Radiance of the Sea...TIPS!!

Leaving in a few weeks for a southbound Reid from Seward to Vancouver. Looking for ship specific tips as we're relatively new to RC and def6new to Radiance. I've never been let down by my CC friends and have done independent research on this site (offered before folks tell me to search the various treads...). What's your "don't miss on this ship" or what do most folks "not know about?" Thank you in advance!!

I was on the Radiance in May when I bought a week-long access to the thermal spa in order to use the heated lounge chairs, steam rooms, and showers. It cost $99, and I was alone in the spa most of the time. Very relaxing and worth the money for me. Take a tour before buying, however, to make sure you are happy with the options. Every thermal spa is different- Radiance's has fewer stations than other ships, but has great ocean views so you can enjoy a relaxing break while also viewing the ocean, landscapes, and wildlife. There is also a free stream room and sauna located in the locker room/rest room, however, there is no ocean view.

Don't tell our American friends but when radiance is in Australia they like to have an Aussie BBQ for lunch on the pool deck.

In 2013 we were on Radiance in Alaska. WE had a pool side BBQ set up one day. I don't know if this happens all the time or if we were just lucky.

If you don't already have an excursion in Icy Strait Point, Google then call Glacier Wind Charters. They are small family company offering whale watching excursion. We did it 2 weeks ago and it was the highlight of my trip! To the Summit in Skagway was fun and very beautiful. It was a ship excursion. Don't overpack. We found ourselves wearing the same favorites over and over. You'll wear a waterproof jacket, hiking shoes, wool socks, a zipper fleece as a middle layer, a lightweight backpack, zip off or roll up hiking pants, a warm hat, gloves, and a moisture wicking shirt. Formal night wasn't Belle of the Ball night. Just look nice. I took one black dress and 7 overtops. 2 were prettier. I wore black flats to dinner. It's downright chilly near glaciers. If you don't have the right jacket, they are for sale everywhere in Alaska and on the ship very reasonably. Outerwear is really easy to find. I also took my long silky bottoms and wore them on outings under my pants.

 

 

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Great suggestions - thanks!

Me too! June 22 Seward to Vancouver!

 

 

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Me 3 - May 25th, 2018!

We set sail on August 10, 2018 - northbound Alaska Vancouver to Seward. That blog post with photos was fantastic and makes me want to leave NOW. Can't wait!

Nope but they grill very good ribs and other meats. [emoji23]

We invented the BBQ!:cool:

Me too! June 22 Seward to Vancouver!

 

 

I'm on that same cruise, as well, doing the Mountain Valley Explorer pre-cruise beginning June 18. This will be our first Alaska trip.Tips or tricks are appreciated, especially packing ones. Thank you!

Does anyone have a Cruise Compass for the northbound? I can only find a 2016 southbound and 2015 northbound and the showtimes don't line up. Thanks! Trying to plan dinner reservations.

Does anyone have a Cruise Compass for the northbound? I can only find a 2016 southbound and 2015 northbound and the showtimes don't line up. Thanks! Trying to plan dinner reservations.

...and the menus from the MDR :)

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Try this thread:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2510441

When are you going? We are on the May 18, 2018 Northbound. If you are later than that I will try to remember to bring back all the Compasses to post.

We are on Radiance for the September transpacific and can't wait. Can I ask, what deck is My Time Dining and does anyone have any table suggestions?

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Check out the Quill and Compass Pub. There was a guitar player named John Winters when we were on Radiance in June. If he's still on the ship, he's worth checking out.

Is that the one just outside the casino? If so, we enjoyed that singer/guitar player too. He did some Jimmy Buffet.

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Great suggestions - thanks!

We did a whale watching excursion in Icy Strait that we booked ourselves, not with the ship. It was also a highlight, so if you are not successful with the company referred, there are a few others that are great. I am sorry I cant remember who we went with.

We also did the ship excursion up To the Summit in Skagway which was great.

We did gold panning and a salmon bake in Juneau and I would skip that.

My favourite port was seward where we did an all day tour, booked separate to the ship, where we went to exit glacier, saw salmon jumping, lunch, kennels and wheeled cart dog sled ride.

We found great jackets and other clothing at the shops right off the ship in Ketchikan, and the best prices we found on the whole cruise.

Try this thread:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2510441

 

When are you going? We are on the May 18, 2018 Northbound. If you are later than that I will try to remember to bring back all the Compasses to post.

I was just about to post the link to those. :) Sorry, I don't have MDR menus though but they were the standard menus I've seen recently.

MTD was on Deck 4 and our two top was located right next to one of the main columns in the center area. I recommend not sitting next to one of these pillars as it just seemed odd.

If you have any questions about the Northbound, let me know.

I have cruises booked on Voyager and Oasis-class ships in the near future and am already looking forward to 2020. I am considering a Quantum-class ship, but would you recommend a Radiance-class one? I've heard nothing but great things in this thread and from others who have sailed on Radiance, Brilliance, etc. I am a solo female cruiser in my early 40s, love being connected to the sea. (The bells and whistles that the new ships offer are nice-to-haves, but I can live with or without them.)

Thanks ahead in advance :)

So this may be a silly question but wondering are the things on the ship priced in U.S or Aus currency?

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so this may be a silly question but wondering are the things on the ship priced in u.s or aus currency?

US Dollars.

US Dollars.

Thank you

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Thank you

You're welcome.

I have cruises booked on Voyager and Oasis-class ships in the near future and am already looking forward to 2020. I am considering a Quantum-class ship, but would you recommend a Radiance-class one? I've heard nothing but great things in this thread and from others who have sailed on Radiance, Brilliance, etc. I am a solo female cruiser in my early 40s, love being connected to the sea. (The bells and whistles that the new ships offer are nice-to-haves, but I can live with or without them.)

 

Thanks ahead in advance :)

I have never been on Oasis class so I can't speak from experience but, like you, the bells and whistles do not interest me. I love the Radiance class ships and have sailed on all four of them. If you love being connected to the sea, Radiance class is for you. There is glass all over the ship offering views of the sea. There is even a bank of elevators that overlooks the sea. The Centrum, in the center of the ship, is a focal point for a lot of the entertainment. We had not been on a Voyager class ship in a few years and I wanted to get back on one to experience the Royal Promenade and the bigger pool deck. We just sailed on Adventure last week and I actually missed the experiences we've had on Radiance class ships.

Unless you love the rain, avoid the Samba Grill. While it's a tasty restaurant, they only have an outside entrance. And the restroom (toilet) is only accessible from the outside too. The waiter was kind enough to help me there with an umbrella, but I think we were both embarrassed w/ how I had to hang onto him due to my bad mobility.

On the other hand, if you can get JS1100, it's a wonderful aft wrap on deck 10. We lucked into it on the Serenade.

I have never been on Oasis class so I can't speak from experience but, like you, the bells and whistles do not interest me. I love the Radiance class ships and have sailed on all four of them. If you love being connected to the sea, Radiance class is for you. There is glass all over the ship offering views of the sea. There is even a bank of elevators that overlooks the sea. The Centrum, in the center of the ship, is a focal point for a lot of the entertainment. We had not been on a Voyager class ship in a few years and I wanted to get back on one to experience the Royal Promenade and the bigger pool deck. We just sailed on Adventure last week and I actually missed the experiences we've had on Radiance class ships.

Thank you so much for your response and review, Ken! I think ultimately it will come down to the itinerary as the ports of call are more important to me than the ship or class, honestly.

Do you have a preference of the four Radiance-class ships?

Is the Vikings crown lodge still a bar that is open to everyone? Or is it a diamond/concierge lounge now?

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Do you have a preference of the four Radiance-class ships?

I know they have changed/added some restaurants over years but for the most part, they are all the same. I don't know if there's a big enough difference so no, I do not have a preference.

Is the Vikings crown lodge still a bar that is open to everyone? Or is it a diamond/concierge lounge now?

 

 

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Were were on Radiance last June in Alaska. The Viking Crown Lounge was open to everyone. The exception was a small section that had been turned into the (I think) Diamond Lounge.