Buffettfan 225

On 5/7/2024 at 2:29 PM, Indiansbaseball said:

No, that wasn’t our experience. Just off Magic and I had to turn it way up. I’m never cold ! 

Thanks. I guess will ask for plush blue blankets in cabin.

 Can I ask what time embarkation started? or earliest boarding pass reservation time was. 

9 hours ago, wolft927 said:

we are flying in , so no need for parking. The rate for the 1 bedroom suite with screened in balcony was $258 all in 

how did you get from airport and to cruise terminal? Is there a hotel shuttle from either? thanks. 

On 4/21/2024 at 3:36 PM, mamiamjo said:

That seems a bit tight, but glad it all worked out so well. 🙂

We have a 12:08 flight out of Miami next month so I'm hoping all goes just as smoothly for us!🤞

Please let us know, we are sailing end Feb on Magic, and haven’t booked airline yet. 

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

On 3/3/2024 at 9:49 PM, DukeASUGirl said:

Thanks, this is helpful!

 

We literally JUST tonight decided to switch our Cabo cruise to this one instead for our Girl Scout trip. So I'm enjoying following along since we'll be on Radiance for the Catalina 4-day itinerary in June.

 

Would you mind posting the Fun Times if you have them?

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. 

54 minutes ago, DukeASUGirl said:

Thanks, this is helpful!

 

We literally JUST tonight decided to switch our Cabo cruise to this one instead for our Girl Scout trip. So I'm enjoying following along since we'll be on Radiance for the Catalina 4-day itinerary in June.

 

Would you mind posting the Fun Times if you have them?

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: