Why I love Radiance Class Ships

I have sailed on The Explorer, Navigator, Splendour and Serenade and will be back on the Brilliance in April 2018 for her Trans Atlantic.

To me bigger is not always better and I can wait a few years for the large ships. To me the smaller ships are easier to navigate and you are not bombarded by too many passengers.

Now if there were a 2 week Trans Atlantic Cruise I may consider a larger ship but to me not having a Promenade does not hurt me one bit.

As long as there is a Solarium with a pool, Park Cafe, Chops, Giovannis, Schooner Bar, Viking Crown Lounge, Disco and Pub then I'm set.

I really love the Windjammer outdoor seating area on the Radiance Class ships to just sit outside and enjoy Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner or just read a book in between.

Even if I sail in an inside cabin and save $300 on an Oceanview due to finances its much better than staying at home.

To me bigger is not always better. I can enjoy cruising on a smaller scale and I may try Windjammer Barefoot Cruises or Uniworld River Cruises,

Royal Caribbean to me is luxurious especially the smaller ships you get more personalized service in my opinion. The food is better as they don't cater to more passengers on the Oasis.

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As long as there is a Solarium with a pool' date=' Park Cafe[/color], Chops, Giovannis, Schooner Bar, Viking Crown Lounge, Disco and Pub then I'm set.

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Hi,

Last December we were on the Serenade - there was no Park Cafe .....I miss that.

We enjoyed our time onboard Radiance in Alaska. Would definitely sail that class again. Haven't tried anything smaller since our first cruise, back in '91. Carnival's Carnivale seemed huge at that time, but we had nothing to compare it to, of course.

Hi,

Last December we were on the Serenade - there was no Park Cafe .....I miss that.

Serenade has had a Park Cafe in the Solarium since December 2012.

Maybe you were thinking of Jewel?

I love the Radiance class. Perfect size for me!

I am really glad that people love the Radiance class ships. It cuts down the demand for cabins on the Voyager/Freedom/Oasis class ships. And I love having the Royal Promenade available on a ship.

We've sailed on all RCI classes except Quantum, and while we enjoyed them all, we seem to be gravitating to the smaller classes. Radiance class is at the top of our list, with all the glass to enjoy the views and the aft outside WJ dining. On the larger classes we've sailed, it seems the focus is more inward on ship - maybe not better or worse in general, just different.

Anticipation is building for our late June Radiance Alaska cruise, can't wait. And for those who haven't given her a try, the Empress is an excellent experience. Not tiny by any means, but quite small, and very personal, by current RCI standards.

The last time I was on a Radiance ship was 2005 on my honeymoon and i've been dying to get on another. I've sailed voyager and freedom ships and really want to see if i enjoy the Radiance class as much as i remember. We have Jewel booked for her eastbound TA in 2018, and I can't wait!!

They have the nicest diamond & concierge lounges.

Never been on Radiance class, but was on the Rhapsody for the westbound TA. We really felt like there were too many pinch points, especially the Schooner Bar area after the shows, and around the main bar in the atrium.

I know i am in the minority, but not a fan of Radiance class. Last two cruises were on the Serenade and Navigator.

Serenade was very crowded. Missed the promenade. Entertainment was primarily in the centrum area and could never find a seat; much too crowded. Elevators, shopping area were congested.

Solarium is much nicer on the Navigator. On the Serenade the cafe being inside the solarium made it seem more crowded and noisy. Roof was usually closed, even in the southern Caribbean.

Casino smoke permeated outside the actual casino.

Saw little difference in food or service on either ship; both were good.

I agree. I love the smaller ships! :hearteyes:

Radiance Class was my favorite before I went on Freedom Of The Seas! :cool:

Have been on all 4 of the radiance class sisters dating back to the inaugural of the Radiance herself - and it is definitely our favorite class of ship. We don't need or really much care for the "Coney Island of the Seas" designs that are the rage these days.

We'll be going on our 4th Radiance class cruise in January :D:D.

Tried Allure and Anthem -- too big for us ...

Our first cruise was Serenade when she sailed from San Juan. Second cruise the same. Next we tried Adventure - but felt it was just a little too large. Brilliance was up next in the rotation and then Jewel for the next three. We love the outdoor seating in the Windjammer. On Adventure, the Promenade was neat, but it was often so crowded it was difficult to get through. Radiance class for us.

Serenade has had a Park Cafe in the Solarium since December 2012.

 

Maybe you were thinking of Jewel?

Hi, you are correct as usual. I was there two or three times but did not realized it is called Park Cafe. I do not remember what ship I was on that the actual Park Cafe was located not in the solarium and had a different menu to choose from.

I was on the Jewel but 7 years ago ...... so what does the Jewel has now and where is it located.

Bob how do you keep track of all of that ? I guess I do not pay much attention or do not remember.

Thanks

Hi, you are correct as usual. I was there two or three times but did not realized it is called Park Cafe. I do not remember what ship I was on that the actual Park Cafe was located not in the solarium and had a different menu to choose from.

I was on the Jewel but 7 years ago ...... so what does the Jewel has now and where is it located.

 

Bob how do you keep track of all of that ? I guess I do not pay much attention or do not remember.

 

Thanks

The Radiance class ships have always had a food venue in the Solarium. When we first started cruising RC, these venues would have crepes in the afternoon and pizza slices in the evening. When Royal did their major revitalizations over the past few years, these were all turned into Park Cafe, except for Jewel. Poor Jewel's dry dock was at the same time as the Empress kitchen fiasco, so Jewel and Majesty (also in dry dock at the same time) had their improvements abbreviated so cash could flow instead to Empress.

We too only cruise on the Radiance and Vision class ships. I want to see the ocean, not the inside of the ship. Those bigger ships are just not for us.

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The Radiance class ships have always had a food venue in the Solarium. When we first started cruising RC, these venues would have crepes in the afternoon and pizza slices in the evening. When Royal did their major revitalizations over the past few years, these were all turned into Park Cafe, except for Jewel. Poor Jewel's dry dock was at the same time as the Empress kitchen fiasco, so Jewel and Majesty (also in dry dock at the same time) had their improvements abbreviated so cash could flow instead to Empress.

Thank you, you really know just about everything about the RCI ships. We started cruising in late 80s and sometimes it is on Celebrity and sometimes on RCI ( RCCL - in those days) - we enjoy every cruise ...... but when it is over ... it is over ..... and I do not remember much. The first RCCL ship that we sailed was the Song of America.

Anyhow, we are sailing on the Jewel about 2 months from now out of Civitavecchia - so where is the food venue for the late night snacks ?

Thanks

Yeah...I don't like the enclosed solarium.....even on warm days, they don't open the so-called "retractable" roof.

Thank you, you really know just about everything about the RCI ships. We started cruising in late 80s and sometimes it is on Celebrity and sometimes on RCI ( RCCL - in those days) - we enjoy every cruise ...... but when it is over ... it is over ..... and I do not remember much. The first RCCL ship that we sailed was the Song of America.

Anyhow, we are sailing on the Jewel about 2 months from now out of Civitavecchia - so where is the food venue for the late night snacks ?

Thanks

The only late night food venue is in the Solarium.

We did Brilliance last year , ship was really in great shape, loved the concierge lounge by far nicest I have seen, but normally prefered larger ships , missed not having ice show

We are on Brilliance 30 June for 12 nights with two grandsons ,E1 balcony. I am a bit concerned about stateroom storage! Never been on a Radiance class ship before. We usually go with Celebrity. Never had more than two in stateroom either but that doesn't really bother me. I will make sure two cases fit into other two and hopefully will go under the bed? But maim concern is space for clothes!

We are on Brilliance 30 June for 12 nights with two grandsons ,E1 balcony. I am a bit concerned about stateroom storage! Never been on a Radiance class ship before. We usually go with Celebrity. Never had more than two in stateroom either but that doesn't really bother me. I will make sure two cases fit into other two and hopefully will go under the bed? But maim concern is space for clothes!

We've had no problems fitting luggage under the bed. Sometimes we have to lift the corner to fit it under the bed frame.