Written by Chillie Falls for AccessAdventure.net, November 18, 2022
I sailed on Carnival Paradise from Tampa, Florida on November 5. 2022.
EMBARKATION
Embarkation went about as smoothly as possible. I was able to access my scooter at the curb, checked my
luggage with a porter, went through security and Carnival’s check in and was on board Carnival Paradise in 20 minutes. That gave me plenty of time for lunch, the muster drill check in and to start some filming.
ACCESSIBLE CABIN E139
About 1:30 pm, we were allowed in our staterooms and I found mine adequate, even if a little small. There was enough room to turn my scooter around, and all the usual storage space, closets, and drawers you find on any cruise ship. The bathroom was also fine with a roll in shower and bench, roll up sink and
plenty of grab bars. My doorway in Accessible Oceanview Cabin E139 had only about 1 inch clearance on either side of the wheels on my scooter. This made it very difficult to get the scooter inside to charge it in the evenings. During the day, I left it in the hallway.
Dining Rooms and Bars
Between evening meals, and seaday brunches and sit-down breakfasts, I used two main dining rooms and the buffet. In all cases, crew was very accommodating moving a chair away from the table so I could pull in and swivel my scooter chair around to sit properly. And to guide me out if it was crowded.
I also received excellent service at any bar I pulled up to, and perhaps quicker than my turn would have allowed.
Access to Deck 11
Deck 11 has two doors up an accessible ramp to the outside allowing one to get to things like the Carnival Waterworks and several of the kids programs like Camp Ocean and Creative Cove. There are multiple flights of stairs, but only the two elevators. Upon rolling up the ramp, I did not have the strength to open either door, and then discovered about a 2 inch lip that would stop most scooters and solo wheelchair users. Therefore, Deck 11 was rendered totally inaccessible to the mobility challenged.
The rest of the public areas on the ship were accessible and all of the public restrroms had automatic doors with push plates, both outside and on a stall door inside.
Pools
In my mind, the main pool on Carnival Paradise is inaccessible. however, there is a lift chair should any mobility challenged person decide to get in the pool or hot tubs.
Disembarkation
As smoothly as embarkation went, disembarkation was equally awful. Since I had a scooter, I was not considered disabled and had to wait with the masses of guests disembarking. It was two hours before I was in position to even call for an Uber.
I was still basically happy with the cruise. The food was wonderful, the service outstanding, the entertainment great. And, as long as my handicap/mobility challenged community is aware of the three short comings, I would suggest this cruise worth taking. I would go again.