LIVE from Radiance of the Seas Alaska September 22nd 2023

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 7 - continued

 

After that, I returned to my stateroom to pack. Since everything was pretty much inside or around my suitcase, it was only a matter of regrouping and reorganizing my stuff. I also had some balcony time before we were meeting up in the Schooner Bar for pre-dinner drinks. 
 

 

 

 

I had a pornstar martini, which looks a bit strange in a regular glass, I know, but I had to order from the bar and there was no was my drink would have made it to our table intact if I had carried it in a martini glass. Those are the lessons you learn as you age and mature. Still, it tasted good. 

 

 

We were treated to a lovely sunset and one last whale waving goodbye before we left for the dining room. 

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Cruise Day 7 - continued

 

Out of all the menus, this one was the only one where I really missed having the classic items that stayed on the menu every night.

 

I had the shrimp cocktail as my appetizer, which was fine. I struggled to find an entrée I felt like eating, so I ended up getting the spaghetti bolognese. I have nothing against spaghetti, but to me it’s more like a dish I would have at home on a week day, so it’s not something I usually order on vacation. 
 

 

 

I skipped dessert again and we took our remaining drinks vouchers back to the Starquest Nightclub that was almost empty once again. I had my last two chocolate martinis of the trip and too soon we had to split up for probably the last time since we had to get our suitcases out before 22:00. 

 

 

 

…

 

Except I ended up having breakfast with two of my friends and ran into the other two as we were waiting for our luggage tag number to be called. That’s the beauty of smaller ships, I guess. 

[laurieal]

I don’t really have enough to justify doing a separate post for the day we got kicked off the ship. We had an efficient and not too chaotic breakfast in the MDR, which I recommend if you’re not in a hurry to get off the ship and want to avoid the Windjammer pandemonium. 

 

I didn’t have long to wait until my luggage tag number was called and then I was off the ship. 

 

I was staying in Richmond close to the airport for one extra night because the flights on the 29th didn’t really work for me. It was either too early in the morning or had impossible connections (46 minutes in Montreal? Yeah, no, I don’t think so). I’m currently at the airport awaiting my direct flight to Quebec City. 

 

Thanks to everyone who has been following along! I absolutely loved Alaska. For years I’ve been hearing people say Alaska is beautiful, and it’s not that I didn’t believe them, but wow being there surrounded by all those mountains is really something. I don’t expect it was my last trip there. Apparently there is a zipline I can do in my wheelchair in Icy Strait Point so at the very least I have to go back for that. 

 

If everything goes according to plan, I should be back for the Oasis spring transatlantic if the internet package ever goes on sale. 

[loug1601]

What a great review! Thank you so much for taking us with you, and safe travels home!

[dbancroft]

I also enjoyed your review. I hope to get to Alaska someday.

[SUESEABE]

Thanks for the great review! I enjoyed your detail and humorous twists to make it a fun adventure for all following. Safe journey home.

[Ozark_Kid]

Laurie, you did a great job again!  It was nice to see you finally had my favorite drink, Peach Daiquiri!  I will be thinking of you when we cruise out of Galveston Monday drinking a Peach Daiquiri again.  This will be my first cruise in a wheelchair and it was inspiring and uplifting to see you showing I can still enjoy!  Thanks for taking the time to share.

[Karma5]

I enjoyed your great pictures along with review...........

Thanks and take care............

[notscb]

Thank you for taking us along with us and offering us such a unique perspective! It seems like you had a great time despite the shore excursions dept. not quite meeting your expectations.

 

Beyond the survey, I'd send a brief email to their corporate office to let them know what happened especially since Alaska is a once in a lifetime cruise for many given the cost.

 

I'm looking forward to your next review!!

[TravelinTess]

Excellent review! Thank you for taking us along with you 😃

[Husky1987]

Thank you so much for taking us with you!  Your reviews are always amazing...

[lazydayz]

Let me add my thanks as well.  You, and your live report, are amazing. 

[StanleyandGus]

That was a marvellous review! Thank you!

 

Please take us on your Spring cruise!

[MJSailors]

Thank you, Laurie for the excellent review.

Alaska is a beautiful place and you certainly used your time at the various ports so well.

I am glad for you that you took the helicopter to the glacier, experiencing Alaska from the air,sea and land.

Wishing you many more days filled with travel adventures!

MJ🙋🏻‍♀️

[Cruisefanatic71]

Loved following you in your Alaska journey. I am also looking forward to doing this exact itinerary on the Radiance in May 2024. Your review has definitely gotten the excitement going and I can't wait to see Alaska for myself. 

[joand452]

Finally finished! What great review, with great photos. Everything was so informative!  My husband has mobility issues, and rents a scooter for our cruises. He was sure you wouldn’t be able to do anything in Alaska. Glad you’ve proved him wrong. We did our Alaska cruise in 2006, and had to tender quite a bit; happy to read you did not.

 

Off to read your Wonder TA. We were on Wonder in April, our first time in an HA cabin.  Enjoyed it so much we’re booked for a B2B in 2024!

 

Thank you again!

[cruiser52forever]

@laurieal thank you for the great reporting. 

[BecciBoo]

Thanks so much, this was really helpful to me as a first time wheeler....happy wheeling!

[retired dude]

thanks for the review, makes us think seriously about cancelling our upcoming cruise on the radiance..

[notscb]

1 hour ago, retired dude said:

makes us think seriously about cancelling

What a weird thing to post on someone elses review without any context as to what specifically about the review made you rethink your own vacation plans.

Edited October 7, 2023 by notscb

[TPCRUISER2]

Laurieal, You are an inspiration! Enjoyed your review as always. Glad you got to cross off something on your bucket list. My sympathies for the loss of your Grandfather.

[Jaynay]

Thoroughly enjoyed your trip review, loved the photos and insights. The review of your pre-cruise trip in Vancouver has given me many ideas for a future trip.  Many thanks!

[laurieal]

Thank you for the lovely words, everyone! If my review gave you ideas for future trips or made you realize that cruising with mobility issues is entirely possible, then my job is done.

 

If my review made you realize that you don't want to go on a similar trip, then I am truly sorry. Is it because all I did was lose at trivia and drink chocolate martinis? If so, I swear there was plenty more to do!

 

Just to officially close this trip, I have one last (very bad) picture to share. I had been hoping to see some northern lights while on the cruise, but alas it didn't happen. However, I did get to see them during my flight back home! 

 

 

Thanks again for travelling with me! 

[Ozark_Kid]

1 hour ago, laurieal said:

If my review gave you ideas for future trips or made you realize that cruising with mobility issues is entirely possible, then my job is done.

We just got back from a 5 day cruise.  Following your review was encouraging. It was my 1st wheelchair cruise. The problems I had was more with the rental company.   They left me a different chair than the one they confirmed. Also they mounted the joy stick on the right side when they agreed to mount it on the left and they didn't leave a charger 🙄.   I ran over my wife's foot and a friend's foot and plowed into some chairs.   😆  They are reimbursing.   

I am next cruising Icon. We were unable to book an accessible room.   I am wondering what I can use.  We will be in a guaranteed balcony.   Worst case my DW can push me around in a transport chair.

[cruising twosome]

My husband uses a medical scooter (we own) and we took the arm rest off before the trip to fit into a regular balcony room. (It was a free 3 day cruise after Covid to get staff up and running-Navigator OTS so we had no choice in rooms). There are some travel wheel chairs that might work for you too. (Smaller and weight less)

 

 

also-great review!

Edited October 10, 2023 by cruising twosome