Radiance of the Seas or Celebrity Millennium?

[NoobCruise]

We are considering doing a 3rd cruise, 2nd to Alaska. Our 1st cruise was with Carnival. Probably won't cruise with them again. 2nd was with HAL. Loved them, but would like a little more entertainment in the evenings - not party but maybe live music while enjoying a cocktail. The Westerdam seemed to shut down between 9 or 10 pm and felt like walking around a ghost ship lol

 

We generally cruise for itinerary first, then compare cruise lines. We're down to the Millennium or RCCL Radiance of the Seas. From those who have sailed both, I would appreciate opinions on which is preferred and why. Thanks :)

[SoFlaCruzer]

We sailed the Radiance in Alaska a few years ago and we thoroughly enjoyed her. The views were magnificent. I have not sailed Celebrity, so I cant compare.

 

Hopefully someone who has sailed both can give you good feedback.

[NoobCruise]

We sailed the Radiance in Alaska a few years ago and we thoroughly enjoyed her. The views were magnificent. I have not sailed Celebrity, so I cant compare.

 

Hopefully someone who has sailed both can give you good feedback.

 

I posted the same question over on the Celebrity board and have been surprised as the 3 out of 3 responses so far, all of whom have sailed both, have been for the Radiance lol

[Topo Gigio]

Have been on Summit and Radiance and here another vote for Radiance.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We have taken 3 Celebrity cruises and sailed to AK on the Radiance. Celebrity usually has an older demographic. I vote for the Radiance, too.

 

I did a "Live" review of our cruise. Here is the link. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1697232

 

You can see pics of the ship starting with post #31.

[Miss Vickie]

We've sailed Radiance class ships many times, and Celebrity Summit. Summit is a sister ship to Millenium, and the M class X ships are comparable in size to the Radiance class ships. If it we're me, we'd book Radiance.

[Trekker954]

We sailed the Radiance Southbound Alaska July 2011 in a corner aft, it was amazing, mostly due to our private excursions; however, we did love the ship itself as well. I vote for Radiance

[Aquahound]

We are considering doing a 3rd cruise, 2nd to Alaska. Our 1st cruise was with Carnival. Probably won't cruise with them again. 2nd was with HAL. Loved them, but would like a little more entertainment in the evenings - not party but maybe live music while enjoying a cocktail. The Westerdam seemed to shut down between 9 or 10 pm and felt like walking around a ghost ship lol

 

We generally cruise for itinerary first, then compare cruise lines. We're down to the Millennium or RCCL Radiance of the Seas. From those who have sailed both, I would appreciate opinions on which is preferred and why. Thanks :)

 

I also responded on your other thread (on the Ask a Cruise Question board), so I'll just sum it up here. I went with Millennium for their policy of no balcony and casino smoking. It was the tipping point because I think all else is pretty equal between the 2 ships.

 

I pointed this out because on that thread, you said you liked Princess' smoking policy.

[xmasteach]

Have sailed Alaska on Coral Princess and Radiance of the Seas.

We enjoyed the spectacular open spaces, cozy places with views that took my breath away on Radiance. Service, food, superb.

[pspercy]

Have sailed on Millennium (Alaska) and Jewel (Radiance class). I'd give the nod to Radiance class for Alaska tho' Celebrity's smoking policy is better.

[RicardoC]

Never sailed on any M Class (hopefully will soon) and even though the Radiance is my favorite RC class the Solstice was my favorite ship. Since I prefer celebrity's style in general and I see Alaska as a very "ship-oriented" destination (and please correct me if I'm wrong) I would choose X. In fact, we are considering a cruise there in June/July (if so, it'll be last minute depending on many other factors) and my 1st choice is the Millenium.

[micmacmissy]

Millennium has a lovely solarium and thalassotherapy pool...so warm and cozy in there...

[DragonOfTheSeas]

A T-pool in Alaska would be very nice.

 

However, the comment that AK is very ship oriented is not correct. There may be pax that stay on the ship. [but, I doubt many] However, AK is all about the ports. We were off the ship from early in the AM to at least late afternoon. If you do not go on excursion , either DIY or with the ship you miss most of AK. The wildlife will not come up to the ship.:p

 

Look at the itinerary and port times. More time in port is a better cruise.

[gelo7]

I would go with the Radiance.

[Sparkle 123]

Both ships are wonderful, we love the dining on Celebrity and usually they are are number one choice, however we chose the Radiance last year for Alaska and loved it.

The main reason was we wanted an aft balcony and whilst the afts on the Millennium are fabulous Celebrity prices them at a premium, so the aft balcony on the Radiance especially with our Diamond discount was a far better deal. We also loved the speciality dining package where you could eat at 5 different venues, so we didn't miss the dining on Celebrity quite so much!

The new Park cafe in the solarium was also a great spot for viewing the Alaskan scenery whist enjoying hot soup or coffee and cookies.:)

[NoobCruise]

Thank you everyone for your input! Both ships sound great :) I'm leaning towards the Millennium because of the smoking policy, the *green* glass on the Radiance, and the big screen on the pool deck. I haven't been on a ship with the big movie screen yet, but the Golden Princess was docked next to us in several ports and I think it would really annoy me lol

 

The itineraries are identical and prt times pretty similar. Since both ships sound terrific, I think the deciding factor will probably end up being price and the best deal we can find. Thanks again for all of your responses!

[warm47]

The Brilliance and Radiance are my favorite ships. We cruised the Constellation which is Millennium class last Feb. We did not enjoy the Constellation. Whereas the Radiance is open and bright with all the glass looking to the outside, the Constellation is dark and gloomy from the inside public areas. I would think that would be a particular problem trying to see the views of Alaska.

[JimAOk1945]

We sailed on the Radiance last August and loved it!

[freedom1114]

Thank you everyone for your input! Both ships sound great :) I'm leaning towards the Millennium because of the smoking policy, the *green* glass on the Radiance

 

Green glass?

[freedom1114]

I have heard onboard that the Milennium class was based on the Radiance class.