Non Oasis class ship recommendations

[gi333]

Hi everyone.

I would like to have some recommendations of non Oasis class ship if possible. Just returned from oasis of the seas and it was amazing. I know I started with the best but we would like to cruise again but prices are nuts. Any non Oasis class that doesn't feel boring or old? Even if Aqua theater is not there?  Liberty of the seas looks cool with that waterslide..

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

[smokeybandit]

Mariner, Freedom or Navigator

[JazzBassMan]

Also Independence 

[OCSC Mike]

41 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Mariner, Freedom or Navigator

Those would be my 3.

 

16 minutes ago, JazzBassMan said:

Also Independence 

That would be my #4.

[Va4fam]

Odyssey is a great ship.  Not an Oasis class ship but modern with the best SeaPlex/Playmakers combo in the fleet.

Anthem, Mariner, Navigator, Freedom would be solid choices.

 

[Ryan79]

 Navigator and Mariner are my votes

[Cactus527]

Navigator and Independence!

[gi333]

Thanks so much for your help. It's hard to compete with Oasis . 

[Lovetocruise2002]

I would say Freedom or Navigator because they got amped. Mariner and Indy did too but the other two got the more recent amps so closer in amenities to Oasis class. My first pick would be Freedom.

[OCSC Mike]

11 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I would say Freedom or Navigator because they got amped. Mariner and Indy did too but the other two got the more recent amps so closer in amenities to Oasis class. My first pick would be Freedom.

But they don't come with the surprises you get onboard ships like Liberty. Too soon?

[Va4fam]

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

But they don't come with the surprises you get onboard ships like Liberty. Too soon?

What happened on Liberty?  

[OCSC Mike]

10 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

What happened on Liberty?  

Ummm... let's say her cabin wasn't fully cleaned prior to arrival yesterday.

You can read about it in her live blog...

 

[gi333]

What do you guys think of the adventure? We were interested in Bermuda and adventure goes from Orlando. Amazing itinerary. Including labadee and coco Cay.

[Lovetocruise2002]

I am now interested in what people who have sailed Adventure recently think….we have a 6 night next July booked. 

[VillainsGin]

2 hours ago, gi333 said:

Hi everyone.

I would like to have some recommendations of non Oasis class ship if possible. Just returned from oasis of the seas and it was amazing. I know I started with the best but we would like to cruise again but prices are nuts. Any non Oasis class that doesn't feel boring or old? Even if Aqua theater is not there?  Liberty of the seas looks cool with that waterslide..

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

For me personally if there was a budget involved the first thing I would determine is not the ship but my current location.

Checking to see if you're near or within driving distance of an RCL ship port can save you money. Rules out having to pay additional for flight cost and all the fees/charges that comes with flying. (especially flight coordinating with embarkation & debarkation)

Then I would go to RCL's website to look at departure ports and hope they have some options sailing out from there.

I love all cruise ships although I leaned towards the ultra mega ships with all their insane features. I'd do some research on the smaller ships departing from ports closest to me and mentally start planning if that's something I can honestly enjoy.

As long as the cruise ship has a buffet, hot tub, pool and casino it's a party!

[ScottD]

1 minute ago, VillainsGin said:

For me personally if there was a budget involved the first thing I would determine is not the ship but my current location.

Checking to see if you're near or within driving distance of an RCL ship port can save you money. Rules out having to pay additional for flight cost and all the fees/charges that comes with flying. (especially flight coordinating with embarkation & debarkation)

Then I would go to RCL's website to look at departure ports and hope they have some options sailing out from there.

I love all cruise ships although I leaned towards the ultra mega ships with all their insane features. I'd do some research on the smaller ships departing from ports closest to me and mentally start planning if that's something I can honestly enjoy.

As long as the cruise ship has a buffet, hot tub, pool and casino it's a party!

I have started looking at the cruises closer to me, which are NJ and Baltimore- the problem is they only do the same 2-3 itineraries over and over. I love coco cay, but i really don't want to go there every cruise. 

[VillainsGin]

1 minute ago, ScottD said:

I have started looking at the cruises closer to me, which are NJ and Baltimore- the problem is they only do the same 2-3 itineraries over and over. I love coco cay, but i really don't want to go there every cruise. 

I ENVY YOU SO MUCH, i'm over here in Los Angeles so I would have to fly over to MIA to get to enjoy coco cay which can sometimes be excruciating.

Although as of recent, navigator of the seas is calling LA its home port which I immediately booked twice lol.

Drives me nuts we can't build a larger port here in california for larger ships, we can only accommodate the smaller ones!

 

[gi333]

We are from Montreal and we drove to new York to the Oasis Aug 13 sailing. Saved us tons of money on flight and car rental and hotel vs going to Florida. However they are expensive for next year. And honestly believe it or not for next year from Bayonne is more pricey than from Florida. And if you had flight and everything from Florida comes out almost the same. That's insane. 

[Ampurp85]

I echo Freedom. I have done Indy and Nav as well and would do them again but not before Freedom.

Mariner was the first Royal ship I sailed but her shows feel really dated and after seeing the pics and reading @Lovetocruise2002 blog, Liberty has gone into the "NO" pile for me. 

I am also not a fan of quantum class as you really begin to miss the features of Oasis class. The Esplanade and lack of neighborhoods/aqua shows are apparent more so than on Freedom and Voyager class. 

[ScottD]

Just now, gi333 said:

We are from Montreal and we drove to new York to the Oasis Aug 13 sailing. Saved us tons of money on flight and car rental and hotel vs going to Florida. However they are expensive for next year. And honestly believe it or not for next year from Bayonne is more pricey than from Florida. And if you had flight and everything from Florida comes out almost the same. That's insane. 

We are sailing for the first time next month from NJ, and saving so much on air and hotel fees..even with the parking fee, it's hundreds and hundreds less. Really want to do a Bermuda sailing next year, but want to do it on the cheap (interior rooms to begin with) and all of the rooms below Balcony are sold out already on most of the June and July sailings, so not sure what the plan is. We have our first MSC booked next October, but that is from Miami, as well.. I think we are looking at driving and just making a pitstop at a road side motel half way down, lol 

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 minute ago, Ampurp85 said:

Liberty has gone into the "NO" pile for me. 

Lol! I am only on Day 2!

But truth? I can usually assess a sailing pretty quickly and while the same class of ship, Freedom did not feel like Liberty does right now. It’s what @OCSC Mike said I think, the amp makes a big difference.

[gi333]

Us too we are looking at Bermuda next year. Let me know how MSC was if possible. 

Royal offers Bermuda from Orlando Aug 16 amazing itinerary adventure of the seas and very expensive.

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

But truth? I can usually assess a sailing pretty quickly and while the same class of ship, Freedom did not feel like Liberty does right now. It’s what @OCSC Mike said I think, the amp makes a big difference.

I'm probably more willing to let some of the stuff go that bothers you (no judgment, everyone values different things), but the amp has to have made a difference.

TBH, it's the food venues added to the amped ships that matter most to me (shocking to anyone who reads my posts, I know), but while we saw some wear & tear on Indy last year, it really wasn't anything I would expect to have a significantly negative impact on most cruisers. I have to assume Freedom is similar but Liberty is the poor neglected sister.

[smokeybandit]

49 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am now interested in what people who have sailed Adventure recently think….we have a 6 night next July booked. 

Adventure is great, just doesn't yet have some of the amped features like Navigator or Mariner.

[PPPJJ-GCVAB]

Adventure is Voyager class…not Freedom class, so is smaller.  No Sorrento pizza…gotta get pizza from Cafe Promenade.  There is less of everything IMO.  Lots of “crappy” smells walking down some of the corridors last August when I was on Adventure.  
There are some great itineraries out there which I would love to explore BUT I need to have a decent ship before I pick the itinerary so guess I lose out.  Freedom class is the smallest class I will choose at this point in my cruising life.

 I started cruising late in life due to my husband always afraid of motion sickness (he gets sick in a car if he isn’t driving or at least front seat).  He can’t do amusement rides…nothing.  We took our kids on tons of vacations but never a cruise!  But when I won my 2018 Brilliance cruise I insisted he come…he wore the Scopolamine patch and was fine.  From that point on…cruising is what I want to do.  Still a struggle to get him to agree but you know what?…at 67 I’m planning whatever I can for the next few years!  Never know what life has in store…..      Sorry I digressed a bit…sometimes I just have to vent!

[VillainsGin]

2 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Adventure is Voyager class…not Freedom class, so is smaller.  No Sorrento pizza…gotta get pizza from Cafe Promenade.  There is less of everything IMO.  Lots of “crappy” smells walking down some of the corridors last August when I was on Adventure.  
There are some great itineraries out there which I would love to explore BUT I need to have a decent ship before I pick the itinerary so guess I lose out.  Freedom class is the smallest class I will choose at this point in my cruising life.

 I started cruising late in life due to my husband always afraid of motion sickness (he gets sick in a car if he isn’t driving or at least front seat).  He can’t do amusement rides…nothing.  We took our kids on tons of vacations but never a cruise!  But when I won my 2018 Brilliance cruise I insisted he come…he wore the Scopolamine patch and was fine.  From that point on…cruising is what I want to do.  Still a struggle to get him to agree but you know what?…at 67 I’m planning whatever I can for the next few years!  Never know what life has in store…..      Sorry I digressed a bit…sometimes I just have to vent!

PREACH IT! I'm fortunate enough to not prone to any motion sickness and was introduce to cruising at an early age from family vacations. Since then I have not stopped cruising and it has honestly been the ONLY way I vacation now.

Cruises gives so much value for your dollar compared to any other way of vacationing it is too hard for me to pass up!

Also helps to be an "enthusiast" of casinos with the comp'd cruises!

[OCSC Mike]

21 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Freedom class is the smallest class I will choose at this point in my cruising life.

To each his own, not trying to convince you of anything, you know what you like.

I don't see much of a difference between Freedom class and Voyager class, personally. Freedom class is just stretched out which is why there was room to spin off Sorrento's from Cafe Promenade.

That said, I'm not interested in ships from either class that haven't been amped/updated. I likely wouldn't go on Liberty any sooner than I'd go on Adventure... but I'd happily sail Mariner or Navigator.

[Neesa]

We did Adventure on the first sailing out of the Bahamas after the shut down. Hardly any shows and much of the venues were closed. We were aft in a 2 bedroom which I spent a great deal of time in as I loved the balcony. 

Booked her again in June 2024 due to her itinerary & am looking forward to shows & things we missed the first time around. I found & follow her Cruise Director and he is a hoot! He just left or is leaving this week for his time off but he said his next contract is also on her. I'm still not sure he will be there by June but he was super fun and engaging from his videos. 

We have fond memories of meeting Dudley Jean on this ship in the concierge lounge, while many many concierges are kind and very good at their calling Dudley remains the one all others are compared to. He was everything plus warmth & personality for days. When we heard from him on our Mariner sailing we were so happy, he greeted us like long lost friends. Just an amazing human being. I even wrote corporate & recommended him to be elevated to Genie status.

We are doing a few specialty restaurants & Chops for lunch embarkation day but from what I remember we were seated at the railing on a higher deck in the MDR, we enjoyed the people watching and the restaurant was airy & pretty, so MDR traditional seating for us. We will have a dining table in the cabin so we are mulling over enjoying room service one day as well. 287 more days to go. 

[Jill]

4 hours ago, gi333 said:

Us too we are looking at Bermuda next year. Let me know how MSC was if possible. 

Royal offers Bermuda from Orlando Aug 16 amazing itinerary adventure of the seas and very expensive.

Mariner has an 8 night Bermuda/Perfect Day September 29 with an inside cabin starting at $399! (Port fees of $202). There’s another Mariner Bermuda October 13 for $459 inside. Same port fees. You can find these at the link below. 

Bookmark this link and check it often. It usually updates on Tuesdays. I’ve never seen a Going Going Gone with only inside cabins available. 
https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Promotions/rci_sales_event_USD.pdf

 

 

[Al Miller]

I really love quantum class ships. for me the Seaplex, Northstar, IFly and 270 are awesome.

[Jill]

We really enjoyed Odyssey. Did a 12 night Holy Land out of Rome last October. We love oasis class but besides Odyssey, I’d go Freedom, Mariner, Indy or Navigator. 

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, Jill said:

Mariner has an 8 night Bermuda/Perfect Day September 29 with an inside cabin starting at $399! (Port fees of $202). There’s another Mariner Bermuda October 13 for $459 inside. Same port fees. You can find these at the link below.

However they may not necessarily be available when the sale is actually going on.

Good deals for sure if you can actually book them.

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 hours ago, Neesa said:

I found & follow her Cruise Director and he is a hoot! He just left or is leaving this week for his time off but he said his next contract is also on her. I'm still not sure he will be there by June but he was super fun and engaging from his videos. 

He is awesome!!! I really hope that he will be there in June and July when you and I are on. 

[Linda R]

8 hours ago, gi333 said:

Hi everyone.

I would like to have some recommendations of non Oasis class ship if possible. Just returned from oasis of the seas and it was amazing. I know I started with the best but we would like to cruise again but prices are nuts. Any non Oasis class that doesn't feel boring or old? Even if Aqua theater is not there?  Liberty of the seas looks cool with that waterslide..

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

I like Odyssey

[BobbieS]

We just got off Freedom yesterday and had a fantastic time! The food in the MDR was wonderful and the service was second to none. The ship is in great condition and the staff can't be beat!

[BrianB]

For me, the port is the deciding factor. I live close to Bayonne and it’s an easy drive. I park at the port. Very convenient next to the terminal.

I usually sail solo so the only person I need to concern myself with is *me*. Makes planning much easier.

My favorite ships are those that sail from here! Anthem has been my most repeated ship. Then Oasis and now Liberty. I don’t really care about the itineraries because the ship is the the destination for me. I’m looking forward to when Odyssey replaces Anthem and Symphony replaces Oasis. I’ve never been on either. I’ll make a special trip to try Icon…but, I mean…it’s Icon!

I’m easy to please and an optimist. Luckily I’ve never really had any bad experience with my accommodations, service or the food onboard…(hold on…I gotta go knock on some wood. Okay, I’m back!)

I’ve only been on Liberty once for a b2b and I really liked her. Maybe because I don’t really have many ships under my belt to compare…but I loved her size and amenities. Little dinks and the wear and tear are expected with her age and lack of amplification. But, for me….I’m on a cruise! Again! 

[gi333]

Is freedom of the seas a downgrade compared the Oasis? Big price difference but do you regret it?

[smokeybandit]

I don't consider it a downgrade at all. 

[gi333]

What about the shows is it family oriented at Royal theatre? I know no broadway on freedom if I'm not mistaken.  Oasis i had of course Aqua 80 and skating show.  Cats well....not the best.

[OCSC Mike]

35 minutes ago, gi333 said:

Is freedom of the seas a downgrade compared the Oasis? Big price difference but do you regret it?

Define downgrade. Freedom has some of the same exact venues/features and is missing others.

I prefer Oasis class but had a great time on Indy (sister of Freedom) for 11 nights last year (it also allowed me to go to CocoCay 3 times, which I enjoy). I would have had an even better time on Freedom b/c it has El Loco Fresh and I value included food venues, even if it's just a very average taco bar.

Like most things cruising, it's about personal preference IMO. Many people love even smaller ships and I have almost zero interest in anything below Voyager class. Different strokes...