At last! It's RADIANCE cruise day!

[gaechann]

[it would have been great to have a little night light in there but we brought battery operated candles which allow enough light to use the WC at night.

 

 

sorry I was referring to this quote. Thanks!

 

I guess you've worked out that I was referring to the lack of a little night light in the bathroom. We find that it's easier to go straight back to sleep if you're no completely woken by bright lights at night when you need to visit the bathroom.

 

As mentioned earlier, we solved this problem by bringing a couple of battery operated tea-lights which we left in the bathroom each evening.

[gaechann]

Here's a photo of the South-bank area of the Brisbane River where the Expo was held all those years ago! It's all been re-vitalised and is a very popular place to visit and enjoy!

 

[gaechann]

Here's a photo of a shady walk-way between the southside CBD and the river. Very pleasant area!

 

[gaechann]

Here's Mum & I at a Brisbane River look-out. So many people used to ask us if we were sisters rather than Mother & daughter! I don't know where they'd get that idea from - LOL! I was her first-born when she was only 21.

 

[jozzee72]

Thanks for that. We have two littlies with us who would want a night light on all night. Is there a night light in the rooms? Or a reading light?

[gaechann]

DAY 4 - at sea.

 

Today whilst taking our after-breakfast stroll along Deck 12, we could see a large island ahead with lots of boats coming and going from the mainland. We worked out that this was Cairns ahead.

 

The ship has been sailing quite close to the mainland all the way north so we've be able to keep an eye on where we're situated most of the time though it's been a bit hazy.

 

Our binoculars have come in handy both for checking out the mainland and other vessels on the ocean.

 

We now have a pilot on board to assist us through the Great Barrier Reef. I just wish that I'd thought to bring a map of the Queensland coast with me so that I could follow our journey more closely. Note to self - next time pack a map!

 

It's far too hot for us to sit up on the open decks and far too cold because of the air-conditioning to sit indoors so we've found our little spot on Deck 5 - port side (starboard side for smokers) from which we've had a great view of the passing mainland, assorted islands and other vessels, especially with the assistance of our binoculars!

 

It's also handy to the Coffee Shop where for just $4 each we can obtain our daily cappachino (sp?) and a free little munchie to go with it. We park Mum's walker between our 2 deck-chairs and use the seat of it as a little table.

 

Also very handy to the WC so this little spot works wonders for us! It seems to be a thoroughfare for many of the crew and we see the "Vice-Captain" and Chief Engineer patrolling this deck most days along with many other crew members. I guess it's easier to travel from one end of the ship to the other via the open deck than through the public areas indoors.

 

We received invitations to the Crown & Anchor Welcome Back Party to be held this evening but "been there, got the t-shirt" so we didn't bother preferring to attend the show at the Theatre instead.

 

We seemed to have settled into a little daily pattern:

• early breakfast in the Windjammer
  
• walk around Deck 12
  
• visit library on Deck 9 for puzzles
  
• back to cabin to clean teeth etc.
  
• up to Deck 5 with a book and our binoculars
  
• mid-morning coffee
  
• lunch either at Windjammers or I get a snack from the Solarium cafe and take it back to our spot on deck 5
  
• afternoon nap in our cabin OR sit in the Centrum area on Deck 4 to listen to live music
  
• dinner in the Main Dining Room
  
• Show in the Theatre
  
• Check out entertainment in the Centrum
  
• retire to our cabin
  

I've said to Mum "we're probably having a whole different cruise to others on this ship". We then thought about how some others may be enjoying their cruise:

• Go to all activities offered by the ship - busy, busy, busy!
  
• Spend lots of time in the casino - don't have a clue what's going on outside!
  
• Lie around the pool most of the day - getting brown & perhaps growing skin-cancers!
  
• Using their drink packages to try all different cocktails, wines & beers each and every day - getting so sozzled that they don't have a clue what's going on around them!
  
• Playing every sport available - adventure lovers!
  
• Going to the gym to exercise and pounding the deck for an hour each day - keeping the weight down!
  
• Eating copious amounts each day - getting their money's worth!
  
• Spending lots of money in the shops & going to all the sales - spend, spend, spend!
  
• Going to the Art Auctions and buying art - spending lots of money!
  

That's just some examples of the different cruises to be had - ON THE SAME SHIP AT THE SAME TIME!:D

 

I'll now post some more photos of the ship!

 

Gae

[gaechann]

Thanks for that. We have two littlies with us who would want a night light on all night. Is there a night light in the rooms? Or a reading light?

 

Yes there are reading lights above your bed but they were too bright for us to leave on all night.

[gaechann]

Snooze time on Deck 5! :)

 

[gaechann]

Here's a photo of Rohan who was our morning greeter at Windjammers, reminding us to "washy-washy-washy" our hands before eating! Some took offence to being reminded and simply refused! :mad: We had up to 20 passengers suffering from the norovirus but the number dropped to zero within a few days according to the Captain's daily report.

 

Anyway, Rohan kept us amused with his assortment of hats - which he paid for himself, and his "Australian-isms" each morning - "G'day mate! G'day cobber" etc.

 

I made sure that I mentioned him by name on my Cruise Survey Form.

 

[gaechann]

Here's a photo of Deck 12 starboard side, looking book towards the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 13 and showing the roof of the solarium (adult indoor swimming pool area) on Deck 11.

 

[gaechann]

[gaechann]

Here's an example of the artwork found in the front stairwell near the Theatre. There were also some small side cases of other old, interesting stuff!

 

[gaechann]

Here's one of the towel animals that our room steward Fernando left us one evening. We couldn't work out what it was supposed to be though!

 

[gaechann]

DAY 5 - AIRLIE BEACH, Whitsundays area.

 

Many people were hoping to visit the Great Barrier Reef and go snorkling here! From reports I heard later, that didn't happen because the Reef is quite some distance out from this port so by the time everyone was aboard the big catamarans, then they cruised out to the pontoons, there was little time to do anything before it was time to return.

 

I had thought to book a private helicopter ride over the reef until the Tourist Information Centre volunteer that I rang informed me that we'd need to be airborne for about 1 hour to see the Reef! Far too expensive at $1400 for the 2 of us for 1 hour so we opted for the ship's bus tour of the immediate area.

 

This was OK but really the majority of our time was spent at the Prosperpine Museum with just a quick tour through the Airlie Beach area before we were taken back to the wharf to catch a tender back to the ship.

 

We were lucky that the ship had arranged for large catamarans to tender us back & forth as they were much more stable and also quicker than the ships little tenders.

 

Volunteers from the local Visitors Information Centre were at the wharf to assist us with private transport if required and maps and general information about the area. We found a seat whilst we waited for our tour bus at a little cafe for a coffee and a cake which was all we had to eat for lunch as there was no opportunity to stop for lunch during our tour.

 

We had a late lunch at Windjammers once on-board again so opted out of dinner before attending the night's show.

 

Some photos to follow.

[gaechann]

Here's a photo of some early passengers using the ship's tender to leave for the wharf at Airlie Beach.

 

[gaechann]

Here's a photo of the Marina at Airlie Beach. Very picturesque! We had to wait here at the wharf for our tour bus.

 

 

[gaechann]

New accommodation blocks on the hillsides of Airlie Beach.

 

[gaechann]

Carpark area of the local sailing club.

 

[gaechann]

Boarding the catamaran to take us back to the Radiance.

 

[gaechann]

DAY 4 - at sea.

 

Today whilst taking our after-breakfast stroll along Deck 12, we could see a large island ahead with lots of boats coming and going from the mainland. We worked out that this was Cairns ahead.

 

The ship has been sailing quite close to the mainland all the way north so we've be able to keep an eye on where we're situated most of the time though it's been a bit hazy.

 

Our binoculars have come in handy both for checking out the mainland and other vessels on the ocean.

 

We now have a pilot on board to assist us through the Great Barrier Reef. I just wish that I'd thought to bring a map of the Queensland coast with me so that I could follow our journey more closely. Note to self - next time pack a map!

 

It's far too hot for us to sit up on the open decks and far too cold because of the air-conditioning to sit indoors so we've found our little spot on Deck 5 - port side (starboard side for smokers) from which we've had a great view of the passing mainland, assorted islands and other vessels, especially with the assistance of our binoculars!

 

It's also handy to the Coffee Shop where for just $4 each we can obtain our daily cappachino (sp?) and a free little munchie to go with it. We park Mum's walker between our 2 deck-chairs and use the seat of it as a little table.

 

Also very handy to the WC so this little spot works wonders for us! It seems to be a thoroughfare for many of the crew and we see the "Vice-Captain" and Chief Engineer patrolling this deck most days along with many other crew members. I guess it's easier to travel from one end of the ship to the other via the open deck than through the public areas indoors.

 

We received invitations to the Crown & Anchor Welcome Back Party to be held this evening but "been there, got the t-shirt" so we didn't bother preferring to attend the show at the Theatre instead.

 

 

We seemed to have settled into a little daily pattern:

• early breakfast in the Windjammer
  
• walk around Deck 12
  
• visit library on Deck 9 for puzzles
  
• back to cabin to clean teeth etc.
  
• up to Deck 5 with a book and our binoculars
  
• mid-morning coffee
  
• lunch either at Windjammers or I get a snack from the Solarium cafe and take it back to our spot on deck 5
  
• afternoon nap in our cabin OR sit in the Centrum area on Deck 4 to listen to live music
  
• dinner in the Main Dining Room
  
• Show in the Theatre
  
• Check out entertainment in the Centrum
  
• retire to our cabin
  

I've said to Mum "we're probably having a whole different cruise to others on this ship". We then thought about how some others may be enjoying their cruise:

• Go to all activities offered by the ship - busy, busy, busy!
  
• Spend lots of time in the casino - don't have a clue what's going on outside!
  
• Lie around the pool most of the day - getting brown & perhaps growing skin-cancers!
  
• Using their drink packages to try all different cocktails, wines & beers each and every day - getting so sozzled that they don't have a clue what's going on around them!
  
• Playing every sport available - adventure lovers!
  
• Going to the gym to exercise and pounding the deck for an hour each day - keeping the weight down!
  
• Eating copious amounts each day - getting their money's worth!
  
• Spending lots of money in the shops & going to all the sales - spend, spend, spend!
  
• Going to the Art Auctions and buying art - spending lots of money!
  

That's just some examples of the different cruises to be had - ON THE SAME SHIP AT THE SAME TIME!:D

 

I'll now post some more photos of the ship!

 

Gae

 

I'm wrong about passing Cairns on Day 4! We had still to visit Airlie Beach in the Whitsundays and Cairns is much further North. I had kept notes on my IPhone but lost everything went I changed the settings! Now, I've just got to rely on my memory so I will continue to get some things, especially places mixed up though I'll do my best and check further before I write any more posts.

[megsie]

Just loving your daily reviews. We were also on the Radiance. Nice to be reminded by a daily review - just where did those 17 days go! We really enjoyed this cruise, everyone we met or passed were friendly, the crew were fabulous and fun when appropriate. We had great table mates in the MDR, did some nice tours but the most memorable time was the sunrise coming into Darwin - spectacular.

[gaechann]

Just loving your daily reviews. We were also on the Radiance. Nice to be reminded by a daily review - just where did those 17 days go! We really enjoyed this cruise, everyone we met or passed were friendly, the crew were fabulous and fun when appropriate. We had great table mates in the MDR, did some nice tours but the most memorable time was the sunrise coming into Darwin - spectacular.

 

 

I agree! It was a great time!

 

I've been telling my group of cruise buddies here at home how great the cruise was so now we've all just about decided to book the same cruise in October next year!

 

This will be an entirely different cruise being able to do my own thing without having the continual worry of my Mum! She's decided that her cruising days are over and I've had to agree after her bad fall on-board!

 

I was originally booked to do the Perth to Sydney via NZ leg in November next year but a school reunion date put paid to that idea! Maybe 2015!

 

Gae

[TrilbyJane55]

Thank you for the review. I am reliving the trip through your posts. The "reef pilot" was one of the highlights. He had the most wonderful voice and so informative, I tried to write as much as possible as he spoke. The NY ladies were not very sociable at all. I remember seeing you a few times madly typing on your iphone. Hope you enjoy the cruise next year with your buddies, and without the added worry of your Mum.:):)

[Sweet on the sea]

HI Gae,

I think that towel animal is a dog. I'm loving your photos. :)

[gaechann]

DAYS 6, 7 & 8 - At Sea from Airlie Beach to Darwin

 

Firstly, thanks for all your kind comments! There have been lots of viewings so I guess many are interested either in the ship and/or the cruise.

 

Yes, the Reef Pilot and his addresses over the loud-speaker whenever we were passing places of interest were certainly a highlight of this part of the cruise.

 

We met him in the lift one day and told him how impressed we were with his comments. He thanked us then commented that perhaps he should ask the management to add a couple of zeros on to him payment cheque.

 

He boards in Brisbane then gets off in Darwin to fly back to Brisbane. He and the other pilots in the area aare kept very busy but he says that he loves his job - who wouldn't?

 

Here's some more photos to keep you all interested.

 

This first one is of a freighter that passed us quite close by as we continued our cruise up the North Coast of Queensland to the top of Australia.

 

As mentioned previously, we sailed very close to the mainland, obviously to miss the Great Barrier Reef.