Brilliance OR Navigator? What a problem!

[Gabrielle R.]

I am looking at both ships for December 2015. I just don't know enough about either ship, so figured I'd ask for your advice.

 

I know that the Brilliance is a Radiance class ship- I LOVED Serenade when I was on her. I liked everything there is about the Radiance class ships. The Brilliance leaves from Tampa in Dec 2015, and We would do a back to back, a 4 day and a 5 day. Ports are meh... Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Hit one or both on the trips.... BUT I'd get to be on board for both Christmas AND New Years on Brilliance.

 

The other is an 8 day on Navigator. It would leave Ft Lauderdale. (Love Ft Lauderdale) The only 'down side' is that the cruise leaves Dec. 26. So we would only celebrate New Years on board. We have NEVER been on the Voyager class. So that is a plus. The ports are Eastern Caribbean. Been to all the ports.... so feel about the same about the ports for Brilliance....

 

DH and I don't need all the bells and whistles... We live in Minnesota... ice skating... I can do that out my front door.. so the ice rink isn't a big deal. What do you like about either ship? We know we really just want to sit back and relax for the holidays.

 

THANK YOU in advance for any input!

Gabrielle

[karen s]

Having sailed on both classes of ships multiple times, I have no negatives about either (except...no more Sea View Café on Brilliance :mad:), but if given a choice, I would choose the Brilliance. I just prefer the great views from all the venues on Radiance class ships. But that's just me...

[George C]

Navigator was totally redone about 10 months ago, flow-rider was added etc etc, ice show is amazing Olympic style talent . We sailed on her last April and have her booked this April also.

[SA Traveler]

Navigator has the best specialty restaurant in the fleet - Sabor. That and the Royal Promenade would tip the scale that way for me. Love the Navigator. We have two cruises planned before she leaves Galveston.

 

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[OfTheSeasCruiser]

That's definitely a very hard choice. Either one will be great IMO, as I love both classes of ship...

 

I've always wanted to do a B2B, so I think I'd be tempted to do the Brilliance cruise, but if the ports were just "ehh", I don't know if it'd be worth it. However, since you've been to all of the Navigator's ports too, it's less of an issue.

Edited January 22, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[Gabrielle R.]

WHAT? That is one thing we really enjoyed on the other cruise..... What happened to it? I guess... what went in it's it's place?

 

Glad you guys see the problems with this decision!

 

the more input the better!

 

What about the promenade staterooms? How did people like them? I always wondered about those.

[Jimmers]

I like to try different ships so my vote would definitely be for the Navigator. We did TAs on both ships and we preferred the Navigator for it's spaciousness and the Promenade. We always cruise with a group and it's a central place to hang out or people watch. If it were just the two of us I think either ship would suit us fine.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

WHAT? That is one thing we really enjoyed on the other cruise..... What happened to it? I guess... what went in it's it's place? I believe it was replaced by Izumi (or another specialty restaurant).

 

 

Glad you guys see the problems with this decision!

 

the more input the better!

 

What about the promenade staterooms? How did people like them? I always wondered about those. I personally would not stay in one of those staterooms due to the lack of privacy.

 

Some answers above in red. :)

Edited January 22, 2015 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[karen s]

WHAT? That is one thing we really enjoyed on the other cruise..... What happened to it? I guess... what went in it's it's place?

 

Glad you guys see the problems with this decision!

 

the more input the better!

 

What about the promenade staterooms? How did people like them? I always wondered about those.

 

As previously stated, Izumi did replace the Sea View Café.

[Gabrielle R.]

Well... I don't think I could get DH to try Izumi. ;)

THANK YOU for information!

[ZoeyVictoria]

I understand (but haven't experienced) that Christmas Day is the best/easiest/cheapest day to fly during the holiday week. Assuming you are flying in from MN, would you fly to Fort Lauderdale on Christmas Day for the Navigator?

[Hoopster95]

The Brilliance leaves from Tampa in Dec 2015, and We would do a back to back, a 4 day and a 5 day. Ports are meh... Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

 

So let's say you miss tendering in GC due to wind/weather and that day turns into a sea day, your 9 day cruise looks like this:

 

Day 1: embark

Day 2: at sea

Day 3: Cozumel

Day 4: at sea

Day 5: back in Tampa ... basically at sea as you stay yet again on board for the 4th out of 5 days on board

Day 6: at sea (basically 5th day at sea)

Day 7: Cozumel

Day 8: at sea (you miss GC)

Day 9: at sea

 

The above is a colossal waste of money imho. 2 days in Cozumel and 7 days on the ship.

 

The other is an 8 day on Navigator. It would leave Ft Lauderdale. (Love Ft Lauderdale) The only 'down side' is that the cruise leaves Dec. 26. So we would only celebrate New Years on board. We have NEVER been on the Voyager class.

 

No brainer imo... choose Navigator: better class of ship, superb specialty dining including the best restaurant in the fleet = Sabour, Florider, MUCH larger and better pool deck, 3 tier awesome main dining which you haven't experienced yet, much superior sports deck at the aft of the ship, the ice show is fabulous ans Studio B is an excellent venue for events... and most importantly a MUCH better itinerary for your money: Labadee, San Juan, St Kitts, St. Maarten.

 

Whatever you choose, have a great cruise! :D

Edited January 23, 2015 by Hoopster95

[tsconley19]

I am looking at both ships for December 2015. I just don't know enough about either ship, so figured I'd ask for your advice.

 

I know that the Brilliance is a Radiance class ship- I LOVED Serenade when I was on her. I liked everything there is about the Radiance class ships. The Brilliance leaves from Tampa in Dec 2015, and We would do a back to back, a 4 day and a 5 day. Ports are meh... Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Hit one or both on the trips.... BUT I'd get to be on board for both Christmas AND New Years on Brilliance.

 

The other is an 8 day on Navigator. It would leave Ft Lauderdale. (Love Ft Lauderdale) The only 'down side' is that the cruise leaves Dec. 26. So we would only celebrate New Years on board. We have NEVER been on the Voyager class. So that is a plus. The ports are Eastern Caribbean. Been to all the ports.... so feel about the same about the ports for Brilliance....

 

DH and I don't need all the bells and whistles... We live in Minnesota... ice skating... I can do that out my front door.. so the ice rink isn't a big deal. What do you like about either ship? We know we really just want to sit back and relax for the holidays.

 

THANK YOU in advance for any input!

Gabrielle

 

Definitely the Navigator. I've been on The Brilliance and a sister to the Navigator (the Adventure). No comparison, Navigator wins hands down. I didn't care for the tiny Centrum, and tiny main pool area on the Brilliance. You have to walk through the smoky casino to get to a Brithish pub. Rock hard bed in my cabin in a JS along with noise from the cleaning crew until 3:00 am each night.

Brilliance was my least favorite ship to date. Didn't like the lay out at all.

Also there's a 70-80% chance you won't make the GC stop (captains words) after we missed ours.

This is my opinion

Sail the Navigator

Tom

Edited January 23, 2015 by tsconley19

[Gabrielle R.]

I understand (but haven't experienced) that Christmas Day is the best/easiest/cheapest day to fly during the holiday week. Assuming you are flying in from MN, would you fly to Fort Lauderdale on Christmas Day for the Navigator?

 

This past Christmas we flew the 24th... that was great... I'm thinking either the 24th or 25th.... We always enjoy Ft Lauderdale...AND we always find stuff to do.

 

Thanks Zoey, you gave me something to think about.

[Gabrielle R.]

Hoopster & TSConley,

THANK YOU!!! I didn't even think of Grand Cayman and weather... we've gotten in the past few cruises... TOTALLY forgot about that!

 

Looks like Navigator has more pluses on the tally sheet than Brilliance.:)

 

Gabrielle

[bouhunter]

So let's say you miss tendering in GC due to wind/weather and that day turns into a sea day, your 9 day cruise looks like this:

 

Day 1: embark

Day 2: at sea

Day 3: Cozumel

Day 4: at sea

Day 5: back in Tampa ... basically at sea as you stay yet again on board for the 4th out of 5 days on board

Day 6: at sea (basically 5th day at sea)

Day 7: Cozumel

Day 8: at sea (you miss GC)

Day 9: at sea

 

The above is a colossal waste of money imho. 2 days in Cozumel and 7 days on the ship.

 

 

better itinerary for your money: Labadee, San Juan, St Kitts, St. Maarten.

 

Whatever you choose, have a great cruise! :D

 

What a GREAT analysis!!!! I couldn't agree more. We've sailed Jewel and Brilliance out of San Juan (lots of ports). I don't think I'd want that many sea days on one of those ships. Or any ship for that matter .......... :)

Edited January 23, 2015 by bouhunter