The Radiance of the Seas was the first of the Radiance Class ships (another three followed) from Royal Caribbean International. They were designed to incorporate many of the dining and entertainment options of the Voyager-class ships—and then some—while exploring the global destinations of the Vision class. Built in 2001 in Germany to sail anywhere, this 90,090-ton Bahamian-registered, glassy, classy, understated vessel is 962 ft long, with a beam of 106 ft, a draft of 28 ft, a cruising speed of 24 knots, and a maximum capacity of 2,100 passengers. With Scandinavian officers and an 857-member, anxious-to-please international crew, she sails on Alaskan and Caribbean cruises of 6 to 8 days.
The Radiance class includes the Brilliance, Jewel and Serenade of the Seas—sleek and versatile ships that can easily move to any cruising region. The RCI fleet now numbers over a score, including the largest ships afloat.
As most cruises are about a week, the Radiance attracts a wide range of ages, and lots of children during the summer season and holidays. Gratuities are added to passengers' bills.
RCI will extend the Radiance of the Seas' season out of San Diego in 2009 and will cancel its originally scheduled South America cruises. The Radiance will offer 24 Mexican Riviera sailings, ranging from 4- to 12-days, and two West Coast cruises, a 9- and a 10-day itinerary, during the 2009-2010 winter and spring seasons. The ports of call on the Mexican Riviera cruises include Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Huatulco, Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Manzanillo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
The Radiance of the Seas and her three sisters offer more glass (110,000 sq ft) than any other RCI ship—more than half the public areas have glass-walled sea views. Interior decor is contemporary, bright and cheerful, with a nine-story glass atrium linking to several public rooms, including the Lobby Bar, Champagne Bar, library, computer business center with high-speed Internet access, the Concierge Club, and the Crown & Anchor Lounge. The Colony Club is actually four clubs in one: a card room, two lounges including a performance theater, and a billiards room with the first self-leveling tables offered on a cruise ship. The three-level Aurora Borealis Theater features Broadway- and Vegas-style entertainment, with seating for 915 (including 24 wheelchair-accessible seats) in tiered rows offering good sight lines. Perched high atop the ship is the Viking Crown Lounge, an observation lounge by day and two different nightclubs by night (a futuristic disco and an entertainment venue). Other facilities include a movie theater for 40, a spa and fitness center, sauna and steam rooms, a solarium with a whirlpool and counter-current swimming, a basketball court, two outdoor pools, ample sunning space, a jogging track, golf simulators, a nine-hole mini golf course, boutiques, a casino, a conference center and a book retail outlet. The children's program entertains little cruisers aged 3 to 17.
Cascades, the main dining room, spans two decks and offers adequate Continental food and service. Two small private dining rooms are off this central one. Alternative restaurants, requiring reservations and incurring a surcharge, include the oceanview Italian-accented Portofino, and Chops Grill, with steaks and, well, chops. Casual meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in the lovely self-serve, buffet-style Windjammer, while the Seaview Cafe serves up fish and chips, burgers, sandwiches and soups.
The 1,050 cabins include 813 outsides, 237 insides, and 14 wheelchair-accessible units. Apart from the largest suites with king-size beds, almost all cabins have twin beds that convert to queens. TVs, phones, computer jacks, vanity tables with extendable surfaces for laptops, minibars, hair dryers, reading lights, good stowage, baths with showers and only one mirrored cabinet are common features. Suites have access to a Concierge Lounge for tour and travel information and a supply of magazine and newspapers.
The Radiance of the Seas is a welcome addition to the RCI fleet, offering comfortable public areas, large cabins, several dining options, lots of glass, plentiful balconies and tasteful decor.
