An Honest Review of Carnival Radiance from a First-Time Cruiser (2024)

Planning to go on a cruise any time soon? Keep reading for this Carnival Radiance review!

Whether you’ve never cruised before or you’re a seasoned sailor but never tried a Carnival Cruise, I’m here to help you out and give you insight before you decide to book! 

Cecilio and I cruised on Carnival Radiance for 4 nights for our early 7-year wedding anniversary (it was also his Christmas gift to me because I’ve been nonstop talking about wanting to go on a cruise for 2 years).

I absolutely loved it, and I can see cruising being a part of our lifestyle. We had a wonderful time on Carnival Radiance and would go back. While it’s not perfect and has its downsides, the pros make me want to go back and cruise with them all over again.

In this post, I will talk about:

• The cabins (in the cruise world, they’re called staterooms)
• The food and drink 
• The entertainment 
• The excursions 

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!

Carnival Radiance Review

Overview

Carnival Cruise Line is a popular cruise line for its affordability and “party” vibes (it’s known as the fun ship or party ship among cruisers). It’s a part of Carnival Corporation, which also owns Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, both of which cater to a much older crowd.

Carnival Cruises sail out of the US (including but not limited to LA, Florida, Seattle, Texas) Europe, and Oceania. They sail to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, Australia, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.

Carnival Radiance sails out of Long Beach, CA with stops to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. Her sailings are 3-4 days long with at least one sea day (the day you’re inside the ship).

She also sails to Hawaii, with port stops in Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island.

Staterooms

Staterooms are another word for cabins, or the rooms you’ll be staying in throughout your cruise. So basically, they’re floating hotel rooms.

Carnival Radiance has 4 different types of rooms:

• Interior: there are no windows or ocean views, but this is the most affordable type of room
• Ocean view: you have a window with a view of the sea, it’s the best for those who want that view but don’t want to spend extra on the balcony room
• Balcony: your room has a balcony where you can sit, relax, and have a drink while the waves pass by. This is the most popular room to book
• Suite: the most expensive room, you have a bedroom adjacent to a living room. This is ideal for families and large groups.

We stayed in an ocean view room, which was a lot more spacious than I expected. It was perfect for 2 people. 

I am thankful we ended up getting the ocean view room because I’ve heard from other cruisegoers that it’s a lot larger than the balcony room. 

We had a king bed, which was actually two double beds wedged together. The beds were SO comfortable. I slept like a baby, and I don’t know if that was from the beds or the sailing.

We also had a couch, a desk with a mirror for me to get ready, and 3 small closets. Our bathroom was small and no-frills, but our sink had a lot of space for our stuff. There were even some organizers attached to the mirror and walls so we could put extra toiletries.

@hannahonhorizon Wonder what it’s like going on a @carnival cruise on the first day, known as embarkation day? Watch along day 1 of my cruise vlog! #carnivalcruise #carnivalradiance #cruisetok #traveltiktok #sailaway #cruisevlog ♬ original sound – Hannah | Travel + UGC

Food & Drink

You’ll never go hungry on a cruise, and Carnival Radiance is no exception. From the buffet to the main dining hall to some of the specialty eateries, you can eat anything and everything your heart desires. 

The great thing about Carnival Cruises is that there are a TON of food options included upon booking, which include:

The Buffet 

The buffet is known as the Lido Marketplace, where they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. Honestly, I did not like the buffet at all. I wasn’t impressed with their breakfast options except for the French toast.

Cecilio wanted an extra dinner after not feeling full from our dinner at the main dining room, so he got a plate full of helpings at the buffet. I had some dessert, which tasted stale. He started getting stomach aches after eating it.

That confirmed my disdain for the buffet.

Main Dining Room

Cecilio and I had dinner everyday at the main dining room, where you have a 3-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The food was hit or miss, with more hits. 

I have no complaints about the dessert, and I loved everything I chose, such as crème brûlée, tiramisu, and the famous Carnival molten chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream.

I also loved my herb-crusted salmon and enchiladas. There were a few things that disappointed me, like the stuffed mushrooms and the chicken parmigiana, which wasn’t crispy enough and the chicken was on the dry side.

The main dining room also serves breakfast. It’s included as a part of your cruise booking, but you do get charged a service fee.

Guy’s Burger Joint

Food Network’s Guy Fieri owns a burger spot in every Carnival Cruise and is included in the prices. I’ve tried a lot of burgers in my lifetime, and trust me when I say that this was the best burger I’ve ever tried; even better than $20 gourmet burgers, done medium rare. 

The bun was soft with crispy edges. The patty’s edges were also crispy, but the middle was super juicy, with melted American cheese. I just got the Plain Jane burger, with just the patty and cheese, and it still tasted amazing!

There are five kinds of burgers you can order. Even though I got the Plain Jane, there was a station with toppings you can put, like grilled onions, peppers, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and hot sauce. I added grilled onions, ketchup, and chipotle mayo for that extra flavor.

The fries were crispy and flavored with Guy’s signature seasoning.

While Guy’s Burger Joint is included in the cruise, he also has a restaurant, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, that costs additional money.

Big Chicken

This is Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-casual restaurant and has to be one of my favorite eateries during our time on the cruise.

I got just simple chicken strips and fries, and they were FULL of flavor with a hint of spice! There’s also a station where you can get sides or sauces like buffalo, Shaq’s secret sauce, BBQ ranch, sweet and smoky Memphis BBQ, and honey mustard BBQ.

Big Chicken also has a breakfast menu which kinda disappointed me. I ordered an egg and biscuit sandwich, and the biscuit was kinda cold, whereas Cecilio ordered the same thing before for breakfast and it was hot and fresh, which is why I wanted to get one of my own.

Pizzeria del Capitano

For those craving a late-night snack after partying or seeing a show, Carnival’s pizzeria is open until the wee hours on the lido deck (the pool deck). The line can get pretty long, but it’s totally worth trying at least once!

There are 5 kinds of pizza available: Margherita, funghi, pepperoni, quattro formaggi (four cheese), and prosciutto.

I had the quattro formaggi pizza, which had the perfect amount of cheese with soft, pillowy crust. It had roasted garlic, mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses. 

Cecilio had pepperoni which had a thinner, crunchier crust, and found it to be “okay”. But then again he is a big pizza snob 😉

Soft serve ice cream/froyo stations 

Almost every cruise has a soft-serve ice cream station. Carnival Radiance has them too, and they also have a frozen yogurt station right next to them, both on the lido deck.

I loved mixing the strawberry froyo and vanilla soft serve together!

JavaBlue Cafe

If you can’t escape your cold brew coffee addiction like me and the buffet coffee isn’t cutting it for you, then head to JavaBlue Cafe! Unfortunately, the drinks aren’t included in the cruises so you have to pay extra money for them. 

JavaBlue Cafe has a wide array of drinks like cold brew, lattes, mochas, drip coffee, tea, and smoothies. There is also spiked coffee, which I didn’t get to try, but love to next time (and with how much fun I had, I hope there will be a next time!).

The Carnival Deli

If you like sandwiches and wraps, head to the deli station on the lido deck! The menu is separated into hot and cold foods. You’ll find your typical sandwiches like ham and grilled cheese, BLT, meatball, and tuna. They also serve veggie burgers and hot dogs.

The bars 

Carnival Radiance is full of bars, from the main one on the atrium to the RedFrog Rum Bar on the lido deck.

Personally, my favorite drinks were the Pirate Punch, tiramisu martini and the spicy chipotle pineapple martini.

For something a little more bougie, head to the Alchemy Bar in the casino for some crafted cocktails! They also offer mixology classes and workshops.

I didn’t get as many drinks as I wanted because Carnival’s policy is that if you wanted to get the drink package, other people in your party have to get it too. This was annoying and unfair since Cecilio doesn’t drink and it would’ve been pointless. The drink package costs $69 a day, and for a 4-day cruise between the both of us, it would’ve been over $600.

Other specialty restaurants at Carnival Radiance 

If you want to splurge on food not included in the fees, you can pay additional for the following restaurants:

• Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse
• Cucina del Capitano
• Bonsai Sushi
• Steakhouse
• Seafood Shack

Entertainment 

Whether you’re traveling with your partner, family, friend group, or even solo, you’ll never be bored on a Carnival cruise. They are known as the “fun” cruise line and their tagline is Choose Fun after all 😉

Sailaway party

You can’t miss the sailaway party on the lido deck on the first day of a Carnival cruise. This is when every guest is already inside and the ship is ready to sail away from the port. The cruise director acts as the MC, hyping everyone up to dance and party. This is also when the cruise horn blows.

I’ve seen Carnival sailaway parties on TikTok and they looked like so much fun, especially when people dance in the middle and the crowd cheers them on. 

@hannahonhorizon My first cruise!! Pretty lit so far 🔥🔥 heres rhe sailaway party. Love the lady in yellow #carnivalcruise #carnivalradiance #cruisetok #sailaway ♬ original sound – Hannah | Travel + UGC

Comedy shows and performances 

There is no shortage of shows to watch on Carnival Radiance, from comedy shows to singing performances.

While Cecilio and I didn’t watch a comedy show, we watched Rock Revolution, a performance featuring dancers and musicians grooving to some of the most popular 60s hits. They dressed the part during that era, and the theatrics were spectacular. I was floored by how talented the performers were and how the backstage crew set the tone for the stage with lighting, colors, and sound.

Pools and jacuzzis

Carnival Radiance has 2 pools on both sides of the lido deck. They’re both pretty small and cold, which is why I think hardly anyone swims in them except for a few kids.

There are two jacuzzies right above one of the pools, and another small one on the other side of the deck one level above. There is also another jacuzzi in the Serenity Deck, the adults-only area on the 14th deck.

Since the pools are cold and the cruise route is chilly considering it’s on the Pacific Ocean, the jacuzzis are extremely popular and can get crowded. The best way to avoid crowds is to go during the morning or on a port day if you plan to stay on the ship.

There is also a large waterslide on the 14th deck!

Nightlife/theme nights

They don’t call Carnival the fun cruise line for nothing. There is no shortage of chances to dance the night away from nightclubs to fun times at the piano bar.

Carnival cruises also have theme nights for dressing up! These theme nights include:

• Formal night: You don’t have to wear a tux or a black-tie, but if you want to, it’s completely up to you! But at least think of wearing a sundress for the ladies, and button-up shirts for the men. Carnival’s idea of formal is more relaxed than other cruise lines, but I saw many passengers wear cocktail attire.
• 80’s Rock and Glow: Hit ’em with your best shot with your brightest colored shirt, big earrings, big hair, and leg warmers! The 80’s Rock and Glow party takes place in the lido deck or the lobby, with live music from the hottest hits 40-something years ago!
• White Night Party: Don your white dresses or suits for the last night, which is the White Night Party taking place at the lobby or the lido! Cecilio and I didn’t end up going because the boat was speeding and rocking really hard on the last night, causing us to get a bit queasy.

SportsSquare

Carnival cruise ships also have some fun, adrenaline-inducing activities for people of all ages on the 11th deck. This includes:

• Basketball court
• Mini golf
• Jogging track
• Ropes course
• Fooseball
• Cornhole
• Jogging track

I went on the ropes course which was so much fun. It was a test of balance and coordination. If the thought of walking that high up and missing a step breaks you into a cold sweat, don’t worry! You wear a vest that is strapped to the bars as you’re walking through the obstacles.

To do the ropes course, guest must be at least 48″ tall and no heavier than 300 pounds.

Casino and Arcade

For those who like taking their chances to win some serious cash, you can head to the casino on the 5th deck!

I’ve seen TikTok videos of people winning it big (I’m talking thousands to tens of thousands). I’m a little risk-averse when it comes to my money, but I may have to try it next time.

If casinos aren’t your thing, there is an arcade next door where you can play some video games and claw machines!

Spa and Wellness

You deserve to be pampered and to take care of yourself during vacation! Luckily, Carnival Radiance has a fitness center, a salon, and a sauna.

The spa, Cloud 9 Spa, is available at all Carnival cruises. On Carnival Radiance, this includes the thermal suites. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include the hydrotherapy pool that the other ships have (I’m gonna book a sailing with another ship to try it).

To avail of the spa and salon, you have to pay extra for the services.

You also have to pay extra for the exercise classes offered such as yoga, Pilates, and spin. The weights and equipment, however, are free to use and are included in your fees!

Excursions

Carnival Radiance sails to Catalina Island and Ensenada, so they are going to offer excursions to passengers pertaining to must-do activities in those areas.

For Catalina Island, the excursions include snorkeling, parasailing, and dolphin watching.

Ensenada excursions include visits to La Bufadora (Mexico’s famous blowhole), horseback riding, food tasting, zip lining, and day trips to Guadalupe Valley for wine tasting.

You don’t have to book any excursions with Carnival. In Ensenada, I booked a private tour with a guide driving us to La Bufadora and Riviera del Pacifico (which houses Bar Andaluz, the birthplace of the margarita). I loved the one-on-one attention with our guide and not having to stick with a big group.

Also, by booking a tour outside the ship, you are supporting a small business and the local economy. Since tour companies in Catalina Island and Ensenada operate near the cruise ports, they are well aware that most of the people who booked are coming from the cruises. Thus, they make sure that the customers are back in the port on time.

Or you don’t even have to book a tour! You can just walk around and do your own thing until it’s time to get back on the port. That’s what Cecilio and I did in Catalina Island (you can also rent a golf cart there to drive around the whole island).

Frequently Asked Questions

Overall thoughts cruising on Carnival Radiance

What I liked

• The variety of delicious free food options, including Guy’s Burger Joint and Big Chicken
• The fun vibe and how friendly, laid back, and unpretentious my fellow passengers were
• How large our rooms were, even for an ocean view room. Guess we didn’t need the balcony room after all!
• Our super comfy and plush beds; I slept so soundly and didn’t wake up groggy, despite the drinks I had (and I didn’t even have a lot due to not getting the drink package)

What I didn’t like

• That the pools were unheated and a bit on the chilly side
• How the Cloud 9 Spa didn’t have the hydrotherapy pool
• The drink package policy. If there is more than 1 person you are cruising with, they have to get it too. That means it’s double the cost for 2 people. I get why they have that policy as they don’t want people to share 1 package, but it was still frustrating. Especially because the coffee at JavaBlue is included in the drink package, which meant that I had to pay out of pocket for it
• The buffet food was not good at all, except for the French toast I had as one of the breakfast dishes

Would I recommend and sail with Carnival Radiance again?

If you’ve never been on a cruise before and want to test the waters (no pun intended), Carnival Radiance is a great ship to start! Since their sailings are 3-4 days long (with the exception of the Hawaii ones), it’s short enough to figure out if you love cruises.

If I were to sail this exact route again, I would probably skip Catalina Island and stay in the ship. I personally loved Ensenada though!

Now, I am ready to go on a cruise on the Caribbean side with calm, glassy water that I can swim in.

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Hannah Padilla

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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.