What is your favorite RCI ship ?

[Sunshine3601]

Our favorite is Serenade.  Perfect size ship for us.  

Our 2nd favorite would be Anthem.

Grandeur will always be special with us as that was our first sailing with Royal.   And sailed on her several times with one memorable cruise with 30' swells.

[Lorey2007]

No Studio B, the venue 270 had very poor seating never enough room for the activities they held in there, there is a Esplanade but I'm partial to the Royal Promenade. Not a fan of the 4 closed in dining rooms, again partial to the elegant 3 level dining rooms of the other classes of ships.  But stiil a beautiful ship and we had a great time. 

[Lorey2007]

13 minutes ago, theotherchad said:

 

In May, we'll sail on our first Oasis Class ship, the Allure of the Seas. By the way, I noticed that several posters on this thread listed Allure as their fave, but the most recent reviews on Cruise Critic are very negative. Any thoughts on why this might be?

We loved Allure!

[theotherchad]

2 minutes ago, Lorey2007 said:

No Studio B, the venue 270 had very poor seating never enough room for the activities they held in there, there is a Esplanade but I'm partial to the Royal Promenade. Not a fan of the 4 closed in dining rooms, again partial to the elegant 3 level dining rooms of the other classes of ships.  But stiil a beautiful ship and we had a great time. 

All sensible points! 

[John&LaLa]

20 minutes ago, Lorey2007 said:

No Studio B, the venue 270 had very poor seating never enough room for the activities they held in there, there is a Esplanade but I'm partial to the Royal Promenade. Not a fan of the 4 closed in dining rooms, again partial to the elegant 3 level dining rooms of the other classes of ships.  But stiil a beautiful ship and we had a great time. 

 

Odyssey has a big open dining room, but only two levels as I recall

[John&LaLa]

Well it used to be Oasis

Then it was Oddysey 

But after last week, Oasis regained top spot 👌 

[LinRon3]

Interesting question, makes one think. We tend to like a 'class' of ship, each having pluses and minuses.  A lot of people here like the Allure.  We loved it too...but our balcony cabin was a bit cramped.  The shows were great.  We loved having specialty coffee at the Park cafe in central park [none of the other mega ships we've been on [Harmony and Symphony] offer specialty coffee there that we know of].  I'd pick Harmony over Allure though; the cabin on Harmony was roomy and shower great; Grease outstanding.  Aqua and ice shows really good.  Symphony aqua show was a bit lacking for us and 'hair spray' just seemed dated.  But "Flight" was super, and the ice shows as the best we've seen. Still, We'd go with Harmony overall as far the mega ships.

We cruised on the Vision last December just to take in the Southern Carib itinerary...and an interior at that.  We were really hesitant after being on the mega ships...but son of a gun, we really enjoyed the Vision.  It was a different feel to it; more traditional we assume as we remembered.  Didn't feel crowded...we loved it.  Made me realize I like the smaller ships as much as the mega ships but for different reasons.  Mega ships more bang for the buck, but rhapsody class of ship a calmer more relaxed feel sort of.  Having said all that, actually it's the Voyager class of ship that somehow seems to offer pluses from both ends...enough bells and whistles and good shows, but also laid back enough.  So, that's our favorite for now I guess...but we love them all.  We went on the Freedom and had a bad experience as wife did not like hypnotist in theater and we had to leave; plus was super super crowded.  Seemed way too much spice in Windjammer dishes as chef was from Jamaica or something if I remember. So a lot of one's attitude toward a ship might have a lot to do with the specific cruise experience one had.  Comedians sticking napkins out of their crotch just does not make it IMHO, [sic another memory we have]. 

[uh...favorite all time ship was Celebrity Edge though; does that count in a Royal forum?].  We can't afford Celebrity but once in a blue moon though. 

Edited March 21, 2023 by LinRon3

[loman]

Allure for us.  Oasis class in general is our only choice now .

Harmony is booked for our next cruise.

Radiance class least favorite as it doesnt have a promenade.

Didnt care for the Anthem either.

[LinRon3]

1 hour ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Our favorite is Serenade.  Perfect size ship for us.  

Our 2nd favorite would be Anthem.

Grandeur will always be special with us as that was our first sailing with Royal.   And sailed on her several times with one memorable cruise with 30' swells.

We've done two cruises on Serenade and for a time was our favorite ship.  Our last cruise on it however, well...the entertainment just didn't seem up to snuff.  I think they only did two production shows, and the rest of the nights were comedians or singers.  Comedians are great in the lounges, but on a theater stage...well, they have to be super good IOHO anyway.  Oh...and we loved the little movie theater first time around as they showed late released good movies.  That last cruise though, a bunch of dud movies.  We didn't go even once.  Anyway, we decided we like the next class up, the Voyager class ships because they have the open promenade design and ice shows etc.  We'd still book the Serenade of course if the itinerary we right.  Happy cruising!  [Just our lean on it]...

[Ret MP]

Symphony.  Can't pinpoint why, either.  All I can say for sure, I had more fun on that ship than I have had on any other.  

[ajtaylor29]

So far i'd have to say Symphony. But, we're on Allure in 3 weeks and i love seeing that it's the favorite for many of you!!

[huntr104]

Right now its Freedom for me.  Loved Liberty back in '08 too.  I think the Freedom Class of ships are the perfect size.  Sailing on Mariner for the first time in June so we'll see if I have a new favorite then.

 

I'd LOVE to see Royal make a few new ships in the Radiance and Vision Class!

Edited March 21, 2023 by huntr104

[lenquixote66]

Very interesting responses thus far

[shofer]

Symphony of the Seas.  Covid interfered with our Feb-21 cruise so finally went 1/19/22.  Have to say, out of our 16 total cruises, this ship exceeded our expectations in all categories, especially in the entertainment.  The Ice show, diving show and theater productions were excellent.  I would go on this ship again in a heartbeat.

[SPacificbound]

Loved the Vision class and love the Radiance class. Freedom is good and Navigator, not a fan of the big ships.

[resetjet]

Older people generally like smaller ships and younger generally bigger.

 

i prefer oasis class with wonder taking the win due to a few more modern touches and a large casino plus its new and everything is in tip top shape. I prefer the 3 major theaters as i like to go to shows.  Since oasis has cats that a real loser for me.

[birdofsong]

Definitely the Allure.  So much so that I'm spending two weeks on her this summer.

[LuCruise]

Symphony for me. The shows, decor, activities....all wow!  We just got off Oasis and it was fantastic too. So many areas to walk and explore on both. And Oasis has the best Aqua show. 

 

Next is Anthem. It's different and enjoyed North Star, Sea Plex is great for kids, 270 is nice space for outside views, and We Will Rock You is best show (favorite is also Mamma Mia on Allure). 

 

DH prefers Mariner ... not too big and not too small. Everyone has different perspectives. 

Edited March 22, 2023 by LuCruise

[sellwingri]

Anthem is my favorite because of the shows.  I’m on b2b cruises in Aug and will go see both We Will Rock You and Spectras Caberet twice.  I’ve been on all but 2 or 3 of Royal ships and find something good about each one.

 

[shippmates]

Grandeur of the Seas.  When she sailed out of Baltimore we did most of our Royal cruises on her.  Many interesting cruises especially when it caught on fire.  What an experience and before we got off in the Bahamas we had booked another cruise on her.  I miss her as I do not care for the Enchantment.  

[immjs20]

Empress of the Seas.  She was our first ship and called Nordic Empress then.  And then Serenade.  

[d.dee]

Symphony!  We will be on the Oasis in November and I'm hoping we love it as much. 

The Anthem is a close second; so beautiful we went on it twice.  

 

[jndsilver31]

any oasis class ship. so much to do

[DaniDanielle]

Oasis is my favorite, although this past August it was not enjoyable.  I guess it’s because it was the first time I sailed with a crowd and a rude crowd at that😳

I have grown to love Anthem.

[lovesthebeach2]

We love the Radiance class ships, more specifically Brilliance.  Just got off it this morning.  Since we love it, we decided to do a short cruise since it’s going to Australia and won’t be back in a Florida for I don’t know now long. 

And although it’s Spring Break, and there were lots of children of all ages aboard, and even more college kids, it was a great cruise. All the kids young and old were well behaved (mostly). 
Its still a beautiful ship, so much glass that the sea is always in our view.
 

We also love Odyssey, but since we’ve spent more time on all the Radiance ships, they are the favorites.