Radiance of the Seas Review

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Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Radiance of the Seas
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janlodge03
6-10 Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Feb 2017
Cabin: Family Ocean View Stateroom

We chose this cruise because we were told seeing the NZ fiords by ship was an experience not to be missed and they weren't wrong. Truly wonderful and do it if you can. Absolutely breathtaking and better than those in Norway. Wonderful outdoor weather helped of course. We r two Australians in our mid 60s. One comedian onboard said he was 55 and the eldest of 7 children on the ship. Correct!. Most of the Australians had done the first part of the cruise in extreme heat over the top of Aus. We got on where they got off in Perth and headed down round the bottom of Aus to NZ where weather and seas are open to the extreme changes from the Antartic. We did have that cold breeze out at sea most of the time which kept people away from the pool and top deck but in ports we were very lucky. Note Feb. 2500 passengers on board mostly Americans and Europeans seeing the world and generally happy little vegemites considering they were very lucky able to do so. Always always in life there are those that just find fault in all but we find love in experiences. We enjoyed the variance and hearing about their homelands for a change. Someone told me they only write reviews if they are unhappy about something. Relate that this is a few reviewers opinion and we are all very different. Yes the ship is not new and yes in places is showing wear but she is kept spotless by incredibly hard working crew. There are discreet cleaners carrying little blue bags waving their disinfectant and polish everywhere. If people get sick it's because generally a passenger not wanting to miss out on his planned cruise has alighted with a bug and like planes they spread it no fault of the ship. There were people coughing and men particularly without using covering cloths. We managed to get off without a bug. As per most older ships yep showers are smaller with only curtains and no they don't supply condiments only liquid shower soap. I prefer my own. Our last cruise on this lovely size ship not too big not too small she had tea and kettles in room. I miss that soo much. I am one who just hates asking room service to walk a mile for a cuppa and also hate making myself look decent to find one. Every morning we chose to have breakfast room service such a luxury for me. We ordered tea and coffee same time which stayed nice and hot in their warmers. I am not sure what people expect food wise when I hear complaints. Truly. Blows me away. Service and food in Cascades was very good and varied. I was even asked if I was unwell the following night after they noted I didn't have sweets or was there something else they could get me. They as usual kept my bottle of wine nightly until finished for me. It was placed on table after I arrived. Love this service. We had lunches in Windjammer and a couple of dinners. Yes they do try to keep similar foods for those who prefer that. Lovely salads as condiments. The hoards at the daily burger pizza and chips bar. There is premade or make your own sandwiches with all types of bread. Always two soups and varied pasta or pie type foods. Wonderful varied steamed veg. For me I have a love for curries. Every day different and so tasty. Nightly they provided the cheese platter we always went inacquired at five and grabbed some on a plate to have with our wine on the deck. The grilled steak lamb salmon was incredible at night in there. Top quality and tender and done to your request. We found seafood prawns and mussels and most nights they seemed to have something as a theme. They had make your own pasta one night we were there and waffles to die for. Yes we also did the three specialty diners. For US75 each. Giovanies and Chops provided us a two table next to window lower lighting and rolling seas so ambiance yes. Izzumi no ambiance but Japanese food was a nice change. If you are on a budget in my opinion unless you want either of above don't bother. Spend the money on drinks. Drinks yes again in my experience always expensive on cruise lines unless you pay more for the all inclusive cruises. They do allow two bottles of wine only at your boarding port. All bags checked each other port just like getting on a plane so it will be confiscated until departure if you try it. I must admit. RCL this trip related how little people were using their bars and for some less enjoyment. Long cruise for as lot. About 8 days into our 17 day cruise they offered 10 drinks for US75 card. We purchased 2. Meaning for me I could enjoy a couple of usually 14US ea coctails daily for half price. My husband a beer drinker just used his normal seapass card for the cheaper option. Lager some bars only US5. I'm pretty sure people wary of the sell thing on these ships missed out because they weren't prepared to look or listen. I would suggest these excellent offers put there for our benefit be advertised in daily news letter.

We found the nightly entertainment wonderful. From someone who has a husband who renegs at home on taking me for coffee! I Thankyou for the wonderful cruise happy entertaining staff and the ability to get taken out for Coctails dinner a show and oee the world.

Cabin Review

Family Ocean View Stateroom

Cabin FO

Right at front of ship. Two large windows. Small single seperate room inside that could have bunks. Two normal cabin size room. Fabulous for viewing on non outside days. Small bathroom and shower. Cud get a bit wet with just shower scream with kids.

Port Reviews

Adelaide

Easy cheap train ride well organised by locals at port into city. Free city hop on hop off bus left as you go out of station. Drops at all landarks. Map provided at port by locals.

Dunedin

Did our own thing. Got off ship at Port Chalmers. Locals inside directed us to where to get local transport and gave us maps. We went through wonderful enlightening museum at Port Chalmers before catching the hourly local bus into Dunedin via a. Couple of suburbs. Had a look at the old railway station come museum and botanical garden. Caught the bus put on buy tourist center back to ship same place as ships transfer.

Akaroa

Gorgeous quaint little seaside place. Friends met us. Had great weather. Christchurch is a long way so we just got toured around there and had their blue cod with chips and NZ SAV for lunch. Relate tender port. If you do your own thing you may not get off vessel till fairly late.

Wellington

In port. Free transfer to city. Easy walk 2 min to cable car and botanical gardens and view over city. The new portside museum a walk around the city old cemetery parliament House and a bit of shopping was all we could do in a day. NZ definitely caters for tourists.

Picton

Just cruising into this very busy little community the ferry transfer port to the North Island was spectacular. Islands all around. It rained soo I afraid we just took the free bus to Tourist Center walked around town. Bought some souvenirs. There are lots of good well priced short tours offered there for one two or three hours but weather didn't make any appeal.

Esperance

Not a great deal to see in Esperance and we had been before. Because the weather wasnt warm it put people off doing the wonderful scenic beaches excursion which is what Esperance is known for. The town brought I buses especially for the cruise but didn't offer locals or drivers with ability to commentary on Esperance which would have been nice. Even visiting golf ourse with kangaroos the Americans and Europeans would have loved.

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