lasvegascruising

We took a cruise on the Radiance earlier this month and I was observing the layout for our next cruise which we will be platinum. There is a dedicated area for diamond/platinum. After you are through the metal detectors and the line where the dogs sniff your carry on, walk all the way through the seating area. You will see a person at a podium, they will look and your documents and let you into the area. It is a separate room with big glass walls. About 10:45am the folks(diamond/platinum) came out of the room and lined up to get on the ship. After that, FTTF was allowed on and then A01, A02, etc. As a side note, my husband and I, each at different times, witnessed one of the dogs doing his job of smelling something. The dog and handler walked down the line of guests and the dog I watched sat down on a backpack. His handler immediately gave him his reward, some kind of dog toy. Another person came over and asked the people standing in front of the backpack who it belonged to. This person picked up the backpack and had two men follow her. End of story.

We did exactly this...stayed at the Renaissance in Dec 2019. Walked across the street to the stop for the passport. We didn't know if there would be an issue of us boarding with three pieces of luggage, there was not. It was on the early side so there were not many folks on board or folks waiting at the stop. Just remember, it drops off at the Queen Mary and you will have to walk from that stop over to the dome. We arrived the day before our cruise and rode the passport just to get a feel for how it operated. After that, we looked at each other and decided to use it the next morning for our transport to the port. We really enjoyed the tour. We are cruising the Panorama, Dec 2023 and staying at the Marriott Residence Inn Downtown. Hoping to use the passport bus from this hotel over to the Queen Mary on embark day. Has anyone done this?

mamiamjo, this is good advice. Thank you for posting a bit of information that is useful. 6fan, your question is exactly the question I had. Please be sure to post your experience when you return as it will be helpful for me.

Oh my. December 2023 will be out first "platinum" cruise. We are so, so excited to experience the perks that come with this designation. Please give me the proper protocol for dropping off luggage in our room. We will have two airplane size carry-ons and one larger suitcase. After reading all these posts, I want to be sure NOT to make our cabin steward upset. Should we put the two small cases in the closet and the larger bag on the pad that is usually on the bed? Or try to put all three in the closet? Looking for suggestions.

I second SelectSys post. This is the same way I feel. I will never forget the first time I went to Cozumel. Went out on the balcony and said to my husband "you have to get out here and look at this water". The color is so beautiful. We still cruise from Long Beach due to price and the ease of getting there from Las Vegas.

WOW, sounds like fun to me. I think you will have a blast!!

Just off the Radiance last Friday and we visited the late night snack one evening. We both had the chicken noodle soup and vote "YES". It was tasty. For me, maybe a bit more salt but I enjoyed it as it was. There were plenty of folks in line and the whole seating area was pretty full. Between the late night snack buffet and the aft pizza, it was a busy place.

Deck 5. It is one of my favorite areas of the dream class ships. I have sailed on all three dream class ships and deck 5 is so nice. Give it a try.

All I can report on is my experience. I have cruised the Mexican Rivera several times in December and January. It is HOT for me. On a clear day the sun is brutal. I would suggest to anyone who takes a cruise to PV, Mazatlan & Cabo in those months, pack shorts and sandals, just in case. I am headed down there December 2023 from Long Beach, CA on the Panorama and I am packing warm clothes for the first and last day, packing summer clothes for the days in between. So excited!! As a side note, the very first cruise I took was a Mexican Rivera cruise from Long Beach in December 2009. I packed one pair of shorts and had to wear them more than once because it was so hot. We got off the ship in Cabo, walked around, looked at hubby and we decided back to the ship and into the pool to cool off.

First drink for me every cruise is the...FUNSHIP!! It is on the sweet side but very potent. Give it a try. If you have the drink package and don't care too much for it, order something else. Second drink, Mojito. First drink the next morning, mimosa. I could go on and on!

Disembarked the Radiance today. We were at the Red Frog Pub yesterday and a guy walked up and ordered a drink. The bartender scanned the card he was handed and said to the guy "where is Mike?" The guy with the card responded, "he is over there" and grabbed the receipt, walker over to Mike, had him sign the receipt, walked back to the bar and laid it down. The bartender told him that next time "Mike" would have to be there. I watched this guy take the Jack & coke and proceed to drink it. I was happy to see that the bartender was trying to not let this guy cheat. He let him get away with one drink. I did not see the guy try that stunt again. At least while I was sitting there. This bartender was working his a** off. My husband was so impressed with him that we went back to our cabin, grabbed $20 bucks, went back to tip him. He was so grateful. Yes, you can purchase Cheers at any bar. Watched a couple walk up to the Red Frog Rum Bar on the second day and order the Cheers package for the rest of the trip UNTIL the bartender told them the amount. They cancelled that transaction. Not sure why I am telling everyone this tidbit of information. Maybe someone out there will find it useful.

Just got off the Radiance today and our cruise director was Ranier. I did not hear his name anywhere on Cruise Critic. My husband thought he did a great job. Anyone else ever cruise with him?

By the way Greg, what did you think of the Jewel? I was on her years ago when she was in Texas. The lido deck layout was...not sure how to put it, just different. It was when NCL included bar package no charge. I mean totally no charge, no grats added on.

I'm not even a football expert (maybe a novice if that) and I was yelling at the television "why can't they catch the ball?" Kelce looked like he was in pain watching it unfold. GO CHIEFS!!!

Megan, I have heard stories of trouble on ships and now I truly believe it (I'm not one that searches out youtube videos of this kind of stuff). I am leaving tomorrow morning for a 4 day on the Radiance. I am glad you shared this with us because I will be more alert than I think I would have been. I just can't wrap my head around how young people could do this to you. I have really enjoyed all of your live reports and am going to miss you if you really never cruise Carnival again, but understandable for sure. I followed your reporting for the Dec 22 Panorama because I was going on the same cruise. I did come up and introduce myself to you when I spotted you at Red Frog. You were very nice, don't change!

"Snitches ruin Glitches". That is freaking hilarious!! Serves me right, should have checked cruise critic yesterday instead of goofing off! I would take an "after the fact" discount in a heartbeat.

"Sound of Freedom", I've heard it is soul crushing. I want to see it but kind of worried about it being too sad. I work with a guy who said it brought him to tears, crying. Another employee thought that it was strange that it had that type of effect on him and he told her(who has no kids), "I have six kids". Your thoughts?

I was on the Panorama last December and saw several dogs walking around the ship, leashed, with their owner. Yes, more than two different dogs. I was very surprised. One day I was at the service desk and noticed a dog. I asked the lady helping me about the dogs I had been seeing. She just kind of shook her head and said they are allowed on board. I did not see the place where the owners were taking them for relief. I don't remember seeing "working" dogs at the terminal or on board. What I do remember is every morning when I went out on my balcony smelling pot. I think it stinks and don't enjoy the smell. Luckily it was not coming from the cabins next to me or above/below me. I think that would have been worse. I read somewhere the dogs on board/at the port are looking for explosives. Do not know if that is true.

Roseflyer....what a beautiful picture of the Panorama!! Put a smile on my face. I have a trip planned for December 2 and I am so excited.

We used Galveston Express.

Marcyjane, we've done it two different ways. #1 Fly into Hobby and stayed at place near the airport that offered free shuttle service. When we landed, we called them to pick us up and take us to the hotel. Next morning had them take us back to the airport and took the cruise line shuttle to the port. #2 Fly into Hobby and had booked a shuttle service in advance. Once we landed we called the shuttle service to let them know we had arrived. Met the shuttle and the driver took us down to our hotel in Galveston. We took an Uber to the port the next morning. For us, it really depends on what time we are arriving at Hobby. #1 we didn't get in until about 5 pm so staying near the airport and going down the next morning worked well. I didn't want to get to Galveston at 6 or 7 at night. #2 we arrived at Hobby earlier in the day and if I remember correctly, we got down to Galveston around 3pm. It was a whole lot of fun that evening. We walked to a place for dinner and that evening we sat around the pool area talking to all kinds of folks that were also cruising the next day. Can you post what you end up doing? I am always looking for new information that may be helpful in my planning.

Well, what a difference a day makes!!! I am staying on a Friday night which now shows $444 per night and you are staying on Sunday night which now shows $153. The same weekend!

Mexico is HOT. Even in the winter. I have never cruised to Mexico or the Caribbean in what I would call "summer", June, July or August. I think I would pass out from the heat & humidity and I live in Las Vegas.

Hi Sprocket! You mention that you have stayed at the Westin and have it booked again for Dec 2023 at a great rate. We are taking a cruise on the Panorama Dec 2, staying at the Westin on Friday night. I was lucky enough to book a while back at $197 for the night. I checked today and the rate is at $440. Now, that is a huge difference. I am asking myself, did I get a great rate like you did OR not? In your past experience, how did you get to the port in the morning?

I have three cruises booked, leaving from Long Beach. Sept 2023 Radiance, Dec 2023 Panorama and May 2024 Firenze. Driving from Vegas in Sept, flying from Vegas in Dec and not sure yet about the mode of transport for May. The hotel prices in Long Beach are so expensive in my opinion. Good luck finding a decent price! I guess it depends on what one considers decent, yes? Driving down in Sept and staying at a Hilton property in Seal Beach, flying in Dec and booked the Westin. I booked a room a while back and got a basic king room for $197. It is now over $400. I hope that when we arrive, we don't encounter any issues. I only say this because there was one cruise we took from Long Beach, had the Residence Inn Downtown booked. When the shuttle dropped us off, we walked to the front desk the clerk said, "I've been trying to get a hold of you, we are sold out". What?? I have a reservation. Well, it turned out okay because Marriott moved us to the Renaissance, paid for the taxi ride over there and paid for the room. My only point of posting is that depending when one is cruising, downtown Long Beach hotels, the ones listed by Bruin Steve, are super expensive. Of course, in my humble opinion.