Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Rita Gallagher
Email: williamgallagher@earthlink.net
Age: 56
Occupation: Data Research manager
NumberOfCruises: 24
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Rhapsody
SailingDate: March 26,2001
Itinerary: 3 days to "nowhere"
Cabin: 9528E
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 0
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 0
ShoreExcValue: 
GoodForHoneymoon: 
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland: 
GoodForFamilies: 
LoungeService: 0
TenderService: 
GoodForSeniors: 
BeautySalonStaff: 100
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess: 
ExerciseFacilities: 
EntertShowLounge: 
OverallPortsofCall: 
BeautySalon: 100
EntertainmentPoolside: 
CruiseActivities: 
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 
MedicalFacilities: 
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 04 Apr 2001
Time: 08:06:37
Remote Name: svweba03.statestreet.com
Remote User: 

Comments

This review is for the Radiance of the Seas, but you don't as yet have that ship available in your pull
down menu. 

We are very experienced cruisers, and we don't expect the pre-inauguaral cruises to go very smoothly,
but this ship has a lot of kinks to work out. Most of them due to the fact that about 70% of the service
staff were brand new to any ship, not just the Radiance. Luggage was not delivered until very late the
first night, in fact my luggage was outside a doorway about 6 staterooms down, and only because I have
bright orange pompoms on my luggage and therefore was able to spot it myself, did I get my luggage by
8:30. Some people didn't receive their luggage until the next morning! Also, the bar staff didn't have a
clue as to how to make a drink - they had to refer to a book to find the ingredients. There were no bar
waiters around the pool or in the lounges. If you wanted a drink you had to go to the bar and get it
yourself. We ordered room service two mornings, asking for delivery by 8:30. The first morning I called
at 8:55 to inquire about our order, and was told it was going to be about 15 minutes late. When it finally
arrived, there was a pot of coffee, a pot of tea, and just one cup - I guess me and my husband were
supposed to share this one cup for his coffee and my tea! The next morning room service never arrived
at all, and when we inquired about it, we were told we should go to the Windjammer! 

About the Windjammer - RCI has redesigned this dining room, and it is much better. There are all
different stations, for breakfast and lunch. There is a station for breads, bagels and pastry, and toasters
available if you want. There is a station with scrambled eggs, bacon, saugsages, home fries, pancakes,
and a staff member making waffles. There is another station for omelets with different fillings made to
order, and a station for cereals and fruit. The only change that was not for the better was the drink
service. For coffee, tea and juice you now have to stand in line and there is a pourer to serve you. This
means lines for coffee, tea and juice. Self-service would be better, and to be fair, there is a section of
the windjammer in the rear that does have self service drinks, but that was not opened during our
cruise. They will serve Seattle's Best Coffee, and they have to wait until the ship arrives in Seattle for
the inner workings to be installed! Overall, the changes to the Windjammer are a definite improvement. 

The dining room service was a little slow, but the food in the dining room was overall very good. We had
a waitress from Germany, and she was friendly but not as personable as some of the other staff. She
did her job well. We had a table for 4 on the balcony of the dining room, and it was quiet up there. I
understand people on deck 4 of the dining room thought it was noisy, but deck 5 was quiet. 

Our cabin was category E on deck 9 forward. It was small but functional, and some changes have been
made on this new ship. The corners of the foot of the bed are rounded, making it easier to get to the
balcony or just around the bed. However, the seat of the vanity chair is velvet, and no one had thought
to give the room stewards a lint brush, so the dark blue velvet had lint stuck to it. When it was brought to
the stewards attention, he tried to remove it with a cloth, which made the problem worse! The bathrooms
are small as usual for RCI, but bigger than Princess, and the showers seemed a little bigger than other
RCI ships. No more shower curtain hugging! I did notice the category E rooms on Deck 7 had bigger
balconies, and they are also less expensive than deck 9, so if you can, book deck 7. 

Outside deck space was less than Vision Class ships, but since the ship will be doing Alaska cruises,
there is probably enough deck space around the pool. We never had trouble getting a chair, either at
the pool or in the Solarium, which is African themed and gorgeous. There are waterfalls and sculptures,
and piped in bird and animal sounds. The lounge chairs have thick pads, but if you are dry, put a towel
down before you sit, because the pads are printed and it is not always obvious when they are wet. 

The Colony club is the rear lounge, and I found it quite dark, but it is rather elegant. It's in the style of a
British Men's Club, and there are leather chairs and dark wood panels, columns, and molding. This area
also has two self-leveling pool tables, but I did see a ball roll when no one was close to it, so don't bet a
lot of money on a game of pool! 

We didn't use the Chops or Portofino restaurant, but heard they were excellent from folks who did. 

This ship is beautiful, but I can't decide if I like it better than Vision class. It definitely has some
improvements from Vision class ships, but some of the things I liked most about Vision class are missing
or diminished on this. The ship seemed dark to me, as the elevators take up a whole glass side of the
ship that is all glass on Vision class, and the atrium seemed darker. The Colony Club is definitely much
darker than rear lounges on Vision Class, and I like the light, airy, Caribbean feel of those ships. This
was a little stuffy for my tastes, but again, this is just a matter of opinion. The addition of a Books,
Books, and Coffee store is nice, and the shops seem to have a better quality of merchandise than
Vision class. The lack of a rear elevator is a definite minus, as we met people who had a Category D at
the back of the ship, and had to walk about 450 feet to reach the mid-ship elevators. You can take the
rear stairs, but for people unable or unwilling to climb stairs, it is a long hike.If you forget something in
your room, you might be tempted to do without it! However, the rear balconies are huge and private, as
they have a metal plate between the balconies, ensuring your privacy, but it also cuts down on the
breeze. 

This ship is beautiful and has many innovations and improvements for RCI. I am sure once they get the
kinks out it will be a welcome addition to their fleet.

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