Radiance of the Seas approaches Ensenada harbor

We recently returned from a five-day Royal Caribben Line Mexican Riviera cruise out of San Diego, including port stops at Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. In the days before the cruise, we considered cancellation because of a big tropical storm with 120+ mph winds heading straight for Cabo, and due to hit on our arrival day.

When we called our travel agent, we were assured that the ship’s captain would never sail within 100 miles of any storm, and the route would be changed if there were any possibility of danger. With some misgivings, we boarded the ship in San Diego. We could have left our worries at home. The storm suddenly veered far south of Cabo, and the cruise was absolutely smooth and a total pleasure.

Radiance of the Seas offered us many fun features, including shore excursions to the colorful Mexican ports. On board, there was great live entertainment, games, comedy, first-run movies, excellent sit-down dining, as well as a big buffet restaurant and a bunch of snack shops.

On deck was continuous live music, dancing, a rock-climbing plastic mountain, large pool and several spas. For adults only, in a luxurious, glass-enclosed, flower-lined Solarium, were a pool, spas, snack bar and booze bar.

A great feature of the Radiance was its glass interiors and exteriors all around, including outside elevators that whisked us up and down 14 decks with excellent day and night views of the passing ocean. We also had a balcony cabin, and it afforded impressive views as we sailed out of San Diego and into Ensenada’s colorful port, and then on to Cabo with its world-famous rock formations.

For more information, check with your favorite online or neighborhood travel agency, or go to royalcaribbean.com.