A Cruise to the Western Caribbean

A Cruise to the Western Caribbean

On November 28, 2004, we set off for the western Caribbean aboard the Radiance of the Seas. Our first trip with Royal Caribbean was on the bigger Adventure of the Seas last year, and this was our second time on one of their ships. After my first RCI vacation, I had high expectations for the Radiance, and I wasn't let down.

Staterooms

No complaints here. Our room was an interior aft cabin. It had ample space and good illumination. We had plenty of room in the closets and drawers as well. This time, we noted that the double beds here were superior to the ones we had on the Adventure since we didn't feel the separation between the two distinct beds as much as we did on the Adventure. The shower curtain is one area that may need some work. As a result, the shower curtain that had been placed was insufficient in keeping water in. Compared to other ships, the Adventure's shower had a double glass door system. Otherwise, the cottage provided a peaceful night's sleep. Although the cabins next to us made a little noise, it was hardly audible. Having no windows or balconies in our cabin was not a problem for us since we were seldom in our room at all. We returned to our rooms, whether in port or elsewhere on the ship, to unwind or sleep. We would reserve an inside cabin with RCI again unless we received a complimentary upgrade.

Dining

The Cascades' main dining area was pleasant, and the food was excellent. Every morning's breakfast was the same. The lunch served in the dining hall was adequate. Dinners were enjoyable, although not all of the dishes were a hit. There were a few mediocre appetizers and desserts served during the event. The main difference between the main foods offered here and at the Adventure, according to my dining companion, was the serving size of the main courses. After a meal at the Cascades, we would often go upstairs to the Windjammer for additional food. The tables in the Cascades area were often too close together, making it difficult to get to our own table. An excellent self-serve Windjammer was available. It featured a wider selection of meals than the Cascades' downstairs menu. The Windjammer was packed for breakfast and lunch, while the Cascades was packed for dinner. Our dinners at the Cascades and Windjammer were plenty, so Portafino and Choppe House, the ship's two other $20-per-person eateries, weren't on our radar. These alternative accommodations, according to other guests who used them, were nothing exceptional. The Seaview, a late-night café serving sandwiches, salads, and burgers, was also an option for food. This was a thoughtful addition. We were a little perturbed by the fact that they charged for coffee and tea at the establishment. There was a specialized coffee shop in the ship's main hub, although it was also fee-based. On the adventure, we were able to get additional free drinks.

Service

As predicted, the stateroom and dining room employees provided excellent service.

Entertainment

The ship's own dancers and singers performed in the nightly entertainment at the Aurora Theatre, along with several guest comedians and singers. The performances as a whole were excellent. We would have liked to see a variety of entertainment on each night rather than having separate shows for music, comedy, and magic. We would have loved a different kind of entertainment each night instead of a magic performance. It was a lovely touch to have live music playing around the ship.

Amenities

The gym/spa, mini golf, pools, and stores were all there, even if the Radiance was a little smaller than the Adventure. In spite of the 50-cent-per-minute charge for internet, the service was available. Among the activities available to passengers while at sea were art auctions, food demonstrations, and dancing workshops. We, on the other hand, thought that the adventure had more to offer. On the Radiance, getting on and off the ship was a breeze. This was a difficulty for nonsmokers since the casino was located on the sixth floor. As a consequence of the casino's inadequate ventilation, cigarette smoke drifted into the surrounding neighborhood. As far as possible, my companion wished to avoid the 6th floor.

We had a wonderful time aboard the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship. The Adventure of the Seas, though, is a far more impressive ship in comparison. We found the Adventure's large promenade more appealing than the Radiance's tiny deck area. In the future, if we had the option, we would choose the bigger ship. The Radiance is still a fantastic ship for first-time cruisers. Veterans of long-distance cruising, particularly those who have sailed on more luxurious vessels, would naturally have greater expectations.