Southern Dan Posted December 19, 2025 Report Posted December 19, 2025 Happy Holidays and welcome everyone to my first ever solo cruise onboard the Radiance of the Seas. Three weeks to go until sail away out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. This will be my first time sailing on the beautiful Radiance Class of ships and I have a lot of things I am looking forward to experiencing in my short 3 days onboard. I do not have the UDP for this sailing, but I did book Samba Grill for my first dinner onboard as it might be my only chance to eat there given it is only on a couple ships. The rest of my meals will be in the Windjammer as I’m not a big MDR person. I plan to take advantage of the outside dining area in the back as long as the weather Gods are kind to us. My cabin for the weekend will be a Sunset Oceanview Balcony which will be new cabin type for me. The itinerary? Not the greatest, Grand Bahama Island and Nassau. I will be staying on the ship for GBI and will be going to the new Royal Beach Club for our stop in Nassau which I’m really excited for. It is also NFL Wildcard Weekend so I plan on watching football Saturday and Sunday on the pool deck, in the pub and perhaps someplace else I’m not quite privy to yet. I have to return to work after two weeks off that Sunday through Wednesday and then will be flying to Fort Lauderdale Thursday out of ATL. I will be spending Night Zero at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina upon arrival. Hope some of you here join along and can keep me company! Time to start packing, not for the cruise but for my flight up to JFK tomorrow morning to meet up with my wife and dog who drove up two weeks ago. I moved to ATL in 2018 and I think I’ve only spent 2 of the 8 Christmas breaks down here. At least I met my now-wife Christmas Eve 2019 at the Orlando International during a layover so that was well worth it! Jamesszy94, Lovetocruise2002, WAAAYTOOO and 9 others 10 2 Quote
asquared17 Posted December 21, 2025 Report Posted December 21, 2025 On 12/19/2025 at 4:13 PM, Southern Dan said: Sunset Oceanview Balcony is this an aft balcony?? if so, our favorite!! On 12/19/2025 at 4:13 PM, Southern Dan said: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina upon arrival. okay excited to hear about this!!! i know there is newer section that’s pretty nice too. Quote
Southern Dan Posted December 21, 2025 Author Report Posted December 21, 2025 13 hours ago, asquared17 said: is this an aft balcony?? if so, our favorite!! Sure is, never experienced one of these cabins before so I’m very excited. asquared17, SweetPea, Jamesszy94 and 3 others 3 3 Quote
asquared17 Posted December 21, 2025 Report Posted December 21, 2025 AND A CORNER!!!!!!!! that balc is gonna be HUGE!!!!! ENJOY!!!! Jamesszy94 and Southern Dan 1 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted December 21, 2025 Author Report Posted December 21, 2025 I was either going to do 3 nights on Wonder or the 3 nights on Radiance. The fact that I have never sailed on a Radiance Class ship before and I could lock down that corner sunset balcony for the same price as a regular balcony on Wonder made the decision easy for me. I am currently debating pros and cons for what do do for my Jan 28 cruise now. 10Nt Ultimate Caribbean on Ascent vs 8Nt Southern Caribbean on Legend. I think I’m leaning towards Ascent bc I’ve only sailed on Zenith and Horizon WAY back in the ealy-mid 90’s. InmyElement, MaryS, SweetPea and 5 others 7 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted December 21, 2025 Report Posted December 21, 2025 2 hours ago, Southern Dan said: Sure is, never experienced one of these cabins before so I’m very excited. I really enjoy aft cabins as well. We have had several of them over the years. I know some don't enjoy the distance/walk from main venues, but you just cannot beat some of those views from the back. 1 hour ago, Southern Dan said: 10Nt Ultimate Caribbean on Ascent vs 8Nt Southern Caribbean on Legend. I remember you discussing this on another thread. I am giving up Legend too for X (Beyond). Legend newly released pricing for the time I am able to go just doesn't make sense right now. Southern Dan 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted December 21, 2025 Author Report Posted December 21, 2025 The price for an Ascent Deluxe Porthole Veranda All In which includes drink package/wifi/gratuities is $20 more than an OVB on Legend. It’ll be another $800 at least once I add in that other stuff for two less nights on Legend. It would be silly to choose Legend over Ascent given the numbers… Sweety, Lovetocruise2002 and asquared17 2 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted December 21, 2025 Report Posted December 21, 2025 6 hours ago, Southern Dan said: 10Nt Ultimate Caribbean on Ascent we have this booked i think…. four times in the next two years. she is a beautiful ship and the itinerary is stunning. i don’t think you’ll be disappointed!!!!! i am biased as she’s our favorite ship and crew, but WOW what a great sailing experience!!! Southern Dan, InmyElement, Ogilthorpe and 2 others 3 2 Quote
Southern Dan Posted December 22, 2025 Author Report Posted December 22, 2025 Four times in the next two years?!? I know who I’m going to with all my questions when the time comes. asquared17 and InmyElement 2 Quote
Southern Dan Posted December 28, 2025 Author Report Posted December 28, 2025 Just got back to GA after leaving LI at 11:15am Friday. What a journey! Good to be home and now I have off until next Sunday and then only 4 days of work until my flight to FLL. 11 day countdown! MaryS, WAAAYTOOO, Lovetocruise2002 and 4 others 7 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 Happy New Year! I have officially started my “to-do” list as I have 6 days before my flight to FLL and 7 til Radiance departs. I gotta go to the bank for my tipping money. With this being only a 3Nt sailing I settled on 40 singles, 6 5’s and 3 10’s. That should be more than sufficient for such a short sailing. Also settled on my luggage. Got my Aer backpack which when filled is still carry on compliant. Also gonna pack my mini backpack empty to use for my day at RBC and for when I go to the pool/solarium. I’ll pull out my clothes Tue or Wed night…that will take very little time. Lovetocruise2002, InmyElement, Ogilthorpe and 5 others 8 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 1 Report Posted January 1 i envy this mode of packing Sweety, InmyElement, Ogilthorpe and 5 others 8 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 1 Author Report Posted January 1 23 minutes ago, asquared17 said: i envy this mode of packing Some of you ladies be like… twangster, Sweety, MaryS and 8 others 10 1 Quote
SweetPea Posted January 2 Report Posted January 2 Hi! Looks like you get to keep the ship warm for @Ampurp85, if I'm still reading things correctly after 2 glasses of champagne? I chuckled at packing with backpacks. I don't think I've ever done that! And +1 for aft balconies! InmyElement, Ampurp85, Southern Dan and 3 others 2 1 3 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 On 1/1/2026 at 1:00 PM, Southern Dan said: Some of you ladies be like… @Jax @asquared17 asquared17, Ampurp85, Jamesszy94 and 3 others 6 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 3 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: @Jax @asquared17 We all knew who he meant but you just had to throw them right under the bus by tagging them? WAAAYTOOO, Southern Dan, SweetPea and 7 others 10 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 4 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said: We all knew who he meant but you just had to throw them right under the bus by tagging them? That's how you know we are all family here! lol Southern Dan, Ampurp85, Ogilthorpe and 3 others 1 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 i claim my baggage — literal and figurative — PROUDLY. my record is 7 bags on my own power. JohnK6404, OCSC Mike, Ampurp85 and 9 others 2 10 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 for the record…. all of those are mine (long story) besides the red béis bag. Ogilthorpe, InmyElement, JohnK6404 and 5 others 7 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted January 3 Report Posted January 3 9 minutes ago, asquared17 said: for the record…. all of those are mine I seriously don't know how you do it. Very impressive. Ogilthorpe, Ampurp85, asquared17 and 1 other 3 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 3 Author Report Posted January 3 Good God that is a lot of luggage. You are a bellhop’s worst nightmare!!! Ampurp85, MaryS, Ogilthorpe and 5 others 8 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 I don't know how people can move with that much luggage. A 3n cruise would be a duffel and backpack and that is only because I travel with a fan. I hope Samba works out for you, we had it on Allure and everyone had meat nightmares. Ogilthorpe, Sweety, OCSC Mike and 2 others 5 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 4 Author Report Posted January 4 Meat nightmares?!? Did it entail Samba Grill running out of meat? That would be terrifying! Sweety, Ogilthorpe, OCSC Mike and 2 others 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 8 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I don't know how people can move with that much luggage. i am stronger than i look 1 hour ago, Southern Dan said: Good God that is a lot of luggage. You are a bellhop’s worst nightmare!!! i tip very well though and apologize up front Ogilthorpe, Sweety, Southern Dan and 3 others 6 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 1 hour ago, Southern Dan said: Meat nightmares?!? Did it entail Samba Grill running out of meat? That would be terrifying! Well truthfully most of us don't eat meat like that. So when you partake of a lot of something you don't eat, it can give you nightmares. imho the lamb was the best bite. I wouldn't go again unless everyone wanted to go because its just too much meat. Ogilthorpe, InmyElement, OCSC Mike and 4 others 6 1 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said: its just too much meat. Ampurp85 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 4 Author Report Posted January 4 I am not opposed to falling asleep early after dinner that night. Hopefully the AC in my cabin prevents any unwanted meat sweats that may or may not occur post-Samba. Sweety, InmyElement, OCSC Mike and 4 others 4 2 1 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 personal recommendation to bring at least ONE small travel fan from bezos to assist. Ampurp85, OCSC Mike and Southern Dan 3 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 8 hours ago, asquared17 said: personal recommendation to bring at least ONE small travel fan from bezos to assist. My wife has a slightly larger one with a telescopic stand so it can sit on the floor and when fully extended reach over the bed. We also used it in the enclosed Solarium which gets warm. Then my MIL got us one of the smaller travel fans from Bezos for Xmas. Given that March won't be a Solarium cruise with the family and our cabin was actually freezing last cruise, we might just take the new small travel one. Southern Dan, Ogilthorpe, WAAAYTOOO and 1 other 4 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 9 hours ago, Southern Dan said: Samba asquared17, Sweety, WAAAYTOOO and 4 others 7 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 4 Author Report Posted January 4 1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said: Damnit Mike, now I want a Jamocha milkshake! Hoppy2BHere and OCSC Mike 1 1 Quote
OCSC Mike Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 Just now, Southern Dan said: Damnit Mike, now I want a Jamocha milkshake! We almost never get fast food and I haven't been to an Arby's in forever... but I do remember those things being pretty great! Southern Dan and Hoppy2BHere 1 1 Quote
Ampurp85 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 I don't think I have ever eaten at Arby's WAAAYTOOO, Southern Dan and JohnK6404 3 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 4 Author Report Posted January 4 I get it once a year. I’m a fan of their curly fries, the aforementioned Jamocha milkshake and Arbys sauce. Roast beef is below average nowadays…used to be better back when I was a kid. Sweety, OCSC Mike, SweetPea and 2 others 5 Quote
asquared17 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 24 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said: I don't think I have ever eaten at Arby's same tbh Southern Dan and Ampurp85 1 1 Quote
GatorCruiser Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 Beef and cheddar is the stuff of dreams Lovetocruise2002, SweetPea, Hoppy2BHere and 3 others 3 2 1 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 I love Arby’s but rarely get it anymore. I agree with @Southern Dan though…the quality of the beef (and the volume that’s they serve) has gone down over the years. Ampurp85, Hoppy2BHere, Sweety and 3 others 5 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 3 hours ago, GatorCruiser said: Beef and cheddar is the stuff of dreams Yes! OCSC Mike, Sweety, Hoppy2BHere and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote
Southern Dan Posted January 5 Author Report Posted January 5 I survived my first day back at work today. 3 more days of work left and then it's 5 days off of fun and adventure. I cannot wait to see palm trees and stare out at the ocean for hours on end. JohnK6404, Ampurp85, GatorCruiser and 2 others 3 2 Quote
GatorCruiser Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 There’s nothing like being on the ocean. Saw an orange moon tonight too. SweetPea, asquared17, WAAAYTOOO and 4 others 6 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.