Carnival Radiance Review - Three Day Cruise

[katstoy]

Day 1 - Embarkation

 

There was a total of five of us on this trip, me, my daughter and her (now) fiancé (he proposed on Saturday night of the cruise) and a good friend and her husband.  We were originally a group of nine but four backed out.  Our boarding time was 11:30 - 12:00 and we arrived at the garage by about 11:50 to drop off our bags.  There was no one else there!  I had to double check that the ship was there and we didn't miss it.  I am so used to having long lines of cars dropping off luggage that no one there was surreal.  The lone porter said there were only about 900 on this sailing.

 

There was no waiting anywhere.  We parked the car, walked into the terminal and got checked in.  There are now two stops to check in.  The first is at a table where they check all your documentation including vax card and covid test result.  Then through security then stop at another check point where they check boarding pass and passport, then straight on to the ship.  We were on board by 12:30 and the rooms were ready.  

 

Stopped at our rooms to stow our carry ons and get our cards, then hit the muster station.  They showed us how to put on a life jacket, scanned our cards and that was it.  Make sure you watch the video either on the app or in the room.   I didn't until the ship was sailing away and got a big red notice on the app that i didn't do my muster.  As soon as I watched the video it was all good..

 

We were on deck 6, port side in the two "bowling alley" balcony rooms, 6424 and 6432.  They're are located on the very aft and the room is set up differently - kind of sideways with the bed facing the windows - and has a balcony that is twice as long as a regular balcony.   The room was redone and had the card slot to keep the light on, our steward had already placed a card there for us so we did not need to use our room key.  There are now two outlets and two USB ports on the desk.  No outlets nor USB ports by the bed.  There are no bedside lamps, just two lights that are above the headboard for reading.   The room feels larger than a normal balcony room.

 

We had lunch at the Pig and Anchor.  Pretty good, but too much smoke flavor that didn't seem "natural" almost felt like they used Liquid Smoke flavoring.  I would eat there again though.  It's only open on embarkation day and for a couple of hours on sea day for lunch.  We also tried Shaq's Big Chicken and that was my favorite of the casual on deck food.  The chicken in good, but the fries are the best on the ship.  I am not a big fry fan (unless they're from In N Out and are extra well done) but I did love Shaq's fries.  They are wide like a steak fry, but are very thin, almost like a thick potato chip.  The seasoning on them is sable but good.  

 

Went to Alchemy Bar before dinner and it was not crowded.  Found a couple of open seats at the bar to order drinks and all of the seating around, not at, the bar was wide open.  We had anytime dining and made our reservation on the app, but only four out of the five of us showed up on the app.   The fifth person did not download the app so was not recognized.  It was not a problem, we just wen tot he check in station and they added him.  No waiting on dinner time and the MDR was more than half empty.  They only used one dining room on the trip, with set time dining on deck four and anytime on deck three.  The food was all tasty and service top notch.  I got the roasted chicken with the bourbon glaze which I enjoyed.

 

After too many glasses of wine at dinner, I involuntarily called it a night!

 

 

[katstoy]

Day 2 - Sea Day

 

Placed the room service tag on the door the night before.  They showed up about 20 minute early with the wrong order.  Didn't notice the wrong order until after they left.  But it did have coffee on it which is what mattered.  It appeared to be an order for two people, which was fine, but I felt sorry for whoever got my order which was only for one.  

 

We had brunch in the MDR.  The Voyage Burger was very good as was the bloody mary.  Even though it was sunny out it was still cold on deck.  So spent time in the casino and shops.  The casino was practically empty (yes it was midday) and only three of us there playing craps.  We saw the love and marriage show (which is always fun) and played bingo where my fried actually won a game.  Found my new favorite cruise drink - the Cruiser.   Had several of them during the day.

 

Back to Alchemy pre dinner, and again space available at the bar.  My daughter's boyfriend was going to propose before dinner.  He set it up with one of the photographers to take pictures of the proposal so she was in on it.  She had them do several different poses and on the last one he dropped to his knee and brought out the ring.    She said yes.

 

It was elegant night for dinner and again no waiting for a table.  Dining room half employ again.  For a non steakhouse restaurant I was impress on how good the prime rib was.  Flavorful and very tender.  Sides were meh, but the main meat was great.

 

Actually stayed up late and saw one of the comedians for the adult show; he was pretty funny.  Oh yeah, had more cruisers.

[katstoy]

Day 3 - Ensenada

 

Yes!  Room service got the morning order correct!  There were still a little early on the time, but that's forgivable.  Had a Big Chicken, egg and cheese biscuit later that morning with more of those wonderful fries.  Biscuit was kind of dry so about halfway through jettisoned the biscuit and just went with the egg, cheese and chicken.  

 

Have been to Ensenada so many times before I did not get off the ship this time.  Enjoyed a blood mary and some football on the big screen.  Even though I was in full sun it was still chilly on deck and I only lasted until half time.  

 

Had a tostada salad from Blue Iguana for a late lunch and then got a blanket and a beer to settle in for more football.  Then it was nap time until dinner.

 

Alchemy was completely empty at 7:00!!  Got our pre dinner drinks and eventually more people showed up.  No waiting for a table for dinner.  The potato sides have been pretty meh, but the main meats have been great.  The short ribs were so tender I could cut them with just a fork.  All of the apps, soups and desserts were great.  Well, maybe except for the creme brulee which was too runny.  The dining room staff was always great and we were in and out within about an hour, hour twenty.  

 

Went back to the room to rest for a while with the intent to pack my bag and maybe go to see a show.  It ended up being lights out.

[katstoy]

Last day and some final thoughts.

We elected to take our bags off the ship on our own.  The plan was to meet at 8:30, when we had to be out of the rooms.  They started calling for disembarkation by muster stations at about 8:15.  At 8:30 they called our station.  There were no lines waiting to get off the ship, simply walked off.  No lines at immigration either.  Were in the car by 9:00ish.  No lines in the garage to load up bags either.  Able to pull right up to load up.

 

Final thoughts:

 

For as bad as covid was/is I liked having the ship at about 1/3 capacity.  They estimated 900 to 1,000 people on board.  The total passenger capacity is 3400.  No lines anywhere.  No crowds and could always get a seat.

 

Most people wore their masks in doors.  There were a few who didn't, mostly the 20 somethings who were there just to party; and only about 3-5 of them in total per venue.  Outside it was not an issue.  In the inside venues they did remind all that they needed to wear their masks and sip and cover.  You got used to it.   At the bars you could keep the masks off, did not need to sip and cover.  

 

Big Chicken is really good and they need to bring it to more ships.  On the port day there were more crew members getting food at Big Chicken that guests!  All of the buffet stations were not open but that was okay as I am not a big Carnival buffet fan anyway.  They did have the lunchtime cakes though.

 

Would I go again during covid?  Yep.  A nearly empty ship with no crowds is worth wearing a mask for! 

 

 

[chicail16]

Thanks for your review! Quick and enjoyable!😀

[Beach_gal]

Great review - thank you for that 🙂

 

We're on the Radiance in two weeks! Looking forward to trying Big Chicken. We were on the Miracle in November and it was nearly empty as well. 

 

Getting excited!!!

[jjow]

Ooh I’m going on Radiance on the 7th and was wondering what capacity it would be at. 900 people sounds like a dream!

 

I booked an aft facing balcony so I’m really hoping its warm enough that I can lounge there in the sun all day. I’ve heard those balconies have very little wind unlike up on the lido deck. 
 

Thanks for the review!

[csm5986142]

Thank you for the review - I'm trying to stay awake long enough to check-in for our upcoming cruise on the Radiance, so I enjoyed it!

I do have one question; it sounds like this cruise is not very warm this time of year?

[PhotoMike]

Sounds wonderful! We cruise on Radiance on March 21..can't wait!

[katstoy]

14 hours ago, jjow said:

I booked an aft facing balcony so I’m really hoping its warm enough that I can lounge there in the sun all day. I’ve heard those balconies have very little wind unlike up on the lido deck. 
 

I've had multiple aft balconies and there was little to no wind unless you were right up against the rail.   One of my favorite types of state rooms.  

[katstoy]

13 hours ago, csm5986142 said:

I do have one question; it sounds like this cruise is not very warm this time of year?

I have cruised to Ensenada and Mexican Riviera in November, December, January and March and usually if you find a spot in the sun with no wind you can get nice and toasty on deck.  I was really surprised that even in full midday sun with no wind that I was cold.  I was wearing shorts and a tee shirt.  There were lots of folks also laying out watching the game in swim trunks and others covered in towels and blankets.

 

The temperature inside the ship was always comfortable and had no issues with short sleeves at all.

[katstoy]

Forgot to mention that we saw wildlife off the ship!  Dolphins in Long Beach, a small what looked like a shark on the side of the ship off the balcony, and whales on the sea day.  We were sitting on deck 9 at one of the very aft tables, enjoying some big chicken sandwiches and could see a couple of whales spouting in the distance.  

[timtrek]

Thanks for the review. We are on the Radiance this Friday.  Looking forward to an uncrowded cruise.  

 

[famof4togo]

Thank you for the review!  I haven't been to Ensenada in about 20 years I know you said you didn't get off the ship but that you had been there plenty....any good restaurant you'd recommend to just post up and eat and drink?  Somewhere not too far.

 

Also, I am excited to sail at a lower capacity...no lines sounds HEAVENLY!!!  But does it take away from the energy, the vibe so to speak?  While not waiting in line is right up my alley...going to the piano bar or deck party with only a handful of others etc... sounds quiet and boring....did less people distract from the fun at all?

 

TIA

[sportscruiser]

18 hours ago, famof4togo said:

Thank you for the review!  I haven't been to Ensenada in about 20 years I know you said you didn't get off the ship but that you had been there plenty....any good restaurant you'd recommend to just post up and eat and drink?  Somewhere not too far.

 

Also, I am excited to sail at a lower capacity...no lines sounds HEAVENLY!!!  But does it take away from the energy, the vibe so to speak?  While not waiting in line is right up my alley...going to the piano bar or deck party with only a handful of others etc... sounds quiet and boring....did less people distract from the fun at all?

 

TIA

I was on the Radiance 2 weeks ago with only 872 aboard. I did love the no lines aspect but yes, I definitely felt like the energy/vibe was pretty low. Lobby Bar would be almost or completely empty early and the casino and casino bar, which are usually packed were really quiet after 11pm. You'll just have to make your own fun!

[katstoy]

21 hours ago, famof4togo said:

Thank you for the review!  I haven't been to Ensenada in about 20 years I know you said you didn't get off the ship but that you had been there plenty....any good restaurant you'd recommend to just post up and eat and drink?  Somewhere not too far.

 

Also, I am excited to sail at a lower capacity...no lines sounds HEAVENLY!!!  But does it take away from the energy, the vibe so to speak?  While not waiting in line is right up my alley...going to the piano bar or deck party with only a handful of others etc... sounds quiet and boring....did less people distract from the fun at all?

 

TIA

Can't give you any restaurant names, but if you stay away from the touristy places - Papas and Beer, etc, - and opt for something that looks nice and is on the main streets you usually can't go wrong.  Last time I was there was in March 2018 and a lot has changed in the harbor, almost didn't recognize it.  The giant flag is gone and there are a lot of small boats moored in the harbor  There is a shuttle from the pier to downtown for $4.00 pre person round trip.  My daughter and her fiancé took that into town to shop for a bit.   

 

While there were no lines on the ship it didn't effect the vibe for the night life.  Every show we went to was either full or close to it with lots of party people around.  Only difference was that you could still get a seat a couple of minutes before showtime.  Didn't go to any of the nightly deck parties - too cold for me!

[wesorbeth]

Congratulations on the engagement! I am glad you all had a great time! A 3 day cruise would not be long enough for us but the closest port to us is 8 hours away, we live in southern OH.  WHO-DEY!!!!!

[jerseygirlinAZ]

Thanks for the review!  We'll be sailing in March.

[PattiPB]

Thanks for the review! Looking forward to the Radiance in a few weeks. Going over the Pres Day weekend, so I'm expecting a closer-to-full ship.