Floating Fun Posted August 18, 2019 Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 We are thinking about an Alaska cruise and are interested in thoughts about the Ovation vs the Rhapsody. Which ship has more outdoor viewing areas? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted August 18, 2019 Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 You have "best month" in the header. We have been twice in May and once in August. We much preferred May. We saw much more wildlife both times. Have not been on Ovation Or Rhapsody, but we have been on Vision, which is the same class as Rhapsody. We loved that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweber3 Posted August 18, 2019 Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 We cruised to Alaska in May. The weather then was great. We even used the pool at Icy Straight Point. We recommend the Radiance class as the best for outdoor viewing. Radiance has more glassed in areas and really allows the outside in. Of the two you specified I would pick Rhapsody. The Quantum ships are cold weather ships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhageerah Posted August 18, 2019 Report Share Posted August 18, 2019 I can not compare, but what I will say is that we went on Radiance of the Seas and had an absolutely AMAZING time, but having been on Anthem and coming out of NJ, I can DEFINITELY see where there is an advantage when it is a little bit colder. That being said I would not complain on either one! I would not hesitate to book an AK cruise on either one of the ships. It was absolutely AMAZING and I can tell you that while the ship was nice, I would honestly go back even if the only ship that was sailing there was Majesty of the Seas! Trust me you will see, and understand once you get there! I have enjoyed every single cruise I have been on, and seen some amazing things but AK absolutely took our breath away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 19, 2019 Report Share Posted August 19, 2019 Just a quick clarification, I think you mean Radiance. Rhapsody doesn't sail to Alaska. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 19, 2019 Report Share Posted August 19, 2019 Radiance will have better views of the seas and can get closer to glaciers. It also tends to visit Hubbard on some itineraries where Ovation at present doesn't. Ovation is newer and is a bigger ship with a lot more to do on it if that's important to you or anyone in your group. Serenade is a sister ship to Radiance and also operating in Alaska next year. I prefer May or early June for the long days. Quite a bit less daytime hours in September. However to see the Salmon run you have to go mid to late August typically. J_Keeble 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagar Posted August 19, 2019 Report Share Posted August 19, 2019 front of OV so here's my 2 pennies Kathleen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted December 7, 2019 Report Share Posted December 7, 2019 I'd like to piggy-back on this topic to ask about Alaska sailing date. Is July 31 a good date on the Radiance? I was on the Ovation August 30-Sept 6 this year (2019) and my cruise was a story of missed opportunities. We had to turn back on the way to Dawes Glacier because of the fog. Whales were not playful and active. It was cloudy most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted December 7, 2019 Report Share Posted December 7, 2019 30 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: I'd like to piggy-back on this topic to ask about Alaska sailing date. Is July 31 a good date on the Radiance? I was on the Ovation August 30-Sept 6 this year (2019) and my cruise was a story of missed opportunities. We had to turn back on the way to Dawes Glacier because of the fog. Whales were not playful and active. It was cloudy most of the time. May 29 - 11 June 2020, because i'm on that one! Radiance that is. SpeedNoodles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen Posted December 7, 2019 Report Share Posted December 7, 2019 We were on Ovation in May. We loved both the ship and the time of year. Ovation has wonderful all glass areas as well as outdoor areas for both viewing and relaxing. The Solarium is like no other class ship. (See picture above by previous poster). The back of the ship has the “270 show” area which was one of my favorite areas of total glass. (See photo below) I’ve not sailed the other ship so I can’t speak to it. Alaska has been my favorite cruise and I’d do it again on the Ovation in a minute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 7, 2019 Report Share Posted December 7, 2019 We enjoyed the Ovation in Alaska last June, but except for 270 and the Solarium, I really felt there were too many places on the ship without an ocean view. Our first trip to Alaska was on Vision, and there are amazing views from so many public areas (especially our favorite, the Schooner Bar), that we just missed the connection with the ocean. That being said, if you really just want to do a round trip (for the convenience of flights), Ovation is your ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 4 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said: We enjoyed the Ovation in Alaska last June, but except for 270 and the Solarium, I really felt there were too many places on the ship without an ocean view. Our first trip to Alaska was on Vision, and there are amazing views from so many public areas (especially our favorite, the Schooner Bar), that we just missed the connection with the ocean. That being said, if you really just want to do a round trip (for the convenience of flights), Ovation is your ship. I've already done Ovation, so I want to try Radiance next time. I want to know what month is the best time to do it. I did not like my "shoulder season" sailing on Ovation. I don't mind the open loop itinerary (Seward/Anchorage & Vancouver) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 18 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: I've already done Ovation, so I want to try Radiance next time. I want to know what month is the best time to do it. I did not like my "shoulder season" sailing on Ovation. I don't mind the open loop itinerary (Seward/Anchorage & Vancouver) My personal preference is the week of the Summer Solstice - I just love those long, long, hours of sunlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 4 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said: My personal preference is the week of the Summer Solstice - I just love those long, long, hours of sunlight. Is that around June 21? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedNoodles Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 1 minute ago, PG Cruiser said: Is that around June 21? Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 1 hour ago, PG Cruiser said: I've already done Ovation, so I want to try Radiance next time. I want to know what month is the best time to do it. I did not like my "shoulder season" sailing on Ovation. I don't mind the open loop itinerary (Seward/Anchorage & Vancouver) Early shoulder vs. late shoulder makes a huge difference. Keep in mind Serenade is also doing Alaska now. The end of May or early June is very close to the summer solstice but much kinder on the wallet. Millenium early June which is like Radiance class and does (or did) an identical itinerary: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5211-alaska-recap-celebrity-millennium-june-2017/ Radiance end of August doing the same itinerary: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/9160-not-so-live-blog-radiance-of-the-seas-alaska-southbound-83118/ For glacier calving I suspect later in the season produces more action because the sun and warmer temps have been acting on the glacier. i could be wrong but I also was able to see the Salmon running late season which you won't early season. Bears also have distinct seasons where they are more active. There is no wrong time to do Alaska, you just see different stuff, but you will have an incredible time no matter when you go. Explorer very close to summer solstice: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/6634-explorer-alaska-62218-7-nights-rclblog-group-cruise/ Ovation in mid-May https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/12630-ovation-goes-north-way-north-to-alaska-11-nights-may-13-2019/ Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 @twangster, what can I expect on a July 31st sailing on the Radiance. I think it’s a southbound itinerary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted December 8, 2019 Report Share Posted December 8, 2019 I think you can look up sunset and sunrise predictions online. I’m guessing 6 or 7 weeks off the solstice will be dramatically different. It’s something like 6-8 minutes per day of daylight difference. You might catch an early start to Salmon running. Could be rainy but it can always be rainy in Alaska. That’s peak and I don’t tend to cruise peak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted December 9, 2019 Report Share Posted December 9, 2019 We did the Northbound on the Radiance the 3rd week of July 2018 and it was wonderful. Not too hot or too cold and saw lots of whales on our excusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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