MS Carnival Paradise

The MS "Carnival Paradise" is the eighth and last vessel in Carnival Cruise Lines' Fantasy class of cruise ships. She was built in 1998 by Kvaerner Masa-Yards Helsinki New Shipyard, Finland as MS "Paradise". The ship was renamed with a "Carnival" prefix in 2007.

History

The "Paradise" was built to be the world's first completely non-smoking cruise ship. Every step of her construction was done by non-smoking personnel and she was entered into service supported by several anti-smoking and cancer-prevention groups. "No smoking" signs were placed prominently on both sides of the ship and on the stern under the name.

Non-smoking rules were strictly enforced. No smoking materials of any kind were permitted aboard. If anything was seen or found, the passenger was fined $250 and put off at the next port (transportation home to be provided at passenger's own expense). Due to poor revenue, Carnival decided to discontinue the smoke-free ship in December 2003 because non-smokers tend to not drink or gamble as much as those accustomed to smoke.

Scheduled to arrive in the Port of Long Beach, California, on September 20, 2004, her arrival was delayed due to several major hurricanes (see 2004 Atlantic hurricane season). Her cruise through the Caribbean and Panama Canal, and up the Mexican coast was further hindered by more hurricanes. After having skirted the bad weather with minimal inconvenience, "Paradise" arrived in Los Angeles in the early morning, docking at the Long Beach terminal of Carnival Cruise Lines, which was the building that had housed the "Spruce Goose". Later that day, the nonsmoking signs were painted over. She still boasts one of the strictest smoking policies in the fleet.

Since her arrival in Long Beach, she has become popular among younger cruisers looking for a more casual and affordable alternative to the longer more structured lines, with her 3 day and 4 day cruises to [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
] .

Carnival Cruise Lines retrofitted the Paradise with the first “earth-friendly” dry-cleaning system, which uses environmentally safe detergents and reduces hazardous chemical runoff. In addition, Carnival has also been at the forefront of engine design, and their new class of ships features a “highly efficient” diesel-electric propulsion system known as the “enviro-engine”, which nearly eliminates visible smokestack emissions. [http://gliving.tv/travelcity/how-green-can-a-ocean-cruise-really-be/]

Public areas

* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
] : The America Piano Bar features several copper-leaf sculptural panels in bas relief depicting scenes of the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Yellowstone National Park.
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
] : The main lobby of this magnificent ship is a six-story, glass-domed atrium with a circular bar. Also features shopping.
* Blue Ribband Library: The era of legendary Trans-Atlantic ocean liners comes alive in the Blue Riband Library. Serves as a library and a game room.
* Camp Carnival: A miniature club for children below fifteen featuring games all day long.
* Club O2: A club exclusively for those between ages 15 and 17.
* Destiny Dining Room: Dining provided for the guests every night of the cruise. Dress codes are strictly enforced in the room pending on the occasion. Two separate dinners a night.
* Elation Dining Room: See Destiny Dining Room.
* Majestic Casino: Play your favorite game of chance in the Majestic Casino, one of the largest casinos afloat.
* Normandie Lounge: Las Vegas-style shows are put on in the Normandie Showroom. Shows include stand-up comedy and Shout.
* Paris Restaurant: Casual dining and eatery buffet open several times throughout the day. Serves as the 24-hour ice cream and pizzeria to the cruise.
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
] : The Paradise offers three pools, including one with a convert|115|ft|m|sing=on-long spiral waterslide.
* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
] : A club explicitly for adults.
* Queen Mary Lounge: The only smoking-allowed area established on the ship. Shows are presented daily.
* Virtual World: Serves as the arcade room for the cruise.

=MS Paradise

References

External links

* [http://carnival.com/Ship_Detail.aspx?shipCode=PA Carnival Website on the MS Paradise]
* [http://www.shipsandcruises.com/Paradise.htm Review of a cruise on the Paradise]