"Live" (I hope) from Radiance - Sailing to Hawaii

[PCWalton1]

After breakfast and Windjammers we did some wandering so Marie could get her bearing on where the shops were. Stopped by the casino to use our free pull coupons (nothing). After lunch we stopped in the Aurora Theater to see a presentation the big island. We arrived a few minutes were but strangely it had already started. After a few minutes we left as it was freezing in there and we didn’t bring any winter clothing.

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

We did stop in the Centrum a little later. I grabbed a coffee from Café Lattidues and sat to enjoy the musical entertainment as Marie headed to the shops again (I am sensing a theme beginning). There was a group performing in the Centrum named the Kamaina Trio singing Hawaiian songs. I enjoyed it especially when they did Iz Kamakawiwo’ole version of Somewhere over the Rainbow.

Right now we are back the cabin where Marie is catching a nap and I am catching up on reporting then visiting with my Kindle books.

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Oooooh you're online now..... (midnight here in the UK). Just wanted to say what a terrific job you're doing.

[mommabean]

awwww cool. You have Joel? I love Joel! He was our stateroom attendant for 2 weeks just over a week ago. We got off on the 7th. He'll remember me if you say Gina says hi. Just tell him I'm the one who thought she prepaid her tips and didn't realize until the next morning that it wasn't on my account. We thought we gave him a nice extra and it appeared we stiffed him. LOL He was nice about it though. I apologized, paid him directly, and went and made it right with the MTD people, too. I assumed tips got charged if I was in MTD but something fell through the cracks. I never checked my account on the TV.

 

I know it's the same Joel because we were in 1598 - as far down the hall as you can get without being fully aft. I could see your door from my door.

 

Also, your wife is maganda. Let her know daily. :) (my new tagalog word)

 

Gina

Edited September 15, 2012 by mommabean

[megr1125]

Very nice live report!!

 

Thanks for taking the time to do this...looks like you are having an awesome time....

[SusieCruises]

I am loving your review!! So nice to read about your cruise in "real time"! Your pictures are awesome and it looks like you are having a great time. HAVE FUN!!!

My daughter and granddaughter left right behind you on the RHAPSODY heading to Hawaii. Heard from them via facebook today that the sea is rough and my daughter is green. Sure hope it gets better for them. (She tends to get motion sickness very easily and was nervous about taking this trip.)

Anyway, LOVE your review and your pictures. Thanks so much for taking the time to post......

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[PCWalton1]

Busy evening here on Day 2. It’s formal night, but before I go any further I will tell you what formal night was for us in the past. Get into fancy clothes, take a few pictures, eat dinner, get out of fancy clothes. Kind of a waste of time. So we decided we needed to get into the swing of things and do this right. So after getting dressed the first stop of the night was the Colony Club and the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception. Now I am wondering how we could have skipped an activity where they give our free alcohol. Not sure why we skipped it is the past but I think we will pencil it in every time.

We walked the gauntlet of officers, had our picture snapped with Captain Bill, grabbed glasses of champagne and found a table to enjoy the festivities.

I word about Captain Bill, I have been listening to his messages and thought he sounded familiar. When I finally saw him I immediately recognized him for the Discovery Channel show where they built the Freedom of the Seas (I think it was freedom??). He’s a tall guy, got those captain looks too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

 

 

 

 

After the reception we relaxed in the Centrum enjoying music for about a half hour before heading to dinner. Our reservation was at the same time but they put us at a different table. It didn’t take long before I was missing Ashley and his little buddy from the night before. I wouldn’t say the service was slow (that is exactly what I am saying) but a table of eight near us finished eating, was refilled with another group of people who eat and left before we got done. Our waiters name was Deb (his nickname) and he was almost non-existence. The assistant waiter handed out the dessert menus (when we finally got that far) and then the head waiter took the orders AND delivered them, including putting the espresso sauce on my chocolate soufflé (which was delicious). About the time we finished dessert Deb finally showed up and asking how the meal was. I felt like asking him what happened. Did he go on a smoke break and forget where the dining room was?

One good thing about the long time to eat was it set up the timing well of the evening show. We headed to Aurora Theater about a half hour before showtime for the “City of Dreams” show. A par for the course singing and dancing show with the Royal Caribbean singers and dance troupe. Some good voice to an enjoyable hour.

After that it was a quick stop by the Solarium to grab a couple of peanut butter cookies, then it was back here to the cabin where I am finishing up this post to you.

 

 

 

 

[Brett2657]

Bill,

Your doing a great job with the pictures and review! Thank you for sharing! How many pictures has Marie bought so far?

Brett

[smeck]

When we last sailed on the Radiance we were in the same cabin. With the exception of a minor plumbing issue we loved the cabin. Radiance by far my favorite ship in the fleet.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

We saw the exact same show a couple of years ago on the Radiance when she was home ported in San Diego. I have the same picture of that boat in my photo album! It's funny they are still doing the same show.

[PCWalton1]

Bill,

Your doing a great job with the pictures and review! Thank you for sharing! How many pictures has Marie bought so far?

Brett

 

Thanks, just two but the first formal night pictures will be ready today and we stopped at multiple photo settings. :eek:

[kevinsgirl88]

Oh my gosh this is awesome!!! i cant wait to see more!!!:o

[PCWalton1]

Starting out will another beautiful day, a bit cloudy but the seas are even more calm than the day before. Also warmer as I got in an hour of comfortable reading on the balcony before Marie woke up.

 

 

 

Please excuse the toes.

 

Last night the first of the towel animals arrived. Cute little fellow

[PCWalton1]

Just had to post this picture. What is up with the zigzags this morning? Are there enemy subs in the area? :eek::p:D

[dchillis]

Now this is the way to do it... Fantastic job!

[EV2008]

Bill I just have to say - you clean up pretty good, Marie always looks great!

 

I am enjoying your cruise

[PCWalton1]

awwww cool. You have Joel? I love Joel! He was our stateroom attendant for 2 weeks just over a week ago. We got off on the 7th. He'll remember me if you say Gina says hi. Just tell him I'm the one who thought she prepaid her tips and didn't realize until the next morning that it wasn't on my account. We thought we gave him a nice extra and it appeared we stiffed him. LOL He was nice about it though. I apologized, paid him directly, and went and made it right with the MTD people, too. I assumed tips got charged if I was in MTD but something fell through the cracks. I never checked my account on the TV.

 

I know it's the same Joel because we were in 1598 - as far down the hall as you can get without being fully aft. I could see your door from my door.

 

Also, your wife is maganda. Let her know daily. :) (my new tagalog word)

 

Gina

 

Gina,

Joel says hi, I mentioned your name and he immediately said “cabin 1598”. You made a friend. He wanted to know if you are cruising now and when you will come back

[PCWalton1]

We had a nice group at the Meet and Mingle, it was nice to put faces to names. I have a lot of Starbucks VIA sticks I brought from work that were warmly received by many. Bobby hosted the event, the more I see him the more I like him. Seems really genuine and also seems to really enjoy what he is doing. Sorry forgot the camera.

 

Seas or so calm, got to love the middle of the Pacific on a nice day.

 

 

 

Of course I mention the weather and rain squalls show up on the horizon.

[mommabean]

Gina,

Joel says hi, I mentioned your name and he immediately said “cabin 1598”. You made a friend. He wanted to know if you are cruising now and when you will come back

 

He forgot. I told him I am coming back to RD in February and will have the exact same room. :) Hopefully he'll be in the same area.

 

Bobby the cruise director is a SUPER nice person. He is very friendly and looks great in his kilt. It's hard to believe he's from Scotland. After all, I can understand every word he says.

 

If you want a fun time, try the martini clinic at the champagne bar. I hope they didn't have it yesterday. Sometimes it's the first formal night. Ask Gerry, the bartender, when it will be. Tell him I sent you. :) Bring your wife. Gerry is from the Phillipines, too. He laughs at my pronunciation of maganda. His wife is also maganda. I can wear that word out. LOL After you accomplish this mission, I'll think of who I can send you to next.

 

OK, next stop...the Schooner bar and a visit with Kelly Goodrich, the piano player at night. He's loads of fun with his costumes. It's always nice when there is a responsive crowd.

 

Keep telling us who you have as a waiter at night. In fact, show us sometimes. I really like Ashley. Have you met Alvin, the MTD greeter? Mariska is sweet, too.

 

I was going to ask you to do some more things but it may be information overload. You have time....:)

 

Gina

[mommabean]

Here is your excellent and friendly stateroom attendant. I love Joel.

 

[PCWalton1]

Bill I just have to say - you clean up pretty good, Marie always looks great!

 

I am enjoying your cruise

 

LOL, thanks, but I found that my suit seems to be 10lbs too small and I don't imagine it getting any smaller by next formal night. :eek:

[PCWalton1]

Football Sunday

 

[PCWalton1]

This afternoon we went to see a show called the Spirit of Polynesia in the Centrum. We arrived about a half an hour early and the best we could find for seating was two more decks up sp sorry about the overhead shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PCWalton1]

Are you getting tired of this shot yet? I'm not :D

 

Spent a couple hours there reading and dozing , maybe more of the latter.