Great but found food quality and options lacking, especially compared to other Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
Radiance of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 5
7 Night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier (Vancouver To Seward)
Sail date: July 01, 2022
Ship: Radiance of the Seas
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 8596
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 1 year ago
Review summary
Overall we are pretty easy to please. However there are few things I didn't like on Radiance of the Seas, which was the food and options in the Main Dining Room and Wind Jammer. The food in the Wind Jammer that should have been hot was either cold or luke warm. I saw too many guests on this particular ship that cross contaminated the food either with their fingers or using the same utensil in a shellfish and a non-shellfish dish. When you have a sever shellfish allergy, eating in the Wind Jammer made me too nervous. No mexican speciality restaraunt, which would have been preferred for lunch. Wind Jammer on this ship had limited gluten free options that didn't contain shellfish. The gluten free bread on this ship is the worst I've ever tasted too. Service in the main dining room was great except for the night, which was my birthday. The service just totatlly fell apart that night. Not sure if our server was nervious because it was lobster night and I have a severe shellfish allergy but we were totally forgotten. Like obvious forgotten. I waited for more than 20 minutes for a wine list and had to remind the assistant I was still waiting on wine menu when asking if I wanted to order a drink. I never got to dessert as it was apparent that they had too much going on to give us any type of attentive service. The friends we made at the tables next to ours couldn't believe why we were overlooked that night. Food review again! The Solarium Pool Cafe doesn't compare to other RC ships for service and food options, especially for a late night snack. We stopped by for pizza each night around 11:00pm. To my surprise, when we asked if we could wait for a slice of pepperoni pizza this some how was the wrong thing to ask as she kept asking if we'd like a piece of salami pizza. When we explained we'd like to wait for a slice of pepperoni pizza, she stated the cook doesn't make pepperoni this late at night. What??? Who ever heard of making salami pizza only after 11:00pm. I guess it's a way not to have to keep busy cooking or serving guests. Overall, I would rated Radiance of the Seas as a 3.5 or 4.0 star. I'm a foodie and one with allergies. If the food is supposed to served hot, I want it served at least warm instead of cold. The server and pizza options at Solarium Pool Cafe is the reason for less than 5 star rating.Embarkation
Very disorganied from drop off to check-in. Took an Uber instead of walking from hotel (5 minute walk max) as were told this was the most convenient way. Directions for Uber drop-off at garage port were wrong and ended up on the wrong level for check-in with carry on luggage. Told to go down 1 floor but actually we had to go up one floor. Elevators were slow and no esculator. Check-in was easy but there is a lot of walking to get to check-in and then down one level for custom, which is down a level with initial walk and then esculator. I will have to say custom was a breeze. There was only one attendant directing passengers to seating area, with no distinction between level of type of boarding priority. Luckily, I went back up and asked attendant where you were supposed to go if you had priority boarding and were sat in a different row, with only 2 passengers in that row. As soon as we sat down, we were told we could head to the ship. Did this routine 3 times, with really not a minute in between back and forth to seating area. Once we did get to the final boarding area to get on the cruise ship, they had us go back in line and wait as ship was not ready. They opened up 4 lines of passengers for boarding and once told ship was ready it was a mad rush of passengars through the gate. Wished this port would tour other RC embarkation ports to see how easily others work. his 3 times.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Overall great but found some things lacking, one of which was the food. I've always raved about RC food in the main dining room and Wind Jammer but felt this ship scored just okay but not great. Maing dining room service (Jude and Alexis) was excellent, with exception of one dining experience, where we felt like we'd been forgotten. It was my birthday too and I was left wishing, I had done the Chef's table that night or a speciality restaraunt. The server and assistant made up for the experience the next night yet we were left wishing we were back on one of other RC cruise ships. Wind Jammer food was lacking in quality and options, especially for individuals with food allergies. If it was gluten free it wasn't shellfish free. Food in Wind Jammer was cold and more so at breakfast. Bar tenders in the Centrum, Champange Bar and Pub were excellent. Next time, I'm going to write down names as I wished I could remember them to give a shot out for their excellent service, which was fast and friendly. Schooner's Bar tender serice and drinks were great but with the volume of passengers in the area for events, service was slow because there was only one bar tender. Other then the bad experience in the main dining room, which doesn't sit well with me, was the absolute worst server I've ever I came into contact with on a RC cruise ship. This server was in the Solarium Pool Cafe and was between 11:00-11:45pm. Total lack of personality. Asked for slice of pepperoni pizza and response was "you mean a slice of salami pizza," which I guess I was supposed to know as that was the only pizza on display. Her response when asked if we could wait for a slice of pepperoni pizza was that it was late and they were only making salami pizza. ??? I'd have to say, I/we really over look a lot and felt really affended by her lack in interest in talking to us in polite manner. Obvisouly, she had probably worked long hours for the day or just wanted to be done with her shift, yet at 11:00pm we were surprised to find that asking for a slice of pepperoni was crazy. This is the only server in all our cruises that I would have to say was down right rude.
Chop's Grille
Service and food on RC cruise ships is always consistent. It's a must do speciality dining for us. Highly recommend as it never disspoints but lives up to its reputation for a top notch dining experience with excellent service and food.
Onboard Activities
I can't rate on all activities as it was the first time we didn't do any shows. We liked the centrum area and the pub for nightly entertainment. I really liked the Centrum; however, I would have liked more options for more current music. The "Pub" on RC cruise ships never fail in providing a great place to spend an evening if you love listening and singing to music. A cruise ship attendant did stop by one night early in cruise to ask the guitar singer to turn the volume down as the guest in the cabin directly below us didn't like the noise, which really due to passengers just singing along and having a great time (no drunk guests). Apparently, the passengers were moved to a new cabin so the Pub didn't have to shut down early at night.
Entertainment
Centrum performers and pub guitarist were great. Can't speak to the rest as this was the first time we were more laid back on a cruise because we were busy hiking on port days.
Service and Staff
Shout out to bar tenders in the Centrum, Champange Bar and Pub. They provided fast and friendly service. Jude and Alexis in the main dining room were great but on my actual birthday the service just fell apart. It was one of those nights were you feel like you were forgotten while watching everyone else around you getting great service. If not for the maing dining room experience on my birthday and the Solarium Pool Cafe server, I would have rated a 5 star. Who knew you couldn't get pepporoni pizza after between 11:00-11:45p and should ask for a slice of pepperoni pizza. Honestly, I've never come accross a rude server on a RC cruise ship until this ship and in the Solarium Pool Cafe. I could obvisouly tell she wanted to be anywhere but working in the Solarium Pool Cafe late at night. My husband doesn't drink so it wasn't because of being drunk and rude or obnoxious. We just asked for pepperoni and she pointed to the salami pizza that was out and said "you mean you want a slice of salami pizza." We asked to wait for a slice of pepperoni pizza and were told it's late, the chef won't be making anything other than salami pizza at this time of the night. I guess that is a good way to get out of making pizza in the evening but never experienced that on other RC ships. Our cabin attendant Liela (?) was awesome. Our cabin was around the corner and at the end of the row of her cabin area; however, she always made sure we came back to a freshened room. A special shout out to Francesco (?) in the Centrum Bar. I typically ordered the same drink each evening and he was always super quick to wait on me and made Moscow Mule and Lemon Drops with sugar rim to perfection. I'd have to say his level of service given to all passengers who stopped at the bar for drink.
Ship Quality
It's a smaller and older RC ship; however, we enjoy the small, mid and large size ships for various different reasons, which are mainly due to ports, itinerary, price and weather (when we want to get away from the cold winters). Our first cruise was on Jewel of the Seas and we loved the Centrum area. Smaller ships don't have all the bells and whistles but they give you a different type of experience, which is usually a more laid back cruise experience when onboard the ship. Oddessy of the Seas has been my favorite to date because of the food, service, pool, activities, entertainment and selection of music and dancing. That said, we loved our cruise on Radiance of the Seas and wouldn't hesitate to select this ship again based upon choice for itinerary. Ourkids are grown so our cruises are based soley on our interests instead of kid activities. Late but not least, RC always does an amazing job of keeping every area of the ship clean and at all times. Cabin stewards obvisouly impact a cruisers experience and I have to say they have all been fabulous!
Cabin / Stateroom
Location, location, location! Cabin 8596 is a mid ship hump balcony cabin on deck 8. We love cabins as close as possible to the elevators and stairs and especially so on large ships. Being mid ship and close to the stairs and elevators makes it super easy to get anywhere on the ship too. We don't have any mobility issues and typically end up taking the stairs over the elevators and especially on large ships during busy times.
Ship tip
I would purchase the speciality dining package if I cruised on Radiance of the Seas again but that is because of food quality and selection in main dining room and Wind Jammer on this particular ship. If you book the Chef's Table, you don't need to arrive early as the seats are already pre-assigned with name tags and you won't be moved i
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia
Great place for shore excursions on own and also great food options downtown and near the cruise port.
My favorite port! My only wish is that we could that we could have spent more time here than 1:30-7:30pm. I actually wish this would be a 2-day port as there are so many choices for shore excursions. We typically book shore excursions on our own but as the Helicopter and Glacier 2-hour hike was only offered thru the cruise ship, we booked this shore excursion thru RC. To date, it's been the most expensive shore excursion we've taken ($900+) but well worth the cost. It was more than what we imagined and the experience of a lifetime. There were a total of 10 people on this shore excursion, split into groups of 5 for the helicopter ride. I've never been luckly enough to sit in the first row of a helicopter and hope some day I'll get that chance; however, the backseat did provide a great view. The Glacier hike was awesome. We were the last tour for our two guides and were able to get in an extra hour on our hike. That meant we got to go further and do more and it was well worth sore muscles the next day. With all the guests on a RC shore excursion we got back close to the all onboard time but didn't have the worry.
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska
Booked the Hoonah Whale Tour thru Alaska Shore Excursions. Booking was easy, price was less and the smaller boat with max of 12 guests was perfect. Tour ticket had excellent directions and meeting point was at the cruise port pier.
I'd rather spend an extra day in Juneau than have Sitka as a port; however, that is based upon the fact that we didn't book a shore excursion here. Weather differs at this point and can cooler with more rain. Not a bad thing when your pack accordingly for weather conditions; however, nothing different to select from than other ports. Option to get in to town is via the pier buses, which are free; however, the hour wait to get on a bus into town was too long for the town experience for me. Bus ride was easy though on the way back. This one one port that I wished I would have slept in and stayed on the ship.
Booked the White Pass Train on our own, which provided us with different options for time. Walk to train depot was easy from the pier. Train car was only half full but am not sure if this was because we all booked directly with the tour operator vs cruise ship. Recommend you sit on the left of the train car going up the mountain as everything to see is on your left. As you get the same view on the way back down, if you sit on the left the ride back down is a great way to get in a short nap.
An expensive excursion as its offered thru RC only. Almost canceled the excursion because of price but based upon reviews, knew it would be an experience of a lifetime. So glad we booked this excursion and felt that although it was alot of money, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience, which would not have come close if we had only stayed on the ship.
A great place to visit for one day/night. If you are not taking a post land tour and have the time to spend the day in Seward, I would highly recommend the Marine Boat Tour, which is one of the two boat tours operating from Harbor 360 Hotel. No need to stand in line outside and in the rain for choice of seat as you are already assigned a seat inside on one of the two interior cabins. We were seated at table 17 on the first floor, which is the first table to the left (and across from the free coffee station) and you enter the cabin. I personally liked table 17 because of ease to get around outside for viewing, snack bar and restrooms. If you are a party of more than 4, it's important to note that you will be seated in the middle of the cabin as the outside tables only seat 4. One other important thing to know about Seward without a car when you book an Airbnb and/or a hotel near the pier is that there is no taxi's at the pier, no Uber and limited Lyft service. Lyft prices were reasonable though and when checking on options for ride vs walking service was available; however, we were prepared for rainy/windy weather and opted to walk. We did luck out and were able to secure taxi service for transport from pier to Airbnb, which was 3/4 of a mile away. We'd have walked it but because of the rainy and windy weather opted to try and find some type of transportation and just lucked out on getting a taxi from Red Taxi. There are two options if you don't have a car to get from Seward to Anchorage (besides private service), which is bus or train. We wanted to leave Seward early the next morning in order to tour Anchorage before flight home the next day and opted for the bus ride instead of the train due to travel time. It's cheaper to take the bus vs the ride and if time wasn't an issue for us would have selected the train over the bus. We chose ACT Bus, which was supposed to be a big bus with a bathroom, with two short shorts, with one at Moose Pass and the other at Girwood Our big bus was a 15 passenger van. I don't like vans, when I'm not driving or sitting in the front due to motion sickness. I also like big buses because of having a bathoom just in case you need it. Our driver was excellent. I can't fault him as he wasn't responsible for the online pictures, which showed a big bus not a van. His bus route also indicated no stops. Knowing what I know now, I would have opted to go with the other bus company and leave an hour later to be a big bus vs van. Thank goodness, the location we chose for pick-up was the first of 3 stops to pick up guests and we got first choice of seats, which was the first row. If not, I would have arrived in Anchorage needing a nap to sleep off motion sickeness.
Disembarkation
Excellent. Super fast and easy!