Recently I ventured on to the high seas with Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas. This is a modern ship, (maiden voyage April 2001) which holds approximately 2,100 passengers. On my cruise I’d venture to guess there were at least 10 wheelchair passengers onboard and numerous other disabilities represented.
The Radiance of the Seas is a dreamboat, although our cruise director, Gordon, often refers to this ship as the food boat with good reason. We left Seattle, Washington on October 11th, it was a blustery day but that didn’t seem to dampen any of our expectations for this cruise. Just before we left port there was the necessary lifeboat drill, all of us looking quite fetching in our lemon yellow lifejackets. We were given instructions on what to do if an emergency took place. After the drill was over then it was time to party and have FUN!
There is so much to do on this particular ship I really don’t know where to start. So let me describe some of the facilities on board. Maybe you did have to fly to your ships homeport and you need to work out some kinks. Then head down to Shipshape Fitness Center and Spa, there you will find all the pampering such as massage or steam room you’ll ever require. If you are on a short cruise book early or you’ll end up on a wait list!
Maybe you’d like to take in a movie? Then head over to the Scoreboard Cinema, located next door to Casino Royale, you can drop a few quarters in the slot machines on route. After the movie you can take in the nightly show in the Aurora Theatre where it’s difficult to find a bad seat in the house. Then you’re off to Schooners Bar for a nice Bailey’s and coffee after the show. If you still have energy to burn then maybe you can have a game of billiards on the floating billiards tables in the Bombay Billiards Club or head over to the Singapore Sling Bar to listen to the excellent house band, Chameleon. If you energy levels are still up for it then you can head to the top of the ship to the Starquest Disco (modeled after Seattle’s Space Needle) with its revolving bar. Then back to your cabin where your cabin attendant has turned down your bed and left you a few surprises!
