Radiance of the Seas Review

South Pacific - Location and Date

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Radiance of the Seas
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03auditt
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2012
Cabin: Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

A full ship of about 2300 passengers (including around 500 children as the beginning of December is a time that parents take children out of school before the end of term and before the festive season)left Sydney for 2 days at sea then calls by tender to Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Champagne Bay, Lifou and port calls to Vila and Noumea before 2 days return to Sydney. This ship is normally in American waters but visits down under for a few months during the southern spring/summer. It seems to be a better class than the normal ships permanently based in Australia that do this route. Yet pricing is very competitive.

The ship is clean, well equipped, lots of facilities and activities, good resources and captained by a man who respects passengers AND crew and finds time to mix with the people.Yes the captain greets everybody daily, holds a 1hour ship video/questions session, is on hand at formal dinners, has photos taken, joins in cake making and yes hello anywhere and anytime.

Many people on this cruise had been on other P&O cruises and noted the significant upgrade features, facilities and services with Radiance. At least 2 couples we met booked specifically because of the ship.

Cabin Review

Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

Cabin D2

Cabin 9206 level 9 port side

Cabin was good size with 3 person couch, very comfortable king bed (2 large singles joined), great pillows, good lightning throughout, good block out curtains, heaps of mirrors (too many maybe), Balcony is adequate for 2,adequate wardrobe and hanging space and storage generally,hot water readily available, room is well insulated (only heard next toilet on flush). Room service-if requiring tea emphasise water in a coffee free pot (can be tainted badly. Location is excellent -level 9, very close to centrum area, stairs and lifts with good viewing angles from balcony (be careful other cabins closer to the centre can have limited viewing angles because of the shape of the ship exterior, even though they are higher priced !)

Negatives - open the balcony window and sometimes you get whistling inside the cabin, general economic cost measures means have to ask for more stationery paper/pen, tissues. Fridge is cooler only so contents are warm (ps when booking ask for a refridgerator for medical purposes). Couch is too big and space should have been used to expand the bathroom. Bathroom shower would be a squeeze for larger people, only get body wash and soap. Location was far from stateroom attendant's base (attends to 14 rooms)so need to work on this (charm, tip, pester etc).

Sum:

Yes very pleased and highly recommended.

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