Carnival Radiance Feb26-March 1, 2024 live-ish

[Buffettfan 225]

This is our 8th in a row cruise on Carnival Radiance since covid restart as we can drive from Vegas area to Long Beach.

Even when we are not flying we like to arrive a day ahead for a cruise. This trip the day before cruise, fell on 4th Sunday of the month. Having done it once before, we discovered a free “antiques” and swap meet in Torrance sponsored by Streetfaireantiques. So we drove to Torrance on Saturday, stayed at the same Marriott Courtyard in Torrance (on Sepulveda). It is one mile from street faire, close by Del alamo mall, and fast food and sit down. Especially popular nearly across from hotel is King Hawaiian (as in the rolls) bakery and restaurant. It looked quite popular.

We really like this location as free parking, a pool, almost every room has a patio or balcony. It is older but updated. I like the rooms as pretty darn quiet, room darkeni g shades. Plus 1/3 price of a Lo g Beach area hotel. This am drive in was 26min on Waze, but was faster. We left at 9:07 and thru security by 9:45. 
 

The long beach security did not open our pull along bags for the soda cans we put in a small cooler (we use it as ice bin inside refrigerator in cabin to further chill cans during cruise). We also had two hydroflask with ice water in outside back and went thru xray, never opening. 

This cruise the secondary security line had two dogs being signaled to walk up and check each person as passed by. Sometimes dogs got a bit i to people’s privates. These dogs seemed more actively looking than prior cruises. I will try and post how well the dogs did as cruise progresses and we walk around. 

 

Priority waiting lounge  in the back right by embarkation doors, and includes first row of chairs facing those doors. They had an attendant checking boarding passes and was strapped off. 

Boarding started at 10:45, just a few diamond and suites in line  then called platinum. Eating Blue Iguana shrimp bowl by 11:00. We had dropped carryons in cabin and the cabins were visibly still in process.

They just called good news Hospitality gave early gift cabins ready at 1:00 to all. 

 

Something new as enter lido now,  it sure if permanent or not- loungers removed and 4-top seating tables behind table. 

[Buffettfan 225]

They are now clearing the metal tables from behind pool area. Must be for embarkation day overflow seating. 

Lido lunch buffet today 

[Frank12]

Bring it!

[john91498]

On another cruise already? I'm jellies...😃

[MEUB1112]

Awesome, we're on the Radiance in early April. 

[Buffettfan 225]

On 2/26/2024 at 5:02 PM, john91498 said:

On another cruise already? I'm jellies...😃

yes my annual birthday cruise. Besides care of our super senior parents. We needed the getaway. Today is first day clear signal for  “free internet”. I will post menus and fun times, also gathered Club O2  schedules. 

- I will compile more notes later and answer anyone’s questions. 

 

Perhaps it is cool wind blowing but ship has felt cool the whole trip as wearing a light fleece jacket inside. Some people wore heavier in dining room.  Yesterday Avalon, Catalina Island was partial sun until 11, then clouds. Just thankful no rain. Today Ensenada sunny & breezy 66 degrees high.

 

First the gripes and changes since October. 

-Besides the 2 piece bacon employee(unless you ask for more)  (doesn’t one think they could better use them somewhere else?)

-the MDR- both nights brought a one slice tab of butter with two pats in it for two people. We asked many times for more butter- seems there new rationing item.

- no sugars on table had to ask twice for sugar and my ice tea was half empty by time husband got up to ask for it.

- ordered fruit plate only pineapple was ripe on plate, and the stem full of grapes, all other melon fruit hard. Tried again next night as an appetizer and now melon was only two  1” pieces of tips. Guess even they couldn’t cut it. Now grapes were a three lonely grapes lying on plate.

-elegant night no more table cloths or seashell, 

same look as any night. Only saw 10% with fancier long dresses all the way to jeans, tennis shoes and flannel shirts. To each his own. Our worst meal was elegant last night. Husband had prime rib- grizzly, my chicken cordon bleu needed his steak knife to cut so dry. It says something when we went to lido and the prime rib was excellent as well as chicken. This is second in a row may for go that menu night and seek another venue on first elegant. 

 

Positive crowd is much older and quieter than October which we discovered was CA and AZ fall break. 

More later but any day in a cruise no matter is better than doing own housekeeping, meals and dishes. 

 

[Buffettfan 225]

Day 1 Monday Carnival Radiance menu

on the hub app is main menu, and if slide it left the gluten and vegetarian menus are there. Below are all versions. Bread one type the pointy rolls. Sorbet Pineape,lime,rainbow

Main hub menu day one Carnival Radiance

 

[tauep24]

I plan on doing the radiance to Hawaii 2026. I am going to be on deck 9.  I have not been on the ship before.  Any information with regards to the ship or the port of long beach?

[Buffettfan 225]

It is a great ship, Just need to be off hours for food-such as breakfast early, or late to avoid the normal crush. Use the hub app to check in for anytime so doing, perhaps a longer cruise I would select set dining to get to know server team.

The parking is great- they used to refer the Carnival Miracle to alternate parking but hope the lot is main as currently $23/day. We arrived at 9:30am and plenty of spots- do an immediate right turn as enter lot and use the ramp there as easier exit. If keep going upwards when disembark will need use the one elevator and it is slow. When driving to port, we use waze app or google. It used to take us through downtown which was easier, but lately along waterfront. Easy to follow signs, to port but last left turn for pier I think is E is easily missed (ask how we know from prior cruises!)

Edited February 29 by Buffettfan 225
photos not coming thru

[Buffettfan 225]

We are leaving Ensenada now and losing wifi. I will be happy post more Friday- Sat. 

[Buffettfan 225]

let me know cabin number and I can tell you about it. Nine is very convenient. 

[tauep24]

i have cabin number 9275.

[EllieinNJ]

Can you tell us what you did in Catalina Island and Ensenada?  We are on at end of April.

[lasvegascruising]

Hubby and I were on Radiance in Sept 2023.  Four-night cruise.  We walked on the ship day one and never walked off till disembark.  For us it was heaven.  Catalina day was really nice.  From our balcony, I watched dolphins in the water.  Watched birds diving into the water for food.  Hanging around the ship watched folks parasailing over our heads. Truly a great day.  Ensenada, can't remember but didn't get off the ship.  I think I will plan another trip but will make sure it is not during cold weather.  For us, it would suck to take a cruise and need long pants/coat.

[rj59]

On 2/28/2024 at 11:24 AM, Buffettfan 225 said:

yes my annual birthday cruise. Besides care of our super senior parents. We needed the getaway. Today is first day clear signal for  “free internet”. I will post menus and fun times, also gathered Club O2  schedules. 

- I will compile more notes later and answer anyone’s questions. 

 

Perhaps it is cool wind blowing but ship has felt cool the whole trip as wearing a light fleece jacket inside. Some people wore heavier in dining room.  Yesterday Avalon, Catalina Island was partial sun until 11, then clouds. Just thankful no rain. Today Ensenada sunny & breezy 66 degrees high.

 

First the gripes and changes since October. 

-Besides the 2 piece bacon employee(unless you ask for more)  (doesn’t one think they could better use them somewhere else?)

-the MDR- both nights brought a one slice tab of butter with two pats in it for two people. We asked many times for more butter- seems there new rationing item.

- no sugars on table had to ask twice for sugar and my ice tea was half empty by time husband got up to ask for it.

- ordered fruit plate only pineapple was ripe on plate, and the stem full of grapes, all other melon fruit hard. Tried again next night as an appetizer and now melon was only two  1” pieces of tips. Guess even they couldn’t cut it. Now grapes were a three lonely grapes lying on plate.

-elegant night no more table cloths or seashell, 

same look as any night. Only saw 10% with fancier long dresses all the way to jeans, tennis shoes and flannel shirts. To each his own. Our worst meal was elegant last night. Husband had prime rib- grizzly, my chicken cordon bleu needed his steak knife to cut so dry. It says something when we went to lido and the prime rib was excellent as well as chicken. This is second in a row may for go that menu night and seek another venue on first elegant. 

 

Positive crowd is much older and quieter than October which we discovered was CA and AZ fall break. 

More later but any day in a cruise no matter is better than doing own housekeeping, meals and dishes. 

 

That's one trick I use--get dinner meats fresh, hot, and cooked properly in the buffet. Then have something else in the MDR. I usually do the buffet early, and the MDR late, which minimizes waits and crowds for both. I make the case that Carnival has great food, if you know when and where to find it. So my strange diet includes huevos rancheros at BI, a burger, prime rib, and a big Indian vegetarian meal. And of course, lots of ice cream cones. I'll be on Radiance tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to new dining spots and menus.

[Buffettfan 225]

On 2/28/2024 at 5:53 PM, tauep24 said:

i have cabin number 9275.

Great location. We have had same in past. They do not show that there is a physical door to the “hallway” as you enter by 9293 keeps the lido noise down, There may be slight music that travels up atrium, but never too late. We have solved by brining the heavy “hook wall”  magnets and now don't laugh- we unfolded our soda carton cardboard and put magnets on inside covering the vents, and hung robes using a magnet to cut the  light coming through. Your location should be ok- most cruisers will go straight and turn by elevators vs going into door hallway past your cabin so less talking in hall. We also cover the bathroom floor and shower drain with covers to avoid any sewer smell (only needed to on one of eight cruises). In cabin there are two plug outlets on desk area, and two usb ports. In desperation can usb port on tv. Speaking of, our tv reception was poor- lots of freezing, or channel would disappear for a few hours. Mostly relied on TCM, food network,hgtv. 
 

We pack plenty of ziplocs and aluminum foil sheets. We may like the cake that day on lido, bring it back covered on plate with a napkin and store in refrig for later. We are very good about keeping our cabin clean and take our own dishes back to lido area. 
- things I found helpful to pack

-ziplocks

-foil sheets

-paper,pen/pencil, thank you notes/envelopes- we like to drop notes at guest services if an exceptional staff member. our room steward was awesome and so happy coming down hall later that day with note in hand. He said he was recognized in their meeting, helps with promotions and so appreciated. 

-packets of sugar- they only have dispensers at tea/coffee station and requires pouring into a cup to add to beverage, and main dining room no sugar unless ask and may take a while. I carried them in ziplock in my crossbody along with meds, and lactate dairy- ease

-Hair conditioner - a must, they have shampoo and hand gel (labeled conditioner …not)

-Longer cruise I would bring my own hair dryer if med hair or longer- they desk one is weak, and once started pulling my hair into back vent of dryer!

- my husband suggested a mini noise machine after last cruise had a loud neighbor- but they disappeared mid cruise after saw security by their door twice. I think fighting. 
-painters tape; it leaves no residue and can hang cabin door decor, it covered the tv red dot glowing at night.

-I use the real “Nalgene” travel  bottles (Container Store sells these) for any liquids- never have leaked. I bring cough med as damp air at night can set me off. Other brands like silicone etc have leaked.
- snacks we always overpack items the little Gardetto’s, pretzels,candy etc,granola bars. The cabin stewards absolutely love these. Just food for their  protection must be commercially sealed. 
 

 

[Buffettfan 225]

first day our requests the “blue thick blankets” they make great cover ups if relaxing in bed, or on a balcony. We also noted our two twins pushed together were slight off in height, we asked steward to put a comforter under the sheet as extra padding - really helps overall, and the crack between mattresses. 

Magnets are helpful for hanging fun times. We did find the app handy for looking at digital fun times and if press the heart, it will remind you prior to event. 
 
Being just the two of us, and prefer early dining, we chose anytime which is the aft dining levels 3 & 4. Having been on this Radiance cruise itinerary, I have kept a log of table numbers and locations. It seems the computer really wants to group tables for a section and fill the dreaded two person tables that are inches from each other first. Nope, try again. We would do set dining time, but have been ignored on private table, and told would do their best. That is one of things we noticed has changed is them handling a table request issue immediately, not “we will see tomorrow”. 

Safety briefing where they shut down everything around 3:30-4:00, the room speaker can be extremely loud. I recommend being outside for it. 
 

Misc dining- 

-Blue Iguana - you can have them “build a bowl” at burrito side, vs a burrito. They told me they no longer have corn tortillas but the wheat, and gluten free. That was new. 
In am breakfast hours for the Blue Iguana on taco side was making eggs to order. I assume mostly for the  Huevos Rancheros. 
- the juice stations for some reason have better quality early when filling machines. Otherwise seems very diluted. 
- the hot chocolate machine did not work first 24 hours anywhere, and is not have any when  asked in mdr. The next day sometimes worked, what it needs is door opened and the powder bin tapped on to unclog. Make sure let go of filling button 2/3 full and hit stop- it will overflow otherwise. Poorest design for a ship. It should know how big coffee mugs are. 
- MDR many times I order the tropical fruit plate and sorbet as an app. Yes, they ask appetizer and I confirm. The sorbet was especially nice when I tried the ceviche- having lime sorbet really accompanied nicely. 
-butter- seems the new thing is one-two pats for two people at table. Even when asked for more and it is always ice cold. We started putting a bunch of pats in a container from earlier in day- and bringing our own. just keeping it discrete. Being born in WI we love our butter. 
- anytime dining  info seemed to open up request table at 5:12,5:22 and 5:37 it varied by night. Make sure phone set to Carnival WiFi and airplane mode to get notifications. 
- we are not much drinkers, but first night had 20% off offers and purchased two that were much larger than in liquor shop store bottles of Amarulla a creamy fruity type crème liquor from Africa with elephant in bottle. First time it was offered on sale on ship. Some brands are not worth hauling home- do your homework on prices. Our liquor pickup was those bought in FunShops pick up 6am on debarkation. Day, those bought in port in a designated spot I think a lounge. 
- disembarkation- they started using the Carnival Hub to request tags/time want to get off. We did. Or use as did express self carry off being shorter cruise. We are priority and made way down to Sunrise dining meetup spot at 6:40, and was told ship just cleared and strolled right off and pulling out of parking lot at 7:00am. Long Beach parking is $23

per day currently, first 30 min free. 
 

Edited March 4 by Buffettfan 225
Typo

[Buffettfan 225]

Going back in time now Day one 

We have arrived into lido before the masses. Note this seemed a cool temp cruise- 60ish, was especially cool first day as many doors were open to outside (like deck 3 entry point) and the glass doors to lido area were open and needed a light jacket overall in ship. 

Photo lido 

 

 

[Buffettfan 225]

Many do not know on hub menu app to slide screen left and gluten free and vegetarian adjusted menu options are posted. 

[Buffettfan 225]

Carnival Radiance Day 1 embarkation night Long Beach

Menu comments of items we selected:

I ordered tropical fruit plate and pineapple sorbet as an app- 5/10 as only pineapple and grapes were soft and good. Honeydew and cantalope very hard, watermelon lacked flavor.
the Roasted tomato soup- not sure what happened to a recipe- but we both tasted and equals pouring Ragu spaghetti in cup 1/10

DH (husband)- double Caesar salad - excellent as usual but only night they offer cracked pepper is elegant night.So must use table condiments.DH said always consistent and well dressed.  9/10 

Shrimp cocktail - 4 in a bowl 8/10. Visually good, always could be more of them or larger.

Edited March 4 by Buffettfan 225

[Buffettfan 225]

Day 1 entrees:

12 hour braised brisket 9/10 almost perfect. I do not tolerate beef well,  it tried a bite and melty shreds, Best beef of the week. 

 

[Buffettfan 225]

Sorry multiple posts for menu photos- I have a new iPhone and higher file size- have edited photo by cropping, but cannot figure how to shrink file size to post on Cruise Critic. 
This entree Cobb salad, note tomatoes and cucumbers -when menu says avocado and tomatoes. Perhaps the  Cobb salads are premade and could not “undo” the blue cheese. So this is the modified version. 6/10 for added egg,bacon. 

[Buffettfan 225]

After watching wunderground weather ten days out forecasts, it was hopeful we would make it to Catalina. It was a yes, a few changes I noticed since we sailed in October. 1.)hours in port much longer, 2.)they used the forward gangway, and a middle for handicapped. 3.)when leaving in forward, noted there were roped queues by the security area. It was empty on way out early in am, when returned as entered ship, from shuttle we immediately entered this queue to wait for X-ray machine. The lines helped getting people off water shuttle faster. It did not speed up getting through security though. Note: if you want to take Radiance stairs up go left and up crew stairs (double check by asking stairs?)and walk to mid ship to get a different elevator bank.  To the right as you entered ship after metal detector are elevators.

 
Carnival Radiance Day 2 Catalina

We were pleased to awaken to no fog, no marine layer or totally grey day. the sun was peaking out. If you are ever in hurry to get off a water shuttle- upper deck gets off last. 
It is quite popular to rent golf carts to tour around island (but given a map by company showing restrictions). The closest is maybe 100 yards to right across road the road and is currently $60/hr. Two hour is required in cash but will be pro-rated for in 15 min, increments. There is another company down to the right in inner curve- do not have any info on this company. 
When we did it, we enjoyed the scenery,overlooks and found their golf course clubhouse annd its history. It is nice to get a quick beverage, restroom stop and for Baseball fans the Cubs, this is home to their original spring training location. lodging nearby, a locker room, lockers and their bar. Some old photos and memorabilia. Many do not know Wrigley created this as a location without distractions. 
 

 

[Buffettfan 225]

Photo of golf cart rental across from ferry. Overlook of Radiance. 

Shopping- Main Street, on left side of curve at end is the Catalina Island Conservacy- not only a shop/ museum supporting the island’s rich history. Take a look at photo about the animals and their adaptation: 

[Buffettfan 225]

Sunrise Main Dining room and a peak of escalators the servers use. Table location first night was odd, but actually great for my people watching and servers in action.