2009 Radiance Northbound Cruise Compass

[WalleyeLJ]

Hey All,

 

Just got back a couple of weeks ago and I had promised to try and post the Cruise Compasses from our northbound trip on Radiance. My wife was kind enough to scan them in for me, and they're posted as JPEGs on our photo website (http://ljandbev.smugmug.com/gallery/8558049_k2p8P#563644662_qZAjp).

 

I'm still sorting through the 7,000+ photos I took, so none of those are up there yet. My wife kept a blog on the trip, and we did post a number of photos on there if people want to check it out: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/ljandbev/1/tpod.html.

 

For those who haven't gone yet - it was the best trip either of us has ever taken - safe travels and have a blast!

 

L.J.

[derrick22]

Thanks for the compasses.

While I am doing the southbound it gave me an idea of what to expect.

 

7,000 pictures. :eek: How much memory did you bring?

 

Denise

[ike201]

Thanks for a great review. We are leaving in 2 1/2 weeks & have a similiar

intinerary, so it was very informative. I was thinking of getting a facial &

hot stone massage - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have a whale watching trip planned in ISP with F.I.S.H.E.S, but I'm wondering if I should change it

to a fishing trip since you saw so many whales anyway. (traveling with

3 boys, 9 -14 yr who would probably enjoy fishing). What do you think

from your experience?

[WalleyeLJ]

Thanks for the compasses.

While I am doing the southbound it gave me an idea of what to expect.

 

7,000 pictures. :eek: How much memory did you bring?

 

Denise

 

Denise,

 

I brought a lot, especially since my 50D shoots at 15MP. I had 3 8GB, 4 4GB, and a bunch of 2 GB. Had a blast, especailly shooting the whales. I just finished my 1st pass through tonight. Have a great trip!

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

Thanks for a great review. We are leaving in 2 1/2 weeks & have a similiar

intinerary, so it was very informative. I was thinking of getting a facial &

hot stone massage - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have a whale watching trip planned in ISP with F.I.S.H.E.S, but I'm wondering if I should change it

to a fishing trip since you saw so many whales anyway. (traveling with

3 boys, 9 -14 yr who would probably enjoy fishing). What do you think

from your experience?

 

We fished with Captain Frank and his wife/1st Mate Margie of Dream Fish Charters out of ISP. Had a great day, caguht a bunch of fish and saw several whales. We saw the whales mostly because we did an all day charter with them, so we had time.

 

I'll tell you this about F.I.S.H.E.S. - the two couples we dined with each night and met here on CC went out with them. They had a fantastic experience! As great as our whale watching went on the trip, even when we were doing other things, if it was half as good as they said, it'll be well worth it.

 

Capt Frank did say that the big Halibut would be in full bore right around the time you'll be there;) Either way, i don't think you'll go wrong. Have a great trip!!!

 

L.J.

[ike201]

thanks- we only booked 1/2 day, so I think we'll stick to whale watching.

FISHES used to let you pay an extra $20 & they would put a fishing pole

out, but they don't offer it anymore.

[coloradogreycat]

Thanks so much for posting these! We're taking this same cruise at the end of July and it's really helpful to be able to see what kinds of activities will be available on the ship (especially since it's our first time cruising with RCCL). :D

[grey_eyes]

Thanks for putting these up! It's good to know what will be going on during the week.

[WalleyeLJ]

Thanks so much for posting these! We're taking this same cruise at the end of July and it's really helpful to be able to see what kinds of activities will be available on the ship (especially since it's our first time cruising with RCCL). :D

 

Glad to help. For all the people who ask about them, I know not a lot of folks get the chance/have time to scan and post them. I know these aren't the clearest copies, but my wife was able to run them through a photocopier/scanner all at once, and then have it sent to her computer as a b&w PDF scan. If she didn't do that, I'd probably be another couple of weeks getting around to it:D If someone has a question or really needs clearer copies, let me know and I can work on getting a clearer color version in.

 

FYI - if anyone's an early riser (before 6/6:30am), the Windjammer will be closed at the aft of the ship, on Deck 11. If, however, you go up to 12 and walk all the way back and down to 11 again, you'll find a nice, protected (usually) outside dining area that I almost always had to myself. Great place to relax and take in the scenery and an early cup of coffee/tea and take photos to your hearts content! Once the Windjammer opens for breakfast, you can walk right in for breakfast or a beverage resupply.

 

 

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

Thanks for putting these up! It's good to know what will be going on during the week.

 

Hope it helps. FYI - on Caribbean trips I tend to bounce all over the ship while my wife mostly lives a more sedate life poolside, with occasional visits to different on board events during the day. Plus we try to get to all the main evening events.

 

We literally went to NO events onboard our Alaska trip except the casinos for about 20 minutes twice (plus our Mix & Mingle event). Other than that, we slept, ate, viewed the landscape and spent almost every minute possible off the ship. Two of our ports I made it on 5 and 2 minutes before last call (I was right at the shops, but still - I still didn't get to everything I wanted to!!:D).

 

I wouldn't change a thing! Whatever you do, you should have a blast!

 

L.J.

[Choozin Croozin]

You and your wife are wonderful. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to post all the compass'! and your travel blog. I haven't read through them all, but they will be so helpful.

 

I am also NB and wondered if you can tell me when you were able to board in Vancouver and when do you think the earliest you could depart in Seward? We have an 8a Kenai Fjords tour and just want to make sure I can get off the ship in time.

 

Thanks again!!

[WalleyeLJ]

You and your wife are wonderful. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to post all the compass'! and your travel blog. I haven't read through them all' date=' but they will be so helpful.

 

I am also NB and wondered if you can tell me when you were able to board in Vancouver and when do you think the earliest you could depart in Seward? We have an 8a Kenai Fjords tour and just want to make sure I can get off the ship in time.

 

Thanks again!![/quote']

 

Be glad to. As far as I could tell, you can probably start boarding the ship as early as 11-11:30. We arrived at the pier via taxi around 12:45 and it took us until around 2pm to clear check in (we weren't Platinum until we completed this trip - if you are, cut that time in half).

 

As far as Seward goes, I think the earliest debarkation was 6am, broken down in half hour increments based on the multitude of plans you might have through the cruise line. If you were on your own afterwards like we were (we had to be at our kayak excursion at Lookout Point at 7:45am, about 15 minutes away by taxi), then we were "allowed" to leave on our own any time after 6:30am.

 

Breakfast will be available starting at 6am, so you can fuel up before leaving. If you are dooing a Kenai Fjord boat tour, the marina is right near the cruise ships. You can probably walk it if they aren't already coming to pick you up, but I post a thread on the main Alaska board to clarify that. Have a great time! As a possible bonus for you, there were a large number of Fin whales in Resurrection Bay when we were there - unfortunately for us they were on the opposite side of the bay when we went out, but I'm sure if they are there they'll make a point of getting to them!

 

L.J.

[Choozin Croozin]

Thank you SO much LJ. That makes me feel much better... especially knowing we can leave the ship by 7a (is when we need to call for them to come and get us). I now know how to plan our morning in Vancouver too. We are not platinum so I would think, the earlier the better then. Thanks again and hope that you have been able to get back into the swing of things.:D

[coloradogreycat]

Thanks for the great tip about the "secret" area near Windjammer. We'll check it out for sure.

[WalleyeLJ]

Thank you SO much LJ. That makes me feel much better... especially knowing we can leave the ship by 7a (is when we need to call for them to come and get us). I now know how to plan our morning in Vancouver too. We are not platinum so I would think' date=' the earlier the better then. Thanks again and hope that you have been able to get back into the swing of things.:D[/quote']

 

Thanks - we just finished up our labor negotiations with our employees today, so I guess I'm now fully back in the swing again, like it or not:D!

Enjoy!

 

L.J.

[FarAwayTx]

I see you are taking the same cruise as we are. We're going a day early to Vancouver to see the sights but don't have any inkling as to how the last day goes in Seward. What is the transport situation to Anchorage? I've heard some horror stories about not having enough time to catch your return flight.

[WalleyeLJ]

I see you are taking the same cruise as we are. We're going a day early to Vancouver to see the sights but don't have any inkling as to how the last day goes in Seward. What is the transport situation to Anchorage? I've heard some horror stories about not having enough time to catch your return flight.

 

It all depends on your flight. If you've arranged transfers/airfare through the cruise line, you should be fine. We were going on our own, and the one thing we missed while filling out the on board departure survey is that there is apprently a way to have you luggage transfered to the car rental agencies (not the airlines) if you are renting a car at the airport in Anchorage and then touring on your own like we did.

 

If you want to take the Alaskan Railroad from Seward to Anchorage, you need to be aware that the train only runs from Seward to Anchorage @ 6pm each day (It comes up from Anhorage every morning for people to day trip to Seward/the Kenai Fjords area). AS I understand it, there are a limited number of transportation companies that will take you via van, or taxi's, and they'll run in the $250+ range (I think the van shuttle are per person, the taxis may be flat rate).

 

You also can rent a car one way from Seward to Anchorage, but I think you have to donate akidney to cover the cost (several hundred doallrs from what I've heard/seen, but I maybe a little off base).

 

The train is nice, but it does take 4-4.5 hours. Van/car/taxi will take about 2 depending on if you are going straight to the airport or somewhere else in town, not including stops for pictures (which I think many are willing to do, depending on what you arrange with them).

 

There were several threads on the Alaska board the first couple of weeks of May which can probably give you specific names & contact info if you look to find a non-cruise line option. Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

L.J.

[FarAwayTx]

L. J.

 

Thanks a bunch for the info. There seems to be a number of options available. Evidently the shuttle is supplied by the cruise line, but doesn't sound so exciting. I'll have to look into some of your other suggestions. I hear the train provides a breathtaking trip. Though, maybe at this point in the tour, we might be needing more calming influences. Cheers

[WalleyeLJ]

L. J.

 

Thanks a bunch for the info. There seems to be a number of options available. Evidently the shuttle is supplied by the cruise line, but doesn't sound so exciting. I'll have to look into some of your other suggestions. I hear the train provides a breathtaking trip. Though, maybe at this point in the tour, we might be needing more calming influences. Cheers

 

FayAwayTX,

 

If the train works for your schedule, it is beautiful, but very sedate. It's a nice, slow ride into Anchorage, roughly twice as long as a car/van/taxi. You can book through the various cruise lines, but you can also book directly through the Alaskan Railroad, which may or may not be cheaper (I think it was, but I booked it almost a year ago).

 

L.J.

[WalleyeLJ]

bump

[Coconet]

bump

 

Hi WalleyeLJ...thanks for all the info on your post! Do you remember if Radiance offers the luggage valet service? My understanding is that some cruise lines offer this (but not at all ports) the service to have your luggage picked up the night before and shipped all the way to the airport...you would also then get your boarding passes etc. They offered this on Princess last year. We are flying Alaska out of Anchorage red eye and trying to figure the logistics out with our luggage...

 

Thanks again!

 

Kathy:)

[natvtxn]

Walleye, do you know if we can take our luggage to the ship early and leave it and then continue with our day in Vancouver? And, what time can we get on the ship?

[kbalthaser66]

Thanks for posting the compasses - you are a GEM. Thanks for the tips of where on the ship to go. We leave in 12 days. CANNOT WAIT

[WalleyeLJ]

Hi WalleyeLJ...thanks for all the info on your post! Do you remember if Radiance offers the luggage valet service? My understanding is that some cruise lines offer this (but not at all ports) the service to have your luggage picked up the night before and shipped all the way to the airport...you would also then get your boarding passes etc. They offered this on Princess last year. We are flying Alaska out of Anchorage red eye and trying to figure the logistics out with our luggage...

 

Thanks again!

 

Kathy:)

 

Hi Kathy,

 

Yes, RCI offers all sorts of valet options for you. You'll be able to/have to make your selection the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise. There should be something that will work just right for your schedule. Have a great trip!

 

L.J.

[Coconet]

Hi Kathy,

 

Yes, RCI offers all sorts of valet options for you. You'll be able to/have to make your selection the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise. There should be something that will work just right for your schedule. Have a great trip!

 

L.J.

 

Great...thanks so much...I'll see what they offer...I'd be happy to pay to have my luggage sent for the family and checked in...:). Thanks again for all your info...

 

Kathy