Radiance of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Embarkation- A 5 hour wait at check-in at Canada Place. We were told this was a backup at CBP due to four ships there at the same time- (for this Cruise, we were pre-cleared so not necessary to go through Customs again after leaving Vancouver.) We arrived at 1:10pm. After a 1 hour wait for check-in, we moved to a waiting area so that the security line was not overwhelmed. They were moving 50 at a time downstairs to wait in the metal detector line before moving on to the second line at Customs. We had Global Entry so we were able to skip ahead of the Customs line but there was no signage for this. We had to ask and were moved to the Crew/Non-Rev line. We finally got on board as the safety drills were underway, so we waited at our lifeboat station with bags in tow. The ship left about an hour late.
Food- food is always subjective but I felt the food on the Radiance was better than most other Cruise lines. I would give them an A+ for taste and variety. Quick table clearance in the Windjammer Cafe and smiling, eager to assist staff.
Windjammer Café-
Cabin Review
Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
9048 along with 9050 are both partially obscured rooms due to a maintenance ladder that is secured between the two balconies. This is not listed as partially obscured on the deck plan on the Royal Caribbean website. The Customer Service Manager seemed aware of this problem as she was very sympathetic and provided an onboard credit when we spoke with her. This also effected the two rooms directly below us.
The room had lots of "hidden" shelves behind mirrors. There was more shelf space than we could use. Closets were about average size.
Typical sized bathroom- There was shampoo in a shower dispenser and cakes of soap on sink. No other amenities. No odors in the bathroom or other issues. There was a lot of painting going on around the ship, and one day the bathroom shelf was painted. We asked the room steward about the wet paint and he helpfully added a wet paint sign (Not sure why- to remind us it was still wet?)
We asked for a water pitcher. Our cabin steward was extremely friendly but advised us it was an extra charge. (We always had a pitcher of ice water brought to our cabin on Princess without asking)
TV- CNN, ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TCM, and old series on a loop- unfortunately they were the SAME episodes throughout the cruise. Luckily we didn’t spend much time in the cabin but two episodes of the same series for a nine day cruise is monotonous
Port Reviews
Haines
Docked at Ft Seward. Easy walk into town or shuttles available. As you exit the ship, turn right and follow the sidewalk on Front Street along the water into town . There is limited shopping. There are two markets if you want snacks. The Haines Brewery was busy all day. Their Spruce Tip ale was superb. Also the Haines distillery was in Ft. Seward if you need a last minute drink before returning to the boat. Ft. Seward is a nice self-guided tour of about 30-60 minutes with some small shops.
Icy Strait
Whales! Whales! and more Whales! Five Whales were bubble net feeding right next to the boat. Another Humpback swam under the dock, and several more were along the shore. The Herring were running and the Humpback Whales were everywhere! We felt sorry for those who purchased a Whale Watching excursion as those boats were right next to the Radiance and we got the show for free! I would be surprised if the pictures didn’t make in onto the Royal Caribbean website since they were so close to the ship. We left 30 minutes late while both Passengers and Crew were on deck watching.