Which cruise carnival paradise or royal carribean monarch of the seas? I was just on the Monarch of the Seas in December 2007 and will be on the Paradise in July 2008. Both ships are about the same size. The Monarch was built in 1991, the Paradise in 1998. The Monarch visits three ports (San Diego, Catalina and Ensenada) while the Paradise visits two ports (Catalina and Ensenada) and spends the third day at sea. I like days at sea because they are so relaxing.The cabins on the Paradise are about 50% bigger than the cabins on the Monarch.The Monarch will be moving to Florida in October 2008. There are no current plans to replace the Monarch.Based on past experience, the food on Carnival is slightly better than food on Royal Caribbean.I have been on eight cruises. The overall crew on the Monarch was the best I have ever experienced. The Monarch has a rock climbing wall, the Paradise does not. The Paradise has a water slide, the Monarch does not. Neither ship has headed pools (though both have hot tubs).Both ships have good programs for 14 year olds.Here is a link to my review of my cruise on the Monarch of the Seas in December 2007 (if you want to read it) ...http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=35839Here is a link to several photos of a typical ocean view cabin and the teen center on the Monarch of the Seas.http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562279511sxqjRR |