aussietrek Posted November 17, 2009 #1 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I have cruised with the Explorer and Liberty in the past, and really liked them. I am looking at another cruise, this time on Jewel of the Seas. If you have been on this ship and also on one of the bigger ones, can you let me know if the size difference is noticable? What are the major differences betwen the larger and smaller ships? Thanks! Sandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negc Posted November 17, 2009 #2 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I have cruised with the Explorer and Liberty in the past, and really liked them. I am looking at another cruise, this time on Jewel of the Seas. If you have been on this ship and also on one of the bigger ones, can you let me know if the size difference is noticable? What are the major differences betwen the larger and smaller ships? Thanks! Sandy The size difference is most noticeable in that it is much easier, IMHO, to navigate the Radiance class (Jewel) ships than the Voyager class such as the Explorer. In the opinion of many, Radiance class ships are just about the perfect size. Explorer has some features that you won't find on Jewel, such as the Royal Promenade and the Ice Skating rink. Jewel has a climate controlled retractable glass roofed solarium, which is lacking on the Explorer. That lack on Explorer is, to my mind, a real drawback when sailing out of New Jersey in the winter months. Jewel also has a real though small Cinema,and a Seaview Cafe that offers items similar to what you will find at Johnny Rockets but without the surcharge. There is an open area in the aft section of the Jewel's Windjammer that is perfect for alfresco dining. Jewel has both a Chops and a Portofino restaurant, while Explorer offers only Chops. Acres of glass on the Jewel offer you great views of the seas from almost everywhere on the ship, while Explorer's design draws passengers deep into the interior of the ship and disconnects them from the sea. At many locations on the Explorer you can lose all sense of being on a cruise ship on the ocean. We have sailed on, and enjoyed, both Explorer and Jewel, but Jewel is by far our favorite ship. We have sailed on her three times this year and have another one booked for 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracee Posted November 17, 2009 #3 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I have to agree with negc. The Jewel is just that--a Jewel! You have more of an outside perspective where on the Explorer and her sister ships it is more inside driven. I like the Seaview Cafe, the outside dining at the Windjammer and lots and lots of places to enjoy the view! That being said, we are planning on sailing the Explorer next Fall vs. the Jewel because of the # of days. However, I could very easily switch to the Jewel just because it's my favorite ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voyager70 Posted November 17, 2009 #4 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I have cruised with the Explorer and Liberty in the past, and really liked them. I am looking at another cruise, this time on Jewel of the Seas. If you have been on this ship and also on one of the bigger ones, can you let me know if the size difference is noticable? What are the major differences betwen the larger and smaller ships? Thanks! Sandy You will definitely notice the size difference but I wouldn't let it deter you. The Radiance class ships are beautiful. They have loads of glass which offer great views from nearly every public space, and are overall very elegant ships. The main differences you'll find are that they don't have the Royal Promenade and the pool area is smaller (no Flowrider like on Liberty). The Solarium has a retractable glass roof (although I've never seen it opened) and is very nice and very quiet. There's no Johnny Rockets, but the Seaview Cafe' IMO is much better - and free. I also love the sports bar off the casino on the Radiance ships - much better than the sports bars on Voyager or Freedom class ships IMO. I was hesitant to go on a Radiance class ship the first time after several cruises on Voyager class, but I was not disappointed at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyD Posted November 17, 2009 #5 Share Posted November 17, 2009 The Solarium has a retractable glass roof (although I've never seen it opened) and is very nice and very quiet. In June I will be on the Serenade, my first cruise on Radiance class ships. In warm weather like the Southern Caribbean, will the Solarium roof be open or is it always closed? I sailed the Legend out of Alaska when it was brand new and the CLOSED Solarium was a welcome addition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negc Posted November 17, 2009 #6 Share Posted November 17, 2009 In June I will be on the Serenade, my first cruise on Radiance class ships. In warm weather like the Southern Caribbean, will the Solarium roof be open or is it always closed? I sailed the Legend out of Alaska when it was brand new and the CLOSED Solarium was a welcome addition! We have been onboard when the roof was open and when it was closed. I believe that when it is exceptionally humid outside, they keep the roof closed and obviously in cooler weather it is closed as well. No way to really predict whether the roof will be open or closed. In my experience it has been closed more than open, but the constant temperature in the Solarium has been a boon, whatever the outside temperature might be.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voyager70 Posted November 17, 2009 #7 Share Posted November 17, 2009 In June I will be on the Serenade, my first cruise on Radiance class ships. In warm weather like the Southern Caribbean, will the Solarium roof be open or is it always closed? I sailed the Legend out of Alaska when it was brand new and the CLOSED Solarium was a welcome addition! I've done the southern route on Serenade twice and don't recall the Solarium roof ever being open. Of course, it was very hot both times and the climate-controlled Solarium was a welcome reprieve. If you want to be out in the sun, I never had a problem finding a chair on one of the outdoor decks, even on sea days. Serenade is beautiful and the southern route is my favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkrebs Posted November 17, 2009 #8 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Radiance class ships are just classier then voyager class ships, though I love them both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjaxson Posted November 17, 2009 #9 Share Posted November 17, 2009 I have to say from day 1 on the Jewel last month I never had to get accustomed to where everything was.. the ship just "made sense" and I never found my self going in the wrong direction... enjoyed it so much booked the 13 day for next year... I did the Mariner but really prefer the Jewel Love the ocean views from the elevators ( and everywhere else) --you know you are on a ship !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeywestK Posted November 17, 2009 #10 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Jewel wins hands down. I've been on both the Explorer and the Jewel and prefer the size (90,000 grt) and the layout of the Jewel (Radiance-class) over the Explorer. The focus of the Explorer (and the entire Voyager- and Freedom-class ships) is the Royal Promenade--think mall. The focus of the Radiance-class ships is the expansive glass and the OCEAN!!! Now mind you, I would never turn down a cruise on ANY RCI ship, but if I have a choice, I'll go with the Radiance-class ship any time. And the Jewel is my all-time favorite ship. She is exactly that--a Jewel. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildroze Posted November 18, 2009 #11 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Been on both and I have to agree that the Jewel wins hands down. I love the layout of the ship and the feeling of it. Planning to book it again for next year. I think the service is much better on the Jewel as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise_Couple Posted November 18, 2009 #12 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I have sailed Explorer of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas. I definitely prefer Jewel or any of the Radiance Class Ships. Explorer seemed very "inward looking" while the Radiance Class ships are more geared to encourage you too look out at your surroundings. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed cruising Explorer... but if I was forced to choose... it would be Jewel. It really boils down to personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abhb Posted November 18, 2009 #13 Share Posted November 18, 2009 We have done both and prefer the larger ships. We did love the Jewel. Just felt that everything was smaller on Jewel. I would go on either again in a heart beat:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkking Posted November 18, 2009 #14 Share Posted November 18, 2009 We are booked on the Jewel in February. We have always sailed on the larger ships and have been a little worried about going on the smaller ship. Have been really excited since I have read how so many people love the Jewel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmccarthy Posted November 18, 2009 #15 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Our first cruise was on the Jewel and after 3 cruises, it's still my favorite. We met a lot of great people from our roll call and onboard the ship. We had great tablemates and loved the crew. Everyone was so friendly. I still talk to one of our tablemates and one of the bartenders almost 3 years later. We were really involved on that cruise and my husband made the Cruise in Review DVD several time. Some of our favorite places on the ship were: the Solarium & cafe, the Schooner Bar, the Safari Club, the outdoor seating for Windjammer Cafe, Viking Crown Lounge, and Seaview Cafe. We loved all the woodwork throughout the ship and the glass elevators. We went on the Mariner for my husband's second, my third cruise was on the Mariner. We went with our friends and that was their first experience on Royal Caribbean. The Royal Promenade and cafe were a nice addition, but I still felt something missing the entire week. Next year we are talking about going on a Freedom class ship. I am afraid it will be too big. My husband would love the Flowrider and it offers the baby splash area, which would be nice for our 1 year old daughter. However, we are also considering trying Disney, so we'll see. I would love to do the Panama Canal and Canada/New England on the Jewel or another Radiance class ship, so I am sure we will be back on her within the next few years. Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself! I heard somewhere on here, a bad day at sea still beats a good day at work. Good luck! Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussietrek Posted November 20, 2009 Author #16 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Thanks to everyone for your comments! I have booked the 10 night Panama cruise in February and can't wait!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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