Radiance of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Our family of five recently returned from cruising on Radiance to New Zealand, had a great time and hope this review is helpful to other cruisers.
We flew into Sydney the night before departure to avoid any flight cancellations/delays and stayed at Glenferrie Lodge in Kirribilli. As a larger group of travellers we found it was not easy to get accommodation without getting multiple rooms at considerable cost. Kirribilli accommodation was recommended on the boards here at cruise critic and Glenferrie was easy to find and came with high recommendations. It did not disappoint, booking over the phone was easy and the rooms were exactly as described, clean and comfortable. We prebooked Airport Shuttle North (at the recommendation of the staff at Glenferrie) for our airport transfers. They were there waiting for us on arrival, the driver was friendly, helpful and quickly delivered us to our accommodation
The next morning, after an all inclusive hot buffet breakfast, we walked a short 200m to the ferry wharf for the 5min ride to Circular Quay and the OPT where our ship was waiting. We were travelling with friends (another family group) and decided to drop our luggage and explore the harbour. Bags were quickly taken care of and when we returned about 2pm to board were greeted with friendly, helpful faces and embarkation was quick and simple. Late lunch in Windjammers (not overcrowded at this time) and then off to our cabin where our bags were waiting.
Cabin Review
The photo provided by RCI for Radiance looks nothing like it. The virtual tour is however spot on, though it does look a little dated. In the flesh it looks much better. Enough room for 5 people but a little crowded when the sofa bed is folded out. The bathroom is small and the shower recess tiny with a curtain that is prone to allow water to escape. Large mirror and enough space for toiletries etc. Shower gel is provided in a dispenser in the shower. Hair dryer is provided but no point for it in the bathroom. The bunk room is quite small but my 13yo daughter was happy to have her own space with small wardrobe. The top bunk pulls down from the ceiling but was not needed for us this time. Wardrobe space for all of us was a little tight but we managed. Our king size double bed was very comfortable but the pull out sofa was hard, glad I did not have to sleep on that. The single bunk was comfy but a little short, ok for kids but a bit short for adults. The two large sloping windows in the cabin look out over the helipad and front of the ship. Nice at night to have the curtain open and be able to see the stars above. There is probably more movement felt this far foward on the ship but when the ship is moving it does not matter where you are, you will feel it. It is as far forward as you can go on this deck and thus a bit of a walk to the "living area" of the ship but the advantage is that it is quiet, no traffic outside your door.