Papenburg, a small town in northwestern Germany, close to the Dutch border, is the place where "Radiance" and her three sisters "Brilliance", "Serenade" and "Jewel" were built. The shipyard, Meyer Werft, has been in the ship-building business since 1795. They build cruise vessels for various cruise lines as well as other types of vessels. Celebrity Cruise Line´s "Mercury", "Galaxy", "Century", "Horizon", "Zenith" and now (2008) also "Solstice", were also built at Meyer Werft. More detailed information about Meyer Werft can be found on their website: www.meyer-werft.de/-
I spent approximately two and a half interesting years in Papenburg where I had the pleasure to monitor the building of "Radiance of the Seas" step by step . It may sound unbelievable, but the vessel was built indoors in a very large building hall.
"Radiance" in the shipyard´s inclosed building-dock late summer 2000, - and .........
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...............backing out of the "garage" to be further outfitted, painted etc., and to leave space for her sister "Brilliance" to start to "grow".
The fact is that the Radiance Class vessels resemble large graceful yachts. "Radiance of the Seas" was the first of this class and delivered to Royal Caribbean International in April 2001. Both in terms of design and interior accommodation, the Radiance class ships are unique. The engines consist of two gasturbines and an addititonal steam turbine generating power for the ship´s propulsion (2 x pods) and for the hotel operation onboard. Thanks to the gas turbine´s reduced emission, the vessels are promoting a new shipbuilding technology towards the "green ship" principle, and minimizing environmental pollution.
The Gas Turbines (2) generate power to the two propellers directly driven by electric motors mounted under the ship´s hull in a "pod". The pods can be turned 360 degrees which give the vessel´s excellent manoeuvering capability.
"Radiance" is built a "Panama-Max" vessel. Which means she is the largest type of vessel allowed through the Panama Canal, and gives her the flexibility to cruise the area between Caribbean and Pacific unimpeded.
It´s rather tight in the locks, but ...........................
.......................... more spacious in the canal.
During the summer months "Radiance" cruise Alaska, and always ends the Alaska season with a visit to the Hawaiian Islands before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter month.
My most touching moment onboard "Radiance" was when we saved three fishermen from their sinking vessel in strong wind and high seas on an early Friday morning June 13th, 2003. The rescue took place north of Vancouver Island on our route from Ketchikan, Alaska, down south to Vancouver, Canada.
It has been for me very rewarding to be assigned to the "Radiance of the Seas" for many reasons. The wonderful Team Spirit amongst the entire crew and the timely support we have received from our headquarters in Miami has allowed us to give our guests the best possible cruise vacation. I´m extemely proud of the fact that the great effort as a Team was officially recognized and announced, when the "Radiance Team" were awarded the commendation "Shipboard Team of the Year 2004". With great pride, "Radiance" also received the very desirable award, the "Environmental Ship of the Year 2003".
"Radiance" will always be my "big baby" even when I now left her for my retirement. I wish her all the very best luck with safe sailings, smooth winds and happy guests and crew.
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