Donut23

First, I agree with the crowd, do it all at once. Airfare can be expensive and you will waste time traveling......you could be watching the wildlife.

The Kenai is OH MY GOD beautiful and can be done alone by someone comfortable traveling outside a group. Don't discount a trip to Denali. The park is enormous, a flight trip of the great mountain is easily a lifetime highlight.

Animals are hit and miss. I remember a train ride to Seward. Everyone had noses pressed to the glass, binoculars in one hand, $900 cameras in the other. There were 2 teenage girls who just couldn't be bothered. However, on occasion they would look up and sure enough, they would always spot something immediately.

Eventually you seem to get a sense of how and where to look.

For example, you see more eagles as you travel south on your cruise. On a wildlife shore excursion we stopped counting when we got to 50 eagles spotted. A tip, look for the golf balls in the trees (their white heads). Makes it very easy to spot them.

If you are interested in wildlife, I strongly urge you to consider the Sealife Center in Seward. It was created with $$$$$$ from Exxon following the spill to study the long term damage to wildlife. Their mission continues and the people are passionate about their mission.

I am a veteran of 6 glorious trips to Alaska, married in Juneau in 2007. In March I was in the hospital with a heart emergency. My Jim was beyond desperate....did not know what to do to help so.....he booked cabin 1100 on the Radiance of the Seas in Alaska for 2014......to make me smile.

Be careful. Once you visit, Alaska remains a part of you forever. You may go home but part of that magical place stays with you forever.

I know the feeling. I was in Yosemite last summer and I just told someone today it was almost spiritual. You realize just how small you are in the whole scheme of things. It's that majestic beauty that can't be described unless you see it for yourself.

I watched with horror as the wildfires danced around Yosemite. It is in on our bucket list in the next year or two.

Perhaps old John Muir or Teddy Roosevelt interceded with God to rescue Yosemite this year. It deserves the mighty to watch over it.

Have you watched Ken Burns' 'National Parks'? You will love it.

I apologize for getting off topic.

One more! Hubbard glacier calving.

As a friend of mine said.... Welcome to the Dark Side! :D

 

 

 

Not sure if I'd try RCI's Radiance or Princess for Alaska. But I'm thinking this is what I want to do for my 50th birthday!!!!

 

I think Royal is the one who has improved to match DCL since they came around. At least from what I'm hearing. I would go back to DCL, but not because RCI has done anything wrong. I can cruise MORE if I do RCI, and since it's about the ship for me, I'm loving Freedom!

First try I wrote a long post about Alaska. It's rugged beauty, wildlife and her people. My words not adequate. There is something about Alaska. It changes you. It becomes part of your soul. You leave it to fly home but there it a tiny bit that will always be with you.

I grabbed this video from You Tube. It explains far better than I ever will.

Next summer will be my 6th visit....week on land and a week on the Radiance. It's like visiting an old friend.

We find DCL very limiting.....and this is from my CASTMEMBER husband. With 35 years, we get extremely comfortable accommodations for a generous discount.

Still, RCI has kept us captive with better service, better itineraries and fewer limitations. For example, between RCI and Celebrity you have FAR better choices in Alaska. We enjoy combining a week on land first and what possible ship could be made better for Alaska than the Radiance with all her glass. Just one easy example.

Ok, here is another easy example. After Alaska we are doing a back to back on the Jewell from San Juan. DH is an nut for new islands. With 2 different itineraries and no need to waste days steaming back to the east coast, we will have a 2 week holiday and will need a vacation to rest after.

Also, after 35 years and all the drastic changes in the company the last 10 years, we each comment at least once......"this is how Disney USED to be". So we stay with Royal and enjoy the pampering.

We have tried both. Royal has kept us Loyal.

Don't forget 1388 and 1688. Odd angles but interior space is nearly a JS for a D1 price tag. Balcony is jagunda. We came from NJ in December so the enclosed corner kept the balcony a lovely temperature and kept it cool in the tropics.

I slept out there most nights.

I'm a 2 so I know I'm different.

My biggest problem happens late at night. I take appropriate insulin amounts but am far more active than normal. For me, it seems to catch up at night and I crash.

We keep juice and some fruit in the cabin just in case. Keeps hubby happy. He can panic.

See the photos earlier in the thread... they will garnish it with a twist or with olives... your choice!

Princess Bloody Mary's are the best on the planet.....shut the front door.....end of topic.......no challenge possible!

Respectfully.......

M

Ok, let me get this right.

OP is upset because they don't get a couple if free drinks on their cruise. Hummmmm

As a lowly Emerald lady here.......what's the big deal? You are on a great ship, exceptional crew, beautiful itinerary and you worry about free drinks and nuts?

I'm sorry. I honestly do not mean to be flip. I don't see the big trauma here. I'll gladly give you $50 if we ever meet on the Explorer or Quantum ( hometown ships ) if that helps.

You may create a monster.

On DH's first cruise I switched to an aft balcony which opened 2 mos. out. Now if I mention a cabin other than aft facing he almost begins to whimper.

We are balcony rats so the large balconies are a delight. I have managed to sleep outside on the balcony on most cruises....heaven under the stars.

Our fall sailing on the Brilliance in Canada I was really ill ..... Didn't realize how I'll until later (heart). I could manage little and spent more time than usual on our balcony. It was a surprising oasis from very high winds. Our dinner companions complained they could hardly open their door because of winds and we spent the sea day napping in the warm sunshine.

Some say it's a long walk from the elevators. I have not found it to be so much....but it's worth every step once we were there.

Gold & Crystal earrings - DH bought to celebrate our wedding earlier in the week. We bought at Jilie's in Ketchikan......private owner. Not a chain.

From what I hear, Royal has little to worry about.

Generally I prefer the sitting area near the balcony---seems more private. However, our last cruise, on the Brilliance.....see video....in cabin 1104, having the sitting area near the closet was a tremendous convenience.

At the time we didn't realize it was the beginning of a heart problem. We only knew I was under the weather. So tired, at the last minute my Jim ordered a scooter for me.

There is no room to leave it in the hallway....how thoughtless that would be!

I was actually able to bring the scooter into the cabin, turn it around alongside the bed and the scooter spent the night alongside the sofa. Amazingly, there was plenty of room to move around.

The layout of Royal's cabins have often amazed me.....all our bags disappear under the bed, way too many cloths can fit into the closet an even something simple like rounding the corners of the bed makes access soooooo much easier.

I KNOW these cabins were designed many years before the thought of accommodating a scooter was concerned. I'm not sure a scooter would work inside the smaller cabin with the love seat....but it fit like a glove in our D1.

Here is our cabin 1104 on the Radiance.

By the way, being tired all the time, I took advantage of this wonderful balcony so much more.

I'm good for a 7 day trip.

Our last 2 cruises were 12 nights and 11 nights. Luckily, we drove and filled our Sonata with luggage, case of water, anything we wanted. What an EASY way to cruise. Now I know how lucky you Floridians have it!

Next is Alaska with a week ashore before we board the Radiance. It sounds like we will meet half our Roll Call folks in the laundry room of the hotel the night before boarding.

By the way, I agree it's annoying to not have the choice to use a washer/dryer but we are still loyal to Royal. Princess used to have full size washers onboar.....haven't been in Princess in a century, however.

We carry the Navy One model BN29. It is the commercial version of what our troops carry. Excellent optics, especially in low light. They are 7 X 28 and small. They easily fit in your hands, not heavy so you can hold them up a long time and fit into a cargo pants pocket.

One recommendation. Make sure everyone has their own binoculars. You will not want to share watching baby bears or following a pod of orca whales!

Our stateroom attendant, Rolando, on the IOS was amazing! He really looked after us and left us towel animals most nights :) On one he took time to even turn the tv around and switch it on a channel for the towel animal to watch, which was very sweet of him! One night we asked him for a needle and thread and he appeared with a little sewing kit the next morning :) We were on the 6night Norway cruise, (26th May 2013 - 1st June 2013) And we met him as we came back from the muster drill, he introduced himself and told us about the cards we need to put out if we want the room made up.

 

I was wondering if there is a way to tell the company about this as he was a really good stateroom attendant. I have heard others say that sometimes if you mention them they get time off work and other various advantages? We wrote his name on the survey paper but we are not sure if he would have known we did this or not? Is there someone to email about it?

 

Has anyone else ever had Rolando, on the Independence of the seas? Also, our dining room servers were very good, special mention to Marie and Delmas!

I have a wonderful friend who works for RCI in Miami. They take complimentary letters very seriously. After a cruise once, I had no choice but to write FIVE of them. Copies are sent to the ship and read aloud at staff meetings and kept in their file.

They appreciate the time and effort a letter represents now a days.

Yes, adding something to the tip envelope is great....but a letter is going to begin the possibility to fast track for advancement.

Someone's gotta do it. You have my trust. ;)

 

In the meantime, first it's back to my first love. I wonder if I'll recognize her since her face lift. It's been years.........Enchantment! Just for a quicky!! :)

 

Gina

Ahhhhhh nice ship! I remember when she and the Grandeur were brandy-spankin new.....back in my TA days. I have always had a soft spot for these 2 ships.

Happy sailing.

I do like Radiance class best. I especially like the always open helipad. We'll do our first Alaska cruise on a non-Radiance class soon. No Hubbard Glacier though since it's on Rhapsody. I'll see what I think of that class for Alaska. I prefer an open helipad which is why I'm not crazy about Celebrity. At least Rhapsody has a similar layout with the Schooner Bar and the area behind it. Lots of windows. :) It will also be our first non-balcony. :eek: Low price and a son living Seattle made us decide to give it a try. It's an easy access port.

 

Gina

Gina-

Going this year?

If it makes you feel better about missing Hubbard Glacier, go over to the Alaska threads and look at the sorry photos of Hubbard viewing. Apparently the ships are more than a mile away because of sea ice. Rumors were swirling that a Holland America ship had a "boo boo" on her hull after the captain attempted to go closer. You know how those grown ups are at the cruiselines......no boo boos on the hulls!

But you are cheating on the Radiance!!!

I was one of the first calls of the day they opened for 2013 last March of 2012, and had my pick of everything. I did exactly what all my CC buds suggested and it worked like a charm! Thanks guys! Could only afford 9256, no suites:( But I could have gotten just about any location. It was exciting.

I think DH would have gone for 9256 if I had been well. He can sometimes be a little over-generous if that makes any sense. Ok, ok.......your right. I'm not unhappy he choose 1100 again.

There is some great information here - thank you to OP and all who posted. Alaska is on our list - but probably not until 2016 when I will be able to take consecutive weeks off at work.

 

Regarding booking specific cabins - do you have to just call as soon as the new itineraries open at the right time (10am) and cross your fingers, or be online, or both? Do TA's have an opportunity to grab them sooner?

 

For all I know, Radiance may not even be in AK in 2016, but I hope so after reading so many great trip reports.

 

Thank you to all, and happy Monday!

DH was on the phone with Royal Caribbean reservations the moment they opened on the first day Alaska 2014 reservations were open to book in order to grab 1100 for our anniversary. The folks in the cabin next to us were on hold....wanted our cabin and are now wait listed for it. If he had called a little earlier, he would have gotten 1100 not my Jim. I have chatted with them on our roll call.

I was post heart surgery in the hospital feeling grumpy and blue. He came bounding in with the biggest smile on his face. It was a very good day.

If I wanted the perfect side, I'd move sides. If I wanted convenience, I'd stay put. If I wanted an upgrade, I'd take the side they gave me. :)

 

It was cold out on our recent northbound cruise. Having starboard side provided beautiful views just standing there looking out from our balcony window. This was the first time we were on the perfect side in Alaska for the direction we were going.

 

No, we don't spend a whole lot of time hanging out on our balcony in the cold which is why I don't see an aft balcony as especially desirable for Alaska.

 

Gina

Hey Miss Gina-

I'm happy you have found your perfect spot on the Radiance.

I will say, one fabulous thing about aft cabins....no breeze when the ship is underway.

On our Canada trip we had 60 mph winds directly on the beam as we cruised. We had no idea on our toasty warm balcony.

Now it's not so great in the tropics......can get hot out there if the sun is shining in during the afternoon.

I also like your protection if it rains. The edge if our balcony and railing will be wet. We still have plenty of room to sit out there if it 's raining.....just not at the railing.

Isn't the Radiance a perfect ship for Alaska???

TThanks, Donut, for all your info! You are welcome to "ramble on" regarding afts! I never get tired hearing others talk about their experiences on the different varieties of cabins. We just sailed Brilliance on the Baltics itinerary...fabulous! Sailing through the archipelago into Stockholm on the aft...amazing! Enjoyed it almost as much as the views in Alaska. The updates are great on Brilliance. She is a stunning ship and looking forward to welcoming her to Tampa, FL. We will be sailing her sister ship Serenade in May/2014 which has had the renovations in 2012. Thanks again for sharing your aft experiences. Maybe JS 1100 will be in our cards one day!

 

 

Dolfans from Miami

Thanks!

We find the Radiance class to be our favorites and enjoyed the Brilliance last fall in the Canadian Maritimes. Her crew was exceptional to me. I had heart surgery earlier this year and the problems became worrisome on this trip. Everyone took such good care of me.

At the last moment DH arranged fir a scooter which made the trip possible for me. By the end of the cruise everyone knew the sound of my little bike bell I added to the scooter.

By the way, we found the scooter fit surprisingly easy in 1104. It is a D1. I would come in, turn around and park alongside the sofa. There was still plenty if room to walk around. Only challenge was the doorway.

Some people left their scooters in the hallway which, in my opinion, obstructed the hall. It's very easy to deal with inside the cabin.....and easier to recharge.

By our anniversary trip I'll be back to total spunkiness with no need for a scooter! Woo Hoo!

Duplicate, sorry.

Just what you need-more of my rumblings! NOT.

Ok, ok one more thought. :-)

You know how there is a big big overhang above cabins on the side of the Radiance? You don't have that aft. Yes, you will get rain on the outer edge of the balcony where the side balconies are protected. If you enjoy the night sky and stars, you have a better range of view from these balconies.....and the stars at sea are fabulous. You see so much more.

I am a former yacht captain so it's like visiting my old friends.

Since I was little I have stared at the night sky waiting for ET ( a UFO ). My 12 years on boats I watched every night. I am still waiting and watching.

Hi donut

I have sailed on Radiance class several times in aft 9660. Have secured it again for our upcoming Med/Greek cruise in 2014. Usually book a year in advance to get it. Was wondering if you get any noise from the Windjammer in either 1100 or 1104? May want to try specifically the corner JS aft cabin in the future. Is it worth the extra $ for the JS?

 

 

Dolfans from Miami

Yes, me again.

Specifically - cabin 1100

Obviously the cabin is roomy but you will enjoy the bigger bathroom with the tub. I have had 2 knee surgeries and worried about launching over the edge of the tub but the extra room outweighs the inconvenience.

Large closet an added bonus but I find a regular D1 has plenty of storage for the 2 of us....and we always bring too much.

Cabin 1100's best feature is her balcony. Deep and wide, it wraps a little around the side of the ship...this area a little more roomy than 9256 just below. Not that we are antisocial, but you will only have neighbors on one side.

Downside, jammer guests can look over and see you. We have sailed "aft" on the Explorer (1688) and that Jammer is glassed in.

Checkout the you tube videos.

Hope this helped.