Radiance of the Seas Sept 15th is HAPPENING!! - Live with Beeline

[lovesthebeach2]

9 hours ago, jwlane said:

Seems to me OP is blaming vs. expressing disappointment. 

I wish we could eliminate the word “blame” from our vocabulary. I cringe every time I hear it.

[jk04]

5 hours ago, Beeline Cruiser said:

It’s so important to compare what they would say if it was suddenly Carnival. And yes many people are Loyal to Royal and Royal can do no wrong. There is such a huge difference in maintenance for various lines. Seriously, who broke down in Alaska??

 

5 hours ago, Beeline Cruiser said:

Thanks so much we're on for one more night to get an earlier train ride back. Seriously should have picked Grand Princess - no propulsion problems!!

 

Apparently, you didn't hear about Crippled Crown, the Crown Princess in May, June, July and beyond of last year.  Ship had serious propulsion problems and couldn't make it to most of the ports.  We had an Alaskan drive-by as opposed to an Alaskan cruise. 

 

What you are getting as compensation from Royal is absolutely spectacular than what we received from Princess, a whopping $100 per person OBC.  This was not weather related or anything out of control of Princess but entirely within their control as the ship was not functioning properly and they knew it.  Yet, they chose to sail the Alaska season.

 

Were we upset, very much so.  Were we disappointed, you bet.  But you know what? We also had a wonderful cruise with wonderful friends.  The crew was fantastic and did their best while the ship shook and shuddered its way through Alaska.  Glacier Bay was awesome as usual.  That year we saw more wildlife than we had on previous Alaska cruises.  So rather than filled with excursions, we relaxed and watched the beauty of Alaska as we slowly sailed the waters.

Edited September 18, 2023 by jk04

[Keksie]

6 hours ago, Beeline Cruiser said:

 

I heard that Alaska was magical and we're going do this the best ways we can starting tomorrow! And YES next year we'll pick a different trip - I get it though everyone wants to stay and drink hard because adulting sucks.

 

I was SO hesitant because of Royal's reviews but in hindsight, I'd rather skip and see as much as possible because the coach down here it was just . . .wow.

So what did you do while in Seward?  Did you see the Exit Glacier, did you tour any of the Kenai Fjords national park, did you see the aquarium?  What do you have planned in Anchorage?  There is a good museum, but Anchorage is spread out so you will need transportation.

[Keksie]

5 hours ago, Beeline Cruiser said:

I would love to have sailed to all the ports but it was too expensive for us to get here just to drink!! At least our cabin was cheap and we spent a couple days in Seward. The casino is down too so not easy to blow the OBC! 

We are very excited to pick tours from Anchorage and ride the train back in the morning!!

 

Maybe you should have thought of it as several port days in a row.  Yes it was the same port but with so many different things to do there you would have gotten to experience the magic of Alaska.

[jwlane]

7 hours ago, Beeline Cruiser said:

 

- no propulsion problems!!

 

You missed the part where they changed their itinerary due to the weather, huh?  And the 5+ meter waves they're in?

[cruiselvr04]

Although we’ll never know, it could be a combo of ship issues and high seas.  Maybe they didn’t want to test her through rough water yet.  That’s reasonable. If they lost propulsion ability that’d be a big deal. 
 

I think Royals comp was very good even though I’d be very disappointed too.  I’d stay on the ship and make the best of it.  There’s lots to see around Seward but Anchorage is not where I’d want to spend time.  The train ride there is great though. Did Royal arrange some last minute excursions to the Seward area?  
 

Hoping the op can make lemonade out of lemons. 

[Crazy planning mom]

9 hours ago, Beeline Cruiser said:

I would love to have sailed to all the ports but it was too expensive for us to get here just to drink!! At least our cabin was cheap and we spent a couple days in Seward. The casino is down too so not easy to blow the OBC! 

We are very excited to pick tours from Anchorage and ride the train back in the morning!!

 

 

[Crazy planning mom]

  You can walk on Matanuska Glacier.   We used Mica Guides but had to get there ourselves from Anchorage.

If you don't have a car, I believe Salmon Berry Tours has tours of Matanuska Glacier that includes transport from Anchorage.

[ocean sounds]

Geeze, Bee. Your family Seriously deserves to enjoy Alaska sights and scenery .  As do the other passengers.   Glad you are making lemonade out of lemons.  Enjoy the train trip!
 

 

[A&L_Ont]

7 hours ago, jk04 said:

 

 

Apparently, you didn't hear about Crippled Crown, the Crown Princess in May, June, July and beyond of last year.  Ship had serious propulsion problems and couldn't make it to most of the ports.  We had an Alaskan drive-by as opposed to an Alaskan cruise. 

 

What you are getting as compensation from Royal is absolutely spectacular than what we received from Princess, a whopping $100 per person OBC.  This was not weather related or anything out of control of Princess but entirely within their control as the ship was not functioning properly and they knew it.  Yet, they chose to sail the Alaska season.

 

Were we upset, very much so.  Were we disappointed, you bet.  But you know what? We also had a wonderful cruise with wonderful friends.  The crew was fantastic and did their best while the ship shook and shuddered its way through Alaska.  Glacier Bay was awesome as usual.  That year we saw more wildlife than we had on previous Alaska cruises.  So rather than filled with excursions, we relaxed and watched the beauty of Alaska as we slowly sailed the waters.

Princess has had other unfortunate situations that I can think of quickly.
 

The Grand Princess made a tight in 2006, 2 hours out of Galveston, which injured guests and caused damage within the ship. The Grand also had a hydraulic cylinder on a door fail, which cancelled their Hawaii sailing in 2016.  Then there was the Star Princess fire. 
 

It happens to all lines, either be it weather or mechanical failures that can’t be foreseen. 

[Beeline Cruiser]

9 hours ago, ocean sounds said:

Geeze, Bee. Your family Seriously deserves to enjoy Alaska sights and scenery .  As do the other passengers.   Glad you are making lemonade out of lemons.  Enjoy the train trip!
 

 

 

Thanks so much! I'm so glad to be here. And yes the ship wasn't a bad deal after all for 3 nights in Seward with the drinks and OBC!! DH is looking at Turnagain Arm and a Glacier Cruise. Seriously have to try a reindeer sausage tomorrow!

Edited September 19, 2023 by Beeline Cruiser

[Beeline Cruiser]

14 hours ago, jwlane said:

You missed the part where they changed their itinerary due to the weather, huh?  And the 5+ meter waves they're in?

 

Obviously three full days helped but I agree with what Princess did! And yes we're looking at them for next year PLUS Princess goes to Glacier Bay!

[Beeline Cruiser]

Hope all have a great rest of the cruise and yes it felt weird leaving but definitely worth it in my opinion.

[jlstwinmommy]

We are currently on Radiance. Obviously, not the trip we had hoped for when we booked, but still beautiful. We have been in AK a couple weeks already though. We cruised up on Majestic Princess, did our own interior tour up to Denali, Talkeetna, Anchorage. Then took the train to Seward. The first day, hubby said he wished he had more time in Seward, well he got it 😂. Did the marine center, took a major marine boat tour, hiked a small hike near town and saw a black bear. Then hiked part of the Marathon mountain trail. Beautiful views. 
 

so far the layout of this ship is much better than Majestic Princess (decided I prefer grand class on princess). The food has been good, the staff have been wonderful. Had dinner at Samba tonight which was amazing. This is my first time on this class and I really like it. I also like voyager class, but Anthem is still my favorite ship of all of them. 😉

 

There are pros and cons of both cruises. I wish the stop we were making wasn’t Ketchikan as that is the one stop we had done all we wanted, but oh well. It’s been a great 3 week trip and I would do it again. It does feel like we are taking a short 4 day cruise and we’ve decided we wouldn’t book that on purpose. I like the 7-10 days 🙂

 

Looking forward to cruising the inside passage as that was the main reason for booking this ship south. Majestic is too big and goes around Vancouver island in the open ocean. 

[Keksie]

My favorite excursion of all time was in Ketchikan because:

 

[ReneeFLL]

Never mind.

Edited September 21, 2023 by ReneeFLL

[njkruzer]

For those onboard who is captain and who is cruise director?  We board 9/29 and stay on for the Canal transit and I think the captain should be changing.   Thanks. 

[STEVE-O]

7 hours ago, njkruzer said:

For those onboard who is captain and who is cruise director?  We board 9/29 and stay on for the Canal transit and I think the captain should be changing.   Thanks. 

Captain Rumon is at the helm.

The cruise director is Caroline Peters. It's her first time as CD.

 

She's high energy and appears to be doing a great job.

 

She had previously been the activities director where she earned the nickname "Energizer Bunny"!

[njkruzer]

16 minutes ago, STEVE-O said:

Captain Rumon is at the helm.

The cruise director is Caroline Peters. It's her first time as CD.

 

She's high energy and appears to be doing a great job.

 

She had previously been the activities director where she earned the nickname "Energizer Bunny"!

Thanks. Wonder when they'll be changing Captains.  He's been on for for awhile.  We board on the 29th for 2 cruises. 

[volk904]

On 9/17/2023 at 12:09 AM, Beeline Cruiser said:

 

Right?!?! And yes DH is still hungry after dinner!! Seriously are they already running out of food??

The portions are so small.  I just plan on it and order something extra. 

[volk904]

Sorry you missed your ports but are making the best of it. It does look like unused cabin credit can be rolled to a future cruise.  

[Beeline Cruiser]

9 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Never mind.

 

YES I get that you wanted to see a normal 7 night cruise. This wasn't perfect but we all had to make lemonade out of lemons. And yes it would be super cool if Princess still sailed Alaska in November. So true but seriously that's not my decision!!

 

So glad for the ones who stayed onboard and saw Ketchikan with DRINKS and OBC and made the best too - wish them a safe flight home!  Also to the other couple we met on the train who found fantastic alternatives too!

[jcl410]

On 9/19/2023 at 6:11 AM, jlstwinmommy said:

We are currently on Radiance. ....

 

Did they ever explain what the problem was with the Azipod?

 

Aloha,

 

John

[jlstwinmommy]

On 9/21/2023 at 9:40 AM, njkruzer said:

For those onboard who is captain and who is cruise director?  We board 9/29 and stay on for the Canal transit and I think the captain should be changing.   Thanks. 

Captain Roman from Bulgaria. Didn’t catch the cruise director but it was a woman from the UK I think. 

[jlstwinmommy]

15 minutes ago, jcl410 said:

 

Did they ever explain what the problem was with the Azipod?

 

Aloha,

 

John

Nope. Nothing about that. Someone on board heard from a local (I know - third hand) that radiance actually hit a whale. They said a dead whale washed ashore the day after they announced radiance was broken. Ice, whale, it’s all conjecture.