Favorite ship and why?

gumbypee · Aug 2, 2016

i want to try RCCL and live in Tampa and rhapsody of seas will be here when I want to go but it is older ship so I'm willing to travel.

Just wanted to know what fave ship is and why

OKW Lover · Aug 2, 2016

Good question. I've been on several of the RCL ships and will be on a new (to me) one in just a few weeks - Rhapsody. For the most part for me its the itinerary that governs what ship I'm on, be it South Pacific, Alaska, or Europe. For a garden variety Caribbean cruise though, I'd probably go for one of their Oasis class ships simply because I've done those islands so often its the ship that makes the difference.

gumbypee · Aug 2, 2016

ah yes, I completely agree about itinerary - that usually does it for me as well. Just since I am new to RCCL I was just wondering what people's fave ships are. I'm trying to bring a friend along and I want her to have a good trip too.

But you are right about the itinerary - the one out of tampa has two ports I want to go to.

Thank you for reminding me of that!!

Frozen2014 · Aug 3, 2016

I've been on Grandeur, Voyager and Allure (and Disney Magic). I loved all, but absolutely loved the Allure...my kids too. There's so much to do between the activities, the zipline, flowirder and rock wall for our kids, many pools. I'm a show person and these were first class and different with an Aqua show, Mamma Mia (very favorite musical), ice show. The DreamWorks was great for our kids with parades, meet and greets, a character breakfast, and shows (ice show and aqua show). Such a family friendly ship. Also loved the different neighbourhoods with Central Park and Boardwalk. And tons of food options...and we stuck to complimentary.
You have to enjoy a big ship for this one, so if you like a more intimate smaller ship with relaxing with the water, then it may not be for you....but we loved it.
PS - I also love Royal in general as they have beautiful classy ships.
PPS - When sailing Royal, it's more about the ship than the itinerary to us.

moericus · Aug 3, 2016

Mariner of the Seas (at least how I remember it). It was my first cruise ship. It was my honeymoon. Everything was new and worked! It's an enormous ship but not too big that crowds are an issue. I feel like everything bigger than Voyager has become a little too cramped.

And although I'm not personally a big fan of Romero Britto his artwork perfectly blends with what you think a cruise ship would look like! I'm surprised RCCL haven't let more artists theme and paint decks.

DnA2010 · Aug 3, 2016

Frozen2014 said:
I've been on Grandeur, Voyager and Allure (and Disney Magic). I loved all, but absolutely loved the Allure...my kids too. There's so much to do between the activities, the zipline, flowirder and rock wall for our kids, many pools. I'm a show person and these were first class and different with an Aqua show, Mamma Mia (very favorite musical), ice show. The DreamWorks was great for our kids with parades, meet and greets, a character breakfast, and shows (ice show and aqua show). Such a family friendly ship. Also loved the different neighbourhoods with Central Park and Boardwalk. And tons of food options...and we stuck to complimentary.
You have to enjoy a big ship for this one, so if you like a more intimate smaller ship with relaxing with the water, then it may not be for you....but we loved it.
PS - I also love Royal in general as they have beautiful classy ships.
PPS - When sailing Royal, it's more about the ship than the itinerary to us.

Pretty much echo everything said above- we've been on Freedom and Oasis- we loved them both, but Oasis (sister ship of Allure) knocked our socks off- the activities, all the pools, the shows- all fantastic!

ronandannette · Aug 3, 2016

Honestly? The one dearest to our hearts is the Monarch of the Seas which was our first cruise as a family and DH and I sailed it again for a special anniversary a few years later. The food and service back in the mid-2000's was light-years better than now and there was just a degree of grandeur to cruising that doesn't really exist anymore now that it's become such a main-stream way to vacation.

As far as the modern fleet goes I'd rank the ones I've sailed:

Liberty of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas (I actually didn't like this one much at the time but in memory it's grown fonder)

Our next RCCL cruise will be the Freedom of the Seas to the Med next spring. We chose it over the Harmony because the reviews on that are so mixed...

gumbypee · Aug 4, 2016

thank you everyone for your input! It is interesting to see how people like different things.

Any cruise is better than work (I would love to try Allure but the price is almost double from Rhapsody LOL)

eskimoinparadise · Aug 4, 2016

We love cruising out of Tampa - do two cruises from there every year. I would pick Brilliance over Rhapsody. I like Vision Class ships, but Radiance Class are my favorite. We also like four-five night cruises over seven night ones (we can do more of those.)

Floridaglen · Aug 4, 2016

Allure, Allure, Allure........great ship with awesome entertainment. So much to see and do, you'll never be bored. Would love to try Harmony but reading the reviews they seem to be having a few teething problems. However, I'm sure they will sort these out very soon.

eskimoinparadise · Aug 4, 2016

Tampa to Port Canaveral is about a 2 hour drive, and Oasis will be in PC starting this fall. That ship may be a good option as well.

gumbypee · Aug 4, 2016

eskimoinparadise said:
Tampa to Port Canaveral is about a 2 hour drive, and Oasis will be in PC starting this fall. That ship may be a good option as well.

edit - I made a mistake LOL

I see Oasis for about ahundred dollars more than rhapsody. I would love to try it but rhapsody has ports my friend is more interested in (her first cruise)

rothesay · Aug 11, 2016

I think it all depends on what you value and who you travel with, that will dictates which ship you like. If you are traveling with kids or you're very active, I will definitely go with Oasis class ships. But if you prefer a quiet relax type of vacation, with not so many kids running around, Rhapsody will be a better fit. Personally, I found the services and the food to be slightly better on the smaller/older ships. I suppose that's how they stay competitive.

LSUfan4444 · Aug 22, 2016

The Liberty of the Seas was probably my favorite I've sailed on any line

Dug720 · Aug 23, 2016

I've only been on Radiance Class ships, but those are perfect for me. Beautiful ships - all kinds of views of the ocean thanks to a lot of glass around. About the size of Disney's Dream Class. And not a bunch of junk I don't need on a cruise ship (so if you need water slides and ice rinks and a stupid park, Radiance Class is not for you). Best of all, you still feel like you're on a ship - not a moving island.

Disbug · Aug 23, 2016

We have sailed on Independence, Liberty, and just recently Oasis. We had an Ocean View on IOS, a forward balcony on LOS, and an Owners Suite on OAS. I would have to say Oasis is our favorite hands down! The stateroom, the activities, the shows, the service, the Suite Lounge all combined to WOW us!

ukintheus · Aug 24, 2016

We are on Liberty leaving this Sunday so good to hear that people enjoyed their cruise on her. It's our first non-DCL sailing and we are looking forward to it. We are kid-free and very easy to please. Give me a drink and a comfy place to people watch or read my book and I'm a happy gal. :beach:

I used to be one of the people that stared up at Oasis in port and wondered how anyone could enjoy being on such a monster ship and now I'm leaning towards booking another cruise on one of the bigger ships (I don't know enough to know all the ship classes) just to see what it's like - LOL ::yes::

gumbypee · Aug 24, 2016

fun to see such a variety!

(I did decide to do rhapsody and I am looking forward to it!)

any day on a cruise, better than work!

Favorite ship and why?

DIS Veteran

Retired and living 2 miles from The Castle.

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

Rope Drop!

I gave myself this tag and I "Like" myself too!

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Mouseketeer

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Earning My Ears

DIS Veteran

See the line where the sky meets the sea?

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

DIS Veteran

Share this page