Radiance 2/24 Mini Review

[Chisusie]

Background - my husband and I are in our mid 30's and this was our 7th RCCL cruise. We did Carnival once and did not care for it. We did not go to any of the shows so can't comment on them.

 

I write all over the place, and can't spell, so bear with me.

 

We stayed 2 nights pre cruise at the Yankee Trader. We thought the hotel was nice. Join their starwood program before you go. It is free and you get a free upgrade! Had dinner one night at Shula's, which was expensive, which we knew, but the food was very very good. We took advantage of the local trolley .50 cents per person to go shopping over on 17th street. We went to the Publix and loaded up on water and soda to take on the ship. We also went on the water taxi on the intercostal waterway to look around. It was 85 and sunny, just what we needed coming from the snowy cold midwest.

 

We had an aft balcony - 9256 - and loved it. This was our 2nd aft, and we like the larger balcony, and less wind. For this Western iten, it was good, but not as great as having it on the southern route. Because of the way we pulled in, we really couldn't see much of the docks, so we couldn't watch those last minute people run for the ship. Radiance is our favorite class of ship.

 

We got to the cruise terminal about 10:40 or so. A short cab ride from the hotel. We were let on the ship at 11:45. Our cabin steward seemed new or something, he wasn't very good. I think his name was Ida. Our room was clean all week, but sometimes not cleaned until late or he would leave things in our room, like a feather duster, or the pile of pillows in the plastic was left out on the bed one night when he did the turn down service. He also didn't even greet us until right before dinner on Sunday, when we had been in our room since a little after 1.

 

We had late dinner at a large table. Had a really good waiter and assistant. Also had good table mates.

 

The captain was Trym. He had the most personality of any captain. He would give his daily greetings over the speaker and just kind of ramble. He also seemed more envolved. We saw him several times during the cruise, not just the captains reception.

 

Monday was Key West and the 1st formal night. We were married in Key West 4 years ago, and go every year. We love Key West, but thought being there from 7 until 2 wasn't enough time to really do something. So we met up with a bartender friend for lunch. We let him pick since he is a local. We met at pepe's on Caroline street for breakfast at 11. It was very good and had nice outdoor seating. We would go back. We did not go to formal dinner tonight, didn't feel like brining 2 sets of formal clothes. We did go to the captain's reception.

 

Tuesday was Cozumel. We were suppose to do a 2 reef snorkel through the ship, but it was cancelled. We were not happy because we were not told about this until we got a note in our cabin the night before after dinner. of course by this time the explorations desk was closed and too late to book something else. So we got off and took a taxi to town for a little shopping. After that we went to the Margaritaville there. I didn't like it. The service wasn't very good, and they acted the same way they do at senor frogs down the street. If that is what I wanted I would have gone to senor frogs. It was about 2 so we decided to take a cab to Paradise beach for a little swimming. We got there and it wasn't to crowded, but the water wasn't clear like I had hoped. so we stayed less than and hour and decided to go back to swim on the ship. We took a nap and missed dinner, so ended up at the winjammer again tonight. The love and marriage game was tonight. a couple from our table was the middle couple on the show. very funny!

 

Wednesday was Grand Cayman. We got our tender tickets at about 9:30 and were able to get off the ship a little before 12. We did some shopping, went to the Margaritaville here, which was much nicer. We then had lunch at Breezes, nice place. We then went to HammerHeads. It is on the water, and they have a great bar. We sat there for a couple of hours before heading back to the ship. Even managed to make it to dinner tonight. Tonight was Quest, always very entertaining, we just watched this time.

 

Thursday was Mo Bay. We did the Canopy zip line tour. I cannot say enough good things about this. We loved it. All of the employees were very nice and loved their island. They promoted themselves very well. This was the 2nd formal night, lobster night. My husband would not miss this night. He said the lobster was much better than it had been in recent years. Tonight was also the Platinum and Diamond party. it was in between dinner seatings.

 

Friday was a sea day, It was cloudy and a bit cooler. During the day there was a cake decorating demonstration which the captain participated in, very funny. There was a little food flying around! He also later had an hour long question and answer session in the main theater. Learned a lot there, worth the hour, even more so on a cloudy day.

 

Saturday was time to get off. We did the "express" walk off, where you carry your own luggage and don't set it outside your room the night before. we had a pretty early flight, 10:15 on southwest. We made it, good thing the airport is close to the port. They kept calling someone's name on saturday morning, which delayed things. Then after the ship was finally released about 8:40, they started letting people off. Then both machines that read the seapass cards crashed. No one knew what to do. After about a half hour they were working again. No lines at customs, so that helped. We were in a cab by a little after 9, and had checked our bags at the airport by 9:15. A little bit of a line at security but we made our flight just fine.

 

It was a nice crusie, not our best, as we prefer the far southern islands. This cruise was originally suppose to be on the Serenade, but they put her in drydock for this week. The food was pretty good all week. Not great, but we don't cruise for the food. We cruise for the islands and the service. The service was great. We enjoyed sitting in the schooner bar after dinners and singing along with the piano player, he was very good. Odd crowd on the ship. can't really explain it. On Thursday they made an annoucement that they still had plenty of dinning times for both specialty restaurants for Thursday and Friday night. I thought they usually were full, and you had to book right when you got on board. We weren't interested, since we treated ourselves to Shula's. Are people not going as much?

 

Thanks for reading, It turned out to be longer than I thought. I will try to answer any questions.

[MellieInWI]

I'm excited to hear that you enjoyed the MoBay zip line - we're doing the same excursion next week.

 

When you say it was an odd crowd on the ship, care to elaborate? My husband and I are both in our mid-30's also and I'm wondering what to expect. I've been on a horrible Carnival cruise which felt more like a frat party, but my DH hasn't cruised before.

 

How was the nightlife? I imagine we'll go see the love and marriage show and quest...but what happens afterwards? What time do things settle down at night? We have a late seating so we won't have tons of time before we'll want to go to bed, but wondering what we'll end up doing. We're not really "show" people.

[Chisusie]

I really can't explain the odd crowd comment. I am not sure how to. I still can't put my finger on it. I can tell you that there were people of all ages, and at no time did it feel like a frat party. Nor did it feel like a retirement home.

 

There are things going on way past midnight each night. We did not make it to the nightclub, but talked to others who did, and liked it. One night there was an under the stars party outside by the pool. They had a food buffet and had dancing to a steel drum band. This didn't even start until 11. We had late seating also, and didn't finish with dinner until 10 or 10:30. Then at 10:30 is when quest or love and marriage would start. Also don't forget about the casino, it is really popular at night.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Chisusie]

I forgot to mention we also had the US ESPN, not ESPN deportes. This was a 1st for us, how long has theis been happening does anyone know?

[MERLOTCHAMPAGNE]

Chisusie

 

You had US ESPN in the sports bar? So we'll be able to get March Madness????:)

[Chisusie]

We had it in our rooms and in the sports bar!

 

Aren't most march madness games on CBS? I would think they would try to get them.