info in Radiance

sm76 · #1 January 11th, 2007, 09:18 AM

Hi, we are first time cruiseres on Radiance. our 2nd time cruiseing, first was with carnival victory. we will be cruising with our 2 kids 9 and 3. we have the balcony room. I was wondering if there is any info we can get on the ship any tips. thank you

wraithe · #2 January 11th, 2007, 09:32 AM

I guess I'm not entirely sure what kind of info that you want. You can access the Compasses for the 8 night itinerary from my photobucket page, the link is in my sig. Are you going on the 8 night or 6 night cruise, looking for info about adult or kid activities, tell us more about what you want and I'm sure someone can help.

2ladies · #3 January 11th, 2007, 09:33 AM

Its a lovely ship and the crew and officers are very nice and friendly. The food was really very good in the Dining Room. Pleasantly surprised - and we cruise a lot.

We were on the New Year's cruise with lots of kids and they all seemed to have a very good time in the Kids Clubs. Teen club was apparently good also.

One little tip is not to miss the Seaview Cafe. You have to work to find it and its not open all the time. Look at the Daily Cruise Guide for the times.

Don't miss Quest - the first time its very amusing. Try to get in a team.

Just be very strict with your kids re the balcony. This is a ship remember. Especially the 9 year old. They can be 'adventurous'!! And the railings are an inviting climb!!

Chops and Portofinos are both excellent. The steaks in Chops are superb. Well worth the $20. Not sure whether they allow kids though!! You could put them to bed and treat yourselves!!

Have a great time - we did!!!

sm76 · #4 January 11th, 2007, 09:54 AM

thanks for the advice,

now I am kind of worried about the balcony, I just wanted a window then the price of this sounded great I wonder if I can change it. I booked it through ************.

Pomperaugrr · #5 January 11th, 2007, 10:10 AM

The balcony should not be a problem, as long as you establish ground rules. We are cruising with our daughters 6 and 8 and will have a balcony. Our rule is that they do not open the door or go out there without one of us with them. As long as they are not climbing on furniture up against the rail, they will be fine. You will all love the balcony. It adds a great experience to a cruise!

Eric

Shar27 · #6 January 11th, 2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm76

thanks for the advice,

now I am kind of worried about the balcony, I just wanted a window then the price of this sounded great I wonder if I can change it. I booked it through ************.

Don't worry about the balcony. I have 3 children, ages 6, 8 and 12 and it is never a problem. I tell them that they are not allowed outside without an adult or else!!!

I am sure that the children will not be alone in the cabin and the balcony door is not that easy to open, even for a 9 year old.

Also, the Radiance is a fabulous ship with lots to do. Make sure and sign up the kids for the kids club on the first night and they will have a blast. The club runs quite late and if you want to go to a specialty restaurant, just leave the kids in the club a little later that night.

Have a great time on your cruise.

bettylou5 · #7 January 11th, 2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraithe

I guess I'm not entirely sure what kind of info that you want. You can access the Compasses for the 8 night itinerary from my photobucket page, the link is in my sig. Are you going on the 8 night or 6 night cruise, looking for info about adult or kid activities, tell us more about what you want and I'm sure someone can help.

Wraithe, bless your heart. We sail the Radiance for the 8 day in March and your link allowing me to see the Cruise Compass was very appreciated. I checked this thread because I too am trying to find any info I can get about our cruise. I'm not board savvy at all and it's hard to figure out how, and where to ask for the information needed. Thanks so much for yours.
Any way you can tell me which night is lobster night? Last year we booked Chops for that night and I don't want to make the same mistake.
Thanks again.

sm76 · #8 January 11th, 2007, 12:18 PM

thank you all for the comforting advice. I am always nervous anyways with my kids but I was mostly worried for my younger one but I am sure it will be fine now that I know other children have also had a balcony roo.

Sue L · #9 January 11th, 2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm76

thank you all for the comforting advice. I am always nervous anyways with my kids but I was mostly worried for my younger one but I am sure it will be fine now that I know other children have also had a balcony roo.

Don't worry about the balcony, I am 5'2" and the railings go up to mid chest on me. They would have to work very hard to do anything. Just set rules and have a great time. I am going on Radiance's sister ship the Brilliance in March and I have read so many great things about this class with all the glass and the beautiful views.

barbarah33 · #10 January 11th, 2007, 12:35 PM

Of all the ships I have sailed on the Radiance is my favorite - she is beautiful! I agree that the Seaview Café is a great find and worth making the effort to get to - bring the kids because they have things for them as well. My other advice it to enjoy it all!

CaptData · #11 January 11th, 2007, 12:51 PM

Do sign the kids up for the Adventure Ocean (kid's club). On formal nights the kids go to Jonny Rockets/Windjammer with the Staff from the kid's club while you enjoy a nice quiet dinner in the dining room.

My grandchildren 5 and 9 really enjoyed the club. The younger ones colour and play simple games. They become pirates one night and walk through the ship. The older ones play gaga ball, bingo, paint ect. The club will open a half hour before shore ex if you do not want to take them on one excursion. They are only open certain hours.

After 10 pm they have what they call late night party zone. It goes until 1 am. There is a $5.00/child charge per hour. This is where you can go and eat at Portofino's or Chops ($20/person charge). You start at say 7 pm and finish at 10. Then you take in a show and finish at 11:15 pm That would be 1 1/2hr charge $15.00 (If you pick the kids up before 11:30)

wraithe · #12 January 11th, 2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bettylou5

Wraithe, bless your heart. We sail the Radiance for the 8 day in March and your link allowing me to see the Cruise Compass was very appreciated. I checked this thread because I too am trying to find any info I can get about our cruise. I'm not board savvy at all and it's hard to figure out how, and where to ask for the information needed. Thanks so much for yours.
Any way you can tell me which night is lobster night? Last year we booked Chops for that night and I don't want to make the same mistake.
Thanks again.

Which March cruise are you going on? The March 17 cruise will be my first on Radiance, I got the Compasses from another blessed CC'er who gathered them on her cruise and mailed them to me between her B2B from Radiance to Freedom. Oh yes, I was jealous of chelle the cruise junky, she's who hooked me up with the Compasses. She did a 8 night on Radiance, followed by 7 nights on Freedom! FWIW, usually the second formal night (in my limited experience) is lobster night. Hopefully someone will tell us if this is correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm76

thank you all for the comforting advice. I am always nervous anyways with my kids but I was mostly worried for my younger one but I am sure it will be fine now that I know other children have also had a balcony room.

sm76, the balcony handle has to be rotated from fully down 180 degrees to almost full up, and then you have to slide the very, very heavy door open while holding the handle in the up position to get the door open. Your 3 yo would have to be pretty brawny to do it, and then have to climb a ways to get over a railing, I'm not saying let the child out of your sight, but I wouldn't stress over it, either. Happy sailing.

sm76 · #13 January 11th, 2007, 01:38 PM

thank you everyone, I feel alot better now reading all your advice. I am so excited. We only will be in the room with our kids and when I think about it the whole ship has rails and that could be dangerous too if I think that way so I think I Am good now

. what is the seaview cafe, is it open all day and Johnny Rockets. thank you again

bettylou5 · #14 January 11th, 2007, 03:32 PM

[quote=wraithe]Which March cruise are you going on? The March 17 cruise will be my first on Radiance, I got the Compasses from another blessed CC'er who gathered them on her cruise and mailed them to me between her B2B from Radiance to Freedom. Oh yes, I was jealous of chelle the cruise junky, she's who hooked me up with the Compasses. She did a 8 night on Radiance, followed by 7 nights on Freedom! FWIW, usually the second formal night (in my limited experience) is lobster night. Hopefully someone will tell us if this is correct.

We're sailing on March 3 and can't wait. We did the eastern Caribbean for 6 nights last March on the Jewel and it was the best vacation we've ever had. My favorite part was sitting on the balcony at night with a cup of hot chocolate just watching the moonlight on the water, feeling the tropical breeze in my hair as I sat in my jammies and hearing the water lapping by. Oh my goodness, I'm going to put myself in a cruise deprived coma.

2ladies · #15 January 11th, 2007, 06:22 PM

I didn't mean to frighten anyone about the balcony, just to issue a warning.

Just after the ship departed there was a call for us over the ship's tannoy system. We went to the Front Desk and were interviewed by the Staff Captain. Apparently, someone had been seen walking on the canopy over the lifeboats, just below our balcony!! This is dangerous - highly, highly dangerous and they were checking on passengers in the vicinity to make sure no-one was missing (i.e. overboard

). I believe it turned out to be an older child and he was OK!!

Then when we were departing the first port of call, about six balconies along deck 8 had kids and teens screaming, shouting and throwing ice cubes. Some littlies jumping against the railings and teens sitting on railings!!! The balconies behind the hump cannot be seen from the Bridge and cameras are not yet installed. I reported it immediately of course, and after that, there was no repetition. I imagine a letter was sent out to all parents on that deck on port side.

All I am saying is that if you have a balcony cabin with kids, you need to be careful. As you do all over the ship. After all, its a small town of 5,000 strangers and you should no more let your kids roam than you would at home. We saw tinies running around and up and down in elevators without adults. People blame the cruise line when something happens and I think its most unfair.

I know this is an unpopular thing to say, as no-one ever believes it could be their children, but things happen on a ship just as they do anywhere else - it is not some sort of magic environment.

Don't flame me - just stating facts.

taxatty · #16 January 11th, 2007, 07:26 PM

We also just got off the Radiance (along with the delightful 2ladies--see my review) and really enjoyed it. There seemed to be a lot of kids enjoying the programs for the younger kids, even late at night. Kids in general seemed to be very well behaved.

There is no Johnny Rockets on this ship--but I second the motion for the Seaview Cafe--a peaceful and quick place on the ship to sit and eat, and the food is free. It's behind the basketball court and kids' pool and water slide on Deck 12.

Les

2ladies · #17 January 11th, 2007, 07:48 PM

Hi Les - didn't we have a great time - great to meet all of you on our thread, even if we didn't have an 'official' M&M!! I will look for your review!!

Interestingly, and I have to be very careful here. most of the kids who seemed to be out of control, didn't speak much English. Unfortunately, most of them seemed to be on the deck just above us. I am wondering if they were all in some sort of group. Of course, it was a New Year cruise and there were many kids on board.

Anyway, it is good to "err on the side of caution" - in fact, when we arrived on board, there was a strong announcement about 'behaviour'. Holiday cruises are always difficult for the cruiselines.

Princess have "teenage monitors" during holiday periods. These appear to be security in Tshirts!!!