Radiance of the Seas.....Past - Present - Future (Continued)

[Linda41]

Sounds good, except for the freezing part. Was the heating system broken?

 

Gina

 

I'm almost always colder than anyone else so I always take along a couple of cardigans! Would rather have them and not use them than to be too cold. :D So, if you see me anywhere on the ship, I will most likely have a cardigan on!

 

Linda (and C. D.)

[cruisenfever]

Sounds good, except for the freezing part. Was the heating system broken?

 

Gina

There is no heating system in the DL. Any heat that they generate to the VCL might, if you're lucky, find its way over the partition into the DL. Now, the CL has heat in it and was much warmer. We experienced the same problem last year when we went to Australia. When they cranked the AC up, the DL was almost always the coldest place on the ship.

 

It just seemed that the first week in Alaska, no matter where you were on the ship, it was freezing. Just another part of the adventure.:D

[AngieGal3]

Just returned from 3 weeks on board Radiance and had a wonderful time as usual. All Specialty Restaurants were quite busy the second and third weeks.

 

 

Welcome home! Did you happen to notice any escargot on the menu???

[3DSNVA]

Hi Patti, Can't wait to hear more about your 3 weeks on the Radiance! Glad you are home safely! I will be on the Radiance Southbound the last week of July. My 11 year old is excited about shows and we were wondering if you could tell us the times and types of shows for the Southbound? We have My Time Dining so I wanted to make some dinner reservations around the times of some of the shows. Or, could you tell us if you are going to scan the cruise compass' for the southbound?

Thank you so much! This will be our first time on the Radiance...can't wait!!

[cruisenfever]

Welcome home! Did you happen to notice any escargot on the menu???

Unfortunately, I didn't pay any attention.:o

Hi Patti, Can't wait to hear more about your 3 weeks on the Radiance! Glad you are home safely! I will be on the Radiance Southbound the last week of July. My 11 year old is excited about shows and we were wondering if you could tell us the times and types of shows for the Southbound? We have My Time Dining so I wanted to make some dinner reservations around the times of some of the shows. Or, could you tell us if you are going to scan the cruise compass' for the southbound?

Thank you so much! This will be our first time on the Radiance...can't wait!!

What would you like to know? This is the first time I didn't bring home any of the Cruise Compasses.:o Too much weight to pack.

 

Shows vary by sailing date. We had Marty Allen and his wife on both the northbound and southbound cruises. Normal production shows, City of Dreams and Piano Man. We had a juggler and a comedian and a group that did tribute to the Beatle on the southbound trip. Times of shows depended on when you depart from the ports so the times were either 7 and 9 or 9 and 10:30 if I remember correctly.

[Jbird81]

I must say, although the ship received amazing upgrades I am still dissapointed that Izumis was placed in the position of one of our favourite restaurants from the Radiance, on the back of the ship! :(

 

I hope to possibly book a voyage on the ship again this summer. :)

[mommabean]

I must say, although the ship received amazing upgrades I am still dissapointed that Izumis was placed in the position of one of our favourite restaurants from the Radiance, on the back of the ship! :(

 

I hope to possibly book a voyage on the ship again this summer. :)

 

Izumi wasn't placed in the position of any former restaurants. It's at the back of the Windjammer. Are you talking about Samba Grill which was the restaurant that replaced the Seaview Cafe? If so, that has been the biggest disappointment for most people I think. It won't be happening to Serenade of the Seas when she goes in for her "revitalization". Seaview is apparently staying put on that ship.

 

Gina

Edited May 27, 2012 by mommabean

[cruisenfever]

I must say, although the ship received amazing upgrades I am still dissapointed that Izumis was placed in the position of one of our favourite restaurants from the Radiance, on the back of the ship! :(

 

I hope to possibly book a voyage on the ship again this summer. :)

In determining the location for Izumi (port side) as well as Rita's (starboard side), areas that already had food preparation facilities available were used. Having eaten at Izumi's twice, the restaurant is beautiful with soft decor as well as a wonderful view. Sliding glass doors can be found in both the forward as well as aft part of the restaurant. It is a very quiet place to have dinner.

[cruisenfever]

Izumi wasn't placed in the position of any former restaurants. It's at the back of the Windjammer. Are you talking about Samba Grill which was the restaurant that replaced the Seaview Cafe? If so, that has been the biggest disappointment for most people I think. It won't be happening to Serenade of the Seas when she goes in for her "revitalization". Seaview is apparently staying put on that ship.

 

Gina

There wasn't a restaurant where Izumi or Rita's is currently located, but back when the ship was first put into service, both areas did have a dining area with set tables with candles and there was food prepared specifically for these locations.

 

I agree that the placement for Samba Grill was not the best. When it's cold and windy, getting there can be a real adventure, unless you call and ask to be taken up the service entrance outside of Rita's.

 

We ate there on turnaround day in Seward and sitting by the window looking at the magnificent surroundings of mountains covered with snow with beautiful blue skies was amazing. For us, the food was outstanding and we really enjoyed Samba.

Edited May 27, 2012 by cruisenfever

[jonbgd]

I agree that the placement for Samba Grill was not the best. When it's cold and windy, getting there can be a real adventure, unless you call and ask to be taken up the service entrance outside of Rita's.

. For us, the food was outstanding and we really enjoyed Samba.

 

Hi Patti... we ate in Samba's our first sea day(formal) and it was great.

We thought the inside passage would be closer(the reason we booked) so the views were nothing special, but Jennifer the hostess, was outstanding and the food made up for it.

Im sure you had gorgeous views, leaving from Seward, during your meal.

 

Since the lady broke her wrist(?ankle) a few cruises back..... If it is raining they are escorting pax down the service ladder and thru WJ after dinner.

If they also do that before that would be nice, but we didnt see it personally

I also saw women being escorted the same way to use the restroom.

 

I did miss Seaview Cafe thou and wish they had put Samba where Rita's is and kept the Seaview:(

[BecciBoo]

Patti: do they heat the water in Solarium for Alaska??? How else ya gonna swim in there..................

[BecciBoo]

 

RCI did create a big problem by carving out 2 restaurants in the WJ seating area, plus the elimination of Seaview Cafe.

 

Seaview Cafe was one of my destinations too. We finally get to book Radiance and now no Seaview:( I am very warm blooded and love al fresco dining. Sometimes take WJ lunch out to pool deck just to get the breeze while eating.

[BecciBoo]

They also don't know what pico de gallo is - it's NOT onions, tomatoes and cilantro. If there's no jalapeno it's just a mixture of onions, tomatoes and cilantro. :)

 

Si! No Jalapeno, no Pico:D

[Fluffy Terry]

Thanks to whomever started this thread and gave the link for the old one. I agree Radiance will always be my first love. We did our first cruise to Alaska on her in 2002 and we are returning on a cruisetour in 2013. Cant wait, love that ship. Will be nice to see all the changes. And as virgin cruisers our first cruise was a really cheap inside cabin on seven, of course now we only book balconies - have a hump room on eight this time

[cruisenfever]

Hi Patti... we ate in Samba's our first sea day(formal) and it was great.

We thought the inside passage would be closer(the reason we booked) so the views were nothing special, but Jennifer the hostess, was outstanding and the food made up for it.

Im sure you had gorgeous views, leaving from Seward, during your meal.

 

Since the lady broke her wrist(?ankle) a few cruises back..... If it is raining they are escorting pax down the service ladder and thru WJ after dinner.

If they also do that before that would be nice, but we didnt see it personally

I also saw women being escorted the same way to use the restroom.

 

I did miss Seaview Cafe thou and wish they had put Samba where Rita's is and kept the Seaview:(

Hi Jon, and sorry we didn't get to meet up on the cruise. We had 3 things to attend and they were all scheduled at the same time. I tried to make it to the M&M, but I was too late.

 

The inside passage got better the further north you went. We had dinner at Samba when we got to Seward. The views while having dinner were absolutely amazing. And I agree, Jennifer is a sweetie.

 

I do hope you enjoyed the cruise. I won't tell you that the last cruise from Seward was perfect weather wise. Temps were 55-60 degrees and it was DRY the whole cruise!

[Cruising Fool]

Welcome home! Did you happen to notice any escargot on the menu???

 

They had escargot in the beginning cruises, but this cruise and last cruise - no escargot. Baby bay scallops instead.

 

(Still onboard Radiance - with free internet today in Juneau because of my cell phone provider.)

[cruisenfever]

They had escargot in the beginning cruises, but this cruise and last cruise - no escargot. Baby bay scallops instead.

 

(Still onboard Radiance - with free internet today in Juneau because of my cell phone provider.)

I thought we had escargot on the May 4, 11 and 18th cruise and now you've confirmed it. Thanks Marianne.

[packercruising]

It was only available 1 day on our 18 day Australian cruise, unless I missed it.

[East Bay Skiers]

We cruised on the Freedom (May 13-20) and were told by our waiter that escargot is no longer available.

[walcherw]

Hi Patti... we ate in Samba's our first sea day(formal) and it was great.

We thought the inside passage would be closer(the reason we booked) so the views were nothing special, but Jennifer the hostess, was outstanding and the food made up for it.

Im sure you had gorgeous views, leaving from Seward, during your meal.

 

Since the lady broke her wrist(?ankle) a few cruises back..... If it is raining they are escorting pax down the service ladder and thru WJ after dinner.

If they also do that before that would be nice, but we didnt see it personally

I also saw women being escorted the same way to use the restroom.

 

I did miss Seaview Cafe thou and wish they had put Samba where Rita's is and kept the Seaview:(

We have not ben on the Radiance for several years but we are going to do the repo from Aust in 2013. We had a Jennifer on our last cruise on the Radiance that was a hostess. She was the BEST we EVER had on a RCCL ship. I hope she is the same one and will still be there when we get back on.

Woody;)

[travelgoddess1]

We have not ben on the Radiance for several years but we are going to do the repo from Aust in 2013. We had a Jennifer on our last cruise on the Radiance that was a hostess. She was the BEST we EVER had on a RCCL ship. I hope she is the same one and will still be there when we get back on.

Woody;)

 

Woody, Jennifer was the Samba's Manager, and I agree, she is very good, and very attentive.

 

The lady who broke her wrist was on our Hawaii cruise. For anyone not wishing to go outside to reach Samba's, you can walk into the WJ and ask a supervisor to be escorted up there.

[mommabean]

The new Captain is here. Everyone has taken an immediate liking to him - passengers and crew alike. He'll be here until November 15. Capt. Sindre has extended his time home for more time with his wife and baby Markus.

 

There has been a lot of crew shifting around. The biggest difference is in the dining room where there are more new faces than ever.

[mommabean]

I forgot to mention that the satellites were all replaced in Seward on Friday. Here is a picture of one on the ground. The captain has said the bandwidth has now been increased and beginning possibly as soon as today, the Internet speed should increase by as much as 10 times.

 

 

The CL isn't at all crowded and there are all really nice people there. We are really enjoying the ship and the new people we are meeting. It's a beautiful, clear day in Juneau today.

Edited August 26, 2012 by mommabean

[travelgoddess1]

Yippee! Thanks for the satellite information, Gina.

[Linda41]

Yippee! Thanks for the satellite information, Gina.

 

Here's hoping this is the first one and that RCL will upgrade ALL the ship's satellites. :D

 

Linda (and C. D.)