Symphony vs. Freedom--Please tell me your experiences

[ARandomTraveler]

On 5/14/2024 at 7:15 AM, BecciBoo said:

They will erect the Christmas tree that week, we've done 3 Thanksgiving cruises and we always watch them put it up.

I was on Symphony for Thanksgiving week 2023 and they didn't put up any decorations. 

[cruisinfly]

I think the answer to your question depends on what you like to do on a cruise. All RCL ships have ocean views, lots of food, swimming, hot-tubs, drinks, shops, gambling, sports, and entertainment selections. Ask yourself what, specifically, about Oasis class ships would you miss by going on Freedom? 

 

I've been on Liberty, Voyager, and Rhapsody multiple times and enjoyed them very much. I'll be going on my first Oasis class this summer and I'm sure I'll enjoy it but I'm hoping the crowds/lines I read about aren't too bad.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 5/14/2024 at 9:15 AM, BecciBoo said:

They will erect the Christmas tree that week, we've done 3 Thanksgiving cruises and we always watch them put it up.

This varies from ship to ship. I was on a Thanksgiving cruise in 2022 and they did not decorate the ship while we were on board (we departed the Monday after Thanksgiving). Last year we did a 4 day Monday to Friday cruise on Liberty the week after Thanksgiving and the ship was not decorated during our cruise. We also did Thanksgiving Day cruises in 2016, 2017 and 2018. None of the ships were decorated for Christmas before the end of the cruise. 
 

EDIT: I was wrong above, Liberty was decorated for Christmas when we sailed on her last year. It was Independence in 2022 that wasn’t decorated when we sailed on her right after Thanksgiving. 

Edited May 22 by PhillyFan33579

[BecciBoo]

This was Freedom. on the other Thanksgiving which was Liberty it too went up a couple days after the actual day...Odyssee put theirs up last year some time before Dec. 13th, the day we boarded.

Edited May 22 by BecciBoo

[temple1]

On 5/20/2024 at 7:58 AM, island lady said:

I dunno...I still miss the Monarch.  😉                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monarch was okay, but I preferred Majesty. 

 

Of the ships in question, if you have children or teens then Symphony. We did one cruise on Oasis, I did not care for the layout. It seemed I could never get from point A to B without having to go through points C & D!  Freedom and Independence are our favorite ships.

[island lady]

5 minutes ago, temple1 said:

Monarch was okay, but I preferred Majesty. 

 

Of the ships in question, if you have children or teens then Symphony. We did one cruise on Oasis, I did not care for the layout. It seemed I could never get from point A to B without having to go through points C & D!  Freedom and Independence are our favorite ships.

 

I was so loyal to Monarch, that I was annoyed when Majesty replaced her here in PC.   Until we finally sailed on Majesty.  Loved her just as much.  Not more...just equal.  🙂 

 

 

[bouhunter]

On 5/14/2024 at 8:40 AM, Cooper30 said:

While my wife and I prefer Freedom (and Voyager) Class over Oasis Class, we are in the minority among the cruising couples we know. 

It’s really an apples to oranges comparison, and I believe someone who really enjoys all that the Oasis Class has to offer will generally be disappointed on a smaller class of ship. 

Agree.  It seems people are split 50/50 now, either hopelessly in love with Oasis+ class, or enjoy the "smaller" ones.  We've sailed Allure and Symphony.  Next winter it will be Grandeur/Explorer/Serenade for the most part.  Since the casino is giving us one, we'll go on Wonder just to shake it up 🙂

 

 

 

[bouhunter]

3 hours ago, cruisinfly said:

I'll be going on my first Oasis class this summer and I'm sure I'll enjoy it but I'm hoping the crowds/lines I read about a aren't too bad.

Dining and entertainment on Oasis class are nice.  Crowds in some areas can be bad at times.  On Symphony last year we never set foot in Windjammer, it was awful.  And elevators were a nightmare most of the time.  We use the stairs a lot, but when going up many flights it would be nice to use an elevator without waiting forever or squeezing in like sardines.  We'll be on smaller ships next winter except for a week on Wonder.  And that's only because it's free through the casino 🙂

 

[Southern Dan]

6 hours ago, island lady said:

 

I was so loyal to Monarch, that I was annoyed when Majesty replaced her here in PC.   Until we finally sailed on Majesty.  Loved her just as much.  Not more...just equal.  🙂 

 

 

Majesty was my first Royal Caribbean Cruise back in January of 95 way back Junior year of High School.  I had the absolute best time and I still remember it fondly to this day.