco for those who should have been in school the week after Thanksgiving. The theatre production numbers did not have a single pre-rock era song. In addition, the theatre had too many posts and other obstructions especially in the balcony and the sound was too loud. Our favorite room was the soaring atrium with magnificent music provided by three very talented young ladies called La Primavera playing piano,violin and cello. They were the highlight of the cruise but unfortunately you couldn't dance there. The pools were monopolized by children who should have been in school and too many empty deck chairs were reserved with towels.

The maitre d' gave us the time and table for six we requested. Our waiters were excellent and the food was very good but the low ceiling dining room was not as impressive as the 2 deck dining rooms on other ships. The buffet restaurant was not as extensive as the Lido on HAL. If you wanted eggs other than scrambled, you had to wait at a long line at the omelette station. The pizza was varied and good.

We were very pleased with our inside cabins on the verandah deck. They were very roomy and quiet. We heard others complain about the noise of children on the lower decks. Our cabin steward was excellent.

Entertainment other than the large production shows was good especially the music in the atrium. I understand that the 2 production numbers SHOUT and DREAM VOYAGES were featured during the inaugural season a few years ago. Time for a change and an occasional Broadway number would have been appreciated. My request to the cruise director about providing ballroom dance music in one of the many lounges went unanswered.

The trivia contests were pathetic. The ports of Nassau, San Juan and St. Thomas were not our favorites and we've seen them too often. The health club was charging $10. for most of their aerobics classes. In contrast, HAL rewards you for attending their free classes with their Passport to Fitness program. If you wanted to swim in the pool, get there at 8AM before the kids take over.

About 200 children who we had assumed would be in school the week after Thanksgiving. About 500 seniors with the rest of the passengers at ages in between- the ship was full. I received a shipboard credit and champagne for my birthday but nobody on the ship could tell where they came from- I didn't find out till I got home. The ship was very clean and well maintained and I feel Carnival can do better with such an attractive ship.