Carnival Paradise
“Carnival's smallest active ship — quick 4- and 5-night Tampa getaways to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean.”
Carnival Paradise entered service in 1998 as a Fantasy-class ship and made an unusual bit of cruise history along the way: she debuted as the industry's first entirely non-smoking ship, a strict policy (with $250 fines for violators) that Carnival abandoned in 2003 once it became clear how much business it was costing. Today she's simply the smallest and most nimble ship in the active Carnival fleet, homeported year-round in Tampa, Florida. A month-long 2018 dry dock in Freeport added a 14th deck with new balcony cabins along with Carnival WaterWorks, and a further refresh in October 2023 kept her current. From Tampa she runs short 4-night Bahamas cruises to Celebration Key and 4- to 5-night Western Caribbean sailings to Cozumel and Grand Cayman, making her a favorite for a fast, low-stress Gulf Coast getaway.
Paradise made history in 1998 as the cruise industry's first entirely non-smoking ship — a policy Carnival scrapped in 2003, but it's still the trivia every Fantasy-class fan brings up. Today she's simply the smallest, most nimble ship in the fleet, perfect for a fast long-weekend cruise.
What’s Onboard
Dining
- ✓Main dining room with rotating menus
- ✓Guy's Burger Joint (Guy Fieri partnership)
- ✓BlueIguana Cantina for build-your-own tacos
- ✓Chef's Table exclusive multi-course dinner (once per sailing)
- ✓Lido buffet with rotisserie, wok, and deli stations
- ✓24-hour pizzeria and sushi bar
Pools & Recreation
- ✓Carnival WaterWorks aquapark (added 2018)
- ✓Two pools and whirlpools along the Lido deck
- ✓Serenity adults-only retreat
- ✓Cloud 9 Spa and fitness centre
- ✓Mini golf course
- ✓Alchemy Bar for handcrafted cocktails
Entertainment
- ✓Main show lounge production shows
- ✓Punchliner Comedy Club
- ✓RedFrog Pub with live music
- ✓Piano bar
- ✓Casino with table games and slots
- ✓Duty-free shopping promenade
Cabins
- ✓Interior, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suite categories
- ✓New balcony cabins added on the 14th deck (2018 refit)
- ✓Cove Balconies close to the waterline
- ✓Family staterooms with connecting options
- ✓Ocean Suites with private balconies
- ✓Compact, classic Fantasy-class layout throughout
Family & Kids
- ✓Camp Ocean kids' club (2–11 years)
- ✓Circle C for tweens and Club O2 for teens
- ✓Carnival WaterWorks family splash zone
- ✓Dive-In Movies poolside
- ✓Family-friendly menus at Guy's and BlueIguana
- ✓Short sailing length ideal for first cruises with young kids
Video Tour
Carnival Paradise Cruise Ship Tour 2025 | Full Walkthrough, Dining, Entertainment & Review
- ✦Tampa and Gulf Coast cruisers wanting a quick getaway
- ✦First-time cruisers testing the waters on a short sailing
- ✦Budget-conscious Bahamas and Western Caribbean travelers
- ✦Couples who like a smaller, more intimate ship
Travelers chasing the biggest waterslides, most specialty restaurants, or newest ship technology — Paradise is the smallest and oldest active ship in the Carnival fleet.
4-night Bahamas from ~$300/pp (inside) to $900+/pp (suite); 5-night Western Caribbean from ~$400/pp (inside)