Carnival Paradise The Carnival Paradise is one of Carnival Cruise Line's remaining Fantasy Class ships in the fleet. Currently, the ship sails from Tampa Florida and primarily sails 4 & 5 day cruises. This post will take a look at some random fun and interesting facts about the Carnival Paradise.
Last Updated: 1/3/2026
Last Updated: 1/3/2026
1. Carnival Paradise started as 100% Non-Smoking
The Carnival Paradise debuted in 1998 as a 100% non-smoking ship. There were not designated smoking areas onboard and the casino did not allow smoking either. Carnival reversed the 100% non-smoking policy on the Carnival Paradise after a few years of the ship being in-service. Currently Carnival allows smoking in designated areas on the Carnival Paradise.
2. The Ship's Name Changed In 2007
When the ship debuted in 1998, the ship's name was officially "Paradise" or "M/S Paradise". Carnival's Fantasy Class cruise ships did not have the "Carnival" prefix in their names until 2007. At that time, the "Paradise" became the "Carnival Paradise" to match the branding of Carnival's newer cruise ships.
The Carnival Paradise debuted in 1998 as a 100% non-smoking ship. There were not designated smoking areas onboard and the casino did not allow smoking either. Carnival reversed the 100% non-smoking policy on the Carnival Paradise after a few years of the ship being in-service. Currently Carnival allows smoking in designated areas on the Carnival Paradise.
2. The Ship's Name Changed In 2007
When the ship debuted in 1998, the ship's name was officially "Paradise" or "M/S Paradise". Carnival's Fantasy Class cruise ships did not have the "Carnival" prefix in their names until 2007. At that time, the "Paradise" became the "Carnival Paradise" to match the branding of Carnival's newer cruise ships.
3. The Ship Once Had A Topless Deck
The Carnival Paradise once had a topless deck onboard located on the aft portion of the Sports Deck around the funnel. Carnival prohibited minors from accessing this deck and had barriers around this portion of the deck to minimize the view from other areas of the ship. Carnival ultimately moved away from having topless decks onboard in the spirit of being more family friendly. The former topless deck is now open to all guests and is the entrance to most of the Carnival WaterWorks slides. The Carnival Paradise does have a Serenity Adults Only Retreat onboard, but this area requires clothing.
The Carnival Paradise once had a topless deck onboard located on the aft portion of the Sports Deck around the funnel. Carnival prohibited minors from accessing this deck and had barriers around this portion of the deck to minimize the view from other areas of the ship. Carnival ultimately moved away from having topless decks onboard in the spirit of being more family friendly. The former topless deck is now open to all guests and is the entrance to most of the Carnival WaterWorks slides. The Carnival Paradise does have a Serenity Adults Only Retreat onboard, but this area requires clothing.
4. A New Deck Was Added Since The Ship's Debut
Originally the Sun Deck (Deck 14) was the highest guest deck on the Carnival Paradise. In 2018, Carnival Cruise Line sent the Carnival Paradise to dry-dock and converted the old Sun Deck space on Deck 14 into an area of staterooms. This took the place of the ship's jogging track and old mini golf course. The Deck 14 space was renamed the Grand Deck. Carnival moved the mini golf course to a different place on Deck 14. A new area, Deck 15, was build as a result of this dry-dock and was named the Sun Deck.
Originally the Sun Deck (Deck 14) was the highest guest deck on the Carnival Paradise. In 2018, Carnival Cruise Line sent the Carnival Paradise to dry-dock and converted the old Sun Deck space on Deck 14 into an area of staterooms. This took the place of the ship's jogging track and old mini golf course. The Deck 14 space was renamed the Grand Deck. Carnival moved the mini golf course to a different place on Deck 14. A new area, Deck 15, was build as a result of this dry-dock and was named the Sun Deck.
5. Ship Was Carnival's First To Sail To Cuba
The Carnival Paradise was the first Carnival Cruise Line ship to sail to Cuba. In June 2017 the Carnival Paradise arrived in Havana Cuba for a port of call stop on a cruise departing from Tampa. Ultimately, the cruises to Cuba were ended due to US governmental regulations.
6. Ship Is One of Carnival's Smallest, But Not The Oldest Ship
The Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation are the last of Carnival's Fantasy Class ships and both are the smallest in the fleet. However, they are not Carnival's oldest ships. The Carnival Destiny was built in 1996 and later was renovated & re-named to Carnival Sunshine. This ship is larger than the Carnival Paradise. The hull of the Carnival Sunshine (former Carnival Destiny) is older.
The Carnival Paradise was the first Carnival Cruise Line ship to sail to Cuba. In June 2017 the Carnival Paradise arrived in Havana Cuba for a port of call stop on a cruise departing from Tampa. Ultimately, the cruises to Cuba were ended due to US governmental regulations.
6. Ship Is One of Carnival's Smallest, But Not The Oldest Ship
The Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation are the last of Carnival's Fantasy Class ships and both are the smallest in the fleet. However, they are not Carnival's oldest ships. The Carnival Destiny was built in 1996 and later was renovated & re-named to Carnival Sunshine. This ship is larger than the Carnival Paradise. The hull of the Carnival Sunshine (former Carnival Destiny) is older.