Review on our Alaska Cruise aboard the Radiance

[CVU]

Hi CVU

 

I HATE to hijack this thread but your comment got me thinking about my own cruise I will be taking ... I will be staying in a B&B right next to Granville Island. The Sky Train doesn't really go there ... would it be cheaper to take the closest Train and then Taxi or just a taxi from YVR? I usually stay in the West End (last time was when they still had the airport shuttle bus)

 

Jennat' date=' [b']if it isn't too much trouble[/b], could you please post the rest of the Compasses? I love looking at them. THANKS

 

Good morning! With your $8 Canada Line ticket you can get a bus from the Olympic Station or get off at Yaletown Roundhouse and walk 1 block to the water and get a Water Taxi at the end of the dock right to Granville Island and up the ramp.

The cute little taxi, False Creek or Aqua Bus....I think is $3 and a fun ride with room for luggage. A taxi would be about $30.

You can buy a $9, $7 Sr. Day Pass at YVR. it won't cover the Water Taxis. But you can use transit until Midnight and use it for Canada Line too.

[negc]

Later that night we decided to try Matt Yee's adult sing along. Imagine an Asian of homosexual persuasion entertaining a group of people. Actually the "queen" act may have been just that, an act but he was super funny and very entertaining. He said lines like (spoken in choppy Asian english )....you no sing, I see you, I have Asian eyes.....everybody now has to drink" "Give me an Oye, give me an oye, oye, now give me an oye, oye, oye.....ummmmm!" Kind of loses something in translation.

Very entertaining though.

My only problem with his show, and it is kind of a big problem is that it is pretty much the same show every night. The diva show shouldn't be Diva's part 2 it should be same diva show, different diva night. It was kind of irritating because you wanted to be there and sing with him but the songs and antics were even sometimes in the same order so you knew what was coming next. This was a big deal on the ship....lots of people attended. I just think he could come up with different material. Did anyone else experience this? I know it wasn't just me because we were talking about it with several other couples.

 

We have seen Matt Yee on several occasions (he was on our Alaska cruise on Radiance last year as well) and while enjoy his show, he is a "one trick pony" and it does become a bit stale when he basically repeats the same act every night.

Perhaps he needs to remember that "familiarity breeds contempt";)

BTW even more great pictures. Thank you so much.

[jennat]

This is a great review, and I love your style of writing...and your humor!:p I'm just having a hard time visualizing the new pub. I know where the sports bar was but I think you mentioned that you could go outside from the pub? Is there an entrance from outside?

 

I can see where you thought I meant that. What I was trying to say was that on the other side of the hallway that you walk through that connects the casino to the theater there are a couple of sitting areas. When it is not busy, you are just as close to the music as you are in the pub (because, remember the windows are false windows, they only come down about 1 foot). So it is not "outside the ship" just "outside the pub". This is the area that has no pics or decor......just strange to me and leads me to that isolated feel but once again......just me.

[jmf123]

We headed into town to look around after the flight. We saw the first of many eagles. That was fun. They were in all the trees.

we got some incredible shots of them.......aren't I just amazing. Just kidding, while there were lots of eagles wayyyy up in the trees, this one was tethered in town. A bird rescue group takes donations for photos.

 

 

we got all dressed up before we went into town so we had a photo taken in our Alaska town attire. Don't we look pretty.

 

You are hilarious, love your style of writing! Also love that little owl, and you and your lumberjack all dressed up! :D

[jennat]

We have seen Matt Yee on several occasions (he was on our Alaska cruise on Radiance last year as well) and while enjoy his show, he is a "one trick pony" and it does become a bit stale when he basically repeats the same act every night.

Perhaps he needs to remember that "familiarity breeds contempt";)

BTW even more great pictures. Thank you so much.

 

Thank you for saying that.....I kind of thought I was a little crazy. I was like, "really, again" not understanding why if you can sing the Bradybunch and Gilligans Island you couldn't learn Scooby Doo or Cheers.....doesn't seem like a tough "trick" to add for that one trick pony.;):D

[jennat]

Hi CVU

 

Jennat' date=' [b']if it isn't too much trouble[/b], could you please post the rest of the Compasses? I love looking at them. THANKS

 

;) I know, I know. I haven't forgotten, I scanned them but Photo Bucket is not seeing them. I got frustrated and quit last night. I will get them. Worse case, I will e-mail them to you.

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

;) I know, I know. I haven't forgotten, I scanned them but Photo Bucket is not seeing them. I got frustrated and quit last night. I will get them. Worse case, I will e-mail them to you.

 

Oh, thank you!

 

Here is my email just in case you need it (everyone else close your eyes!! :D) boisenewbie at gmail dot com

[jennat]

 

 

 

[jennat]

I realized that the front page is always the same

 

Day 4

 

Day 5

 

Day 6

 

Day 7

 

Oscar the grouch,

your own personal copy is on the way! ;)

[cruisenfever]

Oh' date=' thank you!

 

[/quote']

Just so you know, the daily activities can change from cruise to cruise........so the Activity Pages that Jen has posted from her cruise might not necessarily be the same on your upcoming cruise.

[nomoreknothead]

Misty Fjord Flightseeing trip........(?) Did anyone else feel sick? My husband is very prone to motion sickness and I have booked this excursion "eek". Do you think that you would have been okay with the motion sickness meds? We take meclazine everyday while on a cruise. I like to be prepared. Still enjoying your review!!!

[travelgoddess1]

Thank you for making me smile. If you aren't a travel writer already, you are missing your calling. It was refreshing and entertaining to get your opinion on a ship we have sailed on 24 times. I look forward to more!

[Newbcruiser1]

Great review so far! I love your pictures!

 

My first cruise was on the Radiance back in 2007 and it's interesting to see the changes they've made since then to try to keep it competitive with the newer and larger ships!

[jennat]

Misty Fjord Flightseeing trip........(?) Did anyone else feel sick? My husband is very prone to motion sickness and I have booked this excursion "eek". Do you think that you would have been okay with the motion sickness meds? We take meclazine everyday while on a cruise. I like to be prepared. Still enjoying your review!!!

 

He will be fine. We had a flightseeing trip to Katmai (to walk with the Grizzlies...can't wait to tell you about that!) and I took Dramamine and felt absolutely fine. No problems at all. Just be sure and have him take something!

[negc]

If I am reading the compasses correctly, it appears that they are only showing movies on the big screen by the pool only in the evening which pleases me immensely. My major complaint with Princess' "Movies under the Stars" is that they begin showing movies and videos on that screen in the early morning and keep going until late at night, which IMO creates a much less relaxing daytime poolside experience during the day. I hope I am right and RCI continues to resist any temptation to extend the movies into the daytime hours. I wouldn't object if on occasion they showed a daytime sports program (NFL , MLB, NHL or NBA playoff games, but for ordinary films, I hope that they will limit the use of that poolside screen. Since there is a dedicated cinema on Radiance class ships, anyone wanting to see a film can do so there at several hours during the day, and, of course, the same movies are frequently shown on stateroom TVs.

[jennat]

If I am reading the compasses correctly, it appears that they are only showing movies on the big screen by the pool only in the evening which pleases me immensely. My major complaint with Princess' "Movies under the Stars" is that they begin showing movies and videos on that screen in the early morning and keep going until late at night, which IMO creates a much less relaxing daytime poolside experience during the day. I hope I am right and RCI continues to resist any temptation to extend the movies into the daytime hours. I wouldn't object if on occasion they showed a daytime sports program (NFL , MLB, NHL or NBA playoff games, but for ordinary films, I hope that they will limit the use of that poolside screen. Since there is a dedicated cinema on Radiance class ships, anyone wanting to see a film can do so there at several hours during the day, and, of course, the same movies are frequently shown on stateroom TVs.

 

You are correct but it won't matter as much on this cruise. There is not a lot of outside pool time. If you are outside you are watching the water for sea life, if you are swimming you are inside. There are of course a few exceptions to that rule (the crazy people I mentioned before). Are you crazy?;)

I am working on going through the Icy Point photos. I will hurry and finish the review. It was a great day.

[negc]

You are correct but it won't matter as much on this cruise. There is not a lot of outside pool time. If you are outside you are watching the water for sea life, if you are swimming you are inside. There are of course a few exceptions to that rule (the crazy people I mentioned before). Are you crazy?;)

.

 

My wife and some of my friends might say I am, but my craziness doesn't extend to using the outside pool when the temperature is below 80 degrees.:D That's one of the reasons that we love Radiance class ships with their climate-controlled solarium pools.:)

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

Jenn,

 

Just saw that Bowzer was on your cruise!! :D Did you go??

 

I know that it is the cheesiest ... but I LOVE that kind of entertainer!! If I saw Bowzer in person, that would be one of the highlights of my life :o (My dream is to see Charro live, so that tells a little something of me LOL)

 

Don't judge me! LOL ... I am late 30's and grew up watching Bowzer (ShaNaNa) on tv :p

 

Oh, and there was a Grease sing a long too!!!!

 

I sure hope they have entertainment like this when I board in September!!! :D

[negc]

Jenn' date='

 

Just saw that Bowzer was on your cruise!! :D Did you go??

 

I know that it is the cheesiest ... but I LOVE that kind of entertainer!! If I saw Bowzer in person, that would be one of the highlights of my life :o (My dream is to see Charro live, so that tells a little something of me LOL)

 

Don't judge me! LOL ... I am late 30's and grew up watching Bowzer (ShaNaNa) on tv :p

 

Oh, and there was a Grease sing a long too!!!!

 

I sure hope they have entertainment like this when I board in September!!! :D[/quote']

 

I think the Grease sing a long is the original film with the lyrics shown on the screen. Sort of the old "follow the bouncing ball" films I can remember as a kid.

[nomoreknothead]

He will be fine. We had a flightseeing trip to Katmai (to walk with the Grizzlies...can't wait to tell you about that!) and I took Dramamine and felt absolutely fine. No problems at all. Just be sure and have him take something!

 

:D I'll make sure he takes his meds.....Thanks for answering!

[ceetee]

Jenn' date='

 

Just saw that Bowzer was on your cruise!! :D Did you go??

 

I know that it is the cheesiest ... but I LOVE that kind of entertainer!! If I saw Bowzer in person, that would be one of the highlights of my life :o (My dream is to see Charro live, so that tells a little something of me LOL)

 

 

Oh, and there was a Grease sing a long too!!!!

 

I sure hope they have entertainment like this when I board in September!!! :D[/quote']

 

Your note hit a lot of our past highlights

Bowser has done a Christmas show here in Melbourne, FL the last 2 years.

He had a troupe of all the oldies performers, even The Comets" of Rock around the clock. What a great performance. If you check online, he is an advocate for original groups and performers. Hope you get your wish and see him.

We were also lucky to have had Charro on one of our cruises. The first half was her "shtick" but the second half was classical flamenco guitar.

Beyond awesome!

They showed the Grease sing-a-long movie on our Oasis cruise during the day. I don't remember any folks singing along but it was hot and in the sun. I enjoyed that movie up on the large screen.

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

I think the Grease sing a long is the original film with the lyrics shown on the screen. Sort of the old "follow the bouncing ball" films I can remember as a kid.

 

That's what I thought ... the Compass says it was out by the pool. Don't know how many people went to that (it might have been too cold) but it sure seems like FUN!

 

Now if Bowzar hosted the sing a long .... that would really make it! (He is in that movie too) :D

[jennat]

Today was Icy Point Straight or Icy Straight Point or Point Straight at the Icy something.

We awoke to a glorious day! The sun was shining and the water was like glass. It was absolutely stunning. Icy is a cruise port basically built by a native village. There is the touristy store when you get off but basically that is it. You couldn't buy jewelry here if you wanted to. What a relief it was.

We booked with Misty Bay Lodge and I have to tell you what a delight it was to work with them. I would unequivocally recommend them. You hear so much about FISHES and I tried to book with them but they wouldn't call me back or email me back. I thought, forget you and looked for another company. Boy am I glad I did. Hope or Dan's primary form of contact is by phone so I spoke with them several times over the course of my planning. They were excited about their island and what they had to offer and that was infectious. After the whale watching we headed out on a bear hunt on the island....but I am getting ahead of myself.

We woke early to room service. Hope had told us to catch the first tender off (btw you are tendered here if you didn't connect those dots)

 

so we did. When you get off you basically walk out of the security area for all non-ship excursions. We waited in the parking lot/dirt patch (i'm telling you, this area is not developed. You will love it) and our driver showed up (I wish I could remember his name, Lisa, can you help me out?)

He drove us into Hoonah....if you look at the photo below, you can see the road you have to travel to get here.

so the red building is the port stop and as you move to the right you see the dirt lot....that is where you meet. Continue on this road for 1/2 mile (?) and you are in Hoonah

 

[jennat]

Jenn' date='

 

Just saw that Bowzer was on your cruise!! :D Did you go??

 

I know that it is the cheesiest ... but I LOVE that kind of entertainer!! If I saw Bowzer in person, that would be one of the highlights of my life :o (My dream is to see Charro live, so that tells a little something of me LOL)

 

Don't judge me! LOL ... I am late 30's and grew up watching Bowzer (ShaNaNa) on tv :p

 

Oh, and there was a Grease sing a long too!!!!

 

I sure hope they have entertainment like this when I board in September!!! :D[/quote']

 

Okay all you Bowzer groupies. Here is a little something to tie (or is it tide?) you over.

 

We were out watching the sunset....It was 11pm at this point. That is Bowzer in the green with the vest and one of his dancers behind him.

 

 

He is a nice guy. That is one thing I loved about this size ship. Everyone is more accessible and it is more intimate. Like I mentioned before with the cruise director and with Bowzer, we ran into each other and chatted a couple of times. Just like any normal passenger.

He did do a complimentary photo signing (of his old self). Our friends got one.

 

Grease was outside. I can't remember exactly but it was either cold or rainy or something. Not attended as far as I can remember.

Edited June 24, 2011 by jennat

[jennat]

He took us to their restaurant in town......coffee was calling my name. She collected the money still due and we started to head out. Since all of us were taking an afternoon excursion with her also (bear), she asked if we would like to have her make us some sandwiches to have ready. We jumped on that, put in our order and we were off (we of course paid for the sand later).

 

 

 

The blonde is Hope

 

 

 

We headed out on water of glass.......absolutely gorgeous

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2011 by jennat