Radiance of the Seas – Royal Caribbean

In November I was lucky enough to be able to cruise on one of the newest ships to Australian waters the Radiance of the Seas: We boarded in Sydney on 18th November for a 2night “sampler” cruise.

Facts: Refurbished in May-June 2011 before heading down under, 293 metres in length, 90.090 tonnes, 2,531 passengers with 869 crew onboard.

A stunningly modern ship the new touches and upgrades were obvious. We were in a Junior Suite and the extra size in the cabin & balcony was definitely worth it. Our cabins (and all Suites) were also provided with a dressing gown, tea & coffee making facilities and toiletries.

Dining:
Windjammer Café: The buffet restaurant onboard open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. There are so many food choices with something to suit everyone.
Cascades Dining Room: The Ala Carte restaurant for all main meals. Book traditional (seated) dining or Anytime Dining (gratuities must be pre-paid). For families there is also My Family Dining **.

Park Café: Deli-style eatery in the Solarium
Boardwalk Doghouse: Snacks of hotdogs and other quick foods
Giovannis Table: Traditional Italian *
Chops Grille: Steak & Seafood *
Samba Grill: Brazilian Steakhouse steaks & seafood carved at the table *
Ritas Cantina: Mexican themed restaurant *
Izumi: Traditional Japanese *
Café Latte: Coffee and Ice-cream house *
*Surcharges apply

Bars & Lounges:
There are many bars & lounges to relax in some include:

Quill & Compass: English styled pub and a great atmosphere to kick-start your evening
Sky Bar: Located on Deck 12, a great place to watch the sights while enjoying the sun
Aurora Theatre: 3 level to watch shows and other entertainment
Colony Club Lounge: Four different lounges in one area including self-levelling pool tables
StarQuest: The nightclub including a moving bar, disco lights & smoke machines making you forget you are at sea.

Activities:
Outdoor Cinema, 9-hole mini-golf, 30-foot rock climbing wall, Basketball court as well as all the ship arranged activities will keep you busy

Childrens Club:
Royal Caribbean do not have a limit on the number of children allowed onboard.
Royal Babies (6-18months) and Royal Tots (18-36 months) allow parents and their children to partake in activities together. Scheduled activities are arranged daily for Aquanauts (3-5), Explorers (6-8) & Voyagers (9-11). There is also a teen hang-out area for those 12-17 years.
Adventure Beach Family Pool: An amazing pool area with a waterslide, teen disco and video arcade.

Other Amenities:
Day Spa & Gym, Beauty Salon, 3 x pools, 3 x whirlpools, Art & Photo Gallery, Internet Café, Jogging Track, Shops & Boutiques.

My biggest hint is TAKE AN AMERICAN PLUG ADAPTOR!

Happy Kruizing!
Kirsty
Photos below: Atrium - Main Pool with Big Screen

*My Family Time Dining is offered for the first seating time in our main dining room, for children of ages three to 11. Kids enjoy their meal within 40 minutes of seating, before heading to the evening's Adventure Ocean activities. The programme starts on the second evening that you're on board. After that, you can use it each evening or whenever you wish.

Volendam – Holland America

On Saturday 3rd December, I had the privilege of going onboard the Holland America ship Volendam while she was berthed in Melbourne.

Facts: Able to carry up to 1,432 passengers the Volendam is 781 feet long and 10 guest decks high. 4 restaurants, 2 swimming pools, Movie Theatre, Spa & Sauna, Library, Casino, Practice Tennis Court, Basketball Court and more are all on offer. She was built in 1999 and refurbished in 2011.

We started at the top in the Crows Nest, a bar, night club, scenic viewing lounge and much more. At the Bow (front) of the ship there are large windows almost 180, this is a great spot to relax and watch the world go by or ignore the magnificent Milford Sounds or Alaskan Glaciers.

Another great spot to view the scenic pleasures of cruising is the Bow located on Deck 3. Out in the open you can see, smell and feel the sights as they go by.

There are 2 pools on board, the main pool on the Lido (8) deck, with a retractable Sliding Dome Cover so you can still swim on those colder days. At the Aft (back) of Lido (8) Deck is a smaller pool. This pool is the “quiet” pool and children and not encouraged to swim there.

At the Bow of Lido Deck you will find the Spa, Sauna and Gym. Facing out to sea this is a great view for those motivated to go for a run on the treadmill.

Restaurants:

The Lido Restaurant on Deck 8 is the Buffet Restaurant, offering a great range of food from Sushi – Fruit – Specials of the Day. Ideal if you are in a rush for your meal as have an activity to rush to or don’t feel like dressing up for the Main Restaurants.
The Caneletto is Italian themed and located next to the Buffet holds 66 guests and must be pre-booked
The Rotterdam Dining Room is the Ala Carte Restaurant onboard and has 2 sectors, upstairs for those who are on Traditional (set time) dining and downstairs for those on Anytime (Open) dining. With Anytime dining you can pre-book a seating time and table up to 3 days prior.
Pinnacle Grill is the only dining option that charges. $10 for lunch (12-1:30pm) and $25 for dinner (5 - 9:30pm) this is an elegant dining room with Sterling Silver beef or premium seafood to choose from (other options also available).

Also onboard is the Explorations Café if you need your daily Latte fix (costs apply), you will find this in the Library on Upper Promenade (5) Deck.

On Deck 7 (Navigation) you will find the Neptune Lounge, this area is for those booked in a Deluxe Verandah Suite or Penthouse Suite only. With your own private Concierge you can ask him anything from booking shore tours to assisting with onboard enquiries. There is also the option to eat breakfast in here and there are snacks & coffee provided complimentary daily

There 15 bars and lounges to relax onboard and I am sure you will find them all before the cruise is over: Please note the drinking age is 21 years on Holland America

3 of the main bars onboard other than the Crows Nest:

Piano Bar is a small bar located on Deck 5, where you can listen to a Pianist or even a Guitarist

Ocean Bar also on Deck 5 with Live music

Explorers Lounge has a string quartet playing during the evening

There is also plenty more to occupy your time:

The Frans Hall Show Lounge to watch a variety of Evening Shows from singing and dancing to local acts and performances by the crew.

The Casino offers a typical variety of machines and tables for everyone. Please note the Casino is the only indoor smoking area on the ship

The Wajang Theatre and Culinary Centre, watch a movie or a live cooking demonstration!
The Microsoft Workshop – take a class and learn all you can and more about computers, email, Facebook or start your own Blog!

Childrens Clubs:

Please note children who are not potty trained are not allowed in the Childrens Clubs at any age and are also NOT allowed in the swimming pools.

Club HAL: Operates on strict age guidelines and will not allow cross-over. 3-7 years must be signed in and out sing a password by the parents and 8-12 years can either have a password or sign themselves in & out (as approved by the parents). The 13-17 year age group have a relax chill out loft with Wii and iPod docking stations, and upstairs there is this amazing outdoor teen only area.

Babysitting is available in Club HAL (3-12 years) from 10pm – 1am at US$5/hour/child. In cabin babysitting is available on a pre-book basis for under 3’s at approx. US$6/child/hour.

So to book your cruise on Volendam check out the Itineraries on: Cruise on Volendam

Can’t find what you’re looking for them email us on cruise@cruiserepublic.info

Happy Kruizing!

Kirsty

Below is this Library, to the right the Neptune Lounge