LIVE from Radiance of the Seas...5/11 and 5/18. Alaska!

[bradpole]

Sorry to get a little off the question flow..but where is the DL and have you had a look at it ??..My last time on Radiance they used the Hollywood Odyssey for the D nightly event which is now the CL..Thanks so much for the answer :)

 

Both ate up on deck 13. The old Hollywood odyssey lounge is the concierge lounge. The forward port side of the Viking crown has a small wall put up and that is te diamond lounge. There is a frosted glass door with key card access in the elevator lobby.

 

The first pic shows the new wall and the entrance off the elevator lobby

 

It actually very nice inside! Nice big comfy chairs and a great view I took pics on day one with my real camera that'll post when I get home

[Calkid]

Go to the first post and right above it there is a box which says Thread Tools. Click on the arrow and listings pop down. Click on subscribe to this thread. A box will pop up and their will be a box at the bottom which says Add Subscription. Click on that.... :);)

 

Thank you. I had the same question. Sailing next May can't wait!

[Ashland]

Both ate up on deck 13. The old Hollywood odyssey lounge is the concierge lounge. The forward port side of the Viking crown has a small wall put up and that is te diamond lounge. There is a frosted glass door with key card access in the elevator lobby.

 

The first pic shows the new wall and the entrance off the elevator lobby

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It actually very nice inside! Nice big comfy chairs and a great view I took pics on day one with my real camera that'll post when I get home

Thanks so much for the quick response..Then I have sat in that particular area of the VC lounge many times..so next May 17th it will feel like home :)

[bradpole]

Good morning from icy point straight Alaska!

 

Very poor cell reception and can't get any Internet. I can connect to wifi but no data. The mountains must be blocking the satellites.

 

I have photos and full review of samba grill to post once I get data

[flames]

Brad, I look forward to your post on the Samba Grill, I hope you enjoyed it:cool:

Carol:)

[bradpole]

Good morning from icy point straight Alaska!

 

Very poor cell reception and can't get any Internet. I can connect to wifi but no data. The mountains must be blocking the satellites.

 

I have photos and full review of samba grill to post once I get data

[BecciBoo]

There be whales Captain?????

[bradpole]

Thanks so much for the quick response..Then I have sat in that particular area of the VC lounge many times..so next May 17th it will feel like home :)

 

I know the feeling! On a normal Caribbean cruise I hardly get off the ship so the Viking crown becomes my second home while onboard!

 

I took the nice long walk from icy point into the town of hookah, no 3G coverage but some edge data

 

Hopefully this afternoon I'll get Internet onboard to post pics and my write up on samba from last night

[bradpole]

There be whales Captain?????

 

We have seen a couple! Only once I was quick enough I get the camera to capture some proof. :-).

[bradpole]

Hello Everyone!

 

The last I left you I was in the viking crown just before sail-away from scenic Ketchican and looking forward to a hopefully incredible evening in the Samba Grill.

 

First the positives..

I am sitting in the new English pub added during the dry dock last year, which replaced the sports bar just between the theater and the casino. It is a very nice space, currently there is a Jimmy Buffett Tribute singer, and he is pretty good. I am a HUGE parrot head (Jimmy Buffett fan) so any chance I get to listen to a tribute act I do. This guy is pretty good.

 

The sail away from Ketchican was incredible. We were docked with the Carnival Spirit, Celebrity Infinity. Carnival sailed while I dozed off in the viking crown reading my kindle. As much as I would have loved to have taken a few pics of her sailing from port, I missed it. i remember dozing off...but I sware I thought it was no more than a few seconds...oh well!

 

The sail away was very pretty.. those are the simplest words i can use to describe who pretty it truly is. To make things even better on the big screen on deck 11 on the outdoor pool the ship was showing "Grease," YES, that Grease! An incredible view while listening to "Grease is word.... Summer luvin..."

 

We made our way to the concierge lounge for a pre dinner drinks and some conversation before heading to our reservation at 8. I took several pictures of the venue, the salad bar, the table settings, and our first course.

 

As I previously posted I have been to an authentic Brazilian Steakhouse in Philly, not the national chain version,but a restaurant run by a Brazilian family for the Brazilian Community. We weren't expecting the same experience, I promise that. I PROMISE I was not expecting the same experience, but something similar. We arrived a few minutes after 8, I thought our reservation for 8:30...but about 7:50 I went back to the cabin to get our confirmation and realized the reservation was for 8...not 8:30...GHASP!!!... I then quickly at first tried to "run" back up to deck 13 to get my mom to so we wouldn't be 'too' late. I made it about to deck 7 when I had to slow down. I made it back to the concierge lounge and told mom our reservation was for 8. Her response, "I thought you said it was 8!"

 

We make our way to Samba Grill...

We are promptly seated in a lovely corner booth and our waiter explains the process to us. I grab a plate from the salad bar and make a small plate (VERY SMALL) of munchies; different meats, cheeses, beans, soups, etc... All very tasty. We order a bottle of wine (our Diamond Plus welcome aboard wine bottle has yet to appear..) Then the wait begins. Before even going to the salad bar I turn our sing Green, BRING THE MEAT ON! Now trust me we weren't out to eat RCL out of business, just a nice sample of beef. The first thing that comes around was bacon wrapped chicken. We passed. The next was a brazilian sausage, we each took one link. Between each of these courses was a good 20 minutes. The next course was skirt steak, which I LOVE! the goucho comes over and carves it.... it is sooo well done it was grey. I ask, "any rare or pink beef?"

 

"oh yes,... " he cuts closer to the sword... still grey. At this point I look at my iphone (I had been taking pictures so it was close. It was 9:20. Mom and I looked at each other and said, "what the heck is this mess, we're hungry." I walk up to the podium and ask for the manager. I politely explain we're hungry, what we have seen as service and would LOVE some sort of beef with some pink and or red in it for dinner. The officer in charge (who was WONDERFUL by the way) sat down with us and we showed him the remnants of the well done skirt steak and we told him, "sir, please some sort of meat that isn't well done." Shortly after that he personally brought out a sword of sir lion that was nice and medium rare. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!! After we finished the beef he served us he sat back down and asked us our expectations. We expected a nice selection of beef medium rare, not well done. He had the goucho bring us around another round of the Sir Lion and we each took another slice, which was very nice!

 

I know many will think how could I not possibly enjoy an unlimited beef buffet. We weren't there for unlimited food, we wanted a good selection of well cooked meats. Sadly we didn't receive that until I spoke with the manager in charge. We felt guilty because we were watched over after that. I had to grab our waiter and tell him I wasn't him (It wasn't him, he wasn't the person cooking the food or serving the well done beef). Overall it was't spectacular to us. We won't be back. Next week we have a reservation at Chops, we figured if we loved Samba we'd cancel Chops....we'll be keeping Chops!

 

I know as I post this there will be people who say, "how could you not enjoy Samba???" We didn't. that's all there is to it. We tried it and won't be back. As much as I posted I was looking forward to it I tried to limit my expectations. Sadly they weren't met. Just because we didn't enjoy Samba doesn't mean you won't. There other tables in Samba who seemed to have a wonderful evening. I guess having visited a steakhouse run by a Brazilian family with plenty of Gauchos bringing lots of meat around the restaurant constantly spoiled us. I think part of the issue is the gauchos are told to serve certain meats in a certain order. And when the the sword of meat is brought out it is enough for your table only. We were expecting gauchos who walk around with the meat they had and offer it to tables that their lights set to green, go back come out with a new meat and serve it.

 

If you have booked Samba, please don't cancel just because I didn't enjoy it. You may jove it. Just as you could hate a meal in the dining room that I loved, opinions are VERY subjective. I look at our experience last night as this... If a bad meal in Samba Grill is the worst thing that happens all cruise than we're still having a lovely vacation!!

 

Tomorrow (or today when this is probably posted) is Icy Straight Point. This is a new port for us, sadly a tender port. One bright side is we rec'd a voice mail from the concierge that said all Diamond Plus, Pinnacle, and Suite Guests simply go to the CL and he'll put us on the next tender! That eliminates one of the biggest hassles of tendering, the wait!

 

Until later for the wonderful Radiance of the Seas!

 

p.s. I"ll post later my experience with the new big screen on the pool deck. It is positive, as much as I didn't expect to like it, I do! RCL has done a good job adding it to the ships. I have hated them on Princess and Carnival, but on Radiance it is pretty nice!....my humble opinion. Until later!

[bradpole]

 

 

 

 

A few pics from last night

[bradpole]

A few more

 

The desserts were heavenly!

 

 

 

 

 

[bradpole]

Hello everyone!

 

I once again join you from the Viking Crown over looking the charming city of Hoonah Alaska. This port is officially called "Icy Point Straight" but is slightly outside the town of Hoonah Alaska.

 

First things first, there isn't a whole lot here. If you are expecting Diamonds International (yes they do exist in Alaska sadly), lots of outlet stores selling trinkets, a big city you will be disappointed. If you come expecting a small town that offers lots nature excursions, pretty scenery, and offers history on the Salmon canning process you won't be disappointed.

 

This is a tender port and we tender into a building that is setup to look like and old cannery. There are exhibts showing how Salmon was processed and canned, as well well informative displays on Alaskan Salmon fishing. Outside the terminal building there are a couple of restaurants one even serving fresh crab. That one seemed very popular ! There is a nature trail that walks down the beach, into the forrest and back to the depot. Along the trails there remnants of the logging operations that occured on thsi spot many years ago. At the terminal there are opportunities to book eco tours and of course there is a zip line! I think they bill it as one of the highest zip lines and it very well could be! Think Labadee's zip line but in chilly Alaska.

 

We lucked out with the weather, we tendered over early, walked around a bit and I decided to walk into "downtown Hoonah" The terminal offers a shuttle for $8 round trip but the walk round trip for me was exactly 3.12 miles (I traced it a walking app I have). Once in town the residents are VERY friendly and some even had tables set in their yards selling various objects. Once in town there is a coffee shop, and a fish restaurant (very busy with ship people) and a couple of other various shops. Nothing fancy at all. Very friendly, small, authentic, and un commercial. The walk to town is easy, it is flat on a gravel path that runs along the shore and the road. On the way back I stopped in the local grocery store (Hoonah Trading) and took pictures of some common items and how EXPENSIVE they are up here in Alaska.

 

Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing $5.99

A gallon of white vinegar, $8!!!!

a 12 pack of generic soda $6.99

6 pack of lipton tea $15.99

12 pack of coke soda $9.99

 

When you think about just how much effort it must take to get supplies here than those prices probably aren't "that bad".

 

After my walk I made my way back to the ship and was onboard by noon after a quick tender ride back. It is now about 1:45 and the art auction is about to start in the Viking Crown, so I'll be moving to the concierge lounge for some peace and quite. The weather all day has been cloudy, chilly, and a little wind. It is now raining hard!! But like most weather in Alaska I'm sure this won't hang around much longer.

 

Icy Point Straight was a nice little port. If the weather is nice next week I'll probably get off and enjoy another walk around Hoonah, or stay onboard and enjoy the view.

 

More to come...

(I'm going to try some more photos from today, hopefully they'll work, if not tomorrow in Juneau hopefully there will be 3G coverage) Here in Hoonah I get a STRONG signal on the ship from At&T but it is only "Edge" which is a weeeeee bit slow at times.

[bradpole]

 

 

 

[bradpole]

I forgot to post earlier, today's evening entertainment is "musical extravaganza" featuring the radiance of the seas orchestra and singer Tom Weston. One show only at 7:45

 

Later tonight is Love and Marriage game show at 10:30. We'll almost certainly attend that!!

[BecciBoo]

I believe we have picked Hoonah as our whale excursion with FISHES so that will take up most of our stop there. DH probably wants to do the Zip line but not me!

[not2old]

Brad,could you tell me what time your muster drill was?? Thanks!

[Ashland]

Sorry..other's probably know this, but how are you able to post so much without a huge internet bill :confused:..This is something I have never understood from cruisers who post amazing details while onboard.

[bradpole]

Sorry..other's probably know this, but how are you able to post so much without a huge internet bill :confused:..This is something I have never understood from cruisers who post amazing details while onboard.

 

This cruise I'm mostly using my data plan on my iPhone. Being that we are in Alaska there is no charge for using my iPhone. When I used the iPad when we ate at sea I type everything offline in pages, the word processor. Copy it to the clipboard, log into the wifi, launch the tapa talk app, paste, upload and logg off. If I'm not uploading pics I can generally only use a minute or 2 max of wifi

 

As much as I love reading live posts and enjoy doing it. I'm WAY too cheap to pay for The overpriced Internet onbard

[bradpole]

Brad,could you tell me what time your muster drill was?? Thanks!

 

3:45 I belive, but it move later once or twice because of late guests

[PrincessStar]

Hi

I'm really enjoying your review and photos!!!!!!!

 

We just got off Radiance (Hawaii) a little over a week ago and loved the ship!

 

Sorry to hear you did not like Samba Grill - I really liked it - meat was cooked perfectly and the wait between meats was not long at all. Lucky you to have a "real" brazillian steakhouse back home!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your "live" review!

 

Thank you! :D

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A few pics from last night

 

Brad, was there any outside tables or is it all inside, looks good and yes we are going there for sure:cool:

Carol:)

[flames]

Hi

I'm really enjoying your review and photos!!!!!!!

 

We just got off Radiance (Hawaii) a little over a week ago and loved the ship!

 

Sorry to hear you did not like Samba Grill - I really liked it - meat was cooked perfectly and the wait between meats was not long at all. Lucky you to have a "real" brazillian steakhouse back home!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your "live" review!

 

Thank you! :D

 

Hi Andrea, we are booked on the Radiance for September 2013 to Alaska so I am looking forward to seeing the ship all done over, I plan on going to Samba Grill, glad you liked it, did you go with anyone or just you and DH?:cool:

I am looking forward to my Jewel cruise in October it is a 14 day from Boston to Tampa, wish all the Hawaii group were on it as I have heard so much about it from PJ:eek:

Carol:)

[bradpole]

Brad, was there any outside tables or is it all inside, looks good and yes we are going there for sure:cool:

Carol:)

 

Good question. They have tables outside buy this iten does not lend much outside time. I would think in warmer waether outside seating would be available. And it would probably be wonderful. Not this week though , it is a weeeeee bit chilly

[bradpole]

Hi

I'm really enjoying your review and photos!!!!!!!

 

We just got off Radiance (Hawaii) a little over a week ago and loved the ship!

 

Sorry to hear you did not like Samba Grill - I really liked it - meat was cooked perfectly and the wait between meats was not long at all. Lucky you to have a "real" brazillian steakhouse back home!

 

Looking forward to the rest of your "live" review!

 

Thank you! :D

 

No need to apologize, just because I didn't enjoy it doesn't mean others wouldn't. We could have hit a bad night, I hope for the future of samba it was just a bad night. It is a great concept and hopefully it will do well