Royal Caribbean · Radiance Class
Radiance of the Seas: ship guide
Tampa’s year-round Western Caribbean ship with glass walls and ten places to eat.
Best for: Tampa-area families and couples who want short, easy Western Caribbean cruises on a bright mid-size ship with plenty of dining choice. Sails from Tampa in 2026 and 2027.
About Radiance of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas was the first of Royal Caribbean’s four Radiance Class ships, entering service in April 2001 and marking 25 years of service in 2026. At 90,090 gross tons and 962 feet she carries about 2,143 guests at double occupancy. The design is built around glass: a nine-deck Centrum with glass elevators facing the sea, a Viking Crown Lounge perched above the pool deck and a Solarium with a retractable roof, so the ship feels brighter and more open than her size suggests.
The 2011 Royal Advantage revitalization nearly doubled the dining choices, adding Giovanni’s Table, Izumi, Samba Grill, Park Café, Boardwalk Dog House and Chef’s Table alongside Chops Grille, plus the Quill & Compass pub, a poolside movie screen and a nursery. Later drydocks in 2016, 2024 and early 2026 refreshed staterooms, the Vitality Spa, the pool deck and public-area soft goods. She suits couples and families who want Royal Caribbean’s dining and shows on a ship that sails from a convenient Gulf Coast port.
Since spring 2026 Radiance has sailed year-round from Tampa. Four- and five-night cruises visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, with the new Royal Beach Club Cozumel opening in late 2026, and from November weeklong itineraries add Grand Cayman, Roatán and Belize City. A holiday sailing reaches Perfect Day at CocoCay, early 2027 brings six- to eight-night Western Caribbean routes, and the short Mexico cruises resume in May 2027 and continue into 2028.
- Rock climbing wall rising about 40 feet above deck
- Nine-hole miniature golf course and golf simulator
- Adults-only Solarium pool with retractable glass roof
- Samba Grill Brazilian churrascaria, unique to this ship in the class
- Nine-deck glass Centrum with aerial shows and sea-facing elevators
- Outdoor movie screen over the main pool
- Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center redesigned in 2016
- Royal Beach Club Cozumel on many 2026 to 2027 sailings
Staterooms and suites
Interior
Interior staterooms are about 165 square feet with twin beds that convert to a queen, and three Studio Interior rooms of around 108 square feet are sold for solo travelers without a single supplement on many sailings.
Ocean View
Ocean View staterooms run about 170 square feet with a round porthole-style window, while six Ultra Spacious Ocean View rooms of roughly 319 square feet with two windows are among the largest non-suite rooms in the fleet and ideal for families.
Balcony
Balcony staterooms are about 179 square feet with a 41 square foot veranda; Spacious Balcony rooms stretch to about 204 square feet and some aft rooms have much larger balconies. Roughly half the ship’s rooms have a balcony.
Junior Suite
Junior Suites add a sitting area, walk-in closet, bathtub and a larger balcony, plus Concierge Club lounge access and priority boarding.
Suites
Grand Suites in one and two bedroom layouts, Owner’s Suites and the Royal Suite of about 950 square feet with a 172 square foot balcony top the ship, all with concierge service, reserved theater seating and Concierge Club access.
Radiance of the Seas deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
Deck 13
Rock Climbing Wall, Mini Golf, Viking Crown Lounge, Diamond Club, Concierge Club, Starquest.
- Conceirge LoungeConceirge Lounge.
- Viking Crown LoungeA fixture on nearly every cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and a true architectural wonder, the iconic Viking Crown Lounge® is the ultimate spot to soak up panoramic views while you sip your favorite cocktails. Catch the sunset through its floor-to-ceiling windows, then stick around as the space comes alive with the sounds of live entertainers, flashing strobe lights, and plenty of hip-swinging action on the dance floor.
- Rock ClimbingRise to the occasion and take onthesignature rock climbing wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 40 feet above deck.
Cost: Included
Restriction: 6 years old
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board Radiance of the Seas
Dining on Radiance of the Seas
Cascades Dining RoomIncluded
The two-story main dining room with a cascading waterfall feature, serving breakfast, sea-day lunch and dinner with traditional or My Time Dining.
Windjammer CaféIncluded
Casual buffet with global stations, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Park CaféIncluded
Complimentary deli in the Solarium for salads, paninis and the roast beef sandwich.
Boardwalk Dog HouseIncluded
Poolside hot dog stand with sausages and toppings at no charge.
Chops GrilleSpecialty
Signature steakhouse serving prime cuts, seafood and classic sides.
Giovanni’s TableSpecialty
Italian trattoria with family-style pastas and antipasti.
IzumiSpecialty
Japanese sushi, sashimi and hot rock cooking.
Samba GrillSpecialty
Brazilian churrascaria with skewered meats carved tableside, found only on Radiance within the class.
Chef’s TableSpecialty
Private multi-course dinner with wine pairings for a small group.
Quill & Compass Pub and Schooner BarIncluded
English pub with live music and the classic piano bar for singalongs.
Entertainment and activities
- Production shows in the Aurora Theatre
- Centrum aerial acrobatic performances and live bands
- Casino Royale
- Two pools, three whirlpools and the adults-only Solarium
- Rock climbing wall, sports court, mini golf and jogging track
- Poolside outdoor movie screen
- Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
- Viking Crown Lounge and Starquest nightclub
Families and who it suits
Adventure Ocean runs age-grouped programs for ages 3 to 12, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery takes 6 to 36 month olds, teens have the Optix disco and lounge, and families share the Adventure Beach splash area, arcade and outdoor movies.
Best for: Tampa-area families and couples who want short, easy Western Caribbean cruises on a bright mid-size ship with plenty of dining choice.
Sails from: Tampa · Regions: Western Caribbean, Bahamas
Radiance of the Seas questions we answer every day
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When was Radiance of the Seas last refurbished?
Facts checked against Royal Caribbean: Radiance of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Press Center: Radiance of the Seas fact sheet, Royal Caribbean Press Center: 2026-27 Caribbean and Northeast lineup on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every Radiance of the Seas sailing, priced all-in
Every Radiance of the Seas departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
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Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery Radiance of the Seas sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.