Radiance Southbound Alaska advice please!

[DavesGirl1029]

We're looking to book the Southbound Alaska cruise out of Seward next year for our 10th wedding anniversary on the Radiance.

 

Am looking for any good advice, but particularly, we're thinking we need a room on the Port side to get the best views, since we're traveling one way, South. Would appreciate anyone confirming this assumption is accurate.

 

Also, any input on the best Balcony or Junior Suite room #'s would be helpful.

 

Thanks!

[subtchr]

We did a southbound on Radiance last year and had a fantastic time!

 

I created a blog about our trip, with lots of photos and links to planning sites. It is linked in my signature, if you are interested.

 

We solved the "which side of the ship" dilemma by booking a cabin on the stern, and it was fantastic -- view of both sides, and a large, sheltered balcony.

 

If you don't want a stern balcony, it really does not matter as much as you think which side you are on. Throughout most of the cruise, there is land on both sides. You are traveling the inside passage, and to get to and from the ports, you are using bays and channels.

 

Also, even with a balcony, it's best to spend quite a bit of time out on deck, to be able to move around to see everything. It's all so stunning!

 

Be sure to post on the Alaska board as well. There are many very experienced Alaska visitors there who are extremely knowledgeable and helpful!

[DavesGirl1029]

Thanks Sue! Your blog & photos are great! I didn't realize there was an Alaska board, so I appreciate the tip... I'll definitely start scouring that.

[siren]

we are doing the Radiance in June 2015 for our 30th anniversary. We were told by many cruisers that the side of the ship did not matter. There are many rooms available and we opted for a superior balcony on the hump.

[gjkubel]

The best side is aft. However, if you want that, you better book ASAP as those go quickly (if there are even any still available).

[blackshirt]

I'm not sure if side of the ship matters or not but when we booked our southbound Alaska cruise for last year on Radiance, my TA said we'd want to be on the port side (which we were). We watched the entire Hubbard glacier experience from our balcony and it was fantastic.

[Sabnitron]

We're looking to book the Southbound Alaska cruise out of Seward next year for our 10th wedding anniversary on the Radiance.

 

Am looking for any good advice, but particularly, we're thinking we need a room on the Port side to get the best views, since we're traveling one way, South. Would appreciate anyone confirming this assumption is accurate.

 

Yes, Port side is the "good side" for southbound. Although (as someone else pointed out in this thread) aft facing balconies are really the cream of the crop.

[cruisePAC]

We did southbound Alaska (Seward --> Vancouver) in May 2012. We had a balcony on deck 7 starboard. I, too, thought that port would be the wiser side to book, but, as someone kindly reminded me, this is not true. The reason: The ship does most of it's sailing at night and sails far enough from shore that you can't see land anyway. While at the Hubbard Glacier, the captain will maneuver the ship as close to the glacier as safely possible. Then, the ship will do a complete 360 degree turn so that everyone on the ship gets a good view (and photo op) of the glacier.

A few tips related to the cruise and room selection: 1.) I'm glad we took a southbound (as compared to northbound) cruise because of air travel logistics post-cruise. 2.) I'm glad that we stayed in a stateroom with a balcony. It was nice to sit outside and see the Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage from our "private" area. 3.) I would recommend a stateroom that is on the forward or mid-ship hump. We've taken a cruise on Radiance Class since our Alaska cruise and did not have a stateroom on the hump. We would walk out on the balcony, look down, and see the covering over the lifeboats. On our Alaska cruise (when we had a forward hump stateroom), we could walk out on the balcony, look straight down, and see pieces of glacier that have broken (calved) off. Mind you, it wouldn't be the end of the world to have a non-hump cabin, it would just be an added bonus.

Alaska cruises are great - you'll have a wonderful time!

[siren]

Good advice thanks....so glad we got the "hump" and a large balcony...

[ace1zoe2]

We also did southbound from Seward this past summer with an Aft balcony and had a fabulous time.

 

I also did a trip report which is linked in my signature and have since transferred it to my blog (without all the comments from others so it's easier to read & is broken up by the day/port) just search for Alaska & click on the Alaska tag & you will find tons of information for planning.

 

Enjoy your trip!

Edited May 8, 2014 by ace1zoe2