Eden Ochoa

Age: 33
Occupation: OFFICE MANAGER
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: CARNIVAL
Ship: PARADISE
Sailing Date: October 22nd, 2004
Itinerary: Baja California

WE LOVED OUR FIRST CRUISING EXPERIENCE!!! THIS WILL BE LONG, BUT VERY INFORMATIVE!

EMBARKATION

WAS A BREEZE, A LOT OF WORRYING FOR NOTHING!! WAS ABLE TO CARRY-ON ALL OUR LUGGAGE, PARKED AT 1:30 WAS ON THE SHIP BY 1:45! ALMOST NO WAITING! PRINT YOUR FUNPASS ON-LINE AND FILL OUT YOUR SAIL & SIGN APPLICATION AHEAD OF TIME, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS READY, IT MOVES FAST AND SMOOTH!

OUR CABIN

ONCE WE FOUND THE ELEVATORS WE MADE IT TO OUR CABIN PRETTY QUICKLY, BUT THE SIGNS ON THE WALLS AND ARCHWAYS CAN BE MISLEADING, THEY REALLY NEED TO GIVE YOU A SHIP MAP AT EMBARKATION! (THEY DON'T PUT ONE IN YOUR CABIN EITHER!) YOU MUST GET IT AT THE INFORMATION DESK, WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE YOU BOARD THE SHIP (DECK 7)-YOU CAN/SHOULD GRAB ONE BEFORE GOING TO YOUR CABIN. CONTRARY TO REVIEWS I HAVE READ, THE ELEVATORS WERE NOT SLOW & THERE ARE 4 ELEVATORS AT EACH AREA. WE HAD AN INSIDE CABIN ON THE MAIN DECK (DECK 5) AND OUR FRIENDS HAD AN OCEAN VIEW ACROSS THE HALL. WHEN I WALKED INTO OUR CABIN I DID THINK IT SEEMED SMALL, BUT AT THE END OF THE CRUISE, I REALIZED IT WAS ACTUALLY ROOMY, W/LOTS OF ROOM FOR LUGGAGE, 2 CLOSETS W/LOTS OF SHELVES AND 5 DRAWERS! WE COULD HAVE EASILY HAD 2 KIDS WITH US AND PLENTY OF ROOM! THE BATHROOM WAS BIGGER THAN I EXPECTED WITH A LARGE SHOWER (PORTABLE SHOWER HEAD AND SHAMPOO AND BODY WASH DISPENSERS) BUT NO WASH CLOTHS!!! I HAVE NEVER SEEN A HOTEL ROOM WITHOUT A WASH CLOTH!!! I THINK MOST PEOPLE DO USE THEM! ANYWAY TAKE ONE WITH YOU! I HAD TO USE A HEAVY WET HAND TOWEL IN THE SHOWER! LARGE MIRRORED MEDICINE CHEST W/SEVERAL SHELVES. THEY DO GIVE YOU A BIG GOOD QUALITY BAR SOAP-LEVER 2000. THE VANITY AREA HAS A COMFY STOOL TO DO YOUR GROOMING/MAKE-UP, BUT ONLY 1 POWER PLUG!!! AND THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A HAIR DRYER...I BROUGHT 2 EXTENSION CORDS AND HAD JUST ENOUGH PLUGS FOR ALL THE BATTERY CHARGERS AND HAIR DRYER-THIS WAS A VERY IMPORTANT TIP AND I AM GLAD I KNEW ABOUT IT AHEAD OF TIME! THE BED WAS VERY FIRM, BUT WE LIKE A FIRM BED, AND HAD NO BACK PAIN OR DISCOMFORT! YOU CAN GET JUST ABOUT ANYTHING FROM YOUR IN CABIN PHONE, WAKE-UP CALLS, ROOM SERVICE, INFORMATION, RESERVATIONS, PHONE CALLS, ETC. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND BRINGING AN ALARM CLOCK, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WINDOW, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS-EVER! I WOKE UP THINKING IT WAS STILL 3AM, AND IT WAS 7AM, I ENDED UP WAY OVERSLEEPING! YOU MAY THINK, WELL I WILL JUST CHECK MY WATCH, BUT YOU WON'T THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU'RE HALF ASLEEP! I REALLY WISH I'D BROUGHT AN ALARM CLOCK (W/DIGITAL DISPLAY)! OUR FRIENDS CABIN WAS AN OCEAN VIEW, WHICH DID HAVE A GOOD VIEW, BUT I FOUND IT TO BE TOO HOT DURING THE DAY WHEN THE SUN WAS SHINING THRU, AND THE A/C DOES NOT WORK REAL WELL (ITS MORE LIKE A STRONG FAN, THAN COOLING A/C) AND THE WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN! I THINK I WILL ALWAYS GET THE INSIDE CABIN WHENEVER WE CRUISE! YOU HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT ON DECK, EVEN EAT OUT THERE, TO ENJOY THE OCEAN VIEWS! (JUST MY OPINION)

THE SHIP

IT WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING AT FIRST, BUT USING THE MAP MADE IT WAY EASIER. IT LOOKS/SEEMS A LOT LIKE A FLOATING LAKE TAHOE RESORT, A LOT OF LIGHTS, THE TYPICAL CASINO-TYPE CARPETS AND WALL COVERINGS, BUT TASTEFUL. SEVERAL DIFFERENT BARS AND LOUNGES WITH A VERY GOOD VARIETY OF DIFFERENT MUSIC AND DANCING, IF YOU LIKE MUSIC, YOU WILL ALMOST DEFINITELY FIND A BAR/LOUNGE YOU WILL WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME IN. THE GALLERY/GIFT SHOPS WERE SOMEWHAT EXPENSIVE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL-ABSOLUTELY THE LOWEST PRICES I HAVE EVER SEEN! $75 FOR 5 CARTONS OF CIGARETTES! 2 QUARTS OF CROWN ROYAL FOR $32, I LEFT WITH A LOT OF LIQUID SOUVENIRS (FOR MY PARENTS/BROTHER). ONE THING THEY DON'T TELL YOU: CUSTOMS ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO BRING 1 CARTON OF CIGARETTES AND 1 LITER OF ALCOHOL INTO THE COUNTRY WITHOUT PAYING A TAX ON IT! I DECLARED IT ALL AND THEY LET ME GO WITHOUT PAYING THE TAX THIS TIME, I COULD HAVE JUST NOT DECLARED IT & THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN! THE DIDN'T SEARCH ANYBODY'S LUGGAGE (THAT WE SAW). THE SHOWS IN THE NORMANDIE LOUNGE ARE WONDERFUL!!! THE 2 FEMALE SINGERS AND THE DANCERS ARE OUTSTANDING! AND BOTH COMEDIANS WERE VERY FUNNY! THE NORMANDIE LOUNGE ALSO HAD LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITIES LIKE BINGO, NEWLYWED GAME, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, GAME SHOW MANIA, AND LOTS OF OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES...I WON $300 AT BINGO ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE CRUISE!!! BUT IT IS NOT LIKE REGULAR BINGO, THEY ONLY PLAY ONE GAME, USUALLY ONLY NEED 4 NUMBERS TO BINGO AND IT IS $10-$20 FOR A 3-ON, $5-$10 FOR A SINGLE, THEY PLAY 5 DIFFERENT GAMES THROUGHOUT THE CRUISE FOR PRIZES RANGING FROM $300 TO $3000. THE BAR SERVICE IS VERY ATTENTIVE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO MESS WITH THE TIP BECAUSE THEY ADD 15% GRATUITY TO EACH DRINK, I MAINLY HAD BLENDED FRUIT DRINKS, WHICH WERE AVERAGE TASTING (HAD BETTER/HAD WORSE) PRICING VERY COMPARABLE TO TAHOE CASINOS (MAYBE A LITTLE CHEAPER). THE POOLS: VERY, VERY, VERY FRIGID' COLD!!! I HAVE NEVER SWAM IN COLDER WATER AND I AM A TOTAL FISH, I WILL USUALLY SWIM IN ANYTHING! THE WATER SLIDE WAS A LOT OF FUN, BUT ONCE YOU'RE IN THE WATER, YOU CAN'T GET OUT FAST ENOUGH! PLUS, ALL THE POOLS ARE SALT WATER AND THE SMELL/TASTE (COUPLED W/WATER TEMP.) IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. (WHY CAN'T THEY HEAT IT AT LEAST 5-10 DEGREES?) ALL THE HOT TUBS WERE FRESH WATER AND NICE AND WARM! (THEY DO PROVIDE ON DECK SHOWERS TO GET THAT SALTWATER OFF!) ALL THE OUTSIDE DECKS WERE WELL SET UP, HAD NON-SLIP WOODEN FLOORS AND OFFERED GREAT VIEWS AND LOTS OF SEATING AND TABLES TO EAT AT EVERYWHERE! AGAIN BAR SERVICE WAS VERY ATTENTIVE! THE TOP DECK HAD A NICE SOFT JOGGING/WALKING TRACK, 11 TIMES AROUND IS 1 MILE! DIDN'T REALLY CHECK OUT THE GYM OR SPA, BUT PRICES WERE KIND OF OUTRAGEOUS (MASSAGES, MANICURE, PEDICURE, FACIALS, THEY EVEN DO TEETH WHITENING FOR $199), FROM WHAT I DID SEE, THEY HAVE LOTS OF EXERCISE BIKES AND TREADMILLS (I ASSUME THOSE WERE FREE TO USE) BUT THE CLASSES THEY OFFERED (AEROBICS, PILATES, ETC.) DID CHARGE A FEE. CAMP CARNIVAL (THE KIDS DAYCARE CENTER) WAS NICE, 16 TVS, SEVERAL PLAYSTATIONS & COMPUTERS, LOTS OF TOYS, BOOKS, BOARD GAMES, ETC. SEEMED LIKE LOTS TO DO FOR ANY AGE GROUP. WE WERE TRAVELING WITH OUR 11 YEAR OLD AND 2 YEAR OLD NEPHEWS, WHO DID ENJOY IT THE 1 DAY THEY USED IT, ONE THING THAT'S NICE-THEY GIVE YOU A BEEPER (FREE OF CHARGE, BUT $50 IF YOU LOSE IT) SO THEY CAN BEEP YOU IF THEY NEED YOU TO COME BACK ASAP! (MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAD TO GO BACK FOR THE 2 YEAR OLD BECAUSE HE'S IN THAT SEPARATION ANXIETY STAGE). THERE IS A SPORTS DECK WITH SEVERAL PING-PONG TABLES (DIDN'T SEE ANY POOL TABLES OR OTHER TABLE GAMES) THERE IS AN ARCADE AND THE KIDS CAN USE THEIR SAIL AND SIGN CARDS TO PLAY! THERE IS AN AREA W/A LOT OF COMPUTERS AND INTERNET ACCESS, BUT ITS PRETTY EXPENSIVE-WE DIDN'T USE THAT. THE CASINO WAS GOOD SIZED, LOTS OF TABLES AND SLOTS/VIDEO POKER/KENO MACHINES...TO MY SURPRISE THE ODDS WERE ALMOST THE SAME AS TAHOE, NOT LIKE THOSE RIP-OFF INDIAN CASINOS. HAD BLACKJACK, ROULETTE, CRAPS, LET IT RIDE AND I THINK CARIBBEAN STUD POKER. THERE IS ALSO A CARD ROOM ON BOARD, DIDN'T GO IN THERE BUT ITS EITHER FO
R POKER OR FRIENDLY GAMES LIKE SPADES/BRIDGE OR MAYBE BOTH. THERE ARE 2 DINING ROOMS, DESTINY DINING ROOM IS DIFFICULT TO GET TO, SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THE ELATION DINING ROOM, (DESTINY SEATS AT 5:45 AND 8PM) (ELATION SEATS AT 6:15 AND 8:45PM) BOTH ARE IDENTICAL. THE PHOTO GALLERY IS A LONG HALLWAY WHERE THEY PUT UP THE PREVIOUS DAYS PICTURES FOR YOU TO BUY, THEY ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT GOOD QUALITY, THEY TAKE YOUR PICTURE ABOUT 3-5 TIMES A DAY.

THE FOOD

VERY, VERY GOOD! IF YOU ARE PICKY, LIKE ME, THIS IS THE PLACE TO LET GO OF YOUR INHIBITIONS AND TRY NEW THINGS! THE FOOD SOUNDS VERY FANCY AND GOURMET AND WEIRD, BUT YOU WILL LOVE IT! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SOUPS, I LOVED THE STRAWBERRY BISQUE, PUMPKIN SOUP AND MANGO BISQUE! THE SALADS ARE VERY FRESH, RANCH DRESSING WAS VERY GOOD. MAIN COURSE CHOICES CONSISTED OF BEEF, PORK, FOWL, SEAFOOD AND VEGETARIAN. I HAD THE BEEF EVERY NIGHT AND LOVED IT, PRIME RIB, BEEF WELLINGTON, WITH THE EXOTIC SAUCES AND SIDE DISHES WERE WONDERFUL. MY HUSBAND HATES BEEF AND HAD GAME HEN, PORK TENDERLOIN AND CHICKEN AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE LARGE SERVING SIZES AND SAID ALL THE SAUCES TASTED GREAT! THE DESSERTS WERE MOSTLY GOOD, I ALWAYS GOT 2 DIFFERENT THINGS EVERY NIGHT. I AM A BIG SWEETS EATER BUT FOUND THE DESSERTS TO BE THE ONLY THING ON THE MENU THAT I DIDN'T ABSOLUTELY LOVE, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE GOOD. THE ORANGE CAKE WAS THE BEST & I WISHED I HAD ORDERED 3 PIECES OF IT, IT WAS SO GOOD! YOUR WAITERS ARE VERY ATTENTIVE AND FRIENDLY! THEY PAMPER YOU TO DEATH, MAKE YOU FEEL WELCOME AND NEVER RUSHED OR LIKE YOU'RE BEING A PAIN W/ALL THE SPECIAL REQUESTS. ORDER AS MUCH AS YOU WANT OF ANYTHING, ORDER 2 OR 3 DIFFERENT SELECTIONS, IF YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING, THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE IT AWAY AND BRING YOU SOMETHING ELSE! (I AM A CHINTZY TIPPER AND I ACTUALLY WENT DOWN TO THE INFORMATION BOOTH AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE OUR WAITER TEAM AN EXTRA $20 EACH, I WAS VERY IMPRESSED) THEY PULL OUT YOUR CHAIR, PUT YOUR NAPKIN IN YOUR LAP, WATCH YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND WAIT TILL YOU'RE DONE BEFORE THEY BRING THE NEXT COURSE, AND THEY WERE SOOOOOOO SWEET TO THE BABY! THERE NAMES WERE ESUMITRA (MAN) AND NIELO (WOMAN) (DESTINY DINING ROOM). THE 24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE WAS ALWAYS GOOD AND PRETTY FAST, CONSIDERING THE 2300 PEOPLE ABOARD. WE ORDERED IT 6 TIMES, AND EVERY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT. WE NEVER RAN INTO A PROBLEM WITH THEM NOT HAVING A PARTICULAR FOOD AVAILABLE AT CERTAIN HOURS, BUT WE ONLY ORDERED COLD SANDWICHES, BAGELS, DESERTS AND BEVERAGES. ALWAYS FREE
E, ALWAYS WITHIN 20 MINUTES! YOU SHOULD TIP THESE GUYS, THEY AREN'T INCLUDED IN YOUR PREPAID GRATUITIES...I USUALLY GAVE THEM $2-$5 DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THEY HAD TO BRING. THEY WILL EVEN BRING YOU ALCOHOL, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT ON YOUR SAIL AND SIGN CARD. THE BUFFET WAS PRETTY GOOD, ESPECIALLY BREAKFAST. THEY HAVE AN OMELET STATION, LOTS OF JUICE CHOICES. ASIDE FROM THE NORMAL EGGS/BREAKFAST MEATS/HASH BROWNS AND PANCAKES/FRENCH TOAST THEY HAVE A LOT OF OTHER GOOD STUFF: TOASTED BAGELS/TOAST/CROISSANTS/DOUGHNUTS, PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY, 10 DIFFERENT KINDS OF COLD CEREAL, OATMEAL/CREAM OF WHEAT/GRITS, YOGURT/COTTAGE CHEESE, LOTS OF FRUIT, ALMOST EVERYTHING YOU COULD WANT, (I WAS HOPING FOR BELGIAN WAFFLES W/FRUIT, BUT NO DICE). THE BUFFET LUNCH WAS NOT AS GOOD, BUT THE PIZZA WAS GREAT. THE ICE CREAM WAS GOOD BUT NO SUNDAE TOPPINGS! WE DIDN'T HAVE LUNCH OR BREAKFAST IN THE DINING ROOMS, BUT I SAW ONE BREAKFAST MENU AND IT LOOKED LIKE THE SAME STUFF, THEY JUST BRING IT TO YOU INSTEAD. THE MIDNIGHT GALA BUFFET-STAY UP AND GO DOWN (I MEAN UP) AND TAKE PICTURES OF THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT! IT IS AMAZING! THERE ARE ALL THESE "SCULPTURES" CARVED OUT OF FOOD! JUST BEAUTIFUL, AND LOTS OF ICE SCULPTURES! I REALLY WANTED TO TRY SOME OF THE VERY IMPRESSIVE AND TASTY LOOKING DESSERTS, BUT AFTER THE PICTURE TAKING, THEY CLOSED THE BUFFET FOR 15 MINUTES AND WHEN I CAME BACK TO EAT, THERE WAS A LINE 20 MINUTES LONG AT LEAST, SO I WENT TO BED, BUT GOT SOME GREAT PICTURES!

MISCELLANEOUS

WE ONLY GOT 1 TOWEL ANIMAL, BUT IT WAS A CUTE ELEPHANT, 1 TIP-LEAVE YOUR SUNGLASSES ON THE TABLE IN YOUR ROOM, THE CABIN STEWARD USED THEM TO ENHANCE THE TOWEL ANIMAL! SO CUTE! THEY WILL MAKE UP YOUR ROOM TWICE A DAY, AND LEAVE CHOCOLATE ON YOUR PILLOWS AND TURN DOWN THE BED, IT'S SO INVITING TO COME BACK TO YOUR CLEAN CABIN AND FIND THESE LITTLE EXTRAS! THERE IS A CHANNEL ON THE TV FOR "TALKS" THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE CRUISE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AT THE NORMANDIE LOUNGE WHEN THEY ARE GIVING THE DEBARKATION TALK (FOR EXAMPLE), THEY REPLAY IT ON YOUR TV ALL DAY/NIGHT LONG. THE CRUISE DIRECTOR, THINK HIS NAME WAS JEFF, WAS VERY FUNNY!!! HE DOES GIVE AWAY SOME FREEBEES AT THE DIFFERENT "TALKS" ALSO. NONE OF US GOT SEASICK, BUT IT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN THE SHIP IS MOVING, YOU JUST GOTTA GET USED TO IT FOR 30 MIN. OR SO, THEN IT DOESN'T BOTHER YOU, ALSO, ABOUT HALF THE TIME THE SHIP ISN'T MOVING ANYWAY! WE DID SEE A BUNCH OF DOLPHINS, IN THE MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON, BUT THEY ARE QUICK! FORGET TRYING TO GET A PICTURE, JUST ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE! LOTS OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES REPRESENTED BY THE CREW, BE PATIENT WITH THE ACCENTS, YOU MAY HAVE TO ASK THEM TO REPEAT. EVERYONE IS VERY NICE! THE CREW ARE CONTRACTED TO STAY ON THE BOAT 6-8 MONTHS AT A TIME, THEY NEVER GET OFF THE BOAT! AND THEY DO SEVERAL DIFFERENT JOBS THROUGHOUT THE DAY/NIGHT! BE EXTRA NICE, AND USE YOUR PLEASE AND THANK YOUs GENEROUSLY! OUR CELL PHONES ONLY WORKED WHILE THE SHIP WAS PARKED AT THE LONG BEACH PIER, THEY NEVER WORKED IN ENSENADA OR EVEN JUST OFFSHORE OF L.A., ALL THE PHONES USED ON THE SHIP ARE SATELLITE PHONES, AND THEY CHARGE $6.99 PER MINUTE TO MAKE A CALL-WE DIDN'T USE THIS, BUT IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES TO CALL BACK HOME, THIS IS IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED FOR. WE DIDN'T CHECK LUGGAGE (I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD NOT BE DELIVERED IN TIME FOR OUR EARLY DINNER SEATING) BUT I DID NOTICE LUGGAGE OUTSIDE THE CABINS AS EARLY AS 2:30PM, NEXT TIME WE WILL DEFINITELY BE CHECKING OUR LUGGAGE, AND REMEMBER, IF YOU DO CARRY-ON USE THE 11" X 17" GUIDE, ALTHOUGH (AFTER MUCH REPACKING) MY 2 BIG BAGS WERE RIGHT AT 11" AND THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AND INCH BIGGER WITH NO PROBLEM! SO, DON'T STRESS OVER THIS, LIKE I DID! OVERALL THERE WAS A GOOD MIX OF PASSENGERS, NOT MANY ELDERS, NOT A WHOLE LOT OF KIDS, PRIMARILY PEOPLE 30-50, AND THERE WAS A WIDE RANGE OF SKINNY TO VERY HEAVY SET PEOPLE ABOARD, MY HUSBAND AND I ARE EACH ABOUT 100 LBS. OVERWEIGHT AND WE WERE VERY COMFORTABLE, ITS NOT ALL SPEEDO AND BIKINI CLAD BEAUTIFUL BODIES, OR BIG SCANTLY DRESSED MEN/WOMEN, SORRY NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE, JUST A GOOD MIX OF TASTEFULLY/RESPECTFULLY DRESSED PEOPLE, ALSO, CARNIVAL HAS NOTICEABLY GONE EXTRA LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE THE SEATING IS COMFORTABLE FOR ALL SIZES, THE CHAIRS ARE WIDE AND VERY STRONG, IN A LOT OF CASES ONLY HAVE A SIDE BAR/ARMREST ON ONE SIDE, LEAVING THE OTHER SIDE OPEN, FOR BEST COMFORT AND FIT. I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT BEING COMFORTABLE IN THE CHAIRS AND THE LOUNGES, BUT THERE IS VERY ADEQUATE SEATING FOR ALL SHAPES, HEIGHTS AND SIZES! DON'T BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT! ALSO, I SELDOM SAW ANY LOUD PARTY-TYPES, OR KIDS RUNNING WILD OR ANYONE ANNOYING AT ALL! ALL THE GUESTS WERE FRIENDLY, TACTFUL, AND RESPECTFUL, BTW-I NEVER SAW ANYBODY SMOKING, NOT EVEN IN THE CASINO! THE SMOKING AREAS ARE VERY LIMITED AND A BIG SMOKER, LIKE MY DAD, WOULD PROBABLY BE ANNOYED BY THIS OR ALWAYS BE BREAKING THE RULES (SMOKING WHERE HE'S ISN'T SUPPOSED TO), I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS CRUISE FOR SMOKERS, I HAVE HEARD ROYAL CARIBBEAN IS MORE LAX ON THIS SUBJECT (AND THEY DO THE SAME 3 NIGHT AND 4 NIGHT CRUISES AS THE PARADISE)

ENSENADA

UNFORTUNATELY WE ONLY HAD ONE PORT OF CALL, IT WAS GREAT FUN, AND I CANT WAIT TO GO ON A LONGER CRUISE WITH MORE DESTINATIONS! THE SHORE EXCURSIONS SOLD ON THE BOAT ARE OVERPRICED! WE MISTAKENLY PURCHASED THE BLOWHOLE EXCURSION ON THE BOAT, AND GOT OFF EARLY TO SHOP THEN PLANNED ON COMING BACK TO THE PIER FOR OUR EXCURSION, BUT WHEN WE GOT ON THE SHUTTLE (THERE ARE TONS OF SHUTTLES WAITING TO TAKE YOU FROM THE PIER-ONLY $3 PER PERSON) THE TOUR GUIDE ON THE SHUTTLE OFFERED US 3 OF THE CARNIVAL EXCURSIONS WRAPPED INTO 1 FOR $12 PER PERSON INCLUDING LUNCH AT PAPPAS AND BEER! (KIDS 5 AND UNDER FREE) WE BLEW OFF THE CARNIVAL EXCURSION AND BOUGHT THIS TOUR. AND TO MY DELIGHT, CARNIVAL REFUNDED OUR MONEY FOR THE UNUSED TICKETS, MINUS A SMALL PENALTY FEE. THE BLOW HOLE TOUR "LA BUFADORA" WAS NICE, ITS A 30 MIN. DRIVE TO THE ATTRACTION, BUT THE TOUR GUIDE SPEAKS THE ENTIRE TIME, POINTING OUT AREAS OF ATTRACTION AND LITTLE KNOWN MEXICAN FACTS THAT IS ALL VERY INTERESTING, SHE WAS FUNNY, SWEET, PATIENT, ANSWERED LOTS OF QUESTIONS, VERY INFORMATIVE, (WE TIPPED HER $10 AT THE END OF THE DAY). THE BLOW HOLE ITSELF WAS COOL, NOT BREATHTAKING BUT, WORTH A LOOK AND SOME PICTURES, THE VIEW IS VERY NICE! BUT SAVE LOTS OF TIME TO SHOP AT THE FLEA MARKET, THIS IS LIKE AN OUTDOOR MALL, EVERYTHING IS NEW AND THIS IS THE BEST SOUVENIR SHOPPING YOU CAN FIND! BARGAIN, BARGAIN, BARGAIN! THEY JACK THE PRICE UP WAY HIGH, AND YOU OFFER THEM ONE THIRD OF THAT PRICE, THEY WILL GO DOWN A LITTLE, YOU GO UP A LITTLE, EVENTUALLY YOU SHOULD PAY NO MORE THAN HALF THE ASKING PRICE! I GOT A LOT OF DEALS FOR 1 THIRD THE ASKING PRICE! IF THEY WHINE THAT THEY AREN'T MAKING ANY MONEY, JUST START WALKING AWAY AND THEY WILL USUALLY COME AFTER YOU AND ACCEPT YOUR PRICE! DON'T ACT ALL THAT INTERESTED, EVEN IF YOU REALLY WANT IT! AND REMEMBER THEY SELL THE SAME THING AT LEAST 2 DIFFERENT VENDORS SO, TRY AGAIN SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THE PRICE YOU WANT! OR IF THEY WONT BUDGE ON THE PRICE GET THEM TO THROW IN SOMETHING ELSE YOU LIKE, A MAGNET OR SOMETHING FOR THE SAME PRICE! I LOVED SHOPPING THIS WAY! IT IS SURPRISINGLY VERY UNCONFRONTATIONAL! THE ONLY GRIPE I HAD IS THAT THEY DON'T GIVE YOU ENOUGH TIME TO SHOP! GET BACK ON THE BUS FOR 30 MIN. TO THE PAPPAS AND BEER BUFFET! NOW, I DO NOT LIKE AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD, I AM A TACO BELL GIRL, HAVING SAID THAT, I LOVED THIS BUFFET!!! CRUNCHY FRESH TOSTADAS, GREAT GUACAMOLE AND CHIPS, WONDERFUL REFRIED BEANS AND SPANISH RICE! EVEN THE FLAN WAS QUITE GOOD! WE ORDERED CANNED SODAS (DON'T DRINK THE WATER) BUT THEY WERE WARM AND WE HAD TO POUR THEM OVER ICE! (DIDN'T I JUST SAY DON'T DRINK THE WATER???) OH WELL, DIDN'T HAVE ANY STOMACH PROBLEMS DUE TO THIS OR THE FOOD! OUR FRIENDS DID SHOTS AND DRANK BEER AND SAID IT WAS ALL VERY GOOD! ALSO, THEY PLAYED LOUD, VERY WELL KNOWN AMERICAN RAP MUSIC WHILE WE ATE...COULDN'T REALLY HOLD A CONVERSATION, BUT THIS WAS A LOT OF FUN!!! EVERYBODY WAS DANCING IN THEIR SEATS AND SINGING ALONG! I LOVED IT! TO GET AWAY FROM THE MUSIC YOU CAN EAT OUTSIDE ON THE COVERED PATIO, MUCH MORE RELAXED. AFTER THIS, YOU GO SHOPPING UNTIL ITS TIME TO MEET THE BUS, AGAIN, NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TIME TO SHOP, BUT YOU CAN STAY LATER, AND TAKE A TAXI CAB BACK TO THE SHIP! ITS NOT VERY FAR AWAY! I DIDN'T REALLY CARE FOR THE SHOPS WE SAW, BUT WE ONLY WENT DOWN THE STREET FROM THE RESTRAINT, SO WE DIDN'T SEE THAT MANY SHOPS, NOT A LOT OF SOUVENIR TYPE STUFF, A LOT OF CLOTHING, SHOES, JEWELRY AND LIQUOR STORES. HOWEVER, IF YOU FORGOT TO BUY SOMETHING, THEY WILL HAVE IT BACK AT THE PIER, BUT NO NEGOTIATING THERE! BE PREPARED FOR A LITTLE HIGHER PRICING! WHEN/IF WE EVER GO BACK, WE WILL DEFINITELY RENT A GOLF CART AND/OR SCOOTERS TO GET AROUND THE CITY AND DO WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE WANT. ENSENADA WAS A LOT OF FUN, AND MUCH LESS POPULATED THAN TIJUANA, FELT SAFE THE ENTIRE TIME.

BOOKING TIPS

WE RESERVED THE GUARANTEED ROOM RATHER THAN PICKING A SPECIFIC ROOM AND WE WERE UPGRADED TO A HIGHER FLOOR (WOULD HAVE COST AN ADDITIONAL $20 PER PERSON), HOWEVER I WOULD NEVER PAY EXTRA FOR THIS, I DON'T THINK IT SAVES ANY TIME OR IS ANY BETTER TO BE ON A HIGHER FLOOR, WE EXPERIENCED NO NOISE, OR SLOW ELEVATORS, OR ANY INCONVENIENCES WHAT-SO-EVER! SO, SAVE THAT EXTRA MONEY FOR SPENDING ON YOUR CRUISE, ALL YOU NEED IS A CABIN AND THE CHEAPEST ONE IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE AND VERY COMFORTABLE! (AGAIN, JUST MY OPINION!)

DEBARKATION

MY EXPERIENCE MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS, BUT WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN OFF AS EARLY OR LATE AS WE WANTED. THIS MAY BE BAD ADVICE, BUT DON'T BOTHER WAITING FOR YOUR COLOR TO BE CALLED, JUST GO UP WHEN YOU ARE READY (AFTER BREAKFAST, OR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHIP CLEARS CUSTOMS-APPROX. 7:30AM) I NEVER SAW ANY LUGGAGE TAG BEING CHECKED FOR THE COLOR!!! THEY LINE YOU UP IN INCREDIBLY LONG LINES THAT WRAP AROUND THE SHIPS NARROW HALLWAYS AND YOU WAIT, HOWEVER THE LINE DID MOVE SURPRISINGLY FAST! IT IS THE CUSTOMS LINE THAT SEEMS TO TAKE FOREVER! BUT THEY DON'T EVEN CHECK YOUR LUGGAGE! JUST FILL OUT THE SIMPLE DECLARATION FORM AND HAVE IT READY WITH YOUR IMMIGRATION PAPERWORK/PASSPORT AND SAIL AND SIGN CARD, THIS MAKES IT FASTER! FOR U.S. CITIZENS, THIS PROCESS IS VERY FAST, ONCE YOU GET UP TO THE COUNTER...THERE WERE A LOT OF NON-U.S. CITIZENS AND ALIENS WITH GREEN CARDS ON OUR CRUISE, WHICH ALWAYS TOOK LONGER.

YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO EMAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS, AND WITHIN A WEEK OR SO, I WILL HAVE MY PICTURES ON THE OFOTO WEBSITE, JUST EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT TO VIEW THEM, THERE ARE SEVERAL DETAILED PICS OF DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE SHIP AND THE GALA BUFFET, ETC.

THE PROS ARE WAY TOO LONG TO LIST, SO I WILL ONLY LIST THE CONS (NOT MANY)

CONS:
1 - NO WASHCLOTHS??? ARE THEY SERIOUS?, OH WELL JUST BRING ONE!

2 - THE HOURS OF THE GIFT SHOPS, CASINO, PHOTO GALLERY AND SERVICE DESKS ARE PRETTY RIDICULOUS, LIKE 6PM TO 7PM, THAT'S IT! WAS AT DINNER THE WHOLE TIME! ANYWAYS, ON THE FUN DAY AT SEA MOST THINGS ARE OPEN ALL DAY, BUT THEY DON'T OPEN AS EARLY AS I HOPED...IF THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO, CHECK YOUR CARNIVAL CAPERS (THE SHIP'S DAILY NEWSLETTER-VERY HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE!!!)

3 - POOL WATER IS WAY TOO COLD!!! AND IT IS SEAWATER, YUCK!

IF YOU HAVE NEVER CRUISED BEFORE, TRY IT! YOU WILL ENJOY IT! EVERYONE SHOULD EXPERIENCE THIS AT LEAST ONCE!