Carnival Radiance Cruise -- March 2022 (Day 2)

In a combination of COVID safety protocols and an attempt to save money, there are no longer physical menus at the bars or the MDR, nor do they publish paper Fun Times to showcase the day's schedule. Menus are accessed via QR codes, and Fun Times are on the Carnival Hub app. Realized too late that Guest Services will provide a Fun Times printout if you request it. I like keeping them as mementos, and also as reminders for future cruises, about what I can expect. Well, I guess that's part of why I'm blogging the boring details-- so I can have the info for future reference. Next cruise, I'll definitely remember to ask for paper schedules! 

I made sure to take my melatonin and 8-hr sleep aid, which helped. I kept getting awakened by some jostling-- exactly the same as what happened on the first night aboard the Panorama, where I thought Todd was kicking my bed. It was pretty regular throughout the night, but I managed to fall back asleep every time it happened. Not the best sleep, but not the worst-- unlike poor Allan, who hardly slept a wink!

The morning started out with breakfast at the Lido buffet (where Allan had a perfect salmon benedict while I had a fully-cooked egg atop the tiniest sliver of salmon!) followed by the military appreciation gathering in the Liquid Lounge at 10:00am. Jed and Paea did their own thing until we met up for the 1:00pm show. The most impressive part about the gathering? The CD, Ryan, hosted, and ALSO sang the national anthem, a cappella, right there on the spot at the start of the program. He was really good! After the military appreciation gathering, Allan went back to the room to get some more rest, while I wandered around to explore more on my own. 

I rested outside the Alchemy Bar a bit, enjoying the view of the open ocean, wishing I'd brought a book to read. But I didn't have to wait long-- at 11:30 a salsa class began in the adjoining Red Frog Rum Bar. Two of the main performers in the evening shows taught the class. It basically ended up being like a one-wall, looong, fast line dance with stylized arm and body movements. It was a lot of fun, and made for a great workout! 

After salsa class I had lunch by myself at the Lido buffet, and met up with Jed and Paea at the Liquid Lounge for the Love & Marriage show. It was a hoot and a half, and one of the funniest Love & Marriage shows I'd ever attended. Not only because Ryan the CD is an excellent and funny, energetic host, but also because of the couples! One couple, named (interestingly!) Joe and Tabitha, were a riot because Joe could not follow directions to save his life! Not sure if he was stoned out of his gourd or just a bad listener, but it was very very entertaining. Allan opted for a leisurely lunch and hangout on the Serenity deck. He missed a good show. 

I caught up with Allan on the deck while Jed and Paea grabbed a late lunch, and then we all headed to the aft restaurant for tea time. Fancy baked good, smoked salmon, and cucumber sandwiches, all served with a smile. 

Afterward, I took some time to dress up for our formal night, and we met up around 5:30 to find some nice backgrounds to take pictures. When our Pixels photographer was done, he dragged Allan and me to the Dreams Studio photographer who had set up shop in the same area (right outside the Red Frog Bar) and the next thing we knew, Allan and I had spent 10 minutes doing the "fancy" photo shoot and set up a time to meet with our photographer, Iryna, to view our pics the next day. 

After dinner, we headed back to our rooms to change. Jed opted to watch the show at the Liquid Lounge at 9:30 ("Soulbound") while Allan and I opted for Doug's 10pm show, the much-vaunted "Relationship Seminar" routine. Word must have gotten around, because when we arrive a few minutes before 9:30 (doors opened a half hour prior to showtime and we wanted to get a good seat), there was already a line snaking out the door and UP the stairwell into the floor above! We were lucky to be able to get decent seats at all. After that it was standing room only! 

As always, Doug brought the house down but the loud, drunk crowds around us were a little too much. We made our way to the Lido deck afterward for some late-night grub, but evidently everyone else on the ship had the same idea, and the only two open eateries, pizza and deli, had lines a mile long. We ended up opting for sushi, instead. A nice, delicious way to end the day!