Just off Radiance 11/13 Western - Any Questions??

[chajec]

Hi,

 

I just got off the Radiance Western Caribbean 11/13 - 11/20. I'd be glad to try to answer any questions anyone has on the Radiance.

 

The cruise ship, staff, etc was great. The weather could have been better.

 

Later.

[cincicruisers]

Hello

Leaving on the radiance this weekend.

 

What cabin were you in?

You mentioned the weather was not great.. can you explain?

 

Did you try the seaview cafe?

 

Were you able to go to Cozumel?

 

Glad you had a good vacation

[cruizinmimi]

Tell us about the Solarium.....it really looks beautiful in the pics (webpage). Was the water cold? How was the water temp in the pool area and were there alot of kids at the pool area? Also was there an area in the spa or workout room where you can shower and get ready?

 

Did you stop at CocoaCay and how was that?

 

Linda

[Patd27]

Can you tell me which nights were formal? We're sailing aboard the Radiance this coming week and really looking forward to it.

[Nessa1dc]

We will be sailing on December 4, 2005.

 

I would like to know what your cabin number was? The casino? Which shows and games are a must see?

 

Thank you.

[SF]

We're also waiting anxiously for our upcoming Radiance Xmas cruise. Glad to hear you had a great cruise except for the weather.

 

What was the entertainment on board like?

[breal6]

I also just got off the radiance, so i'll jump in here if it's ok.

 

cabin 1542.....perfect

 

weather....cloudy all week with some heavy fog, the good side of that was it never got scorching hot:)

 

seaview was great. it always has been my favorite lunch place. late night snack of clam chowder works too.

 

we didn't go to cozumel. they replaced it with Belize for our sailing. not impressed.

 

solarium is wonderful. we swam at midnight most nights. the water was not chilly at all. i can't speak for the main pool area as i avoid it entirely.

the spas do have a shower and changing area. the work out area is up one deck from there.

 

there were not a lot of kids on our sailing. hardly saw any in fact.

 

coco cay is not on the western itinerary, but labadee is. the weather was rough the day we were there and the waves were crashing. i didn't go in the water at all. but i heard some people say they were getting knocked around by the waves.

 

formal nights were monday and thursday for us because of the changed itinerary. they are normaly monday and friday.

 

the casino was accepting all donations,lol, although i did see one particular slot machine that hit 4 times for a thousand dollars during the week. it was a wheel of fortune dollar machine. the one on the right facing the wall, not the bar. good luck.

 

shows are subjective. what i might like you might not. go enjoy them. and if you didn't really care for them it was only 45 minutes of your time:), and you have something to laugh about later.

[nanfromatlanta]

Was Gordon Whatman the Cruise Director? And if so, might you know if he will be there for the Christmas/New Years sailing?

[roe2ship]

Can you tell me if the soda cards can be used at the Seaview Cafe? Is ice cream and pizza available all day? Thank you.

[signman]

Soda cards are good everywhere. Pizza til 7 at Solarium Cafe, then make your own in Windjammer til 9. Self serve soft ice cream at rear of Windjammer open at least until 9.

[chajec]

Hi,

 

We were on the Radiance 11/13 - 11/20. We only had sun on Sun, Mon, 1/2day Tues and most of the day on Saturday. Overcast most of the other days and rainy on some. Not the cruise line's fault.

 

We got to the port at about 10:30AM and were able to board the ship promptly at 11:30AM. Make sure to print off your set sail pass before you go, it will save you a lot of time. We were in cabin 9586 on the hump. I would definitely do this again. The location was great, very close to stairway, elevators, and centrum. This was a very central location. We got out bags at around 3PM and they were all there in our cabin.

 

We did not go to Cozumel, but went to Belize City instead. We did a tour of Mayan Ruins at Altun Ha with a private tour guide and it worked out well, except for the rain when we got there. I was not impressed with Belize, though the ruins were good.

 

Seaview cafe was great. They had several selections and we went there several nights around 11pm to grab a snack. The Solarium has pizza until 7PM and it was good for a snack. Windjammer has a decent selection of food. We went to the WJ for most of our breakfasts, but went to main dining room a few days. You can get the same things in both places. Room service was about 30 minutes at 1:30AM but worked out fine. You can't put tip on seapass card though so have cash ready.

 

If you need to cash traveler's checks, avoid the line at Guest Relations and do it at the Casino Cashier. There's usually no line there.

 

I didn't use the Solarium pool so I can't comment on that. We used the other main pool on the sea days and it was fine. There were about 200 kids (including 2 of mine) on the ship and you really didn't see them that much. One of the crew told me that Thanksgiving week they were expecting over 600 kids.

 

My kids hung out in Adventure Ocean which my 10 yr old really liked, and my 13 yr old in the Optix teen club. He really liked that since he was independent. Mini golf was tough due to winds but kids enjoyed it and rock climbing too. The first sea day it was closed due to crosswinds, but was open other days. Make sure to go up to the Crown and Anchor lounge on deck 12 and see the glass opening looking down directly into the centrum. It's kind of cool. Also you get to the Green Heliport in front of ship via Deck 5 forward, and then go up stairs to Deck 6.

 

Tender process was OK, though Cayman tenders are a bit scary since they are enclosed. Exiting and entrance to ship was very quick.

 

 

I used the internet on the ship a few times. At .50 per minute, its ok for checking email, quick stuff like that, but it worked out fine for me.

 

The Centrum is magnificent and really neat. The Casino was OK but did terrible at blackjack but good at craps. We went to the shows every night and thought they were good. Right outside of the Aurora Theatre was the scoreboard sports bar. Several nights we stopped in and got a basket of popcorn for the show. Piano Man was good but was disappointed that RCCL does not do the "If I were not upon the sea" skit anymore. If you have kids, there are 2 shows they will like, there's one that a comedian/magician and the other is ajuggler. My kids liked both and were in stitches with the comedian. The other shows may not appeal to kids, though they are welcome and the shows are clean.

 

We didn't have to get to the show too much ahead of showtime to get a decent seat like on past cruises. We got there at 10 minutes before and had no problems getting a seat. If the main floor is crowded, go up to the 2nd level and there are plenty of seats there too with great sight lines. We never had a problem getting a decent seat.

 

Our Cruise director was Mark, not Gordon. He is on for 9 weeks starting 11/13. He's from England and did a nice job. 70's night up in Starquest was very good and gets crowded so get there before 11:30 if you want a seat that night. The QUEST game was great as normal. Dont miss it!!! Country and Western night was fair but rock n roll night was good. The self leveling pool tables in the Colony Club are a must see. Make sure there are balls on the table when looking at it and that it is turned on.

 

I don't want to comment on the food since that is highly subjective, however both my wife and I thought it has improved since the last time we cruise RCCL back in 95. My kids had no problem finding something to each each night and ate in the main dining room each night with us except once.

 

River Tubing in Jamaica was very cool and fun. If you get the chance, do it.

 

I didn't think the pool was overly crowded, but probably because of the weather, some people stayed away. Pool games were fun, though minimal.

 

We pulled into the Port of Miami at about 6:15AM and we were able to start leaving the ship at 7:20AM.

 

Let me know if you have anything specific and I'll try to address it here.

Post your email addy and I'll send you some pictures.

[stephandjim1070]

Thanks For The Info Going On 12/11

 

Steph

[roe2ship]

Chajec, thanks for your review. What exactly is Quest? What time do the evening shows begin? How are the kid's menu? I have a 3yr old who is pretty picky. TIA

[Nessa1dc]

Thanks to you both for all the helpful information.

[signman]

Anyone who has done Quest could tell you what it is, but then they'd have to kill you. Just get there early for a good seat.

[megessey]

cajec-- regarding room 9586: Can you provide more details, specifically:

 

• Size of balcony-- what furniture did they have on there?
  
• How was the view from the balcony? (side to side as well as straight down)
  
• Could you hear noise from the elevator?

Thanks!

[sandyk]

Was Chops and Portifino's open for lunch? I know they are not on the Voyager ships, but have heard that sometimes they are on the Radiance class ships.

[phillychick]

Post your email addy and I'll send you some pictures.

 

I'm leaving on the Radiance this Sunday, 11/27 & I'd love to check out your pics. My email addy is dallaschick8@aol.com

 

 

Barbara from Philly

[breal6]

No the alternate restaurants were not open for lunch. When i sailed the radiance last dec, they were but not this year.:(

[logan1_2000]

i'm at 37 days and counting, would appreciate the chance to see your photos. logan1_2000@yahoo.com.

 

thanks.

[chajec]

Balcony included 2 chairs and small round table. Could see all the way to bridge of ship and all the way to back of ship as well as straight down to the water. Very private if you know what I mean.

 

And no noise from elevators at all and hardly any foot traffic in that area of ship since it's on the hump. A great location. I would do it again in a heart beat. This location is close to elevators and stairwell that is the main ones by the Centrum so this is very centrally located.

 

Hope you enjoy. Write back when you get a chance.

[chajec]

Chajec, thanks for your review. What exactly is Quest? What time do the evening shows begin? How are the kid's menu? I have a 3yr old who is pretty picky. TIA

Quest I can't tell you about, but don't miss it. Don't bring your son or daughter though. Kids menu had several things on it, including chicken strips that were very good, spaghetti, ceasar salad, mozzerella sticks along with more things. Our song had a few ears of corn on the first night and our waiter brought them every night for him. I assume you have 1st seating dinner, so shows mainly start at 9pm and go to 10pm.

 

Have fun, but while you are there, make sure to have your kid in the kids club and enjoy the cruise adult style since you paid for it.

 

Enjoy.

[logan1_2000]

Chajec, I see you have also sailed on the Disney Magic, as we have. There are many Magic vs. Voyager class comparisons to be found, I Wonder (ha ha, DCL pun intended) if you have any thoughts comparing and contrasting the Radiance to the Magic. DW and I are early 40's, DS is a 4th grader, age 9, active and loves sports, esp. basketball. My thinking going in is that they are both great ships, but different, and I don't harbor any "better or worse" bias.

 

Also, I saw you mention you had some photos you could email, if so, would appreciate getting a peak now that I am one month away from embarkation--email addy is logan1_2000@yahoo.com.

 

Thanks for the response.

[shirleygr]

Did they hold the murder mystery dinner on your cruise? Something I'm very interested in. Also, do you remember menus for dinner each night? Thanks for any information. Just under a year away, but I'm already excited.

[chajec]

Since my boys are older now, 10/13 compared to 8/10 when we went on Magic, they liked the RCCL better. Due to the age of our kids, I don't thnk we'd do the Disney again, though it was very nice and comparable to RCCL.