CARNIVAL PARADISE CRUISE REVIEW
By Paula Hughes Court
I immediately noticed something was missing upon boarding Carnival
Paradise- the smell of stale smoke. The only ship in the world designated
non-smoking, Carnival Paradise offers those of us traveling with children or
suffering from allergies, asthma and breathing problems an opportunity to
cruise in comfort. The allure of clean air plus an intriguing Western
Caribbean cruise itinerary made a late November cruise impossible to
resist.
We boarded the cruise ship in Miami on a cold, overcast day and quickly
found our cabin. The roomy 185-sq. ft. ocean-view cabin with ample storage
space was conveniently located on the Empress Deck, steps away from the
main atrium, Internet café and elevators. By the time we unpacked and
explored the ship it was time for dinner at the Elation Dining room where we
met our fantastic wait staff Jesus Santana from the Dominican Republic
and Maritza from Peru.
CARNIVAL PARADISE STAFF
Over the next seven days, they went out of their way to make our dinners
special and fun. Jesus greeted us every night with a big smile and Maritza
even taught me a few new latin dance moves (not an easy feat for sure!).
One night after watching a guest at another table order five types of bread
then leave them all untouched I pulled Jesus Santana aside to ask if any of
the guests ever drove him a little nuts.
He laughed and shook his head. "Never," he said. "There are no bad
guests. Not one. If the guests are happy, I'm happy. That's the reason I'm
here."
We were amazed to find this remarkable attitude and level of service to be
the rule, not the exception on Paradise. From the high quality of the food to
the cleanliness of the ship, we found everything to be top notch. There’s no
doubt that Carnival Cruise Line offers the best value and lowest prices for
cruises today.
BELIZE SHORE EXCURSIONS
After a relaxing first day at sea spent by the Lido pool, we made our first port
stop in Belize. The tenders dock at the Belize Tourist Village, a gated
shopping area with several gift shops and a pharmacy selling cheap
prescription drugs. Signs posted along the fence warn visitors not to step
outside of the tourist area for safety reasons. My husband ignored the signs
and ventured into Belize City without any problems, but agreed it's not a
place he d want to be after dark.
Because our eight-year-old daughter was missing a week of school, we
chose our shore excursions based on educational benefits. We booked a
private tour of the Belize Zoo with Belize Shore Tours Ltd., a family company.
Our sweet and informative tour guide, Marcan drove us to the zoo in a clean,
air-conditioned van. After passing armed guards at several road stops, I
was glad we were with a guide. Once we arrived at the zoo, Marcan pointed
out hard-to-see animals like the margay and answered questions. She was
very knowledgeable about the animals habitat and added a great deal of
value to the tour.
ROATAN SHORE EXCURSTIONS
Our next port stop was an early morning visit to Isla Roatan, Honduras
where the intense rainforest beauty of the island caught me by surprise.
After dropping off duffel bags filled with Christmas toys at an orphanage run
by an American group Child Sponsorship International we took a hair-
raising taxi drive through the lushest land I've ever seen to Foster's Resort
at West Bay.
FOSTER'S BEACH AT WEST BAY
The oceanfront resort owned by Foster Diaz sits on land held by his family
for over 100 years. Foster's offers day passes to cruise ship passengers for
$25-$35 per person, which includes transportation to and from the ship as
well as use of a private hotel room with bathrooms and showers for the day.
We spent our time walking the beach, relaxing in hammocks and
swimming in the warm blue water.
My daughter enjoyed climbing the steps to the treehouse suite, an unique
hotel room located Swiss Family Robinson style high in the tree canopy. A
thunderstorm rolled in as we were being driven back to the ship. Within
minutes, torrents of rushing water and fallen trees blocked sections of the
road. When we finally arrived back at the port, I breathed a huge sigh of
relief.
A young boy about nine years old ran up to hold an umbrella over our heads
as we stepped out of the car. He walked my daughter and I back to the ship
without saying a word or asking for anything. When we reached the point
where he couldn't go any further, I handed him a baseball and a handful of
candy. The look on his face was one I will long remember.
GRAND CAYMAN SHORE EXCURSIONS
After seeing firsthand the poverty in Belize and Roatan our arrival in Grand
Cayman the next day came as an abrupt culture shock. Instead of the
sleepy town I remembered from my visit seven years ago, we found
Georgetown filled with rows of expensive jewelry stores and bumper-to-
bumper traffic.
After picking up our rental car and getting stuck in traffic (driving on the left),
we quickly chucked our plans to visit the Turtle Farm and Hell. Instead we
parked the car at a beautiful public beach with facilities and swam in the
crystal clear water until it was time to head back. Next time, we'll hire a taxi
for $10 each way and forget the rental car.
COZUMEL SHORE EXCURSIONS
Our final stop in Cozumel, Mexico was our hands-down favorite. As a
surprise for my daughter, I'd arranged a sea lion swim at Dolphin Discovery
located inside Chankanaab National Marine Park. This beautiful park
located directly on the water exceeded all expectations. Filled with lush
vegetation, birds and wild lizards, Chankanaab is a wonderful place to
spend the day.
CHANKANAAB PARK
Along with a full-service restaurant, gift shops, showers and restrooms, the
park also houses Dolphin Discovery's sea lion show, sea lion swim, and
the highly popular dolphin encounter. World-class diving and snorkeling
can also be found right offshore.
The sea lion swim was a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our
group of seven swam in the show tank with Nena, a 300-lb sea lion. During
individual sessions she snuggled close in our arms, gave us kisses and
allowed us to hold her in the water. My daughter couldn’t stop grinning.
Neither could I. When it was time to say good-bye, Nena wrapped her fins
around each of us for a tight hug and one last smooch.
The cruise ended on a wonderful note. Before we disembarked we'd
already begun making plans to sail again on the Paradise soon.
Carnival Cruise Lines-www.carnival.com
By Paula Hughes Court
I immediately noticed something was missing upon boarding Carnival
Paradise- the smell of stale smoke. The only ship in the world designated
non-smoking, Carnival Paradise offers those of us traveling with children or
suffering from allergies, asthma and breathing problems an opportunity to
cruise in comfort. The allure of clean air plus an intriguing Western
Caribbean cruise itinerary made a late November cruise impossible to
resist.
We boarded the cruise ship in Miami on a cold, overcast day and quickly
found our cabin. The roomy 185-sq. ft. ocean-view cabin with ample storage
space was conveniently located on the Empress Deck, steps away from the
main atrium, Internet café and elevators. By the time we unpacked and
explored the ship it was time for dinner at the Elation Dining room where we
met our fantastic wait staff Jesus Santana from the Dominican Republic
and Maritza from Peru.
CARNIVAL PARADISE STAFF
Over the next seven days, they went out of their way to make our dinners
special and fun. Jesus greeted us every night with a big smile and Maritza
even taught me a few new latin dance moves (not an easy feat for sure!).
One night after watching a guest at another table order five types of bread
then leave them all untouched I pulled Jesus Santana aside to ask if any of
the guests ever drove him a little nuts.
He laughed and shook his head. "Never," he said. "There are no bad
guests. Not one. If the guests are happy, I'm happy. That's the reason I'm
here."
We were amazed to find this remarkable attitude and level of service to be
the rule, not the exception on Paradise. From the high quality of the food to
the cleanliness of the ship, we found everything to be top notch. There’s no
doubt that Carnival Cruise Line offers the best value and lowest prices for
cruises today.
BELIZE SHORE EXCURSIONS
After a relaxing first day at sea spent by the Lido pool, we made our first port
stop in Belize. The tenders dock at the Belize Tourist Village, a gated
shopping area with several gift shops and a pharmacy selling cheap
prescription drugs. Signs posted along the fence warn visitors not to step
outside of the tourist area for safety reasons. My husband ignored the signs
and ventured into Belize City without any problems, but agreed it's not a
place he d want to be after dark.
Because our eight-year-old daughter was missing a week of school, we
chose our shore excursions based on educational benefits. We booked a
private tour of the Belize Zoo with Belize Shore Tours Ltd., a family company.
Our sweet and informative tour guide, Marcan drove us to the zoo in a clean,
air-conditioned van. After passing armed guards at several road stops, I
was glad we were with a guide. Once we arrived at the zoo, Marcan pointed
out hard-to-see animals like the margay and answered questions. She was
very knowledgeable about the animals habitat and added a great deal of
value to the tour.
ROATAN SHORE EXCURSTIONS
Our next port stop was an early morning visit to Isla Roatan, Honduras
where the intense rainforest beauty of the island caught me by surprise.
After dropping off duffel bags filled with Christmas toys at an orphanage run
by an American group Child Sponsorship International we took a hair-
raising taxi drive through the lushest land I've ever seen to Foster's Resort
at West Bay.
FOSTER'S BEACH AT WEST BAY
The oceanfront resort owned by Foster Diaz sits on land held by his family
for over 100 years. Foster's offers day passes to cruise ship passengers for
$25-$35 per person, which includes transportation to and from the ship as
well as use of a private hotel room with bathrooms and showers for the day.
We spent our time walking the beach, relaxing in hammocks and
swimming in the warm blue water.
My daughter enjoyed climbing the steps to the treehouse suite, an unique
hotel room located Swiss Family Robinson style high in the tree canopy. A
thunderstorm rolled in as we were being driven back to the ship. Within
minutes, torrents of rushing water and fallen trees blocked sections of the
road. When we finally arrived back at the port, I breathed a huge sigh of
relief.
A young boy about nine years old ran up to hold an umbrella over our heads
as we stepped out of the car. He walked my daughter and I back to the ship
without saying a word or asking for anything. When we reached the point
where he couldn't go any further, I handed him a baseball and a handful of
candy. The look on his face was one I will long remember.
GRAND CAYMAN SHORE EXCURSIONS
After seeing firsthand the poverty in Belize and Roatan our arrival in Grand
Cayman the next day came as an abrupt culture shock. Instead of the
sleepy town I remembered from my visit seven years ago, we found
Georgetown filled with rows of expensive jewelry stores and bumper-to-
bumper traffic.
After picking up our rental car and getting stuck in traffic (driving on the left),
we quickly chucked our plans to visit the Turtle Farm and Hell. Instead we
parked the car at a beautiful public beach with facilities and swam in the
crystal clear water until it was time to head back. Next time, we'll hire a taxi
for $10 each way and forget the rental car.
COZUMEL SHORE EXCURSIONS
Our final stop in Cozumel, Mexico was our hands-down favorite. As a
surprise for my daughter, I'd arranged a sea lion swim at Dolphin Discovery
located inside Chankanaab National Marine Park. This beautiful park
located directly on the water exceeded all expectations. Filled with lush
vegetation, birds and wild lizards, Chankanaab is a wonderful place to
spend the day.
CHANKANAAB PARK
Along with a full-service restaurant, gift shops, showers and restrooms, the
park also houses Dolphin Discovery's sea lion show, sea lion swim, and
the highly popular dolphin encounter. World-class diving and snorkeling
can also be found right offshore.
The sea lion swim was a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our
group of seven swam in the show tank with Nena, a 300-lb sea lion. During
individual sessions she snuggled close in our arms, gave us kisses and
allowed us to hold her in the water. My daughter couldn’t stop grinning.
Neither could I. When it was time to say good-bye, Nena wrapped her fins
around each of us for a tight hug and one last smooch.
The cruise ended on a wonderful note. Before we disembarked we'd
already begun making plans to sail again on the Paradise soon.
Carnival Cruise Lines-www.carnival.com
CRUISE-INFORMATION.COM
CARNIVAL PARADISE CRUISE REVIEW
CARNIVAL PARADISE CRUISE REVIEW
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