USA. Carnival Paradise returned to year-round cruising yesterday from Port Tampa Bay following a month-long dry dock to refresh its facilities and add new retail and dining concepts.
The multi-million dollar makeover also added a water park, 38 new staterooms and 98 extra balconies.
The ship’s retail offer has been revamped with a new design and the product offerings now include several branded boutiques including Pandora and Guess.
The ship’s printed photo gallery has also been replaced with a digital Pixels-branded platform that allows guests to identify and purchase images more conveniently via their smartphones or at a nearby kiosk.
On the F&B side, four venues have been added:
- Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, where burgers and fresh-cut fries are available in a poolside setting;
- RedFrog Rum Bar, also poolside and offering Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers including Carnival’s own private label draught brew ThirstyFrog Red;
- BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery;
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar offering tequila-based frozen drinks and beers.
Following the month-long dry dock refurbishment in Freeport, Bahamas, Carnival Paradise is now running four- to eight-day cruises from Tampa with yesterday’s sailing departing for Cozumel and Grand Cayman. The ship also offers cruises to Cuba featuring day-long and overnight calls in the capital Havana, as well as visits to ports throughout the Caribbean.
