Carnival Long Beach Radiance sailing any questions? sailing with disabled Seniors - Aug 22-25,2022

[Buffettfan 225]

Sailing this route for third time, and waiting for sail away. Just wanted ro comment on arrival to Carnival pier by the Queen Mary and traveling with mobility challenged parents (they now use canes, but more of the weebles wobble) so getting on board at this pier wheelchairs were needed. It is extra work, but appreciating them while still around and able to share a family cruise vacation. 

Process- stayed in Torrance at a Courtyard on Supelveda. No breakfast there, but nice they offer rooms that have balconies to enjoy. Plus free parking and Starbucks in lobby. 

Rime to pier 18min today, last cruise was 32 min. I used my waze traffic app which routed through downtown and much simpler to find Queensway into port. 

Having Seniors and us desiring to not tow their luggage did curbside bag drop off. The porters said “oh if need a wheel hair go to the mobility center right there pointing to just behind them. NOTE this is only for those desiring rentals. Instead one needs to walk to actual terminal building entrance, let a, employee know and they radio for wheelchair assistance. This is now outsourced. We waited maybe five min at 10:35. When we arrived they were letting anyone go to terminal- no boarding time slots needed. 

The wheelchair pushers expedited checkin- pushed them through whole process and sat them at end on a bench stating stay here, when your group is called we will come get you. Sure enough they did, zipped around line and took us to elevator. Elevator only holds two wheelchairs, pushers and we squeezed in. There is an escalator option but absolutely NO  bags allowed fyi. Otherwise if doing carryons and no disability requires 3 ramps up. They dropped my parents right inside ship entry. From there we looped around central bar now walking, and immediately used boarding passes to get muster drill out of the way. A few months ago, they asked if knew how to don a lifevest, and scanned & we left. This cruise they required listening to demo for three minutes. 

I will post other comments as have a signal. 
Any questions? 

 

Edited August 23, 2022 by Buffettfan 225

[JGB]

good morning!

3 things...one and most important, we sail this friday and my wife has an old leg injury that really makes the 3 ramp problematic, how do we take advantage of the elevators?

2...do you know what time they started boarding?

3...did you leave on time i.e. 5 pm

thank you

jgb

[Buffettfan 225]

If she can get to terminal, ask for wheelchair assistance and follow what we did above. You go along as family, it helps expedite boarding . They do have escalator to top, but no carryon bags- very strict on this. You could do the ramp yourself if doing carryons, and she could take escalator and meet you at top. There were lines at top, but handicap- wheelchairs used special line and even offer if want to stop for photos. We were A01 boarding group platinum and they called suites at approx.11, five minutes later groups A01 then by 11:15am groups A01-3. 

We left right on time at 5pm. We were port side balcony facing out (non pier side) and had good time watching as they were hot doggie doing circles, and after sailing start off near bow all the schools of fish must get disrupted as all the birds were having a feeding frenzy diving. We brought a small pair of binoculars to watch, and also watch the pier seals in Ensenada. 

 

# 1 thing to bring - lidded type commuter cups- I cannot tell you how many people were balance china cups of coffee going back to cabins. Same for cold beverages with the short plastic cups. 

#2 the sign n sail cards do have a hole punches in the, a lanyard does come in handy. Myself I asked for free stretchy cord at casino cage, and attach to my small crossover bag and pit card inside. 

More later- going into Catalina for planned golf cart self tour. We had planned 8am exit but was all fog until 9am. 
More on water shuttle service and how later. 

I also have menu screen shots of MDR so can post later. 

 

[JGB]

thanks for the info and tip #1 is really helpful I am one of those that did the balancing act.

JGB

[Buffettfan 225]

Catalina: Last cruise the two of us got off first call at approx 8:10am  Feb 28, 2022. We picked a water shuttle seat on back right (as face fwd) and almost first off shuttle. Letting us be fourth in line for golf cart rental that is across street and easy 2min walk to first come first serve golf cart rentals. It is $60hr plus security deposit. They do offer military discount fyi if have proof. They allow 2hrs rental time and pro rate on 15min increments. 
Yoday we planned the same but I noted at 6:30am complete fog. So plan B leave at 10am. Really the fog had almost burned off by 9 so could have gotten off first thing.
This cruise platinum/Diamond/handicap met in lobby near piano from 8-11. We checked in with Carnival employee and after ten min wait escorted to elevator bank they had locked out except for their use. From there boarded shuttle. We usually do things against crowd times, so disembarking late threw us off. The line for golf cart rental took 35 min. Plus some wait for the early carts to come back. Gave full your skipping the fork on road to Wrigley gardens. We stopped at Catalina golf course pro shop (park cart across on left side). Wanted to show parents old Wrigley Cubs locker room. They do have bathrooms there btw- but they are two sets of three steps, but a nice halfway point. We also bought canned soda from pro shop $3/beverage. 
The island does have a Vons food store- bought tortilla chips to eat with all the salsa options from Blue Iguana (ship has no chips!) plus ahem an “adult clear liquid pint” that happen to go in my water bottle. I had brought 3 water bottles off in a cooler and wish had brought 2 empty bottles😉 Having a Vons card also saved money off our purchases. 

With the crowd getting off shuttle our water bottles in shoulder soft cooler in my tote sailed thru security.  
 

[JGB]

tomorrow is Ensenada I am curious to know , if you get off the ship, has there been any visible step up in security? Or is there any feeling of insecurity?

JGB 

[ninjacat123]

Love Catalina!  Great review and looking forward to more!

[sanmarcosman]

Good morning and welcome to Ensenada. I board on the 29th and would like to get to my muster station first thing. If you should see the location of Muster Station G, please share. Thank you and have fun today! 

[Buffettfan 225]

15 hours ago, JGB said:

tomorrow is Ensenada I am curious to know , if you get off the ship, has there been any visible step up in security? Or is there any feeling of insecurity?

JGB 

We just pulled into Ensenada, will let you know the feel and what we observe as sailed same itinerary early March 2022 on Radiance. 
We will likely get off as know the area well, going to local pharmacy we have used and trusted over the years  (I have a major painful sinus infection) and maybe purchase another bottle of vanilla. 

[Buffettfan 225]

On 8/23/2022 at 4:48 PM, JGB said:

tomorrow is Ensenada I am curious to know , if you get off the ship, has there been any visible step up in security? Or is there any feeling of insecurity?

JGB 

We saw no issues when walked to town for antibiotics. The shuttle buses to town were at terminal. All shops open & Carnival tours running. Felt secure, they fixed some sidewalk potholes we noticed since March 2022. It is about 1.4miles walk- nice along boardwalk. Even just getting off ship for a sign photo and look at plants is a nice outside break. I did find a nice zip tote bag for gifts a lady selling on bridge- Said $20, told her would think about- she went to $18, then bought two for $30. 

[Buffettfan 225]

Just wanted to add link to the Carnival Radiance 4 day menus from this cruise:

 

On 8/24/2022 at 4:31 AM, sanmarcosman said:

Good morning and welcome to Ensenada. I board on the 29th and would like to get to my muster station first thing. If you should see the location of Muster Station G, please share. Thank you and have fun today! 

I could not get clear answer, but as soon as cross ship threshold ask- Team members in red shirts those to help. They all know where stations are. 

[sanmarcosman]

1 minute ago, Buffettfan 225 said:

Just wanted to add link to the Carnival Radiance 4 day menus from this cruise:

 

I could not get clear answer, but as soon as cross ship threshold ask- Team members in red shirts those to help. They all know where stations are. 

That's good advice, much obliged. 🙂 

[Buffettfan 225]

A few photos from walk into Ensenada Main Street. After exiting terminal, go straight until teach the pedestrian bridge on your left along waterfront. Walk this u til reach central area by flagpole. Turn right and your back is now to water- you should see some small wood kiosks that are now closed. Keep going, pass the horse carriage rides, turn left walking on a bow busy Main Street traffic. This is the first photo. You can see a McDonald’s from here, second photo is standing across street from McDonald’s at pharmacy we use. We also this trip used Jose pharmacy on same side as McDonald’s up a bit towards all the shops/vendors. They had the z-pack we wanted in tablets not capsules. Both locations speak good English. 
 

 

 

view of ship from boardwalk (sidewalk) by waterfront. 

 

[Buffettfan 225]

Notes on cruise disembarking with disabled senior parents using canes Long Beach Aug 25, 2022.

Ship started disembarking at 7:30 clearance.  Priority and Disabled needing wheelchair assistance was Lobby Level 3 Sunrise restaurant. Meeting time 7:45.

We came down elevator at 7:35, walked in and saw folded wheelchairs stacked up. A passenger waiting said was told wouldn’t start wheelchairs until 8:30. 

The seniors decided could walk, taking it slow. Exited ship with just sign n sail card (Govt. ID later). Walked across gangway we came in on- at least only a very minor angle downward and short walk. Now back in terminal building that started cruise. To our left was elevator down.  Luggage zones had not officially opened yet. We were directed across area and to a bench to wait. Guessing it was maybe ten min wait. Zones 1-5 luggage called as open. We all got up to prepare for exiting. After getting bags were told go back to other side (way across) and loop around in the now formed line. Knowing we had them and too many for us and manage them used a porter. He said we looked like we were in distress lol. He took all bags, headed out “porters” exit and we then zoomed passes security in a min. He took 

all bags, headed out “porters” exit and we then zoomed passes security in a min. He took us right to the drop off curb area, getting parents on bench. Said he recommended husband get vehicle, exit (paying)in  left lane as it can come back around, bs right lane for paying does not. I tipped him and husband was back in five min. He said he was glad he had backed into spot as easier to merge into traffic betting out of parking. Parking is $23/day. We exited and in freeway by 8:14. The waze app directed us through downtown and was a smooth trip home. 

Smooth until I got home- I thought I had a sinus infection & headache hence going into Ensenada for an antibiotic. The last two days of cruise I was dragging and had a fever at night (yes I pack a thermometer 🤒- once a girl scout always prepared.) Spent most of time watching tv, husband brought food, ice cream to me. I can say the Funship that keeps giving. This was first time I let my guard down and did not wear m95 masks in public. After 2years of avoiding covid, and being exposed to husband having covid and sailing “with masks in Feb/March)

I tested positive for covid after we  drove home today. 

From Hill Street Blues - Let’s all be safe out there. 

 

 

[pinto18]

hope you feel better quickly. I got covid after our may cruise but hubby didnt' even though we didnt attempt to isolate from each other. We leave Monday on the Radiance..somehow I think it will be his turn!

[ninjacat123]

Hope you recover quickly!  Thanks for your review and pics!!

[westcruzer]

Do you remember how much the pictures cost? It's been 3 years since we've been on Carnival and I'm assuming prices have changes a bit.

[Buffettfan 225]

I can check on Oct 10th same cruise, I booked this since June cancelled day before as covid test was positive and I tested positive from Aug cruise even though fully boosted.  

Hoping for a for a healthy cruise.