Radiance of the Seas Cruise Reviews - Reviews

The destinations and port schedule were great, so was visiting Alaska at this time of year. The Radiance of the Seas was a very tasteful, clean and modern ship (except for the jungle pool area which could use some fresh air).

Food was okay but not exceptional. The ship has a lot of private dining experiences which is unfortunate because we had a nearly empty table of 10 every night in the formal main dining. If cruise lines are going to promote restaurant dining packages so heavily, then they need to implement impromptu or mixed seating. So many tables around us were only partially full all nights. The atrium entertainment was great to watch, and the theater shows were okay. The onboard daily schedule pages were not the easiest to read of the several ships/cruise lines I've sailed with, so pay attention to the small print and read everything. Also, they say they have Starbucks coffee but they're definitely not trained baristas, even at a la carte pricing.

The improvements would be with BJ's we were a group of 14 and we were separated on everything in the trip, flights, rooms, bus tours etc. we don't understand why that would happen when we all booked together, also several calls were made to Lynette by several in this group and calls were not returned promptly. Also when the Delta crash happened we would have appreciated a call to help us find a place to stay and get rebooked for our flights etc. we had to get it taken care of ourselves.

As far as the cruise itself we don't have many complaints, the food was good, plenty to choose from, the wait staff was very pleasant and courteous, the stateroom could have been a little better kept but was ok, excursions were easy to book, the shows were entertaining.

activities very well planned.

kids had special activities and were able to see some family activities. food was excellent: always an indian dish available.

tours were great offshore..

the performances by the band, dancers, Jamie were fabulous.

the rooms were always cleaned. maintenance group did follow up quickly, on my call for fixing problem.

what more can I say? it was a lifetime experience to see the Glacier so close. the ship cruised without any turbulence whatsoever making our stay comfortable throughout. thanks for the whole team, including the travel agent from and the travel agent on the ship.

the Radiance of the Seas was very disappointing. 

Dirty

Odors

Poor quality food

i was very very disappointed. 

Alaska was a once in a lifetime visit, for me. Once off the ship, everything was wonderful, wild life, scenery, whales, seals, sea lions. Loved it all. 

Our trip went really well. The ports were good and Alaska is absolutely gorgeous! The only complaint I have it that the ship was a lot smaller that we are used to and the food was not what we expect from Royal Caribbean. Every morning the toast was burnt, there were frequently empty containers on the buffet, and the dinner we had at the one restaurant was the best either.

Enjoyed the ship and staff. Staff from Cascades Dining Room was outstanding! My husband and other companions loved the behind the scenes tour. Issues with BJ's travel. Flights too close together (barely had restroom break between flights). Arrived as last group boarding (forgotten at airport, Windjammer closed upon arrival)-no meal for several hours. Large group that was "linked together" were split up at dining tables and land tour. Dining staff got our group together at 2 tables next to each other. Very little/incorrect information given on land tour. Would have appreciated a call from BJ's for assistance with needing flights and hotel rooms due to Delta issues-had to be handled ourselves.

Our favorite port was Ketchikan. We had a local native guide.

The least favorite part was all the jewelry shops, and at EVERY PORT! Most, in fact, are owned by the cruise lines! Ice Strait Point was never a stop or destination until Royal Caribbean constructed it!

We did, however, love the cruise. Hubbard Glacier was absolutely awesome!!

Food, room, entertainment was all first class.

Wildlife viewing was our intent and shore excursions through the ship made this top notch!  Our Juneau helicopter to the glacier, hiking there and going to dog sled school was canceled because of weather - rain and fog.  If the pilot does not want to go, neither should you. We had looked forward to this for 6 months and before we could be very sad - the excursion people were getting us booked on other fun things!  We went to botanical gardens and by bus to the glacier and had fun. In Skagway, we went to Gold Rush Sled Dogs- Iditarod dog demonstration and met the huskies up close and personal.  The musher speaking was extremely informative and entertaining.  We learned and laughed!  We rode the railroad there for incredible views and panned for gold which was much more fun than we expected.  In Icy Straits, be sure to do the whale watch - AMAZING - we saw more whale activity and breaching that we thought possible!  (Orcas and humpbacks).  Top that off with bear watching in either Icy Straights or go for the small group bear watch in Ketchikan (12 people per tour).  We were very pleased with both tours seeing bears in both.  The later, the bears were in streams fishing for salmon!

The ship is not huge and easy to find things.  Staff was very friendly and professional for the most part.  Our dining experience was great because of our wait staff taking such wonderful care of us in the anytime dining formal dining area.   The Windjammer again delivered good food, great variety and good service also.  We tried the Italian specialty restaurant but should have stayed in the dining room - very good but there is an Italian food night in the dining room that was just as good. We did not eat at Chops steakhouse but it has been exquisitely good in the past. 

The Starquest bar at the top of the ship was a disappointment.  We always enjoy having a drink "up top" but found service very slow and unfriendly our first visit.  We always tip well and are attuned to the service industry.  We tried a second visit and waiters passed by us and never stopped to ask if we wanted a drink - we probably could have gone and gotten one or gone to the bar, but by then, the atmosphere was gone.  This is certainly not the same as past cruises. 

The bars had plenty of variety - LOTS of scotches etc - but very few bourbons. Most only had Jack Daniels or Jim Beam.  We went to the Schooner Bar which was much better stocked but it seemed to be the only one. 

A few bumps in the road but very minor - cruise was fun, scenery was beautiful and we got waited on hand and foot - what is not to like??!!  We would do this cruise again - hands down!

The lack of information for the land part of our trip was a downer.  RC Cruise planner told us we would have information in our room when we boarded the ship.  There was none.  When checking with the excursion desk all we received a time schedule and told we would receive information when we landed at Seward.  Very little time to plan additional land excursions.

Best part:  Ship is beautiful. Staff is great. Ports are amazing. Check out Dr John's lectures on the ports and don't miss Hubbard a Glacier at 7 am. 

Not so good: windjammer food, selection and times needs improving.  If you drink non alcoholic beer, they only seem to carry the horrible ODouls rather than its usual Buckker (which is great). We had to have staff search for it in the back and waited 2 days for it. At least we got it. Would have been bad if we couldn't have gotten it. 

worst:  mattresses in stateroom were really hard and not comfortable.  Room service selection and time to get to your room. 

Great experience, onboard activities could be better, but overall a great experience. Royal has a naturalist on board that talks about the glaciers, the wildlife, and the native tribes of Alaska which made the experience even better. 

food was awful - steak in the dining room was tough and never cooked to order - always well done even if ordered rare. Lobster was previously frozen and undercooked. Vodka was watered and the "premium" red wine tasted vinegary. Kids were running unattended in elevators and stairways and very raucous in the pool areas.  Never again on RCL.

Hubbard Glacier and the stops were our favorite part of the cruise.  Dinners were not as good as in the past in the main dinning room.  Desserts are the same in the dining room and in the Windjammer as they have been for the last 4 cruises.  Its time to change that up.  The steaks we ordered has no flavor at all.  Like they were frozen way too long.  Other than this, the cruise was beautiful.  The ship was spotless, and the service was impeccable.

Ship was in great shape.  Meals were excellent!  Entertainment was great as well. Embarkation in Seward was very fast.  People need to realize that you are entering Canada for disembarking.  You must have a passport.  Some folks had to fly out of Ketchikan because they didn't have passports.  Birth Certificates are not used to cross the border anymore.

Consistently good.  weather was good with some rain.  All the staff was great!

Dining staff was super.  Randy and Willie are pros!  Entertainment was good and show times work out with the dining schedule.

Location location and location is the theme of a cruise like this.The boat is another story.This boat needs to go in dry dock for a major overhaul and updating of things to do on ship.The Wifi is a joke less than 1mbps per speed test.Thats when you stay on and not disconnected.The workers on this boat are great and try to make the best trip possible.The main dining hall food is great the windjammer is the same food for 7 days.The ports of call are great with the exception of Icy Strait Point not much to do besides the zip line.The other ports have great excursions and plenty of shopping for the usual tourists type.I was told the Northbound cruise was the best because they take supplies on only once in Vancouver for both north and South and run out of supplies going South(never been southbound just told by crew member once on cruise).Once and lifetime cruise.

Staff was great and the performance from the singers, dancers and their special performers were excellent.Considering their lower budget (comparing it to their larger ships]. I was a little bit disappointed at the age and the lack of frills the ship had to offer. I guess i am spoiled by their larger and newer ships that sails the Caribbean on their 7  night cruises. 

This cruise exceeded expectations. Alaska is truly the last frontier. Every port had it's own special beauty and there was plenty to do no matter what your level of activity or interest. It has everything from adventure, to history, to natural wonder and awesomeness. The highlight was cruising the Hubbard glacier on our last day at sea. It was just truly stunning and amazing to see it up close. The cruise ship is smaller and older than the newer mega ships that are being built, but the cruise director and activites manager keep everyone engaged and have lots of things planned to keep people happy and busy. The cruise director Steve was a theater manager and is very talented! But really you could just spend hours looking out at the wonder of the landscape and never get tried of it. I can't recommend it highly enough, so if you are thinking about doing it, just book it and go…you won't regret it.

The ship was very clean crew very good.  Food was not so great in main dining room or windjammer. 

Wind jammer food same every day.

Cascades food very bland 

Not enough activities for kids unless they went into daycare. We were on a family vacation un like the other families who dumped their children in daycare.

The entertainment was not very good costumes were not nsync with show so you 

Were concentrating on the awful costumes

The juggling comedians were good.

The comedian was awful.

By doing 7 days going , able to see and experience many Alaskan Ports of Call and many sights and tours.  The weather was great with sunshine at ports.  Saw numerous wild life and learned a great deal from the tours.  Also had plenty of time to shop for jewelry and watches which we did and now have them as reminders of this great trip.  Remember - you may only do this once, so don't shot change the trip by not taking tours and buys souvenirs.