Disappointed

Radiance of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5
Verified Review
Radiance of the Seas

7 Night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier (Vancouver To Seward)

Sail date: July 15, 2022

Ship: Radiance of the Seas

Cabin number: 9548

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

We've cruised many times and this was our first cruise after the pandemic but if it had been our first cruise we'd probably never cruise again. The ship was clean and the staff was nice for the most part, but things were definitely lacking. Our balcony had chipping paint that would come off in sheets and the bathroom had chipped tile in the shower and a flimsy shower curtain - everything just looked tired and worn. And most of the food was just ok if not lacking. For instance the trifle dessert (which is typically made with pound cake layered with cream/custard and fresh berries) was served at dinner in a plastic cup with canned fruit cocktail trapped in gelatin and topped with a flavorless layer of yellow "cream" and a dollop of what tasted like Cool Whip. It was something you'd expect in a school cafeteria, not on a cruise. A lot of other dishes were like this, although the main course entrées were typically better. Also the waiters served my husband and son first, and it was a little weird to sit there and be the last person to get a menu or drink - I guess "ladies first" is outdated these days ;) The evening entertainment was mixed - some people could sing and others could not, the comedian was funny one night and not the second night, it was all just a little campy and not as polished as other cruises. The ports of call were mostly just shops selling jewelry and souvenirs and there was very little else to do. Icy Straight Point had the longest zip line in the world (1 mile long) so we did that and it was a blast. The cost was $179 per person. Other things we liked: the fresh squeezed orange juice ($3.50) was delicious, the chocolate mud pie cookies at the coffee shop were amazing and we saw lots of whales and bald eagles from our balcony. But there weren't enough positives to offset the disappointment we felt on this cruise. It was the priciest cruise we've done yet it felt like a second-rate experience. And although I'm sure we'll cruise again, it probably won't be on RCL.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

4 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska

3 out of 5

Sitka, Alaska

2 out of 5

Skagway, Alaska

2 out of 5

Cruise Hubbard Glacier

2 out of 5

Seward (Anchorage), Alaska

2 out of 5

Disembarkation

1 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 27

12 Comments

pensnr1fan    2 years ago

I think you're wrong. I've been on 2 Alaskan cruises and have found plenty to do. Whale watching in Juneau and Mendenhall glacier with all you can eat salmon bake. Ketchican the the Dolly Hotel tour was interesting. Icy Strait point watching men making a totem pole in Hoonah. Skagway the train ride or even walking around town on the wooden side walks and great food. Seward is another great place to go whale watching. There's plenty to do you just have to plan for it before your cruise.

phox1515    2 years ago

That's unfortunate that you didn't have the best experience. It sounds like Alaska cruises are great for the beauty but nothing else. That's the vibe I'm getting from these reviews.

GSpringer    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

javawoody    2 years ago

Thanks for the review

GabeNSteph    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

Dadm    2 years ago

It is too bad that the lines are getting away with offering us less for more.

AuntPinkie    2 years ago

Agree with JT1962! Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations!

yk07us    2 years ago

I can believe that an old ship will have peeling paint and old feel. Food and entertainment tastes are subjective. But nothing to do in Alaskan ports is a huge understatement. Usually people come here to explore natural beauty and uniqueness of Alaska, not to stay in port near their ship.

NCLARRY    2 years ago

I thought this ship had been scraped. It’s over 20 years old could explain the tried look. Excursions were offered at every port get out and explore.

NJCruiseGuy    2 years ago

I think I see the reason they did not find anything but trinket shops in the ports. If they spent no more time finding things to do in the ports than they did in writing this review, where they were too lazy to specifically address each item, but just crammed it all into one section, that would be why.

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing

CruzeFan    2 years ago

Cruising is not the same now as it was pre-Covid. Many of the things you mentioned are common across all Cruise Lines now.

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