Carnival Radiance
Let me start by saying this:
I highly recommend arriving a day early before any cruise. It’s a peace of mind , and you can ease into your trip with some good food and a comfy bed. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown, which was cute, clean, and walking distance to restaurants and shops. Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles was right there, so yes chicken and waffles were a pre-cruise necessity.
This trip was a chill one. I wanted us to truly enjoy ourselves but relax. Our last cruise we were wore out. My daughter and I had already done a Caribbean, so a Mexico cruise was a new adventure. I also wanted to see more of California without being too busy. That’s why we cruised out of Long Beach vacation mode without overplanning.
Carnival Radiance Room:
I picked it myself (learned from last time). Near the elevator, because walking 3 miles to your cabin with food in hand? No thanks. Beverage plan: Got Bottomless Bubbles for both of us. No alcohol package. I’m not getting lit on mom duty. Instead, I loaded some cash onto my account and treated myself to a drink or two here and there. It was just what I needed. I never feel
Let’s break down the trip day by day:
Monday – Long Beach Departure
Boarding was easy, but let me warn you, the porters outside are hustling for tips like their rent is due tonight. “I’ll get your bags to your room faster” sir, please. You say that to everyone.
Once on the ship, we did our muster drill… sort of. The guy barely looked at us and didn’t check off our names. Later, I checked the app (as every anxious cruiser does), and surprise! It didn’t say we completed it. I had to track someone down to fix it so yes, it is a big deal.
Next, we hit Guy’s Burger Joint because that’s basically a cruise tradition. Room was ready… kinda. I was mid-pee when the room attendant knocked to vacuum. Sir, I love cleanliness, but timing is key.
We had Anytime Dining, which I actually prefer. It’s nice not having to sprint to dinner in your heels. The main dining room food? Fire. The service? Top tier. After dinner, we wandered, took pics, and settled in. My daughter skipped the kids’ club as usual. I scanned the event calendar hoping for a solid show, but let’s just say Carnival Radiance isn’t winning any Broadway awards. The club scene I skipped out of this night because there was nothing exciting going on.
Tuesday – Catalina Island
We had breakfast in the main dining room definitely better than the chaotic buffet. Catalina is stunning, but getting off the ship was a little… chaotic. You have to take a small boat to shore, and the line was long and disorganized. Get there early or prepare to wait.
We did a submarine tour and walked around. Catalina Island is peaceful, charming, and honestly perfect for a romantic getaway or family day.
Dinner again in the MDR. Still delicious. Still wishing there was a real show afterward.
Wednesday – Ensenada, Mexico
Now this was the highlight. We booked a local tour guide who showed us around. We hit up a beach, stopped at a restaurant where I had the best tacos of my life (I’m not being dramatic).
We wandered into the city, and found a churro so good I considered moving to Ensenada. Panhandlers were everywhere, though. I was warned, but it still caught me off guard.
I bought some souvenirs from family-owned shops. Support small businesses, y’all! Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back to the port. The line to reboard the ship? Long. Stressful. Borderline chaotic.
Dinner back on the ship. More exploration. Still nothing entertaining. At this point I was like, Where are the damn shows? I kept comparing this is no Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas… and Carnival Radiance just wasn’t hitting like that.
Thursday – Fun Day at Sea
We wandered. Ate. I went to a raffle and lost, of course. Hit the casino while my daughter played in the arcade. This was our laziest day which was kinda the point. Something weird happen. I had noticed a guy solo throughout the cruise. I’m very intuitive so I notice everything and everyone. My daughter said she saw him taking pictures of ….peoples toes as they were walking by.
Biggest tip? The BBQ restaurant was only open on this day, and the line was LONG. Worth it, though. We were mid-brisket when we spotted a whale. Yes, an actual whale sighting. Highlight of the day.
Friday – Debarkation + Extra Night in Seal Beach
By the time Friday rolled around, I was ready to get off. The ship had a nasty sewer smell that just lingered the whole trip. Like… are we on the water or in the pipes? I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Other guests complained too, but the staff didn’t seem fazed. Maybe they’d just gone nose-blind.
Debarkation was smooth, no drama. We spent one more night in Seal Beach at The Pacific Inn, which was adorable. Walking distance to the beach, quiet streets, and full of cute restaurants and shops. The perfect way to end our trip.
On the Food
Let’s talk about the real star of the trip the food. Carnival might’ve skimped on live entertainment, but they sure didn’t miss in the kitchen. The main dining room? 10/10 recommend. We had dinner there every night and the service was so friendly I almost invited them to my birthday. Especially when the waitress told me I looked young and couldn’t believe I was the mom to a pre-teen. The food was actually seasoned (shoutout to the buttered escargot and that melting chocolate cake that had no business being that good).
The buffet on the other hand… chaotic. I felt like I was in a mall food court during a Black Friday sale. But if you can survive the crowd, BlueIguana for breakfast burritos and Guy’s Burger Joint for a quick bite will do you right. Oh, and the sea day BBQ? Worth the wait and the meat sweats.
Theme Nights & What to Pack
Carnival had one official “Elegant Night,” which I take serious. . I wore a long fitted dress, kept the makeup simple, and it was my favorite outfit.
Honestly, the vibe was laid-back but people definitely showed up for dinner and we did so every night.
Final Thoughts
Look I am not a person who complains on vacation. I make the best out of things. To vacation is a blessing and privilege. This wasn’t a bad cruise. It was relaxing. We saw new places. We ate like queens. But Carnival Radiance is clearly an older ship, and it shows. No real entertainment, smells you can’t un-smell, and a vibe that didn’t match the energy we’ve seen on other cruises.
I’d cruise Carnival again but next time, on a newer ship. And with more theater shows. A little razzle dazzle goes a long way.
Superior Sista Travels 