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Help Planning our frist Royal Caribbean cruise


mschmitt

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We are thinking of taking a Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time March 2016. We have done one Carnival cruise which we did not like and four Disney cruises that we love. We are looking at 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Allure of the Seas or 8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Navigator of the Seas both out of Fort Lauderdale. Which cruise ship would you recommended for a family of three for our first experiences on Royal Caribbean and why.

Thank You

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The answer is yes!

 

I have yet to sail on an Oasis class ship (next october/Allure) but I think you will immensely enjoy either. For us, the cost of Oasis class is not prohibitive, but voyager class and freedom class ships typically are less expensive and allow us to vacation more frequently. Other than cost, It would be hard not to choose Oasis, given all the additional options it allows in terms of restaurants aND activities. Both are going to have great kids and teen programs. It would also depend on the itineraries for us. We tend to prefer easternand southern routes, but our next two cruises will be western because the each have two stops that we have never been to. The tough decisions we have to make these days?

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We are thinking of taking a Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time March 2016. We have done one Carnival cruise which we did not like and four Disney cruises that we love. We are looking at 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Allure of the Seas or 8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Navigator of the Seas both out of Fort Lauderdale. Which cruise ship would you recommended for a family of three for our first experiences on Royal Caribbean and why.

Thank You

​

 

I have to split from the group a bit here.

 

My favorite class is the Oasis class, for all of the reasons cited and more. If money and timing (and it's usually more a timing thing, than a money thing) weren't an issue, I'd choose the Oasis class every time. Admittedly, I have not sailed on any Quantum class ships yet, but there are things about the design of the Oasis class ships that Quantum left out. I know I will LOVE the Quantum ships, but I really don't believe they will overtake the Oasis class as my favorite.

 

Does that emphasize how much I love the Oasis class? ;)

 

That said, would I recommend the Oasis class as the first class of ships a new cruiser should take? No. If it was going to be the ONLY cruise someone would ever take in their life, ever!, then I would. There is no equal. But, if you plan on cruising again, I would not start on it.

 

As for the rest of the fleet, I would never recommend anything less than the Voyager class, which includes the Navigator, for a first time cruiser (unless price was such a big concern as to overshadow every other consideration). I think anything older is for seasoned cruisers - people who are already "loyal to Royal." The impression the older ships give to a first time Royal cruiser would not be representative of what Royal can do - the experience they can provide. The Voyager class was a pivotal point in Royal's evolution. The Voyager class provides the foundation for the Freedom class, the Oasis class, and the Quantum class. It's where modern day cruising begins.

 

So my recommendation is to start with the Navigator (Matt's favorite ship, by the way), and work up from there. We started, nearly a decade ago now, with the Legend. We then went to the Sovereign. Both small, older ships, even at that time (in fact, the Sovereign has since been retired). When we got on the Oasis, we were absolutely blown away. We then went down a step to the Freedom. I won't say we were disappointed, but we were underwhelmed. Though, we did have a wonderful time! But, the last thing I want for any new cruiser is to be underwhelmed. If you start with the Navigator and work up, you'll always be blown away with each new class. Moreover, the Navigator has SO MUCH to do. It's a first-class ship, and you'll have a first-class experience. You won't know what you're missing, and you may not even believe you could be missing anything. You'll think, what else could there be? Then, you'll get to the Freedom class, and then Oasis, and you'll wonder how Royal makes such amazing magic happen!

 

P.S. I work for Disney. You will like Royal more! :D

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Having been on Oasis class X 2, Freedom class X 2 and Voyager class X 5 I would have to agree with Scotts reasoning.  I believe you would have a wonderful time on the Navigator and would get hooked on RC like the rest of us.  If you do chose the Allure I would get there as soon as possible to explore the ship as there is so much to see and do on the Oasis class ships.  Relax and have to good time!  Mike

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To diverge slightly further from the group, not a major fan of the Oasis class boats but have enjoyed the Voyager and Freedom (near sister) class boats and would highly recommend the Navigator as a start point.

 

I do agree with Scott's point that going straight to the best of the best can make it tough to like anything else, plus its cheaper (almost always), plus its a day longer, plus its plenty big enough not like its a small ship with nothing to do :)

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I would say for the pricing and length of cruise I would try the Navigator - how old is the 3rd guest

 - while I love Oasis class like others - and I think you would love it as well - I sometimes think its

better to try a smaller ship as a comparison.   Then you can go up for sure - the newest Anthem

I like a lot better than Oasis or Allure - I think the layout is more to my style -

 

Again - depends on things you like to do - when picking a ship

I even just sailed on the NCL Escape which I think will be great for families

 

Good Luck - happy to help you

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As for the rest of the fleet, I would never recommend anything less than the Voyager class, which includes the Navigator, for a first time cruiser (unless price was such a big concern as to overshadow every other consideration). I think anything older is for seasoned cruisers - people who are already "loyal to Royal." The impression the older ships give to a first time Royal cruiser would not be representative of what Royal can do - the experience they can provide. The Voyager class was a pivotal point in Royal's evolution. The Voyager class provides the foundation for the Freedom class, the Oasis class, and the Quantum class. It's where modern day cruising begins.

 

I'm good with Voyager class ships (see the number of times Adventure appears below).  We were a bit overwhelmed with Oasis.  We also take smaller ships due to the ports they can get to, plus not having to pay the Oasis/Quantum premium prices helps a little.  

 

But I would agree, try Voyager/Freedom first for the "holy smokes this is amazing!" first impression.  Later if you get to the point where the ports are the destination, not the ship, go for the smaller ships.  But it the ship is your thing, then go big on the big ships.  

 

Or just try them all. :)

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I agree with the logic with not starting with Quantum or Oasis, however, I started with the Radiance back in 2002 and then the Adventure in 2003 and I was quite happy with the Radiance.  Even to this day I would start with the Radiance due to the beautiful glass elevators, even to the pool table and the food options that exist. There's not ice skating or bumper cars but it's full of great items. 

 

Again, just my opinion but I am big fan of the Radiance Class.

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I disagree, Doc. I think there is a bad choice. The problem is, when you're new, you don't yet know what that bad choice is for you specifically.

As you said, you're itinerary focused. Others may be casino focused, or food focused, or whatever. And, to complicate it more, we all change what we want, depending on the circumstances. I, for one, have stated several times that I am an Oasis class fan, and I don't love the older, sub-Voyager class ships. That said, as a Floridian, I have the luxury of taking a cheap cruise whenever I just want to get away. For that, Majesty works just fine. And when it's time for that Alaska cruise, I don't have much choice in ships - it is what it is. If I want Sabor (and I do!), then that directs my options. (Which, by the way, I'm now pissed off because no guacamole will ever compete! Damn you, Sabor! You're my crack!) Again, it all depends on the focus.

Moreover, irrespective of our personal opinions, the bells and whistles of the mega-ships WOW people, regardless of the cruise line. I'd hate for someone to compare Carnival's latest and greatest with Royal's older, more quaint ships, and then walk away with the opinion that Carnival is better, when it's not.

#justmytwocents

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You raise some good points, Scott, and I will agree that a newer ship is a better choice for a new cruiser over an older ship. That said, after sailing the flag ships of Carnival and Disney, we swore we'd never sail anything smaller, but then ended up doing so because of the itineraries offered. In fact, I've yet to sail on any Royal ship larger than the Radiance class, although that will change next year with the Liberty and Allure with the Serenade in between the two.

 

Regarding Carnival, they have a lot more older vessels in their fleet, which actually creates a huge brand problem for them compared to Royal. I will say that they have better burgers and slides currently, though. ;)

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Moreover, irrespective of our personal opinions, the bells and whistles of the mega-ships WOW people, regardless of the cruise line. I'd hate for someone to compare Carnival's latest and greatest with Royal's older, more quaint ships, and then walk away with the opinion that Carnival is better, when it's not.

I think that's a fair point.  As an example, I wouldn't recommend Majesty of the Seas as a good first time cruise, BUT I do think a first timer could have a good time on Majesty.

 

It depends on expectations and what folks are looking for in a cruise.

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I think we're all seasoned enough (me being the least seasoned, of course) to have this sort of nuanced discussion. For a newbie, this is all over their heads.

We've all been new to things and we all will be new again, and what's the drive for a newbie? What are we aiming at as newbies? I think it's some sort of guarantee that our time and money will be well spent. That we'll receive value. That we'll be satisfied that we made the right choice. And this is something we cannot possibly know in advance.

Thus, my recommendation for the WOW ships.They offer the best chance of delivering satisfaction to the most amount of people. They offer something for everyone. After all, a rookie has no idea if they'll be like you, Doc, and be itinerary focused, or like Matt, and be food focused (how is he not 4,000 pounds!?), or like me and be....well.... I actually have no idea why Oasis is my favorite. I just know that it is. And maybe that's the beauty of those ships - they're damn appealing!

But who knows!? Tonight's my Friday night and I'm throwing back a few. For all I know, I'll disagree with everything I've just said when I wake up tomorrow.  ;)  :lol:

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks for all your help we just book 8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Navigator of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale with Stephanie from mei-travel . We decided to go with the Navigator of the Seas instead of Allure of the Seas because of the price and because of the ports we would be visiting and the extra day did not hurt. We are just setting up our online account with Royal and will start looking into shore excursions and dining. Again thanks everyone for there input and I sure we will have more questions as we go threw the process.

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Thanks for all your help we just book 8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Navigator of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale with Stephanie from mei-travel . We decided to go with the Navigator of the Seas instead of Allure of the Seas because of the price and because of the ports we would be visiting and the extra day did not hurt. We are just setting up our online account with Royal and will start looking into shore excursions and dining. Again thanks everyone for there input and I sure we will have more questions as we go threw the process.

Congrats on booking the cruise!  And thank you for supporting our sponsor!

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