Live from the Radiance of the Seas, Southbound from Seward.

[misguy]

We spent this afternoon at Hubbard Glacier, there is still ice blocking the approach to the glacier, but we could not have asked for better weather.  The Gulf of Alaska was very calm, and the day was clear and sunny at Hubbard Glacier.  Here are

some pictures, and I will try to answer questions.  

[Coralc]

There is still a lot of snow and ice in the water.  It does look like a nice day though. Enjoy your cruise. And please post more photos. Alaska photos are awesome! 

Edited May 29, 2022 by Coralc

[auntjoy036]

Those are great photos. Thank you for sharing them. 

[Havin'fun]

Beautiful!

[SteelCityCruiser10]

I’m jealous… We are booked on Radiance for June 2023 Southbound.  I’ll be following along.  Did you fly into Anchorage and take the train to Seward?  

[misguy]

We flew into Anchorage and then used the Anchorage Cruise Transfer bus service.  We had taken the train before, and so we chose the bus this time.  They have very nice coaches, and our driver was great.

 

The interesting thing is that both ways are great ways to travel to Seward.  If you have the time and the stamina, the bus offers r a tour that includes the wildlife preserve near Girdwood.

 

Since they take two different routes from about Girdwood, you get a very different experience.  Our bus was only about 2.5 hours vs the train is about 5 hours.

 

This is the Turnagain Arm.

 

[misguy]

This picture illustrates our thoughts about the bus.

 

[misguy]

We will be glad to answer questions.  I am a couple of days behind in posting, we have been so busy on this trip onshore, that we come back eat and go to bed.  

[bob63005]

We are doing southbound with 4 day land tour before in July.

What is the capacity for this week?

Also will be curious how the wifi works on the last day to do emed covid test to fly home.

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, bob63005 said:

Also will be curious how the wifi works on the last day to do emed covid test to fly home.

Wifi should be fine on the approach to Vancouver.

[SteelCityCruiser10]

Totally understand… Alaska is an amazing place.  By far our favorite cruise destination. 

 

 On your previous trip did you take the train from Anchorage to Seward on the same day of boarding? It seems like there should be plenty of time since the train schedule shows an arrival in Seward at noon & the ship departs at 7 pm.  

[ILOVESHIPS]

Who is the captain  on  the  Radiance  now.

[taymiss2]

We are Northbound on July 1st.    I got a good deal on soda package on Black Friday.  I only really drink sugar free caffeine free drinks.  When I purchased I thought there would be Freestyle machines with lots of choice. Now I am not so sure Radiance has them.  Can you confirm whether they are available or not?    TIA

[emilywa]

What time does embarkation begin on the Radiance of the Seas out of Seward?

[tdtanc]

26 minutes ago, emilywa said:

What time does embarkation begin on the Radiance of the Seas out of Seward?

I imagine around 11am if not a bit sooner. We boarded at 6pm after a tour on major marine to the fjords. 

[PhoenixCruiser]

How is the ship looking? 

[STEVE-O]

On 6/2/2022 at 6:29 PM, taymiss2 said:

We are Northbound on July 1st.    I got a good deal on soda package on Black Friday.  I only really drink sugar free caffeine free drinks.  When I purchased I thought there would be Freestyle machines with lots of choice. Now I am not so sure Radiance has them.  Can you confirm whether they are available or not?    TIA

No Freestyle machines on Radiance. My wife and I drank Sprite Zero. The bars have it in cans

[Kathscof]

Captain was Marek from Poland and he was great! (I think he will be getting off in a little bit, his captains corner mentioned he would be with his family home in July)

 

we had 1560 on board according to the Captain

 

@tdtanc I’m glad you were able to get on at 6, as the boarding times ended at 5:30, and our shuttle driver said he was told by the port people that they were ending early......we rushed over there and squeaked in the door right before the royal train offloaded at 5:30....(everyone was wondering why for a sailing at 8pm they would stop checking at 5:30 haha)

[Kathscof]

On 6/2/2022 at 12:41 PM, Biker19 said:

Wifi should be fine on the approach to Vancouver.

 

Internet was AWFUL the last day, with lines of angry people at the internet desk (and harping on the captain during his q&a)....

 

at at least you don’t have to worry about testing now! 

[misguy]

 

[taymiss2]

On 6/11/2022 at 9:05 AM, STEVE-O said:

No Freestyle machines on Radiance. My wife and I drank Sprite Zero. The bars have it in cans

Oh, that is great to know.  I will drink diet sprite.  I will keep my package now.  Thanks for letting me know.

[LindaD22]

On 6/10/2022 at 6:44 PM, PhoenixCruiser said:

How is the ship looking? 

We are on the Radiance now. She is looking a little tired and really in need of a refresh. There are missing floor tiles in our bathroom, streaks (water? drinks?) on our stateroom walls, torn fabric on our balcony lounges, and just a general sense of being due for a makeover. 
 

This is our first time on the Radiance. I knew it was a smaller ship, which I actually like a lot. But, I wasn’t aware that it didn’t have a promenade, self-serve beverage dispensers, or a larger entertainment venue (ours looks like a high school stage). The shops are only open for several hours each day and otherwise are closed, possibly due to staffing issues. The main dining seems fully staffed, though, as does housekeeping. Staff are as efficient, professional, friendly and helpful as always. 
 

Even with her current deficiencies, I believe I prefer her to a mega-ship like Quantum. 

[endoellen]

On 6/15/2022 at 11:10 AM, LindaD22 said:

We are on the Radiance now. She is looking a little tired and really in need of a refresh. There are missing floor tiles in our bathroom, streaks (water? drinks?) on our stateroom walls, torn fabric on our balcony lounges, and just a general sense of being due for a makeover. 
 

This is our first time on the Radiance. I knew it was a smaller ship, which I actually like a lot. But, I wasn’t aware that it didn’t have a promenade, self-serve beverage dispensers, or a larger entertainment venue (ours looks like a high school stage). The shops are only open for several hours each day and otherwise are closed, possibly due to staffing issues. The main dining seems fully staffed, though, as does housekeeping. Staff are as efficient, professional, friendly and helpful as always. 
 

Even with her current deficiencies, I believe I prefer her to a mega-ship like Quantum. 

I just booked Radiance for May 2023 roundtrip from Vancouver.  I hate to hear she is looking worn. We've been on the larger ships & enjoy them in the Caribbean but thought the smaller ship would be better for Alaska so not to get caught up in crowds trying to get into ports, etc.  I looked at the excursions offered on RCI website but wasn't impressed so I will be researching elsewhere.

[Kathscof]

8 hours ago, endoellen said:

I just booked Radiance for May 2023 roundtrip from Vancouver.  I hate to hear she is looking worn. We've been on the larger ships & enjoy them in the Caribbean but thought the smaller ship would be better for Alaska so not to get caught up in crowds trying to get into ports, etc.  I looked at the excursions offered on RCI website but wasn't impressed so I will be researching elsewhere.

Just remember that there is nowhere close to the actual amount of excursions they will be offering next year listed at the moment, I think you will be hard pressed to find any independent operators that will have all of their offerings set in stone for next year in Alaska....

[Seville2Cabo]

11 hours ago, endoellen said:

I just booked Radiance for May 2023 roundtrip from Vancouver.  I hate to hear she is looking worn. We've been on the larger ships & enjoy them in the Caribbean but thought the smaller ship would be better for Alaska so not to get caught up in crowds trying to get into ports, etc.  I looked at the excursions offered on RCI website but wasn't impressed so I will be researching elsewhere.

We did Northbound from Vancouver 3 weeks ago and had a great cruise.  Ate in specialty dining, so did not see the MDR, but thought the ship was in good condition.  Really did not notice any rust or stains, but we just don't look for those things and nothing stood out.  

 

Shops are limited, but they are always limited on the smaller ships and closed while in port.  

 

We were lucky to get aft corner 1100 and loved the cabin with no issues.  

 

My only complaint was small pours on martini's.   About half inch below the top of glass, but even that was not a big deal as we did not use all our vouchers most days.  (So we could just get another).

 

Also, to get to Samba's grill, you had to go outside and up steps to the deck above the Windjammer and enter from outside.  Not great in Alaska in the rain, but you can go to the Windjammer and tell them you want to go to Samba and they will escort you thru the kitchen, up the crew elevator and in the back way.