Just Completed Northbound RCL - Questions?

[runner5]

Another question :) did the ship have a special floor/deck open when you went by hubbard glacier? THank you again for taking the time to answer!!

[CruisersfromMD]

Hi Larry,

 

I am starting to set clothes aside for my trip to Alaska in a few weeks. I was wondering what the ship temperature was in the afternoon/evening?

 

Would I be cold with long capris and open toes shoes at dinner? I know most ships have the AC on and was wondering if that is the case on the Radiance in Alaska? I do a have lightweight sweater to wear over my 3/4 length shirts.

 

 

 

Radiance of the Seas - 17 thru 25 June 2010 - Vancouver to Seward

 

Anyone wanting specific information? I will try to answer all.

 

Cheers!

Larry

 

RCL Adventure San Juan Southern Caribbean 2008

RCL Radiance Northbound Alaska 2010

[blaster454]

When you are in port how quickly can you exit the ship? That is, if it says we get to Juneau at 8:00 am, can we leave at 8:00 am or is it more like 8:30? How quick were you able to leave the ship in Seward for disembarking? THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER!!!

 

Generally, passengers start leaving right at the appointed time. It can get backed up at the beginning because so many are trying to get to the first excursions but generally (on RCL at least) the ship's crew is pretty efficient on moving people ... the only requirement getting off is to scan your Sea Pass (small credit card sized ID (again RCL but similar I imagine on most ships).

 

If you have an early excursion and are concerned about making it, I'd suggest an early breakfast (maybe in your room on the balcony :)). Then I'd head to the gangway deck ... it varies according to the tides and how the ship rides at the dock and is announced in the ship's daily newspaper which you receive the night before. That way you can be off as close to scheduled time as you can get.

 

That said, the excursion operators have lists of passenger names and will generally wait for you as long as you are not too late. If you're on a private excursion, they will also wait for you for a reasonable time.

 

Getting back on board is a slightly longer process. They will scan your Sea Pass again (that's how they keep count on the passengers and know how many are remaining to board). You also have to go through a security check point where your carried items will be X-ray processed like in the airport. It move fairly fast, too.

 

In Seward, you debark according to the requirements for your transfer. Early in the cruise you will receive a paper with your Cruise Compass and Shopping hand outs. This needs to be filled in and given back to your stateroom attendant by a set time (Monday, I think). On this paper you select a "departure category" for each person in your stateroom. The category is based on how you will be transferring. So for example, someone taking the RCL train to Anchorage in the morning would select the correct category. If you have bus or other arrangements they can be selected, too. RCL debarks according to that schedule and you will receive colored, numbered luggage tages to be placed on each bag. If you're transferring via the ship's trains or buses you also will receive transfer tags so your bags will make it to the right destinations. You place your bags in the hallway outside your room before midnight of the last night. In the morning, you proceed to a gathering point on the gangway deck (usually the theater or lounge areas). When your appointed time comes, a crew member escorts your tag group to the exit and your Sea Pass is swiped for the last time. It's fairly efficient and we were off within 2 minutes of the appointed time.

 

Also, RCL generally debarks their premier passengers (C&A Platinum and higher) earlier than others. I'm not sure if this holds for Seward where most people are transferring out right away and there might not be a lot to do at 6:00 A.M. ;)

[blaster454]

Another question :) did the ship have a special floor/deck open when you went by hubbard glacier? THank you again for taking the time to answer!!

 

All areas of the ship that are accessible to passengers are open during the glacier visit. The best place(s) during the approach are the decks that have bow views ... there are viewing areas on the higher decks and also on the bow helicopter landing pad deck.

 

It gets crowded early and there are crew members stationed at popular viewing points with hot chocolate and other drinks. The glacier "approach" takes a while. It is a huge glacier and is visible from many miles out in Yakutat Bay. I remember marveling at how big it looked only to have the ranger announce that were were now 6 miles away! Depending on your camera(s), you might want to wait till you get closer to the glacier for more dramatic pictures.

 

When the ship is a close as the captain thinks is safe, he will begin to turn the ship. Many people head back to their balcony staterooms for a more personal (and maybe warmer ;)) view. Room service is busy during this period but it's a good time to order warm drinks! Each balcony stateroom will have a pretty good view of the glacier, presuming there are no obstructing clouds. If you are in an inside stateroom or don't have a balcony, there are many "protected" places to watch the glacier as the ship turns. All sides and both ends get a pretty spectacular view of the glacier.

 

Here are a couple pics, one at about 5 miles and the other at close range -- you can see calving in the second pic but it's hard to capture without a movie camera! These are pretty low resolution to meet the Cruise Ctitic requirements ... I'm putting together a better slide presentation which I'll post a link to later.

[blaster454]

Hi Larry,

 

I am starting to set clothes aside for my trip to Alaska in a few weeks. I was wondering what the ship temperature was in the afternoon/evening?

 

Would I be cold with long capris and open toes shoes at dinner? I know most ships have the AC on and was wondering if that is the case on the Radiance in Alaska? I do a have lightweight sweater to wear over my 3/4 length shirts.

 

The ship temperature was always comfortable for me. I think the AC only kicked on at times ... there may have been more times when the heat was on! I believe the AC is "busier" in heavily populated areas (MDR, Windjammer, Casino, theater, ...) but I was never cold anywhere in slacks and long sleeved light shirts. When on deck while cruising, it's a different story and most times a jacket and head covering was advisable (although I did see adventurous people jogging in shorts in 45F and 20 knot winds!).

 

My wife did not take capris but said she should have. Both my wife and daughter were comfortable in the MDR in formal bare-shoulder dresses and they are both sensitive to cold. The sweater or a shawl is a good idea as you can always take it off.

 

Besides, one of those drinks-of-the-day do wonders to bring warmth! :D

[runner5]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for taking the time to answer all the questions!!! We leave in 11 days :)

[blaster454]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for taking

the time to answer all the questions!!! We leave in 11 days :)

 

You are very welcome! I hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did!