While Royal Caribbean is best known for its massive, flashy cruise ships, the cruise line still relies on these older vessels for specific destinations and markets. A cruise line’s oldest ships typically feature a more traditional era of cruising with less bells and whistles than you’ll find on the new mega ships.

I just returned from a 12-night sailing onboard Jewel of the Seas, which is one of the older ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Jewel of the Seas is part of the Radiance Class of ships, the second oldest in the fleet. Our itinerary to Iceland from Amsterdam was very port-intensive and even featured an overnight stay in the capital city, Reykjavik.

Let me preface this by stating that my husband and I had a wonderful cruise! We booked this cruise because of the itinerary, price and date. But, on a longer sailing like this, I had a lot of time to explore Jewel of the Seas - and I have some honest thoughts about the experience. I’ve sailed on many older cruise ships in the recent years, so I do believe my expectations were appropriately set. 

After 12 nights onboard Jewel of the Seas, I probably won't be planning another cruise on a Radiance Class ship again in the near future. Here’s why I think these ships definitely need upgrades. 

Although not the oldest class of ships, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class first debuted in 2001 - which is over 22 years ago. 

This class consists of four cruise ships, including Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas. These ships debuted between 2001 and 2004 with all vessels being revitalized between 2012 and 2016. 

The Radiance Class of ships feature many sunlit, glass-covered spaces with large glass elevators. This design gives world-class views of the sea. Since these are smaller vessels, holding just 2,400 to 2,700 passengers, Royal Caribbean relies on these vessels to reach more remote and exotic ports.

An enclosed, heated solarium is another key feature of these ships. You can also enjoy the solarium’s pool and hot tub, along with a small cafe. The pool deck features one large pool and two hot tubs, surrounded by loungers. 

Radiance Class ships are classic, beautiful and elegant. Onboard, you truly feel like you are on a ship and not a floating resort. Everywhere you look, you’ll find sweeping views of the sea and the ports. This is one of my favorite aspects of Radiance Class ships. 

Royal Caribbean sails these ships around the world, although you will most likely find them sailing to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. In fact, Royal Caribbean will be sailing Serenade of the Seas on the Ultimate World Cruise most likely due to its convenient size for sailing on such an exotic itinerary. 

I’m no stranger to these ships, as I’ve sailed on every Radiance Class ship over the last 13 years.

When I first booked our Iceland cruise, I was expecting to sail on a Radiance Class ship. These vessels are perfect for port-intensive itineraries to visit remote Icelandic towns with populations that double in size when a cruise ship visits. I didn’t have any hesitations, as I knew most of our time would be spent ashore. 

My first Radiance Class ship was on the Radiance of the Seas in 2010 to Alaska and last year, I sailed on Radiance of the Seas to Alaska again. In all honesty, the ship looked pretty tired last year, but it was one of the first post-pandemic sailings for the vessel and the price was dirt cheap - so, I didn’t think too much of it. 

I also sailed on Serenade of the Seas in 2016 for a 13-night cruise to the Baltics. My husband and I would return in July 2021 for another sailing to Alaska on the same ship. Perhaps the novelty for the return of cruising blurred my vision, but we had a fantastic time and I had no gripes about Radiance Class ships after. 

Similarly, Brilliance of the Seas holds a special place in my heart, as it’s where my husband proposed back in 2017 during a 12-night Mediterranean cruise. This is the only Radiance Class ship that I haven’t sailed on again!

Finally, we sailed on Jewel of the Seas to the Caribbean in 2018 before also setting sail a few weeks ago to Iceland onboard the same vessel. Jewel of the Seas received a $30 million investment for bow-to-stern renovations in 2016, but this was seven years ago. 

I think I speak for most people when I say that none of these cruises were booked solely for the ship itself. Newer ships can be destinations themselves, but this isn’t usually the case with Radiance Class ships. Instead, all of these were booked because the date, price and itinerary fit everything we were looking for.

Needless to say, I’ve spent a lot of time onboard Radiance Class ships. While they hold special memories for me, I’ve seen these ships slowly age overtime. I wish Royal Caribbean would make some necessary updates to keep them looking fresh and modern. 

One of my biggest complaints about Radiance Class ships is an overall lack of complimentary dining options onboard.

Radiance Class ships rely mostly on the main dining room and Windjammer buffet for complimentary dining venues. Additionally, you can find light snacks in the Solarium Cafe and Latitude Cafe throughout the day, but that's really about it. 

Newer Royal Caribbean ships feature a slew of complimentary dining options, such as Sorrento’s Pizzeria, Cafe Two Seventy, El Loco Fresh, Cafe Promenade, Dog House, Solarium Bistro and Mini Bites, to name a few. These are casual dining places where you can grab a quick bite to eat throughout the day. 

Royal Caribbean absolutely needs to consider adding a few of these complimentary dining options onboard Radiance Class ships! During our cruise, if you wanted to eat between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., you could only find a very minimal selection of food at Solarium Cafe. After trying this twice, the mediocre food left us preferring to stay hungry until dinner. 

Normally, this isn’t anything to gripe about; however, a European itinerary is very different than a Caribbean one. Most are spending long days in the port and looking for something substantial when getting back onboard. We were out in port most days until the late afternoon. Since we had My Time Dining, we couldn’t eat dinner until at least 6:30 p.m. 

After a long day exploring, we really wanted a late lunch to hold us over until dinner. Solarium Cafe only served the same few sandwiches each day and none of them hit the spot. Late in the evening, this was also the only place you can find a snack as well, meaning everyone crowded into this corner of the Solarium for a late-night snack. 

It would make sense for a venue like Sorrento’s Pizzeria or El Loco Fresh - something with quick, complimentary service - to be added onboard with more accessible hours.

Other cruise lines, like Carnival and Norwegian, have prioritized adding newer dining options to their older ships. 

Because of my job as a cruise blogger, I’ve sailed on many different ships from multiple cruise lines. Last summer, I sailed on Carnival’s oldest ship, Carnival Ecstasy, and I was astounded to see many of the cruise line’s signature dining options onboard. I definitely didn’t expect this, as Royal Caribbean’s older ships have never been amplified like this. 

Even though Carnival Ecstasy was 31 years old, we were able to dine at Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. The ship also featured Carnival’s signature pizza parlor and panini shop. All of this was in addition to the Lido Buffet and Main Dining Room! 

Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Line has added newer dining options to their older ships during refurbishment. For example, Norwegian Sky was refurbished in 2018 and the cruise line added eight new dining venues onboard! 

With more dining options onboard, you create less congestion in the buffet as well. On Jewel of the Seas, we found the Windjammer buffet to be packed for breakfast and lunch during peak times. We could barely find a table most days since there were really no other complimentary places onboard for lunch. 

Royal Caribbean’s amplification program has been adding newer venues to older ships, but the program skipped over Vision and Radiance Class ships. I’d argue that the cruise line’s oldest ships are in need of some amplification more than the newer ships!

In addition to a lack of dining, our balcony stateroom onboard Jewel of the Seas had a lot of wear and tear.

Once onboard in Amsterdam, we made our way to our balcony stateroom to unpack and get settled in. 

The first time I walked on the balcony, I was surprised to see the balcony looking very dry and worn out. I was honestly worried I might get a splinter if I move my hand the wrong way! We also could see a lot of rust around our balcony area, which is expected on an older ship, but it was more than I anticipated. 

We also found the small table in our cabin to be pretty worn down, with scuffs surrounding the exterior. Similarly, our drawers were very damaged. 

Finally, we only had one outlet in our room to share. Luckily, we brought an extender with USB ports, as this was expected. While newer ships have plenty of outlets and USB plugs, older ships were not designed in this way. However, some cruise lines have been adding more outlets when they refurbish their older ships. 

For example, I sailed on Norwegian Sun in March, which is one of Norwegian’s oldest ships. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the cabins had been recently upgraded. Everything from the carpet to the counter tops looked to be refreshed. Most importantly, the cruise line had installed USB plugs on the table side lamps. 

These small touches make a big difference when it comes to the stateroom’s appearance. While having a scuffed table or balcony didn't dampen our cruise by any means, I do think it aligns with most Radiance Class ships looking pretty aged and tired. I expected the room to have aged decor and design, but I was surprised to see how worn it looked. 

Without all of the bells and whistles onboard, Radiance Class ships need to be updated with more hot tubs and pools. 

On Jewel of the Seas, there were only two pools and three hot tubs. You could find the Solarium pool and hot tub, in addition to the lido deck’s pool and two hot tubs. 

It’s totally fine that Radiance Class ships do not have all of the onboard thrills like newer ships, such as waterslides and zip lines. But, it would be nice to have more options for hot tubbing and swimming. For more than 2,000 guests onboard, everyone tends to crowd to the same places. 

Now, granted, on our sailing to Iceland it was very cold and most did not utilize the outdoor pools. Instead, the Solarium was quite busy on sea days since it was covered and heated. I’d love to see the addition of another hot tub or pool, especially considering Radiance ships sail to cooler destinations and there isn't as much to do onboard. I can only imagine how crowded the pool gets during a Caribbean sailing with warmer weather!

The Royal Amplification program does not include Vision and Radiance Class ships, but I think this is a mistake. 

Royal Caribbean has been amplifying its older Freedom and Voyager Class ships to add new venues, bars and lounges onboard, although most of those took place before 2020 when the company’s financial situation was vastly different.

The company is undoubtedly focused on its moneymakers: their mega cruise ships. Their newest cruise ships are the biggest in the world and feature more wow-factors than any other cruise line. Royal Caribbean has even stated that its newer ships are more profitable than older ones. From a business perspective, it makes sense to invest more in the areas that have a higher return on investment. 

However, allocating even a fraction of these amplification resources could be used to update, maintain and modify Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships.

While I used to say that I’d rather sail on an older Royal Caribbean ship than an older ship from Carnival or Norwegian, that perspective might be changing. With Royal Caribbean simply letting their oldest ships age without any major TLC, I am losing my zest to sail on these ships. 

I am someone that books cruises mostly based on the itinerary with little care about which ship is being sailed on. If other cruise lines are investing into their older ships and those itineraries are equally as appealing to me, I probably wouldn’t hesitate to book with another cruise line. A few years ago, I would have never felt this way!

Perhaps Royal Caribbean will add Radiance and Vision Class ships to their Royal Amplification program eventually, even if these ships receive a smaller investment than others. Adding newer venues to older ships, along with updating staterooms, would have a major impact on the cruising experience for these older vessels. 

Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships were built to sail around the entire world. They offer among the most diverse itineraries in the entire fleet, offering cruises to far-flung destinations including the Arctic Circle, Vanuatu, and Turkey, as well as more familiar destinations such as the Bahamas and Mexico.

The Radiance Class is on the smaller end of ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet and offers a more traditional cruise experience than what you may find on the newest and biggest ships.

However, the elegance, architecture, and traditional experience is what makes these cruise ships so charming. Let’s take a closer look at what Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships have to offer.

Radiance Class cruise ships

• Radiance of the Seas is the first Radiance Class ship, and she primarily sails from Vancouver, Seward, and Sydney, offering cruises to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Occasionally she offers transpacific and repositioning voyages.
• Brilliance of the Seas is the second Radiance Class ship, and she sails from Tampa, Venice (Ravenna), Barcelona, and Rome, offering cruises to the Caribbean and Europe.
• Serenade of the Seas is the third Radiance Class ship, and she primarily sails from Vancouver, Seward, and Sydney, offering cruises to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Like Radiance, transpacific and repositioning voyages are sometimes offered.
• Jewel of the Seas is the fourth Radiance Class ship, and she primarily sails from Miami, Amsterdam, and Barcelona, offering European and Caribbean cruises. Her wide range of itineraries brings guests to destinations including Greece, Turkey, and the Arctic Circle.

The layout of Radiance Class ships differs from most classes of Royal Caribbean’s ships. Instead of a Royal Promenade or Royal Esplanade thoroughfare, Radiance Class ships have a Centrum.

The Centrum is a large, open area within the ship. A set of elevators runs up the Centrum, and shops, bars, cafes, and guest service amenities are found on the decks surrounding the elevators.

The Radiance Class first debuted with the maiden voyage of Radiance of the Seas in 2001. This makes the Radiance Class ships newer than the Voyager Class ships, but smaller in size.

The Radiance Class ships are all of a similar length, gross tonnage (GT), and capacity (at double capacity):

• Radiance of the Seas: Capacity of 2,466 guests, 962’ long, 90,090 GT
• Brilliance of the Seas: Capacity of 2,543 guests, 962’ long, 90,090 GT
• Serenade of the Seas: Capacity of 2,476 guests, 965’ long, 90,090 GT
• Jewel of the Seas: Capacity of 2,702 guests, 962’ long, 90,090 GT

Activities and things to do

Pool deck

The main pool deck on Radiance Class ships features one pool and two jacuzzis. There is ample seating area on the pool deck, too, as well as a pool bar. The Sky Bar is another bar located on the running deck above the main pool area, and the venue offers fantastic views of the pool and ocean.

The adults-only Solarium on Radiance Class has one pool and a jacuzzi. As Radiance Class ships were built to sail in all climates, they feature a retractable glass roof that allows the area to be either indoors or outdoors.

Adventure Beach is the pool area for kids onboard Radiance Class ships, and features a small waterslide, pool, and shallow splash area. Adventure Beach is conveniently located in the aft of the pool deck next to other family-friendly activities onboard.

Sports & kid-friendly activities

Radiance Class ships have a rock climbing wall, basketball/sports court, and a mini golf course. These activities are all complimentary for guests. Some activities may have set times listed in the Cruise Planner, so be sure to keep an eye on when activities are open.

There is an arcade on all Radiance Class ships. Radiance Class ships also all have Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean’s children’s programming.

Adventure Ocean is for children aged 6 months to 17 years, and kids are broken into age groups for programming. Teens 12-17 have their own hangout area onboard where they can socialize and meet new friends to hang out with throughout the cruise.

Thermal spa

Radiance Class ships have a thermal spa onboard, and guests can purchase passes to access it for the duration of the cruise. The thermal spa includes a steam room, infrared sauna, rainforest shower room, and hot stone chairs.

In addition to the thermal spa, regular spa and salon services as well as a fitness center are available.

Other activities

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, a variety of other activities are offered throughout the cruise. Activities on Radiance Class ships may include trivia, dance classes, live music, craft classes, language lessons, and theme nights.

Unique features of Radiance Class ships

Radiance Class ships were built with over three acres of glass. Because of this, the ocean is viewable from nearly any vantage point onboard. This is one of the favorite features of Radiance Class ships among cruisers.

Even the glass elevators on Radiance Class ships look out to the ocean, providing excellent views of the sea as you make your way up and down the ship.

Looking to watch a movie? Radiance Class ships are the only Royal Caribbean ships to have their own movie theater onboard. The cinema on Radiance Class ships show movies free of charge throughout the day.

Another unique feature only found on Radiance Class ships is the rotating bar located in the nightclub area of the Viking Crown Lounge. The circular bar area rotates 360 degrees so that you can enjoy spectacular views no matter which side of the bar you sit on. 

Entertainment and venues on Radiance Class ships

The primary entertainment venue on Radiance Class ships is the theater. The main entertainment lineup on Radiance Class ships is as follows:

• Radiance of the Seas: Piano Man and City of Dreams
• Brilliance of the Seas: Tango Buenos Aires, Center Stage, and Now and Forever
• Serenade of the Seas: Stage to Screen and Vibeology
• Jewel of the Seas: Tango Buenos Aires, West End to Broadway, and City of Dreams

In addition to shows in the theater, each Radiance Class ship offers plenty of other entertainment options such as live music, comedians, vocalists, dance parties, game shows, and more.

Dining & beverage

Radiance Class ships share the following dining and bar venues:

• Windjammer Marketplace
• Main Dining Room (name differs by ship)
• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• Giovanni’s Table
• Izumi 
• Caffe Latte-tudes
• Park Cafe (Solarium Cafe on Jewel of the Seas)
• Schooner Bar
• Solarium Bar
• Pool bar
• Sky Bar
• Viking Crown Lounge
• English-style pub (excluding Jewel of the Seas)
• Vintages (excluding Radiance of the Seas)

In the aft of deck 6 of each Radiance Class ship is a series of lounge and pool table areas. They have different names on each ship (Zanzibar Lounge, The Congo Bar, Singapore Slings, Jakarta Lounge, etc.), but they all have the same concept.

This multipurpose venue has self-leveling pool tables, plenty of seating, bars, and a dance floor area used for live music and activities.

Outdoor dining

Radiance Class ships have a large outdoor seating area at the Windjammer. This is located in the very aft of the ships, and offers beautiful views while enjoying your meal with fresh air and a sea breeze.

Differences between the Radiance Class cruise ships

Radiance of the Seas has several more dining venues compared to other Radiance Class ships. 

First is Samba Grill, a specialty restaurant Brazilian steakhouse following the traditional rodizio dining experience. This is an all-you-can-eat experience where waiters go from table to table offering a variety of meats. In addition to meat, there is a buffet for sides and salads.

The Boardwalk Dog House is also available on Radiance of the Seas. Located on the pool deck, this complimentary venue serves options of hot dogs and sausages that guests can top with their favorite condiments.

Radiance of the Seas is the only Radiance Class ship without a Vintages onboard. Instead, she has a champagne bar, where guests can taste a variety of champagnes and wines. The location has elegant decor and glass windows overlooking the ocean.

In lieu of the English-style pub found on most other Royal Caribbean ships, Jewel of the Seas has The Pit Stop. This is a sports bar featuring several television screens and sports-themed decor.

Jewel of the Seas is the only Radiance Class ship without a Royal Babies & Tots nursery onboard. She has Adventure Ocean facilities for ages 3-17, but no nursery option.

Unique itineraries of Radiance Class ships

A major advantage of sailing on a Radiance Class ship is that the itineraries tend to be much more diverse than what you will find on larger ships. Because of their size, Radiance Class ships are able to fit into more ports around the world, and also pass through the Panama Canal. 

Here are a few examples of the unique itineraries available on Radiance Class ships:

• 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Cruise on Radiance of the Seas, visiting Seward, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Icy Point Straight, Ketchikan, and the Canadian Inside Passage, before ending in Vancouver. Land-based Cruise Tours are available in Alaska prior to the sailing.
• 7-night Greek Isles Cruise on Brilliance of the Seas, visiting Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Athens
• 10-night South Pacific Cruise on Radiance of the Seas, visiting Isle of Pines and Noumea in New Caledonia, Mystery Island and Port Vila in Vanuatu, and Lifou, Loyalty Islands
• 9-night Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Jewel of the Seas, visiting the Norwegian ports of Olden, Flam, Geiranger, Alesund, and Kristiansand
• 12-night Iceland & Scotland Cruise on Jewel of the Seas, visiting Akureyri and Reykjavik in Iceland as well as Shetland, Inverness, and Edinburgh in Scotland

In addition to these unique itineraries, Radiance Class ships also sail to more common ports in the Caribbean including Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee, among others.

Serenade of the Seas will be sailing around the world during Royal Caribbean’s first World Cruise, from December 2023 to September 2024. During the World Cruise, she will visit all 7 continents, 11 world wonders, and over 150 destinations in over 60 countries.

Who is the Radiance Class best for?

Radiance Class ships are a great fit for guests looking for a traditional cruise experience without all the bells and whistles found on the newest ships. There are a variety of complimentary and dining options to try, plenty of bars to choose from, and a range of entertainment throughout the cruise.

And while Radiance Class ships may not offer the latest activities for kids, such as bumper cars and the FlowRider, there is still plenty for kids to do onboard. From the rock climbing wall to Adventure Ocean and the sports court, kids will have many activities to try on a Radiance Class ship.

Solo travelers will especially benefit from the stateroom selections on Radiance Class ships. Each ship has 3 studio interior rooms available to book on any sailing. The benefit of sailing in a studio room is that your cruise fare will be much lower, as you do not have to pay a single supplement fee for staying in a normal room.

If you’re looking to try the biggest and most popular Royal Caribbean ships, the Radiance Class is not the best option for you. But if you’re looking for a relaxing, classic cruise experience, you will certainly find that on a Radiance Class ship.

Radiance Class tips & secrets

Be sure to try out the self-leveling pool tables on Radiance Class ships. They are the only pool tables that do this in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, so you won’t have to worry about your game messing up if the seas are rocky!

The Radiance Class offers plenty of balconies with views of the aft. These often sell out quickly, so be sure to book well in advance to get a cabin with one of these views.

The helicopter (helipad) is accessible for guests on Radiance Class ships. This is a fantastic spot to watch sailaway or view the unique destinations visited during your cruise. The Promenade Deck is also a relaxing spot onboard to take a walk, read a book, and enjoy the views.

More on the Radiance Class:

• 20 Radiance Class cruise ship tips and secrets
• 7 fun facts about Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas Live Blog
• Jewel of the Seas Live Blog

It is hard to believe, but Royal Caribbean's first Radiance Class cruise ship was launched 20 years ago this week.

The Meyer Werft shipyard shared some great photos of Radiance of the Seas being built to commemorate the occasion, so I thought it would be appropriate to share with all of you 20 secrets, tips, and tricks if you are sailing on any of the ships.

Whether you sail on Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, or Jewel of the Seas, here are some helpful tips to know about these amazing ships.

Read more: 50 Great insider Royal Caribbean tips for an awesome cruise

1. Outdoor dining

Among the many unique features on a Radiance Class ship is the outdoor seating at the Windjammer buffet.

Typically, the Windjammer is indoors on most Royal Caribbean cruise ships, but Radiance Class ships have an outdoor option as well on the back the ship. This means you can enjoy a breeze and a view of the ocean as you enjoy your food.

To access the outdoor seating, simply walk all the way to the back of the Windjammer

2. Glass elevators

Another fun Radiance Class feature are the glass elevators.

The elevators in the Centrum area face outwards to provide views of the ocean around you.  This means you get to enjoy a great view on your way up and down the ship.

3. Self-leveling pool tables

Self-leveling billiards tables are something you will only find on Radiance Class cruise ships.

When they work, these tables will move along with the ship to provide a stable playing platform if the ship is rocking back and forth.

The secret to these tables are the gyroscopes that always keep the top of the table level so the billiards balls do not roll around.

4. There's a movie theater

Radiance Class ships actually have their own movie theater onboard.

The cinema is located towards the front of the ship on deck 6, and shows movies throughout the day at no additional charge.

Seating is limited, so check the schedule and arrive early if you want to be there for a screening.

5. Rotating bar

Did you know the bar at the top of the ship in the Viking Crown Lounge actually rotates?

In the evening, the bartenders can activate the spin feature which slowly rotates the bar area around in a complete circle.  This usually coincides with the DJ music playing, and it is a neat little feature.

6. Retractable roof Solarium

The adults-only Solarium is my favorite spot on any Radiance Class cruise ship because it seems to be just the right size, with a large and inviting pool.

The Solarium is also enclosed with a glass roof, which is actually retractable.

Admittedly, Royal Caribbean seems to rarely ever retract the roof, but theoretically they could open it up if weather conditions permit to allow a more open pool deck feel.

When the roof is closed, it keeps the Solarium the perfect temperature for enjoying the pool.

7. Sailaway from the helipad

Just like Voyager and Freedom Class cruise ships, guests can go down to the helipad anytime they want during the cruise (weather permitting).

The helipad provides arguably the best vantage point on the ship, especially for sailaway.

To access the helicopter pad, go outside on deck 5 and then walk forward, climb up a set of stairs and continue walking forward until you reach the helicopter pad.

8. Dining package value

While Radiance Class ships are no where near as large as Royal Caribbean's newer ships, there are still plenty of great specialty restaurants onboard.

Royal Caribbean added more specialty dining in recent refurbishments to offer more specialty dining options.

If you think you might eat at more than 1 or 2 specialty restaurants, a specialty dining package might be a very good investment to save money.

9. Water slide for kids

For many years, the Radiance Class was the only Royal Caribbean ships with an actual water slide, and they still have one just for younger kids.

The kids slide is complimentary and is the perfect size for younger children to get some rides in during the day.

There are limited hours for the slide, so be sure to look at the schedule for when it is open.

10. You can relax in the thermal spa

A great way to indulge while relaxing is to purchase a pass to the ship's thermal spa.

The thermal spa is a special part of the Vitality Spa which offers limited-access via passes that good for the duration of the cruise.

If you buy a pass, you can enjoy unlimited time at the hot stone chairs, rainforest shower room, infrared sauna, and steam room.

There are two thermal spa pass prices: single and couples.  Price will vary depending on sailing.

11. Park Cafe

One of the best recent additions to most of the Radiance Class ships has been Park Cafe.

Located in the Solarium, you can find made-to-order salads, toasted paninis, pizza, pastries and coffee to enjoy.

Despite being in the Solarium, kids are allowed to come in and get food from Park Cafe too.

Best of all, Park Cafe is complimentary.

12. Fun activities onboard

If you like physical activity on a cruise ship, Radiance Class ships offer plenty of it.

You can tackle the 200-foot tall rock climbing wall, challenge the family to mini-golf, or hit the sports court and shoot hoops, play soccer, or engage in one of the many activities offered throughout the day by the sports staff.

Read more: Free Royal Caribbean onboard physical and fun activities

13. You can book solo rooms

If you are a single traveler, the Radiance class are one of the few Royal Caribbean cruise ships to offer solo rooms.

Studio rooms are designed for a single traveler, and do not come with a hefty single supplement fee.

Each of the Radiance Class ships have 3 Studio Interior rooms available to book on any given sailing.

Read more: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Single and Studio staterooms

14. You can open the balcony dividers

If you happen to have connecting or adjoining balcony staterooms, you can open up the balcony dividers between the rooms.

Between each balcony is a divider that grants privacy for each guest, but if you know the person in the cabin next to you, you can ask the stateroom attendant to remove the divider.

Doing this little trick means you get to enjoy a much larger and open balcony.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Secrets: opening the balcony dividers

15. Look all the way down

I am not sure if all ships have re-opened this area, but at least on Brilliance of the Seas one of the coolest vantage points is open to guests again.

If you go to deck 12 in the Centrum, you can go to the Loyalty Ambassador area and peer all the way down the Centrum for some amazing views.

This area was previously closed when Royal Caribbean offered aerial shows, but those shows (and equipment) have been removed.

16. Must do: Sushi making class

If your Radiance Class ship offers the sushi making class, it is a must-do event.

As advertised, a sushi chef will instruct you how to easily make a few different sushi rolls, and then subsequently eat your creation!

You make enough sushi to constitute a meal, so come hungry and bring your camera. It is a fun activity that I really enjoyed doing.

Read more: Izumi sushi making class on Royal Caribbean

17. Best spot for evening drinks: Viking Crown Lounge

The Viking Crown Lounge at the top of the ship is beautiful, and worth taking the elevator ride all the way to the top.

The best part of the Viking Crown Lounge on Radiance Class ships is you get a fantastic view with your drink.  Grab a seat, and enjoy a view while the bartender prepares it.

As a bonus, during the day when the bar may be closed, the lounge is open and a very relaxing and quiet spot to read, or enjoy views of the ocean.

18. Aft balcony rooms

People that go on cruises a lot will wax poetically about the virtues of an aft balcony, and the Radiance Class ships are the perfect ships for these rooms.

Aft balconies refer to the balcony cabins on the back of the ship that face backwards, instead of to one side of the ship.

In many cases, these aft balconies provide expansive views around you, which is especially important if you are cruising on a Radiance Class ship in Alaska or Europe.

Aft balcony rooms book up quickly, so be sure to snag one before they sell out.

19. Best spot for evening fun: Schooner Bar

The Schooner Bar is an institution on all Royal Caribbean ships, but the layout of the Schooner Bar on Radiance Class ships might be the best yet.

LIke all Royal Caribbean ships, tthe Schooner Bar has a nautical theme that features a piano and views of the ocean.  Each evening, you will find plenty of live music to enjoy throughout the evening.

The bar area has stool seating that extends all the way around.

20. GTV

You may notice on the side of Radiance Class ships the letters "GTV", which you won't find on any other Royal Caribbean ship.

GTV stands for gas turbine vessel, which is an environmentally-conscious approach to ship propulsion.

The Radiance Class was the first ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet to have a General Electric gas and steam turbine as its primary source of power.  The power plant is more efficient and cleaner than traditional diesel-powered engines on most cruise ships employ.

Royal Caribbean announced its 2014 Alaska cruises and cruisetour offerings, which include 34 sailings on seven-night itineraries from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle, Washington.  Delivering Royal Caribbean's Alaska experience will be the recently revitalized Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas.

Radiance of the Seas will switch between North- and Southbound seven-night cruises out of Vancouver and Deward, respectively.  Passengers will cruise the Inside Passage and the monumental Hubbard Glacier, as well as call at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska. Radiance of the Seas’ Alaska season will be bookended with a seven-night itinerary, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver on May 9 and Sept. 5, calling at Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Ketchikan, and cruising up Tracy Arm Fjord to see Sawyer Glacier.

 In addition, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer seven-night, roundtrip itineraries to Sawyer Glacier from Seattle, Washington. Passengers will sail the Inside Passage and call at Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, British Columbia. Two similar seven-night itineraries that call at Ketchikan instead of Victoria will sail from Vancouver to Seattle on May 16 and vice versa on Aug. 29.

 “Royal Caribbean has been unfolding the wonders of the Alaskan frontier for a quarter century and we continue to deliver this amazing destination like no other cruise line,” said Lisa Bauer, executive vice president of Global Marketing and Sales, Royal Caribbean International. “Guests can explore this awe-inspiring destination while sailing aboard our recently revitalized ships that are Designed for WOW and enjoy Royal Caribbean’s friendly and engaging GOLD Anchor service from every staff and crew member. To further immerse themselves, vacationers also can choose an unforgettable Royal Caribbean Alaska cruisetour combining the best of land and sea in the region and without having to worry about any of the planning.”

In addition to witnessing the majesty of Alaska by ship, vacationers also can explore Alaska’s interior on a variety of exciting Royal Caribbean Cruisetours, which combines a sailing aboard Radiance of the Seas with a three- to six-night land tour adventure. Royal Caribbean takes care of all the planning, transportation and lodging on fully escorted tours that spend at least one night in Denali National Park and one leg on the Wilderness Express, a plush, glass-domed train cars that offer panoramic views of the grand Alaskan frontier. A 10-night, family-geared cruisetour will feature a three-night land tour that includes a behind-the-scenes visit to the Alaska Sea Life Center to learn about the region’s natural habitat and the center’s wildlife rehabilitation and conservation efforts, and wildlife spotting in Denali National Park at the Murie Science and Learning Center.