Radiance of the Seas Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,235 reviews

Radiance not so Radiant

Review for Alaska Cruise on Radiance of the Seas
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englander
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: May 2017

I liked the value and the itinerary, even though it was very port intensive.

The emabarkation in Vancouver was a nightmare! Took 2-3 hrs to get through Canada Place and onto the ship. What a mess! We arrived around 11:30am and there were people still leaving from previous cruise; people walking every which way and staffers having to yell to get the crowds of people to line up their ship (3 ships in port at same time). Absolutely NO signage anywhere directing people to their ship. Don't know if it's the responsilbilty of the Vancouver customs, US Customs, or the 3 cruiselines but it sure was a disaster! Not even any water and lemonade and cookies in the waiting room.

Onboard the ship I thought she was ready to go in for dry dock/ refurb but was told she had it done in 2011. The windows everywhere were very streaked and dirty - not very good for viewing all that beautiful nside passage terrain. Saw lots of signs of wear. Wood railings were badly worn in places and needed derious varnish. Even the tables in the schooner bar were filthy around the silver edges - I scraped some of the crud with my fingernail - gross! The stairs areas always smelled of cleaning chemicals. We had an inside cabin that was okay except for the bathroom shower was showing signs of mold/mildew and an small, 4 inch, area of the flooring was torn near the toilet. Some worn spots noted on the wood furniture, but grateful there was a refrigerator. Our attendant was good about replenishing the ice bucket everyday.

Cabin Review

Port Reviews

Vancouver

Way too mcuh waiting ing in long long lines. Very dis-organized. No signage or directional ropes to handle the 1000s of people trying to board 3 different ships.

Ketchikan

We took the city bus for $1 and rode out to Totem Bight State Park. Had a good time walking their trails and seeing the totems and antique car collection. They also have a gun collection.

Sitka

We took the designated shuttle to the Raptor Center and the Fortress of the Bear. Bothe places were wonderful, in spite of the constant rain that day. Shuttle was a nice ride with pleasant staff.

Haines

A very rainy day, but we 4 adults rented a car from a local hotel company. It was not a new car but one of those Subaru Foresters with less legroom in the back seat than an airplane seat; but we managed. Drove along the two roads that go out along rivers/lakes and saw some eagles. It was a nice drive,

Skagway

We booked our own Sled Dog Musher's Camp excursion and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience! The ride up the mountainside, the dog teams, the human staff, and of course the puppies.

Juneau

Here we took the shuttle to the Mendenhall Glacier and took the 1.5 mile trail out to Nugget Falls. What a pleasant walk! Shuttle bus was decent, we had a talkative driver.

Icy Strait

The new dock is very nice! This is their 2nd year using it. Lots of walking around and watching whales from the shore and later in mid afternoon from the ship. The bus ride to Hoonah ($5) was an okay ride but when we saw the town we just stayed on the bus and rode back. Doesn't look like much there for visitors. Really enjoyed the humpback whales' show though.

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