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I booked the CHEAPEST West Coast Cruise on Carnival Radiance

Midships
Midships
πŸ…Authority
πŸ‘οΈ 49K viewsπŸ“… 11 months ago⏱️ 15:03

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creator reviews a four-night Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Carnival Radiance, a ship that underwent a significant refit in 2021. He begins by discussing the ship's updated, modern aesthetic, noting that the soft gold and blue theme makes the twenty-five year old vessel feel much newer than its actual age. The review covers a budget-friendly interior stateroom, which the creator found spacious despite some minor issues with the bathroom door and shower curtain. Dining experiences are highlighted, including positive remarks on the main dining room, the Lido Buffet, and Shack's Big Chicken, though he recounts a frustrating incident involving a lost meal. Port visits to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico, are described as highlights, with the creator praising the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery of Catalina. However, he notes significant drawbacks regarding onboard entertainment, specifically the lack of a main theater and the closure of the piano bar. While he concludes that the Carnival Radiance offers solid value and inviting spaces, he ultimately recommends the newer Carnival Panorama for travelers seeking more robust entertainment options.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Carnival Radiance
Solid Strip
All-time creator consensus for Carnival Radiance
A Nibble

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsFull Ship ReviewπŸ…Authority Creator
Other Β· 4 nightsFrom Long BeachVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I took a four-night Mexican Riviera cruise out of Long Beach, California on one of the oldest ships I've ever sailed in Carnival's fleet.

Overall, the Radiance feels much newer than it actually is.

The dining room food on board this cruise was above average for Carnival standards, and I was super happy with pretty much everything they served me.

The biggest drawbacks were the lack of entertainment on board.

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Plan for tender loading and unloading time at Catalina Island, which can take up to 45 minutes.
βœ“Consider booking a winery tour in Insanada, Mexico, which may include a free bottle of wine per person.

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs the Carnival Radiance a good budget cruise from the West Coast?
QWhat are the highs and lows of sailing on the Carnival Radiance?

Topics Covered

Ship Condition3Β½ Happy BaconDining Main4 Happy BaconEntertainment Shows2 Sad BaconCabin Interior3 Happy BaconDining Buffet2Β½ Happy BaconPort Destination4Β½ Happy BaconItinerary Route2 Happy BaconValue Pricing2Β½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Catalina Island4Β½ Happy Bacon
Insanada3Β½ Happy Bacon
Top: Winery Tour (about 70 bucks)
Long Beach3Β½ Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube