Radiance of the Seas

Up top, the complimentary rock climbing wall rises above the aft sports deck, a Royal Caribbean signature that started on Voyager of the Seas. Behind it, the mini golf course wraps around the back of the ship like a giant horseshoe, with ocean views from every hole. The half-size sports court hosts three-on-three basketball and now pickleball, and Challengers Arcade (extra cost) sits nearby. There's also a shuffleboard court and quiet loungers tucked away for the views.

The adults-only Solarium is a climate-controlled retreat under a retractable glass roof, so it works in the Caribbean sun or on a chilly Alaska morning. It has a full pool with a sit-in ledge, a cabana-style hot tub, loungers all around and its own bar. Each Radiance Class Solarium is decorated a little differently, and this one has huge elephant sculptures. Tucked in the corner, Park Café serves sandwiches, made-to-order salads and cookies, all complimentary.

Izumi is Radiance's Asian restaurant, with a full sushi bar, booths and window tables wrapping around the space. Danny believes it's the largest Izumi in the fleet. The menu covers sushi and sashimi, specialty rolls and Japanese dishes like chicken karaage and beef or chicken teriyaki, and the kitchen handled a gluten-free, seafood-free guest in Danny's group with ease. It's an incredibly popular spot and comes at an extra cost, alone or as part of a dining package.

Samba Grill is a Brazilian-style steakhouse where passadores bring skewers of steak, filet, sausage and pork loin to the table, as much as you like, after a stop at the starter buffet. It comes at an extra cost. Next door, the complimentary Windjammer serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with grill stations, pizza, made-to-order items and desserts. Its aft outdoor terrace is a Radiance Class favorite for dining al fresco, and the Dog House serves gourmet hot dogs nearby.

The Viking Crown sits at the top of the ship, wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows. By day it's a bright, quiet lounge; at night a DJ takes over the dance floor, and a pianist plays at cocktail hour. When Danny filmed, it was home to the first rotating bar on a cruise ship, which debuted on Radiance. Nearby, the Suite Lounge gives suite guests a concierge, continental breakfast, evening bites and drinks, and a private outdoor deck.

Adventure Ocean runs from Royal Babies and Tots, for little ones from 6 months, all the way to a teen club for ages 12 to 17. Kids 3 to 5 and 6 to 11 have their own spaces with arts and crafts, science activities, reading corners, video games and movie time, each with its own restroom. Babies and Tots staff change diapers, feed and put little ones down for naps. Teens get a dance floor, DJ booth, foosball and video games.

The Schooner Bar is a nautical piano bar with a big wraparound bar on two levels, lounge seating and nightly sing-alongs. Just past it are two gyroscopically stabilized pool tables, a Radiance first that keeps the table level even when the sea is rolling. Chops Grille, the classic steakhouse, and Giovanni's Table, for Italian, sit on either side. The two-story Cascades dining room is just forward, with My Time or set-time dining.

Named for the northern lights, the Aurora Theater stages full production shows, with City of Dreams and Piano Man listed today, plus comedians and guest entertainers, all included in the fare. Radiance also has a dedicated cinema with stadium seating. The Quill & Compass pub has live music nightly, the Vegas-style casino has a center bar, and the Colony Club hosts dancing, trivia and bingo, with the Chef's Table in a private corner.