Jenna DeLaurentis

30 Best European cruise tips

In:

15 Sep 2022

There’s not much more exciting than booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, especially when it’s a cruise to Europe. Spending your days exploring historic, charming ports under the warm Mediterranean sun is an experience every cruiser should experience at least once.

If you’ve never cruised to Europe, you’ll want to research the ins and outs of a European cruise to avoid making rookie mistakes not only in the planning process, but once onboard the ship.

Knowing which shore excursions to book, which itinerary to select, and which ship to sail on can help make your European cruise experience worry-free.

Here are our top 30 European cruise tips you should use to plan the cruise vacation of your dreams.

Shore excursions aren’t always necessary

Don’t assume you have to book shore excursions on a European cruise. Most European cruise ports (or surrounding areas) are walkable and charming, meaning you can have a nice day simply walking around without a plan.

In Mykonos, Greece, for example, cruise ships tender directly into town, meaning you can walk around the winding, white cobblestone streets on the island and discover local restaurants, shops, and attractions–all without spending extra on a shore excursion.

However… shore excursions are better for certain ports

While most ports are walkable directly from the ship or with a short shuttle ride to town, there are several European cruise ports which require traveling long distances (1-2 hours) each way to reach the city.

Rome, for example, is located an hour and a half from the port of Civitavecchia. Many cruisers will opt to book an excursion through Royal Caribbean as opposed to traveling to Rome independently due to the distance required.

If a train is delayed or you encounter traffic on the journey back from Rome, you’ll risk missing the ship. A Royal Caribbean excursion will provide you added protection in knowing that if your tour runs late, the ship will wait for you before leaving.

Understand that European cruises aren’t always as relaxing

Caribbean cruises are the ultimate relaxing getaway. Waking up late, ordering breakfast to your balcony, and spending the day at the pool will have anyone rejuvenated by the end of the week.

European cruises, on the other hand, tend to be busier. Many passengers wake up early and spend between 8-12 hours in port. There tends to be a lot of walking in European cruise ports. When combined with the strong summer heat, this can quickly make you feel exhausted.

Having such a busy schedule isn’t the case for all itineraries, and you certainly don’t have to disembark the ship at every port or spend 10 hours on shore each day, but if you want to make the most of your time in Europe, you might find yourself needing another vacation after the cruise is over!

Consider the distance from port to city

Before booking a cruise itinerary, make sure you understand how far a port is located from the destination city.

Cruise itineraries will list Paris as a port of call, for example, despite the port being in Le Havre, France, which is over 2 hours away from the city center of Paris! The same goes for cities like Rome, Florence, and Marseille.

To check if the ports your itinerary visits are far from the destination city, look for parenthesis next to the port’s name. Rome will be listed as Rome (Civitavecchia), Paris as Paris (Le Havre), Nice as Nice (Villefranche), etc.

While it’s certainly manageable to travel 30-90 minutes into port each way every day of the cruise, if you would rather walk off the ship and explore a port with no hassle, it might be better to choose a different itinerary.

Don’t be afraid of crowds

Europe is a busy travel destination in the summer not only with cruise ship tourists, but with land-based visitors as well.

You’ll find that many tourist attractions, such as the Acropolis in Athens, Pompeii in Naples, and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, are packed with tourists, and you’ll have a hard time finding peace and quiet in the busiest cruise ports.

Don’t let this deter you from booking a cruise to Europe, though, as these attractions are popular for a reason. Witnessing the stunning architecture of the Duomo in Florence and a sunset from Santorini are truly remarkable experiences and worth any crowds you may encounter.

Pick ports with fewer crowds

If the idea of visiting tourist attractions in huge, busy cities sounds like a nightmare, however, there are plenty of ports that receive far fewer tourists than places like Mykonos and Dubrovnik.

Look for cruise itineraries visiting smaller, lesser-visited destinations like La Coruña in Spain and Bari in Italy. While there will still be plenty to see and do in these ports, you may be the only cruise ship in port, meaning you can enjoy the day with fewer crowds.

Be aware of dress codes

If you booked an excursion that visits the Vatican in Rome or other historic churches, be aware of any required dress codes.

The Vatican, for example, has the following dress code which should be adhered to by all visitors:

Shoulders must be covered
Do not wear clothing that exposes the knee
Remove hats
Cover offensive tattoos or religious symbols
Ripped/see-through clothing is discouraged

You don’t necessarily have to spend the whole day in Rome wearing pants and a shirt that covers the shoulders, but be sure to pack a change of clothes if you will be visiting the Vatican.

Relax with a great view

With so much happening in port and onboard, don’t forget to take time to relax with a beautiful view.

Cruises to Europe visit gorgeous destinations, from sailing through the fjords of Norway to the dramatic landscapes of Montenegro. You’ll often find a wonderful view out the window if you take a look, so don’t pack your day full of activities with little time left to relax.

Instead grab a coffee or cocktail and find a lounge to sit back and relax with the view.

Fly to your departure port 2 days early

If you’re flying to Europe from North America, you’ll find that most flights arrive in Europe early in the morning. While you may initially think that the schedule works perfectly as you can leave the airport and immediately head to the port, this is a terrible idea.

It’s no surprise that air travel is unpredictable. Delays, cancellations, weather problems, technical errors, and more can cause even a direct flight to turn into a nightmare. Trying to fly to your European cruise departure port the night before your cruise and arrive on the morning of your cruise is extremely risky.

You’ll also arrive severely jet lagged, too, which can make you feel miserable on your first day in Europe. No one wants to spend the first day of their cruise feeling tired and missing out on a cruise experience they waited so long to enjoy.

Instead fly to your departure port in Europe 2 days before the cruise begins. If your cruise leaves on a Friday, for example, fly to Europe on Wednesday night. You'll arrive Thursday morning, giving you one full day to recover from jet lag before getting onboard the following day.

Spend time in your embarkation/disembarkation port before or after the cruise

Many European cruise itineraries embark in some of the world’s most historic cities, including Rome, Athens, and Barcelona. These cities are filled with some of the most popular attractions in the world, delicious cuisine, and dynamic cultures.

If possible, plan to arrive at least 1-2 days prior to your cruise to ensure you have time to see the city’s top sights and attractions. You don’t want to end up with only ~3 hours total to spend in Rome before your cruise and miss out on sights like the Colosseum and Pantheon!

Bring a theft prevention daypack

Bringing a daypack is essential on any European cruise, but you’ll want to be wary of pickpockets, especially in busy tourist areas. Losing a phone, wallet, or passport is not part of anyone’s vacation plan, but it does happen to some passengers.

Consider purchasing a backpack with theft protection. These backpacks have several features to deter pickpockets, including “secret” pockets that are against your back or zippers with a lock feature to prevent easy access to what’s inside.

Speaking of pickpockets, NEVER put your phone or wallet in your back pocket while visiting port as this makes you an easy target for being pickpocketed.

Get tender tickets early

Some smaller cruise ports in Europe are tender ports, meaning there is no dock where you can walk off the ship and onto land. Instead, these ports use small tender boats to bring passengers from ship to shore while the cruise ship anchors offshore.

To board a tender boat, you need a tender ticket, each of which has a number on it to determine when you’re able to disembark the ship for the tender boat.

These tender tickets become available at a specific time onboard, which will be announced on the loudspeaker or in the Cruise Planner. Tickets are complimentary.

Be sure to pick up a tender ticket right away to avoid lengthy wait times to board a tender boat to shore. The last thing you want to happen is be waiting around on the ship for an available boat when you have limited time in port!

Taste local cuisine in every port

While the food you’ll find on a Royal Caribbean cruise is excellent, don’t skip out on tasting local cuisine just to save a few dollars and eat on the ship.

Tasting fresh pasta and pizza in Italy, crêpes in France, paella in Spain, and moussaka in Greece is well worth the extra cost and it might end up being the best meal you’ve ever had!

When looking for a restaurant in your cruise port, don’t eat directly in the tourist center. While you may still have a nice meal sitting across the street from the Colosseum or Duomo in Florence, you’ll likely pay a premium for food that is half as good as something you’d find a few blocks away.

Don’t try to fit too much in one day

There’s so much to see on a European cruise that it can be overwhelming to fit everything in one day. From churches, museums, hikes, beaches, monuments, and more, it’s impossible to see everything.

Instead of spending your day on a strict timetable with little free time, choose just one or two things you’d like to experience in each cruise port. Once you do those two things, spend the rest of the day walking around, visiting a local cafe or restaurant, and taking in local culture.

It’s easy to get burned out with sightseeing on a European cruise, and you’ll probably have a better time fitting in just a few activities each day as opposed to a full, rigid schedule.

Pick the best cruise ship for you

There are ships of all sizes sailing in Europe each summer, each of which has a unique layout, onboard amenities, dining, and entertainment options.

If you’re looking for the newest and biggest ship, book an Oasis Class cruise ship for your European cruise. Royal Caribbean sends one Oasis Class ship to Europe each summer, and these ships are unparalleled in terms of onboard experience, with countless restaurants, activities, and onboard entertainment.

If you’d prefer a more personal feel and having the ability to visit a wider range of ports, book a cruise on a smaller ship. These ships have far fewer passengers than Royal Caribbean’s big cruise ships, and passengers looking for a cruise experience without the bells and whistles will find that small cruise ships fit their needs for a cruise vacation.

The ship isn’t as important as the destination

Unlike on a Caribbean cruise that may have several sea days, European cruises have little time at sea and more time in port. European cruises are more about visiting amazing destinations as opposed to sailing on a specific cruise ship.

After a busy day in port, you’ll find yourself tired and ready to have a nice meal, watch a show, and go to bed. You won’t always have the energy for things like water slides, zip lines, and bumper cars.

Therefore it’s best to pick a European cruise based on itinerary. If you’re dying to visit Ireland but the itinerary is only offered on a smaller ship, don't hesitate to book the cruise.

Figure out the best time to cruise to Europe for your preferences

Royal Caribbean’s European cruise season runs from April to October each year, and each month comes with its own pros and cons.

Spring and fall will bring lower temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices, but some itineraries are not available during certain months of the year.

Summer, on the other hand, will be warmer, busier, and more expensive, but this schedule works best for those traveling with kids still in school.

European cruise itineraries vary greatly

There are a ton of cruise itineraries offered in Europe, from island hopping Greece to visiting the British isles and Canary Islands. Before you pick a cruise, research which itineraries are available and pick the one that interests you the most.

Here are the main European cruise itineraries you’ll see offered by Royal Caribbean:

Western Mediterranean
Greek Isles
Greek & Adriatic
Spain & France
Greece, Israel, and Cyprus
Norwegian fjords
British Isles
Canary Islands
Northern Europe & Russia (currently paused)

Don’t limit yourself to a Western Mediterranean cruise itinerary

A cruise to the Western Mediterranean is one of the most popular itineraries for those cruising to Europe for the first time. After all, visiting ports like Florence, Barcelona, and Rome are on many passengers’ bucket lists, and these cities are definitely worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Yet there are so many other European cruise itineraries to choose from, so take a look at other itineraries before choosing the one you’ve heard the most about. You may find that a cruise to Norway or Greece interests you more than visiting Spain, so don’t be afraid to do more research before picking a cruise itinerary.

Pick a port-intensive itinerary

If you’re traveling all the way to Europe from North America or beyond, try to find a port-intensive cruise itinerary. You’ll want to make the most of your time in Europe and see as many ports as possible.

Luckily, most European cruise itineraries are already port-intensive, visiting 5-6 ports in one week in addition to an embarkation/disembarkation port. It’s not uncommon to have only one sea day (or no sea days).

While this can make for a busy, tiring cruise, it’s well worth having a port-intensive itinerary to experience the most you can during your short time in Europe.

Ride a bike

Many European countries have excellent bicycle infrastructure, and exploring a new port on bicycle can be a nice way to see the country while creating your own budget-friendly shore excursion.

Cycling will be more pleasant in smaller ports of call or those with safe, car-free bicycle paths, such as La Rochelle, France or Lisbon, Portugal.

If you’re interested in cycling while in port, research which bicycle rental companies are available or if the city has a public bicycle sharing program available.

Consider My Time Dining

European cruises are busy, with many port days running longer than what you’ll find in other regions of the world. It’s not uncommon to see 12 hour port days on the days with long travel time into the city (Rome, Paris, etc.).

If you’re planning your days in port and realize that you won’t always make it back to the ship in time for traditional seating in the Main Dining Room (especially the early seating at 5:30), consider choosing My Time Dining. This way you’ll have more flexibility on when you eat dinner each night and you won’t be worried about missing your reservation.

Book your European cruise with a travel agent

Just like our advice for any other Royal Caribbean cruise, be sure to book a European cruise with a travel agent.

A good travel agent will cost you nothing extra and can save you time and money leading up to your cruise. It’s not uncommon for travel agents to offer special rates that you cannot find on the Royal Caribbean website and extra onboard credit.

In addition, travel agents are available to answer any questions you may have and they will be the ones contacting Royal Caribbean with any problems that may arise. Therefore you won’t have to worry about waiting on hold and taking time out of your busy schedule.

Purchase travel insurance

Travel insurance is important to purchase for any cruise as it can provide coverage in case of medical emergencies, travel and airline delays, lost luggage, etc.

It’s always better to have travel insurance and not need it than to realize you don’t have insurance when you need it the most!

Pack chic, casual clothing for port

While you’re certainly able to spend a day in port dressed in a t-shirt from your favorite sports team and gym shorts, you probably want to pack clothing that is more chic (albeit still comfortable).

Europeans tend to dress up more than North Americans in their day to day lives, and you’ll definitely stick out like a sore thumb wearing clothing like yoga pants and shirts with an American flag pattern.

Consider packing comfortable clothing that looks nicer than what you would wear to the gym. Lightweight sundresses, jumpsuits, and patterned shirts for women can be cute, fun options whereas men may want to pack fitted t-shirts, nice shorts, and short sleeve button ups.

Realize it can get extremely hot

If you’re cruising to Europe in the middle of summer, be prepared for the heat. You’re unlikely to have any issues on a cruise to Norway or Iceland, but will definitely encounter high temperatures in western and southern Europe.

Prepare for the hot temperatures by wearing lightweight clothing, taking rests in the shade whenever possible, and staying hydrated.

If you follow our tip above about not trying to schedule too much in one day, you’ll have plenty of free time to relax in the shade at a restaurant or cafe, giving you time to cool down on the hottest of port days.

Bring comfortable shoes

A European cruise often entails a lot of walking, and you’ll certainly take more steps in Europe than you would laying on a beach in the Caribbean.

Bringing comfortable walking shoes is extremely important on a cruise to Europe to avoid feeling miserable with blisters and sore feet.

While you don’t need to pack the bulkiest tennis shoes for your cruise, be sure to pack shoes you’ve worn many times before to avoid any mishaps.

Bring euros/local currency

While it’s possible to cruise to many places in the Caribbean with only US dollars, you’ll want to have Euros (or other local currency) on a European cruise.

Most ports and establishments will accept card payments, but it’s recommended to carry a small amount of cash with you ($100-150 in local currency) each day in port.

Be flexible

Flexibility is key when it comes to any Royal Caribbean cruise. Not everything always goes to plan, and you may find that your itinerary changes, you miss a port due to weather, have to visit an alternate port due to a medical emergency, etc.

With the right mindset, you can take these changes in stride and make the most out of the new situation. If your mindset is negative, though, you can easily make this “ruin” your cruise experience.

Stay flexible and you’re sure to have an amazing European cruise experience.

Learn a few local phrases

On a European cruise, you’ll most likely be visiting many countries in one week, all of which speak a different language. While English is commonly spoken throughout Europe, it’s helpful to know a few basic phrases in the language of each country you visit.

Knowing how to say phrases like hello, goodbye, thank you, how are you, how much does this cost, etc. can help make your days in port stress-free.

Planning a cruise? Start here:

I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find: here's how it went

In:

Alaska

09 Sep 2022

One of the things I love most about cruising is the fantastic vacation value it can offer, with accommodation, food, entertainment, and amazing destinations included in the cruise fare. It’s hard to pass up a cheap cruise deal, especially when the cruise visits Alaska.

Back in May, I was browsing Royal Caribbean’s website when I came across a cheap cruise deal to Alaska: a 7-night one-way cruise on Radiance of the Seas.

The cruise fare was listed at $240 per person with $293 in taxes and fees. As someone who cruises on a budget and loves visiting Alaska, I took the leap and booked the cruise unsure of what to expect.

Cruising to Alaska on the cheap? Yes, please!

Expectations

Booking the cheapest cruise you can find often comes with low expectations, but my expectations were set pretty high. I took an Alaska cruise last year, and it remains one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.

The scenery, food, culture, and ports on an Alaska cruise are simply fantastic and it’s definitely my favorite place to cruise in North America.

Things would have to be pretty bad onboard for me not to enjoy my Alaska cruise experience, so I went into the cruise knowing it would likely live up to my expectations.

Plus, I assumed the cruise was offered at such a low price not because the product would not be up to par, but because of low demand at the end of the summer season.

In the spirit of booking the “cheapest Alaska cruise,” I did not book any excursions, dining packages, or drink packages. Alaska cruise ports are all walkable and full of free activities, so I knew I would be able to find enough to do in port without spending hundreds on shore excursions.

Cruise fare, flights, and hotel

When I booked my cruise on Radiance of the Seas, it was the cheapest Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean’s website. The total cruise fare with taxes & fees for 2 guests in an interior room was $1,118, or $559 per guest.

Gratuities for each guest were $101.50, bringing the total cruise fare to $660.50 per person. At around $94 per day, I felt it was a fantastic deal!

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

Flights & shuttle transfers

Because the cruise started in Vancouver and ended in Seward, I needed to purchase two one-way flights. Flying to Vancouver was $189 and flying from Anchorage was $347, bringing the total flight cost to $536.

Flying roundtrip from my house to either Seattle or Vancouver usually costs between $200 and $300 total, so the one-way flights were definitely more expensive, especially the one from Anchorage, adding a significant amount to the total cost of the cruise.

Additionally, because the cruise ended in Seward, I needed to purchase a shuttle bus to Anchorage for $78.95. This was the cheaper option; the train transfer was $124.95!

Hotel

The last purchase I made before the cruise was a hotel in Vancouver. As it’s recommended to fly to your cruise departure port the day before you sail, I spent $285 USD to spend the night at the Blue Horizon Hotel in downtown Vancouver ($142.50 per person). This was one of the cheapest hotel options I found downtown, with others as high as $400+ per night.

I also spent around $10 to get from Vancouver’s airport to downtown via the metro and $15 for an Uber from my house to the airport.

Total cost of my cruise fare, flights, hotel, and transfers: $1,442.95

Arrival & Embarkation

I arrived in Vancouver the night before my cruise and spent about 24 hours in the city before heading to the cruise terminal. Canada Place, Vancouver’s cruise terminal, is located walking distance from many hotels in downtown Vancouver.

I was cruising to Alaska with my friend Reeham from Egypt. I met Reeham in graduate school a few years ago and we’ve remained friends ever since! Reeham and I arrived at the cruise terminal by foot eager to board Radiance of the Seas and start our Alaska vacation.

The embarkation process was extremely easy and we were onboard within 20 minutes of arriving at the terminal.

Radiance of the Seas first impressions

I had never sailed on a Radiance Class cruise ship before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Royal Caribbean has 6 classes of cruise ships, and each has a different layout and size as well as varied onboard dining, activities, and amenities.

One of the first things I noticed was the large Centrum in the middle of Radiance of the Seas. Royal Caribbean is known for their sprawling Royal Promenades inside the ship, but the cruise line’s older cruise ships do not have this feature.

Instead, Radiance of the Seas has a large, 6-story elevator lobby connecting shops, lounges, a coffee shop, and other onboard amenities. I don’t mind the Centrum and feel that it connects the ship’s decks together nicely, although it seemed a bit cramped, even when compared to the more open Centrum area on my recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.

Radiance Class ships are known for the amount of windows found throughout the ship, and this is one of the features I ended up loving most about Radiance of the Seas throughout my cruise. No matter where I was onboard, I could relax with a view and enjoy Alaska’s scenery.

The outdoor decks on Radiance of the Seas were really nice as well, although I didn’t expect to spend much time there during an Alaska cruise. Having access to the helicopter pad is always a plus, and the indoor pool area in the Solarium was a beautiful space.

While Radiance of the Seas clearly did not have all the bells and whistles of a newer cruise ship, I thought the ship was perfect for a cruise focusing more on the destinations as opposed to the ship itself.

The vibe onboard

I almost immediately noticed that the vibe on this Alaska cruise would be different from not only Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean cruises, but also my Alaska cruise last year on Ovation of the Seas.

I was told there were only around 100 kids onboard and the average age of passengers was probably in the late 50s-70s. I’d say Reeham and I stuck out in comparison to the average demographic on the ship, and the atmosphere felt very tame throughout our entire cruise.

The relaxed vibe onboard was probably due to a few factors:

The school year had just started, so there was a noticeable lack of families and kids.
Those passengers and families looking for a more modern, activity-filled cruise will often choose a Quantum Class ship over a Radiance Class ship. Quantum Class ships have activities like bumper cars and the FlowRider which are not available on smaller ships.
This was a one-way sailing, so logistics were more difficult and expensive for younger passengers with limited PTO time, leading to a higher age demographic onboard.

I’m not a huge partier, so I didn’t mind the tame atmosphere on the ship. You’ll rarely catch me awake after 11PM and after 12 cruises I still haven’t been to the nightclub, so the older and calmer vibes onboard were fine with me.

Plus, if you really wanted to find a party you could. There was a nightclub/DJ each night at the Starquest Lounge and live music/dancing in the Centrum. Even if it didn’t have the party vibe of a weekend cruise from Miami, there was always something to do in the evenings.

Our cabin

Our cabin was ready around 1:30PM, and we had booked an interior cabin for this cruise. Booking the cheapest cruise to Alaska will almost always mean booking an interior cabin!

While a lot of people may think you have to book a balcony cabin when cruising to Alaska, I’d argue that there are better spaces onboard to watch the scenery than a balcony, which only provides views in one limited direction. I prefer hanging out on the pool deck or a lounge with more panoramic views of the outside.

The cabin was room 9009, which was located on deck 9 forward of Radiance of the Seas. The cabin appeared well-maintained and had a nice amount of walking space throughout it. There was a ton of storage, too, with 7 drawers in the vanity, two shelving areas above the TV, one full-sized wardrobe, and one smaller wardrobe with shelves inside.

Because I travel with so much camera gear along with my clothes, I’m always happy when a cruise ship cabin has tons of storage.

Our cabin had two twin beds pushed apart. When traveling with friends, I prefer having the beds pushed apart not only so we get our own space, but it gives the room better walking space. I appreciated that this was done before we arrived as I did not have to track down my stateroom attendant!

The room had four outlets (2 North American style outlets and 2 European), which was more than I expected on a 20+ year old cruise ship. I was glad I packed a European outlet adapter so we could take advantage of all the outlets in the cabin.

The bathroom in our cabin was a standard cruise ship-sized bathroom and nothing too fancy. The bathroom is where I noticed the ship showing its age, as the light would flicker on and off several times before staying on and the paint was faded in some areas, but that didn’t matter in the long run.

I only had two complaints with our stateroom. First, the walls seemed a lot thinner on Radiance of the Seas compared to other Royal Caribbean ships I’ve sailed on. One morning, in fact, I was woken up by the alarm in the room next to me!

Second, the internet onboard, which was pretty awful in the first place, was often not functional in our stateroom. As someone who has to do a few hours of blogging onboard each day, it was frustrating having to constantly leave the room and try to get better internet elsewhere.

Food & beverage

One of the first things that comes to mind when anyone thinks of the word “cruise” is endless food, so what was the food like on my cheap Alaska cruise?

I’ve never been disappointed by the food on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and I enjoyed every meal I had on Radiance of the Seas. Reeham and I did not dine at any specialty dining venues onboard, choosing only to eat at complimentary venues.

Thankfully, Radiance of the Seas has several complimentary venues onboard, including the Windjammer buffet, Park Cafe, Boardwalk Dog House, and the Main Dining Room.

Windjammer

We started most mornings of the cruise at the Windjammer. This is my favorite place to eat breakfast on a Royal Caribbean cruise due to how many options are available. From savory options like made-to-order omelets and bacon to sweets like french toast, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes, I was never disappointed.

My favorite breakfast at the Windjammer is a few slices of french toast topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. I had this pretty much every morning!

We had a few lunches and dinners at the Windjammer as well. The dinner theme changes every night, and our favorite was Mediterranean night, which had fresh hummus, falafel, lamb kabobs, and other Mediterranean delicacies.

Main Dining Room

One of my favorite meals during the cruise was brunch in the Main Dining Room, where I had one of the best dishes of the cruise: butternut squash risotto. Both breakfast and lunch options were available at brunch, although the special menu was only offered one day of the cruise.

I loved the decor and ambiance in the Main Dining Room, and we ate dinner there 5 out of the 7 nights of our cruise. Dinner would usually take 1-1.5 hours. The French onion soup is by far my favorite item on the menu, but all of the salads, soups, main courses, and desserts were nice as well.

Other dining venues

Outside of the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, I spent most evenings in the Diamond Lounge enjoying complimentary appetizers and small bites. Occasionally I would grab a quick snack from Park Cafe or Caffe Latte-tudes which were free as well.

I was impressed with the food overall and never got tired of visiting the same venues for meals. I’m glad I did not purchase a dining package as this allowed me to save money for a nice, fresh lunch in port each day.

Beverages

As a Diamond member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I receive four free drinks per day of the cruise. This is my favorite benefit of having Diamond status, and I was able to order fresh orange juice, specialty coffees, and cocktails every day!

I only went over my limit twice, adding a total charge of $19 to my account balance.

There were a ton of venues to enjoy a drink, too. My favorite was Starquest and the Diamond Lounge, which are both located on the top deck of Radiance of the Seas. They offered what I think are the best views from the ship, and there were always fewer people there than in other bars and lounges.

Onboard activities

I don’t tend to pack my days onboard full of activities, and most of the time I’m happy to sit back and relax with a coffee and a nice view. That being said, I never felt bored on Radiance of the Seas and there were always activities available whenever I wanted to participate.

The first activity I tried was a movie at the Cinema. Something that makes Radiance Class cruise ships unique is the movie theater, which plays a different movie each day of the cruise! There were five showtimes each day, so it was the perfect thing to do on a chilly day at sea.

We also attended a round of trivia at the Schooner Bar. Trivia is offered several times throughout the day each day of the cruise, and it’s a low-effort activity that can be pretty fun.

Other activities, like bingo, spa seminars, dance classes, etc. were available, although I did not partake in any of these activities.

Music & entertainment

There was always some kind of entertainment or live music every night during the cruise. Guitar music was offered at the pub, piano tunes at Schooner Bar, singers and instrumentalists in the Centrum, and production shows in the Royal Theater.

On our first sea day, I checked out Piano Man in the Royal Theater. The show combined music from Billy Joel, Elton John, and Barry Manilow combined with dancing and singing.

I felt that the show was definitely geared toward an older age demographic, but it was still entertaining to watch. I’m not a huge theater person outside of Royal Caribbean's Broadway shows, so I didn’t attend any other performances throughout the week.

My favorite activity I attended was the Captain’s Corner, where the ship’s captain had a Q&A session to answer guests’ questions about what it’s like to work onboard, how ships navigate the ocean, etc. It was fascinating to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes on a cruise ship!

While Radiance of the Seas may not have a zip line or ice-skating rink, it seemed like there were enough activities onboard to keep kids busy. Adventure Ocean kids programming, a basketball court, mini-golf, and rock climbing were available. There is also a children’s swimming area with a small slide, although this remained closed during our cruise due to the weather.

Alaska cruise ports

We stopped at four different ports on our Alaska cruise: Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Skagway. We were in port between 8-10 hours each day, and I felt this was plenty of time to explore without getting bored or feeling like we were in a rush.

Juneau

Pretty much every Alaska cruise itinerary stops in the state’s capital of Juneau, and it’s one of my favorite ports because of how many activities are available. A lot of Juneau’s best attractions must be visited either by car or through a tour, so I knew we would probably spend more money here than in any other ports.

Radiance of the Seas docked at the dock furthest away from downtown Juneau, and while there was a shuttle available for around $6 roundtrip, we decided to save money and make the 20 minute walk into town.

We initially planned to spend $45 to ride the Goldbelt Tram to the top of Mount Roberts, but as there was a ton of fog on the mountaintop, we decided against it as the view would be severely blocked.

Instead, we found a shuttle bus to and from Mendenhall Glacier for $45. Other tours, like whale watching and helicopter rides, were in the hundreds of dollars, so we figured visiting Mendenhall Glacier would be the most budget-friendly tour option.

The trip was well worth the cost as Mendenhall Glacier is stunning and easily accessible from downtown Juneau. We spent a few hours walking on nature trails around the glacier and taking in the beauty around us. Mendenhall Glacier really is a must-do activity in Juneau.

Once we returned to downtown Juneau, we visited a few local shops and discovered a cool food truck park in the middle of the city. In total, we spent $9 each on fudge and chocolate and $6 on a salmon taco.

Total cost of my day in Juneau: $69

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is a unique port in that it is privately owned and operated by the Huna, a Tlingit tribe located in the nearby town of Hoonah. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this port and assumed there would be little to do, but I ended up enjoying the day a lot more than I initially expected.

Icy Strait Point is well developed and has many free attractions, including nice walking paths, a museum, and a beach. The natural beauty of Icy Strait Point is pristine, and we spent the morning looking through our binoculars trying to spot whales, bears, and sea otters.

The port is pretty small, however, so Reeham and I decided to walk to the nearby town of Hoonah. Free shuttles are available, but we walked the 40-minute coastal path to town.

While Icy Strait Point is only a port area, Hoonah is where the locals live, and I enjoyed observing local life in a remote town of only 850 people.

We visited a grocery store where jars of salsa were over $8 and bags of beef jerky over $20, watched a free demonstration of locals carving a traditional totem pole, and enjoyed lunch ($15 each) at a local seafood restaurant. There wasn’t too much to do in Hoonah, but it was worth the ~2 hour trip.

Once back at Icy Strait Point, we enjoyed a bag of mini donuts ($5 each) before walking around a bit more and getting back onboard.

If I visit Icy Strait Point again, I’d probably choose to spend money on a shore excursion for half the day and explore on my own for the other half. We were in Icy Strait Point for the longest time of any ports on the cruise, but I ran out of things to do in the early afternoon. Booking a whale watching tour in addition to walking around on my own would be a nice way to fill up the entire day.

Total cost of my day in Icy Strait Point: $20

Sitka

Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska, was the next port on our cruise. Like other ports, we planned to explore freely without a prior plan, and it led to a fun yet busy day in town.

I was impressed with the amount of free activities in Sitka. One of my favorite parts of the day was walking around the Sitka National Historic Park, which had gorgeous rainforest nature trails. The salmon were also running when I was in Alaska, so tons of visitors gathered to watch as the salmon frantically swam upstream.

I was pretty frightened with all the “WARNING: BEAR” signs around town, though, so I didn’t venture too far on my own!

I also visited the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey. Admission to the center was $15 which felt fair as I was contributing to a good cause.

We spent most of the day in downtown Sitka exploring local businesses and attractions. In total, we spent $12 each on fish n’ chips, $4 on fudge, $3 on hot chocolates, and $6 on magnets.

My favorite place in town was the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, the location where Russia formally handed off Alaska to the United States. This site is free and the views from the top were beyond beautiful.

Total cost of my day in Sitka: $37

Skagway

Our last port of call brought us to Skagway, Alaska, the town most known for Alaska’s Gold Rush.

Last year I spent $100 to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad from Skagway. I would 100% recommend doing this while in port, but as I had done it already, I decided to simply walk around town without a plan.

Skagway is probably the most picturesque town we visited on this cruise, and I could spend hours walking up and down the town’s streets, which are lined with historic saloons, museums, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

Our first stop was to a few souvenir shops where we spent $5 on postcards and stamps to mail to friends and family back home.

We also made a pit stop to my favorite place to eat in Skagway, Klondike Doughboy. Specializing in Alaskan fry bread, Reeham and I shared a cinnamon-sugar fried dough for $7.

As I mentioned, Reeham is from Egypt and she abruptly stopped in her tracks in front of a jewelry shop when she saw a variety of Egyptian souvenirs and decor inside the shop.

The shop was owned by an Egyptian, and in true Egyptian culture, he invited Reeham and I inside to chat. Mohamed, the shop owner, and Reeham enjoyed talking to a fellow Egyptian in a town as remote as Skagway, and we stayed in the shop for a while to learn more about local life in Alaska.

Mohamed treated us to lunch and we treated him (and us!) to ice cream ($15) before getting back onboard Radiance of the Seas.

Total cost of my day in Skagway: $27

Weather

When I cruised to Alaska in October last year, we encountered awful weather. It basically did not stop raining the entire week!

Because this cruise was at the end of August and into September, I did not expect the weather to be nice this year, either, but I was pleasantly surprised by the weather conditions.

While we encountered some rain on and off most days of the cruise, there was usually only a light sprinkle with a couple rare downpours. We saw the sun nearly every day and in Skagway we did not have any rain whatsoever!

Weather is unpredictable anywhere in the world, but especially in Alaska, so I think we lucked out on this cruise. I even took off my jacket a few times to walk around in just a long sleeve shirt and remained comfortable.

Last sea day & disembarkation

The last full day of our Alaska cruise was supposed to include a visit to Hubbard Glacier, but unfortunately we were unable to approach the glacier due to low visibility.

Bad weather was the theme of the day, and we encountered the roughest waters I’ve experienced yet on a cruise. I spent most of the day feeling seasick and laying in bed, which was definitely not fun!

As evening approached, however, Reeham and I began to feel better and were able to enjoy our last night onboard before disembarking the next morning in Seward.

We arrived in Seward early on disembarkation day and took a 3 hour shuttle bus to downtown Anchorage. We still had ten hours before our flight once we arrived in Anchorage, so I was pleased to discover that the city has a complimentary building with luggage storage, tables and chairs, and a free airport shuttle available.

Soon enough, it was time to say goodbye to Alaska’s beauty and return home.

Total cost: was it really the cheapest Alaska cruise?

While I may have booked the “cheapest Alaska cruise” based on cruise fare price, the extra add-ons (one-way flights, shuttles, etc.) added a significant cost to the cruise.

Alaska cruise costs (per person):

Pre-cruise purchases (cruise fare, hotel, flights, etc.): $1442.95
Purchases in port: $153
Onboard purchases: $19

Total cost of my Alaska cruise: $1614.95

Looking back, I probably could have booked a more expensive cruise fare on a newer ship from Seattle and still saved money due to cheaper flights and other transportation expenses.

If you’re truly looking to save the most amount of money possible, definitely research flight costs and shuttles before booking an Alaska cruise!

I had no idea a shuttle would cost $80 one-way to reach Anchorage from Seward, for example, and this could easily get way more expensive when cruising with a large family.

That being said, I definitely saved hundreds of dollars by not booking excursions and instead choosing to explore ports freely on my own. I didn’t feel we missed out on anything by not booking excursions.

However, I’ve already been to Alaska and will cruise to Alaska again in the future. If you’re only going to visit Alaska once, I’d book at least 1-2 excursions, such as whale watching and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train, in order to make the most out of Alaska’s attractions.

I was happy to end the cruise in southcentral Alaska as it allowed me to explore Anchorage (and I even saw the peak of Denali from downtown!).

In the end, I made some amazing memories with my friend Reeham and we were able to explore four unique Alaska cruise ports and discover more of Alaska’s culture, cuisine, and nature.

Alaska cruises remain my favorite cruise itineraries in North America and I’ll never get tired of relaxing onboard with a scenic view out the window.

Cruising to Alaska on a budget can be done, and while I’m not entirely sure this ended up being the cheapest cruise overall, it was certainly an incredible experience, and I’m already looking forward to returning to Alaska!

Planning an Alaska cruise? Check out our guides for more tips & tricks:

I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find. Here's how it went

Ultimate Hawaii cruise guide

In:

Hawaii

07 Sep 2022

Royal Caribbean’s Hawaii cruises are unique itineraries where passengers can experience the phenomenal nature, culture, and cuisine of several Hawaiian islands in one cruise experience. While Hawaii cruises are only offered a few times per year, they are a dream vacation for many cruisers.

The marvelous scenery of the Nā Pali coast, imposing Mauna Loa volcano, fresh bowls of poke, and ancient traditions found in Hawaii evoke a sense of wonder and discovery for visitors to the islands.

If you’re interested in cruising to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean, here’s everything you need to know about what to expect when booking and sailing on a cruise to The Aloha State.

In this guide:

Does Royal Caribbean offer cruises to Hawaii?
Transpacific cruises
Round-trip Hawaii cruises
When can I cruise to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean?
Why go on a cruise to Hawaii
Hawaii cruise ports
Which Royal Caribbean ships sail to Hawaii?
How much does a Hawaii cruise cost?

Does Royal Caribbean offer cruises to Hawaii?

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Hawaii, although they are limited and usually only offered as one-way legs on transpacific cruises.

Because it takes so long to cross the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic, Royal Caribbean splits the crossing into two cruise segments: Vancouver to Hawaii (and vice versa) and Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa).

Vancouver to Hawaii

Vancouver to Hawaii cruise itineraries are 9-11 nights depending on the sailing.

Hawaii is separated from North America by the Eastern Pacific barrier, a 4,000-mile stretch of deep ocean with no shallow areas. Because of this, there are no islands en route to Hawaii from Vancouver, so itineraries have a 5-6 day stretch of sea days to cross this section of the Pacific.

Once in Hawaii, itineraries can differ quite a bit, with some cruises stopping in Maui for an overnight stay and others visiting 3-4 islands. Cruises end in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Hawaii to Vancouver

You can also choose to start a Hawaii cruise in Honolulu and end in Vancouver. Just like on the way to Hawaii, most itineraries are between 9-11 nights and visit several islands, including Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai.

Transpacific cruises

Transpacific cruises from Hawaii to Australia either begin or end in Honolulu, Oahu.

While not a true “Hawaii cruise” because no port stops are offered in Hawaii except the embarkation/disembarkation port, these itineraries can still allow guests to spend time on the islands before or after the cruise.

Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa)

Most ships traveling from Vancouver to Hawaii will continue the transpacific crossing by traveling from Hawaii to Australia. This is the longer of the two stretches, taking 16-19 nights depending on the itinerary. There will be between 12-14 sea days on these transpacific cruises.

After leaving Hawaii, there is a 5 day stretch at sea before visiting several ports in French Polynesia. Following a few days there, ships will continue to either the South Pacific islands or New Zealand before ending in Sydney or Brisbane, Australia.

These itineraries are offered in reverse at the end of the Australia cruise season, starting in Australia and ending in Hawaii.

Fun fact: When cruising to and from Australia to Hawaii, you will sail through the International Date Line. En route to Australia you’ll skip forward a day, whereas sailing to Hawaii you will “live the same day” twice!

Round-trip Hawaii cruises

Occasionally, Royal Caribbean will release an itinerary offering a “round-trip” Hawaii sailing, which is when a ship travels from Vancouver to Hawaii and immediately returns back to North America without continuing to Australia.

These cruises will be split into two segments that you can book as a one-way leg or back to back, and they will be offered immediately following the Alaska cruise season in September/October.

When can I cruise to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean?

Because Royal Caribbean ships only visit Hawaii on their way to or from Australia, cruises are only offered at times which coincide with the change between the Australia/New Zealand cruise season and Alaska cruise season.

September cruises to Hawaii

The Alaska cruise season ends in mid to late September, and this is when 2-3 Royal Caribbean ships will begin the long journey to Australia for the summer season down under.

You can expect to see cruises departing from Vancouver to Hawaii in the last week of September or first week of October. Cruises departing Hawaii for Australia will occur immediately after the trip from North America, setting sail in mid October.

April cruises to Hawaii

The Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific cruise season runs from October to April. Once the season is over, Royal Caribbean relocates its cruise ships back to North America.

Transpacific cruises from Australia to Hawaii depart in the first half of April, reaching the shores of Hawaii at the end of April or beginning of May.

Cruises from Hawaii to Vancouver occur immediately after the ship’s journey from Australia.

Why go on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Hawaii?

Easy travel from island to island

One of the best benefits of cruising to Hawaii is traveling from island to island without hassle. There’s no need to get to an airport, go through security, and board a flight. Traveling via cruise ship means you can visit multiple islands while only unpacking one time!

Depending on the itinerary, you can visit between 2-4 islands in Hawaii in a matter of days, and you won’t have to figure out any transportation logistics yourself, making for a stress-free way to explore the state.

Traditional cuisine

Hawaii’s cuisine has been shaped by a blend of cultures throughout history, from Polynesian to Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, American, and more!

Because of this melting pot of cuisines, Hawaii boasts cuisine unique to the state that is not so commonly found elsewhere in the United States. Poke (raw fish salad), poi (taro pudding), laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), and saimin (noodle soup) are just some of the mouth-watering dishes you can try on a cruise to Hawaii.

Unparalleled nature

Hawaii’s nature is unlike anything you’ll see in the continental United States–or perhaps anywhere else in the world.

There aren’t many places on Earth where you’ll find a combination of lava fields, snow-capped volcanoes, colossal waterfalls, rainforests, lush valleys, and secluded beaches in one place, and it's sure to leave you speechless.

Hawaii cruise ports

Honolulu, Oahu

The capital of Hawaii is a starting or ending point for Hawaii cruises, and offers urban life mixed with world-famous beaches, green mountains, diverse cultures, and history.

As a start or end point of the cruise, many passengers decide to add a few extra days to their time in Hawaii before or after the cruise to experience more of what the island of Oahu has to offer.

Popular activities on Oahu include hiking Diamond Head’s crater, touring Oahu’s North Shore, surfing, and attending an authentic Hawaiian luau.

Visitors can also visit Pearl Harbor while on Oahu. Excursions bring passengers to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin submarine, and USS Missouri battleship to learn more about the devastating attack in 1941.

Lahaina, Maui

Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island, and cruise ships stop in the historic town of Lahaina, located on the island's northwest coast.

Maui is packed full of activities, from visiting the crater of Haleakalā to hiking the Iao Valley, swimming in waterfalls, and snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Lounging at the beach is a popular option in Maui, too, as the island has over 80 diverse beaches.

Some itineraries include an overnight stop in Maui, giving you more time to explore this tropical paradise.

Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is located on eastern coast of the Island of Hawai’i, often called the Big Island. Hilo is extremely lush, with plenty of waterfalls, beaches, and rainforest to discover. Rain falls in Hilo over 200 days of the year!

Visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a popular excursion for many visitors to Hilo, which is home to two of Hawaii’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Akaka Falls is another must-see in the Hilo area, where the waterfall plunges a whopping 442 feet into a gorge below.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Another port located on the Island of Hawai’i is Kailua-Kona. On the opposite side of the island from Hilo, Kailua-Kona is drier and sunnier than Hilo, making for excellent conditions for exploring the outdoors.

Culture lovers will appreciate a visit to the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, a spiritual sanctuary that was once the home of royal grounds and a place of refuge for those who broke kapu, which were ancient, sacred laws.

If you don’t want to stray far from the port, downtown Kailua-Kona is filled with shops, restaurants, and farmers markets where you can purchase souvenirs as well as taste local products and cuisine.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands (the 2nd oldest overall) and it was formed over 5 million years ago. While there are no active volcanoes on the island today, the landscape has been carved by wave, wind, and water erosion, making for unique landscapes not seen on other islands.

One of these features is Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Visitors will be awe-inspired by the canyon’s steep hillsides reaching depths of over 3,600 feet.

Nā Pali Coast (cruising)

If you’ve seen pictures of Hawaii’s rugged, emerald coastline, odds are it was a photo of the Nā Pali Coast on the island of Kauai. One of the most recognizable coastlines in the world, the Nā Pali coast offers unparalleled views of steep sea cliffs rising dramatically from the ocean below.

Some Hawaii cruise itineraries include a scenic cruising day around the Nā Pali coast. While passengers won’t disembark the ship on this day, they’re sure to be blown away by Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Transpacific cruise ports

If you book a transpacific cruise starting or ending in Hawaii, you will visit several ports in French Polynesia as well as a few stops in Melanesia or New Zealand.

Ports may include:

Mo'orea, French Polynesia
Raiatea, French Polynesia
Papeete, Tahiti
Auckland, New Zealand
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Napier, New Zealand
Picton, New Zealand
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Nouméa, New Caledonia

Which Royal Caribbean cruise ships sail to Hawaii?

Depending on the year, Royal Caribbean sends 2-3 cruise ships to Hawaii. Due to limitations of crossing from the Pacific to the Caribbean, the ships sent to Hawaii and Australia tend to be the same cruise ships offering Alaska cruise itineraries.

Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship launched in 2016. As one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, she is packed with the latest activities, entertainment, and dining venues found in the fleet.

Quantum Class ships were built to sail in all climates, with indoor pools, the SeaPlex sports center, and the Two70 entertainment venue and lounge which features floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for viewing Hawaii's scenery.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas is a sister ship to Ovation of the Seas. She was the first ship in the Quantum Class, launching in 2014.

Quantum of the Seas is nearly identical to Ovation of the Seas, albeit with a few changes in dining venues and entertainment shows.

Quantum Class ships make a great choice for a Hawaii cruise for those looking for the most activities, dining options, and entertainment available on a cruise with many sea days. Even with 5 sea days in a row, it will be hard to be bored on a Quantum Class ship!

Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas will be offering cruises from Australia in the 2023-2024 cruise season, so she will be offering cruises to Hawaii en route to and from Australia

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship and while smaller than the Quantum Class, she still offers plenty to do, see, and eat onboard.

One of the most beloved features of Radiance Class cruise ships is how much glass was built into the ship’s design. Large, panoramic windows are found all around the ship, which is a huge perk when traveling to a destination as beautiful as Hawaii.

How much does a Hawaii cruise cost?

Hawaii cruises (Vancouver to Hawaii and vice versa)

Despite visiting a remote island chain in the Pacific, Hawaii itineraries can provide a great value on a cruise vacation. You'll often find prices comparable to Caribbean cruises, even though the cruises tend to be several days longer.

Look for last-minute cruise deals to Hawaii, too, as these itineraries do not always book as quickly as others. Due to travel to and from Vancouver/Hawaii and the fact that cruises are one-way instead of round-trip, you can often find last-minute deals.

Here are a few sample prices of the total cost for 2 adults, including taxes and fees, on a Hawaii cruise starting or ending in Vancouver:

9-night Hawaii cruise on Ovation of the Seas

Interior cabin: $1,805
Balcony cabin: $1,963

11-night Hawaii cruise on Radiance of the Seas

Interior cabin: $2,132
Balcony cabin: $3,010

Transpacific cruises (Hawaii to Australia and vice versa)

Transpacific cruises starting in Hawaii and ending in Australia (or vice versa) are generally more expensive than those starting or ending in Vancouver. Not only are they 5-8 days longer, but they travel a further distance and visit destinations that are much more difficult to reach, such as Mo'orea and Tahiti.

Here are a few sample prices of the total cost for 2 adults, including taxes and fees, on a transpacific cruise:

15-night Transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas

Interior cabin: $2,908
Balcony cabin: $3,982

18-night Transpacific cruise on Ovation of the Seas

Interior cabin: $3,443
Balcony cabin: $4,593

Extra costs on a Hawaii cruise

Outside of cruise fare, you’ll want to budget for the following add-ons when booking a Hawaii cruise:

Airfare
Hotel cost for the night before the cruise
Gratuities
Shore excursions or spending money in port
Optional onboard extras: beverage package, dining package, etc.

Because Royal Caribbean’s cruises to Hawaii are one-way sailings that require many sea days, it’s recommended to spend some time in Hawaii on land before or after the cruise.

If you plan to do this, you’ll want to budget extra for hotels, food, and transportation costs in Hawaii.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

What happens if you miss your cruise ship?

In:

Policies

06 Sep 2022

Every cruiser’s worst nightmare is running to the pier as your cruise ship sails away, leaving you stranded in a foreign place!

Videos of “pier runners” (people frantically running to the ship) are popular online and can provide a great laugh, but the reality is that missing a cruise ship is not something you want to deal with on vacation!

Paying out-of-pocket to travel to the next port and being in a foreign country without any of your belongings is not on anyone’s vacation bucket-list. While you’ll have extra protections when on a shore excursion booked through Royal Caribbean, missing the cruise ship can still be a stressful experience for any passenger.

The good news is that missing the cruise ship is not as common as you might think, and with proper planning and responsibility, you’ll be able to ensure you arrive back to the ship with plenty of time to spare.

Here’s what happens when you miss your cruise ship and the steps you can take to avoid this mistake.

Will the cruise ship wait for you if you’re running late?

The general rule of thumb is that a Royal Caribbean cruise ship will not wait for you if you’re running late and miss all-aboard time when not on a Royal Caribbean shore excursion.

Cruise ships run on tight schedules, and even a 30 minute to an hour delay can cause problems later on, whether arriving late in the next port or rearranging onboard schedules.

If all-aboard time is 5:30PM and you arrive at 5:35PM, the gangway will likely still be open. When a captain is notified that passengers have not made it back onboard, he or she will try to keep the gangway up as long as possible to ensure they can make it back to the ship.

This wiggle room is not very much time, however, and if you’re 30 minutes late for the ship, you should expect the gangway to be up and the ship ready to sail away.

Exact protocols can change depending on specific ports and scheduling situations.

What if I’m on a shore excursion booked through Royal Caribbean?

If you’re running late but are on an excursion you booked through Royal Caribbean, you’ll receive added protections and the ship will wait for you and your tour group for as long as possible.

If the tour is running extremely late due to an unforeseen event and the ship absolutely cannot wait for the tour group to return before leaving port, Royal Caribbean will cover the cost of transferring all tour group members to the next port of call.

What happens if I miss the cruise ship when NOT on a Royal Caribbean excursion?

Once the ship realizes you have not returned, they’ll often enter your stateroom to remove any essential items like passports and leave the items with the port agents on land. Keeping these items in an easy-to-find place (like the safe) can help crew members locate the items quickly in an emergency.

You’ll be able to retrieve the items Royal Caribbean left with the port agents when you eventually show up to port, even if the ship has already left. Once at the port, the port agents can assist you with figuring out the next steps and contacting Royal Caribbean.

Once you are able to contact the ship/Royal Caribbean, you can discuss your options with them and they can assist you with booking any necessary travel arrangements. These travel arrangements will not be covered by Royal Caribbean and can be costly, especially when traveling from island to island at the last minute.

If you do not have a passport or other proper identification with you, you’ll want to visit the nearest U.S. embassy to discuss next steps and receive replacement identification.

Passenger Vessel Services Act complications

Missing the cruise ship gets more complicated when you miss the ship in a U.S. port of call and want to meet up with the ship in another U.S. port of call.

This is because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), which prohibits foreign-flagged cruise ships from transporting passengers from one U.S. port to another.

While there are a few exceptions to this rule (round-trip sailings from the U.S. that visit a foreign country and travel from one U.S. port to another U.S. port including a stop at a “distant foreign port” like Cartagena or Bermuda), cruise lines will violate the PVSA if you depart from Miami and miss the ship on a port day in Key West, for example. This is because the cruise line technically transported a passenger from one U.S. port to another.

If you miss the ship in Charleston, South Carolina and the next port of call is Port Canaveral, Florida, you unfortunately will not be able to board the ship in Charleston without breaking the PVSA. Instead, you will have to meet the ship in the first foreign port of call, such as the Bahamas, but this can cause you to miss much more of the cruise than you’d like.

How to avoid missing the ship

Keep track of time

Setting an alarm on your phone for 1-2 hours before all-aboard time can be a fool-proof way to ensure you don’t lose track of time.

Plan to get back onboard at least one hour before the ship’s scheduled departure time, and it’s a good idea to leave even more buffer room if you’re further away from the ship while in port.

Make sure your phone is set to ship time

It’s common for cruise ship itineraries to sail through several time zones, with some itineraries switching time zones nearly every day! To make time zones easier to navigate onboard, Royal Caribbean uses what they refer to as “ship time”.

Ship time is the time used onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, and it may or may not change when you enter/exit new time zones throughout the sailing. Any changes in ship time will be posted on the Cruise Compass.

Before you disembark the ship in port, double check that your phone’s time is set to the correct ship time. You don’t want to think it’s 5PM when it’s actually 6PM on the ship!

In addition, be sure to switch your phone’s time and date settings to manual time instead of automatic. This ensures your phone’s time won’t switch to the destination’s time zone automatically when you switch on your phone service.

Book excursions through Royal Caribbean

Perhaps the biggest benefit of booking shore excursions through Royal Caribbean is the added protection you’ll receive in case your tour runs late. Your cruise ship will wait for your tour group as long as possible, and even cover the cost of transportation to the next port if the ship cannot wait.

Fly to your departure port the day before your cruise

One of our top tips here at Royal Caribbean Blog is to avoid flying to your departure port the same day your cruise begins. While saving on hotel costs and PTO can seem appealing, there are way too many risks involved when flying the same day as your cruise.

Weather delays, flight cancellations, and missed connections can cause you to miss your cruise altogether. Flying in a day ahead of time allots extra wiggle room to help ensure you’ll make it to the cruise port with plenty of time to spare.

Don’t travel too far

Another way to avoid missing the ship is by limiting how far you travel from the port.

If you’re dreaming of visiting Chichén Itzá while the ship docks in Cozumel, as an example, it’s probably best to book a Royal Caribbean excursion. Visiting the Mayan Ruins requires a 45 minute ferry each way followed by nearly 2 hours by bus.

With so much travel time required, there’s a higher chance something could go wrong along the way (ferry delays, traffic, bus breaks down, etc.).

Avoid drinking too much

Indulging in cocktails, beer, and wine in your port of call may be a fun way to spend the day, but take precautions if you plan on drinking excessively.

Many passengers that find themselves running back to the ship–and even missing the ship altogether–may have spent the day having too much fun and losing track of time.

Have you ever missed the cruise ship (or witnessed the aforementioned 'pier runners' running to the ship)? Share you stories below!

I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each

In:

Ships

05 Sep 2022

A year ago last August, I embarked my first Royal Caribbean cruise on Mariner of the Seas. Since then, I’ve spent 67 nights on 12 Royal Caribbean cruise ships, traveled to 25 different ports, accumulated 141 Crown & Anchor Society points, and made countless memories around the world.

Oasis of the Seas next to Liberty of the Seas in Cozumel

Royal Caribbean has six distinct classes of cruise ships, each with their own layouts, amenities, itinerary options, and onboard atmosphere. I recently cruised to Alaska on Radiance of the Seas, completing my goal of sailing on every class of Royal Caribbean ships.

Even though all Royal Caribbean cruise ships are distinctly Royal Caribbean in branding and design, they can feel quite different from one another when comparing the ships side by side.

My cruising style

Before understanding why I feel the way I do about Royal Caribbean’s ship classes, it’s important to understand my cruising style.

I tend to spend more time relaxing without a plan onboard rather than trying to experience as many attractions as possible. While endless activities and entertainment options are certainly appreciated, I will enjoy a cruise equally with or without these activities.

I also do not cruise with children, so activities like water slides, zip lines, and kids programming do not factor in to whether I prefer one ship class over another.

I love using cruising (and traveling in general) as a way to discover as many cultures, countries, cuisines, and ports as possible. The cruise ship’s itinerary matters much more to me than what the ship’s layout is like, how many passengers are onboard, which dining venues are available, etc.

With all that being said, here’s what I like (and dislike) about each class of Royal Caribbean ships.

Quantum Class

Ships I’ve sailed on: Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas

The Quantum Class may be my favorite class of Royal Caribbean's ships. The combination of elegant design, indoor spaces, and fantastic itineraries make them a strong contender for Royal Caribbean's best cruise ships.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Quantum Class ships sail to perhaps the widest range of destinations offered by Royal Caribbean, from the Caribbean to northern Europe, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Australia, the South Pacific, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and more.

As someone who values itineraries even more than ships, the itinerary options are a strong contender for me choosing to sail on a Quantum Class ship.

The Quantum Class has some of the best venues in the fleet as well. The climate-controlled Solarium is definitely my favorite in the fleet, and Two70 is a breathtaking venue offering not only the best views of the ship’s aft, but great entertainment shows, too.

The outdoor dining area at the Windjammer on Quantum, Anthem, and Ovation of the Seas is another major plus for the Quantum Class.

I don't have many drawbacks about the Quantum Class. While the Royal Esplanade sometimes reminds me more of a shopping mall than a cruise ship and I wish the outdoor Promenade deck wrapped around the whole ship for a better walking experience, these aren't make it or break it drawbacks.

Oasis Class

Ships I’ve sailed on: Harmony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas

Oasis Class cruise ships are undoubtedly an impressive feat of engineering and design. Walking onboard an Oasis Class ship for the first time is mind-blowing. The scale, layout, and amount of activities available on Oasis Class ships are unparalleled in the cruise industry.

My favorite place on an Oasis Class cruise ship is Central Park, simply because it is so unique. Being onboard a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean and walking through a park filled with trees, shrubs, and flowers is hard to wrap your head around!

Additionally, my favorite time to have a dining package is when I’m sailing on an Oasis Class ship. Oasis Class ships have an insane amount of places to dine, both complimentary and specialty. My favorite Oasis Class-exclusive dining venue is 150 Central Park. The fried cheesecake is to die for! Vitality Cafe is another favorite, and I order a custom smoothie nearly every day of the cruise.

The biggest drawback of the Oasis Class ships to me are the lack of areas with ocean views. So many spaces and venues, like restaurants and lounges, have no views or very limited views of the ocean.

I also find the itineraries on Oasis Class ships pretty boring as they lack variation. While I'll never complain about spending the day in Cozumel, Costa Maya, St. Maarten, or St. Thomas, there are so many other ports around the world to discover that are not accessible by Oasis Class ships!

These two drawbacks make me unlikely to book many cruises on Oasis Class ships myself, but I definitely feel that Oasis Class ships are the “perfect” cruise ship for many types of cruisers, especially families with young children.

Freedom Class

Ships I’ve sailed on: Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas

Freedom Class ships offer something for everyone onboard without being too big, and that’s one of the things I like most about them. They also tend to offer a great value while still offering many of Royal Caribbean’s newest amenities.

My favorite entertainment shows to watch on a cruise are the ice-skating shows in Studio B, so that’s one plus of Freedom Class ships. I also feel the Main Dining Rooms on the Freedom Class (and Voyager Class) are the most beautiful in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

The amplification of Freedom of the Seas was awesome and it is the perfect ship to sail weekend party cruises from Miami! My 3-night cruise on Freedom of the Seas was, by far, the most high-energy cruise I’ve experienced on Royal Caribbean.

The downside to the Freedom Class, in my opinion, is the lack of any varied itineraries due to the ships offering primarily 3 and 4-night sailings to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

That being said, I do think the size and range of activities on Freedom Class ships are perfect for short Bahamas itineraries.

Voyager Class

Ships I’ve sailed on: Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas

While my first cruise was on a Voyager Class ship, I've only spent a total of 6 nights onboard the Voyager Class (4 on Mariner and 2 on Navigator). That being said, I’ve really enjoyed my time on Voyager Class ships, and it’s one of my favorite ship classes.

I love the size of a Voyager Class cruise ship as it’s neither too big nor too small. Several of the ships have received amplifications, bringing the best of Royal Caribbean’s dining and activities without an overwhelmingly large size.

The best spot onboard Voyager Class ships has to be the helicopter pad for the amazing views you’ll see during sailaway!

My favorite bar of any Royal Caribbean ship, The Bamboo Room, is found only on the Voyager Class (Mariner and Navigator), and the bar is home to my favorite drink in the fleet, the Banana Colada!

One feature I find interesting and unique in Royal Caribbean’s fleet is the peek-a-boo bridge I encountered on Mariner of the Seas. Located all the way forward and accessible from the front of the Vitality Fitness Center, the peek-a-boo bridge allows guests to “peek” into the bridge below and observe the work of the officers.

Another plus is that Voyager Class cruise ships sail relatively varied itineraries, from the Mexican Riviera to Europe, the northeast/Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

Radiance Class

Ship I’ve sailed on: Radiance of the Seas

While I’ve only been on one Radiance Class cruise ship, I am already looking forward to sailing on the other 3 ships in the class.

The Radiance Class cruise ships are stunning due to the amount of window space that was constructed into the ships’ designs. Radiance Class ships have over three acres of glass onboard, meaning you’ll have picture-perfect views of the ocean from nearly any venue.

As I mentioned, one of my biggest complaints about the Oasis Class is that it’s too easy to forget you’re on a ship due to the inward facing design of the class. With how many windows are found on a Radiance Class ship, it would be virtually impossible to forget you’re in the ocean while onboard!

One of my favorite features on Radiance Class cruise ships is the cinema, a small movie theater with a different movie shown four times each day. The cinema is free of charge and is a relaxing way to spend a few hours, especially on chilly days at sea.

I would sail on the Radiance Class time and time again just for the amazing itinerary options. Radiance Class ships, like Quantum Class ships, sail all over the world. Some of Royal Caribbean's most unique ports, such as Nuuk, Greenland and Lifou, Loyalty Islands, are visited by Radiance Class cruise ships.

The one problem I found on Radiance Class ships is that I had trouble finding a quiet area of the ship at night. The “library” is located in the Centrum, which has a full schedule of live music every night, and other public spaces usually have live or DJ music as well.

Sometimes I just wanted to sit and have a nice conversation or read a book, but it was too loud everywhere except my room!

Vision Class

Ship I’ve sailed on: Rhapsody of the Seas

I heard so many complaints about Royal Caribbean’s Vision Class before sailing on Rhapsody of the Seas. Some people even scoffed when I mentioned I was sailing on a Vision Class ship!

Cruising on a ship with no Royal Promenade or 15 restaurants? How could I do that to myself?

All jokes aside, I loved my time on Rhapsody of the Seas. It brought me back to a more classic cruise experience without the need for water slides, zip lines, and carousels. In fact, I’d put the Vision Class as my second favorite of Royal Caribbean’s ship classes.

My itinerary to the Greek Isles on a Vision Class ship was port-intensive. The ship worked perfectly as a place to rest and unwind at the end of the day before having to wake up early for another day in port. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have had time or energy for endless onboard activities and entertainment options.

I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Vision Class Centrum and how it connected different decks of the ship together. Much of my time onboard was spent sipping a cocktail or coffee in the Centrum while listening to live music and enjoying views of Greece in the distance.

I also loved the family feel onboard Vision of the Seas. With far fewer passengers than a bigger cruise ship, I felt more like a guest and less like just a number.

If you're traveling with kids, the Vision Class is probably at the bottom in terms of onboard activities, but there is still Adventure Ocean programming available as well as a rock-climbing wall and other kid-friendly activities.

Final thoughts

I will gladly sail on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship no matter the class. 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Symphony of the Seas? Count me in. 14-night Transatlantic on Vision of the Seas? I’ll be there.

While I may prefer certain classes over others, the onboard experiences are often more similar than different. Hanging out at Schooner Bar on a Radiance Class ship will offer a similar experience to Schooner Bar on any other class, a pool day is a pool day no matter the ship, and the dining experience in venues like the Windjammer or Main Dining Room is pretty standard throughout the fleet.

There’s no “perfect” cruise ship out there, and what works best for one passenger may not work as well for another. For me? I prefer looking for a unique itinerary first before even looking at the ship. Others may prefer to choose a cruise based on the ship with the itinerary as an afterthought, and that’s totally okay, too.

If you’re wondering how to pick the best cruise ship for you, check out our other articles:

Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 7 - Sea Day

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Radiance of the Seas Live Blog

02 Sep 2022

The final day of our 7-night Alaska cruise is a sea day, and it was supposed to include a visit to Hubbard Glacier.

Unfortunately the day did not turn out how we had hoped, but that doesn't mean it wasn't without several fun moments!

I purposely woke up early this morning to get ready for today's scenic cruising around Hubbard Glacier, one of the main highlights of this cruise itinerary. Many Alaska cruise itineraries not only include full days in port, but visits to glaciers from the sea.

Passengers do not disembark the ship on scenic cruising days. Instead, the ship does a full 360 degree rotation near the glacier, allowing guests to enjoy stunning views of the scenery no matter where on the ship they are located.

When I stepped outside around 7:30AM, however, the weather was concerning. Visibility was extremely low and winds were high. Because approaching a glacier requires careful navigation around narrow passages and icebergs, it's important to have stable weather before making the approach.

My scenic glacier day to Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier was affected by bad weather last year, and we could only see the glacier from very far away before turning around. Remembering this, I was skeptical we would successfully be able to approach Hubbard Glacier given the weather conditions.

Sure enough, the captain came on the loudspeaker to announce that we would, unfortunately, not be able to make it to Hubbard Glacier.

With that, Radiance of the Seas turned around and started the journey toward Seward through the Gulf of Alaska.

Afternoon in high seas

While I was of course disappointed we would not be able to witness the beauty of Hubbard Glacier, safety is of upmost importance, especially when navigating treacherous passages in Alaska.

I spent the rest of the morning trying to get some work done at the Viking Crown Lounge, but as we entered the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska, things took a turn for the worse!

After 12 cruises, I've never felt seasick until today. Even when cruising through the choppy waters of the Bay of Biscay in Spain or through high winds on my Alaska cruise last year, I've always felt okay.

Today, however, I felt terrible throughout the afternoon! After a trip to the Windjammer for lunch, I realized I was not feeling well at all when I couldn't finish my plate.

Reeham, who also felt sick, and I sought refuge in our cabin where we hoped lying down in bed and taking a nap would help.

Motion sickness medication and eating a green apple did help a little bit, but anytime I got out of bed I felt nauseous.

For the purposes of this blog being more interesting than me sleeping in my cabin, though, I did manage to attend one event this afternoon: Captain's Corner!

Captain's Corner is a Q&A session with the ship's captain where you can ask him/her any questions you have about the ship, itinerary, daily life onboard, ship navigation, etc.

I found it really fascinating and I was able to learn more about the ship's stabilizers, what it's like in the bridge, how much fuel is used on a cruise ship, and more. I definitely plan to attend more of these on future cruises.

Following Captain's Corner, I went back to my cabin to sleep off my motion sickness.

After another hour or two trying to feel better, I figured it was worth a try to see how I felt in another area of the ship. Our cabin is located far forward, so it's prone to more motion.

When I went upstairs to the Diamond Lounge, which is located more mid-ship, I felt much better. Phew! That definitely was not fun and I'm grateful I don't usually feel seasick on cruises.

After a snack and ginger ale in the Diamond Lounge, I took a walk around the upper pool deck. The ship was bobbing up and down, and I was surprised by how much motion I felt, as the weather didn't seem too bad outside.

I also made a brief stop to the casino, where I put my $6 free play money to the test. Unfortunately I didn't win today and was in and out within 5 minutes!

Evening onboard

I went back to the Diamond Lounge to relax for a while before making a pit stop in the Viking Crown Lounge. I've been spending time in the lounge (called Starquest on Radiance of the Seas) every night, and I've made friends with two of the bartenders, Ari and Manuel.

I had great timing because when I walked into the lounge, Manuel was doing a cocktail demonstration! I enjoyed a fruity sangria while chatting with the two of them for an hour or so.

I've had a great time this week meeting and connecting with so many crew members! I've enjoyed talking with Dionata, the Diamond Concierge, Manuel and Ari, and my stateroom attendant throughout the week.

Special shout out to my stateroom attendant, Vevir from the Philippines, for being a Royal Caribbean Blog reader! He's been working on Royal Caribbean ships all over the world for years, from Japan to New Zealand, the Caribbean, and Alaska!

Following the Viking Crown Lounge was a late dinner in the Main Dining Room. Reeham and I have almost missed the dining room every night because we've been so busy chatting and we kept losing track of time.

The Main Dining Room was really great as usual, and the service for late-night seating was really quick!

The rest of the evening was spent packing (boo!) because tomorrow is sadly disembarkation day!

Tomorrow we disembark the ship in Seward, Alaska and take a bus to Anchorage. I wish I had more time to spend a few days in Alaska's interior before flying home, but there's always next time!

Thanks for following along this week on my Radiance of the Seas cruise! It was a fantastic week overall and I'm always happy when cruising to such a beautiful place. I've learned that my favorite cruise itineraries are those where I can see mountain scenery outside the ship every day.

Stay tuned for a full review of my cruise to Alaska next week AND a full ship tour of Radiance of the Seas on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel!

Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 6 - Skagway, Alaska

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Radiance of the Seas Live Blog

01 Sep 2022

The last port of call on our Alaska cruise brings us to Skagway, a small town most known for its Gold Rush history.

Skagway has been having landslides on the mountainside located near their main cruise dock, so I wasn't sure what the dock/tender situation would be this morning.

Radiance of the Seas docked in the port furthest away from the mountainside. A Princess ship was docked far back on the pier affected by landslides and they were tendering guests from the ship to port instead of walking on the pier.

A Holland America ship was also in port with us today, so it definitely felt crowded in town early in the day!

We disembarked around 9:30AM and started exploring Skagway. The town has historic gold-rush era architecture throughout downtown, and it almost feels like you're stepping back in time.

One of the most popular activities to try in Skagway is a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad, which follows the trail of the gold rush into the Yukon Territory of Canada. I went on the railway last year and loved it, but we did not book any excursions for today in Skagway.

I planned to spend most of the day walking around town and visiting local businesses. When I was here in October last year, it was so frigid and rainy that I didn't spend much time at all in town.

We started the day by walking into a few souvenir shops and mailed postcards to friends and family back home.

Next up was a trip to one of my favorite places I discovered last year in Skagway: Klondike Doughboy.

Klondike Doughboy specializes in Alaskan Fry Bread. Similar to an elephant ear, fry bread is a large piece of fried dough tossed in cinnamon sugar.

Not much hits the spot more than a warm, sweet serving of fried dough on a chilly day in Alaska!

Speaking of the weather, today was definitely the best weather we encountered on our cruise. It didn't rain once (that I noticed anyway), and while windy, the temperature felt comfortable. Never follow the weather forecast too strictly on an Alaska cruise!

An Egyptian afternoon

Our day took a fun, interesting turn this afternoon in Skagway.

As I mentioned in my live blog preview, I'm traveling to Alaska this week with my good friend Reeham from Egypt.

While window shopping on Skagway's main street, Reeham noticed a jewelry store with Egyptian decor and souvenirs. She called me over to show me the shop, and the shop's owner waved and invited us inside.

Mohamed is the owner of Klondike Gold Rush Jewels, and he is also from Egypt! Reeham and Mohamed spent some time talking with each other and we were curious how someone from Egypt ended up owning a jewelry store in Skagway, Alaska.

If there's anything I learned from my trip to Egypt last year, it's that Egyptian people are extremely friendly and generous, and this was definitely the case today in Skagway. We sat down and chatted in the shop with a coffee and ended up staying for a few hours!

I think one of the best parts of traveling is getting to know the locals, and it was interesting to learn more about local life in Skagway and what it's like to operate a jewelry business in a busy cruise port.

Mohamed also treated us to lunch from Northern Lights Pizzeria. The pasta with salmon, fish n' chips, and salad were excellent!

Additionally, Mohamed gave us two cute necklaces in the shape of a whale's tail. He said we were his "lucky charms" for the day because he made a lot of sales while we were in the shop. It was a super fun afternoon!

If you're looking to buy jewelry in Skagway, be sure to head to Klondike Gold Rush Jewels. There are a lot of cool Egyptian souvenirs available, too.

We also stopped by Kone Kompany for some ice cream, and it was the perfect way to end our day in Skagway.

Today was a good example of why I often like to travel without a plan. While I enjoy organized excursions and tours, it's always fun to see where the day can take you!

We were so busy chatting in the jewelry shop that we didn't get back onboard until 15 minutes before all-aboard time.

Back onboard

Tonight is the second formal night of our cruise, so we got ready in our stateroom and headed upstairs to the Viking Crown Lounge to watch sailaway from Skagway.

One unique feature of Radiance Class ships is the rotating bar in the Viking Crown Lounge. I asked the bartender to turn it on and it was pretty cool, although probably not best for those prone to motion sickness.

Skagway's sailaway was gorgeous! The Inside Passage to and from Skagway is relatively narrow, so the mountains on both sides of the ship were closer than in other ports. We could even spot small glaciers on top of several of the peaks.

I think Caribbean cruises are going to feel "boring" when at sea in comparison to the beautiful views of Alaska!

Before dinner, we checked out the The Colony Club, a lounge in the aft of Radiance of the Seas. It had amazing views of the Inside Passage! We also listened to some live music in the Centrum.

We dined in the Main Dining Room for formal night tonight. My favorite was the molten chocolate cake for dessert and Reeham loved the lobster tail.

Following dinner was a brief visit to the pub before heading to bed to catch some sleep before waking up early tomorrow.

Tomorrow we are set to visit Hubbard Glacier in the morning as a scenic cruising day, and I cannot wait to view this huge glacier up close!

Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 5 - Sitka, Alaska

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Radiance of the Seas Live Blog

31 Aug 2022

Today is the fifth day of my Alaska cruise and Radiance of the Seas docked in Sitka today for a full day of exploring another beautiful Alaskan port.

Sitka is the 4th largest city in Alaska, with a population of around 8,500 people. The city is the former capital of Russian Alaska and there are several Russian influences to see throughout town, from historic buildings to monuments and souvenir shops.

Like other Alaska cruise ports, the surrounding scenery is breathtaking in Sitka, and the Mount Edgecumbe volcano towers over town.

I was supposed to visit Sitka last year, but our port was changed to Ketchikan due to high seas, so I was excited to have the opportunity to visit today.

We ate breakfast today in the Windjammer, where I enjoyed another plate of my favorite breakfast: french toast topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

I also took in my first views of Sitka. I'm definitely going to miss the outdoor seating area at the Windjammer!

Serenade of the Seas pulled into port as we were eating breakfast. This is the first time I've seen Serenade of the Seas and, as Serenade is another Radiance Class cruise ship, she looks identical to Radiance of the Seas.

We disembarked the ship around 9:30AM. Sitka's cruise port is located around 15 minutes from downtown, and there are complimentary shuttle buses available to transport guests to and from the city.

I was worried we'd have to wait a while before getting on a shuttle bus, but the line only took around 5 minutes and we quickly arrived in town.

We did not book any excursions today. Most of Sitka's main attractions are all walkable from downtown, so we planned to explore on foot without a plan and see where the day led us!

We started the day at Lincoln Street, Sitka's main tourist street. It was nice to see that the town blocks the street from cars, making exploring the street easy and safe for all visitors.

The street is lined with souvenir shops and local restaurants. Our first stop was to a Russian souvenir shop selling dolls and Christmas decor. It was definitely more unique than other souvenir shops I've visited so far in Alaska and the displays were beautiful.

At this point it wasn't raining too hard, so we took advantage of the weather and walked to the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, located adjacent to Lincoln Street.

This small hill is the site where the ceremonial transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States occurred. Not only was it fascinating to stand where such an influential historical event took place, but the hill had the best views of Sitka I saw all day.

Sitka's mountain scenery is dramatic and absolutely gorgeous, with jagged peaks and a rainforest dominating over the town. I could have stayed on the hill looking at Sitka's skyline for hours!

However, we're in Alaska, so the rain made us head back to Lincoln Street.

We continued window shopping and visiting local businesses in Sitka. While we didn't purchase the $30,000 fur coat on display at one shop, we did warm up with some hot chocolate at Old Harbor Books coffee shop and bookstore.

We also made a brief visit to St. Michael’s Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church located in downtown Sitka that was founded in 1848. While the original building was destroyed, the replica was built with the same architecture, transporting visitors back in time to when Sitka was owned by the Russians.

Our last stop downtown was to Ashmo’s, a seafood food truck with menu items including salmon mac n' cheese, teriyaki halibut, and rockfish fish n' chips. I ordered the fish n' chips and thought it was well worth the price of only $13 for freshly caught Alaskan seafood.

There was also a small food stand selling reindeer hot dogs, and although I wasn't quite adventurous enough to order one, I'm sure they are delicious.

After lunch, we left Lincoln Street and walked along Sitka's marina. At the end of the marina was a salmon hatchery. It's prime salmon spawning season and there had to have been over a thousand salmon swimming around!

Next I continued walking along the waterfront path, which led to the Sitka National Historic Park. The park had beautiful trails, although the amount of bear warning signs made me pretty cautious! There were also hundreds of salmon in the river at the park.

My last stop for the day was the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for eagles, owls, and other birds of prey. This non-profit organization rescues injured birds and helps the birds reach a point where they can return to the wild.

Admission to the Alaska Raptor Center was $15, which I found well worth the cost as it goes to a great cause.

After a brief introduction, a staff member introduced a rescued eagle and we were able to learn more about how they improve the health of these birds. We made a stop by the center's Flight Training Center, where eagles practice improving their flight skills after injury.

Located outside the center are various habitats for rescued birds of prey. Here visitors can get more close up views of the birds and read about each bird at the center. The outdoor area was definitely my favorite part of my visit.

I walked back to the shuttle bus area in downtown Sitka from the Alaska Raptor Center, which probably took me around 25 minutes.

The line to catch a shuttle bus back to port was pretty long and I waited another 20 minutes or so in the rain before getting on a bus. Be sure to bring a rain jacket or umbrella!

I was back onboard around 3:30PM and took a much needed rest in my stateroom before watching sailaway from the Viking Crown Lounge at 5. I enjoyed a glass of wine for sailaway and Reeham ordered a blueberry mojito frozen mocktail.

Unfortunately I do not have photos from sailaway today due to issues with the internet on Radiance of the Seas... but rest assured, it was beautiful!

We hung out there for a while before heading to dinner around 7. We've been terrible about showing up to our Main Dining Room reservations this week, and have only showed up to our 5:15 reservation once. Luckily we've had no issue being assigned a table right away, and we enjoyed a nice meal before heading back to our stateroom for the night.

Overall, I loved my time in Sitka today! Next time I'm here I'd like to make a trip to the Fortress of the Bear to see rescued bears in their natural habitat and do more hiking in the surrounding areas.

Tomorrow we are in our last port of call: Skagway, Alaska.

Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Icy Strait Point, Alaska

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Radiance of the Seas Live Blog

30 Aug 2022

The fourth day of our Alaska cruise brings us to Icy Strait Point, a small port located on Chichagof Island in southeast Alaska.

Icy Strait Point is a Native owned and operated cruise port run by the Native population in the area. It's a private port run exclusively for cruise ship tourists.

The gangway opened at 8AM this morning, but we weren't in a rush to disembark the ship as all-aboard time wasn't until 5:30PM. Yesterday we were only in Juneau from 1:30 to 7:30, so it felt really rushed.

I wasn't totally sure what to expect for Icy Strait Point. The words "private port for cruise ships" initially sounded like it might be a tourist trap, and I thought there wouldn't be much to do due to the port's small size.

That being said, I wanted to keep an open mind. Plus, the surrounding scenery was gorgeous, so even if I didn't find much to do I figured I could at least still enjoy a nice view!

First impressions of Icy Strait Point

We disembarked around 9:30AM and began exploring the port. The bridge to the dock was the steepest I've seen yet! There were also complimentary shuttles available to take guests across the water over the bridge.

Once I started exploring Icy Strait Point, I found that it offered the perfect mix of a private, touristy port area while still maintaining local culture and lifestyle.

A zip line and gondola ride were available for adrenaline-seekers and this proved to be popular despite the rain.

In addition, there are several restaurants, food stalls, a bar, shopping areas, a museum, nature trails, culture center, and scenic viewing spots to explore in Icy Strait Point.

It didn't feel like a tourist trap at all and exceeded my expectations! It was really serene, especially when compared to more populous cruise ports in Alaska. The workers in Icy Strait Point were all very welcoming and friendly, too.

Icy Strait Point has a nice boardwalk leading to a beautiful orca statue, and it's the perfect spot to look for wildlife and enjoy the view. We spotted a cute otter (or sea lion?) playing in the water, but failed to see any whales! Some guests saw a couple whales from the viewpoint, though, so it's worth a try!

We then walked through Icy Strait Point's museum and souvenir shop. I really enjoyed the museum, which discussed Alaska's history and culture with displays on topics from salmon production to the gold rush era.

Afternoon in Hoonah, Alaska

When researching Icy Strait Point, I learned of a small town called Hoonah located just 1.5 miles from the port. Residents of Hoonah run the cruise port.

I hoped to visit Hoonah and I was pleased to find out that the town made it extremely easy to visit from Icy Strait Point. I was worried it would be challenging to leave the private port area and venture to town, but it turns out that visiting Hoonah is encouraged and common.

While I found the amenities of Icy Strait Point nice, I was excited to see a more local side to Alaska in Hoonah.

Reaching Hoonah can be achieved via a 30-40 minute walk or by a complimentary shuttle bus. As the weather was quite nice in the morning, Reeham and I decided to walk.

The walk was a lovely and peaceful stroll along a coastal path with breathtaking views. Informational bulletins were placed along the way to give more insight into the area's history, and there were a few areas to take a rest along the way. Even if you don't plan to visit Hoonah, I'd recommend the coastal path solely for the views.

As we got closer to town, it started to rain pretty heavily, so we were definitely grateful for our rain jackets and waterproof daypacks. Whatever you do, don't forget a rain jacket and waterproof backpack on an Alaska cruise!

Once in Hoonah, we came across a building where several locals were carving a traditional totem pole. You'll see these totem poles all over Alaska, and each one tells a different story through its carvings.

The craftsmanship and artistry of creating these totem poles is truly impressive, and it's always fascinating to watch how they carve such intricate designs into a giant log!

Following the carving demonstration, we spent more time walking around Hoonah. It was really small and felt authentic, as there were no lines of jewelry stores and other souvenir shops like you'll find in the immediate downtown of other Alaska cruise ports.

I found it intriguing to see how people live in such a remote location. We stopped into a local grocery store and I was shocked by the prices! Individual apples were $2, a jar of salsa $8, a box of Quaker oatmeal $28, and a bag of jerky was priced at $23!

Lunchtime soon approached and I was excited to taste Hoonah's local cuisine. There are only a couple places to eat in town, and I had heard great things from a few locals about The Fisherman's Daughter, a seafood restaurant in the center of town.

The Fisherman's Daughter was founded by Kristi Styers, the daughter of a local fisherman. Her restaurant focuses on salmon and halibut caught locally or brought to town from nearby Juneau.

We ordered the salmon bites ($23) and a bowl of clam chowder ($6.50) and it was fantastic! Fresh Alaskan salmon was chopped into bite-sized pieces, breaded in panko bread crumbs, and deep fried. These little bites of goodness were so addicting; I wish I had been hungry enough to try more!

The weather in Icy Strait Point/Hoonah today couldn't make up its mind between sunny skies and heavy rain. At this point of the day it was pouring, so we took the shuttle back to Icy Strait Point instead of walking.

The shuttle took around 10 minutes to reach Icy Strait Point, where we were greeted with a delightful smell of cinnamon and sugar.

That smell led us to Lil’ Gen’s Donuts, a small stand selling mini doughnuts by the dozen in tons of flavors. We ordered 6 huckleberry and 6 chocolate coconut espresso mini doughnuts, and they definitely hit the spot!

I also made friends with a local cat, so that was another highlight of the day!

Back onboard

We got back onboard in mid-afternoon, and I took advantage of the sunny skies to finally walk around the outdoor decks of Radiance of the Seas.

I also spent some time filming a full ship tour of Radiance of the Seas for the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel, so be sure to subscribe to our channel so you'll be notified when we post new videos!

The rest of the afternoon was spent resting in our stateroom before catching sailaway from the pool deck. I also made a brief visit to the Diamond Lounge, which had plenty of yummy snacks available.

Sailing away from Icy Strait Point was really beautiful, so I watched the views from the Viking Crown Lounge while sipping a mojito and looking for wildlife in the calm waters outside.

I also spent a half hour or so chatting with Ari and Manuel, two crew members working in the lounge! I love getting to know the crew and everyone has such interesting backgrounds and stories.

Reeham and I were so busy looking at the scenery that we totally forgot about dinner! We ended up going to the late night seating at 8:30 in the Main Dining Room. I've never eaten in the MDR so late before, but I loved the more relaxed atmosphere as there were far fewer guests dining late. The service also seemed to be about 2x faster than the early dinner seating.

We finished dinner around 9:45 and went back to our stateroom to get some rest for tomorrow in Sitka, our fourth port of call.

Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - Juneau, Alaska

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Radiance of the Seas Live Blog

29 Aug 2022

The third day of my 7-night Alaska cruise brings us to Juneau, but we weren't scheduled to arrive until 1PM.

Because of this, the morning started off as a sea day and we caught our first glimpse of Alaska in the distance. While the seas were calm, it was foggy outside, so we weren't able to see much aside from few icebergs floating in the distance!

The Main Dining Room had brunch today starting at 9AM, so we enjoyed a quiet meal next to a window while looking at Alaska's scenery.

Following brunch, we relaxed in our cabin for a few hours until the ship's captain made an announcement that we were approaching Juneau.

Arrival in Juneau

Upon hearing the announcement, Reeham and I threw on our jackets, grabbed our cameras, and headed downstairs to the helicopter pad. Because our only views of Alaska so far had been blocked with fog, we couldn't wait to catch a more close-up look.

I remember last year during my first cruise to Alaska, my dad and I were in awe as we caught our first view of the state when our ship docked in Ketchikan.

The same thing happened today when we walked out on the helicopter pad. Huge mountains and thousand-foot waterfalls surrounded the ship on both sides. We couldn't have been more eager to disembark the ship and start exploring!

There was still an hour or so until the gangway opened, so we had lunch at the Windjammer before disembarking.

Radiance of the Seas docked at the AJ dock today, and we were the last ship to arrive in port. Getting to downtown Juneau from the dock is about a 15-20 minute walk, or you can opt to purchase a round-trip shuttle ticket to and from downtown.

While the shuttle ticket was cheap, we decided to walk as we had no plans for the day and thus were not in a rush.

The original plan for today in Juneau was to ride the Goldbelt Tram up Mount Roberts for stunning views of Juneau and the surrounding area. At the top of the tram are hiking trails, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop, so it seemed like a nice way to spend the afternoon.

When we got to Juneau, however, the sky had near full cloud cover and the tram was covered in mist, so we decided against it. It's still at the top of my list, but I'll have to try it on a day with clearer skies!

Instead of taking the tram, we ventured to the area around the port where local tour companies sell independent excursions. Whale watching tours, helicopter rides, glacier viewing excursions, and other Alaska adventures can be booked once on shore in Juneau.

The tours were all quite expensive (albeit standard Alaska excursion prices), so we opted for the cheapest one: round-trip transportation and entrance fee to Mendenhall Glacier.

I visited Mendenhall Glacier last year while on Ovation of the Seas, but it's such a beautiful place that I couldn't pass up visiting again.

Plus, while downtown Juneau has plenty of shops and restaurants, there isn't a ton to do directly in town, so I thought it made sense to visit Juneau's top attraction a second time.

Mendenhall Glacier

The shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier takes around 25 minutes, and our driver provided informational and entertaining commentary along the way, making the time pass quickly and giving us insights into Juneau's geography and lifestyle.

When we arrived, I was, once again, flabbergasted by the beauty and grandeur of Mendenhall Glacier and the surrounding mountains.

The sky blue, icy glacier and towering Mendenhall Towers above are so beautiful that I could probably visit 100 times and not get tired of the view. We even saw two bald eagles resting on an iceberg!

We were a little short on time, so we hiked the quick trail to Nugget Falls instead of doing a longer hike. Visiting Nugget Falls is well worth the ~20 minute walk on mostly paved surfaces, as the waterfall is extremely powerful and impressive!

The view of the glacier from Nugget Falls isn't the best, though, as the view is mostly covered by rock. For the best viewing opportunity, be sure to visit the park's official scenic photo area located near the visitor center.

We spent around two hours at the glacier and before leaving, we walked into the Visitor Center. I found the information on the glacier at the center quite interesting, and they even had a theater and a live lecturer delivering information about Mendenhall Glacier, so it's well worth a visit.

Downtown Juneau

We took the shuttle bus back to Juneau and arrived downtown with an hour and a half left before all-aboard time.

Our first stop was the Alaska Fudge Co., which makes homemade fudge in a variety of fun flavors, from cookies n' cream to chocolate peanut butter. It was delicious!

Next, we stumbled across a cool food truck/food vendor park downtown. Everything from an oyster bar to fish tacos and crêpes were being sold from various vendors, and it seemed like an awesome place to hang out near downtown.

We tried panko-breaded salmon tacos from the taco truck and they were out-of-this-world delicious!

Our last stop for the day was a rest at a picnic table on the waterfront while en route back to the ship. Here we took in the last views of Juneau before making the 15 minute walk back to Radiance of the Seas.

Once onboard, we went straight to the Windjammer for a late dinner and watched as we pulled away from Juneau and began the journey to Icy Strait Point, our next port of call.

At this point it was already past 8PM and we were tired from a long day of walking, hiking, and sightseeing, so we headed back to the cabin to relax.

We had a wonderful day in Juneau today, and the rain somehow avoided us throughout the majority of the day. I even saw blue skies peeking through the clouds!

Thank you for following along on this live blog and I'll be back tomorrow from Icy Strait Point!

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