Once You Go on the Voyager, Can You Possibly Do Any Other Ship????

[baseballmom94]

I'm looking for a cruise for Spring Break 2006 (March 25 Sailing) for husband, myself and two kids ages 12 and 8. DH and I just returned from a wonderful cruise on the RC Voyager to Bermuda.

 

My question is: Once you go on the Voyager class of ships, can you possibly do any other ship or cruise line? What other RC ships are nice? How does the Enchantment etc. compare? Will we disappointed after being on the Voyager? Also the prices look high for this time of year -- what are the chances of price drops after I book or is there a cheaper line that still has all the amenities of RC and the Voyager?:)

[slotaddict]

I think that you could do another ship without disappointment. I was on the Explorer and thought it was terriffic, but being the bargain cruiser that I am, I am always willing to go where the price is right. Have not yet been disappointed. I too think the Voyager class ships are great.

[superjerryw]

It's up to you if you will be disappointed. If you select another class of ship and start the cruise with the expectation that you will be disappointed, you probably will be disappointed. You should probably consider the Radiance class ships. Although not as big as the Voyager class, the ships are more luxurious and have a different look and feel. If you can live without the Royal Promenade and the ice skating rink you should enjoy yourself on the Radiance class.

[mrsb]

Our first RCCI cruise was on the Voyager, and our two subsequent cruises have been on increasingly smaller ships (Radiance, Grandeur). We enjoyed all three cruises, although the larger ships certainly have more to do. It really depends on what you are looking for. We never ice skated on the Voyager, so we didn't miss the rink on our later cruises, but we just spent 9 nights on the Grandeur and it would have been nice to have the miniature golf, basketball court, etc..... I do think that the smaller ships feel less crowded, and there aren't the lines in the Windjammer that I remember from the Voyager. So there are benefits to the smaller ships.

[stillababe]

Our first cruise was on the Explorer and we had a ton of kids with us (lots of family members). They loved it. Our second cruise was on a Celebrity, and all the same kids were with us. They hated it. There wasn't enough for them to do, they missed the basketball courts, etc., and will now refuse to go on any other ship. So, we're booked again (leaving in 5 days!) on the Voyager. My kids are now 18 and 15, and this was the only vacation they are willing to do with the family without complaining! They won't even go on any other RCCL ship, unless it has the basketball courts, etc.

 

Last year we skipped a cruise and went to a Florida beach resort for a week, and I couldn't drag the kids out of the hotel room, they were miserable the entire time. This year, they're counting down the days to their vacation (so am I!)

[Tra4]

Our first cruise was on the Explorer and we had a ton of kids with us (lots of family members). They loved it. Our second cruise was on a Celebrity, and all the same kids were with us. They hated it. There wasn't enough for them to do, they missed the basketball courts, etc., and will now refuse to go on any other ship. So, we're booked again (leaving in 5 days!) on the Voyager. My kids are now 18 and 15, and this was the only vacation they are willing to do with the family without complaining! They won't even go on any other RCCL ship, unless it has the basketball courts, etc.

 

Last year we skipped a cruise and went to a Florida beach resort for a week, and I couldn't drag the kids out of the hotel room, they were miserable the entire time. This year, they're counting down the days to their vacation (so am I!)

 

I agree. We have been on the radiance class and voyager class, and Princess. They were ok on princess, but really love RCI. If I want a truly happy vacation with the kids, we go on the cruise. Our land based vacations we spend much more money and not everyone is as happy or entertained.

 

Tracey

[Alexis]

We first did the Viking Serenade a few times, then the Adventure, followed by the Enchantment, the Brilliance and last year the Empress. Our next is on the Navigator. We choose by the itinerary, and not the ship size. We have no trouble adjusting to any size ship. :)

[BobBeaSea]

We enjoyed Voyager but next time looking at Radiance class. They look like fine ships offering a "difference" to Voyager class which we want to try. Don't think you can go wrong with either class.

[Char]

I'm looking for a cruise for Spring Break 2006 (March 25 Sailing) for husband, myself and two kids ages 12 and 8. DH and I just returned from a wonderful cruise on the RC Voyager to Bermuda.

 

My question is: Once you go on the Voyager class of ships, can you possibly do any other ship or cruise line? What other RC ships are nice? How does the Enchantment etc. compare? Will we disappointed after being on the Voyager? Also the prices look high for this time of year -- what are the chances of price drops after I book or is there a cheaper line that still has all the amenities of RC and the Voyager?:)

Hey baseballmom :D

 

You will find that any sailing during the main Spring Break time will be higher than the weeks prior or after. Don't count on the price dropping, but if it does your TA can get your fare reduced. It seems lately that the prices are going up instead of down on most itineraries.

[awm]

We enjoyed Voyager but next time looking at Radiance class. They look like fine ships offering a "difference" to Voyager class which we want to try. Don't think you can go wrong with either class.

 

What are the main differences in the Radiance and Voyager Class ships?

[jrljel]

Here's my two cents. We are always happier on Voyager class ships, although the other ships are just as nice, just smaller. So if I had a choice, yes, it would be on a Voyager class ship, but we also go by itinerary. We just came back from the QM2, thinking that we would like it equally as well as any Vclass ship, but we were pleased to see that NOTHING seems to compare to RCCL's Vclass ships! We hated the QM2...but it made us appreciate RCCL even more.

 

My parents have been on a Radiance class ship after having done nothing else BUT Vclass and they were not thrilled. I, however, think that any ship is great as long as it is RCCL. I just wouldn't take a 7 nighter or longer on any other class; for shorter trips, any ship will do (ps...the Enchantment is FABULOUS and so is the SOVEREIGN).

[negc]

I'm looking for a cruise for Spring Break 2006 (March 25 Sailing) for husband, myself and two kids ages 12 and 8. DH and I just returned from a wonderful cruise on the RC Voyager to Bermuda.

 

My question is: Once you go on the Voyager class of ships, can you possibly do any other ship or cruise line? What other RC ships are nice? How does the Enchantment etc. compare? Will we disappointed after being on the Voyager? Also the prices look high for this time of year -- what are the chances of price drops after I book or is there a cheaper line that still has all the amenities of RC and the Voyager?:)

You will only be disappointed if you let yourself. We have sailed on all of RCI's classes of ships and found something to appreciate about each. I happen to think that all of RCI's ships are nice, and the service seems to be equally good on all of them. We very much enjoyed Voyager, Mariner and Explorer when we sailed on them but actually prefer the Radiance class ships. That is just a matter of personal opinion with which you may or may not agree.

Book now while you have the best selection of cabins and if the price subsequently drops, you can get your fare adjusted. There may be cheaper cruises available and you might enjoy some of them as much or more than RCI (no one line is perfect for everyone), however you won't find any ships other than Voyager class ships that have all the amenities you will find on a Voyager ship.

Biggest differences between Radiance and Voyager Class ships:

Voyager - Royal Promenade, Ice Skating Rink (don't miss the Ice Show), Johnny Rockets, interior concierge lounge, separate disco on the lower decks of the ship, solarium has no retractable roof

 

Radiance - self-leveling billiard tables, concierge lounge with great ocean views, solarium with retractable roof, Seaview Cafe instead of Johnny Rockets, Viking Crown Lounge serves as disco in the evening, glass elevators with views of the outside.

[awm]

Here's my two cents. We are always happier on Voyager class ships, although the other ships are just as nice, just smaller. So if I had a choice, yes, it would be on a Voyager class ship, but we also go by itinerary. We just came back from the QM2, thinking that we would like it equally as well as any Vclass ship, but we were pleased to see that NOTHING seems to compare to RCCL's Vclass ships! We hated the QM2...but it made us appreciate RCCL even more.

 

My parents have been on a Radiance class ship after having done nothing else BUT Vclass and they were not thrilled. I, however, think that any ship is great as long as it is RCCL. I just wouldn't take a 7 nighter or longer on any other class; for shorter trips, any ship will do (ps...the Enchantment is FABULOUS and so is the SOVEREIGN).

 

Now you have me concerned. We're taking a 10-day out of Boston on the Jewel. Too small for a 10-day in your opinion?

By the way, 4 of us will be in a Grand Suite. Will we all make it home? LOL!

[negc]

Now you have me concerned. We're taking a 10-day out of Boston on the Jewel. Too small for a 10-day in your opinion?

By the way, 4 of us will be in a Grand Suite. Will we all make it home? LOL!

Radiance class ships are designed for longer cruises. (We will be doing a 12 night Transatlantic on Jewel next month and a 10 night out of Boston in October. We have a JS on the transatlantic but a D on the Caribbean cruise and the staterooms are no smaller than similar rooms on Voyager class. No way will you have a space problem in a Grand Suite. :)

[Honey's Gal]

I have been on the Voyager and while it was nice, not my favorite. IMHO it was way too big but other love it.

 

We did a 12 night on the Serenade last year and it was perfect. A much better size for us and so much easier to get around. We liked it so much we are also booked on the 10 night Jewel out of Boston.

 

All of the ships have a lot to offer to a variety of people. You will not have a a bad time any either one of them.. Do not go on a cruise thinking you will not have a good time because someone else didn't like it. Your likes and dislikes will be different.

 

Go, enjoy and make your own decision. You really have to try them all to make an informed decision, so that makes so many more cruises you will have to take.....!

[DougYWG]

We are not what I would call picky and would be happy with almost any cruise, within reason. We were on Navigator at Xmas and New Year but we also have very fond memories of Royal Princess for 12 days. Loved it. Much smaller, around 45,000tons I think. Now out of the Princess fleet and sailing as Artemis for P&O. Next up is Adventure but I'm sure after that will be something smaller. Kinda has to be, they don't come any bigger.

[stretch]

Our first RCI cruise was on the Explorer, although we really enjoyed it we found that we prefered the Brilliance (Radiance Class) much, much more. All the glass and sightlines from the public areas and the decor made it our favorite. Try it, you probably will like it better too.

 

Stretch

[dougp26364]

We went from Vision class to Voyager class and then to Soveriegn class. No big deal IMO as we've enjoyed them all. Next up is Brilliance, a Radiance class ship and then back to the Vision class ships. So long as I'm on a cruise I'm pretty darn happy.

[fozzyfoz]

Our 1st cruise was on Voyager, our 2nd on Vision. We liked both for different reasons. Voyagers was great because it has so many different things to choose from but it also felt very impersonal. The service we had (room attendant and dining room) was better on Voyager but we felt the passengers were more rude and pushy on Voyager. I really enjoyed having the basketball/volleyball court on board and multiple swimming pools to choose from.

 

On Vision, we felt the passengers were much more friendly and less demanding/pushy (could also be the difference in itinerary - Voyager was to Eastern Caribbean and Vision was to Mexican Riviera). We kept running into people we'd met earlier on the cruise so that was nice. We did wish Vision had at least 1 alternative restaurant because altho we liked our tablemates we did not feel our waiter did a good job at all and would have liked to have a different restaurant to choose from without having to go to the buffet. Loved the retractable solarium roof on Vision (not sure if Voyager's opens but it was not open at all on our cruise).

 

Best to research the amenities and figure out what you really like/want to do while on board. I was disappointed that Vision didnt have volleyball but I knew ahead of time so I did other things and it was not a big deal. We liked that Voyager had the shuffleboard courts were on deck 4 and out of the way of traffic. On Vision the shuffleboard was on top and right where the walking track was so a little bit of a heavy traffic area.

 

We are now giving the NCL star a try because it looks like it has some fun amenities on board and the casino is larger. It's fun to try new ships just as much as different cruises for location. It's all new and exciting. And then if you find you like a certain ship/class/cruise line you are informed based on actual experience, not just what you think you may or may not like. Either way, enjoy...cruising is great fun!

[elron]

You sure can!

[MarciaL]

I've been on the Mariner, but ten times over would rather go on the Radiance class. I just love the size, and all the glass. I'm not sure I would ever go back to bigger.

[caviargal]

I've been on the Mariner, but ten times over would rather go on the Radiance class. I just love the size, and all the glass. I'm not sure I would ever go back to bigger.

 

 

I agree. Radiance class is my favorite. Better food, service, great Concierge lounges, not nearly as crowded, normally fewer children aboard and I much prefer the Centrum vs the Grand Promenade.

 

I prefer a ship where it is easier to get to know people, staff and passengers included, and that is also an advantage of Radiance class.

 

Voyager was one of my least favorite RCI cruises. And, I still enjoy Vision and Sovereign class. I just wish they would add specialty restaurants to the older ships as they have with Enchantment.

[alexkrn46]

Was on the Majesty last year after being on the Voyager and Navigator and Serenade, was not disappointed had a great cruise.

[Ocean Boy]

Loved the retractable solarium roof on Vision (not sure if Voyager's opens but it was not open at all on our cruise).

I'm curious about how they kept the roof closed on Voyager's solarium when none of the Voyager class ships even have roofs on their solariums?? :confused:

[fozzyfoz]

I'm curious about how they kept the roof closed on Voyager's solarium when none of the Voyager class ships even have roofs on their solariums?? :confused:

 

Sorry if I made a mistake - what I meant is I loved how the roof on the Vision could be open or closed depending on weather. I remember the solarium on Voyager being muggy some days and must have thought it had a roof that was closed. But I've noticed there are some details I remember vividly and some that have blended together for me.

 

They are both great ships and offer totally different experiences due to the size differences and amenities. Some people may feel Voyager class is too big and some may feel Vision is too small. But being smaller makes things cozy and being larger offers more variety and things to do. In general, all cruise ships should be great - because it's a cruise!!