Live! Radiance of the Seas - Panama Canal cruise - April 8, 2024

[Cherful59]

On 4/10/2024 at 5:07 PM, Teeara said:

They still have clear crystal blocks and that’s what I requested and got about 15 minutes ago.  Woo hoo!

Congrats on getting your 1st block.  I received my 1st one on Radiance last August in Alaska and was thrilled to get the clear block as well.

[Teeara]

12 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Boggles my mind you did not get one on Wonder.  You and Pam spent a lot of time on that ship....I can attest to that.  😉 I think that is where I received my first one (clear type).     

 

 

 

I think because I earned it on our last night on Wonder.

[Jimbo]

12 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Boggles my mind you did not get one on Wonder.  You and Pam spent a lot of time on that ship....I can attest to that.  😉 I think that is where I received my first one (clear type).     

 

 

 

If you are Pinnacle @island lady, and Wonder came out in March 2022, why would it take until Wonder for you to get your very first clear type block? That is all they gave out is clear ones for  the early years?

 

You should have received 4 or 5 clear blocks all ready if you have over 700 points?

Edited April 12 by Jimbo

[Teeara]

So we finally made it to Cartagena!  The captain had the pedal to the metal all night long trying to get us here on time.  But we did with no problems.  For an older ship, Radiance runs smoothly and fast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am in Cartagena!  It was very hot (91 degrees) and humid.

 

 

Today we have the Amazing Cartagena Bay and Walled City tour.  
 

 

We did the walking tour first and saw several churches and beautiful balconies.

 

 

 

 

There were several metal sculptures like this around the old town.

 

 

We stopped at an emerald jewelry store to use the bathrooms and buy jewelry (we did not buy any).  They also had these cool displays in the back of the store.

 

 

 

We then had 25 minutes of shopping before heading to the boat tour.

 

We almost got boarded by a bunch of pirates!

 

 

Our boat had two levels.  We sat on the bottom since most people were heading for the 2nd deck.

 

 

We were given either a rum & Coke, a regular Coke (no Diet Coke) or water.  Then the had a local dance display.

 

 

The tour was a bit disappointing.  I thought they were going to show us the massive stone walls from the water.  But all they did was take us to the port area to see the cruise ships.

 

 

Then we boarded our bus to go back to the ship.  In order to get to the ship you need to go through Port Oasis.  I’ll let the photos tell the story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We boarded the shuttle bus to take us to the ship.  This is where you catch it outside of the store.
 

 

Back onboard we grabbed a quick snack at Park Cafe.  Here’s your food porn for today! 😉😁

 

 

I also bought some orange wafer cookies at the Port Oasis store and they were delicious.

 

 

We had dinner at the Windjammer tonight, but here’s the MDR menu.

 

 

We were an hour late leaving tonight, but it was worth the wait.  Had some incredible views while waiting for sailaway.

 

 

Adios Cartagena!

Lastly, today’s Cruise Compass.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it for today.  Tomorrow is Colon, Panama and we have a 7 hour shopping tour in Panama City.  See you then!

 

Edited April 12 by Teeara

[Teeara]

12 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

If you are Pinnacle @island lady, and Wonder came out in March 2022, why would it take until Wonder for you to get your very first clear type block? That is all they gave out is clear ones for  the early years?

 

You should have received 4 or 5 clear blocks all ready if you have over 700 points?

She was talking to me.  We were on the Wonder WB TA in 2022.  I earned my first crystal block on that sailing.

Edited April 12 by Teeara

[cruiselover04]

@Teeara We did the same tour as you and also felt disappointed. Didn’t feel we didn’t saw enough history within the walls. Felt the boat tour was a waste of time. We had to pay for our drinks on our boat. 

 

Jenni. 

[JamesEM]

Have you cruisers tried the food in the Concierge Club? 

[FionaMG]

Amazing sunset pic! Wow!

[island lady]

14 hours ago, Teeara said:

No cheese since Pam is currently dairy free under doctor’s orders.

 

Oh drats....I forgot.  I could probably do with less cheese myself.  😉 

[island lady]

10 hours ago, Teeara said:

She was talking to me.  We were on the Wonder WB TA in 2022.  I earned my first crystal block on that sailing.

 

Indeed I was...thanks!  😉  

 

Since we are back on the blocks again...just to set things straight my first "Wonder" crystal block was clear, the second is color. Is that "Clear" enough for the usual naysayer?  😄 😄  

 

These are just half of my collection, all the duplicates were given to crew members who were very happy to get them.  This is what Teeara's collection will look like soon!  🙂

[island lady]

OMG Teeara!  Your pictures are gorgeous!!!  Thanks for sharing.  I think my favorite was the sunset picture...very dramatic.  🤗🥰

[Jimbo]

17 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Indeed I was...thanks!  😉  

 

Since we are back on the blocks again...just to set things straight my first "Wonder" crystal block was clear, the second is color. Is that "Clear" enough for the usual naysayer?  😄 😄  

 

These are just half of my collection, all the duplicates were given to crew members who were very happy to get them.  This is what Teeara's collection will look like soon!  🙂

Wasn't being a naysayer , just was reading what you wrote. Thanks for being more clearer now so I and others will more understand what you meant to say.

[FionaMG]

24 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Indeed I was...thanks!  😉  

 

Since we are back on the blocks again...just to set things straight my first "Wonder" crystal block was clear, the second is color. Is that "Clear" enough for the usual naysayer?  😄 😄  

 

These are just half of my collection, all the duplicates were given to crew members who were very happy to get them.  This is what Teeara's collection will look like soon!  🙂

 

Nice collection. Love the World Cruise one. 😍

[island lady]

20 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

 

Nice collection. Love the World Cruise one. 😍

 

Thanks!  I actually ended up with two of them.  I gave the second one to our favorite bartender in the Concierge Lounge on Serenade.    He was thrilled to get it. 

 

Probably going to be a collectors item, since I doubt RCI will do another WC.  😉 

[Teeara]

3 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Indeed I was...thanks!  😉  

 

Since we are back on the blocks again...just to set things straight my first "Wonder" crystal block was clear, the second is color. Is that "Clear" enough for the usual naysayer?  😄 😄  

 

These are just half of my collection, all the duplicates were given to crew members who were very happy to get them.  This is what Teeara's collection will look like soon!  🙂

From your mouth to God’s ears!

[Teeara]

3 hours ago, island lady said:

OMG Teeara!  Your pictures are gorgeous!!!  Thanks for sharing.  I think my favorite was the sunset picture...very dramatic.  🤗🥰

Wait until the video series I’m working on for my YouTube channel.  Should be similar to what I did with Wonder, but more videos and less photos.

[Teeara]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Thanks!  I actually ended up with two of them.  I gave the second one to our favorite bartender in the Concierge Lounge on Serenade.    He was thrilled to get it. 

 

Probably going to be a collectors item, since I doubt RCI will do another WC.  😉 

When do you leave to rejoin the world cruise, Pat?

[Another_Critic]

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Wasn't being a naysayer , just was reading what you wrote. Thanks for being more clearer now so I and others will more understand what you meant to say.

Her original post was perfectly clear to me.  :)  

[island lady]

32 minutes ago, Teeara said:

When do you leave to rejoin the world cruise, Pat?

 

We fly to Barcelona on the 8th, just doing a one night stay there this time (air fare half the price) and then board on the 10th of July.  Redeye flight over.  🥱

[island lady]

33 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Her original post was perfectly clear to me.  🙂

 

Thanks!   LOL...I thought so as well.  😄 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 12 by island lady

[Jimbo]

2 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

Her original post was perfectly clear to me.  🙂

That's cool,we can agree to disagree like other members on here might think as to how she wrote it. Not a big deal  I just asked her a question and she better explained it in her followup posts.

Now back to the Panama review.

[Jimbo]

Double post

Edited April 12 by Jimbo

[Luckynana]

20 hours ago, Teeara said:

So we finally made it to Cartagena!  The captain had the pedal to the metal all night long trying to get us here on time.  But we did with no problems.  For an older ship, Radiance runs smoothly and fast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I am in Cartagena!  It was very hot (91 degrees) and humid.

 

 

Today we have the Amazing Cartagena Bay and Walled City tour.  
 

 

We did the walking tour first and saw several churches and beautiful balconies.

 

 

 

 

There were several metal sculptures like this around the old town.

 

 

We stopped at an emerald jewelry store to use the bathrooms and buy jewelry (we did not buy any).  They also had these cool displays in the back of the store.

 

 

 

We then had 25 minutes of shopping before heading to the boat tour.

 

We almost got boarded by a bunch of pirates!

 

 

Our boat had two levels.  We sat on the bottom since most people were heading for the 2nd deck.

 

 

We were given either a rum & Coke, a regular Coke (no Diet Coke) or water.  Then the had a local dance display.

 

 

The tour was a bit disappointing.  I thought they were going to show us the massive stone walls from the water.  But all they did was take us to the port area to see the cruise ships.

 

 

Then we boarded our bus to go back to the ship.  In order to get to the ship you need to go through Port Oasis.  I’ll let the photos tell the story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We boarded the shuttle bus to take us to the ship.  This is where you catch it outside of the store.
 

 

Back onboard we grabbed a quick snack at Park Cafe.  Here’s your food porn for today! 😉😁

 

 

I also bought some orange wafer cookies at the Port Oasis store and they were delicious.

 

 

We had dinner at the Windjammer tonight, but here’s the MDR menu.

 

 

We were an hour late leaving tonight, but it was worth the wait.  Had some incredible views while waiting for sailaway.

 

 

Adios Cartagena!

Lastly, today’s Cruise Compass.

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it for today.  Tomorrow is Colon, Panama and we have a 7 hour shopping tour in Panama City.  See you then!

 

Love your pictures;  most especially the one of the Sunset.  Gorgeous!  We toured with "Dora the Explorer" while in Cartagena last month while cruising on the Beyond for our Panama Canal cruise.

[RobInMN]

FYI, our ship tour won't make it back until about 6:05, 35 minutes after all aboard. So if you're curious who the ship is waiting for, that's us. 😁

Luckily, the ship only needs to leave the dock and go anchor.  But we'll miss early MDR seating

[Germancruiser]

Thanks for taking us along. It has been 20 years since we sailed Radiance. I was a big fan of RCI- when there ships started to get " out of hand"- means bigger and bigger- biggest- they where just no longer for me. I stopped after Voyager of the Seas- even that I found to big. LOL.

Radiance Class ships are my favorite with Royal. Colony Club esp. is a great place to read. I am now sailing X or Cunard. Always fond memories of my fist - back then- biggest ships out there, which was Grandeur and all the Vision Class ships- they where called " Megaliners" back then...!