Radiance or Quantum for Alaska Trip?

[Qwltngcruiser]

We’re looking at booking an Alaskan trip next year. Would you suggest the Radiance of the Seas or the Quantum of the Seas as a better ship for the trip?  Which ship has nicer rooms (we’re interested in a balcony room)?  Which has better dining and entertainment (not interested in the kids level activities)? Thanks!

[Jimbo]

24 minutes ago, Qwltngcruiser said:

We’re looking at booking an Alaskan trip next year. Would you suggest the Radiance of the Seas or the Quantum of the Seas as a better ship for the trip?  Which ship has nicer rooms (we’re interested in a balcony room)?  Which has better dining and entertainment (not interested in the kids level activities)? Thanks!

Take the cruise ship with the best port times and ports you want to visit.........Don't worry about the ship, both are fine. If it was me I would go with the smaller ship, less people.(Radiance of the Seas)

[smokeybandit]

I'm partial to smaller ships for Alaska cruises.

[Oceansaway17]

oh but Quantum is a nice class ship with lots of indoor areas and great views,  I have done Radiance and OVATION and I think you will like Quantum.  It does have Northstar and and indoor  pool and just a nice size ship for Alaska.

[robtulipe]

I would go with Quantum class as its cabins are larger especially the standard balcony ones. Also there are a lot more balcony cabins  available compared to inside and OV cabins on this ship class so we've found typically price wise these tend not much more costly especially since we can use our C&A status balcony discount. Quantum class is great for cooler weather with it super large solarium and other indoor activity space like the Seaplex especially when in the open Pacific Ocean portion.

Radiance class is a nice ship that we've been on many times including a 14 night Vancouver to LA repositioning which spent the first 9 nights going up to and returning from Alaska but this was at the end of the Alaska cruise season. It would have been nicer on a Quantum class ship as we had cool weather and very rough water conditions on the sail down to Seattle.  

Edited June 29, 2021 by robtulipe

[1025cruise]

Radiance, hands down. IMHO, Quantum has no business sailing in Alaska.

 

With that said, if this is a bucket list cruise, or a one time only, etc, I would look beyond Royal. I would want an itinerary that goes to Glacier Bay. Most people cruising Alaska are doing so for the ports, not the ships.

[robtulipe]

1 hour ago, 1025cruise said:

 Quantum has no business sailing in Alaska.

 

 

Why is that??

[dani negreanu]

We like Radiance class and have done Alaska with Radiance and enjoyed it very much.

 

Quantum class are also nice ships, with plenty indoor activities if the weather isn't "cooperating".

 

I would go with the best times in ports. For example, Skagway, we preferred to travel to Emerald Lake and it is quite a long drive. It was worth it.

 

[Ashland]

1 hour ago, robtulipe said:

Why is that??

I would say because Quantum would more than likely be sailing from Seattle. If you want to cruise in Alaska cruise a north or southbound itinerary. Personally I like to cruise the northbound (Vancouver to Seward)....cruising to Alaska not away from it.

[smplybcause]

3 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Radiance, hands down. IMHO, Quantum has no business sailing in Alaska.

 

With that said, if this is a bucket list cruise, or a one time only, etc, I would look beyond Royal. I would want an itinerary that goes to Glacier Bay. Most people cruising Alaska are doing so for the ports, not the ships.

 

Glacier Bay was so cool. Got there on a NCL RT out of Seattle. I would agree to make sure it's on the itinerary if it's the only cruise to Alaska you're doing. I wasn't sure if my cruise to Alaska would be my only one, but after going on one definitely just makes me want to go back!

[immjs20]

I would cruise Radiance!  

[BecciBoo]

Radiance may be older but she is just a gorgeous ship.  I was just looking at our pics from 2014.  She's just beautiful.  We had aft 9256.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by BecciBoo

[BecciBoo]

Loved her

[kandpsmom]

I would definitely select an Alaskan cruise more on the itinerary rather than the ship. We sailed on the Radiance in 2019 and had an amazing time. 

[Jimbo]

37 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Radiance may be older but she is just a gorgeous ship.  I was just looking at our pics from 2014.  She's just beautiful.  We had aft 9256.

 

 

It is our favorite ship. Been on her many times !

[Jimbo]

Try looking on Princess and go on this ship for an itinerary like this one:

• Ship: Majestic Princess
• Destination: Alaska
• Departure Port: Vancouver (Vancouver, BC)
• Depart: Sep 10, 2022
• Arrival: Sep 20, 2022

• • Day 1: Vancouver Canada
  • Sat Sep 10 2022 | Depart 04:30 PM
• • Day 2: At Sea
  • Sun Sep 11 2022 |
• • Day 3: Ketchikan Alaska
  • Mon Sep 12 2022 | 07:00 AM To 03:00 PM
• • Day 4: Juneau Alaska
  • Tue Sep 13 2022 | 08:00 AM To 09:00 PM
• • Day 5: Skagway Alaska
  • Wed Sep 14 2022 | 06:00 AM To 08:30 PM
• • Day 6: Glacier Bay National Park (Scenic Cruising) Alaska
  • Thu Sep 15 2022 | 06:00 AM To 03:30 PM
• • Day 7: Icy Strait Point Alaska
  • Fri Sep 16 2022 | 07:00 AM To 06:00 PM
• • Day 8: Hubbard Glacier (Scenic Cruising) Alaska
  • Sat Sep 17 2022 | 07:00 AM To 01:00 PM
• • Day 9: At Sea
  • Sun Sep 18 2022 |
• • Day 10: At Sea
  • Mon Sep 19 2022 |
• • Day 11: Vancouver Canada
  • Tue Sep 20 2022 | Arrive 07:30 AM

[Hoopster95]

8 hours ago, Qwltngcruiser said:

We’re looking at booking an Alaskan trip next year. Would you suggest the Radiance of the Seas or the Quantum of the Seas as a better ship for the trip?  Which ship has nicer rooms (we’re interested in a balcony room)?  Which has better dining and entertainment (not interested in the kids level activities)? Thanks!

 

OP's questions are specific.

They are obviously not interested in the itinerary as they are ship focused.

 

OP asks which is the better ship....  What's the OP's definition of "Better". Newer, more modern, upscale, finished nicer, more expansive, more luxury... No one can argue that Quantum Class is  miles ahead here.

OP asks which has nicer rooms... Really, is there any doubt here? Quantum again.

OP asks which has better dining and entertainment? Again, how is this even debatable? Quantum 10000000%

 

I will bet that anyone who is voting for Radiance has never ever sailed Ovation to Alaska (and perhaps have never sailed on Quantum Class at all), and therefore zero experience in being able determine which one they would like better.

 

I strongly urge those that have never done an Alaskan voyage on Ovation (or Quantum) to do so. I will bet that you will discover your new "best" ship for Alaskan cruises.

 

 

Edited June 29, 2021 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

42 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Try looking on Princess and go on this ship for an itinerary like this one:

 

And not to quote everyone before me, I'll only quote Jimbo... for me, like so many of you before this post, feel that the itinerary (and especially the port times) is much more important. I fully agree.

 

 

[dani negreanu]

2 minutes ago, Hoopster95 said:

I will bet that anyone who is voting for Radiance has never ever sailed Ovation to Alaska (and perhaps have never sailed on Quantum Class at all)

 

Done Alaska in 2013 with Radiance, before the Quantum's class "birth"....

 

I had the pleasure to sail on Anthem to the Canaries, and I agree that's a much better ship in terms of entertainment, dining and 270 to spend enjoyable hours there.

 

Though, I've been thinking that Alaska being a port intensive itinerary, I'll focus, as I've mentioned above, on ports and the length of the stay.

 

[Hoopster95]

Just now, dani negreanu said:

I'll focus, as I've mentioned above, on ports and the length of the stay.

 

You bet... this is the key. Some of the port times on the Quantum and Ovation sailings are awful.

If only they would do Princess itineraries (and get permits for Glacier Bay) I would bet Ovation & Quantum sailings would soar in price from popularity.

[dani negreanu]

@Hoopster95

 

Claudio, since we're already talking....

 

I had some Covid-cancelled cruises which included Malta, which is a bucket list for us.

 

I wanted to experience Celebrity's Edge class, so I've settled for a cruise which includes Rhodes, Mykonos and Crete, all new ports for me.

 

Someone mentioned "Beyond", which will be the 3rd Edge class, and lo and behold, it has Malta in its itinerary, but it also has two "old" ports - Katakalon, which I didn't care for, and Santorini, which was amazing, but "seen and done"....

 

Any thoughts? 🙏

[Hoopster95]

Just now, dani negreanu said:

@Hoopster95

I wanted to experience Celebrity's Edge class, so I've settled for a cruise which includes Rhodes, Mykonos and Crete, all new ports for me.

Any thoughts? 🙏

 

Rhodes (go see Lindos!) and Crete are awesome!!! Stick with that one as all 3 are new for you.

[1025cruise]

7 hours ago, robtulipe said:

Why is that??

The ship is too big.

[Ashland]

2 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

@Hoopster95

 

Claudio, since we're already talking....

 

I had some Covid-cancelled cruises which included Malta, which is a bucket list for us.

 

I wanted to experience Celebrity's Edge class, so I've settled for a cruise which includes Rhodes, Mykonos and Crete, all new ports for me.

 

Someone mentioned "Beyond", which will be the 3rd Edge class, and lo and behold, it has Malta in its itinerary, but it also has two "old" ports - Katakalon, which I didn't care for, and Santorini, which was amazing, but "seen and done"....

 

Any thoughts? 🙏

When is the Beyond sailing and what is the itinerary? I loved Malta !!!!

[HicksRA]

My “ding” on Radiance is that if it’s cold and rainy a day or two (which is quite likely in Alaska), the smokers spend the day in the casino puffing away because they don’t want to go outside.  The cloud wafts out of the casino and into the Centrum top to bottom and stinks up a good portion of the ship. 
I love Radiance for its beauty and scenic views with so much glass but I’d choose Quantum.