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Onboard Radiance - Honolulu to Vancouver

joepeka
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joepeka

joepeka

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Boarded yesterday, first impressions:

Embarkation was quite smooth, the Honolulu Pier 2 staff seem to have the process down. Started calling B2B guests at 12:15, we were onboard by 12:30.

We have never been on a Radiance class ship before and like the design and layout so far. The interior is beautiful and very well maintained, the exterior, well, it probably is due for some refurb. The Concierge did mention it's due for dry dock in 2016. Shops, casino, etc. are all closed due to port intensive nature but are scheduled to open at 6:30 this evening after departing Hilo. Staff have all been great so far, all extremely friendly and helpful so no bad news there.

Gotta run now, almost time for our helicopter tour!

Sent from my Kindle Fire

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MichaelCMTX

MichaelCMTX

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Boarded yesterday, first impressions:

Embarkation was quite smooth, the Honolulu Pier 2 staff seem to have the process down. Started calling B2B guests at 12:15, we were onboard by 12:30.

We have never been on a Radiance class ship before and like the design and layout so far. The interior is beautiful and very well maintained, the exterior, well, it probably is due for some refurb. The Concierge did mention it's due for dry dock in 2016. Shops, casino, etc. are all closed due to port intensive nature but are scheduled to open at 6:30 this evening after departing Hilo. Staff have all been great so far, all extremely friendly and helpful so no bad news there.

Gotta run now, almost time for our helicopter tour!

Sent from my Kindle Fire

 

This is the one we did in 2013. Have a great time, we sure did!!

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joepeka

joepeka

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Can't wait to hear more!! If you get a chance, could you please snap a picture of the Chops menu? I want to make sure it is the old menu before I make reservations. Thanks!!!

 

I have the photos of Chops menu but I don't have a way to upload them until we get home so check back after May 15, sorry I can't do it quicker.

 

The helicopter ride was outstanding yesterday. The pilot was this cool young guy named Scott and we flew over the lava field from the major flow that occurred last summer. The lava was still incredibly hot, there were trees still burning and a couple of vents actually had bubbling magma visible. Really quite an awesome experience. Today we just shopped and ate in Kona and tomorrow is a luau in Lahaina.

 

There was a bit of an issue yesterday on the ship - most of the toilets had to be shutdown for 4-5 hours due to a blockage. Fortunately it was a port day so lots of folks were off the boat and probably were never aware. Otherwise the ship and crew seem to be performing quite well. Dining room staff (Dougu and Aldrich) are very attentive and even the cocktail waiter has our drinks at the table within minutes of being seated, without prompting. Very nice service indeed.

 

Will report more tomorrow perhaps. Really sorry I cannot post photos right now.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

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joepeka

joepeka

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Take good care of that ship :). Is she just showing her age on the exterior or there anything wrong in particular?

 

Nothing wrong, just mostly superficial things that I am sure will be corrected at the next dry dock. For example, the overhang of our balcony has a LOT of rust, spots where outer surface of the beams are spalling so badly that there are holes and paint is flaking daily onto the balcony. I will post some photos when we get home. Like I said nothing structural, just superficial.

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weatherboy80

weatherboy80

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Nothing wrong, just mostly superficial things that I am sure will be corrected at the next dry dock. For example, the overhang of our balcony has a LOT of rust, spots where outer surface of the beams are spalling so badly that there are holes and paint is flaking daily onto the balcony. I will post some photos when we get home. Like I said nothing structural, just superficial.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

 

Thanks for the update. Understand its really a cosmetic kind of thing, but rust falling onto the balcony certainly isn't a good sign :cool:

 

Hopefully they can address or patch some of these issues before dry dock since it isn't until 2016.

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dixielady

dixielady

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Doing the Hawaii to Vancouver In April 2016, so any and all pictures of the ship would be welcome when you get home and able to post. Let us know about the Luau, we already have that booked for next year.

 

:)

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joepeka

joepeka

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Thanks for the update. Understand its really a cosmetic kind of thing, but rust falling onto the balcony certainly isn't a good sign :cool:

 

Hopefully they can address or patch some of these issues before dry dock since it isn't until 2016.

 

I don't want to overstate the situation, it is paint and filler material on the overhead support structure that is flaking and falling/being blown onto the balcony. I have not seen any rust on the deck or furniture of the balcony. It is rather unsightly though and as I mentioned, I will post some photos when we return home. We do see the crew out refinishing the wood railings and things like that so they are staying on top of maintenance and cleanliness, we can just see definite signs of wear that will undoubetly be addressed at dry dock next year.

 

Sent from my Kindle Fire

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joepeka

joepeka

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Can't wait to hear more!! If you get a chance, could you please snap a picture of the Chops menu? I want to make sure it is the old menu before I make reservations. Thanks!!!

 

As promised, here's the Chops menus from Radiance. I have to apologize for the quality, there was plexi-glass covering the menus and I couldn't eliminate the reflection of the ambient lighting. If you click on the images though, it will take you to my Photobucket library where you should be able to enlarge/enhance.

 

DSCN0128_zps8el2bzfu.jpg

 

DSCN0126_zpsrcpgdtgi.jpg

 

DSCN0131_zpskrqdvm2w.jpg

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joepeka

joepeka

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Nothing wrong, just mostly superficial things that I am sure will be corrected at the next dry dock. For example, the overhang of our balcony has a LOT of rust, spots where outer surface of the beams are spalling so badly that there are holes and paint is flaking daily onto the balcony. I will post some photos when we get home. Like I said nothing structural, just superficial.

Sent from my Kindle Fire

 

Here are the photos I mention above showing the deterioration and flaking of the underside of the deck above our cabin (1036). As I noted, it's superficial but certainly not pretty. The last one is from the overhang one or two cabins forward of ours.

 

100_1667_zps9exu4t60.jpg

 

100_1666_zpsawozpod1.jpg

 

100_1668_zpsqwiiqogy.jpg

 

100_1670_zpsdrqlydpi.jpg

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joepeka

joepeka

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Thank you so much for the menus! I am disappointed that they are the new menus. I loved the Parmesan potatoes. It looks like they are no more.

 

The scalloped parmesan potatoes are listed under sides, unless that's not what you were referring to?

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cruise wizard

cruise wizard

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Thank you so much for the menus! I am disappointed that they are the new menus. I loved the Parmesan potatoes. It looks like they are no more.

 

They changed the potatoes in Chops on the Quantum last month - they are Parmesan Tater-Tots and were very cheesy............I liked them!!!

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