Radiance of the Seas

A mid-sized cruise vessel that was launched in 2001, the Radiance of the Seas was the first of a new class of vessels, to which it gave its name. Its sister ships in the Royal Caribbean Cruises fleet are the Jewel, Brilliance and Serenade.

One feature of the ship that stands out more than just about any other is the enormous amount of glass in the public areas. From glass elevators that look out to sea, to the glass wall on the starboard side, the vessel has been designed to provide breathtaking views and a sense of spaciousness everywhere you go.

If you're thinking about a voyage on the Radiance, then there are a number of itineraries to choose from. The liner can generally be found in the Pacific and sails to destinations from Alaska to Australia. Popular ports of call include Honolulu, Juneau, Vancouver, Auckland, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Bali and Sydney.

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Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,500
Year entered service: 2001
Beam (ship width): 105.6 feet
Draught (ship depth): 27.8 feet
Length: 961.9 feet
Tonnage: 90,090
Crew: 858
Maximum speed: 22 knots
Number of passenger decks: 12
Number of lifts: 9
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 1,056

Food, cuisine and dining

Meal options on the Radiance of the Seas have always been plentiful, but after a massive refurbishment project in early 2011, the choices have expanded even further.

Whether you're seeking Italian, Asian or Brazilian cuisine, a perfectly cooked steak, succulent seafood, a juicy burger or a simple slice of pizza, you'll find it on the Radiance. In fact, with so many mouth-watering dishes to choose from, the hardest part will be deciding where to dine.

Restaurants include:
• Cascades main dining room
• Chops Grill
• Samba Grill
• Izumi
• Rita's Cantina
• Boardwalk Dog House
• Park Cafe
• Giovanni's Table
• Chef's Table

There are also plenty of places to grab a snack between meals and room service is available 24 hours a day.

On-board entertainment and activities

There's something to do for everyone who travels on the Radiance, no matter what their age or preferences. The cruise line has worked hard to ensure there are no holes in the vast activities schedule, and they seem to have succeeded admirably.

Options cover traditional activities like bingo, lectures and enrichment programmes. There's the large Casino Royale for anyone wishing to test their luck and there's always plenty of space to soak up the sunshine on the lido deck.

Shows are always popular and there are a number of venues to choose from, including the three-level Aurora theatre and the more intimate Hollywood Odyssey. Live music can be found in many of the bars and lounges, as well.

Since a significant proportion of passengers are young families, the Radiance offers a number of activities every day to keep children busy. These are free and split into various age groups and there's also a nursery, which offers babysitting services for a nominal fee.

Spas and fitness facilities

If you want to ensure that you feel fully relaxed and rejuvenated by the end of your cruise, then a trip to the Solarium is a must. This is an African-themed area with lush greenery, tranquil background sounds and a waterfall - not to mention the life-sized stone elephants! It also includes a swimming pool and magrodome roof.

Meanwhile, there's a large spa, where passengers can book soothing treatments or time in the thermal suite, while the sports court has space for guests to play basketball or volleyball and there's also a climbing wall with varying difficulty levels.

Cabins

When booking one of the 1,056 cabins on the Radiance of the Seas, passengers can choose from 19 different price ranges. These include interior cabins, which offer the best cruise deals, as well as spacious suites with balconies and concierge service.

There are more than 800 rooms with outside views, giving the Radiance the highest percentage of outside cabins in the fleet. Of these, nearly 600 have balconies, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a room that suits your requirements.