New to Royal Caribbean & would like some tips & hints

I have cruised with Carnival 2 times to the Caribbean & on June 13, 2014 we will be on board the Radiance of the Sea in Vancouver doing a cruisetour northbound into Alaska. There will be 3 of us as of right now my Mom (58), hubby (40) & I (38). We are celebrating many things early since they only do Alaska for limited time so anniversary for hubby & I also birthdays for Mom & hubby. We do have a balcony on the side for the scenery :D but other than that we are still looking into excursions and stuff. Is there any tips or hints for the ship that those of you that have been on it can give me? Any hidden gems that are cool? Is there an adults only area? How is the food? Also do people go all out for the formal night or are most dressed like they are going to church? My first cruise most were just dressed business casual or like they were going to church but the 2nd cruise most looked like they were going to prom. Haven't been on Cruise critic much until now & I love it I am finding so much info but would love any info you can share with me on this cruise ship & Royal Caribbean also. By the way does Royal Caribbean give onboard credit if you hold stock in the company like Carnival does? Thanks so much in advance!!!

There is an adults (16 and over) only pool area called the Solarium. Royal does give on board credit for owning stock. If you have 100 shares of stock, you can get $100 OBC for a 7 day cruise. This is not combinable with any other credits from Royal.

We have only ever sailed RCCL. I would suggest you find a thread on the CC and join in the discussions for that ship and cruise. Many tours and things are discussed as well as get togethers. Then register for the Meet and Mingle. RCCL really go out of their way to keep the CC people happy.

After your first cruise with RCL Join the Crown and Anchor Society and you get extras and discounts with your next and subsequent Cruises.

Don:)

If you do go to the Solarium, look at the sign board. They allow children in the pool area for a few hours a day when it is too cold to use the outside pools.

We loved the Solarium area of the pool to sit and watch the scenery go by. There is something to see on both sides of the ship. Also, the schooner bar was good for this.

A good best kept secret on Radiance Class Ships except for folks on Cruise Critic is the outdoor seating area at the back of the Windjammer. The 1st couple of days there is hardly anybody out there because they have not found out about it yet. :cool:

If you plan to dine in the specialty restaurants book them ahead online under your reservation number. If you enjoy wine with your dinner, consider the Chef's Table dining package to celebrate all of those special occasions. The food is excellent and it is a lot of fun. The package pricing includes additional nights in the specialty restaurants but in this case you can only book Chef's Table online but have to reserve the other restaurants once you are onboard. You will be given priority. Have fun!

We took a NB cruise on the Radiance last year. I did a Live thread. This is the link. Although we went in August, you can still see the ports and pics of the ship.

We loved the Radiance. It is made for Alaska with lots of glass.

Have a great cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1697232

If you dress nicely for formal nights, you will be more than fine. Yes, there are people that bring formal clothes, but many do not because of luggage restraints. "Layers" seem to be the rule for Alaska and they can be bulky to pack.

A good best kept secret on Radiance Class Ships except for folks on Cruise Critic is the outdoor seating area at the back of the Windjammer. The 1st couple of days there is hardly anybody out there because they have not found out about it yet. :

 

This is a great option. It is such a pity it is not on the other classes of ship :(

We just came back from a B2B, 28 days, on the Radiance in Australia/NZ. The area behind the Windjammer is my favorite "secret" place. When it was misty and windy outside as we went through the Sounds, we stayed cozy in the open-sided covered area as we sat at a table sipping coffee, tea and hot chocolate. When we saw a waterfall, we would go to the railing, take pictures and then head back to our little sanctuary. As time went on, lots of people discovered this area.

In the mornings when the Windjammer was full, we would take our food and eat in Izumi's because the restaurant was closed but people were allowed to eat their breakfasts at the tables. Rita's Cantina was off limits at breakfast.

During lunch when the Windjammer was full, we would take our food and eat in Rita's Cantina because the restaurant was closed but people were allowed to eat their lunches at the tables. Izumi restaurant was open for lunch so you could only go there if you were going to pay a little fee for their offerings.

On sea days, the main dining room offers the best salad bar you'll ever find at sea. They have menu offerings PLUS you can enjoy a made to order salad or have the made to order salad as your entree. You pick the ingredients and the servers put them in a bowl, toss them with dressing and then plate everything.

An interesting place is the bottom of the stairs on deck 2. This is where the ship hangs all the plaques that they received for their first stop at various ports around the world. They cover two walls.

Thanks so much guys I am loving all the info!!! I am already excited and I have so long to wait :(. Would love to hear more so please keep them coming.

If you plan to dine in the specialty restaurants book them ahead online under your reservation number. If you enjoy wine with your dinner, consider the Chef's Table dining package to celebrate all of those special occasions. The food is excellent and it is a lot of fun. The package pricing includes additional nights in the specialty restaurants but in this case you can only book Chef's Table online but have to reserve the other restaurants once you are onboard. You will be given priority. Have fun!

We are planning on doing this and it is a great tip to keep in mind.:)

Thanks so much guys I am loving all the info!!! I am already excited and I have so long to wait :(. Would love to hear more so please keep them coming.

Tutti Salad in MDR!! They go all out. It's got EVERYTHING imaginable. You point at what you want, they fill the bowl. You tell them more or less on any item. You can also order an item off the menu. We get the salad and we order appetizer and dessert off the menu. If you don't want the salad, the menu choices are also great...BEST hamburgers are gotten in the MDR at lunch! Best way to avoid the chaos in the Windjammer at breakfast is to go to the MDR. Nice serene start to your day!

Is the outdoor seating area of the WJ hard to find, since it's such a "secret" the first couple of days? Where can we find the entrance to this area?

Is there any tips or hints for the ship that those of you that have been on it can give me? Any hidden gems that are cool? Is there an adults only area? How is the food? Also do people go all out for the formal night or are most dressed like they are going to church? My first cruise most were just dressed business casual or like they were going to church but the 2nd cruise most looked like they were going to prom. Haven't been on Cruise critic much until now & I love it I am finding so much info but would love any info you can share with me on this cruise ship & Royal Caribbean also. By the way does Royal Caribbean give onboard credit if you hold stock in the company like Carnival does? Thanks so much in advance!!!

I have never cruised to Alaska, so I can't help you with itinerary-specific issues, but can certainly tell you about the ship.

As others have indicated, the Solarium pool is typically adults (over 16) only, but on Alaska may allow everyone because the outside pool might not be usable due to weather.

Dress on Carnival versus Royal is about the same. Dress for the MDR like you're going out to a nice restaurant. No shorts, but dressy jeans are ok. Formal nights are less formal these days, although there are people who still go all-out. It's personal preference. They won't turn you away if you're wearing khaki's and a button down shirt instead of a suit or tuxedo.

Yes, if you own 100 shares of RCL stock you do get an OBC. It's NOT able to be combined with other offers, so I've never used that perk.

The outdoor eating area behind the Windjammer is probably my FAVORITE thing about the Radiance Class ships.

In terms of Carnival versus Royal:

• The hairy chest contest becomes the sexy legs contest.
  
• Even if you're not a child of Disco, be sure to attend the 70s Party! WICKED fun!!!! (I usually pack retro clothes so I can dress the part!!)
  
• Don't miss the Quest. (Carnival may have begun to copy this game in recent years, but if you aren't aware of it, it's more fun to attend without knowing ahead of time. Don't take kids with you!)
  
• Activities on Royal tend to be more ACTIVE, less SPECTATOR than Carnival. It's one of the things I prefer about Royal.
  
• You can walk all the way out to the front of the ship on Royal. It's where the emergency helipad is located. Check it out. Play Titantic!
  
• Unless Matt Yee is appearing, I typically prefer the piano bar atmosphere on Carnival.
  
• The nightclub on the Radiance Class ships have glass ALL AROUND - Awesome! And the bar revolves - COOL!
  

Enjoy your cruise!!

Is the outdoor seating area of the WJ hard to find, since it's such a "secret" the first couple of days? Where can we find the entrance to this area?

You just keep in walking toward the back around the side past the food islands and it will lead you outside. It's not hard to find, people just don't venture around there to see what's back there! I only knew about it on my Serenade Cruise from being on here on Cruise Critc!

You just keep in walking toward the back around the side past the food islands and it will lead you outside. It's not hard to find, people just don't venture around there to see what's back there! I only knew about it on my Serenade Cruise from being on here on Cruise Critc!

Thank you! We'll be on the Jewel tomorrow (our first Radiance class ship)

Is the outdoor seating area of the WJ hard to find, since it's such a "secret" the first couple of days? Where can we find the entrance to this area?

Some people don't realize it is back there because you have to go through either Izumi's restaurant or Rita's Cantina to get there. Just get your food, drinks, utensils at WJ and walk on back. Crowded on a nice day.

I also like the little theater named Cinema. It's between the casino and the Aurora Theater. They show some pretty good movies there.

I plan on taking slacks, sports coat and dress shirts for formal nights and smart casual nights, but was hoping not to have to wear a tie. I hate ties now. :D

Nothing against those who do and can wear them, but when I reached 65 that was the first thing to go...don't ask about the second.:rolleyes:

The trick to wearing a tie that doesn't bother you: big neck size shirts.

I'm not that portly, but I wear 18-1/2 inch shirts and ties don't bother me (except if they flop around). A simple four-in-hand knot and I'm good to go.

I would love to leave the suit behind and wear slacks and a sport coat (because those elements can be used in different ways on different days). I'd rather not use my suit coat as a sport coat, because I think that looks wrong.

As luggage schlep for a family of four, do I need to add a garment bag to the pile just so my pants and jacket material matches? Or is it acceptable to wear tan dress slacks, navy jacket, white shirt, pocket square and tie on formal nights?

Edit: please no flame wars over this! I just want to hear from someone who dresses for formal nights whether that ensemble would be off-putting. I ask because I understand the idea of establishing a fine dining ambiance.

Ok I have another question. With Carnival they would let you change your price if the price dropped. Does Royal usually lower the prices? I keep watching & I know it is still early but their price has changed 1 time and that was to go up.

Ok I have another question. With Carnival they would let you change your price if the price dropped. Does Royal usually lower the prices? I keep watching & I know it is still early but their price has changed 1 time and that was to go up.

Royal changes prices all the time. If Royal drops the price of your cruise, the price is not limited to new bookings, and it is before final payment date, then you can get your price adjusted downward.

Is the outdoor seating area of the WJ hard to find, since it's such a "secret" the first couple of days? Where can we find the entrance to this area?

Just through the WindJammer to the back. :)

I plan on taking slacks, sports coat and dress shirts for formal nights and smart casual nights, but was hoping not to have to wear a tie. I hate ties now. :D

Nothing against those who do and can wear them, but when I reached 65 that was the first thing to go...don't ask about the second.:rolleyes:

You mentioned it so what was the second thing. ( alarm clock LOL)

:)