Jump to content

Ships: Best and Worst (But Always Fun!)


StayFrosty

Recommended Posts

Let's have a little fun.

For each ship you have been on, list your favorite and least favorite thing about that ship.  Could be something about the ship itself, an activity, a crew member, food, drink, etc.

 

  • Enchantment of the Seas
    • Best: Large pool deck for sail away parties with ocean-facing bar!
    • Worst: Limited food options
  • Majesty of the Seas
    • Best: The largest Boleros in the fleet (?)!
    • Worst: Viking Crown Lounge is underutilized.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have mixed feelings about Enchantment.  Love and hate it.  It is small so you don't necessarily get that WOW factor like on the larger ships, but being smaller you not only get to know the staff, but it is more port intensive compared to the larger ships.  

We have done the larger ships, and the problem there is by the time you figure out the quickest route to everything the cruise is over.  Of course the positive is food selections, bionic bar, bumper cars, shows, etc.  You really need to think about your room location on those ships if you are like us and don't want to wait for the elevators.  

We are going on Adventure in July.  I am hoping that it will give us the best of both worlds.  Of course Adventure does not offer the kummelwreck so that is a negative...JK kind of!  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, I'll have a go...

  • Freedom of the Seas
    • Best: Helipad for enjoying sailaway and (when open at night) stargazing
    • Worst: Revue-style shows felt tired, even without having seen any other shows on any other ships
  • Anthem of the Seas
    • Best: Two70 -- great place for breakfast and enjoying the wake view in the morning, incredible shows and entertainment there at night
    • Worst: The main dining rooms; way too crowded the one time we went (breakfast), some of our food was served cold, would actually have had a better experience in the Windjammer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, JLMoran said:
  • Freedom of the Seas
    • Best: Helipad for enjoying sailaway and (when open at night) stargazing
    • Worst: Revue-style shows felt tired, even without having seen any other shows on any other ships

I just got off of Freedom last week and both these are true, stargazing from the bow was great. The "Marquee" show was pretty uninteresting, I actually dozed off. We didn't even go to the other show later in the week. The Revue-style show on other ships have been pretty good.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, FloridaCruiseGirl1210 said:

also the Creme Brulee (it didnt have the hard shell on top)

Ohhhhhhhh... my favorite!! The best Crème brûlée I've had was at Monique's in Paris many moons ago and when Robin Leach borrowed my torch to caramelize and he personally brought me some. It was dee-lish-us!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best - Oasis:  Boleros Bar makes the most outstanding Coconut Rum Mojito hands down.

Worst - Adventure: Dining Room at 8:00 PM Service for a party of 11. We had new server trainee (1st cruise). Has to wait too long for drinks, food was cold and therefore we were always in the dining room much later than other tables.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Of the ships currently still in the fleet ...

Navigator

Best:  Love the Casino -- Left with more money than I arrived with - Also, Cuddy Cudsworth was a riot.

Worst:  The Windjammer just didn't pop my whistles for some reason .... but that was in '09 -- Ne relevance today.

 

Grandeur

Best:  Because of its size, you feel instantly like family when you board, of course, the crew had a major play in that.  Go for Halloween, def. the most fun you'll ever have.

Worst:  Also because of its size, you will tend to feel the motion of the ship -

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, SPS said:

I just got off of Freedom last week and both these are true, stargazing from the bow was great. The "Marquee" show was pretty uninteresting, I actually dozed off. We didn't even go to the other show later in the week. The Revue-style show on other ships have been pretty good.

 

I know things may change by November, but can you tell me what shows they do have?  Do the shows change based on ports?  I haven't been able to find a Cruise Compass that has the same itinerary.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Anthem
    • Best: Solarium
    • Worst: We Will Rock You
  • Independence
    • Best: Cantilever jacuzzi
    • Worst: Sorrento's not being open 24/7 †

† I'm being sarcastic, I can't think of anything negative to say about the Independence since it was my first cruise I was excited and blown away by everything! But we did joke about being upset Sorrento's wasn't open for a 4am snack. We stayed just up the stairs on deck six and it was our go-to for something small and quick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Enchantment
    • Best -- Pool deck in the fleet and the Oasis Bar is a great place to hang out, has a big feel to it
    • Worst -- fitness center is just, meh
  • Freedom
    • Best -- Royal Promenade, grand feel to it
    • Worst -- the features near the aft seem out of sight and out of mind
  • Navigator
    • Best -- for me, the perfect size, similar to best features of Freedom Class
    • Worst -- there isn't much I can say I don't like about this ship
  • Empress
    • Best -- Boleros, the adjoining coffee bar and the aft seating area are my favorite I have experienced at Royal. LOVE this ship
    • Worst -- Not a fan of the seating style in the theater, but that is minor. There is sort of a fitness center on the second floor of the Viking Crown...
  • Brilliance
    • Best -- I love the pub and movie theater spaces and their proximity, the outdoor seating at the Windjammer is my favorite
    • Worst -- the MDR seems a little cramped and over busy. When I sail on Radiance Class again, I will do more specialty dining
  • Allure
    • Best -- Aqua Theater and Mama Mia (I admit it, I liked it), the Solarium and Central Park
    • Worst -- way too big for a port intensive itinerary. I would love to do a TA on her

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Radiance
Best - Grand Suite balcony..you could have driven a car out there.  This was the Alaska itinerary, too..so awesome views.
Worst - There wasn't much to do in the evenings on the ship, but fortunately the days in port were so tiring that this didn't matter.

Vision
Best -  Finally got to go to ports other than Cozumel, Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten!  This was a Southern Caribbean itinerary. 
Worst -  It didn't seem like there was anything to do at all on the ship.  It was dull and boring, but so were most of the passengers.  They decorated the day after Thanksgiving and it looked like Christmas threw up on an AARP convention in the Atrium. 

Anthem
Best -  To-go sushi from Izumi..anytime, all the time (courtesy of Star Class).  Everything I tried there was fantastic.
Worst - Chops was meh.  I wasn't impressed at all with the food or the service.

Symphony
Best - We had a 2BR Aquatheater room and it was Star Class.  We weren't with the rest of the Star Class folks behind the special door, but I loved everything about our room and location.
Worst - The oysters at Hooked were disappointing.  I love raw oysters but the ones there tasted like they were sanitized.  There was zero salinity to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

45 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

 

Worst - The oysters at Hooked were disappointing.  I love raw oysters but the ones there tasted like they were sanitized.  There was zero salinity to them.

Sooo disappointed to hear this !  Have been looking forward to trying the oysters....both Dan and I love them !  I love it when they are extra salty so all-in-all, sounds like a recipe for disappointment.  Thanks for the warning though.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fun Post ?

Allure

  • Best - Shows, Unique activities such as Zipline, neighborhoods, many included food selections
  • Worst - There were a couple nights where you don't have a show (as I love dinner and show each night).  However, nothing is bad as ship is amazing. 

Mariner

  • Best - Refurb items such as waterslides, Sky Pad, Laser Tag
  • Worst - Pools gets very crowded on sea days as there are only 2 for all ages, fewer food options

Independence

  • Best - Perfect size, Broadway show on a non-Oasis class, extra pool spreads out crowds and looks fun for younger kids (even though we didn't use), waterslides, Sky Pad and Laser Tag
  • Worst - Dinner service in MDR wasn't as friendly, but that might have been due to MTD and shorter cruise.  Fewer food options compared with Oasis class

I've also been on Grandeur and Voyager but they were awhile ago and I don't remember the details enough to respond.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is so hard!

Vision best:. Service was amazing.                      Worst:. No prominade, solarium was really enclosed and warm

Adventure best: prominade and first cruise with hubby (and to my fave southern Caribbean).                                                     Worst:. It was pre refurbished so showed age a bit.  We really loved it though

Freedom:. Best:. Fave ship so far.  Nice mix of options but not too many people.  Think this will be my fave class ship...this or Voyager.                                                     Worst:. Would like to be on a ship with slides to pull the chair hogs away from my spot up on sky deck by the sky bar!

We are up on allure in 43 days and will see if it's too crowded.  I know I will live Central Park!   I am dying to try a radiance class ship but that won't be until at least 2021.  Vision and Rhapsody are next... Hoping I don't get tired if the vision class... Europe itinerary and then way cheap spring break cruise caused us to book on these two.  Jane

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

Fun Post ?

Allure

  • Best - Shows, Unique activities such as Zipline, neighborhoods, many included food selections
  • Worst - There were a couple nights where you don't have a show (as I love dinner and show each night).  However, nothing is bad as ship is amazing. 

Mariner

  • Best - Refurb items such as waterslides, Sky Pad, Laser Tag
  • Worst - Pools gets very crowded on sea days as there are only 2 for all ages, fewer food options

Independence

  • Best - Perfect size, Broadway show on a non-Oasis class, extra pool spreads out crowds and looks fun for younger kids (even though we didn't use), waterslides, Sky Pad and Laser Tag
  • Worst - Dinner service in MDR wasn't as friendly, but that might have been due to MTD and shorter cruise.  Fewer food options compared with Oasis class

I've also been on Grandeur and Voyager but they were awhile ago and I don't remember the details enough to respond.

I agree on Mariner. The pools and hot tubs were so filled even on embarkation day that we never had a chance to enjoy them! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jewel: 

Best - Beautiful ship and crew were amazing.

Worst - It was a decade ago and my first cruise so can't really remember anything bad.

Independence:

Best - Great size of ship, plenty to offer. The one that got me into cruising.

Worst - The only ship I've got seasick on.

Enchantment:

Best - Only ship to be lengthened with the cool bridges? I'm not really sure of what positives to pick out for EN to be honest.

Worst - Too small, felt like an outsider being Scottish on a ship full of Americans (don't take that offensively) and didn't get a warm vibe from crew.

Explorer:

Best - A ship with a casual, laid back vibe and had a good time. Nothing stands out too much 7 years on but it had a good atmosphere.

Worst - Can't think of anything negative to be honest.

Serenade:

Best - Very pretty ship, and I like the vibe on Radiance Class.

Worst - Pool deck was awful and the ship was too boring.

Oasis:

Best - The overall WOW Factor on her. First time seeing all of the proper innovations, was blown away.

Worst - Nothing bad that I can remember, except for debarkation as 1 week was not enough for OA.

Allure:

Best - Captain Johnny and best Windjammer food.

Worst - Not enough at sea days on the Med route.

Anthem:

Best - NorthStar, Two70.

Worst - Windjammer food was worst of all cruises, unhappy crew, rude guests and Royal Esplanade crowding.

Harmony:

Best - Strong crew, OA and AL on steroids. Loved additions of slides.

Worst - Cruise Director was weakest of all sailings.

Symphony:

Best - El Loco Fresh, Playmakers and other minor things around the ship.

Worst - Lack of noon announcements (really the only negative I can think of).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oasis of the Seas

        Best:  Central Park at night.  Great place for a drink and listening to the strings duo.

        Worst:   Comedy Club/Jazz Club.  Venue is to small difficult to get a seat.

Grandeur of the Seas

        Best:  The intimate feel of the ship and the friendly crew.

        Worst:   Centrum shows, if you found a seat, guests would often move chairs blocking walkways and others standing in front of those seated.  I would have preferred some of

                       the more popular shows be in the theater.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very interesting thread to hear everyone's opinions and maybe apply to my future ship selection. I only have the one experience - yet...

Harmony of the Seas

Best: Sheer size ("wow factor") and wide variety of activities for all ages, never felt bored and even 7 days weren't enough to enjoy it all

Worst: Hard to be negative as I loved the ship and the cruise, but I guess I'd say settling up our account as it was a negative service experience that compounded the doldrums of debarkation anyways

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...