Voyager of the Seas review Jan. 14-21 2012

This is my first cruise with RCI, but I have cruised with NCL, HAL, Princess and Carnival several times each. My friend has been on two other RCI cruises and one Carnival cruise.

I travelled with a friend and we stayed in NOLA for a couple of days before the cruise. We stayed at the Prince Conti hotel in the French Quarter, handy location but the hotel is dated, musty and has spotty service. I posted a hotel review on Tripadvisor. We had a great time in NOLA doing some tours and just walking around.

We got to the ship at 10:45. There were no line ups for security or check in. We were on board by 11:20. I knew there was going to be a big group on board (Nik L Beer band – I was told 400 people) so I wanted to beat the crowds.

We headed to the Cafe Promenade for a light lunch. It has sandwiches, pizza slices, fruit and desserts. It was pretty empty. We wanted to avoid the madhouse at the WJ.

We got a really cheap deal for a balcony guarantee cabin and an OBC. We had cabin 6236, which was great for nipping down the stairs to the promenade deck. The cabin was comparable to the regular balcony cabins on HAL, Carnival, NCL and Princess. Two twin beds, a couch, desk and a decent bathroom. Our cabin steward Sutoyo was friendly and efficient. He made sure I had ice at least two times a day and freshened it up when I asked.

We did late seating for dinner, I personally don’t like traditional dining, but my friend had requested it. It turned out great. We were very lucky to have two couples from Lethbridge Alberta and two couples from Illinois. We had a great time all week. Our servers were Rony Cardoso and Gang Yuan. Rony is a very polished waiter; he has been on the ships for eight years and was training Gang. They worked very well together. I would certainly recommend eating no earlier than 6:30 on this cruise. Two evenings there were delays in departure.

The food wasn’t great; I wasn’t fond of the menu. Lots of seafood and shellfish, which I don’t eat. The formal night dinners were nothing special. The only memorable thing in the MDR was potato jalapeño soup, it was yummy. The WJ wasn’t great for breakfast, cold food with a limited selection. I hate buffets. My friend had never been to the MDR for breakfast or lunch, so when I insisted we go she found it was much calmer. Food was ok, but at least it is quieter than the WJ.

Entertainment: Pryme Time was the house band, and were pretty good, but typical cruise ship entertainment. The ice show was great; I really enjoy figure skating, so it was fun to watch. Went to the Quest a bit late but still had fun (I was naughty and brought an undergarment in my handbag and gave it to a struggling team – they were such good sports!). We did the Murder Mystery dinner and it was good, campy fun. The entertainment staff seemed to have a lot of fun doing it and they kept us all laughing. Even the staff in Portofino’s stood back to watch the carry on and they were laughing and having fun too!

The real highlight though was in the Pig and Whistle pub. Derek Lewis does a sort of crazy comedy karaoke thing. It was hilarious. However, Derek is a smokin’ good guitar player and when given a chance to play ‘real’ music, he shines. Cody McCarver (formerly of Confederate Railroad) and his sax/harmonica player Dale jammed with Derek a couple of nights. It was fantastic! Two singers from the Nik L Beer band dropped by and sang a couple of songs as well. P & W seems to be the happening place!

We didn’t get to Falmouth Jamaica due to high swells, but were diverted to Montego Bay. I have been to Mo ‘bay a few times before so I know it isn’t the greatest place to walk around. We had booked a tour to Great Hope great house, which turned out to be a fantastic day. It is a gorgeous, working plantation set on 2000 acres. It is in the mountains, so the views are stunning. We sailed away about 2 hours late, so those with early dining were SOL.

I have been to Cozumel many times, so I just did a beach day at Playacar Beach club (I usually go to chankanaab park), it was quiet and rustic, but clean. The big downside was the water was very rocky.

I have been to Grand Cayman many times, so no tours. I headed to my usual spot on the beach by Calico Jacks and surprisingly enough got served by the same server that I have seen the past two times (a fellow Canadian) I was there.

The last at sea day was gorgeous. I plunked myself by the main pool in the morning and stayed til 4:30. The Nik L Beer band played for a while, and their group were in costume and danced. I did get quite a few beads J

Overall it was a great week. The start of the week was windy, but the weather was lovely the rest of the week. The staff were great, the ship was in good condition. For the price we paid, it was really good value. Now that I have sailed on 5 of the mainstream cruise lines, it really seems to me they are really very alike aside from some of the aspects of the ship. Only downside, and to the ship’s disadvantage, is they are a cash only casino. I don’t carry cash around but usually use my sign and sail card, so I didn’t gamble all week. Saved me a few bucks!

Thanks for the review. That's nice that you could enjoy the last day at sea, I thought it would be cold heading to and from New Orleans.

Yes, Derek is a great guitar player! His show often hides that fact. When a name gorup is onboard, they always seem to gravitate to his show and join in. One cruise on Voyager, Nelson (Ricky Nelson's sons), were on board, their show was absolutely great, but their jamming with Derek was the hit of the week.

Only thing you missed was ther jerk chicken, served only on sail away day in the WJ.

Great Review. My parents were on that cruise and my family will be going in March. They got to the port a little late and waited almost 1 1/2 hours to get from their bus to ship. They left their hotel in the French Quarter around 12:30 and were on the ship about 2:30. They said it was a little unorganized. My mom fell while on the ship. Missed a step, landed on the arm of a chair and cracked 5 ribs. She said the crew and guests were great. They took care of her in the infermary at no charge. I am sure they didn't want to worry about any legal issues. Thanks for the review. Looking forward to this. I was thinking about the mystery dinner. Worth while and the $? What time did it start and end?

I was on the Voyager last month. Just to clarify a comment the OP made about the Casino.

You can get cash on your sea pass card in the casino. There is a 3 percent charge ($3 per $100).

Also, on the Voyager when it sails in and out of NOLA the casino has a late opening on the first night and an early closing (@ 7 pm) on the last night. So make sure to get any chips cashed out early that last night.

Great review! I'll be on the Voyager in 3 days! We are early seating for dinner, so hopefully all goes well. Thanks again!

Thanks for the review. That's nice that you could enjoy the last day at sea, I thought it would be cold heading to and from New Orleans.

We really lucked out. The day was gorgeous! We stayed in New Orleans Saturday night and it was warm and humid. I guess it's a crap shoot there for weather.

I was on the Voyager last month. Just to clarify a comment the OP made about the Casino.

 

You can get cash on your sea pass card in the casino. There is a 3 percent charge ($3 per $100).

 

Also, on the Voyager when it sails in and out of NOLA the casino has a late opening on the first night and an early closing (@ 7 pm) on the last night. So make sure to get any chips cashed out early that last night.

The casino host just said cash. Other cruise lines you just use you card at the machine, no extra fees. RCI lost money from me last week. No worries, I will take my gambling money elsewhere!

Yes, Derek is a great guitar player! His show often hides that fact. When a name gorup is onboard, they always seem to gravitate to his show and join in. One cruise on Voyager, Nelson (Ricky Nelson's sons), were on board, their show was absolutely great, but their jamming with Derek was the hit of the week.

Only thing you missed was ther jerk chicken, served only on sail away day in the WJ.

When I chatted with Derek he mentioned lots of musicians dropped by to his shows. We really lucked out last week. I am not a country music fan at all, but really enjoyed the jams with Cody McCarver and Dale.

No worries about the jerk chicken in the WJ. I don't eat in cafeterias. I can make a mean jerk chicken at home or go to a good west Indian restaurant here. Ilike it hot!

DH and I too were on this cruise and felt that the good entertainers should be given a BIGGER area. There was never enough room to enjoy them. Then you could walk to cleopatra's needle and it would be almost empty because not many people would be listening to karaoke. I vote they change up cleopatra's needle to look like a bar when they dry dock her and put some of the better shows in it and move the less visited shows out in the open.

We also felt the ship had the best orchestra of any cruise we had been on.

good review

DH and I too were on this cruise and felt that the good entertainers should be given a BIGGER area. There was never enough room to enjoy them. Then you could walk to cleopatra's needle and it would be almost empty because not many people would be listening to karaoke. I vote they change up cleopatra's needle to look like a bar when they dry dock her and put some of the better shows in it and move the less visited shows out in the open.

 

We also felt the ship had the best orchestra of any cruise we had been on.

I so agree about Cleopatra's Needle. That Showroom is so underutilized on the Voyager. On the Radiance Class the similar showroom is very well used.

The casino host just said cash. Other cruise lines you just use you card at the machine, no extra fees. RCI lost money from me last week. No worries, I will take my gambling money elsewhere!

Hmm.......too bad she told you that. I was on Voyager in December and used my sea pass card twice at the tables to get cash. But looking on the bright side maybe you ended up coming home with more money in your pocket.

Good review. I sure with the casino it's the same on all ships. You can go to the cashier and they will give you cash, the tables will add it to your sea pass card, or on some of the slot machines we have seen there is a slot for your sea pass cards. They are on the Freedom Class so don't see why they are not on the Voyager.

But other then that good review

CK x

Good review. I sure with the casino it's the same on all ships. You can go to the cashier and they will give you cash, the tables will add it to your sea pass card, or on some of the slot machines we have seen there is a slot for your sea pass cards. They are on the Freedom Class so don't see why they are not on the Voyager.

 

But other then that good review

 

CK x

Nope. On other cruise lines you just put you card in a machine (slot, video poker etc) choose how much money you want to gamble with and it is downloaded to your card. No fees and no need 59 visit a cashier. In fact on my last cruise (on HAL) I forgot to cash out the last night, they sent me a cheque for my balance, it wasn't much but I was really impressed!

RCI should update their casinos.

Great Review----I was one of the Niklbeer singers and I really enjoyed Derek... Unfortunately, I didn't find him till day 4...He is very entertaining and an awesome guitar player.. Derek told me that Cody McCarver was on the ship and I got to meet him after our Mardi Gras Deck Party.....The Voyager is a beautiful ship and we really enjoyed ourselves....The staff and fellow passengers were so very nice to us...

I have been on over 30 RRCL cruises and I thought the food on this Voyager cruise was excellent and as good if not better than what we got on Oasis in 2008. It was always hot and cooked to order.

I did think the Wj was just so-so on variety but what I got was really good.

We ate at portofinos for the first time ever and thought it was way better than any chops we have been in, and will choose them over chops from now on.

Thanks for the review!!

Looking forward to the Voyager!!!

Great review! Looking forward to sailing her on 2/18. I see a mention of a Mardi Gras party onboard. Can anyone provide more details? Thank you!

Yes, Mardi Gras Party...There are a few Louisiana Music cruises that sail out of NOLA and Galveston every and we (the Niklbeer band) are one of those bands..The Lafayette travel agency hires us to play and friends book to come along with us... The Jan 14-21, 2012 was our 5th cruise with 575 friend sailing with us..... We played 3 private party's earlier that week on the ship and the 4th was the Mardi Gras party opened to everyone on the deck.... Our fans dressed in all types of costumes, danced and threw beads....The great thing about the Voyager is while the party was happening there were two other areas on the deck that were quiet and people were reading and relaxing...

Yes, Mardi Gras Party...There are a few Louisiana Music cruises that sail out of NOLA and Galveston every year and we (the Niklbeer band) are one of those bands..The Lafayette travel agency hires us to play and friends book to come along with us... The Niklbeer Cruise Jan 14-21, 2012 on the Voyager was our 5th cruise with 575 friend sailing with us..... We played 3 private party's earlier that week on the ship and the 4th was the Mardi Gras party opened to everyone on the deck.... Our fans dressed in all types of costumes, danced and threw beads...It looked like everyone really had a good time ...The great thing about the Voyager is while the party was happening there were two other areas on the deck that were quiet and people were reading and relaxing...I thought that was cool.....[Niklbeer Cruise]

Nice review.

Thanks for your review...lots of seafood and shellfish sounds good to me, though. :)