I am posting the same review I already posted on Facebook 2 days ago below:
I unfortunately had a very negative experience with paradise travel excursion that added significant stress to my wedding week, so I wanted to provide a full review to warn others looking into doing an excursion with this company.
There was a photographer on board that was not mentioned in the excursion description nor Claudia's messages, and did not provide any introduction/explanation before he started taking pictures. The photographer was pushy and kept pulling me and my husband away from interacting with our guests/ partying, and asking us to do poses we were not comfortable with. While we were still on the boat the photographer asked us to pay 550USD to receive the digital photos, which was completely absurd as we were not notified in advance there would be an additional charge and he would not even agree to send us previews/samples. We opted not to get the photos, but feel very salty about this as we missed out on taking our own pictures and overall just having a good time as the photographer kept interrupting us.
There was a portion of the catamaran party where the crew started giving dance lessons. I informed Claudia in advance that the excursion is a day before my wedding, so I need to be in the shade. The crew kept pestering me to join the dance lesson which was out in the sun, and then they singled me and my husband out and tried to peer pressure us into twerking in front of our group. I was mortified as I was only wearing a bathing suit and it is considered very inappropriate in my culture. The crew would not take my no for an answer.
While trying to pressure me to twerk, the crew comes with a bottle of rum and shove it in my face to attempt to pour some in my mouth. Again I had to tell them no as I cannot handle strong liqueur.
These chain of events led me to a full breakdown in front of everyone on the boat. I signed up for a fun catamaran activity to be on the water to listen to music and dance with my family/friends. Instead, because I was not consulted about the above activities in advance, I was humiliated and put in a stressful situation by the company. A few days passed with no follow up apology from Claudia. I then confronted her about it, to which she responded taking no accountability for her company's action, so I am posting this here to warn others. A catamaran activity is a very fun activity for the guests, but I highly suggest you look into a more professional and reputable company.
update: I am absolutely appalled that immediately after I posted my review, paradise travel excursion proceeds to gaslight me by denying this incident didn't happen, and even modifying the invoice (that we have already paid and settled) to note that photography is not included. Furthermore, I am very uncomfortable with them posting videos online which we never consented to. I have never dealt with such a shady and unprofessional business, and hope my review helps people steer clear of them.
Operator response
We are truly sorry that this guest left the excursion feeling this way, as creating fun, memorable, and safe experiences is exactly what our team strives to do every day.
However, we feel it is important to provide additional context for future guests.
This was a private wedding celebration excursion, and as is customary during wedding events, part of the entertainment was focused on celebrating the bride and groom as the guests of honor. At no point prior to the excursion were we informed that they preferred not to participate in group celebrations or special activities.
The guest did inquire about shade before the excursion, and we confirmed that our catamaran has two covered levels with ample shaded seating areas. While guests are always free to remain in the shade, this is an ocean excursion and some activities naturally take place in open areas of the vessel. Being on the water and exposed to the Caribbean sun is part of the experience.
We would also like to clarify that several of the points mentioned in this review were communicated in advance. The invoice and pre-excursion information clearly state that photography services are optional, are not included in the excursion price, and are available at an additional cost for guests who wish to purchase them.
Likewise, the excursion description explains that the experience includes onboard entertainment, music, interactive activities, and dance performances as part of the celebration. These elements are an integral part of the experience we provide and are one of the main reasons many guests choose our excursions for weddings, birthdays, and special events.
Our entertainment and party atmosphere are what have helped make our excursions so popular over the years. Many of our guests specifically book with us because they are looking for a fun, energetic, and interactive celebration on the water. Music, dancing, games, audience participation, and engaging entertainment are all part of the experience we proudly offer and what we have become known for.
We were informed prior to the excursion that Latin music was acceptable for the group. During the event, the vast majority of guests actively participated in the music, dancing, and activities. When we noticed the bride becoming emotional, our team immediately checked on her wellbeing. At that moment, we were not informed that the music or entertainment was causing discomfort. In fact, her husband reassured our staff that everything was fine and encouraged the team to continue entertaining the group.
Regarding the photography service, the photographers are independent vendors and are not employees of our company. They operate separately and offer optional photography packages to guests. Purchasing photos is completely voluntary.
After receiving her concerns, Claudia personally followed up and, despite the photography service being operated by a third party, attempted to assist by speaking directly with the photography company to obtain a substantial 50% discount on the photo package. Unfortunately, the request later became for all photographs to be provided completely free of charge, which was beyond our ability to authorize since the photography service is independently owned and operated.
Most importantly, we would never intentionally disrespect anyone’s culture, personal values, boundaries, or comfort level. Had we been informed that any activity was making her uncomfortable, our team would have gladly adjusted the entertainment immediately. Our goal has always been for every guest to feel included, respected, and able to enjoy the experience in their own way.
the invoice was not modified after your review was posted. The notification you received was an automatic system update generated when your final payment was recorded and the remaining balance was updated to $0. No additional charges were made.
We have never intended to invalidate your feelings or experiences. Our response was simply meant to provide additional context regarding the excursion and the services provided.
We understand that not every guest will have the same expectations or preferences, and we respect your right to share your experience. At the same time, we believe it is important to ensure that factual information regarding the booking, payment records, and excursion details is accurately represented.
We genuinely regret that your experience did not meet your expectations and wish you and your husband nothing but happiness in your marriage.