Buffettfan 225

4 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I swore I've read or watched Heald say that if you hand cash over to a crew member, that cash stays with that crew member. But I can't find it. And Carnival doesn't say anything official. So it's all hearsay in the absence of something like that.

I asked steward and he says all cash or “envelopes”goes into shared pot. Bummer. He also said no longer has an assistant and 35 cabins. Especially hard he said coming up spring break even tougher as most cabins extra bunks full, more to do. 

On 2/13/2023 at 9:21 AM, kidstwo2 said:

I look forward to your update.  Enjoy your cruise!

just off & posted balcony divider answer  update 

Just off Carnival- Radiance and three times got same snswer regarding opening balconies to connect.

Twice got same answer guest services, then asked room steward so her is what Answer was:

We can only open balcony dividers when docked in Ensenada only due to safety. 

So basically one day. 

side note- Just off this am ship cleared at 7:15am. As platinum pulled out of parking lot 7:22am. 

On 2/27/2023 at 11:58 AM, csm5986142 said:

 

There were 4 dogs working (2 outside the terminal and 2 inside) when we were there just over a week ago.

Have a great cruise - I hope the weather improves for you!

thank- sunny in Catalina, 55 with some wind. Nice by loungers back pool. 

11 minutes ago, lazydayz said:

Thanks for the report and enjoy your cruise.  Carnival said they were stepping up security, which I view as a positive.  

yes, hope all cruisers behavior improves along with it 

Since last October 2022 sailing the terminal area has increased security with narcotic dogs now. After getting thru metal detectors & baggage screen step one. Clear. Now is a rope line to get to seating area. Three dogs with two wearing narcotic vests. They were very busy and serious. Even heard words random search.   FYI it is cold in here as doors open and it is 52 outside and damp. 

Parking- plenty of spots today at 10:05am. We came in parking entrance on left vs going thru bag drop off, first row is semi reserved, further down are not. We could not find a spot here and rode level up, (which we want as need elevator after getting off ship) we drove up and back down seeing spots on below. Success- backed in (important for east exit as long as no bags in trunk or hatch and parked at 10:05 in bench building seat 10:17. 

On 10/7/2022 at 6:30 PM, katstoy said:

Great idea!  Now I need to think of something to attach.  A pinwheel maybe so I can be entertained as I move along perhaps.  Something that won't be taken, however.

Maybe make a few laminated or paper signs with last name or cutesy way saying this is mine- put holes in corners ahead of time, and bring a pile of zip ties to attach signs somehow. I have seen that done at Disney for strollers on handles,baskets etc. 

Thank you- must be new for them, last year they refused. We sail in a few weeks can verify and hope get “right answer” lol. 

Thanks for taking time to post. Smooth Sailing All. 

On 1/29/2023 at 10:58 AM, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi @Buffettfan 225 & @kidstwo2🙂

 

On Radiance (many) balcony dividers do indeed still open; and yes (some) do not. 

 

Click on the 'Goccl' link at the bottom. Take a peek through each balcony deck. This was updated (after) the conversion.

 

Some examples below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival Radiance Staterooms/Ship Features@:

https://help.goccl.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5533/~/carnival-radiance-(rd)-staterooms-and-ship-features

 

 

 

 

 

🍹

On 1/20/2023 at 6:38 PM, Normajean999 said:

Catalina Island. No worries we can eat up before. I’m don’t normally eat until later in the day. But all good. I’ll be sure to bring a few snack bars then. I was going to tell the teens they can get ice cream or a goodie but don’t plan on real food until Ensenada. We need tacos and churros for sure!

Just an fyi - there is a cute corner walk up window “Island Donuts” in Catalina besides being a bakery it also has the “Pineapple Dole whip” just something you don't see too often outside of Disney. Plenty of places to eat we saw as buzzed around on golf cart, there is also a Vons supermarket for snacks- we bought bag of tortilla chips while there to go with salsa from Blue Iguana. Just put salsa aside in canin before they close. 

I can confirm that Carnival Radiance balcony dividers do not open, We have sailed it three times in past year . Waaaay back before the dry dock conversion and name change (the Destiny and Victory) , the ship had a limited  number of boots that could lock dividers to railing vs hooking design method used mostly now. Only time see it open is during balcony washing. 

p.s. those that due plan on how balcony does open on other ships- they open bow to aft usually for wind. Both cabin passengers must be present and agree to have it opened. In past it was a guest services request. 

3 hours ago, Sailin_Pirate said:

 

Google a picture. Its thick french toast that may or may not be fully done with a  peach on top.

 

Carnival menus aren't rocket science although my wife ordered the parfait 3 times and all 3 times it was made differently than the others.

Here is photo of 12hr french toast from 2022 Radiance

- don’t order it for the peaches- mine was microscopic. French toast in my opinion was much better than skillet cake.

We also found the orange juice on sea buffet to be much better in quality vs lido. 

On 1/14/2023 at 9:20 PM, lasvegascruising said:

What is the daily cost to part in the parking garage at the Long Beach Port parking garage?  I am trying to decide if I should park at the garage right at the Long Beach port OR try to find a hotel that offers cruise & park packages.  Any suggestions?

 Coincidentally I see your screen name we live in Henderson,NV.

We have parked at Long Beach terminal 4 times in last year. We have always parked in the structure. I highly recommend getting early as you will be taking empty spots from cruisers getting off ship. Also if possible back into hour spot, as ramp aisles are going both directions and hard to back into traffic. Also park as low as possible, I have seen parking lot elevator line 30-50 people long. We have always been able to get a spot on ground level or 1-1/2 level. 
It is easy to take bags off here vs waiting for a shuttle or taking an uber/taxi to go get your vehicle which likely adds to the cost.

When arriving at parking structure - the far right lane can direct you to bag drop off for porters, and as option leave someone in your party with any carryons while you go park. We did that with senior parents to save them the extra walk. 

If you can handle just carryons for cruise, turn left immediately and entrance is just around corner on left front side. 

Last cruise w did self disembark as only had carryons and were in car at 7:20am on the road. The ship asks clear cabin by 8:15 and usually ship is all clear by 9:30am anyhow. 

If have any questions about wheelchair assist I can answer that too. 

5 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Pretty sure Matt Mitchem did that without the y’all.

You may be correct. I may have had them mixed up. I stand corrected. So my positive comments go to Matt, Ryan was annoying Hey, I said Hey’Y’all. 

We have sailed Carnival Radiance three times in past year and only one out of three rimes did “refrigerator” actually cool. So we bring a small cooler that has a hard insert and put ice in it with cans and then inside refrig. It keeps ice from melting all over or sweating on counter. 

- Bring covered tumblers for drinks. Especially if a coffee drinker. Ships mugs and cups ro hard ro handle when balancing food. 

- Also it helps to cover drains in bathroom to prevent any inadvertent sewer gas- shower flower and by toilet. We use kleenex box or small towel. 
- Bring an old key card from hotel etc. to put in slot by entry to keep cabin lights on, otherwise it requires cabin sign n’sail card.. 

- chicken place is really good, bbq place not so great. 

- deli also makes omelets during breakfast hours besides the lido lines for omelets. (chicken place also makes cheese only omelets I read)

-we brought small bags of tortilla chips and kept some of Iguana Bar salsa aside in cabin for late night salty snack.

- Catalina Island has a small Vons supermarket if forgot anything- including alcohol - ahem. 😉

Questions on Carnival Radiance just ask. 

We have only sailed Radiance since cruising resumed, and had pleasure of Ryan Rose as CD. Heck if anyone can make me truly smile as I last day at 7:15 am to disembark, that takes talent. He was dressed to me resembling classic sketch of Carol Burnett as the janitor. He was in Full length mumu robe, stockings and seeing  an African American man sporting pink foam curlers!  I will miss him over the recent Hey, I said Hey - Y’All every PA announcement on last cruise.  

On 10/21/2022 at 3:49 PM, Crusin Karen said:

This is kind of funny because I LOVE CCL's calamari.  They serve it on night 1 and that's when I go to the Steakhouse (not for the steak, but for the free wine lol) at 6pm.  Since YTD opens at 5:30 I was thinking of ordering calamari alone then going to steakhouse but was afraid it would ruin my appetite. 🤨

I thought they posted steakhouse no longer offering free wine first night due to cutbacks.  🤷‍♀️ 

Our last cruise we had loss of all PA an , and all tv signals for over 24 hours on our last full day and were at sea. Thankfully we usually carry an hdmi cord and apple adapter. So without cable etc. we at least could stream our own movies. Honestly I would trade no tv/cable for cruise as it got so “noisy” when they did finally fix it, PA announcements galore. So annoying. Never needed our universal remote. Perhaps since nothing was working. 

Thank you, this actually makes a bit of sense, since Miracle cruises to Hawaii are much longer and impact many short sailings out of Long Beach port for Carnival. 

We were impacted for Aug cruise and only spots that would be available were passengers disembarking Radiance. 

On 10/10/2022 at 10:17 AM, pcvtmom said:

Looking forward to your review!  We'll be on the Miracle to Hawaii in early January. 

On 10/10/2022 at 6:45 PM, Drose716 said:

Looking forward to this as I’ll be on Radiance In March.

 

May I ask which hotel you stayed at?

 

Courtyard Torrance/los Angeles 2633 Supulveda blvd, torrance. We like it as close to many fast food restaurants (many rave about King Hawaiian  restaurant American/Hawaiian fusion at 2888 across street walkable). Hotel has free parking, refrigerator in room, microwave by ice machines, and really like balcony rooms overlook pool, or patio facing pool room if have kids. Not newest but clean, low level of sound, nice water pressure in shower. 
The Waze app said 22 min but was there in 15min. 
As a bonus if there on 4th Sun there is a 6-3pm antique/ swap meet just a few min away that is free. 

Also if you do VeriFLY app, they scan it, your boarding pass, and passport- they use passport for sign n sail photo we were told. I started a live thread today if need any questions answered, I will try as get a cell signal during cruise, use this link to the posting. 
 

Boarded Radiance successful. We stayed in Torrance last night, easy 15 min drive. After getting parking lot ticket go left if no passenger drop off entrance just around corner on right. We were lucky passed 20-26 reserved spots then an empty. We highly recommend backing into spot so can get out into those leaving ramp after cruise easier. 
we were very nervous about parking capacity as Miracle & Panorama already sailing prior from here. But figured this group on board some had to park and leaving spots empty. We arrived at 9:05am. Relief getting parked. 
They started boarding 9:30 by far right line for 10am. INCLUDING suite guests had that line until hot inside. After 10am line emptied & they worked those with later sept times in from left line. 
we had done VeriFLY so just showed the app page, but did scan passports. Learned from z carnival agent that is how get our sign n sail photo id.  Heard sailing 100% plus full. Fall break for schools. 

We are boarding in Long beach tomorrow. I will try and post boarding process. 
  Carnival Radiance or Long Beach,CA boarding questions and general questions. 

On 10/2/2022 at 6:16 AM, sanmarcosman said:

Not when you take the escalator.

In mid Aug Long Beach escalator would only allow those to go up if had Nothing to push, carry or pull for safety reasons. 

The elevators were realy being used at slow pace for wheelchair and their companion as small and only two wheelchairs can fit and 5 others can squeeze in elevator (his is including two wheelchair assistants). 

As fligster stated above, same sith mine. My Verifly was stuck in need to upload covid test requirement (which we do not need for our cruise) and all of a sudden says ready to sail. ,

It also now states FullY vaccinated  OR upload covid test. 

I have never used Verifly- now that it says ready to sail how do I use it at cruise terminal - do they scan it, look at it? It has no QR code attached being in US.