Radiance-class cruise ship

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 Voyager class and succeeded by the Freedom class.

Radiance of the Seas
Class overview
Builders	Meyer Werft
Operators	Royal Caribbean International
Preceded by	Voyager class
Succeeded by	Freedom class
Built	1998[1]–2004
In service	2001–present
Planned	4
Completed	4
Active	4
General characteristics
Type	Cruise ship
Tonnage	90,090 GT
Length	962 ft (293 m)
Beam	105.6 ft (32.2 m)
Height	63 m (206 ft 8 in)
Draft	26.7 ft (8.1 m)
Decks	12
Installed power	Gas turbines
Speed	25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Capacity	2,501 passengers
Crew	859

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 Quantum class.^[2] 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 three acres (12,000 m²) 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).^[3] Two more ships of the class were cancelled.^[4][5][6]

Radiance-class ships have been plagued with propulsion issues, specifically impacting multiple cruises in September 2023 on Radiance of the Seas^[7] and in March and April 2024 on Brilliance of the Seas.^[8] 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.^[9]

Ships

Ship	Year built	Entered service with Royal Caribbean	Notes	Image
Radiance of the Seas	2001	March 10, 2001
Brilliance of the Seas	2002	July 19, 2002
Serenade of the Seas	2003	August 1, 2003
Jewel of the Seas	2004	May 8, 2004

Similar ships

• Spirit class - a similar class of Panamax ships operated by Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Cruises.
• MV Arcadia - a similar Panamax ship operated by P&O Cruises.
• MS Queen Victoria - a similar Panamax sized ship operated by Cunard Line.
• Vista class - a similar class of Panamax ships operated by Holland America Line
• Signature-class cruise ship - a similar class of Panamax ships operated by Holland America Line
• Coral Princess and Island Princess - A similar set of Panamax ships operated by Princess Cruises
• Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa - A set of Panamax ships operated by Costa Cruises derived from the Spirit and Vista-class designs.