Select an Cruise For Us - Trying RCCL one more time

[SanFranBayCruiser]

We're starting to look at a winter cruise for February 2007. I know I am not going to win a lot of friends or fans by telling you we've been on Royal Caribbean and have been very disappointed. We sailed Nordic Empress several years ago to Bermuda - liked the ship but, very disappointed with the food and "forced" large tables - tables for 2 were unheard of at that point. I also hated the fact that the shows were either scheduled during our late sitting or before leaving nothing to do except the casino after dinner.

 

We have sailed Carnival (liked them very much), Princess (love them), Celebrity (love them) and Crystal (top notch in our opinion) and we're trying to find a short cruise on Cunard QM2.

 

We like the idea of a private island (like Princess Cay) and prefer port intensive rather than lots of days at sea.

 

We like good food (yes, yes - I know about food being subjective and it can only be so good cooking for thousands of people...but good food can be achieved on a cruise line for example both Celebrity and Princess manage to turn out very good food every night).

 

We don't mind paying for the alternative restaurants.

 

We love a good casino.

 

We like 7 to 10 day cruises (longer if time permits).

 

We love the newer, larger ships.

 

Balcony cabins or suites...always for us.

 

Looking to cruise either Valentine's Day Week or President's Week.

 

I realize we sound like the fussy type...and I guess we are to a point but, we're not snobs we do sail on Carnival and enjoy them but, just want a change of pace.

 

What which ship would you recommend?

[erniesband]

I would recommend a Radiance class vessel - Radiance, Serenade, Jewel or Brilliance. They're gorgeous, sophisticated ships, with lots to do. Our favorite itinerary is Serenade's out of San Juan - St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, with one sea day (at the end, when you're definitely ready for it!)

 

Although we always request a large table, I know there are plenty of smalle tables in the dining room. There are also 2 excellent alternative restaurants, Chops and Portofinos. There are 2 shows nightly, an early one for diners with late seating, and a later one, for those of us who eat early.

 

We sailed Empress on her 11-day itinerary last January, and enjoyed it, largely because it was an incredible itinerary, but we love the Radiance class ships. Although neither of RCL's private destinations are on this itinerary, I think you'd find that Serenade meets the rest of your specifications.

 

Jodi

[Lou_70]

Every cruise I have been on has 2 shows. One before dinner for the late seating, and one after that for the early seating to watch after dinner.

 

tables for two are hard to come by because many people want them... I would suggest telling the TA that you want a table for two requested and then when you get on the ship checking your table assignment out. If it is not a 2 top then going to the waiter station and requesting a table change.

 

there are some that are put at a two top that want to be at a big table, so you never know.

 

If you like big ships I would recomennd any Voyager Class ship. Sail during school times so that the kid count will be alot less.

 

There casino is huge. If you prefer port intensive sailings go southern caribbean, it usually has more ports of call. If not go western, it only has 2 sea days and includes Labadee, thier private island.

 

I like Carnival cruises, but I feel RCCL does a better job, and is not as Vegas glitzy...and their ships have more toys on them to play with.

[Eileen G]

If you like a lot of port days you will love the Serenade. We live within a few hours driving time of 4 major cruise ports but decided to fly to San Juan for the Serenade's itinerary and we would do it again in a heart beat. The ship is beautiful and the crew is great. You have plenty of time at each port ( no half days) and even the last sea day is like a seanic tour of all the islands you're passing by with a comentary by the captian. Read a few reviews of this ship and you will get an idea of what she is like. I don't think you can go wrong with this ship.

[derekandkimberly]

Yep. Serenade Southern Carribean is the only way to go. Voyager class ships have more kids and too many people. 19 more days!!!!!!!!!!

[Nanatravel]

I would skip President's Week no matter what ship or where it goes. This is a very big School Vacation week and you will not be impressed with lots of little children under foot. Valentines week should be a better bet or the last week of February into March.

 

BonVoyage

[truffles2]

I agree with erniesband (post #2). Radiance class ships are beautiful and if the dining room is not to your liking you have both Chops & Portofinos--which are excellent. We always enjoy a large table and have met so many nice, fun, interesting people (OK, a few duds in 20 + cruises...but just a few). Hope you have a great experience next time!

[Leafpeeper]

My favorite RCCL ship is Jewel of the Seas, which is a Radiance class ship. There are two specialty restaurants on Jewel in addition to the dining room and the Windjammer buffet. This buffet is unlike any other I've seen. You can select your own meat, poultry or fish and watch them cook it--served nice and hot. Then you have the option of eating indoors or outdoors under the stars. The Windjammer is divided into different areas--some as typical restaurant tables and another area between indoor and outdoor areas that has wicker furniture. I enjoyed the various locations. There is also a Seaview Cafe on the upper pool deck aft with fast food selections also with indoor and outdoor seating.

What makes this ship so special for me is the solarium with the indoor pool. This would make a wonderful ship to sail from the northeast or west coast going from cool climates to warm destinations. We loved sailing the Jewel from Boston to the caribbean and Bermuda.

 

We are sailing the Norwegian Dawn from NY to the eastern caribbean in January 2007. I love sailing out of NY. The Dawn is a twin to the NCL Star sailing out of LA. This ship has ten different restaurants with freestyle dining anytime anywhere you want with a choice of table for 2 or larger table depending on your mood each night. It is like eating at various restuarants on a vacation--more my taste because sometimes I like small intimate places and other nights I feel more like eating in a larger more formal venue. The Dawn's Italinan, French, Mexican, Japanese, American, Steak House, English Pub, Venetian Dining Room, BBQ, Buffet, even Chinese/Fast Food restaurants gives everyone something they like.

 

Have you considered the Norwegian Star out of LA? It is twin to the Dawn. I would also look at the Sapphire Princess out of LA. I've read that the RCCL Navigator of the Seas may be coming to LA to do the Mexican Riviera. That is quite an impressive ship and worth sailing to see how you like large vessels with ice skaing rinks and an indoor promenade deck.

[Nliedel]

Again, I am going to agree with the others and suggest a Radience Class ship. Chops is spectacular. I like Portofino but not as much as Chops (I have had some spotty service on more than one ship). The food is more than fine at the moment. I am a food snob and I was fine, as long as I stayed away from the buffet. I have lunch and breakfast in the dining room if possible.

[Stormlover]

We love the Mariner of the seas it is fairley new an always something to do. Their western itenary has 4 stops.:) Nice Casino shows are great, food is good, we love the Solarium area as well. We have sailed her twice an will probabley sail her again next year.;)

[Nliedel]

I agree, the Mariner is great, But... if you don't like RCI right now it may not be the ship for you. One of the complaints, from a wonderful fellow cruise, Msraye, was that it was not "open" enough to the outside compared to the Radience ships. I concur.

[Nliedel]

Duplicate post. That's twice today, sorry.

[MBeamTX]

Serenade is the only RCCL ship we've sailed and we thought it was fabulous. (All of our other cruise experiences have been on Holland America, both the new Vista class ships and the earlier Volendam/Zaandam.) Because we were on a 14-day repositioning cruise on Serenade, we had virtually no children on board. We would not sail on a Voyager class ship, unless it was a longer itinerary unlikely to attract young families.

 

As several have noted, Serenade's regular Caribbean intinerary is very port intensive. If you were looking to travel this April, I would have recommended you check out the sailing we are booked on. It's a one-of-a-kind 10-day intinerary for Serenade and suites are still (amazingly) available.

 

Definitely stick with the Radiance class ships if you give RCCL another try.

 

Happy sailing,

Susan