A brief, hopefully, trip report, Radiance 11/28-12/2

[mkcurran]

This was a redo of a trip that got cancelled two years ago when the Radiance didn't make it's way to Long Beach in time. 

I was offered up a deal I couldn't pass on and later took the upgrade to a balcony cabin, which would be a first for us. Last minute we had friend that decided they wanted to cruise with us as well. 

Given the friends late arrival to the party we ended up with anytime dinning. This was a first for us as well.

 

 

[mkcurran]

I think I'll do this by categories.

Pre-cruise:

Pre-cruise we usually stay some where in LA. This time we ended up staying at a Best Western in Westminster. This makes for an easy drive to the port in the morning. 

We have stayed closer and done a park and cruise, but this time it worked out cheaper to stay a bit further out and pay for parking at the port.

 

Embarkation:

Long Beach is an easy port. Late, early, on-time, you are still through the line and into the seating area in 30 minutes or less. But once inside, unless you are priority, there is a distinct lack of drinks, snacks, or any sort of refreshments. On the good side our friends managed to get a couple of water bottles through security and they didn't even as what was in our coffee cups.

[mkcurran]

The Ship:

So much teal, every where. There were a few seahorses around to give a hint at what this ship used to be. But for the most part it's a very toned down and bland version of it's former self. I liked the lay out of the lido buffet. Easier to navigate when you can hop between stations.

 

Our room:

Prior to this we've always gone for an inside cabin near a secret deck. We like being higher in the ship and near the front. We ended up in 7220 on the Empress deck. Lower than we had done previously. I liked it, two floors up to Lido, two floors down for the casino. 

Given this was our first time in a balcony I didn't know if we'd use it much or if we'd run into problems that would keep us off our balcony. The answer to both was yes.

We ended up spending quite  bit of time out there. On the first day and a half there was someone two balconies down that was smoking cigars and vaping with the nastiest sweet smelling crap. They were smoking like a chimney the afternoon we were in Catalina. We had figured at that point we'd likely not be using the balcony in the afternoon.

Well that changed the afternoon when we got back from Ensenada. We were fairly worn out and looking forward to a nap when we got back to the ship. Only to find security hanging out in the door of the smoker's cabin. I did say out loud, oh look security's at the smokers cabin (7228). Security gave me a look. But quickly turned his attention back to the cabin. Sounded like something was brewing in there.

Anyway we get back to our cabin, and knowing there was more to the story, immediately went out to our balcony. To, um, enjoy the view. Turns out the lady in 7228 had someone's luggage out over the balcony and was threatening to drop it into the water. Well okay, so we are getting a show this afternoon. Much arguing was had about how someone was an entitled little something and how the lady wasn't going to pay for anything for her anymore. After a while they got everybody back inside. And I'm guessing here, they locked the balcony door. No more smoke, no more arguing out there. Our balcony became a pleasant place to stay.

On the last morning the lady was talking on her phone a little ways away from us on the lido deck. So I got the satisfaction of getting the rest of the story. The person who's luggage almost took a swim was her step-daughter. Apparently her soon to be ex and the girl had been mooching off the lady for a while. After the argument she cut off their ability to charge things to her card on the ship. They were not happy. She was getting off the ship and going to her friends house. From there she was going to give the ex and his kid a week to get out of the house.   

 

So will I book a balcony again? Yes, I loved the room and I loved going outside. The entertainment value is not going to factor in. 😆

[PattiPB]

Thrilled to see a Radiance review! Love this ship!!

[mkcurran]

The food:

Main dining room:

For the first time ever we had your time dining. The first night it was great. The waiter said we could request their team again, but I didn't see a way to do this in the app. The second night went well as well. Really great team that even talked me into buying a drink. The third night we got seated in a section where an angry looking Russian dude was watching the crew closely. This crew was not happy and seemed to be bothered when my friend asked for extra bread and butter. I would likely try to avoid anytime dining in the future. I like knowing my staff and where I'm sitting every night. I did figure out that you can check into the app ten minutes before the dining room opens and you end up with almost no wait for a table.

 

Cucina:

This was our first time in a specialty restaurant.  We were completely underwhelmed. If my friend hadn't had this dinner given to him by the casino, we would have been extremely disappointed in having to pay for it. I had the captains special and it really could have used more seasoning. The pork chop the hubby had was the winner of the night.  

 

Guys Burgers/Blue Iguana:

My previous sailings were on the Splendor. I did not know how much I needed these two places in life. Once I had the huevos for breakfast, there was nothing else on the ship that compared. The burgers are as awesome as previously stated by literally everyone. 

 

Big Chicken:

I didn't think this lived up to the hype. It's solid. But nothing terribly special. 

[mkcurran]

Activities:

 

I don't know if the hub app was missing things, but there seemed to be a lot less activities on this ship. I tried for trivia once, but it was in the atrium and completely packed by campers. I went for the bingo pre-sales, packed again and they cut the line off before I could get cards. when I went for bingo I realized there are no tables in the lounge. Well I'm not coordinated enough to play in my lap, so I moved on.

 

The dive-in movies seemed to be at weird times. No 8 o'clock movies at all. Once, during the day we caught one in the middle. I went to check out a blanket, but that isn't a thing anymore. 

Even went shopping in the jewelry store once. Sales person just didn't seem into it, so we left.

 

We ended up spending most of our free time in the casino.  Which worked out really well. I left $150 up. The hubs was mostly even until the last afternoon. Then he hit a $900 jackpot on a $0.38 bet. We called it good and cashed out happy. Friend ended up ahead by about $2,500. This after he was telling us how the casinos on ships usually don't pay. 🤣

[mkcurran]

Overall thoughts:

 

I have read and have been told it's a different crowd on the shorter trips. I agree. It seemed much more drinking and party driven. We did meet many wonderful people. But we also met a few duds. There was a lady when I asked her how long she'd been in the bingo line, just kinda grunted in my direction and seemed annoyed. There were some we met that made the trip a bit more memorable, in a good way. If you are the uber driver from Vegas, know that we are keeping an eye out for you every time we go.

 

We've decided we like 7 days on a ship much better than 4. It seemed like no one ever slowed down and relaxed. 

[mkcurran]

Ports:

 

This is almost an afterthought, because the ports really didn't excite us. 

 

Catalina: 

We rented a golf cart and drove around. It was some what interesting, but felt much like any coastal town California.

 

Ensenada:

We used tours by locals for our excursion and it was great. We got to move at our pace and didn't have to wait for 20 people to get their stuff together to get on a bus. Worked out cheaper per person for four of us as well. 

I tried my best to coordinate something with another tour company, but found them not responsive at all. I'm actually happy that didn't work out.

[sanmarcosman]

3 hours ago, mkcurran said:

Turns out the lady in 7228

You're describing a woman because she's certainly no lady.

I'm glad you're doing this review. We've sail Radiance once in 

August and have two more in February so your thoughts are

appreciated. 

[mkcurran]

Comedians:

There were two. The one named Blake was good. Glad we caught his show. The other one was RJ Steckel. Bad racist jokes. Almost walked out in the middle of the show.

[crazycatlady82]

Thank you for the review! Heading to the Radiance next week-apparently it’s sold out! Did you notice a lot of crowds other than bingo and trivia? 

[mkcurran]

2 hours ago, crazycatlady82 said:

Thank you for the review! Heading to the Radiance next week-apparently it’s sold out! Did you notice a lot of crowds other than bingo and trivia? 

Lido on embarkation day got a little crowded, but not bad after that. Never waited long for food either.

[staceyglow]

I was on the cruise directly after yours.

 

I agree; no crowding anywhere except on embarkation day at Lido.

 

We had different comedians than yours; they rotate a lot.

 

Deon is an amazing cruise director.  So much energy!  Do not miss any of the parties he is hosting, whether it is on the Lido or in the lobby bar.  He is very entertaining

 

That cruise was our 20th on Carnival, and our expectations were relatively low, seeing as it is more of a weekender boat.  We were pleasantly surprised.

[mkcurran]

7 hours ago, staceyglow said:

I was on the cruise directly after yours.

 

I agree; no crowding anywhere except on embarkation day at Lido.

 

We had different comedians than yours; they rotate a lot.

 

Deon is an amazing cruise director.  So much energy!  Do not miss any of the parties he is hosting, whether it is on the Lido or in the lobby bar.  He is very entertaining

 

That cruise was our 20th on Carnival, and our expectations were relatively low, seeing as it is more of a weekender boat.  We were pleasantly surprised.

Hey y'all!