Buffettfan 225

This is the second cruise that Effy is offering what my grandson calls my lifesaver necklace. Our last cruise it became a quest collecting all of the colors. This time, if we were nearby and saw the raffle bag picked one up. Fun for some maybe, hey and free except your time. Ropes course was open few moments of sun we did have (haven’t tried it due to neck fusion). Wind does limit its open hours, so if want to do it, and its open take advantage. Enjoying the view in Catalina early as clouded up quickly. Take time to look at the fountain and tiles, they were made on island. Finally a photo that looks purchase worthy- gave up on posed background photos as look so stiff. This was Catalina as we got off ferry. Goodbye towel buddies Came down to priority disembarkation and they cleared at 6:45am- first off and on freeway at 7am. Photo is where luggage will be grouped likely starting term 8-8:30

Leap year day- maybe the computer did not compute but my Hub came up with this: it was middle of the afternoon- Glad sunrise and sunset was a bit off 🤪

Ok- this a photo to illustrate the “ new” brown sugar. We’d like to know what it is called, or purchase as it does not turn hard,clump and melty nicely. We thought maybe dehydrated? I was skeptical at first wondering what it was..like yeast extract, bee pollen etc.

Food Photos- the lido cakes are now more sheet cake self serve, which makes it a bit faster. Some were still sliced by a server, and those in my opinion were higher taste quality. Last night Choc melting cake and Baked Alaska

Day Four Carnival Radiance Sea Day

Club O2 Carnival 15-17

Circle C Carnival schedules 12-14

Camp Ocean Carnival schedules Sharks 9-11

Camp Ocean Carnival schedule Stingrays 6-11

Camp Ocean Carnival schedules - please note, when I picked up schedules, I over heard counselor saying registration is first day only, and only times parents allowed inside. I would make sure as a parent register asap, not sure if there is a capacity for age groups. Penguins age 2-5

Day Four Fun Times Carnival Radiance , Sea Day

Day Three, Fun Times Carnival Radiance , Ensenada

Day Two Fun Times Carnival Radiance , Catalina Island

Fun times Carnival Radiance M-Fri am cruise Day One Embarkation in Long Beach

I will scan all fun times later, but here is Circle C 12-14

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. Carnival Radiance Day 3 Ensenada Salads are always a good go to, the vine ripened was a 6/10 as tomatoes were not in season. good blend of lettuce types though. Prior cruise I tried ceviche and it made for good pairing with an order of sorbet along with appetizer.

Carnival Radiance Day 2 menu Avalon (Catalina Island) Elegant Night fruit plate normally 9/10 seasonally- this cruise though fruit 3/10 as hard, didn’t ven get full slices of melon, and only three grapes! strawbery chia - basically melted strawberry shake soup at room temp. Really wanted to love it up to its hype- well not this cruise 4/10 Cordon Bleu required DH steak knife o. It it, dry also not melty. 5/10 for taste of what could cut up Grilled shrimp excellent 8/10, fish cake 4/0, peas 1/10 Lastly Crem Beulee done right 10/10 for sugar thickness,and not melted before getting to table Traveling as a retired duo, we are on this cruise for pure relaxing and do t overly dress up- besides trying to fit all in carryon. So it was khaki pants, light dress shirt, and a cotton blazer, ,Errol slip one as cannot do heels. Spouse also casual pant, polo and long sleeve casual shirt,black tennis shoes. We did not feel out of place, only a few dressed up and did see range of jeans,flannel, to elegant wedding attire. We did seem this other than dessert weakest menu of week and if ever required to dress more formal would just do another venue. In fact we did later I go to lido and DH had hand carved prime rib and said prepared much better than MDR.

I do have them! I will photo or scan and try and get posted tomorrow. I also have Camp Carnival as not sure of their age. From past cruises off top of my head- art scavenger hunt, Avalon there is “amazing race” activity paid excursion, the sports area has a ropes course (weather/wind) dependent. Sea day is Groove for St.Jude $12 they get a T-shirt and charity donation to St, Jude, a charity Bear to buy, towel folding demonstration,& build a bear. Depending on how many girls are going, maybe can contact cruise director and create a group “Fun Ship” or craft activity. Are they working on any badges? IMO- unless parents escorting (not chaperones) Ensenada had warnings about handling animals - in particular tiger cubs, and unless ones head is on a constant swivel- not for kids. Even when we went with my son who was vacationing there 6 years ago, we to La Bufadora outing and lots of very insistent stall vendors, and La Bufadora was a bit underwhelming for time to actually get there. There is a secure area around port just to get off and take a photo with Ensenada sign.

Carnival Radiance Day 2 menu Avalon (Catalina Island)

Misc. Avalon photos- a few from prior cruise I never posted Memorial for veterans along walkway after get off ferry. Power station on first curve of golf cart rental biew from upper road on golf cart Nine hole golf course Vons in case you forgot or craving an item from food market. Normal island parking

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.