The eighth and final Fantasy class ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise was built in 1998. The public areas of this ship pay homage to vessels of years past, including the Blue Riband Library, in honor of the world’s fastest transatlantic ocean liner, and the Queen Mary lounge, for the flagship of the British Cunard Line. There’s also the Rex nightclub, named after the elegant Italian ship, and the Normandie main show lounge, in recognition of the first ship longer than 1,000 feet.
These details may be surprising for those who think of Carnival's ships more in terms of the party on board than a classic elegance. Which goes to show how much the line has changed in the two decades since Carnival Paradise first launched. The ship has gone through renovations, including an extensive refit in 2012 that added the Serenity adults-only area and the Punchliner comedy club. But you won't find any of the onboard spots that Carnival has become known for in recent years, such as Guy's Burger Joint or RedFrog Pub.
The low prices on sailings reflect that this is not the most updated ship in the fleet, and while there is still a party vibe, overall it is low-key ship in terms of the activities on board.