Jewel OTS vs Radiance OTS

[cruising_family]

I just booked Jewel for Panama cruise in 2010 and see it is part of Radiance class of ships. Went on Radiance of the Seas to Alaska in July. Can anyone that has been on both tell me the differences in the 2 ships? I hope they aren't carbon copies as we would like to experience something different. We got an aft balcony so I really don't want to cancel.

 

Thanks.

[Sue L]

they are the same ship for layout but different decor, lobby sculptures, etc. I have been on two, with number 3 next week and I can't wait.

[cruisenfever]

I just booked Jewel for Panama cruise in 2010 and see it is part of Radiance class of ships. Went on Radiance of the Seas to Alaska in July. Can anyone that has been on both tell me the differences in the 2 ships? I hope they aren't carbon copies as we would like to experience something different. We got an aft balcony so I really don't want to cancel.

 

Thanks.

Since they are sister ships, they are carbon copies in their layout and in what is offered. Both have Chops and Portofino's, both have a SeaView Cafe (though the Jewel is now the Fish Shack and Radiance has not changed it's menu/name), both have the Solarium pool and cafe where you can get the made to order crepes. Both have the self-leveling pool tables. Both ships have all the beautiful glass enclosed areas for viewing.

 

Radiance was the first in the Radiance class of ships and Jewel is the last in that class, so she is newer. Jewel does have shower doors in all cabins except JS, GS, OS, RFS and RS where Radiance does not. Jewel's decor is a little more upscale and up to ddate...........example, outside of the WJ where the coffee/juice station is, Jewel has beautiful wicker furniture and more modern tables.

 

Any ship you sail in a particular class will be identical in layout..........but will vary by decor.

[LAKaye]

I just booked Jewel for Panama cruise in 2010 and see it is part of Radiance class of ships. Went on Radiance of the Seas to Alaska in July. Can anyone that has been on both tell me the differences in the 2 ships? I hope they aren't carbon copies as we would like to experience something different. We got an aft balcony so I really don't want to cancel.

 

Thanks.

 

Just to double check, the Jewel has an itinerary that calls at a port in Panama and is not a Panama Canal cruise, correct?

 

In between this cruise and your Alaskan cruise on yes, pretty much a carbon copy ship, the Radiance, will be a trip on the Oasis of the Seas--huge (no kidding!) difference there.

 

Bon Voyage~~

 

Leslie

[Sue L]

Just to double check, the Jewel has an itinerary that calls at a port in Panama and is not a Panama Canal cruise, correct?

 

In between this cruise and your Alaskan cruise on yes, pretty much a carbon copy ship, the Radiance, will be a trip on the Oasis of the Seas--huge (no kidding!) difference there.

 

Bon Voyage~~

 

Leslie

 

 

This cruise IS a partial Panama Canal Cruise as it goes through the first set of locks.

[Leesbrug Land]

I have been on both ships and the layout is pretty similar. The big difference is in the way the ship is decorated. The art work on the two ships are different. The casino and clubs on the two ships have different themes if I remember correctly.

 

The Jewel had more stained glass, mosaics, and glass scrulptures. I loved it!

 

There are also no booths in the dining room like there is on the Radiance. Our waiter was telling us that taking the booths out was an improvement over the Radiance but I liked the booths:o .

 

I think either ship is an excellent choice!:D

[cruisenfever]

I have been on both ships and the layout is pretty similar. The big difference is in the way the ship is decorated. The art work on the two ships are different. The casino and clubs on the two ships have different themes if I remember correctly.

 

The Jewel had more stained glass, mosaics, and glass scrulptures. I loved it!

 

There are also no booths in the dining room like there is on the Radiance. Our waiter was telling us that taking the booths out was an improvement over the Radiance but I liked the booths:o .

 

I think either ship is an excellent choice!:D

I've been on Radiance 8 times and I have never seen a booth in the main DR. May I ask where they are located? Maybe Deck 5 because I know there are no booths on Deck 4.

[wrp96]

Just to double check, the Jewel has an itinerary that calls at a port in Panama and is not a Panama Canal cruise, correct?

 

 

No, the ship actually enters the Panama Canal via the Gatun Locks. Stops in Gatun Lake and lets passengers tender off for excursions, then goes back out the Gatun Locks and docks at Cristobal Pier to pick the back up the passengers that got off the ship for excursions.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

What date are you booked on?

 

We're booked for Jan 11, 2010 ....11 nt Ultimate Panama Canal on the Jewel.

 

***

[cruisin4kicks]

I've been on Radiance 8 times and I have never seen a booth in the main DR. May I ask where they are located? Maybe Deck 5 because I know there are no booths on Deck 4.

We've been on the Radiance twice. The first time we ate in a booth on Deck 5. It was right across the aisle from the railing.

 

Tim

[rubrrick]

One of the major differences between the Radiance and Jewel is in the configuration of the Owners Suites.

 

Although the deck layout on the RCCL board shows the same layout for all Radiance Class ships, only the Radiance and Brilliance have what is shown on the deck plans.

 

That is.......on the Radiance and Brilliance, the OS's are configured with a smaller living room, dining area........and a bedroom sitting room that is popped out flush with the outer edge of the balcony. It's about 520 square feet plus a small balcony.

 

On the Jewel, and Serenade.......the OS's are about 100 square feet larger. The balcony runs all the way from one end to the other. The living room/dining area are larger.........and there is no sitting area in the bedroom.

 

The original design is not nearly as nice as the way that the newer two ships OS suite is layed out.

 

Rick

[cruisenfever]

We've been on the Radiance twice. The first time we ate in a booth on Deck 5. It was right across the aisle from the railing.

 

Tim

Thanks Tim.......thought I was losing my marbles there for a minute. Since we have always had a table on Deck 4..........I really wouldn't know what was happening on Deck 5.:o

[cruisenfever]

One of the major differences between the Radiance and Jewel is in the configuration of the Owners Suites.

 

Although the deck layout on the RCCL board shows the same layout for all Radiance Class ships, only the Radiance and Brilliance have what is shown on the deck plans.

 

That is.......on the Radiance and Brilliance, the OS's are configured with a smaller living room, dining area........and a bedroom sitting room that is popped out flush with the outer edge of the balcony. It's about 520 square feet plus a small balcony.

 

On the Jewel, and Serenade.......the OS's are about 100 square feet larger. The balcony runs all the way from one end to the other. The living room/dining area are larger.........and there is no sitting area in the bedroom.

 

The original design is not nearly as nice as the way that the newer two ships OS suite is layed out.

 

Rick

Rick, we noticed that also when friends of ours invited us into their OS on Radiance last September. Much smaller balcony............but I really did love that sitting area in the bedroom.:)

[truffles2]

 

There are also no booths in the dining room like there is on the Radiance. Our waiter was telling us that taking the booths out was an improvement over the Radiance but I liked the booths:o .

 

 

We have been on Radiance 3-4 times and all the sister ships 2-3 times and I NEVER noticed any booths. Where are/were they?:confused:

[truffles2]

Hmmmm, guess I should have finished reading the thread before replying about the booths. Sorry about that.

[cruisenfever]

Hmmmm, guess I should have finished reading the thread before replying about the booths. Sorry about that.

Don't feel bad........we've been on 8 times and I never noticed any booths. :o But then we always eat at a table on Deck 4.

[LAKaye]

Sue & Wrona,

 

I was getting my info from the RCI website---Jewel cruises for 2010, springtime before Europe. Those cruises aren't entering the canal. They are docking for the day.

 

Leslie

[Sue L]

Sue & Wrona,

 

I was getting my info from the RCI website---Jewel cruises for 2010, springtime before Europe. Those cruises aren't entering the canal. They are docking for the day.

 

Leslie

 

 

We were talking coming up and for 2009, they do enter the canal. If they stop offering that I will steer my clients to Princess, because that is a huge part of that cruise.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Don't feel bad........we've been on 8 times and I never noticed any booths. :o But then we always eat at a table on Deck 4.

 

 

Gosh we never noticed the booths either. I guess we'll have to check those out!!! :)

 

***

[cruisenfever]

Gosh we never noticed the booths either. I guess we'll have to check those out!!! :)

 

***

LOL..........after lunch, dropping off carryon's and then checking out our table we are definitely going up to Deck 5. I gotta see these booths!

[cruising_family]

Thanks everyone for the info. We were booked for 2/12/10 and now that they have changed the itinerary I will probably cancel. The canal was the big draw. My info between yesterday and today is they have changed. And with such a good cabin choice. Arrgh!

 

Sindee

[Sue L]

Thanks everyone for the info. We were booked for 2/12/10 and now that they have changed the itinerary I will probably cancel. The canal was the big draw. My info between yesterday and today is they have changed. And with such a good cabin choice. Arrgh!

 

Sindee

 

 

Make sure you are very specific why you are canceling. The Canal is the cruise and if they take it away then it is just a different caribbean cruise.

[rubrrick]

Make sure you are very specific why you are canceling. The Canal is the cruise and if they take it away then it is just a different caribbean cruise.

 

 

Sue..........you are sooooooooooo right about that. If the ship is no longer going to do the Gatun locks...........it certainly is not and can not be called a Panama Canal cruise. That is a true destination, unlike missing a port due to weather, strikes, or conditions only known to God!

 

I don't know what the charge is to go thru the Gatun locks, twice. I do know that it's pricey..........but that's what the passengers are paying for........to see and experience a trip thru the most famous locks in the world.

 

RCCL............if you are cutting that destination out............... that's a NO NO!!:eek: :eek: :rolleyes:

 

Rick

[wrp96]

Sue..........you are sooooooooooo right about that. If the ship is no longer going to do the Gatun locks...........it certainly is not and can not be called a Panama Canal cruise. That is a true destination, unlike missing a port due to weather, strikes, or conditions only known to God!

 

I don't know what the charge is to go thru the Gatun locks, twice. I do know that it's pricey..........but that's what the passengers are paying for........to see and experience a trip thru the most famous locks in the world.

 

RCCL............if you are cutting that destination out............... that's a NO NO!!:eek: :eek: :rolleyes:

 

Rick

 

I may be misremembering so don't quote me but I think they said on my Brilliance cruise that it cost around $200,000 for the Brilliance to enter the canal.

[Sue L]

Sue..........you are sooooooooooo right about that. If the ship is no longer going to do the Gatun locks...........it certainly is not and can not be called a Panama Canal cruise. That is a true destination, unlike missing a port due to weather, strikes, or conditions only known to God!

 

I don't know what the charge is to go thru the Gatun locks, twice. I do know that it's pricey..........but that's what the passengers are paying for........to see and experience a trip thru the most famous locks in the world.

 

RCCL............if you are cutting that destination out............... that's a NO NO!!:eek: :eek: :rolleyes:

 

Rick

 

 

We were told at the C & A Party that it was 250,000$ round trip. Bargain right? It was a phenomenal experience and I am so glad I did it now.

 

I may be misremembering so don't quote me but I think they said on my Brilliance cruise that it cost around $200,000 for the Brilliance to enter the canal.