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Radiance of the Sea...TIPS!!


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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!!

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In May I spent 16 days on Radiance round trip from Vancouver and spent a lot of time in the lounge area on deck 13. Spectacular views! Saw lots of whales at Icy Straight Point. Easy access to the outside for pictures from all sides of the ship.

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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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Following this thread. We're on the same cruise as the OP. I've been doing some research as well so I can add a couple of things to this.

 

Regarding there being no self-serve laundrymat on board - in the cabins there should be a laundry bag which can be filled as far to the brim as possible and it's a flat rate of $35 I believe. The cabin steward will know about that.

 

I was going to use the $35 laundry service once we got on board because we are doing an 8-day trip from Fairbanks down to Seward. However I did some research at the different hotels we will be staying at and it turns out that the last hotel we stay at the night before the cruise, Harbor View 360, has a self serve laundry for $3 for a wash and $3 for the dryer. Perfect! I'm doing a load for hubby and myself once we get to that hotel. Now I don't have to use the ship's laundry.

 

If you're on a pre-cruise tour, do a wee bit of research about the hotels you are staying in and you'll find that some of them do have self-serve laundry services.

 

A couple of other tips I've learned about the ship: there is no charge for roomservice if you're getting the continental breakfast. I have also heard that they don't bring you very much so you can order a couple of them maybe. This would be perfect if going out very early on a shore excursion.

 

Views from Schooner Bar are amazing and Colony Club has views of the ship's wake and is underutilized (until now - since I just posted it lol). At Icy Strait Point often you can see whales, otters around the ship so keep an eye open even from these locations including the Champagne Bar.

 

I've also heard the beef roll (roast beef sandwich) is excellent from the Park Cafe. I'm going to have to check out that salad selection as well.

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The fill a bag special on the ship is for certain wash/dry items such as socks, t-shirts, pajamas, etc. If you stuff in your glitzy ball gown, they will charge you the going rate for the special item.

 

 

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When you are viewing the Hubbard Glacier, the crowds at the front of the ship pushing for room at the railing can be overwhelming. Also can get quite cold at times (this will be the one time you will want gloves, a jacket, and a hat). Rather than fight the crowds at the bow...go to the promenade deck (where the life boats are) with great views and no crowding. Then when the ship turns to the other direction, simply pass through to the other side. Warmer and quieter in that area also.

 

Our favorite restaurant for fantastic fresh made to order steamed Dungeness crabs is in Hoonah (Icy Point Strait) port of call, right on the inlet called "The Office". It is a nice walk to town along the water front, or you can take a shuttle. We saw huge humpback whales breaching along the walk, and sea lions.

 

As Bob mentioned, the open air seating at very rear of the Windjammer is wonderful on a nice day to enjoy a breakfast or lunch. We saw Whales surfacing in our wake as we cruised the inland waterway while we were seated. :)

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I always find it interesting when chatting with new cruisers that they often don't know they can go outside to the very front of the ship on the helipad. Definitely take the opportunity at least once to head outside on deck 5 and walk all the way to the front of the ship, especially when viewing the glaciers

 

Other than the Allure of the Seas, Radiance is the only other ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet with the rare "Samba Grill" Brazillian Steakhouse. I had a fun and great meal when I tried it, others here on CC say they hated it. I found the venue itself is excellent on a high deck near the rear of the ship with a great view.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47881841&highlight=Samba%27s+Grill+for+night#post47881841

 

If you enjoy a night-time cocktail and nightclub type atmosphere, definitely check out "Starquest" and the Viking Crown Lounge in the evening.... the entire bar rotates 360 degrees at a very slow pace, you can sit on the stools and rotate as well! Very cool atmosphere.

 

Do you have your excursions booked? If not, may I make two suggestions? Consider breaking the bank and taking a helicopter ride up to the Glacier in Juneau and walking on the Glacier and/or dog sledding... lifetime memory but super huge expensive. And I've mentioned this before in other threads, in Ketchikan the "Aluetian Ballad - Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour" is one of the best excursions I have experienced anywhere in the world. Very easy to google and read all about it.

 

Helicopter excursion: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=41444744&highlight=As+promised#post41444744

Aleutian Ballad: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=41444945&highlight=The+Aleutian+Ballad#post41444945

 

Lastly, you'll miss the awesome sail-in under the Lion's Gate bridge to the port of Vancouver unless you are awake very early in the morning. I hope you're staying in Vancouver at least a day before leaving to go home.... it would be like arriving in New York or Rome and not staying at least 1 day to site see.

 

Have a great cruise :D

Edited by Hoopster95
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The salads at the Solarium are amazing. I used to get back on the ship, get a salad, and take it to my room, watching sail away from my balcony. And that kept me going till my late seating dinner time.

 

Looking forward to that again in december. Going on Radiance for my 3rd time. Its my favourite ship.

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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.

 

 

 

If it's the same guy, he's great. And there are seats between the pub and casino. He takes requests.

 

 

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