We’re taking a short cruise on the Carnival Paradise with guest blogger, John, who agreed to brief us on what it’s like during his 4-day Western Caribbean cruise where there is just a single post-of-call, Cozumel, Mexico. As a “loyal to Royal” cruiser, this is John’s first trip on a Carnival Cruise Line ship and as he wrote in his day 1 report yesterday, he’s not sold on a return trip yet!
Before we get into John’s day 2 review, a fun fact about the Carnival Paradise – one Carnival’s oldest ships. In the late 1990s, the Paradise set itself apart from other ships in the fleet and, indeed, the entire cruise industry, by becoming the first and only completely smoke-free cruise ship. This initiative was launched with health-conscious travelers in mind, addressing the concerns of non-smokers who often complained about the smell of smoke on other vessels. The ship was originally named to reflect this utopian vision of a smoke-free environment, offering a paradise at sea where fresh air reigned supreme.
During its tenure as a no-smoking ship, Carnival Paradise prohibited smoking in all indoor and outdoor public spaces, cabins, and private balconies. This policy was a bold move, considering the prevalent culture of smoking at the time, especially in casinos and bars, which are traditional mainstays on cruise ships. The initiative was well-received by many passengers who wanted to enjoy their vacation without the intrusion of secondhand smoke. It provided a unique selling point that differentiated Carnival Paradise from its competitors, appealing to health-conscious passengers and families looking for a cleaner, fresher cruise experience.
However, the no-smoking policy also came with its challenges. The cruise line faced difficulties attracting passengers who smoked! Additionally, enforcing the no-smoking rule proved to be complicated, especially in international waters where jurisdictional regulations could be murky. Over time, the financial implications and the challenges of maintaining a completely smoke-free ship led Carnival to reassess the policy. Eventually, Carnival Paradise was reintegrated into the broader fleet’s smoking policy, allowing designated smoking areas in certain parts of the ship.
If you look closely, there are still remnants left over from this experiment in the form of large “No Smoking” signs, since painted over, welded to the ship’s superstructure.
Now, let’s turn things over to John for today’s report:
Kicked off my day with some stretching and core exercises right in my room. You know how it is with cruises – they’re a one-way ticket to gaining a few extra pounds, so I had to do something to feel a bit less guilty about the feast I was about to dive into.
Post-shower, I headed up to grab some breakfast. Predictably, the buffet was a zoo, but then I spotted Guy’s Burgers flipping omelets with no queue in sight – jackpot! I snagged a veggie omelet and ended up with some seriously dry potatoes on the side. But hey, the omelet was killer, so no complaints here.
Hung out in the casino for a bit longer. Took a hit at first, then decided to take a breather to sort through my notes and get my thoughts in order. Went back for another round and, lucky me, managed to win back a bit of the cash I lost.
The casino feels massive until it’s packed with people. Finding a seat at a table or snagging an open slot machine turned into a mini-mission of its own.
Day 2 was pretty chill. I just kicked back, enjoyed a few drinks but didn’t really catch a buzz. Later, I headed back to the Atrium bar for a couple of neat Buffalo Trace pours before dinner. The violinists were at it again, filling the place with music. Honestly, that bar is my go-to spot on the ship. The vibe, the music, the whole setup with the stage – it’s the perfect spot for some laid-back entertainment.
As I mentioned in the Day 1 report, I have “My Time Dining” which lets you go to the main dining room any time during dinner service as opposed to having a set early or late seating. Using the Carnival HUB app, you simply “check in” to the dining room and you’ll get a notification when your table is ready.
Our dinner reservation promised a table in under 10 minutes, but it ended up being 30 before we got the notification. They were swamped and running behind – yet again. Once we got seated, I decided to skip the main dining scene altogether, anticipating a repeat of last night’s chaos or worse. So, I headed to the buffet for something quick and found they had exactly what I would’ve ordered in the dining room – vegetable lasagna and prime rib.
Score!
I also snagged some broccoli and a salad to round it out. The food was actually pretty good, and I was one of maybe 10 people there. It seems like everyone else opted for the main dining’s formal night.
I’m still on the fence about cruising with Carnival again. The crew has been nothing short of amazing, but there’s something about the overall vibe and quality that doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. I chatted with a newbie cruiser today who was ready to swear off cruising altogether after his first day, but he’s now decided to ditch Carnival and give Royal Caribbean a shot, hoping for a better experience. I shared that I’m more familiar with Royal and helped answer some of his questions. Interestingly, another person I met today isn’t a fan of Royal’s food and entertainment. To be fair, Carnival does offer more complimentary options, and the entertainment I’ve seen has been top-notch.
The food’s been pretty decent too.
Now, off to play some mini-golf.
And… I’m back, boasting two hole-in-ones—or is it holes in one? The 9-hole course was compact but fun.
As day 2 wraps up, I’m planning to hit the hay early. Battling a slight headache and my sleep schedule’s all over the place since I’m usually up by 4:30 am for work. Staying up late isn’t really my thing, and I want to be fresh for our only port of call, Cozumel, tomorrow.
Speaking of Cozumel, I’ve got no official excursions planned but have charted out my own adventure. Expect loads of photos and reviews of local spots, with Kusam Brewing at the top of my list.
Oh, and something I forgot to mention—I’m really digging this motion-sensored night light under the closet. Such a smart feature. This is only my second time in an inside room, and I don’t remember the last one having this perk.
Thanks for the Day 2 report, John. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures in Cozumel in your next report.