Independence (Freedom) vs Mariner (Voyager)

Just wondering....

We just got off the Mariner and DH and I booked Independence. After the refurbishment, the two ships seem very similar, but yet Independence is Freedom class and Mariner is Voyager. So what is the difference if they are different classes? I know Independence has Broadway show Grease but otherwise they 'seem' the same.

Just wondering....

 

We just got off the Mariner and DH and I booked Independence. After the refurbishment, the two ships seem very similar, but yet Independence is Freedom class and Mariner is Voyager. So what is the difference if they are different classes? I know Independence has Broadway show Grease but otherwise they 'seem' the same.

Freedom class ships are around 90 feet longer than Voyager class ships.

You can see this extra length in these places:

Royal Promenade: Cafe Promenade (and shops) moved to the extra space, Sorrento's added to old Cafe Promenade location.

Deck 11: H2O zone occupies the extra space.

Deck 3: On Air Club (may be called something different now) occupies the extra space.

And of course, many more staterooms in that extra space, making the passenger count on Freedom class about 500 more than Voyager.

Great, thanks Bob.

Freedom class ships are around 90 feet longer than Voyager class ships.

 

 

You can see this extra length in these places:

 

Royal Promenade: Cafe Promenade (and shops) moved to the extra space, Sorrento's added to old Cafe Promenade location.

 

Deck 11: H2O zone occupies the extra space.

 

Deck 3: On Air Club (may be called something different now) occupies the extra space.

 

And of course, many more staterooms in that extra space, making the passenger count on Freedom class about 500 more than Voyager.

Well said. Having been on both class of ships, the 1112' vs 1020' is barely noticeable. I love both classes.

In addition to the above, the freedom class has:

• Cantilevered hot tubs in the Solarium (deck 11 forward).
  
• No window views from the restrooms by the buffet.
  
• Flowrider (some voyager classes have this now).
  
• Same number and size of elevators, but more passengers, so longer waits for an elevator.
  

Very little honestly. We've done both and other than the main promenade feeling a little shorter, you will be hard pressed to notice a big difference. I actually like having Sorrento's and Cafe promenade combined on the Voyager class as it prevents having to walk from one end of the promenade to the other if you want a sandwich and a slice of pizza for instance. There is no kids splash zone on the pool deck on the Voyager classes. The Freedom Class and Voyager class are much more similar than different.

Edit to add that I believe the pools on Freedom class are freshwater, while Voyager class are saltwater.

Dan

Freedom class ships are around 90 feet longer than Voyager class ships.

 

 

You can see this extra length in these places:

 

Royal Promenade: Cafe Promenade (and shops) moved to the extra space, Sorrento's added to old Cafe Promenade location.

 

Deck 11: H2O zone occupies the extra space.

 

Deck 3: On Air Club (may be called something different now) occupies the extra space.

 

And of course, many more staterooms in that extra space, making the passenger count on Freedom class about 500 more than Voyager.

Freedom class is also 30 feet wider than Voyager, according to the RCI brochure, which seems quite significant.

Freedom class is also 30 feet wider than Voyager, according to the RCI brochure, which seems quite significant.

That brochure is misleading.

Voyager and Freedom class have the same width and height, only the length is different. I believe that brochure measures Voyager's width at the waterline and Freedom's width at the bridge wings. Except for possibly a small difference at the bridge wings, they are the same width.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the difference (which is mostly in size?) is quite suttle. Any more pools on independence or same? Mariner had lot less than say Allure and was really crowded on sea day.

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Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the difference (which is mostly in size?) is quite suttle. Any more pools on independence or same? Mariner had lot less than say Allure and was really crowded on sea day.

Yes, Indy has a large kiddie pool area called the H2O zone. As far as adult pools, both ships have the same number of pools.

Both are totally adequate ships...not too big, not too small...they are "just right"!

I believe that Mariner's pools are saltwater while Independence's are freshwater.

When I was last on Indy, the shops were a little different than one would find on most Royal Caribbean ships. They seemed to carry products that catered to British passengers (since she was homeported in Southampton for half the year). I don't know whether they've changed since then, though.

love ice show which both ships have , I think voyager class is a little less crowded than freedom class , have done freedom class twice and voyager class 4 times. Like both

I believe that Mariner's pools are saltwater while Independence's are freshwater.

 

When I was last on Indy, the shops were a little different than one would find on most Royal Caribbean ships. They seemed to carry products that catered to British passengers (since she was homeported in Southampton for half the year). I don't know whether they've changed since then, though.

Both look amazing. Haven't been on Freedom class yet.

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Deck 4 of freedom class has the photo gallery between the Boleros and the casino. In the extra length as well as a additional staircase to the royal promenade Independence has replaced this with Playmakers sports bar and arcade and also removed the stairs in that location

That brochure is misleading.

 

 

 

Voyager and Freedom class have the same width and height, only the length is different. I believe that brochure measures Voyager's width at the waterline and Freedom's width at the bridge wings. Except for possibly a small difference at the bridge wings, they are the same width.

I always thought that they included the width of the cantilevered hot tubs on the freedom class and not the voyager class since the voyager class does not have them. But yeah, the beam is the same.

Dan