Radiance of the Seas Review
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We decided that the best way to see Alaska was on a cruise ship doing a one way trip that included a stop at Hubbard Glacier. That led us to Royal Caribbean, and the price seemed acceptable even though we had heard warnings about the Radiance of the Seas. We loved Alaska, but after this trip we will probably never take another cruise, and if we do it won't be on Royal Caribbean.
To start with, the staff on the ship were uniformly great. All very friendly, especially in the concierge lounge. We went there pretty much every day, because there was not much else to do on the ship.
The Radiance had just gotten out of a dry dock refurb a couple of weeks before but it still did not seem like the ship was in very good shape. Our balcony flaked paint all over us and our cabin the entire week, but at least ours was painted. The ship seemed like it was half closed most of the time. Bars were closed, recreation places were closed, food places were closed, it was often a struggle just to find a place to refill the soda mugs.
Cabin Review
Grand Suite
The cabin was the best part of the ship for us. It was huge and the better room service menu (when available) was a plus. We spent a lot of time on the balcony. Plenty of storage space for three people, and the bathroom was huge. Not sure why they can't acquire shower curtains large enough to cover the entire tub, but not a big deal. Noise from the decks above was not bad, but this room is directly across from the pump room for the swimming pools. This is very loud, but it is more of a white noise, so it did not bother us that much. At least on the northbound cruise, the starboard side of the ship is the best side.