Carnival Cruise Ship “Paradise”

Are you ready to c’mon board? Well, we’re right there with you! Here are a few facts & stats that we thought you might enjoy knowing about our Carnival Paradise Ship. To begin with many of the ship’s rooms were named to honor legendary liners as the Queen Mary, The Normandie, and the Ile de France. Whether your intent is to party your heart out or relax yourself to euphoria this cruise will hopefully be just what you hope for.Enjoy getting to know our resort home for a fun and fabulous weekend getaway. Once on board, head for the Empress Deck/Information Desk and ask for a handout Ship Deck Plan of the Paradise so you can familiarize yourself while on board.

SHIP FACTS & STATS
Name: Carnival Paradise	Registry: Panama
Builder: Kvaerner Masa-Yards	Country Built In: Finland
Ship Completed Date: 11/25/1998	Christened By: Paula Zahn
Date Launched: 12/01/1998	Refurbished Date: 1/1/2005
Call Letters: 3FOB5	Number of Crew: 920
Capacity: 2628	Crew Nationality: International
Gross Tonnage: 70367	Stabilized: Yes
Average Speed: 21 knots	Maximum Speed: 22.3 knots
Length: 855 feet	Beam: 103 feet
Space Ratio: 34:1	Voltage: 110/220
Number of Inside Rooms: 408	Builder: Kvaerner Masa-Yards
Number of Outside Doubles: 590	Country Built In: Finland
Number of Verandah Cabins: 54	Non-Smoking Ship: No
Suites: 28	Non-Smoking Dining: Yes
Single Cabins: 0	Number of Elevators: 14
Singles Surcharge: 150-200%	Number of Passenger Decks: 10
Number of Restaurants: 4	Number of Pools: 3
Number of Bars/Lounges: 10	Number of Jacuzzi: 6

Once aboard the Paradise there are no boundaries to our activities. This may very well be the only place on earth where getting lost will become the best thing that has ever happened to you. Enjoy, Explore & Exhilarate -- you are official on a cruise vacation! No matter what type of mood you're in or your preference we know you are gonna have fun! Here are some highlights to check-out:

• Closed Circuit TV & Satellite TV at sea
• Blue Ribbon Library
• Card Room
• Galleria Shopping Mall & Duty-Free Shop
• Virtual World - video games
• Children's World
• 3 Outdoor Swimming Pools - One especially for the children
• 6 Whirlpools
• Camp Carnival for the children
• Massage & Loofah Rooms
• Full Equipped Nautica/Spa & Health Club
• Jogging Track - Padded
• Aerobics Room
• Beauty salon & Barber Shop
• Conference Room
• Jewelry Shop
• Shuffleboard, Volleyball & Ping Pong
• Photo Gallery
• 24 hour Pizzeria
• The Normandie Theatre for shows that rival Las Vegas

• America Bar - piano bar
• Majestic Casino, one of the largest afloat
• Unites States Bar - piano bar
• The Leonardo Dance Club
• Queen Mary Lounge - smaller show lounge
• Rex Dance Club - jungle-like art deco
• Rotterdam Bar
• The Criterion Lounge
• Paradise Bar - lobby bar
• Carnival Blvd.
• Cafe Ile de France

Information source are from:

Continental Airline Cruises

AAA Cruise

Photo; Carnival Cruise, Paradise, Ensenada

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS or Roger’s FAQ Perspective?

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m married to Diana (poor thing) and I tend to have a good time in almost every situation. We have both been on this cruise before and it is incredible!! Diana asked me to help with an FAQ or Frequently Asked Question article so I thought I would try to answer a few typical questions that you all may have. Remember, I have a very twisted yet light-hearted approach to everything so bear with me….

Will I have a good time on this cruise?

Only if you like to drink, laugh, tell stories, dance, eat, people watch, explore Ensenada, shop for really stupid souvenirs that seem OK at the time….but really are stupid when you get back home, eat (I know I mentioned this before…but you’ll eat a lot), relax by a beautiful pool, drink (yes, you’ll drink a lot too), play cards, play Bingo, read a book or just stay in your room and sleep. The Carnival Paradise itinerary will have activities almost 24 hours each day so you can run yourself ragged or just lay by the pool and have your cocktails delivered by a usually attractive server ("Oh Pool Boy" as Martie plans to flag down a drink)……I mean you are almost guaranteed to have a good time, right Martie?

This is my first cruise….can I expect something special?

You bet!! Perhaps you have heard of the “Mile High Club”?? Well, they also have a “Sea Level Club” that is there for first timers. Unlike its more conservative cousin the Mile High Club that is usually for couples, the Sea Level Club is a group event that is unfortunately for females only. Typically the welcoming “group” will consist of a few selected friends, other passengers and, of course, crew members. Please see me once you are on board and I will arrange for your special welcome.

What about luggage?

What about it?? Just kidding!! Most of you will be coming from that foreign country know as the U.S.A. so you’ll be limited to whatever the baggage requirements are for your airline or Carnival luggage policy. However, there is a problem, some of you seem to have a propensity to buy loads of treasures (crap by most standards) in Mexico. So if you have packed your luggage to the bursting point to start with you will be faced with a major problem when you try to fly home. Yes, there are UPS stations and yes, there is the postal service……but shipping a stuffed frog or tanned bull testicles can be a bit of a challenge. So, try and shop wisely!!

Can I bring booze on board?

Unfortunately the answer is NO!! Damn!! There will be plenty on board but it can be expensive. Some of us have been known to bring vodka or gin in a water bottle and others have brought Jack Daniels in a Coke bottle……..but you are risking confiscation. Same goes for recreational drugs (did I need to mention that with this crowd??). So, be careful!! However, I recall Diana saying something about being able to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per guest at embarkation only. Check on the FAQ for Carnival to verify this! You know I never pay attention to details, what for when I have Diana in my life!

Is there a dress code?

Did Diana have someone ask this question?? The answer is yes, but typically for the evening only. I’ll be in shorts, T-shirt and tennis shoes most of the time and for dinner slacks, dress shoes, and a aloha shirt works for me. There will be one formal night if you are interested in a Tux. My personal suggestion is that you go on line to the Carnival link under formal wear/rent a tux through the ship. It will be waiting on board for you and you don’t have to pack anything and they’ll take care of it when you leave. I believe there are formal rentals for the ladies but most of you will probably opt to bring your own. Note: for this cruise, I will NOT be wearing a tux !!

What if I don’t like this crowd?

Ah, another good question and I don’t blame you for asking. There will be over 2,000 folks on this ship so it should be pretty easy to blend in with others and not be associated with this group. And, you don’t have to ever go on shore….you can just stay in your room or hang out on your own. Also, don’t forget you have room service, so you can pretty much not associate with any of us. Of course, if I were you I would just save money and not go on this fantastically fun voyage…….wouldn’t that be a lot easier???

So, do you get the picture?

This will be a fun time for one and all. Both Diana and I hope to see all of you on this cruise. Oh, almost forgot, if you’re looking for entertainment, stay close to me. Seems I almost always do something stupid and/or entertaining for others….especially when I’m drinking so feel to buy me one and let the good times begin!!

Photo provided by Carnival Cruise Spirit, March 2009