Relaxation, Discovery, and Sailing

The second day of our cruise was a sea day. An Alaska Inside Passage sea day is a perfect chance to relax and explore the ship from top to bottom. The shops were open, the staff settled into their routines, and passengers like us continued to get comfortable.

Sleeping on the Ship

Benson loved sleeping in the top bunk. I don’t remember him ever being that excited to go to bed. He didn’t fall out, which had been our biggest concern, and he wasn’t scared either. Molina had the opposite reaction. She refused to sleep in her pack and play and decided the king-sized bed should be hers. At one point, I was sure she would leg press me right out of bed and shove Dawn out with her.

The lack of solid sleep did affect us. Beyond Molina’s antics, getting used to sleeping on a ship takes time. The gentle motion of the ocean and the unfamiliar sounds made it different. Throughout the night we heard the foghorn, so it was no surprise when we stepped outside in the morning and saw thick fog.

Breakfast at the Windjammer

Any morning without an early excursion means breakfast at the Windjammer. With two small kids, a buffet is the easiest choice. Benson piled up fruit and donuts, while Molina added Froot Loops to her plate along with fruit. Her egg allergy limits what she can eat, but she still enjoyed plenty.

As an adult, I don’t mind the Windjammer, though it can feel repetitive. There are only so many ways to serve breakfast for thousands of passengers. You might not get your eggs cooked the way you like, but if you stick to bacon, eggs, and hash browns, it can get old. It isn’t a complaint against the staff or the ship, just the reality of cruise dining.

Exploring Radiance of the Seas

As the fog lifted, the drizzle cleared and we had sunny skies for most of the day. Our family spent the afternoon exploring Radiance of the Seas floor by floor. Being one of Royal Caribbean’s older and smaller ships, the community spaces felt different compared to the larger ships. The central lobby, open from deck 4 up through deck 10, was a hub for activity. Guests could look down from the higher decks into the main lobby below.

Deck 5 offered the most variety with Cascades Dining Room, Café Latte-Tudes, the Shops of Centrum, the photo gallery, art gallery, conference center, and the Aurora Theatre. Deck 6 featured the Colony Club, Bombay Billiards, Schooner Bar, specialty restaurants, Champagne Bar, Casino Royale, Quill & Compass, a cinema, and the continuation of the theatre.

Decks 7 through 10 held most of the staterooms, with the central lobby open in the middle. Deck 11 included Izumi, the Windjammer Café, Boardwalk Dog House, pool area, Solarium, and Vitality Spa. This deck became our favorite, whether we were eating at the Windjammer, swimming, or relaxing indoors. For Dawn’s birthday, I surprised her with a Swedish massage at the spa, which she loved.

Deck 12 had Samba Grill, the video arcade, sports court, kids pool, Adventure Ocean, the nursery, Optix Teen Disco, Sky Bar, and fitness center. Deck 13 featured miniature golf, the rock climbing wall, Concierge Club, and Viking Crown Lounge. Exploring each space was a highlight of our Alaska Inside Passage sea day.

Wrapping Up the Day

After lunch, Benson went back to Adventure Ocean while Molina enjoyed her time at the nursery. Later in the day, I walked the Promenade Deck on deck 5 as the ship left the Inside Passage. The waters grew more active, though I wouldn’t call them rough. The ship had more motion and the winds picked up. It was a noticeable shift from the calm waters earlier in our Alaska Inside Passage sea day.

Stay tuned as we share more from our adventure at sea! To read about day two of my Alaska adventure, visit Day 2: 2025 Family Cruise to Alaska or explore Day 4: 2025 Family Cruise to Alaska. Also explore the whole story at 2025 Second Alaska Cruise.