joepeka Posted May 7, 2015 #1 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Boarded yesterday, first impressions: Embarkation was quite smooth, the Honolulu Pier 2 staff seem to have the process down. Started calling B2B guests at 12:15, we were onboard by 12:30. We have never been on a Radiance class ship before and like the design and layout so far. The interior is beautiful and very well maintained, the exterior, well, it probably is due for some refurb. The Concierge did mention it's due for dry dock in 2016. Shops, casino, etc. are all closed due to port intensive nature but are scheduled to open at 6:30 this evening after departing Hilo. Staff have all been great so far, all extremely friendly and helpful so no bad news there. Gotta run now, almost time for our helicopter tour! Sent from my Kindle Fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelCMTX Posted May 7, 2015 #2 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Boarded yesterday, first impressions:Embarkation was quite smooth, the Honolulu Pier 2 staff seem to have the process down. Started calling B2B guests at 12:15, we were onboard by 12:30. We have never been on a Radiance class ship before and like the design and layout so far. The interior is beautiful and very well maintained, the exterior, well, it probably is due for some refurb. The Concierge did mention it's due for dry dock in 2016. Shops, casino, etc. are all closed due to port intensive nature but are scheduled to open at 6:30 this evening after departing Hilo. Staff have all been great so far, all extremely friendly and helpful so no bad news there. Gotta run now, almost time for our helicopter tour! Sent from my Kindle Fire This is the one we did in 2013. Have a great time, we sure did!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TamaLee Posted May 7, 2015 #3 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Can't wait to hear about your trip. We are on the Radiance the end of the month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbletigger Posted May 8, 2015 #4 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Can't wait to hear more!! If you get a chance, could you please snap a picture of the Chops menu? I want to make sure it is the old menu before I make reservations. Thanks!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Cruz Chic Posted May 8, 2015 #5 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Can't wait to be on our favorite ship May 22nd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdk Posted May 8, 2015 #6 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Have a great time .... We will be boarding her next weekend. Balcony cabin 9600. Have reservations at chops for 23rd wedding anniversary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherboy80 Posted May 8, 2015 #7 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Take good care of that ship :). Is she just showing her age on the exterior or there anything wrong in particular? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMKakaThing2 Posted May 8, 2015 #8 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Please bring her safely to Vancouver. I board her in just 6 days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted May 9, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Can't wait to hear more!! If you get a chance, could you please snap a picture of the Chops menu? I want to make sure it is the old menu before I make reservations. Thanks!!! I have the photos of Chops menu but I don't have a way to upload them until we get home so check back after May 15, sorry I can't do it quicker. The helicopter ride was outstanding yesterday. The pilot was this cool young guy named Scott and we flew over the lava field from the major flow that occurred last summer. The lava was still incredibly hot, there were trees still burning and a couple of vents actually had bubbling magma visible. Really quite an awesome experience. Today we just shopped and ate in Kona and tomorrow is a luau in Lahaina. There was a bit of an issue yesterday on the ship - most of the toilets had to be shutdown for 4-5 hours due to a blockage. Fortunately it was a port day so lots of folks were off the boat and probably were never aware. Otherwise the ship and crew seem to be performing quite well. Dining room staff (Dougu and Aldrich) are very attentive and even the cocktail waiter has our drinks at the table within minutes of being seated, without prompting. Very nice service indeed. Will report more tomorrow perhaps. Really sorry I cannot post photos right now. Sent from my Kindle Fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbletigger Posted May 9, 2015 #10 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Thanks a million!! I can wait till you return. No worries. Enjoy the rest of your time on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted May 9, 2015 Author #11 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Take good care of that ship :). Is she just showing her age on the exterior or there anything wrong in particular? Nothing wrong, just mostly superficial things that I am sure will be corrected at the next dry dock. For example, the overhang of our balcony has a LOT of rust, spots where outer surface of the beams are spalling so badly that there are holes and paint is flaking daily onto the balcony. I will post some photos when we get home. Like I said nothing structural, just superficial. Sent from my Kindle Fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargirl Posted May 9, 2015 #12 Share Posted May 9, 2015 [Looking forward to hearing about your adventures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherboy80 Posted May 9, 2015 #13 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Nothing wrong, just mostly superficial things that I am sure will be corrected at the next dry dock. For example, the overhang of our balcony has a LOT of rust, spots where outer surface of the beams are spalling so badly that there are holes and paint is flaking daily onto the balcony. I will post some photos when we get home. Like I said nothing structural, just superficial.Sent from my Kindle Fire Thanks for the update. Understand its really a cosmetic kind of thing, but rust falling onto the balcony certainly isn't a good sign :cool: Hopefully they can address or patch some of these issues before dry dock since it isn't until 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixielady Posted May 9, 2015 #14 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Doing the Hawaii to Vancouver In April 2016, so any and all pictures of the ship would be welcome when you get home and able to post. Let us know about the Luau, we already have that booked for next year. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaandsea Posted May 9, 2015 #15 Share Posted May 9, 2015 We are also doing this cruise next year, can't wait to hear more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherboy80 Posted May 9, 2015 #16 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I would also be curious to hear about the latest wine availability/menus across the various dining venues ... Probably similar to the other ships I would guess ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted May 9, 2015 Author #17 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Thanks for the update. Understand its really a cosmetic kind of thing, but rust falling onto the balcony certainly isn't a good sign :cool: Hopefully they can address or patch some of these issues before dry dock since it isn't until 2016. I don't want to overstate the situation, it is paint and filler material on the overhead support structure that is flaking and falling/being blown onto the balcony. I have not seen any rust on the deck or furniture of the balcony. It is rather unsightly though and as I mentioned, I will post some photos when we return home. We do see the crew out refinishing the wood railings and things like that so they are staying on top of maintenance and cleanliness, we can just see definite signs of wear that will undoubetly be addressed at dry dock next year. Sent from my Kindle Fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargirl Posted May 10, 2015 #18 Share Posted May 10, 2015 346 days until we see Hawaii :). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted May 10, 2015 #19 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Last March thru May of 2014, we began our trip in Sydney, Australia with the 13 day NZ, then 18 day Transpacific and finished with the Hawaii to Vancouver. It was one of our most memorable trips. Crew, service was outstanding on all 3 cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted May 16, 2015 Author #20 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Can't wait to hear more!! If you get a chance, could you please snap a picture of the Chops menu? I want to make sure it is the old menu before I make reservations. Thanks!!! As promised, here's the Chops menus from Radiance. I have to apologize for the quality, there was plexi-glass covering the menus and I couldn't eliminate the reflection of the ambient lighting. If you click on the images though, it will take you to my Photobucket library where you should be able to enlarge/enhance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted May 16, 2015 Author #21 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Nothing wrong, just mostly superficial things that I am sure will be corrected at the next dry dock. For example, the overhang of our balcony has a LOT of rust, spots where outer surface of the beams are spalling so badly that there are holes and paint is flaking daily onto the balcony. I will post some photos when we get home. Like I said nothing structural, just superficial.Sent from my Kindle Fire Here are the photos I mention above showing the deterioration and flaking of the underside of the deck above our cabin (1036). As I noted, it's superficial but certainly not pretty. The last one is from the overhang one or two cabins forward of ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbletigger Posted May 16, 2015 #22 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Thank you so much for the menus! I am disappointed that they are the new menus. I loved the Parmesan potatoes. It looks like they are no more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joepeka Posted May 16, 2015 Author #23 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Thank you so much for the menus! I am disappointed that they are the new menus. I loved the Parmesan potatoes. It looks like they are no more. The scalloped parmesan potatoes are listed under sides, unless that's not what you were referring to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumbletigger Posted May 16, 2015 #24 Share Posted May 16, 2015 I think they are different. They were called parmesan prosciutto potatoes. They were cubed, not scalloped. Maybe they only changed the name and shape of the potato, not the flavor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise wizard Posted May 16, 2015 #25 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Thank you so much for the menus! I am disappointed that they are the new menus. I loved the Parmesan potatoes. It looks like they are no more. They changed the potatoes in Chops on the Quantum last month - they are Parmesan Tater-Tots and were very cheesy............I liked them!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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