Freedom Class or Radiance Class

[Midwestgal]

Just curious on people's preference between Freedom class & Radiance class ships on Royal. I'm stuck between liberty of the seas and radiance of the seas...not ports just ship class.

[kruzerci]

Freedom class hands down. There is no comparison for us. It is a far superior class of ship IMHO.

 

Radiance class ships are pretty ships, but they are not made for Caribbean cruises. There is not nearly enough outdoor seating and pool area for a ship sailing in the Caribbean.

 

Liberty will also have a broadway show, promenade, and many more activities. The Freedom class ships are in their element in the Caribbean.

 

If you have any more specific questions, ask away, but overall I far prefer Liberty in every way.

[molsonschooner]

We have been on both classes in the past year. Like them both. Freedom has a lot more options, things like the flow rider, ice rink and the royal promenade. For some people, these things are important. I wondered if we would like the Radiance. I think maybe the best way to sum things up is, I have been looking at both classes for future cruises.

[Spring Valley]

Depends on what type of cruiser you are, if you like the sea, and finding a peaceful spot on the ship to read a book and enjoy the view of the sea, not a lot of crowds, then the Radiance class is for you.

 

If you like a ship full of activities, ice skating, rock climbing, flow rider, parades on the promenade, then the Freedom class is for you! Not that you couldn't find a quiet place, but it does have more to offer if you want to do it.

 

Keith

[Midwestgal]

Ok thanks everyone.

[Big_G]

Depends on what type of cruiser you are, if you like the sea, and finding a peaceful spot on the ship to read a book and enjoy the view of the sea, not a lot of crowds, then the Radiance class is for you.

 

If you like a ship full of activities, ice skating, rock climbing, flow rider, parades on the promenade, then the Freedom class is for you! Not that you couldn't find a quiet place, but it does have more to offer if you want to do it.

 

Keith

 

Agreed. While I prefer the Freedom Class, I have to admit that Radiance Class has better views and quieter areas.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Big_G

[bigeagle12]

Can't go wrong with either.

 

If traveling with kids then definitely Freedom.

 

Otherwise, Radiance is classy with great ocean views. Radiance since her upgrade also has great eating options added. And if you like to play pool the self-leveling pool tables are really cool.

[Midwestgal]

It's going to be a girls cruise both in our 50's but I don't want to be board. We're not party animals but want to have fun. I have only sailed on majesty back in 2000 and it was so boring.Other than that cruise I've cruised only Carnival and have had a great times. We're just looking for a different cruise experience and need a change from Carnival as its gotten old.

[Rockfordcruiser]

I have done both once or twice.. Freedom is great for a younger crowd which I consider myself still. It's always active. Great for family cruising.. Radiance I find is a little more laid back, slightly older crowd. But can still raise some hell if called upon. my 2 cents...:)

[bigeagle12]

It's going to be a girls cruise both in our 50's but I don't want to be board. We're not party animals but want to have fun. I have only sailed on majesty back in 2000 and it was so boring.Other than that cruise I've cruised only Carnival and have had a great times. We're just looking for a different cruise experience and need a change from Carnival as its gotten old.

 

My wife and I are in our 50's and very active. I really think you would love Radiance. The entertainment options, nightlife, and activities are pretty much identical between the two ships.

[markeb]

It's going to be a girls cruise both in our 50's but I don't want to be board. We're not party animals but want to have fun. I have only sailed on majesty back in 2000 and it was so boring.Other than that cruise I've cruised only Carnival and have had a great times. We're just looking for a different cruise experience and need a change from Carnival as its gotten old.

 

What was boring about Majesty and what do you like about Carnival?

 

We've done four cruises on Freedom Class ships, and one on a Radiance class (Jewel). We don't have kids. We enjoyed both classes of ship (and we're now in our early fifties).

 

Freedom has a lot more activities. If you really enjoy hanging out at the pool all day, there are more pools on Liberty. We've found that knees, shoulders, and backs are reducing flowrider time, so we're fine with ships that don't have them. Radiance class has a lot of open space and glass. The Centrum becomes the center of activity of the ship. We found we really enjoyed that aspect. And, there was certainly ample activity and nightlife (although we were on a Northern European, port heavy itinerary). There will probably be fewer families on Radiance than Freedom.

 

Both have their pros and cons, as with most decisions in life...

Edited December 30, 2013 by markeb

[reallyitsmema]

I would go with a Freedom class ship over a radiance class ship any day. We found the Jewel to be very crowded expecially in the centrum area and near the shops. We did like the outside area of the WJ. There is more glass but we never have found an issue find a good view on a larger ship.

 

Freedom has a royal promenade which we enjoy and just felt less crowded to us. The casino is also much larger on freedom class if that is important to you.

[Midwestgal]

First off I believe there are many factors for any cruise and the energy it has. On Majesty it was like everyone went to bed at 8:00 pm. We also didn't care for the lay out of the ship. Food was so so, we sailed Carnival a year earlier and the food was very good. We found the ship to be dirty with toilets overflowing near the buffet restrooms.

 

I talk with loyal Royal cruisers and they all say try it again so we are. I just got back from Carnival Liberty and it was great although it felt stale....just the same old thing but the passengers were the best people we have ever sailed with and that's what was really the stand out for us.

 

I'm sure we'll have a great time on Royal and I have a great attitude about going.

[DarthGrady]

I like both classes for different reasons. The Radiance Class ships are smaller and more cozy, they still have the feel of a more traditional cruise ship. They have lots of exterior glass, there are few places where you can't see the ocean. But as another poster rightly pointed out, their pool areas are smaller and not tailored to sunny Caribbean weather. They never want to open the glass roofs of the Solarium for some odd reason, so it can get stuffy in there.

 

The Freedom Class are much bigger ships and have more features, but that comes with the unmistakable feeling that you are on a incredibly big ship. The Freedom (and Oasis) Class ships also feel like they are more focused on the inside of the ship since the public areas have less ocean facing windows. But the pool areas were definitely designed for Caribbean sailings. Very big with lots of space for deck chairs and five pools. I really like the Solarium on that class since it has the awesome cantilevered hot tubs.