INFORMATION If you go

GETTING THERE
Paradise sails each Sunday from the Port of Miami, visiting the Western Caribbean and the Eastern Caribbean on alternating weeks. Beginning in the spring, three 10-day cruises to the Southern Caribbean leaving Thursdays and three 11-day Western Caribbean itineraries that leave Sundays will be available. Shuttles are available from the Miami airport and air fare from your home is included in many cruise packages. If you drive, parking is available at the port.
PORTS OF CALL
Western: Playa del Carmen-Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios.Eastern: Nassau, San Juan and St. Thomas-St. John.
SHORE TRIPS
Various tours, shopping, snorkeling, scuba diving, golf, rafting.
DINING
Two formal dining rooms with two seatings each, a casual poolside restaurant with a 24-hour pizzeria and breakfast, lunch and dinner alternatives, and 24-hour room service.
ACTIVITIES
Full casino, three swimming pools, 12,000-square-foot health club and spa, shopping mall, indoor and outdoor children's play areas, "Camp Carnival" children's program, nightly shows in the 1,300-seat Normandie Lounge.
SPECS
At 855 feet, Paradise is almost the length of three football fields. It has a passenger capacity of 2,052 in 1,026 rooms and a crew of 920. Officers are Italian; the crew is international. Built in 1998, the ship cost $300 million.
RATES
Starting at $499 per person, double occupancy, for an inside stateroom, with deals and upgrading possible. Check with a travel agent or directly with Carnival at www.carnival.com or at (800) CARNIVAL ([800] 227-6482). Financing is offered.