Live - Radiance of The Seas 12/1/22-12/10/22

[Biker19]

3 hours ago, nunuc2000 said:

does the app give guests the ability to "chat" with each other while on board without having to invest in a wifi plan?

Yes, it costs $1.99pppd and you have to buy it for the whole sailing (it's in the app via the three dots in the upper right).

[AtSeaAlways]

Just now, nunuc2000 said:

Thanks for the info on the hair conditioner.. will definitely bring my own on! LOL! 

 

One more question... does the app give guests the ability to "chat" with each other while on board without having to invest in a wifi plan?

 

Thanks again 🙂 

The App has a chat feature yes 🙂

[AtSeaAlways]

One of the best spaces aboard is aft of Windjammer.  You get a nice ocean breeze and a view and shade.  In the right combination of speed and seas the ship has a tiny shimmy way aft - you can't feel it midships. It reminds  me of the SS Norway.  

 

The roasted pablano soup was good and we found a pan of hot sticky buns - experts from F&B suggest they are best right out of the oven.  The coconut cookies re-appeared. 

 

We ventured ashore.  They hired large passenger tenders so it went quickly.  We saw bits of downtown.  There was some disruption of excursions in the sea - diving etc. due to winds.  

 

We got a $50 onboard credit and bought a shore excursion tomorrow.  Palm trees and jungle are on offer.   

 

We are in Starquest working on our Foxtrot - the recorded ballroom is going. It has been a while and patterns are easily forgotten.  

 

Edited December 5, 2022 by AtSeaAlways

[hoosier sailor]

Great posts and thanks for all, If you get a chance stop by the SkyBar and tell Epraim and JR that Randy says hello. I was on the first two cruises out of New Orleans 

[AtSeaAlways]

We did go ashore today.  The port area is nice in Falmouth.  Funded in part by RCI, it is secure and tidy.  We took the excursion up to the Good Hope Estate.  It is big and historic, and you can walk around or add on lunch or ziplining.  

 

We got back and went to the Anglican Church.  It was pretty and historic.  

 

We are early dinner, table for two people.  So found a nice outdoor table in Windjammer - aft.  Tomorrow's mission - see if they will take the music back there down a notch.  The cooks are rocking it.  

 

 

[AtSeaAlways]

On 12/3/2022 at 10:40 PM, LeeReads said:

AtSeaAlways.... thank you.   Any themes happening?  Would love to know before my Dec 17 cruise.  My "kids" dd25, dd24, dd22 WANT to know... lol (ds20 will go with the flow!).  70s, white, Christmas?   is anything posted?  I know you are a 10 day and I'm only 7--- but maybe some similar themes.   Thank you. !

You were right - White Attire Theme - day six.  Top Notch did a great job last night.  Aft outdoor dining - priceless.

[ILOVESHIPS]

Who are the captain  and  cruise  director?

[AtSeaAlways]

Just now, ILOVESHIPS said:

Who are the captain  and  cruise  director?

Captain: Teo Strazicic

CD: Ken Jones 

[AtSeaAlways]

12 hours ago, hoosier sailor said:

Great posts and thanks for all, If you get a chance stop by the SkyBar and tell Epraim and JR that Randy says hello. I was on the first two cruises out of New Orleans 

No sign of them, sorry.  I wonder if they rotate to different bars?

[Kathscof]

Thanks for this thread, I’ve only been on one cruise, and it was this year to Alaska and Radiance doesn’t get enough love! 

[AtSeaAlways]

Just now, Kathscof said:

Thanks for this thread, I’ve only been on one cruise, and it was this year to Alaska and Radiance doesn’t get enough love! 

I think you are right.  I am not finding many issues.  I got them to turn the music down a bit in the back - all good.  

 

We went ashore in Belize.  RCI seemed to have rented the biggest and fastest ferries.  Big tender lines at Carnival.   Lots of shopping on Albert Street.   The port area was hopping.  If you need water shoes, socks, a cell phone case or roll of fencing this is the place.

[AtSeaAlways]

Just now, AtSeaAlways said:

No sign of them, sorry.  I wonder if they rotate to different bars?

Spotted Ephraim in the Solarium. He is normally in the Suite Lounge.  Jr in the casino.  

[AtSeaAlways]

Shanice setting the tone outside Windjammer

[bretts173]

11 hours ago, AtSeaAlways said:

No sign of them, sorry.  I wonder if they rotate to different bars?

Yes they usually change bars every couple of weeks.

[AtSeaAlways]

On 12/5/2022 at 4:42 PM, hoosier sailor said:

Great posts and thanks for all, If you get a chance stop by the SkyBar and tell Epraim and JR that Randy says hello. I was on the first two cruises out of New Orleans 

Found JR - not his real name - in the Casino Bar.  

 

And there is an Ugly Sweater contest.  

Edited December 8, 2022 by AtSeaAlways

[hoosier sailor]

11 hours ago, AtSeaAlways said:

Found JR - not his real name - in the Casino Bar.  Yep. I could not remember his given name to safe my life. 

 

 

And there is an Ugly Sweater contest.  

 

[AtSeaAlways]

Just a few hours at Costa Maya. We did not partake.   Breakfast at  Windjammer - outdoors.  The plan was not to go back for a third home made waffle.  The Waffle Chef has my name memorized. 

 

I told the F&B Director there was a rant on CC about too much pre made food on a larger newer ship - but he did not have a horse in that race.  There is no way they can find large trays of packaged frozen goat curry to warm up- and there was a run on Nan and other Indian goodies yesterday.  🙂

 

The greeter is from Romania.  Some days dark humor is what is needed.  We tried the MDR for lunch.  It was just right. 

Who knew Starquest has a revolving bar?  

Edited December 8, 2022 by AtSeaAlways

[AtSeaAlways]

Ovi was standing by with waffles for us.  Food and Beverage made an announcement thanks for sailing our friendly ship.  I think that is a good motto for the Radiance.  Corporate hates individual ship brands- except for Icon LOL - there is a thing about being consistent.  This falls apart when a lowly older ship outscores the shiny  new ones in the fleet in surveys.  

 

Chinese tonight in WJ.  The Creole was good last night.  And we had it outdoors.  One of the top F&B leaders is also from Romania.  He never needs a Dracula costume at parties or Halloween.

 

Top Notch was back in the Colony Club but we got a bit of wind and seas.  Pro Tip - Country Two Step or slowdance  works on a lively dance floor, Rumba not so much.  

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by AtSeaAlways

[LeeReads]

Any additional info on Belize?   RC just changed our cruise stops (we cruise in 8 days!). So I need info!  I loved your pictures above about it.  Anything else you want to share?  Thank you so much.  I have LOVED following along.

 

[AtSeaAlways]

Just now, LeeReads said:

Any additional info on Belize?   RC just changed our cruise stops (we cruise in 8 days!). So I need info!  I loved your pictures above about it.  Anything else you want to share?  Thank you so much.  I have LOVED following along.

 

Thanks so much.  Belize is a lovely and safe stop.  English is super common.  We did not try any excursions.  Money was simple - they would often take USD - at one tiny stand it was two Belize $ to one US.  The tender was like 15 minutes = five miles.  To get to town exit the terminal, go left.  

Edited December 9, 2022 by AtSeaAlways

[kelbell]

Great review, thank you. We will be on her sister ship Brilliance. Absolutley

love this class ship. Going on Radiance 1/24, out of Tampa. (first time on her)

[AtSeaAlways]

Just now, kelbell said:

Great review, thank you. We will be on her sister ship Brilliance. Absolutley

love this class ship. Going on Radiance 1/24, out of Tampa. (first time on her)

Thanks.  It would be interesting to compare the experience between similar/ identical ships.   

[AtSeaAlways]

It was a relaxing cruise.  I was glad not to be steering in the fog.  Thanks for following along.  

[yancycruiser]

Thank you posting your experience with great pictures.  When you boarded was the forward part of the ship left or right?

 

[hoosier sailor]

In boarding the Radiance the forward part of the ship is to the left. You actually make a very cool turn in the Mississippi. At least that was on the first two cruises out of NOLA