Radiance of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise because it was an Alaska (if condensed) trip that fit our schedule. Overall, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.
Ship: The layout is decent. You never feel like you are on the 90,000+ ton ship you are on. The only thing I'd say poorly of it was the external appearance. When we got off the ship in Vancouver, it sat across from the Crown Princess. And there the Radiance sat, with rust spots every 15 feet or so along the hull while the Crown Princess across the pier was not only nearly perfectly white, but still had two deckhands already scampering about the hull and superstructure with extender paint rollers whitening once again.
Dining: Eh. I've been on Carnival, Celebrity, and Norwegian before this (this was my first RCI trip). And I have to say, it would be ranked in this order: Celebrity in a distant first place followed by Norwegian, and then neck and neck for third between Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Selection was ok. Presentation, again, ok. Food itself was good, but honestly, not something I'd request seconds for.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
We had 4 people in this balcony cabin. It was tight but manageable, especially if at least one of those 4 is a little one as with us. We were on deck 8, and so if you aren't familiar with the Radiance or her sisters, this means that the balcony deck below you isn't actually at the edge of the ship. For them, they could scale the balcony railing and walk out onto a catwalk that covers the lifeboats. For us, if I somehow fell overboard I'd land on it just 7 feet down as well. If you aren't good with heights, but you love the balcony cabin, deck 7 or 8 on this ship is a good option. So long as you pick a cabin that is far enough away from the bulbous area midships that has cabins that jut out obstructing view, you're good (keep about 8 cabins away from that, at minimum for good views).