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Which ships WON'T you sail on?


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I have my list of RCCL ships I can't wait to sail on, but I feel like I need to make a list of the tones i should avoid (at least until they get a face lift).  Which ships would you suggest someone avoid?  Or are there itineraries compelling enough that you don't care if the ship is outdated?  Thoughts?

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I have no issue with any Royal ship.  Even those that recently left the fleet were good enough for me.  However it really depends what you are seeking.

I don't need zip lines and bumper cars to have a great cruise.  I can have a great cruise with just the basic or core essentials - pool, buffet, hot tub, casino, theater, salt air, wind on my nearly hairless head.   Some people are looking for the latest whiz bang and there is nothing wrong with that, that's what they seek.  

Just this week I booked the now oldest ships in the fleet because there are some stellar itineraries that the newer ships just don't do.   If you seek more diverse itineraries then those older ships are perfect.  

Put me on a ship, any ship, and I'll have a great cruise.

So it all depends on what you are seeking and what your expectations are.

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I don't think there are any ships RCG has that I won't sail on. Preference for me is Freedom class, just enough bells and whistles. I said I never wanted to do a big ship because of too many people, but I sail on Allure my first post-covid cruise. I think at least for the next 2 years, any ship will do as long as I can cruise.

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We're going to try all the classes Royal has to offer, going on Adventure, Radiance and Liberty in the next twelve months which represent the three oldest classes in use and then work our way up. Looks like the pre-1995 built ships that were primarily ocean view windows and porthole exterior rooms, limited balconies and suites with the rooms concentrated on the lowest floors have all been removed from the fleet so it appears to be a "can't lose" situation when picking on RCL right now. We've been on those older style ships on other lines and I'd prefer to avoid those, but I don't regret having gone on them and they were all fun in their own way.

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I prefer the bigger ships like Oasis class, Freedom class, Voyager class and I'm sure Quantum class (yet to try) but would also be ok with any of the smaller ships.  However, we would only take our kids on one of the ones I just mentioned as I don't think there would be enough for them to do on the others.

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We have been on Voyager, Vision, Oasis, Radiance, and  Quantum classes as well as Majesty of the Seas (miss that ship).  We are booked for a Freedom class in October.  Of all of the ones we have sailed on I didn't like the Quantum class and probably will avoid it if I can find that particular itinerary on another class.  If not then I would gladly sail that class.

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So far, I know I won't be going on Vision class again. it wasn't a bad experience but the ship (Enchantment) felt too small and dated and there wasn't much to do on my own.

 

If RCI gives them a more impressive amplification, I'd probably try them again, but I think they are too old for RCI to really care about  or even be able to refitting them to be like the larger ships . Plus, they do offer cruisers of a different variety an calmer ship since the Freedom and newer classes gear more toward high-energy fun.

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I like the larger ships…more to see and do…lots going on. Also, I’m not much for excursions anymore. Lots of time spent getting organized and then coming and going. Been there, done that. But I really like itineraries with multiple ports because I like the feel of having the ship to myself while most passengers are gone for the day.

But a big part for me is the convenience. All of my cruises are sailing from Port Liberty in Bayonne NJ, an easy drive from my home. Luckily, we have the Oasis in Sept and Oct and then the Anthem for the rest of the year into next spring. 

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While I've only sailed the larger Voyager, Freedom, Quantum, Oasis class of ships, I'd like to experience them all. My preference is the larger ships of course, even though I don't have a comparison never sailing a smaller ship. Reviewing the floor plan and YouTube videos I see enough to deduce while it would be an awesome and intimate experience (with the sea - and those I'm sailing with - friends, family, etc) I'd be in it more for the itinerary than ship. To me, the larger ships are part of the destination.

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9 minutes ago, BrianB said:

But a big part for me is the convenience. All of my cruises are sailing from Port Liberty in Bayonne NJ, an easy drive from my home. Luckily, we have the Oasis in Sept and Oct and then the Anthem for the rest of the year into next spring. 

Cape Liberty is our home port as well. We did the 5 day to Bermuda 6 times, so glad they are finally offering a 7-night itinerary. For a while, I felt like my vacation life was on rinse and repeat. We did do the 9-day once, but syncing vacation days each (for a 9 day trip) was tricky a few years ago - easier now I suppose - different work schedules, easier for me to get off "whenever", etc. That said, ironically, because of her work schedule (new job) we cancelled September on Oasis and will fly down to Miami in January to meet her. 

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40 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

So far, I know I won't be going on Vision class again. it wasn't a bad experience but the ship (Enchantment) felt too small and dated and there wasn't much to do on my own.

This is my fear, and unless the itinerary has some interesting ports, not 100% sure my wife will be wanting to go - so I could end up solo to experience it. I suppose as long as there is a pool and drink package she'd be in heaven LOL.

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We started sailing on RC on Explorer so Voyager class, then sailed Anthem when she moved to NJ. LOVED Explorer and it has a special place in our hearts as is it was our Honeymoon cruise ship but when Anthem came here we were just blown away by everything she had to offer. 270 is just out of this world amazing. Best place to have breakfast and watch the sea from the very back of the ship. We just loved breakfast from there. 

Next one of these years when our cruise doesn't get cancelled we are gonna sail Oasis. 3 times cancelled now. Next up for an Oasis try is June 2022 and August 2022. ?

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While I liken myself to be new to RCL I did sail on the viking serenade 25-30 years ago, I remember needing to shimmy sideways to get into the bed since it was about 6 inches from the wall on both sides and the toilet may have been in the shower or so close it got wet when you showered. It was built as a ferry and had the capacity to carry 500 vehicles before being converted into a RCL cruise ship. I had a blast but would avoid that ship today had it not been sold long ago and scrapped by the third or fourth owner after RCL. It's a great frame of reference that makes any ship today a pleasure.

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We love oasis class however when it comes to an itinerary I want (Alaska, Europe etc) I won’t hesitate to take a smaller ship. 
 

I will always choose oasis class when I can, but that generally means the Caribbean. Personally I think an oasis class in Europe for a port heavy 7 day is a waste of an oasis class ship. I guess the same can be said for Quantum class too in Europe however I have Odyssey booked for the Holy Land/Greece BUT we have 3 sea days which gives me time to enjoy the ship. We did have 4 sea days but they added a port. 

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We are primarily destination cruisers. We look for new places to see and new things to do. But, I will admit that the allure of high energy places has waned as we have exceeded 70 years on the planet. 

Purely for ease of movement between places aboard we prefer Radiance class ships. We love the glass and class they offer. 

We will never get on a flowrider again. Too likely to break something we need afterward. Plus, we feel like Oasis class are really slow. It seems like it takes forever to get anywhere. And RCL has made most of the Voyager class 3-5 night cruises. We don't do less that 7 nights and prefer 9-18 nights.

If the destination is right, we will sail on any RCL class. (Full disclosure, we have not sailed on a Quantum class yet.)

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5 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

@steverkThe Mardi Gras looks alright. But yes I don't like CCL ships, its the garish decor, not necessarily the offering. Also they had Pepsi, which is one of the more disgusting soda brands. So when I was a heavy soda drinker, I stop cruising with them as a main reason.


YUCK ????? lol ….. I hate Pepsi ??? ….. Coke Zero Rules! ???

 

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