Radiance of the seas: RCI's new vessel shines in her own right - New Ship Review - Cover Story

Golden sunshine drips in through floor-to-ceiling windows on all levels of the nine-deck atrium, floods the spa complex, and brightens an array of restaurants, lounges, and other public spaces. How radiant is that? Very.

That's Royal Caribbean International's new 90,090-gross-register-ton/2,100-passenger Radiance of the Seas, which debuted last March. And true to her name, she boasts extensive use of glass walls throughout--half the ship's exterior is glass, and floor-to-ceiling windows are featured in 16 public areas--for the increased "at sea" feeling that the line first promoted with its Vision Class vessels, dubbed the "Ships of Light" when they entered service in the mid- to late-1990s with more than two acres of glass aboard. So while relaxing in any of the nine levels of the atrium, it is so bright and airy you are almost tempted to ask your companion to pass the Bain de Soleil, and you may not feel the need to remove your sunglasses when coming in from an outside deck.

First of a new class of ship for Royal Caribbean (an "in-between size," that is smaller than the 142,000-grt Voyager Class and larger than the 70,000-80,000-grt range Vision Class), Radiance of the Seas is a classy, savvy lady. She incorporates the best features of her predecessors: the variety of activity and entertainment options of the Voyager Class (like rock-climbing), the sleek profile of the 74,000-grt Sovereign Class, and the global itineraries and wealth of windows, glass doors, and canopies of the Vision Class. "Glass was a specific requirement for the ship from the beginning," said Richard Fain, RCI's CEO, during pre-inaugural events for media and travel agents.

So there are even exterior glass elevators, first seen at sea on sister line Celebrity Cruises' Millennium Class vessels. On the Radiance of the Seas these exterior glass elevators span 12 decks, so passengers do not have to miss even a few seconds of the breathtaking beauty of Alaska and the Caribbean while going from deck to deck.

But while a "borrower" of sorts, the Radiance of the Seas has her own shine. She has the most balconies of any RCI ship to date (of the ship's 1,050 cabins, 813 have ocean views and more than 71 percent of those have verandas). She is the first RCI ship to have the gas-turbine engine system said to reduce emissions, noise, and vibration. Even more RCI firsts are internet ports in every cabin, and a bookstore/coffeehouse with some 200 titles for sale, served up with cappuccino and pastries, just like at the mall.

She is the most "resort-like" of the RCI ships, Fain said. Her purser's desk is called Guest Relations; its staff do not wear officers' garb, but resortwear-type uniforms. The positions of general manager and vacation experience director have been created to help promote guest satisfaction. If this "resort-like" experiment yields positive feedback from passengers, it will be implemented fleetwide.

And the Radiance of the Seas also boasts a first at sea: self-leveling pool tables. These high-tech tables are the focal point of the Bombay Billiard Club, a British-colonial-themed lounge housed in the Colony Club, a multi-purpose area with four sections including the Calcutta Card Club for bridge and other games; the Jakarta Lounge, an intimate bar with gaming tables; and Singapore Sling's, a piano bar with floor-to-ceiling windows for spectacular views aft.

Other special (as in "wow!") spaces include the RCI signature Centrum--a dramatic, airy atrium decorated in light woods and soft tones of sand, coral, and aqua, and dripping with greenery, a waterfall, and a colossal abstract sculpture (part of the $6-million-plus art collection onboard). Another incredible space is the striking African-themed Solarium that boasts three life-size stone elephants, a bronze of a lion club dipping his paw in the water, a waterfall, lush greenery, stone relief art panels depicting gazelles and antelopes, and piped-in sounds of chirping birds. The Solarium also offers a raised pool (with a counter current), two whirlpools, relaxation areas, a bar, and pizzeria under a retractable glass roof.

The main dining room, Cascades, is an elegant, two-level restaurant featuring a grand staircase, etched-glass mural, and true to its name, a cascading waterfall. The dining room's upper level has floor-to-ceiling windows, and there are large windows in the lower level. Two smaller dining rooms, Breakers and Tides (perfect for private parties), adjoin Cascades. The food was delicious, particularly the escargots in drawn butter, the lobster tail in a citrus sauce, and the broiled Norwegian salmon. ShipShape selections (less than 30 percent of calories from fat) and vegetarian dishes are offered for lunch and dinner. The gazpacho Andaluz and Alaska king salmon (ShipShape) and vegetarian choices like gnocchi with coriander pesto sauce make staying on a regimen easy. Service by the smiling international wait staff was attentive. Breakfast and lunch are open seating, while dinner is served in two seatings.

Alternative restaurants include Chops Grill serving premium steaks, chops, and other grilled entrees from an open kitchen; and Portofino, an upscale Euro-Italian restaurant serving Italian specialties amid a Tuscany-inspired decor. Reservations are required for Chops Grill and Portofino (fee is $20 per person at each). A casual, no-reservations/no-fee dinner alternative is served in the Windjammer Cafe, where breakfast and lunch are also served buffet-style with a choice of indoor and outdoor seating. The Seaview Cafe (no reservations or fees) serves burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and such.

Evening entertainment is centered in the three-level Aurora Theatre that sets the scene for Broadway-style revues in a setting themed to the Arctic--with sculptured balconies, sidewalls, and parterre divisions resembling glacial landscapes and a dazzling stage curtain inspired in the Aurora Borealis.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to nighttime offerings. In the Hollywood Odyssey nightclub (one of the two night spots housed in the hallmark Viking Crown Lounge perched 11 decks over the sea) comedians, jazz ensembles, pianists, and vocalists take turns entertaining. Other evening pursuits include movies in the intimate Cinema; dancing the night away in the futuristic Starquest disco (also located in the Viking Crown Lounge and boasting a revolving bar); and an interactive activity based on the sports game called the Pennant Race in Scoreboard. There's piano in Singapore Sling's and in the Schooner Bar (its antechamber features the real scent of gunpowder and is decorated with cannons and galleon art). Those who wish to tempt Lady Luck have the Casino Royale at their disposal, with a French Art Nouveau design, and offering 211 slot machines and tables for blackjack, craps, and roulette.

Intimate spaces include the restful library, reminiscent of a traditional English study. The Sky Bar, with a glass overhang, is ideal for a nightcap while star-gazing. The Champagne Bar and Lobby Bar, both with a capacity for 50 guests, are perfect spots for a cocktail before dinner.

On the fitness front, the 15,500-square-foot ocean-view ShipShape Spa features a beauty and health center with 12 treatment rooms, aerobics area, and well-equipped gym. An array of fitness activities including stretching and aerobics classes, aquadynamics, and sports tourneys are scheduled.

Other challenges await at the rock-climbing wall, rising 200 feet above the sea with five separate climbing tracks. A Sports Club & Country Club has golf simulators, pingpong, a basketball court, jogging track, and deck games; plus there is a nine-hole miniature golf course.

Accommodations are spacious and attractively decorated. The most lavish is the Royal Suite--a palatial 1,035-sq.-ft. with 172-sq.-ft. of balcony and such amenities as baby grand piano, wet bar and entertainment center with 42-inch flat-screen TV, stereo, and VCR, plus bath with whirlpool, bidet, and steam shower. Good middle-of-the-road choices among veranda cabins are Categories E1, E2, and E3 measuring 179 sq. ft. with a 41-sq.-ft. balcony. Lowest level accommodations are Category Q--inside cabins measuring 166 sq. ft. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are available in many categories.

RCI has not forgotten the youngest sailors on the Radiance of the Seas. The line's Adventure Ocean youth program is among the best afloat with free supervised activities for children 3 to 17 years old (offered in four age groups: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and 13-17) in age-appropriate activity centers. Facilities include a Computer Lab, play stations with video games, and Adventure Beach with splash pools and a waterslide. Teens have their own coffeehouse/disco featuring flat-screen televisions and a soda bar. Kids earn coupons for participation in activities that can be redeemed for gifts.

With top-notch facilities for all age groups, and interiors that bring the outdoors in, the Radiance of the Seas truly sparkles on the high seas. On her current schedule, the Radiance of the Seas summers on seven-night Alaska Inside Passage cruises, roundtrip from Vancouver, and winters on seven-night Southern Caribbean roundtrips out of San Juan (rates for the latter begin at $1,099). Between seasons she offers some longer (10-, 12-, 14-night) Hawaii and trans-Panama Canal voyages.

For more information contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean International (Cruise Travel Magazine), 1050 Caribbean Way, Miami, FL 33132; or log on to www. royalcaribbean.com.

COPYRIGHT 2001 World Publishing, Co. (Illinois)
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group