Radiance to Alaska??

[pillow]

After 6 Disney cruises, I think we are ready to try another line. Has anyone sailed on the Radiance after her 2011 refurb? Would love to hear how it compares with DCL. Thanks!

Jodie

 

[kristilew]

pillow, I don't have an answer for you, but we are booked on RCL's Rhapsody of the Seas for an Alaska cruise this June. So hoping that you will get some general answers as well as ship-specific so I can follow along.

We've never cruised and booked this with a large family group mostly by dates instead of cruise lines. Hoping we're not sorry that we didn't research more!

 

[pillow]

pillow, I don't have an answer for you, but we are booked on RCL's Rhapsody of the Seas for an Alaska cruise this June. So hoping that you will get some general answers as well as ship-specific so I can follow along.

We've never cruised and booked this with a large family group mostly by dates instead of cruise lines. Hoping we're not sorry that we didn't research more!

I keep going back and forth about who to book. I noticed on the Radiance that the cheaper category balcony rooms are TINY. You have to move up a category to get the size that is comparable to DCL. Then the price difference isn't as large as I thought it would be - especially when you factor in soda on RCCL and specialty dining. We really would like to try something different, but now we're leaning toward booking DCL again for our 2015 Alaska trip.

Please report back after your trip. I would love to hear how you liked it.

Jodie

 

[jdb in AZ]

We sailed Alaska on Radiance last summer. We started in Vancouver and ended near Anchorage. There's a rail line next to the dock so we walked from the ship to the train which took us right to the Anchorage airport. We set out our luggage the last night of the cruise and we picked it up at our home airport. Loved that feature. The train to the airport was much more comfortable than the bus.

One of the ports was a relatively new one -- Icy Strait Point. Lots of wildlife. We took a whale watching tour, then ended up seeing another whale right next to shore after we finished the tour. Our group also went to a bear watching area. One comical part of the tour -- the side of the bus was supposed to be stenciled with the logo "Hoonah site seeing" but ended up saying "hoohah." oops.

The itinerary did not include Glacier Bay or Tracy's Arm. Hubbard Glacier just doesn't compare to either of those.

Radiance is nice. Service was fine. Food in the main dining rooms comparable to DCL. The captain's reception for returning cruisers had much better appetizers than the DCL reception.

We've cruised Alaska five times. Next trip will be on a ship that includes Glacier Bay.

 

[Donut23]

After 6 Disney cruises, I think we are ready to try another line. Has anyone sailed on the Radiance after her 2011 refurb? Would love to hear how it compares with DCL. Thanks!

Jodie

No comparison.....even BEFORE her renovation.

Radiance class ships are blessed with the most glass in public spaces if any ships in Alaska. You can be discussing a shore excursion at the desk and the next thing you know you are squealing as you pass Orcas.

Solarium with the glass dome and 80 degree temps is wonderful in the afternoon after an excursion.

Toss all that aside. Disney will NEVET be able to compete with glaciers-ever. Too late to the game. Oh sure, Tracy Arm is beautiful but absolutely nothing when you are 500 yards from the mighty Hubbard Glacier. Front face is 300 feet high and 6 1/2 miles long and Hubbard retriets into the mountains 26 miles. Very active calving, the cracks, groans and thunderous booms seem like the glacier is sharing it's life story.

Disney is nice, but it's round trip itinerary immediately limits your exploration of Alaska. If you cruise only, you miss half if the adventure of this majestic state. Royal offsets escorted land tours or grab one if the fabulous Princess land tours-they have been up there for 50+ years! How can you go to Alaska and miss Mt.McKinley----highest peak on N America.

We are rabid fans if Royal Caribbean.....DH is mgmt. CASTMEMBER and we ALWAYS say Royal's guest service is like Disney used to be. We live the Radiance so much we were married 7 years ago on her in Alaska. Last March when Alaska just opened, I was facing a dangerous heart surgery. We both worried I would not wake up. The day before surgery my Jim showed up with this big grin. He had just booked the Radiance forour Anniversary.....so I HAD to make it through the surgery.

A few Radiance class tips (4 ships in the class). I'll attach a video or two of examples.

1.). Cabins - our favorites especially in Alaska are Aft-facing. They are standard balcony cabins 214 sq ft, same price as standard balcony cabins but you see everything on BOTH sides of the ship and the balconies are gagunda big. No-no split bathrooms and you have to go to a Jr. Suite to get a tub.

2.). If you book very early, checkout 9256-standard balcony aft facing or 1100-jr suite aft facing. big corner balconies. We have 1100 for our anniversary.

Post renovation.

Always nice to have all the soft goods refreshed. The biggies are the addition of some of the Oasis Class restaurants. I recommend one of the dining packages. We like the one which includes the Chefs Table....more affordable than booking all individually.

If you cruise on a Royal ship and do not dine in Chops I will come and find you and slap you!

Roast Beef sandwiches in Park Cafe are good enough to slap your Mama!! Haha

We love Disney but in this case we feel there is no comparison.

Oh yes, Icy Straight Point. Royal developed this stop and it is just beautiful at the base of the Chutach Mountain range. Whale watching here sublime. Ziplibe for those.....who must.

Post renovation.....Cirque type bungee shows in 8 deck Atrium which are very cool!


Cabin 1104, standard balcony cabin, aft facing, big balcony

http://youtu.be/zfqWFQ0tvFg


Hubbard Glacier Calving

http://youtu.be/4MYKuS0DqNY


Train to Denali National Park

http://youtu.be/q67k0UoZ8k4





Sorry for all the typos--done on my cell phone.

Are you totally bored now?

 

[pillow]

No comparison.....even BEFORE her renovation.

Radiance class ships are blessed with the most glass in public spaces if any ships in Alaska. You can be discussing a shore excursion at the desk and the next thing you know you are squealing as you pass Orcas.

Solarium with the glass dome and 80 degree temps is wonderful in the afternoon after an excursion.

Toss all that aside. Disney will NEVET be able to compete with glaciers-ever. Too late to the game. Oh sure, Tracy Arm is beautiful but absolutely nothing when you are 500 yards from the mighty Hubbard Glacier. Front face is 300 feet high and 6 1/2 miles long and Hubbard retriets into the mountains 26 miles. Very active calving, the cracks, groans and thunderous booms seem like the glacier is sharing it's life story.

Disney is nice, but it's round trip itinerary immediately limits your exploration of Alaska. If you cruise only, you miss half if the adventure of this majestic state. Royal offsets escorted land tours or grab one if the fabulous Princess land tours-they have been up there for 50+ years! How can you go to Alaska and miss Mt.McKinley----highest peak on N America.

We are rabid fans if Royal Caribbean.....DH is mgmt. CASTMEMBER and we ALWAYS say Royal's guest service is like Disney used to be. We live the Radiance so much we were married 7 years ago on her in Alaska. Last March when Alaska just opened, I was facing a dangerous heart surgery. We both worried I would not wake up. The day before surgery my Jim showed up with this big grin. He had just booked the Radiance forour Anniversary.....so I HAD to make it through the surgery.

A few Radiance class tips (4 ships in the class). I'll attach a video or two of examples.

1.). Cabins - our favorites especially in Alaska are Aft-facing. They are standard balcony cabins 214 sq ft, same price as standard balcony cabins but you see everything on BOTH sides of the ship and the balconies are gagunda big. No-no split bathrooms and you have to go to a Jr. Suite to get a tub.

2.). If you book very early, checkout 9256-standard balcony aft facing or 1100-jr suite aft facing. big corner balconies. We have 1100 for our anniversary.

Post renovation.

Always nice to have all the soft goods refreshed. The biggies are the addition of some of the Oasis Class restaurants. I recommend one of the dining packages. We like the one which includes the Chefs Table....more affordable than booking all individually.

If you cruise on a Royal ship and do not dine in Chops I will come and find you and slap you!

Roast Beef sandwiches in Park Cafe are good enough to slap your Mama!! Haha

We love Disney but in this case we feel there is no comparison.

Oh yes, Icy Straight Point. Royal developed this stop and it is just beautiful at the base of the Chutach Mountain range. Whale watching here sublime. Ziplibe for those.....who must.

Post renovation.....Cirque type bungee shows in 8 deck Atrium which are very cool!


Cabin 1104, standard balcony cabin, aft facing, big balcony

http://youtu.be/zfqWFQ0tvFg


Hubbard Glacier Calving

http://youtu.be/4MYKuS0DqNY


Train to Denali National Park

http://youtu.be/q67k0UoZ8k4





Sorry for all the typos--done on my cell phone.

Are you totally bored now?

Bored? Not at all! Thanks so much!! Do those aft rooms you mention hold 4 people? There will be 2 families of 4 on this trip (maybe one 3 and one 4). Would be nice to have connecting rooms but not a necessity.

Jodie

 

[Donut23]

Bored? Not at all! Thanks so much!! Do those aft rooms you mention hold 4 people? There will be 2 families of 4 on this trip (maybe one 3 and one 4). Would be nice to have connecting rooms but not a necessity.

Jodie

Hello Jodie-

The aft facing balcony cabins will sleep 2 in the queen and 2 on the sofa bed. That would be tight. If you could afford a Junior Suite, deck 10 has 1600 and 1100. Junior suites are half again as wide.

They also have family suites all the way forward.....without a balcony. Here is the family stateroom video.

http://youtu.be/YLYr90XXbCY


What is always shocking to us is the storage in Royals cabins. I'll be honest. My Jim has 2 llbean rolling duffel bags named Bumba and Big Blue. When our luggage is delivered to our cabin aft, the bow of the ship lifts out of the water! But it all manages to disappear.

Cabin stewards will bring more hangers but I always carry extra wire hangers on cruises. Closets have fold down bars so you can double what you hang......shirts, capris folded in half.

Cabins have coffee and tea makers but bring your own tea if you are a fan of it. They changed to a new supplier who also supplies the hay for horse races-----hahaha.

Royal added more connecting cabins during the refit but I don't think any of the aft cabins connect. Balconies don't open....steel superstructure.


I am a former TA specializing in cruises and Jim was a reluctant cruiser till meeting me. We have sailed on the bigger sisters who have far more toys......ice rinks, flow masters, inside promenades. We far prefer the charm of the Radiance class.

Wait till you ride her outside facing full glass elevators!

You CAN play 9 holes of golf.

Colony Club aft is beautiful. It has 2 self leveling billiard tables. On her first Atlantic crossing the billiard table designer was onboard and terribly seasick. He came up with a brilliant solution the second night. He grabbed his pillow and blankets and went down to the Colony Club, turned on the leveling feature of one of the tables, hopped on and slept like a baby.

Windjammer (we call it the Jammer)-buffet restaurant on deck 11 is a little smaller as they grabbed some of her space for Samba Grill, Dog House. Took it from seating which was massive. Try to avoid the masses. We like the Jammer because food is displayed on "islands" not cafeteria style. Easier to wander here and there for what you want.


Have you done any Land Tours?

We have had excellent experience with Princess Lodges-they are stunning. We generally do part of the time on land with Princess and then venture off on our own.

Their tours often begin and end in Anchorage with segments on their luxury rail car. We will be going up to the Denali Princess by rail this summer .... Doing the big 9 hour National Park Wildlife tour deep into Denali National Park.

Looking for a way to get from Anchorage to Seward? Alaska Rail runs daily service through the Kenai Peninsula. This is one of the most breathtaking sections of mountains in Alaska. From the air you can easily see how the ice age glaciers carved the mountains. There are still too many glaciers to name. The train is spectacular and delivers you to Seward.


Alaska rail, this one is Seward to Anchorage - first class car.

http://youtu.be/0FMuju1Kr-I


We drove-one way. Worth every penny but took us HOURS longer. We kept saying....ok, we will just keep driving. It can't be more beautiful. Sure enough. We went around a bend and had to pull over to take more pictures.

Finally....last ramble for this post.....

After the Valdez spill Exxon was required to give $$$$$ to setup a foundation to support the study of marine wildlife in Alaska. The Alaska Sealife Center in Seward was built. It is a must see.

Young men and women with passion and dedication to study and save these wonderful creatures are there to answer your questions and bring their World to life. Injured animals are brought here and nurses back to goo health to be returned to the wild.

They have a Puffin room. They have taken in these little clowns who have been injured and can no longer live in the wild. Groups of 4 can feed them twice a day.

I absolutely fell in love with them...stayed there for hours on our last trip. 2 pm on June 5th I'll be feeding them. Jim is going along to make sure I don't slip out with 2 or 3 in my tote bag. Hummmm....not a bad idea. Wonder how I get them home! Haha

Alaska attaches itself to your heart. How else can you explain spending hour captivated by McKinley and the surrounding mountains or the chills you feel as you follow a mother humpback and her calf.

133 days for us!


Silly puffin at Alaska Sealife Center

http://youtu.be/s0Ndlhg3WlY

 

[pillow]

Thanks so much for the info! I might PM you later if we decide to book RCCL instead of DCL. Thanks again.

Jodie

 

[Donut23]

Thanks so much for the info! I might PM you later if we decide to book RCCL instead of DCL. Thanks again.

Jodie

My pleasure!


Cathy

 

[pillow]

Cathy, 9256 doesn't appear to hold 4 people anymore. Its classified as a D2, not D1. I've been playing around pretending to book, and when I put in 4 ppl, it only gives me the choice of D1. You are right. Those aft balconies are HUGE!

J

 

[Donut23]

Cathy, 9256 doesn't appear to hold 4 people anymore. Its classified as a D2, not D1. I've been playing around pretending to book, and when I put in 4 ppl, it only gives me the choice of D1. You are right. Those aft balconies are HUGE!

J

Oh boy, you are right. I know the sofas in those cabins ARE sofa beds because I always dig out the extra pillows. We are 2 so I just assumed.

I pulled up a Royal Caribbean deck plan online and it did not have the little dot indicating it's a triple. Foul play!

Let me check one thing and I'll be right back..... Guess I should have checked before I started typing.

 

[pillow]

Oh boy, you are right. I know the sofas in those cabins ARE sofa beds because I always dig out the extra pillows. We are 2 so I just assumed.

I pulled up a Royal Caribbean deck plan online and it did not have the little dot indicating it's a triple. Foul play!

Let me check one thing and I'll be right back..... Guess I should have checked before I started typing.

I think the smaller balcony rooms (not D1 or D2) will feel too cramped with 4 of us - even though some do hold 4 ppl. And I suspect the junior suite will cost too much. So I think D1 is our best bet. There are very few of these that connect - and none that I can see with a larger balcony holding 4. I think since the verandah partitions are fixed we would really want the connecting rooms. I think I'll price out the D1 room and compare with DCL. Any other ideas, please let me know.

Jodie

 

[Donut23]

I think the smaller balcony rooms (not D1 or D2) will feel too cramped with 4 of us - even though some do hold 4 ppl. And I suspect the junior suite will cost too much. So I think D1 is our best bet. There are very few of these that connect - and none that I can see with a larger balcony holding 4. I think since the verandah partitions are fixed we would really want the connecting rooms. I think I'll price out the D1 room and compare with DCL. Any other ideas, please let me know.

Jodie

I'm back.

I called Royal Caribbean. The Aft Facing balcony cabins are only doubles---all decks. She was so nice. We both knew it was bad news, but she checked each cabin anyway. Most are sold out anyway.

Now they DO have the 2 bedroom suites on decks 7 and 8 which accommodate 8 guests and they have aft facing balconies. Didn't you say you were traveling with another couple?



If you want to PM your sailing dates, I'll look around and see if there is something interesting ...... Yes, and I'll make sure it accommodates more than two this time.

Honestly, the easiest thing to do is call Royal's reservations. They can tell you immediately what is available.


Do you know what a Hump cabin is? Look near mid ship near the elevators. See the few balconies that are bigger? These are Hump cabins. These are also popular.


9256 and 1100 are generally booked within the first couple of days when new dates are released. Jim booked our cabin 1100 at 7am on day one and we met someone in our Cruise Critic Roll Call on hold waiting to book our cabin who now has it wait listed.

Once you book your sailing, go on over to Cruise Critic. They have sailings by ship setup in a section called Roll Call. It gives you a chance to "meet" people on your sailing. Sign up fir Royal Caribbean's Meet and Mingle. They have a party for the Roll Call folks so you can meet in person.

It's a fun way to share ideas prior to sailing then actually meet for a little while onboard.

 

[pillow]

Wow - you didn't need to go to all that trouble! Thanks! We will be sailing in 2015, not 2014, so I should be able to grab whatever cabin I want when the dates are released. Right now, I plan to book DCL in March (?) when Alaska 2015 is released. Then I'll check RCCL prices whenever those are released. My fear in booking the 2 bedroom suite is that if one family has to back out for any reason, the other family is stuck with an expensive room. I think the connecting D1 rooms would work best for us. Thanks for all the tips. I really appreciate it!

Jodie

 

[Donut23]

Wow - you didn't need to go to all that trouble! Thanks! We will be sailing in 2015, not 2014, so I should be able to grab whatever cabin I want when the dates are released. Right now, I plan to book DCL in March (?) when Alaska 2015 is released. Then I'll check RCCL prices whenever those are released. My fear in booking the 2 bedroom suite is that if one family has to back out for any reason, the other family is stuck with an expensive room. I think the connecting D1 rooms would work best for us. Thanks for all the tips. I really appreciate it!

Jodie

Royal Caribbean 2015 will open around mid March. Keep an eye on Cruise Critic boards for Royal Caribbean and they will give you the exact date.

I know it's mid-March.....it's when I was in the hospital and the 2014 Alaska sailing was booked then.

Happy Cruising!

 

[tidefan]

You may also want to look into Princess. They do a wonderful job in Alaska (and elsewhere!). We've done 4 Princess cruises in addition to our 5 DCL ones and have enjoyed them immensely. The food was definitely a step up...

 

[donac]

Thanks for all the info. Dh and I leave July 10 to see Alaska on the Radiance. We are excited but nervous since this is our first cruise.

 

[Donut23]

Thanks for all the info. Dh and I leave July 10 to see Alaska on the Radiance. We are excited but nervous since this is our first cruise.

Ahhhhhh little one, you have chosen well.

We will board 6 June after a week on land. We promise to leave her in good condition for you.

Don't forget; cameras and binoculars for all. You will not want to share.

 

[pillow]

You may also want to look into Princess. They do a wonderful job in Alaska (and elsewhere!). We've done 4 Princess cruises in addition to our 5 DCL ones and have enjoyed them immensely. The food was definitely a step up...

I thought about that, but I figured RCCL would be a little more teenager friendly. I have heard great things about Princess.

Jodie

 

[subtchr]

This is the first I have discovered the RC board on the Dis - how cool for those of us who are Disney and Royal fans!

We sailed on Radiance last summer southbound after about 4 days touring around inland, and it was an amazing vacation! If you are interested, I created a blog about the trip, with lots of planning links and photos: Summer Solstice in the Last Frontier

Let me know if you have any questions!