Carnival Funville

Pretty ship, nice vacation

jeninco — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:41:03 GMT

Sail Date: 03/15/10

Just returned yesterday from my shortest cruise ever, a 4 night Baja cruise. I was honestly more than a little worried after reading some of the reviews. Contrary to what most people said, I think that the Paradise is a very pretty ship. It may be older than some, but I hardly call it outdated. The grand open atrium is majestic IMO, and I really enjoyed it. The rooms could use a little updating, but I hardly think that's worthy of taking down the overall quality. We had a fabulous embarkation experience, a surprise room upgrade witha window, and our first lunch on Lido was wonderful! The muster drill is a bore, but that can't be helped. I've never left as late as the Paradise took off, (5:30?) and was very surprised at how calm the seas were. One note, this time of year, it's still pretty cool in the Baja! We were prepared for that though.

Our dinner staff was fabulous-Algrego CUT MY DAUGHTERS' steaks (2 kids!) every time they ordered them! I've never had that kind of treatment. I wish there were more vegetarian dishes offered, but at the same time appreciate that there are any every night! Wonderful appetizers, loved the broccoli soup and salads. We also had a fabulous room steward, Abdul, who never inconvenienced us and alwasys left the room spotless. This is the quality of care that we have come accustomed to with Carnival, and we were not disappointed!

We took the Glass Bottom Boat and city tour in Catalina; the bus tour around the city tour was much better than I expected-gorgeous views, and lots of interesting information. I had heard that the glass bottom boat tour was a let down, but still wanted to do it for my kdis. I got a little dizzy from hanging my head upside down and probably would do the semi sub in retrospect. In Ensenada, we took the resort tour. It wasn't exactly what we expected....it is older, but the pool is in wonderful condition. The nearby beach isn't much of anything, but they don't promise you anything more than views in the tour description. Unfortunatley the pool heater had cut off the night before and the water was much colder than expected and promised. My children still enjoyed it, but I found it unbearably cold. The manager apologized profusely, but not much could be done. The on site museum is interesting, and the buffet was pretty nice.

On our day at sea, and final full day, my children braved and enjoyed the water slide. The air was chilly, probably 76 and there was NO WAY I was getting in the water. I heard sevearl complaints of drunk teenagers (it was spring break), but I had no problems at all.

My really only "complaint", is that the ship doesn't really go anywhere! I think the total mileage covered is something like 150 miles? We sat in the port of Ensenada until 10:00 at night, so that was an entire day of no movement, but none of that was a surprise either. The evening of our last night and day at sea, we were sometimes going less than a full kts. I'm used to seeing/feeling 20-30 kts! I guess if you are the type who gets dizzy/seasick easily, this would be ideal. I do get sick on occasion but still enjoy the "feeling". I kind of missed it, but had been warned that this was a non-cruising cruise in that respect.

Overall, the weather was beautiful, but cool. The ports were clean and safe, the excusions were appropriate, and the staff was wonderful. I was blown away at the amount of photographs that were taken on such a short cruise! Even on day 2, there were TONS. The photography staff worked very hard, and we had a beautiful family portrait made on formal night.

We had a very nice time, it was a little short, but we knew that when we booked it. The paradise IS a smaller ship, and if you find the open atrium outdated, you won't like it. I thought it was fabulous and enjoyed it all!

Sail and Sign Card Question

FirstTime10 — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:10:02 GMT

Hi everyone! I have a quick question regarding the sail and sign card. I am booked to cruise to the Bahamas in October with my mom and brother. We all intend on paying our own way and would like to have 3 different sail and sign card accounts set up. Is this possible or is there only one account per room? I was looking thought my documents online and noticed that there is only one sail and sign card form to be filled out for the 3 of us. So I thought I would ask. Thanks in advance!!

Atlantis

KellyJean — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:17:58 GMT

Can anyone help us with some idea on how to do the atlantis beach break . last year carnival offered a Atlantis beach break for 89.00 (that was with lunch) now we booked again to nassua and we wanted to do the Atlantis beach break because we did Not do it last year and its no longer avalible!!! SO ANY SUGGESTION ON THE BEST WAY TO GET TO ATLANTIS!!! taxi, and do and dont maybe some idea of price any suggestions would be great Thank You!!!

Happy Sailing All!!!

KellyJean

Halloween Roll Call 10/31/2010 Sailing Of The Conquest

Donzworld — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:09:28 GMT

224 Daze Till We Depart...

Miracle Roll Call Sept 4, 2010

cruisinsince81 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:48:16 GMT

Hello

We are Howie and Beth from New York, we are traveling with 30 of our friends

from Rolling Thunder NY3. This will be our 3rd cruise on this ship. We are also

cruising on the Splendor on 2/28 from Long Beach to the Mexican Riveria

Talk to you all later

Howie

Is the Dolphinaris located in Chakahub Park?

wspfan — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:53:46 GMT

Never been, I know I misspelled the park name, but I want to also snorkel (my mom has never done this before) I am booking through carnival and they said you could go downtown to do shopping which we also want to do.....

So my questions are: Is Dolphinaris in Chab - Park?

Thank you -

Eating off of the Ship is a bad idea!

nattynat — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:51:03 GMT

I'm curious to know if people eat or drink on the islands you visit even if it is a welcome drink or ice????

I think it is a horrible idea to drink or eat ANYTHING off of the ship. I noticed that alot of the excursions offer welcome drinks and lunch.

I would never do that. Foreign water sanitation is not the same as the US. Your body needs time to adjust to the foreign bacteria. This is something that should never be done on a cruise vacation. People then get back on the boat with these germs, get nauseated and in turn spread these germs and get everyone else sick.

Holiday Inn - Port of Miami

kjoe — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:14:48 GMT

We are flying into Miami the day before our cruise. We have a reservation at the Holiday Inn at the Port of Miami. Does the hotel have an airport shuttle? If not, can anyone tell me how much a cab from the airport to the hotel will cost for two people?

Any information is appreciated!

Thanks!

Ft.Lauderdale - what to do while waiting for late departure flt.

R and B — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:57:01 GMT

We just booked a trip on Carnival - Miracle for Feb.24. Our flight home doesn't leave until 4:30 PM to Grand Rapids, MI and wondering if anyone has any suggestions what to do there since we get off the ship around 9:00 AM. ???

moving the beds around??

T.Renee — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:30:34 GMT

If you want to move the beds in your room, do you ask the steward, or just do it yourself?

cruising on May 29th!

utvols — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:11:43 GMT

My husband and I are cruising the Fascination on the 29th from JAX.. so excited. Anyone out there joining us??

Key West

RealtorBonnie — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:23:17 GMT

We have one day in Key West any advice besides just strolling around?

Pool Tables/TV's

Believe — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:24:41 GMT

Does anyone know if any of the cruise ships have pool tables especially on the Splendor. Also what types of tv's are in the cabins on the splendor. (Ocean view rooms).

Countdown Clock Again

trenieyvo — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:25:14 GMT

Let's try this again. If doesn't work this time, I'll stop trying. Thanks everyone for the time.

Roll Call 5/17/10

Kenny B — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:03:30 GMT

Hey! Who all is going on the sailing May 17th, 2010? My wife and I took our first cruise last year for our first anniversary. We liked it so much we are coming back for our second! We are both 24 and would love to find some people around our age who are going on the cruise as well.

Jamaica Tranopy

never2old4fun — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:02:31 GMT

My adult daughters are planning on doing the Tranopy (canopy, bobsled, air tram) In Jamaica. I didn't sign up for it because I'm afraid I am too old and out of shape for it. I have reserved the Dunns River Falls and Air tram by myself. Are the tranopy activities safe?

snorkel gear

dreamcruiser525 — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:58:24 GMT

I am sailing on the Carnival Dream in May and wonder

if they offer snokeling gear for rent for use on the

entire cruise? It seems they use to.

thanks for your help!

roll call may 17,2010

stephy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:25:52 GMT

hi my name is stephanie and i will be traveling with my husband leaving the kids behind with grandma.little worried posted roll call before and no replies.

Roll Call

Too Blessed To Be Stressed — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:08:41 GMT

Roll Call on the Triumph for July 24th 2010

Anyone?,anyone? lol

Anyone on the April 10th Cruise on Destiny?

TerLor — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:35:14 GMT

I was just wondering who else is going on the cruise? I see alot of other dates but none for April 10th sail date. I am going with my 19 year old daughter and will be our first cruise longer than 3 days. We are really looking forward to going. Lets all get excited about our cruise!!! Woo!!!!!!!! Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jeh

veggiecruzer — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:21:52 GMT

I saw your question about the Pinnacle and wanted to let you know that I have asked around about it for us non-meat-eaters. DH and I are mainly vegan and I was told by one woman that her daughter is a vegan too and she spoke to the restaurant manager at the Pinnacle the night before their dinner and the chef prepared a multi-course vegan dinner just for her daughter. I've heard similar things from other past guests as well so I'm going to give it a try and speak to them before I decide. I sail after you so let me know if you decide to try as well. :)

First time parasailer...maybe...need some info!!!

chelle523 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:12:24 GMT

Okay, so I opened my big mouth a couple of years ago and said that I might like to go parasailing sometime. Little did I know, 2 years later, I'm booked on a cruise and hubby is holding me to it!

So my question is this: do you wind up in the ocean somehow? (I'm terrified of deep water, although I'm able to swim.)

Also, how high up do you go? I read several hundred feet. ???? And how long are you up there?

I really shoulda kept my mouth shut!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Peace,

Michelle

Roll Call April 19th

Zarkarella — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:03:01 GMT

Well, we finally decided to take another cruise and I am so happy about it! Who else on here is traveling on the Fantasy on April 19th?

Kids Safety on Ship!!

ivyrose — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:11:17 GMT

Hello all, Im worried about the safety onboard the ship for my children. We wiil be traveling in July(very busy month for cruises). My son is 13 and daughter 9, They say they dont want to do the camps, but rather explore the ship and do the water slides, climbing wall, putt putt, and of course have full access to the food 24/7. I dont want to have to follow them to every station they go and re-position my sunning self, but Im rather concerned about there safety with another 2000 people that I have never met. Any suggestions or rumors of anything happening to children? Any advice on how to enjoy my trip without worrying about there safety all the time. They would go to the camps if they could go together, but the large lapse in there ages prevents this.

Roll call Glory 5/9/10

carrousel — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:33:24 GMT

Didnt see another roll call for this date. my husband and I will be going on our 3rd cruise with carnival. First to the Eastern Caribbean. we are Bill (54) and Carrie (48) we have booked the B.O.S.S. in St. Thomas and the zipline in San Juan. havent decided on the other ports yet. any ideas? is anyone else coming?