Hawaiian Radiance: Day 2

One thing I think is new is this automatic light. I had a heck of a time trying to turn this off last night. I almost went for the duct tape then took a step back and it went out. It’s not bad to me.

The Princess one is bad. It’s like someone shining a bright light in your face. This one might be a problem for a second person in the room. But for me it was helpful when I got up in the middle of the night. The timeout is better than Princess as well. It’s probably 60 seconds.

I don’t know what it is but there’s this constant noise in here. It’s like the walls and ceiling are creaking. It’s a bit of an adjustment from the complete silence of the Prima and Encore studios.

its 7:50 but at 8 you can also get coffee in the atrium.

I got an Americano and went for a walk.

I saw Big Chicken as a bonus booking this ship for a two week cruise.

There’s no line at Java Blue now so I’m getting a second cup

I guess Java Blue doubles as the library. They have books and board games available here.

Before the refurb, this ship was Carnival Victory.

I’m getting my morning drinks going at the atrium bar.

These are the rooms I almost booked. I think it’s a good location just behind the atrium bar. It would be very convenient for my coffee and screwdrivers. Also easy to get outside. They are 4J interior cabins with a picture window.

Screwdrivers

I got another coffee to take to brunch.

We’re still on pacific but I’m expecting time changes this week because we’re 3 hours ahead of Hawaii.

Only on Carnival do you see people camped out in front of the dining room like this.

Flaming tomato soup

I wonder how long this skillet cake was sitting back there. Long enough for everything to melt. Carnival has had the worst food presentation the past few years.

At least they didn’t throw the brunch potatoes on the same plate as my skillet cake like Horizon did last year.

I’m over fighting my way in and out of the dining room. 

A dance class is happening in the Red Frog Pub.

The casino is popping. Of course the people I know here from other cruises and some of the ones I met yesterday are here on casino deals. One lady I met at the atrium bar said it was $800 for two in a balcony. I paid 4k for my ocean view.

Spicy bloody mary

Steve the Naturalist is going to do a presentation on Hawaii.

For all of his slides please check out Hawaii: The Island of Aloha.

Here are some of his upcoming presentations. We can also watch them in the rooms on channel 16.

I may check this out in the morning.

I’m not sure if I can make this with dinner and shows but I’ll try.

I headed up to lido deck for the Legend of Lido competition and got a pina colada.

Maybe they canceled it due to weather. I’ll check the atrium in case they moved it inside.

It’s not in the atrium.

That pool water is moving.

People are able to use the aft pool.

Let’s take a look at Sports Square.

Lido is basically a ghost town.

The bags are out!

Hula dance lessons are happening in The Red Frog Pub. It looks like they’re going to have these every day at 1:15pm.

They have sales going on in the atrium.

Afternoon PG comedy showcase in the theater.

Comedy host Noem

Chris Strait is a Spirit joker. That means he’s either never flown with them or he was too cheap to upgrade his seat. I won’t do it without at least exit row. 

It looks like Pixels has pictures of Hawaii for sale. It also looked like they have the prints of our route for sale. On my Venezia Transatlantic they gave us one for free.

I grabbed my platinum/diamond gift which is packing cubes.

And I purchased my ornament in the Fun Shop.

After putting those in the room I headed to Alchemy Bar for a filthy martini.

It seemed like Marina remembered my drink so I went with it but she forgot that I like them muddled.

I got to talking to the guy next to me. His wife is a casino player of course it was just a $100 cruise. It just feels like that’s always the case with people I meet on Carnival the past couple years.

Marina did better on the second one.

They have ukulele lessons going on in the Red Frog Pub.

I’m back at the Alchemy. I grabbed my little stand out of the room to make it easier to watch the Mets game on my phone.

This guy next to me is on his 75th milestone cruise with Carnival.

This is my plan for the day.

Espresso martini

We have a different alchemist in the mix. Vera is making me a deal closer. She says this is 12 for me so I have a few for tonight. Plus I have four beers in my fridge from yesterday but I’d rather save those if I can.

The steward is doing a good job so far this cruise.

My invite to the diamond lunch. That is tomorrow.

I got a table in the dining room.

Shrimp and crab cake

Greek salad

Jambalaya pasta

Beef wellington

After dinner I headed to the comedy club. There is an entrance right outside of the dining room but they only allow you to exit there. So you have to go up to deck 5, down to the casino elevator lobby, and down one deck to the comedy club entrance.

All that was left when I got down there was a standing spot at the bar.

Sebastian Cetina 

Motown showdown in the atrium

Don’t assk

I got in line for comedy and it goes upstairs and all the way through the midship dining room.

Noem

The place was full but three seats off to the side were available so I grabbed one.

It ended up being like backstage pass. Drew Marks is getting ready. I told him it’s about time he puts normal pants on.

Sebastian comes over for moral support.

This is also a great spot for watching the sign ladies. Drew noticed the sign lady switch and came over to see what was going on.

Noem gets ready to close the show. Drew used all of his time this time.

Rock band in the Red Frog Pub.

Chuck Wagner’s show is in the theater. I think I said last time he has the best voice I’ve heard on Carnival and I still feel that way.

Afterwards he hung around to shake hands and take pictures.

There’s a solo guitarist in the atrium.

I guess part of the upper level is the steakhouse.

I got a shot of the assigned dining area after late service.

It doesn’t seem like we’ve made much progress since this morning but we probably have.

I’m off to bed. Tomorrow is another sea day. Good night.