Radiance-class cruise ship

{{Short description|Royal Caribbean ships built 2001–2004}}

{{more citations needed|date=October 2016}}

{{Infobox ship begin}} {{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Rcclradiance.JPG |Ship image size = 300px |Ship caption= {{ship

Radiance of the Seas}} }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Builders= Meyer Werft |Launched= |Operators= Royal Caribbean International |Class before= {{sclass|Voyager|cruise ship|4}} |Class after= {{sclass|Freedom|cruise ship|4}} |Subclasses= |Built range= 1998{{cite web|url=https://vesselregister.dnv.com/vesselregister/details/21562|title=DNV: Radiance of the Seas|accessdate=2022-12-24}}–2004 |In service range=2001–present |Total ships building= |Total ships planned=4 |Total ships completed= 4 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active= 4 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type= Cruise ship |Ship tonnage= {{GT|90,090}} |Ship displacement= |Ship length={{convert|962|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|105.6|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship height= 63 m (206 ft 8 in) |Ship draught= |Ship draft={{convert|26.7|ft|m|abbr=on}} |Ship depth= |Ship decks= 12 |Ship deck clearance= |Ship ramps= |Ship ice class= |Ship sail plan= |Ship power= Gas turbines |Ship propulsion= |Ship speed= {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}} |Ship capacity= 2,501 passengers |Ship crew= 859 |Ship notes= }}

The Radiance class is a class of four cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean built between 2001 and 2004 at Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The class was preceded by the {{sclass|Voyager|cruise ship|4}} and succeeded by the {{sclass|Freedom|cruise ship|4}}.

Radiance-class ships have a gross tonnage of 90,090, being smaller than the preceding Voyager class. Built for cruising in cooler climates, this class differs in design from the Voyager and Freedom classes, and some aspects influenced the {{sclass|Quantum|cruise ship|4}}.{{Cite web|url=https://malcolmoliver.wordpress.com/anthem-of-the-seas-comprehensive-review/|title=Anthem of the Seas, Review|date=15 May 2015}} The Radiance class is built to Panamax form factor, allowing them to pass through the Panama Canal. The power plant on all ships consists of environmentally friendlier but less fuel efficient gas turbines.

The Radiance-class ships have over {{convert|3|acre|m2|spell=in}} of glass, glass exterior viewing elevators, over 700 balcony staterooms, two-level glass windowed dining rooms, alternative restaurants, a retractable glass roof over a pool, an outdoor pool, as well as the first self-leveling billiard tables at sea. During their refurbishment, the ships of this class have been refitted to incorporate the "Centrum Wow" events, which transformed the multi-level atrium into vertical theater for aerialists (aerial gymnasts).[https://web.archive.org/web/20150215084659/http://www.royalcaribbean.com/connect/flying-high-above-the-sea-in-the-centrum-wow-performances/] Two more ships of the class were cancelled.{{cite press release |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/de/presse/presse_detail/meyer_werft_unterzeichnet_vorvertraege.jsp |title=Meyer Werft unterzeichnet Vorverträge |language=German |trans-title=Meyer Werft signs preliminary contracts |publisher=Meyer Werft |date=15 November 1999 |access-date=26 August 2023}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/de/presse/presse_detail/ncl_bestellt_zwei_luxusliner.jsp |title=NCL bestellt zwei Luxusliner |publisher=Meyer Werft |language=German |trans-title=NCL orders two luxury liners |date=22 September 2003 |access-date=26 August 2023}}{{cite press release |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/de/presse/presse_detail/kiellegung_jewel_of_the_seas.jsp |title=Kiellegung Jewel of the Seas |language=German |trans-title=Keel laying Jewel of the Seas |publisher=Meyer Werft |date=11 November 2002 |access-date=26 August 2023}}

Radiance-class ships have been plagued with propulsion issues, specifically impacting multiple cruises in September 2023 on Radiance of the Seas{{cite web|url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/09/royal-caribbean-cancels-cruises-onboard-radiance-of-the-seas/ |title=Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruises Onboard Radiance of the Seas |publisher=Cruise Industry News |date=6 September 2023 |access-date=2 April 2024}} and in March and April 2024 on Brilliance of the Seas.{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024/03/23/royal-caribbean-cancels-australia-cruise-last-minute-due-propulsion-problem |title=Royal Caribbean cancels Australia cruise last minute due to propulsion problem |publisher= Royal Caribbean Blog |date=23 March 2024 |access-date=2 April 2024}} No cause of the repeated mechanical failures have been announced on the 20+-year-old ships.

In April 2024 Radiance of the Seas suffered additional propulsion issues impacting multiple sailings, skipping a port on one sailing, and postponing departure of another before finally canceling the cruise all together. No cause of the issues plaguing the ship for the second time in twelve months were released and passengers were compensated for the two day cruise that never left port. Many were left frustrated back the lack of communication from Royal Caribbean.{{cite web |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2024/04/30/royal-caribbean-cruise-cancelled/73510483007/ |title= A cruise to nowhere: Royal Caribbean sailing canceled after guests boarded |publisher=USA Today |date=30 April 2024 |access-date= 9 May 2024}}