Overdue Review - Radiance and Denali, with pictures

ULCajunCruiser · February 17, 2012

I have been meaning to put something together for months now, finally figured out how to get pictures into the post, so gonna try and get it started. I'm not much of a writer, and not a professional photographer either, but hope I can give upcoming cruisers an idea of what to expect. Also, I'm just chockerblock full of opinions, know some facts, be happy to share either with you if you ask!! ;)

We (my DW and I, and 2 other couples) took the Radiance Northbound in August of 2011. Once we disembarked in Seward, we did a DIY to Denali where we spent 3 days/2 nights.

DAY 1: Embarking

OK, they said don't do it. I will tell you guys don't do it. But we did it anyway (no choices, our hands were tied) We caught a flight early morning from New Orleans to Vancouver :eek:. Again don't do this, fly in the night before, you'll sleep easier!! But we made it. Flight was 2 hours late leaving Dallas, and thus 2 hours late getting into Vancouver, but we had booked a van from RideBooker, and the guy was there waiting on us, THANK YOU JESUS!!! Made it to the pier in about 45 minutes, and walked into a huge crowd. Probably took another 1 1/2 hours to get onto the ship, but we got onboard in plenty of time!!!

Beautiful ship, my first time cruising with RCCL and was suitably impressed with the decor. Our cabin (we had a balcony on the hump) was very nice and we didn't have any complaints.

DAY 2: Sea Day, Inside Passage

What can I say???? I'm from Louisiana, have travelled a little, but was in awe of what I could see sitting on my balcony!!!! And it got better every day!!!!! Pretty much spent our day exploring the ship, playing trivia and bingo, and enjoying the occasional adult beverage! ;)

How about waking up to this???

Took that standing on the back of the ship, around 6:36 in the morning!

DAY 3: KETCHIKAN

As was to be expected, we woke up to a drizzly morning in Ketchikan Harbor. But it did not slow us down at all. Our plans for today were to walk around town sightseeing, go to the creek to see salmon, and then an afternoon flight tour with Island Wings to Misty Fjords. All were accomplished. The only negative was that the flight tour was kindy dreary because of the overcast weather, so might not have been as dazzling as it could have been.

Ketchikan #1

Ketchikan #2

ULCajunCruiser · February 17, 2012

DAY 3: KETCHIKAN (con't)

Resting (lol) Salmon, don't know how those guys do it!!

Ketchikan form the air

ULCajunCruiser · February 17, 2012

DAY 3: KETCHIKAN (con't)

Misty Fjords 1

Misty Fjords 2

Our First Eagle, in the harbor

ULCajunCruiser · February 17, 2012

DAY 4: Icy Stait Point

OK, this was a great day!!! Spent the morning just walking around the area, and shopping in tthe Hoonah Mall :rolleyes: For our afternoon we have the combo whale watch/bear search. Rained hard on us while whale watching :(, but we did see whales (15 to 20)!! Didn't get pictures of any breaches, but we did actually see 1. Have tons of pictures of whales backs and tails though! :) But we did see bears!!!! Mother and 3 cubs, it was awesome, they walked right by us, probably no more than 30 yards away!!! Here are the pics:

Icy Strait Point 1

Icy Strait Point 2

The Radiance from shore 1

ULCajunCruiser · February 17, 2012