mwarzecha

Thank you so much for sending those pictures, Cindy! I'm sure it's changed since then, but that's okay! It was nice to see the general layout. We've never stayed in a JS before. Thanks again!

Megan

Hi Cindy,

I know this post is a few years old, but my husband and I are planning to book JS 1042 on Radiance for Alaska this summer. Any chance you could share those pictures with me if you still have them? If so, my email is meganwarzecha@gmail.com. Also, do you remember if you were happy with being on the port side of the ship when it comes to viewing the Hubbard glacier and other things? Thank you so much!

Warmly,

Megan

Stu

I looked in my shutterfly album online and I have found photos of 1042 JS. I don't know how to post the photos here but I can have shutterfly email them to you. My email address is carhodes01@msn.com. I have photos of the room and 2 photos of the bathroom for you to view.

 

Cindy

My husband and I are considering booking an Alaskan cruise on Radiance in July, 2016. However, I've read 6+ reviews citing poor plumbing and resulting sewage smells and stinky cabins. Can anyone who has cruised recently comment?

Any idea how we might be able to learn more? I'd really like to book a July cruise to Alaska on Radiance but I've read a lot of recent reviews that complain of bad sewage and plumbing leading to a stinky ship.

Yes, I heard from someone in RCI's Sydney sales office today. She will be in dry dock in May. No word on what she'll be receiving though.

I'm prone to motion sickness and we cruise at least once a year. Bonine is great for prevention as long as you follow the instructions. I also have recently discovered that I love the DoTerra Digetzen soft gels. Peppermints and gingers and Nauzene are nice if you get to that point.

Hi all...total newbie here. I have been reading a lot but I only have so much time, so I hope I could ask a few questions. We are in the process of booking an Alaska cruise on Radiance for next July.

 

1- how are the balcony rooms for a quad (two parents plus 12yo boy and 15yo girl)? My ideal is a balcony for us parents and a nearby inside for the kids but according to RC's website that is now an impossible set up (who knew people booked cruises so early!?...not me, I'm a newb as stated...) so I'm thinking I will call RCI direct or find a local agent who might have more info and be quicker about it. I had two adjoining ocean views on 24 hour hold on the 3rd deck aft (going southbound) which I thought could work but the husband really wants a balcony. And the hold is now over...boo.

 

2- cruisetours....for land, worth it? We hoped to be in Alaska for the 4th of July and the cruise in questions leaves the 8th. Husband has an independent streak and wants to go it on our own but I hear the cruise tours can be a good deal...mainly want to see Denali.

 

3-excursions...independent or on board?

 

4- DD and I are prone to sea sickness and neither of us have cruised. Husband has and insists we won't feel a thing. He's not prone though and doesn't quite understand...lol...scopolamine patches or other aids recommended for this cruise?

 

Thanks for any input and advice!

Any word on the sewage smell? My husband and I really want to book this cruise, but I've read at least 6 recent posts that are very discouraging and cite that the cruise was great but the plumbing is horrible.

We just did the 11 night cruise and land tour on Radiance in August. Here are my thoughts:

Land Tour - we started in Fairbanks (for 2 nights at Pike's Waterfront) - did the Gold Dredge & Riverboat Discovery, and took the train into Denali on the second day. Excellent all the way around.

2 Days in Denali, with a bus tour through Denali, and a train ride up the mountain. Excellent with lots of wildlife and actually got a peek of Mt. McKinley twice (only 30% of visitors get to see it once).

For a first trip to Alaska, I would recommend the Land Tour - expensive, but worth the expense as your luggage is hauled for you, and the only time you touch it is when you put it outside for the driver to pick up. Bus ride from Denali to Seward with a short lunch break in Anchorage was nice - would have preferred more time in Anchorage to sightsee.

7 Night cruise (Southbound) from Seward was excellent - great weather and loved the port stops - would do the cruise again. No rough weather at all - with mostly sunny skies and low 60's to low 80's for the entire trip.

 

Next time we would only do the cruise, with maybe a day or 2 on our own either in Fairbanks or Anchorage. Maybe even a Northbound from Seattle would also be a possibility. We have 26 or so cruises in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, and Bermuda - never thought I would like Alaska - but it was a great trip. Good luck and have fun!

Has anyone done the Roatan Challenge Course Excursion? We're considering booking, but can't find any reviews on RC's site, Cruise Critic, or by Googling. Is it worth the money and is it safe? Thanks!

RC excurtion # RTA5

It seems like other cruise lines call it the Adrenaline Junkies Challenge Course.

We were on the December 11th Brilliance sailing and luggage valet was not offered. On a side note, we found it was worth getting a porter because they have they're own line through Customs.

Is the customs line bad in Tampa?

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Thanks! That's a big help!

 

 

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You might want to wait until the day you get on the ship, though. None of the restaurants were booked yet, and we got discounts for Giovanni's Table and Sabor! Giovanni's Table offered it up front and Sabor was happy to oblige when my husband inquired. Both restaurants and Izumi were fantastic!

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Anyone know the story behind the power failure at the port today?

I read something about a balloon taking out a transformer from another poster in another post, but spent a long time looking for something in the news and found NOTHING.

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I tried emailing the CL on Independence and never received a response. Does anyone know if there is usually an answer from the concierge?

I wrote Ricardo, the NV concierge, the other day, and he wrote back within 24 hours.

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We will be on the SOS next week for two weeks. Does anyone know who will in the CL then. Hopefully Mario will not leave until we do!

 

 

 

Also, we were on the Nav in Feb. and Nadja was very nice, as was Ricardo. They both made an effort to greet you you by name and were very helpful. Sometimes, the offended person is just naturally that way, so " bless their hearts." :p;)

 

Sally

Ricardo was our Concierge on two cruises and we can't wait to see him on the 20th. We adore him. He's kind and attentive and genuine.

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Our last cruise was last fall on Celebrity Solstice, and we had to get tender tickets (and we were Elite status and in Concierge Class). I don't recall ever having to acquire tender tickets on Royal. I hope that is NOT the case; and I don't think it will be.

Tendered a year ago on Navigator with a RCCI-sponsored excursion. Suite status. No ticket issued or required.

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If you can't find a hotel with a shuttle, try looking on http://www.homeaway.com. They could then take a cab to the home/condo/apt. and then from there to the port.

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We leave Sunday and was wondering if you found any special places on board, any areas with special views, more loungers, less people, quiet reading corners? I understand the menu is new (which I have) and what you thought of it? Thank you

We love the Observation Deck on deck 5. It's usually quiet. It's where the helicopter would land. GREAT view and peaceful :)

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We are boarding Navigator in 2 hours. Ricardo Mock is the Concierge. :)

Awesome awesome awesome! Thank you! If you think of it, please let him know Megan and Jason are thinking of him. He really is such a caring and thoughtful CL.

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Hi, Ricardo got back on board sometime in Dec, so he should be there in Apr!!!

I know that he has problems with his emails (didn't write to me when the ship was in dry doc)

But, I will find out, one way or another!!!

 

 

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Awesome! He was there in August, but he wasn't sure when he'd take his vacation, wasn't sure if he'd sail out of Galveston, and wasn't sure if they'd ask him to train new CL staff on Quantum when she debuts. Plus, that was a long time ago. I'm so glad to hear he'll probably be there :). Thanks!

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I'm waiting for him to send me the date! I'll post as soon as I know!!!

 

 

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You're the best! Thanks!

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Ricardo is on the Navigator, at this time!! Don't know when he's going home!

 

 

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Awesome! Thank you. We really love him. Hopefully he'll be back in April.

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I haven't seen the Navigator Concierge information updated in a while. If someone cruises on her soon, will you let us know if Ricardo is still in the CL? Thanks!

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Cindy, thank you so, so much for posting these pictures and such a detailed narrative about your trip. We really appreciate you! Thank you!

Out of curiosity, was Ricardo Mock still the Concierge in the CL?

Thanks again :)

Safe travels home, Charlie and Cindy. Thank you for thinking of all of us while you're on your trip! We appreciate you!

Like. Was hoping for a window, but liked the cappuccino machine.

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The new rooms are above the gym, but the view forward from the gym on the Voyager Class ships is mostly obstructed by the bridge viewing area.

Thanks! You're saying that the view from the gym is unchanged, right, littlesteelo? I do recall it being somewhat obstructed, but you could see out if you were on a machine to the side. Really, I was just hoping they didn't totally close the gym in with no windows at all. Thanks again.

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Another question for Ace1Zoe2, or anyone who sails NOS: If it's not too much trouble, could you find out where the Concierge Lounge is? Did they move it? In looking at the RCI floor plans it appears to be in the same place on deck 9, but I don't always trust the floor plans to be updated accurately. I hope your injury is healing and not impeding your fun!!

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