ckrobyn's long awaited Radiance review!

[ckrobyn]

Robin, thanks for the review! Glad you had such a great time and even a little adventure. My DW gets a little seasick sometimes, but I can hardly get her to take a land vacation. We have had a few adventures on our cruises, too. On one of our first cruises the ship had boiler problems and arrived and left late...the next day we found ourselves heading in the opposite direction and later watched as a woman was lifted from the bow to a helicopter (no helicopter pad). On our NOS cruise in December we had to change course to have a helicopter pick up an injured crewman.We have even gone dead in the water a couple times. Interesting adventures and the reports were the people came out OK. So when is that next cruise?! My DW and I are planning to celebrate our 25th anniversary on a December cruise..that is such a long time away!

 

By the way, my DW has probably barely come out ahead in the casino over the years; the next time we visit relatives in Michigan may we shoot over to Toronto and rub elbows for luck?

 

Twaincruisers: You most certainly can rub my elbow for luck! Toronto is a great city, if you ever plan to visit make sure you let me know....:)

 

The blackout was totally freaky for me. I had a bit of anxiety about something going wrong on the cruise, and this definitely fit the bill! We have not booked our next cruise yet, but don't worry....as soon as it is booked....EVERYONE will know! :D

[Honey's Gal]

Robyn, so glad you had a great time and thank you for a great review I could almost feel your excitement. I totally know what you mean about the first sighting of the ship in the harbor. After 12 cruises, I still feel that way. I just love the planning, the anticipation and finally getting there.

 

The Radiance class ships are just so beautiful, I can't wait for the Jewel in Sept.

 

Looking forward to pictures

[ckrobyn]

Robyn' date=' so glad you had a great time and thank you for a great review I could almost feel your excitement. I totally know what you mean about the first sighting of the ship in the harbor. After 12 cruises, I still feel that way. I just love the planning, the anticipation and finally getting there.

 

The Radiance class ships are just so beautiful, I can't wait for the Jewel in Sept.

 

Looking forward to pictures[/quote']

 

Honey's Gal: Writing the review was fun, I got to do the cruise all over again! There are lots of little details that I will add as they come to mind....in fact, here's one....

 

Remember the thread about the woman who's ring seemed to "disappear" off the deck chair she had put it on while she was applying sunscreen? That woman did not seem to think that the ring could "fly" away in the wind....guess what? I put my ring ( my fake diamond, I didn't want to bring my real one with me) on the deck chair next to me for 30 seconds while I put on sunscreen and.....POOOOOF! It was gone! The wind blew it off and onto the deck underneath the chair. Those winds on the pool deck are strong enough to sweep a ring away in a hurry.....be careful! Luckily I found mine, and it was only a fake...hers was real and she was convinced someone stole it and that it couldn't have been the wind :confused:

[TCActor]

Going on Radiance this Sunday with a group of 6 crazy women (family). Thanks for your review. I hope there are no power outtages on our journey!

 

I can hardly wait! T

[ckrobyn]

Going on Radiance this Sunday with a group of 6 crazy women (family). Thanks for your review. I hope there are no power outtages on our journey!

 

I can hardly wait! T

 

T: You will have an awesome time on the Radiance :) I hope the power stays on for you, I'm sure it will. I think it was a flukey kinda thing....just figures it had to happen on my cruise :eek:

[QueensChick]

I'm so glad you had a nice time on your cruise. Sorry to hear about the blackout and the queasiness, but it's great that you didn't let anything get in the way of your enjoyment.

So, no more newbie. Now you're officially addicted, yes? :)

[dc-snoopy]

Not that we are such veteran and experienced cruisers (we just came back from #2), but I have to say that the review was even more interesting to read coming from a first time cruiser and to relive all those "firsts". It's like going to DisneyWorld with a child...the magic is so much stronger through the eyes of a kid. In this case, the magic of cruising is so much stronger through the eyes of a first time cruiser. Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you had such a wonderful time.

[ckrobyn]

Just thought of another detail: We had terrific sushi in the Windjammer one evening :)

[ckrobyn]

I wanted to mention one other thing: We did some shopping in St.Thomas and I went to the RCI recommended jewellery store, Diamonds International to purchase a ring for my 10th wedding anniversary. The service in the store was excellent, and every purchase made there is backed by RCI, so if you get the ring home and find out it's a dud, RCI will reimburse you the full amount you paid :)

[B16SNE]

Hi Robyn, Steve here!! You got back home to snow aswell eh? Me too. Bit of a contrast in temperatures!! I had a good two weeks, spent a fortune in the casino but thats another story. Remember when you were sat next to me on the caribbean stud poker table? Later that night, I got a straight flush but i didnt have the dollar in the slot and the dealer didnt qualify. Lost out on the best part of $3000. Gutted to say the least. Glad you enjoyed your first cruise, you were a bit apprehensive when i first met you halfway through!!

 

Take care

Steve:cool:

[Shar27]

Steve,

 

I was so bummed I didn't get to meet you. I looked for you a couple of times. I hope you guys had an amazing cruise except for the casino. Maybe we'll meet up again on another one.:p

 

Questions of the day...Where were you when the lights went out?:confused:

 

Take care. It was nice meeting you in writing, if not in person.

 

Sharonna

[familycruzer]

Can you tell me how the women and men were dressed for formal night, smart casual, and casual?

 

I am finding that there is not much difference any more between casual and smart casual.

[ckrobyn]

I didn't see much differentiation between casual and smart casual attire. I think most people ( and I use that term loosely!) understand that it is not appropriate to show up in a classy dining room dressed in beach wear. I did not see anyone dressed inappropriately, any evening in the dining room. Not to say they weren't....I just didnt see them!

[dc-snoopy]

One thing I noted moreso on the Jewel 2/6 cruise than our last one 3 years ago was that more and more men were dressing in slacks and Aloha shirts for smart casual vs sports/golf shirts for casual. I did so, but then I had a fancier Aloha shirt (rayon, but looked like the nice silk ones) that I wore for smart casual. I wore a regular Caribbean shirt (LL Bean) and sport shirts for the casual nights.

 

For women, I saw quite a variety of dress for smart casual and casual. Everything from slacks and sports shirts to slacks and Aloha shirts, to print dresses.

[dosp]

Glad to have you back Robyn!!!!

 

Sounds to me as though you had a great time! (OK, maybe a couple of rough spots :o), but now your addiction will begin.

 

I have found that cruising is like cocaine: It's not at all addictive, until you run out :eek:!

 

We had a great time on the Mariner on Feb 6, and I have some stories to share with my friends at CC. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some blood boiling again, as I once more, have too much time on my hands til the next cruise.

 

Best to DH and DD!

[Rustynail]

Glad to hear you had a good time. Your mention of how you were in awe when you saw the ship for the very first time brought back memories.

 

What cruise is up next for you?

 

Dan

[ckrobyn]

Glad to have you back Robyn!!!!

 

Sounds to me as though you had a great time! (OK, maybe a couple of rough spots :o), but now your addiction will begin.

 

I have found that cruising is like cocaine: It's not at all addictive, until you run out :eek:!

 

We had a great time on the Mariner on Feb 6, and I have some stories to share with my friends at CC. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some blood boiling again, as I once more, have too much time on my hands til the next cruise.

 

Best to DH and DD!

 

STEVE! :D I was wondering where you were! Great to hear that you had a super cruise on the Mariner. I was thinking about you and Tammy while I was in Orlando pre-cruise!

 

Yes, we had a great time on the Radiance, she is a beautiful ship. It figures that after all my harping on seasickness, I ended up with a queasy feeling a few days, but like I said, it would not deter me from cruising again....and we will!

 

Now I am not a cruise virgin anymore....:rolleyes: I can answer questions on this board and no-one will count the number of posts I have....yipeeeeeeeeeee!

 

Keep in touch, ok? :)

[ckrobyn]

Glad to hear you had a good time. Your mention of how you were in awe when you saw the ship for the very first time brought back memories.

 

What cruise is up next for you?

 

Dan

 

Hey Dan :)

 

Just enrolled in the Crown and Anchor Society!

 

We haven't booked our next cruise yet.......but I'm having fun looking at ships and itineraries!

 

Seeing that ship for the first time was incredible, I hope I get that feeling again soon!

[H20 Lover]

Thanks so much ckRobyn for the wonderful review, I feel like I was there with you. I'm looking forward to meeting her. :D

[mlroberts23]

Hey Robyn, Thanks for the great review. I have been reading your posts for the last few weeks and have learned alot from your great questions. I'm am still a newbie:mad: but not for long and am looking forward to my first look at the shiip. Happy planning for your next one!! Michelle

[ckrobyn]

Hey Robyn, Thanks for the great review. I have been reading your posts for the last few weeks and have learned alot from your great questions. I'm am still a newbie:mad: but not for long and am looking forward to my first look at the shiip. Happy planning for your next one!! Michelle

 

Hi Michelle,

 

Glad you liked my posts! I had a lot of fun on these boards in the months leading up to my cruise on the Radiance. There are some pretty interesting folks on here :rolleyes: LOL!

 

You will lose your "newbie" status soon enough as I see your cruise is quickly approaching! Have a wonderful time and be sure to write a review of your own when you return!

 

Happy Cruising :)

[medolee]

Great review!! I am glad you had a good time. What about pictures??? Some of us in the snow would like to remember what sunny beautiful weather is like!!

[World Traveler 81]

ckrobyn - What a great review! I leave for the Radiance in less than 36 hours and you have me so excited now. Cruising can definitely become an addiction. This makes cruise 4 for me in 11 months. Good thing I will be out of vacation time soon, it will give my checkbook some time to recover. I was surprised to hear that they miss the CocoCay stop so often. I sure hope everything goes well for us this week. Keep us in your thoughts!

[shipknotshore]

Sounds like you had a marvelous time. Cruising can become an obsession, that's for sure. We'll be going on the Navigator in April, our 1st on a voyager class ship and I know that we will be in awe of its size, just like we were on our 1st cruise. We are probably going to book another while on board (to get the on board booking credit), and have been looking at the Radiance. It sounds like we can't go wrong on that ship. I see that you have experienced "land sickness".....I seem to experience that every time we cruise, but have never been "sea sick". I think it's because I'm too excited to be sick while I'm on the cruise. I haven't tried bonine when I've gotten home, but I think I'll do it this upcoming cruise.

Welcome home and thank you for taking the time to post a wonderful review.

[ckrobyn]

ckrobyn - What a great review! I leave for the Radiance in less than 36 hours and you have me so excited now. Cruising can definitely become an addiction. This makes ...cruise 4 for me in 11 months. Good thing I will be out of vacation time soon, it will give my checkbook some time to recover. I was surprised to hear that they miss the CocoCay stop so often. I sure hope everything goes well for us this week. Keep us in your thoughts!

 

You arae going to have a fabulous time on the Radiance! I hope you get to Coco Cay, it's a really nice beach and a good day to spend relaxing and sunning yourself :) I have the addiction to cruising, but my time off does not allow for multiple holidays within a close time span! I usually take one tropical vacation per year ( in the winter) and then a shorter trip in the summer...usually somehwere local. In an ideal world......I would like to cruise once a year, and do a land holiday once a year - Best of both worlds *sigh* :)

 

Have an awesome time on your cruise, you will LOVE the Radiance!