OCD Planner's Live ALASKA Photo Trip Report 16 day Cruise Tour aboard Radiance

[cassamanda]

I believe that you can only book thru the 2014 season right now. So if you are looking for next summer, then yes, definitely book now!

 

If you are looking for 2015 you'll have to wait until next March 2014 until the schedules come out.

 

You can keep a track of the deployment schedules here

http://www.creative.rccl.com/e-lite/RCI/2013/Deployment/13032797-2014-15_Deployment/

Hugh

[TMW67]

WOW!! Thank you soooooooo much Cindy for the wealth of detailed information & for taking the time out of your vacation to share your journey with us! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the pictures & hearing of your adventures! We were already thinking of planning a 2015 Alaska cruise when I ran across your review & you have DEFINITELY got me siked big time!! :D You have went above & beyond in this review & I felt like I was right along there with you! I enjoyed every single bit of it..... A++++!!! Looking forward to hearing about your European vacation also! Happy planning! :D

[ace1zoe2]

WOW!! Thank you soooooooo much Cindy for the wealth of detailed information & for taking the time out of your vacation to share your journey with us! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the pictures & hearing of your adventures! We were already thinking of planning a 2015 Alaska cruise when I ran across your review & you have DEFINITELY got me siked big time!! :D You have went above & beyond in this review & I felt like I was right along there with you! I enjoyed every single bit of it..... A++++!!! Looking forward to hearing about your European vacation also! Happy planning! :D

 

Thanks so much for posting! It makes me smile to know that my review was enjoyed and help "psyched" you up for your 2015 cruise! Alaska is Amazing! As much as I describe and as many pictures as you see ahead of time, it just doesn't prepare you for what you will see in person!

 

I've been busy at work trying to make plans for Europe, but the more I look, the more I've figured out I'll be making more than one trip to Europe - there's just too much to see and do at each and every port!

 

Happy Sails!

[SoonerGirlOKC]

First of all Thank you Cindy & Charlie for taking the time to take the pictures and post once you get back fabulous reviews. Even if i dont have a cruise planned on that particular ship or region i like to read your reviews. They are such a great "read". Now i am particular excited because i caught back on page 27 a little blurb about you guys going on Navigator of the Seas shortly after dry dock...

 

Also doing a 4 day in February right after Navigator comes out of dry dock and there will be no organized RCI sponsored M & M because of the short cruise. However that has be been a fabulous board and pretty sure we will be organizing our our Sail Away party and Meet & Mingle event :)

 

Hoping to read your review and others shortly after the dry dock for any information - as we go on Navigator out of Galveston March 16, 2014. I am especially hoping a lot of people take the time, as I am sure a lot of people will be excited to see the new changes and any information as it moves to Galveston. Thank you again for posting such great "reads"

[ace1zoe2]

First of all Thank you Cindy & Charlie for taking the time to take the pictures and post once you get back fabulous reviews. Even if i dont have a cruise planned on that particular ship or region i like to read your reviews. They are such a great "read". Now i am particular excited because i caught back on page 27 a little blurb about you guys going on Navigator of the Seas shortly after dry dock...

 

Also doing a 4 day in February right after Navigator comes out of dry dock and there will be no organized RCI sponsored M & M because of the short cruise. However that has be been a fabulous board and pretty sure we will be organizing our our Sail Away party and Meet & Mingle event :)

 

Hoping to read your review and others shortly after the dry dock for any information - as we go on Navigator out of Galveston March 16, 2014. I am especially hoping a lot of people take the time, as I am sure a lot of people will be excited to see the new changes and any information as it moves to Galveston. Thank you again for posting such great "reads"

 

Sooner Girl,

 

Thanks for the compliments. I enjoyed doing the review, but it is a LOT of work and is very time consuming.

 

This next trip (Navigator in Feb 14) will be my most laid back cruise EVER! It's a 5 hour drive to the port, so no hotel, etc... just drive down the morning of.

 

There is only one port stop in Cozumel which we've been to several times already. I think we are going to do the Nochi Cocum and just lay out on the beach (which we've never done)... so I don't have any excursions to plan. It's just a short 4 night, first cruise after dry dock... so I guess my review will basically be of the ship and Nochi Cocum.

 

Hopefully there is a cruise... it's showing up N/A as of this morning, but is still listed in my cruises on line... last time that happened while we were on this Alaska cruise, our European cruise was redeployed... I'm going to be really unhappy if that happens again! I finally talked my BF into cruising with us and we had these two booked and one already got changed...

 

I will report back with lots of pictures of the ship upon our return :)

 

 

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[SoonerGirlOKC]

Can't wait ..... I will gladly take any info you come back with... Pictures - ship details, etc.... I also noticed when I was reading your Voyager 2011 Cruise that you started out in 2005 out of Galveston on Rhapsody of the Seas - that is exactly our first cruise in April 2005 on Rhapsody as well and we have been going on 1 or 2 every year since.... I love it!!!

 

But just wanted to say "thanks again" you do a spectacular job on your reviews and I can tell you love it just as much... Even though they probably take quite a bit of time....Happy Cruising!

[karrie020852]

I don't know if I missed this in your review, but how did you finally find out where you were staying in Fairbanks? I would also like to know and they told me 49 days out I would know. We will be going a day or two early and would like to stay in the same hotel. Thanks...your review is great!:)

[ace1zoe2]

I don't know if I missed this in your review, but how did you finally find out where you were staying in Fairbanks? I would also like to know and they told me 49 days out I would know. We will be going a day or two early and would like to stay in the same hotel. Thanks...your review is great!:)

 

I just made reservations at all 3 they use & when we finally found out where we were staying I cancelled two of them.

 

We stayed at Pike's Waterfront & mist of the other reviews I have read this year have stayed there also.

 

I just kept calling RCI asking until I found out. The actually have a land tour department which I think is who told me.

 

Hope this helps a little bit. You are going to have a fabulous trip!

[sr4mjc]

What were the casino hours like for Alaska? Only closed during Glacier Bay and when in ports?

[ace1zoe2]

What were the casino hours like for Alaska? Only closed during Glacier Bay and when in ports?

 

Sorry, we didn't frequent the casino so I don't recall the hours. However, starting on page 28 with post 554 I uploaded each days Cruise Compass which list all the times each venue on the ship is open, so you should be able to find your answer there.

 

Hope this helps.

[EMED2010]

Cindy,

 

I am really late to your review but I spent my free time this weekend catching up. Fantastic review with lots of great info! I am hoping to go in August 2015 so it's never too early to start planning;). I am a huge fan of the binder and have made them for our previous two cruises. We previously sailed on Brilliance in the Med and Explorer in Bermuda and the Caribbean. We found we really loved the Radiance class because of all the windows so we're really looking forward to sailing that class again.

 

Too bad about your Med cruise getting changed. We did an overnight in Venice on our cruise and I really want to go back. I booked all private tours with the exception of one and they were all wonderful. We used Rome in Limo in both Florence/Pisa and Rome. They were excellent and extremely professional. We booked an 8 passenger van and I found other couples in our roll call to share with. It ended up costing us half the price that the ships tour would have cost and we were able to customize it the way we wanted.

 

Happy planning - for me that's all part of the fun!

[ace1zoe2]

Cindy,

 

I am really late to your review but I spent my free time this weekend catching up. Fantastic review with lots of great info! I am hoping to go in August 2015 so it's never too early to start planning;). I am a huge fan of the binder and have made them for our previous two cruises. We previously sailed on Brilliance in the Med and Explorer in Bermuda and the Caribbean. We found we really loved the Radiance class because of all the windows so we're really looking forward to sailing that class again.

 

Too bad about your Med cruise getting changed. We did an overnight in Venice on our cruise and I really want to go back. I booked all private tours with the exception of one and they were all wonderful. We used Rome in Limo in both Florence/Pisa and Rome. They were excellent and extremely professional. We booked an 8 passenger van and I found other couples in our roll call to share with. It ended up costing us half the price that the ships tour would have cost and we were able to customize it the way we wanted.

 

Happy planning - for me that's all part of the fun!

 

Thanks so much for taking time to comment. You are absolutely right that its never too early to start planning!

 

I spent a couple of hours today looking at private tour info for our 2014 Med cruise. There is just too much to see & do.

 

I've already decided that there will be multiple European trips in our future ;)

[EMED2010]

Cindy - Quick question for you regarding your balcony. I am considering getting 9256 but was concerned about the wind. I know that's the one you were considering but you got the one above it but I figured you'd have a similar experience. Anyway, because the balcony looks more open than port/starboard room, do you get more wind? Just wanted to know how cold it would be sitting out there. Thanks!

[ace1zoe2]

Cindy - Quick question for you regarding your balcony. I am considering getting 9256 but was concerned about the wind. I know that's the one you were considering but you got the one above it but I figured you'd have a similar experience. Anyway, because the balcony looks more open than port/starboard room, do you get more wind? Just wanted to know how cold it would be sitting out there. Thanks!

 

I have had 9256 on Brilliance out of Canada in November and it was chilly... even with that being said, i would still do it again.

 

In Alaska we had warm temps and we used our balcony A LOT! I would prefer the corner because it would give you sights from the aft as well as the side. It doesn't wrap around the corner, but you can see to the side.

 

I have 1100 reserved for Europe next year in Oct/Nov on Serenade which is the top corner aft balcony. If I have to I'll bundle up & enjoy the view... it's worth it to me.

 

The balconies are deeper than the side balconies, so you can get back closer to the doors if you need to get out of the wind a little. But since they are deep you also have the advantage of having 2 loungers and 2 regular chairs and a table (at least that has been our experience).

 

No matter which way you choose to go, you will have a fabulous time and unbelievable view!

 

Happy Sails!

[charliegirlac]

Thanks for the fantastic review! Bought back lovely memories of when we did Alaska in 2004. I mainly read because we are going on Radiance in December and wanted to see a review on the ship. Can you tell me if there was anywhere to get pizza on board? Hubby is loving that park cafe and the boardwalk dogs is on board but we both like a sneaky slice of pizza!

Thanks again

:)

[ace1zoe2]

Thanks for the fantastic review! Bought back lovely memories of when we did Alaska in 2004. I mainly read because we are going on Radiance in December and wanted to see a review on the ship. Can you tell me if there was anywhere to get pizza on board? Hubby is loving that park cafe and the boardwalk dogs is on board but we both like a sneaky slice of pizza!

Thanks again

:)

 

Charliegirl,

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my long review! Radiance is in great shape & we loved every minute of our trip!

 

Trying to remember about pizza... The only place that I personally recall pizza was in the WJ. I know on Voyager class ships we would get it in the promenade cafe but since there's no promenade it was WJ.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Lorey2007]

Loved your very complete review of your Alaska cruise tour. We will be doing a 4 day cruise tour prior to our southbound Radiance cruise and will be spending 2 nights in Fairbanks at the beginning of our tour. Can you tell me if there are any RCL excursions for dinner for those two nights once we get to Fairbanks to reserve? I was wondering if there is the "Fairbanks Salmon Bake & Heart Revue Show" which I saw on the RCL site's port excursions. We'll be arriving a day early and will rent a car for one day/night and staying at Pike's which haven't gotten the best reviews for dinner. Do you thik we should keep the car for a second day just to get to dinner if RCL doesn't offer us anything?

[ace1zoe2]

Loved your very complete review of your Alaska cruise tour. We will be doing a 4 day cruise tour prior to our southbound Radiance cruise and will be spending 2 nights in Fairbanks at the beginning of our tour. Can you tell me if there are any RCL excursions for dinner for those two nights once we get to Fairbanks to reserve? I was wondering if there is the "Fairbanks Salmon Bake & Heart Revue Show" which I saw on the RCL site's port excursions. We'll be arriving a day early and will rent a car for one day/night and staying at Pike's which haven't gotten the best reviews for dinner. Do you thik we should keep the car for a second day just to get to dinner if RCL doesn't offer us anything?

 

We were not offered any type of dinner excursions. I believe that there is a Salmon Bake that you is open to the public that you could do on your own. I would suggest having the rental for both days so that you can get out there & see the sites. We enjoyed the auto museum & going to North Pole.

 

The Pike's Lodge definitely has a lodge look & feel. It was nice, clean and very welcoming. They had a nice lobby & bar & some outside sitting area. We enjoyed it. You will definitely be at nicer hotels along the way. We didn't eat any meals at Pike's so I can't comment on food there bi just wasn't willing to spend the prices they were asking for the meals.

 

We loved our cruise tour and I think you will have a great time!

[moposh]

 

 

 

Are these your hiking shoes?

[ace1zoe2]

Are these your hiking shoes?

 

Yep, those are my hiking shoes. Merrell waterproof hiking shoes. They came just above my ankle and fit/feel like a tennis shoe. My husband chose they pair that came just below his ankle. I liked the extra support mine gave me.

 

Hubby & I both still wear these as "tennis shoes" for every day wear as well as when we walk/hike outdoors.

 

 

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[ILUVCRUIZN]

What a great review. The pictures were fantastic!!! :)

[ace1zoe2]

What a great review. The pictures were fantastic!!! :)

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read it & comment . I really enjoyed the trip & putting together the review.

 

I'm glad that someone posted on it again so that it isn't buried 15 pages down anymore ;)

[ILUVCRUIZN]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read it & comment . I really enjoyed the trip & putting together the review.

 

I'm glad that someone posted on it again so that it isn't buried 15 pages down anymore ;)

 

An Alaskan cruise has really never been one at the top of the list but after reading your review and seeing your lovely pictures we may have to do one sooner then later...

 

I just love such detailed reviews, you feel like you are experiencing the cruise right along with the reviewer!!! :)

[moposh]

Hi Cindy,

 

I just spent three days reading your thread. You offered so many great ideas, suggestions, comments, things for me to think about for my upcoming Alaska cruisetour, along with beautiful photographs. I really appreciate the time you took to post such a detailed description of your trip. I admit, I was a little so-so about going to Alaska--wanted to, but I don't like the cold. After reading your review, I'm totally psyched to go.

 

Why didn't you book your whale watching trip through RCI? The price is pretty much the same.

 

I think I'm going to be in sticker shock when it comes to paying for meals in Alaska.

 

If I have any other questions, I hope you don't mind if I ask you. Thanks so much!

[ace1zoe2]

Hi Cindy,

 

I just spent three days reading your thread. You offered so many great ideas, suggestions, comments, things for me to think about for my upcoming Alaska cruisetour, along with beautiful photographs. I really appreciate the time you took to post such a detailed description of your trip. I admit, I was a little so-so about going to Alaska--wanted to, but I don't like the cold. After reading your review, I'm totally psyched to go.

 

Why didn't you book your whale watching trip through RCI? The price is pretty much the same.

 

I think I'm going to be in sticker shock when it comes to paying for meals in Alaska.

 

If I have any other questions, I hope you don't mind if I ask you. Thanks so much!

 

The major difference in a private tour vs ship tour is GROUP SIZE. We were on a boat with a max capacity of 16 or 18 (from memory) and the ship's tour would have been probably 30-50 people or more. More people, less room for the great picture taking opportunities. I think I may have posted a picture of one of the bigger tours somewhere in my review but if not here it is:

 

 

Another plus to a smaller boat is that it can move quicker, so if they captain, spotter or guest sees whales that put the peddle to the metal & get there quick.

 

Also, I had a BOGO coupon from the Alaska Toursaver book that I had purchased so I only had to pay for one person.

 

Meals were probably about 50% more than we would pay here in Texas... but you have to think about pretty much everything they sell there has to be shipped in, making their cost-basis increase.

 

Feel free to ask all the questions you like. I'll try my best to answer them. I'm headed out on 2/5 of the Navigator of the Seas for the first cruise after dry dock so if you ask any questions next week it will probably be the following week before I see them.

 

I'm hoping to do a pictorial review of the new NOS after drydock and all the additions they have made to her :)

 

Edited to add:

Actually I just quickly counted 67 people on that boat that can be seen, then there are others not seen that are on the other side and blocked areas inside... I prefer small groups for our tours, even if I have to pay a little more, to me its worth the extra expense.

 

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Edited January 29, 2014 by ace1zoe2