Ask Me About Awful RCI Radiance Cruise In Alaska

[LarissaJay]

I'm sorry you had such an awful time! Whatever the reasons were, it's a shame whenever anyone has a disappointing vacation.

 

For what it's worth, I've cruised numerous times and never smelled any kind of sewage at any point. Of all the cruiselines I've been on (HAL, Princess, Carnival, RCCL, Celebrity), RCCL is my favorite (and coincidentally, Radiance is my favorite ship). In my opinion, they consistently have the best service, ships, entertainment, and food. Still, there are misses occasionally, and you have to know that and be willing to give each line, and cruising in general, another chance.

 

We felt similarly with a cruise we took on Princess last year. Everyone we know just raves about Princess, and we were horribly disappointed on just about every level with them. They were just AWFUL. Still, we will give them another chance and hope for the best next time.

[cruisenfever]

Our recent and first cruise ever RCI Radiance, Seward to Vancouver was a disaster. Sewer odor in bathroom and balcony entire trip. Couldnt get fixed, couldnt get moved. Staff largely indifferent. Service poor in general, food mediocre. Watch out for new and unpublished 'convenience' charges when you use seapass to get $$ in casino. They havent worked out kinks in My Time dining -not a great experience. They lost some luggage, apparently they cant get bags from point a to b without issue. Windjammer not very good. Entertainment? None to speak of - very amatuer-ish and underwhelming. Couple bright spots: BearCreek fly-in fly-fishing excursion(Juneau)...worth every penny - saw dozens of bald eagles, seals, whales - caught lots of fish. Portofino restaurant on ship very good (Chops, so-so). Some (few and far between) cruise staff were very friendly and attentive. Ketchikan crab excursion good if you like dungeness crab. Seward Windsong lodge is a rip off and they tried to put us in a room that had spoiled meat in fridge - the bell staff couldnt even stand being in the room. Skip it, and its NYC price @ over $300/nite. Sealife cneter behind the scenes tour was good - basically they describe their succusseful animal and marine life rescue and return work. Orso in Anchorage was good, the Aurora show at the city center nearby had potential but was disappointing. 26 Glacier Cruise in Prince William Sound - saw maybe 3 glaciers due to fog and rain - didnt go into some arms as couldnt even see shore. Be advised that your booked excursions do not cancel for weather. Before you go - on any line - do realize SE Alaska is a RAIN FORREST. It rained each day, never saw the sun or the stars.

(We did homework for almost 9 months - and still had issues. Too bad as it is an awe inspiring place.)

I am very sorry to hear of your recent experience on Radiance, our most favorite ship.

 

As far as new and unpublished "convenience" charges in the casino.............that has been a widely discussed topic on these boards for the past several months............and it was posted here that Radiance was charging the 3% service fee in the casino as early as May.

 

My Time dining was just implemented on Radiance in June of this year and is to run until the end of December. It is in a trial and error period right now...........and with any new programs implemented on a ship.........there are bound to be bugs to iron out. This is just not a problem on Radiance, but for any ship in the fleet that is doing My Time Dining.

 

The weather in Alaska can be a crap shoot during the entire season. The secret is to layer, layer, layer and to bring a good waterproof rain coat and sensible walking shoes. This is not the Caribbean.

 

We have sailed Radiance 8 times, our most recent was a 14 day Alaska cruise last September, and have never found the staff nor the crew to be indifferent. They have always greeted us with a smile and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that we had a wonderful cruising experience. Of course, the return of a smile and a thank you always goes a long way.

[dramaqueen4lyfe]

We have been on Radiance several times and are planning to sail her in South America next April. Our last cruise on her was to Alaska last September and we had a wonderful cruise. Good food, friends, entertainment, and friendly staff. Our weather was pretty good for the most part but we saw more calving and got much closer to the glacier on a previous cruise so it is the luck of the draw. All of our cruises have been on RCCL and although we have had a few issues which were addressed, we have been very happy with the product. Sorry your experience wasn't up to your expectations.

[cardfans]

We sailed with RCCL for the first time in May on the Radiance to Alaska. We had cruised previously on Carnival twice. We had a wonderful experience on the Radiance, but as far as dining, they still only had traditional in May when we went. I noticed just a faint sewer smell once in our bathroom. I can imagine how a strong one would have been horrible. However, I would sail the Radiance to Alaska again in a heartbeat if I could take the time off work and afford to go.

[TITISSA]

We, too, were on the Radiance the same time as the OP and agree with everything that was said. We have sailed RCI a few times in the past & we have never had a sewage odor in or near our room, bathroom or on deck UNTIL THIS CRUISE. The odor was not mild. It was VERY STRONG, especially on the balcony on the starboard side. It never dissipated & made the use of a balcony in this place of such awe-inspiring scenery TOTALLY UNUSABLE. Complaints went unheeded for the most part--with extra cleaning in the bathroom about as good as they could manage. There is no excuse for this--- & with all due respect to another poster, hanging an air freshener in the bathroom would not have done the trick by a long shot! In fact, I am appalled that many of these posters think the smell of raw human sewage is acceptable anywhere, anytime---and I know first hand that cruise ships do not have to smell like a cesspool...and they never had until this cruise! That we should have to "grin & bear it" JUST because we were in Alaska is incomprehensible to me.

 

Poor dining room service for My Time dining was also a low-light. Shows were amaturish productions.

 

Highlight was Portofino's. Would have eaten there every night if we could afford it. Chops was mediocre at best not worth the extra $ IMO.

 

Many new employees on the ship could have been part of the problem. Overheard many saying "this is only my second day."

 

Sorry it could not have been a better on-board experience. We have been loyal RCI cruisers over the past 10 years & had saved & planned for a very long time for this "once in a lifetime trip." There will be no other $9000+ trips (including airfare, excursions & 3 days on land) to Alaska for us!

 

 

I'm very sorry about the lousy time you had while in Alaska. I did Alaska on the Westerdam, Holland America. Even though I have nothing to complain about the ship and its crew, one place that I have no desire to go back to is Alaska. It rained for 7 days making all ports very depressing. If, and that's a big If, I even consider doing Alaska again it won't be during the summer. Where is the sun? I live in Connecticut and air from NY is too expensive plus pre and post-stay hotels (flights coming back home are too early in the morning). But, we did go to a Glacier and that was very cool. The whole trip was worth it just because of the glacier. Maybe we were expecting too much from looking at some amazing photos of Alaska. I understand it's beautiful but not when we were there.

[PH8]

.

(We did homework for almost 9 months - and still had issues. Too bad as it is an awe inspiring place.)

 

Also, to the poster who suggested we "research" our trip and find a way to get things corrected on board before we leave: We "researched" this trip for the better part of 10 months. ?

Maybe next time,more research.......utilize these boards and ask questions.......you might had found out more info ahead of time..

[GMoney]

I'm very sorry about the lousy time you had while in Alaska. I did Alaska on the Westerdam, Holland America. Even though I have nothing to complain about the ship and its crew, one place that I have no desire to go back to is Alaska. It rained for 7 days making all ports very depressing. If, and that's a big If, I even consider doing Alaska again it won't be during the summer. Where is the sun? .

 

You do realize that much of the area you visited is classified as a rainforest - right?

[JJ2sail]

Did your research include the Alaska boards here on CC?? If so you would have known that the weather is always a crapshoot. And excursions are not cancelled due to weather, and to be prepared.

 

As far as the ship, we loved the Radiance, it's a gorgeous ship! We had no problems with smells. But I have heard the sewer problems mentioned before. It would be nice if people would post what deck and cabin they were on, to see if it is just one area? The staff was terrific, on our sailing, from the cabin steward to our waiters, they all felt like family.

 

I think people have to remember you get what you give.

[kellywhitehills]

Wow, this sounds fairly horrible. Have you thought about writing the company since you've gotten back? Sounds like this really did impact your enjoyment to the point that you should be asking for some sort of refund, or at least an honest apology from them.

 

I wrote and Called RCCI after a cruise we took on Monarch Of the Seas..We experienced the same sewer smell and was basically told to bad so sad..The cruise line acted like it was all in my head..The way we were treated by the customer relations was terrible and it is why we will never ever sail with RCCI again nor recommend the cruise line..

 

Kelly

[TITISSA]

You do realize that much of the area you visited is classified as a rainforest - right?

 

Yes, indeed. However, I have kids in school and the only time we could do Alaska was during summer vacation. But thanks for clarifying it:D

[TeeBuccs]

I wrote and Called RCCI after a cruise we took on Monarch Of the Seas..We experienced the same sewer smell and was basically told to bad so sad..The cruise line acted like it was all in my head..The way we were treated by the customer relations was terrible and it is why we will never ever sail with RCCI again nor recommend the cruise line..

 

Kelly

 

I would not let one experience dictate an emotional verdict of "never again." I can assure that all of the cruise lines act in similiar manners on similiar topics. I know 10 years ago I sailed Carnival for my honeymoon and when the ship broke down and we sat floating off the coast of FL for three days with nothing to do on board but deal with angry staff and frustrated passengers - I was told by Carnival customer relations that a honeymoon was not "a special occassion." I vowed not to cruise them again based upon the way I was treated, but I am happy to report that just one year ago I sailed on the Valor and had a positive experience.

 

I understand your frustration, but believe me never say never! You might regret it...lol.

[NancyIL]

I'm very sorry about the lousy time you had while in Alaska. I did Alaska on the Westerdam, Holland America. Even though I have nothing to complain about the ship and its crew, one place that I have no desire to go back to is Alaska. It rained for 7 days making all ports very depressing. If, and that's a big If, I even consider doing Alaska again it won't be during the summer. Where is the sun? I live in Connecticut and air from NY is too expensive plus pre and post-stay hotels (flights coming back home are too early in the morning). But, we did go to a Glacier and that was very cool. The whole trip was worth it just because of the glacier. Maybe we were expecting too much from looking at some amazing photos of Alaska. I understand it's beautiful but not when we were there.

 

I see that you were in Alaska in August 2006. That was an unusually wet August, and some of the people on cruisetours had difficulty getting from Fairbanks to Denali to the ship because of washed out railroad tracks and roads. If you return to Alaska but won't go during the summer - when would you go? :confused:

[PH8]

Yes, indeed. However, I have kids in school and the only time we could do Alaska was during summer vacation. But thanks for clarifying it:D

Its not like you can cruise to Alaska in the winter though:confused:

[Yukon]

Its not like you can cruise to Alaska in the winter though:confused:

 

You can actually - http://ferryalaska.com - though it isn't a cruise that I'd recommend to anyone except masochists :D ( http://www.explorenorth.com/wordpress/?p=196 )

[kellywhitehills]

I would not let one experience dictate an emotional verdict of "never again." I can assure that all of the cruise lines act in similiar manners on similiar topics. I know 10 years ago I sailed Carnival for my honeymoon and when the ship broke down and we sat floating off the coast of FL for three days with nothing to do on board but deal with angry staff and frustrated passengers - I was told by Carnival customer relations that a honeymoon was not "a special occassion." I vowed not to cruise them again based upon the way I was treated, but I am happy to report that just one year ago I sailed on the Valor and had a positive experience.

 

I understand your frustration, but believe me never say never! You might regret it...lol.

 

Well..I said I would never get married and what happened...I was walking down the isle 6 months later..;)

I am pretty sure we wont sail with RCCI again....To date I have turned down 2 invites...But youre right you never know...MAYBE one day Ill try again..

 

Kelly

[TITISSA]

I see that you were in Alaska in August 2006. That was an unusually wet August, and some of the people on cruisetours had difficulty getting from Fairbanks to Denali to the ship because of washed out railroad tracks and roads. If you return to Alaska but won't go during the summer - when would you go? :confused:

 

 

If I ever go back to Alaska it would be either in April, May or June. But I would have to wait until my kids are in Colege because our school year ends at end of June.

[PH8]

You can actually - http://ferryalaska.com - though it isn't a cruise that I'd recommend to anyone except masochists :D ( http://www.explorenorth.com/wordpress/?p=196 )

You know what I mean:p

 

If I ever go back to Alaska it would be either in April, May or June. But I would have to wait until my kids are in Colege because our school year ends at end of June.

Question........so if you during those months,it doesnt rain in the rainforest??:confused:

[LizC]

I sail on Radiance in 22 days can you please tell us what area of the boat you were on, cabin number etc..

[critterchick]

We have sailed Radiance 8 times, our most recent was a 14 day Alaska cruise last September, and have never found the staff nor the crew to be indifferent. They have always greeted us with a smile and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that we had a wonderful cruising experience. Of course, the return of a smile and a thank you always goes a long way.

 

You didn't have our waitstaff in the dining room.:rolleyes: We fled for the WJ, which we found to be wonderful, with good food and a great staff, and Chops/Portofino. I thought Chops was far superior, BTW.

 

Unlike many of the posters, I've gotten plenty of whiffs of sewage on RCI ships. It just goes with the territory. If people would stop flushing apples down the toilet to try to get an upgrade, perhaps it would stop.:)

[CruisinRoxy]

Previous poster - you're absolute right - sometimes you do get a whiff - we have on RCL ships, and NCL, as well. Well, if you go to a state park with public toilets, guess what? a whiff of unpleasantries.

But sometimes, people will belly-ache about stuff no matter what.

And then it snowballs - this was wrong, that was wrong, blah blah blah.

Bound and determined to have a lousy time.;)

[TITISSA]

You know what I mean:p

 

 

Question........so if you during those months,it doesnt rain in the rainforest??:confused:

 

That's supposed to be the dry season in Alaska.

[cruisenfever]

That's supposed to be the dry season in Alaska.

There is no dry season in Alaska.............but that's not saying that the week you select won't be sunny and dry.

 

We have been told the best month to go is July.

[PH8]

That's supposed to be the dry season in Alaska.

So no rain in the RAINforest then,huh??:confused:

[Yukon]

We have been told the best month to go is July.

 

If you check the historic Alaska port weather averages ( http://www.youralaskacruise.com/cruise-weather.html ) you'll see why late May and early June is better.

[jenniferluvs2cruise]

Our recent and first cruise ever RCI Radiance, Seward to Vancouver was a disaster. Sewer odor in bathroom and balcony entire trip. Couldnt get fixed, couldnt get moved. Staff largely indifferent. Service poor in general, food mediocre. Watch out for new and unpublished 'convenience' charges when you use seapass to get $$ in casino. They havent worked out kinks in My Time dining -not a great experience. They lost some luggage, apparently they cant get bags from point a to b without issue. Windjammer not very good. Entertainment? None to speak of - very amatuer-ish and underwhelming. Couple bright spots: BearCreek fly-in fly-fishing excursion(Juneau)...worth every penny - saw dozens of bald eagles, seals, whales - caught lots of fish. Portofino restaurant on ship very good (Chops, so-so). Some (few and far between) cruise staff were very friendly and attentive. Ketchikan crab excursion good if you like dungeness crab. Seward Windsong lodge is a rip off and they tried to put us in a room that had spoiled meat in fridge - the bell staff couldnt even stand being in the room. Skip it, and its NYC price @ over $300/nite. Sealife cneter behind the scenes tour was good - basically they describe their succusseful animal and marine life rescue and return work. Orso in Anchorage was good, the Aurora show at the city center nearby had potential but was disappointing. 26 Glacier Cruise in Prince William Sound - saw maybe 3 glaciers due to fog and rain - didnt go into some arms as couldnt even see shore. Be advised that your booked excursions do not cancel for weather. Before you go - on any line - do realize SE Alaska is a RAIN FORREST. It rained each day, never saw the sun or the stars.

(We did homework for almost 9 months - and still had issues. Too bad as it is an awe inspiring place.)

 

I am so sorry you had some really bad issues to deal with. We are booked to sail on the Radiance 9/12/08 and you are not the only one that has complaints about RCI. I am very concerned about our upcoming cruise.

If you don't mind I do have a couple of questions,

The dress code..was it followed or was it more relaxed, what was the majority dressed in for formal? casual? and any other night? Women and Men?

 

The food in the Wind Jammer? Bad? Really bad?

 

Cleanliness of the ship?

 

Food in the dining room? Did they have Lobster,

shrimp, crab?

 

Do you remember the price of a mixed drink and the foo foo drinks?

 

What was the pool like? Cold ?

Thank you for your time