royal caribbean – Superior Sista Travels

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.

Day 1: Miami – Pre-Cruise Vibes

We flew into Miami the day before the cruise, mostly to avoid the risk of something going bad, like missing flight. Trust me, it’s worth it. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami which is seriously just a few steps away from Bayside Marketplace. The hotel? A solid choice. It’s clean, central, and has great access to the city without the Miami hustle. I would stay there on a casual Miami vacation, only a one night thing. We walked around Bayside Marketplace, shopped a little and I tried not to buy everything and grabbed food at Bubba Gump Shrimp. A great way to start the trip with zero stress.

Day 2: Embarkation Day – The Process of Trying Not to Lose Your Mind

If you’re new to cruising, don’t worry. I was too, and I made it through, barely. Embarkation day is chaotic, but not too bad once you get the hang of it. After no breakfast, we headed over to the Port of Miami to board the Freedom of the Seas. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

1. Check-in – You’ll drop off your luggage, go through a security line, and then it’s time for paperwork. Luckily, I checked in online ahead of time, so I wasn’t dealing with a giant line at the desk.

2. Muster Drill – Yes, you’re required to attend. It’s like a fire drill but for cruise ships. Don’t skip it.

3. Getting Onboard – Once you’re through, you’re on the ship! They hand you a key card, which you’ll need for everything. Seriously, you’ll lose it a dozen times before the trip is over. My daughter lost hers day 3.

4. Settling In – So my child was still recovering from a broken leg 2 months before, so we got a balcony room which I highly recommend. This was a concern but she was cleared by the doctor. The room we got because we let Royal pick, but it was far from the elevator. So that was a lesson, pick your own room. We spent the first few hours just getting cozy and adjusting to our “new home” for the next several days.

Day 3: Getting to Know Freedom of the Seas

We immediately hit up Windjammer Café for lunch (because, let’s face it, that’s what you do on a cruise). That was actually not opened yet. So we had EL LOCO FRESH. The ship was gorgeous, and while I know Freedom of the Seas isn’t one of their newer ships, it definitely doesn’t disappoint. I would’ve preferred more dining options, but I was too busy just really admiring the ship, and feeling blessed to be there.

So here’s the thing: if you’re a first-time cruiser, don’t be like me and assume you’ll just figure it out. Nope. The ship is huge, and you will get lost at least twice before you get the hang of where everything is. We wandered around, took a million pictures, and just checked out the pools and shows. We planned on having my daughter try the kids’ club, but that lasted all of five minutes before she decided it was “too much.” I guess that’s what happens when you’re mature for your age or just too cool for a kids’ club. The process was hectic anyways, the staff wasn’t very helpful and was unorganized. I didn’t needed it but we considered it.

Day 4: CocoCay – A Private Island, Sun, and Overhyped Drinks

Our first port stop was CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. Now, if you’re expecting a Bahama mama vibe with endless drinks and no responsibilities think again. The island was amazing, but don’t expect luxury beach clubs. It’s laid-back and full of huge seagulls that will take your food faster than you can say “Don’t eat that.” We spent most of the day just chilling by the pool and beach.

The pools and beach were just gorgeous. I just wanted to relax and soak up the sun. We spent hours in water.

Day 5: Nassau – Shopping, Sun, and Some Sketchy Taxi Rides

This was a port day at Nassau, Bahamas. We took a taxi , no we didn’t book an excursion we’re rebels like that. While I’ve been to Nassau a few times, this was my daughter first go-round. Let’s just say, the taxi ride was an experience because in Nassau, anything goes. The driver was friendly but had questionable driving habits. We were in a taxi to the fish fry with a nice couple who was going to Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. We got a good food then back to Junkanoo Beach to be close to port.

We relaxed by the water, enjoyed some local food there was a whole lot of good choices, and I was here for it, and just had a laid back afternoon. If you’re ever in Nassau, don’t expect it to be as “polished” as some of the other islands. My daughter saw the friends she met 2 days ago so she was living her best life with her new friends. Oh, and side note beware of the aggressive panhandlers. I had an experience with some men saying inappropriate things to me in front of my child and it put a bad taste in my mouth. Which sucks!

Day 6: Sea Day – Getting Cozy, Getting Lounged, and Getting Bingo

After a few days busy , we had a Sea Day that was a godsend. We spent the day doing absolutely nothing. Well, except I played bingo and got a bingo card full of nothing. But it was the perfect chill day. My daughter went with her new friends who played golf and the games on ship and arcade. Probably at 10 ice cream cones…each. I wandered , ate, shopped and went to the casino.

The final dinner that night was beautiful and a great way to end the trip. I made sure to tip the waiter I had every night. The staff ate truly what makes the experience great.

After the Cruise: One More Night in Miami at YVE Hotel

Once we docked, it was time to disembark. As a first-timer, I thought getting off the ship was going to be a nightmare. Nope. We had the 9:30 AM checkout time because I’m an overachiever and it was smooth. We grabbed breakfast at Windjammer and then we were off the ship and onto the hotel.

We stayed at YVE Hotel in Miami, just to hang out for one more night before flying back to Atlanta. It’s a nice, no-frills spot to rest your head after all the excitement. It wasn’t much, but it was exactly what we needed.

End Of The Road

Disembarkation is always a bit of a hustle, but it’s all part of the cruise experience. It’s like the reality check that you’ve had your fun, and now it’s time to get back to real life. The process starts early, so don’t expect to sleep in. You’ll get a color-coded luggage tag, which is your golden ticket to figuring out when you’re supposed to head down to disembark. The ship’s crew gives you clear instructions, but there’s still that moment of, “Am I doing this right?” The lines can be long, and while you’re waiting to get off, you’re just thinking about how you could go for one more meal at the Windjammer or one more show. But soon enough, you’re off the ship and into the chaotic yet orderly madness of the port. It’s a little sad, but the feeling of relief when you’ve cleared customs and finally get your bags is feels good too.

The Verdict – Would I Cruise Again?

The short answer is, yes. Would I cruise with Royal Caribbean again? Definitely. I loved it. Freedom of the Seas was perfect for a first-timer like me, and I felt safe, comfortable, and kinda badass by the end of it. Even with my daughter who recovered from a broken leg, she did so good and had no issues .

Now, if you’re cruising with kids or solo, prepare to be patient. Things can get busy, but that’s part of the fun. There’s something about being surrounded by water for days that makes you feel like you can conquer anything. It can get scary at night looking into the dark sea, if you have a balcony.

So, yeah book it. Don’t stress it. And go live your best life on a ship with questionable Wi-Fi.

Must-Do Things Before You Cruise:

1. Check in online to make the check-in process smooth and quick.

2. Pack a travel folder with all your paperwork (passports, boarding passes, etc.).

3. Download the cruise line app for easy access to schedules and activities.

4. Call ahead if you have specific questions about dining or accessibility.

5. Arrive early to give yourself time to adjust before the big day!

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