Can't choose between rccl rhapsody and radiance

[Shazz63]

Some advice please

My family, three girls 24, 21 & 17 plus hubbie and I wound like to do a rccl cruise from Hawaii to sydney. Both rhapsody and radiance are doing this cruise but not sure which one to choose. We all much prefer the ports on the rhapsody cruise but have heard radiance is a better ship. Also don't know if there will be enough for the girls to do as long cruise and been told that there may not be many younger ones on board a cruise this length. Any help would be appreciated. Only done one cruise before, pacific jewel last year

Thank you

[jo24]

IMHO opinion, Radiance is the better ship. However, you are paying money to get to places and therefore, if you prefer the ports on Rhapsody, surely this should be your choice? You don't want to regret missing ports just because of the ship.

 

How do the itineraries relate in terms of sea days? How likely are you to spend a lot of time on the ship? If you are likely to spend a lot of time on the ship then that will obviously have more of a bearing on your choice.

 

For me, I would rather go on a ship with less facilities if the ports were more what I wanted. However, if there were a lot of sea days or free time and the itinerary was similar, I would go for the ship with more facilities.

[SamFritz]

I think most would agree that Radiance is a nicer ship, but not because it has a lot more options than Rhapsody. In size and entertainment/activities venues the ships are pretty comparable. Radiance is sleeker in its design and has more views of the sea in its public spaces.

 

I'm not sure if both ships have been through their upgrades yet. If only one has, I would probably make my choice for the upgraded ship. That and the ports.

 

Whichever you choose, enjoy !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, please excuse all the typos.

[jo24]

From what I have read, both have had their renovations done.

[Topo Gigio]

From what I have read, both have had their renovations done.

 

That's correct. Only the Adventure, Explorer , Voyager & Jewel haven't got their upgrade yet. Navigator is in dry dock at this moment.

[jo24]

That's correct. Only the Adventure, Explorer , Voyager & Jewel haven't got their upgrade yet. Navigator is in dry dock at this moment.

 

Thank you for the reassurance. I knew for definite that Radiance had as I am looking at going on her to Alaska next year.

 

Thanks again :)

[Clarea]

The two ships are close enough in amenities that I would choose based on itinerary.

Edited January 12, 2014 by clarea

[debshomespun]

I would also choose based on itinerary. We are going to Australia and booking Rhapsody over Radiance and Voyager...based on itinerary. Either cruise will be great and I'm sure the girls will love either one. Why not discuss both ships w/itinerary and amenities each ship has and have the girls help decide...unless a large piece difference. That way....they had input as to which ship and which ports you do.

[knittinggirl]

Go with the best itinerary first. Then Compare the stateroom size. Some of those inside rooms in vision class shops are tiny. I think the junior suites on radiance class are quite a bit larger. I think we got one of our larger inside state rooms on jewel of the seas.

 

Sent from my KFJWA using Tapatalk HD

Edited January 12, 2014 by knittinggirl

[FLACRUISER99]

Some advice please

My family, three girls 24, 21 & 17 plus hubbie and I wound like to do a rccl cruise from Hawaii to sydney. Both rhapsody and radiance are doing this cruise but not sure which one to choose. We all much prefer the ports on the rhapsody cruise but have heard radiance is a better ship. Also don't know if there will be enough for the girls to do as long cruise and been told that there may not be many younger ones on board a cruise this length. Any help would be appreciated. Only done one cruise before, pacific jewel last year

Thank you

I had to make the same decision only in the other (Eastbound) direction, I chose Rhapsody.:D

[MonDreamr1]

We've done Radiance (and other Radiance class) and a few of the Vision class ships, but not Rhapsody. (Not on an Australia trip yet) While we LOVE the Radiance class ships. They are so pretty and open. Both lack the over the top activities on the bigger ships - no ice skating, zip lines, flow rider, and the like. The Vision class are smaller, as are the rooms. We've been on them for pretty port intensive cruises that we were off the ship for the majority of the day with very few sea days. The differences between those two aren't as great as between those two and Voyager/Freedom/Oasis.

We picked Rhapsody for our Australia trip next year - the itinerary was better. We are doing the Tasmania trip and Australia as a land based trip after, as none of the other itineraries hit everything we wanted to do on this trip. For a trip of that length I would pick the one with the ports you want to see the most. That is what everyone is going to remember more than the ship. Either one you pick you will have a great trip.

 

(We've done both in our mid 20s, and had a lot of fun)

Edited January 12, 2014 by MonDreamr1

[cjayoz]

We sailed on the Radiance from Honolulu to Sydney in Sept 2013 visiting Tahiti and New Zealand. There were many at sea days, which were great in order to really enjoy the ship. They were lovely relaxing, fun filled days when the weather was warm but after leaving Tahiti it become progressively cooler and the seas rougher and lounging by the pool was not as appealing. However, the other activities on board the ship were many and varied to suit all interests and ages, day and night so we were never put off by the cooler weather or rough seas. Tahiti was spectacular, esp. Bora Bora and Moorea. The snorkeling was fantastic. Wellington was cool, windy but sunny. We spent the day in and around the city and the waterfront. We definitely needed long sleeves and had to say goodbye to our staple Hawaiian footwear. Picton was only 8 degrees Celsius, misty and wet, our scenic tour/cruise shore excursion of the beautiful wine growing area and the Queen Charlotte Sound was good but a little disappointing visually due to low cloud. Thankfully, the clothing sales on the ship helped us keep warm, who'd have thought I'd need a warm coat? Crossing the Tasman Sea from NZ to Sydney we viewed a spectacular storm and had some very rough seas, just part of cruising, you can't help weather or the ocean. My advice in choosing your cruise would be to look at your ports of call and also the kind of shore excursions being suggested/offered to suit your family. I would recommend Radiance as an outstanding ship.

Good travels, Cjay

Edited January 15, 2014 by cjayoz
Spelling

[tazza_0712]

I have sailed on both radiance and rhapsody. For me, radiance is the more appealing ship. It doesn't feel much larger than rhapsody, but it has a few more dining options, and a little bit more wow in the design. Based on ship alone, I would pick radiance. However, they are not miles apart, and for that reason if the itinerary on rhapsody is better for you, I would pick that one.

 

Side note, I'm booked on the radiance crossing from Honolulu to Sydney this September.

[Clarea]

One aspect I forgot to mention before is the fitness center. I was disappointed with the fitness center on Rhapsody with regard to the number and variety of machines. Many machines don't have an outside view either. In my opinion, the fitness center on Radiance is much superior.

Edited January 15, 2014 by clarea

[Brossy]

Some advice please

My family, three girls 24, 21 & 17 plus hubbie and I wound like to do a rccl cruise from Hawaii to sydney. Both rhapsody and radiance are doing this cruise but not sure which one to choose. We all much prefer the ports on the rhapsody cruise but have heard radiance is a better ship. Also don't know if there will be enough for the girls to do as long cruise and been told that there may not be many younger ones on board a cruise this length. Any help would be appreciated. Only done one cruise before, pacific jewel last year

Thank you

 

We are booked on the Radiance cruise this year. There are a lot of kids and teens going as the cruise covers the Sept/Oct school holidays. The ports in Tahiti and Bora Boa will be amazing! The cruise the Rhapsody offers has some nice ports but you can easily cruise o most of those from Australia on P&O.

 

I have a 13 year old going and I have picked Radiance because it has a lot more for teens to do than Rhapsody. It has a basketball court, mini golf, larger rock climbing wall, self levelling pool tables, water slide (might be too small for teens though).

 

If you are thinking of Radiance for this Sept, come and check out our rollcall.

[AussieVisi2r]

Hi,

I did Hawaii to Sydney in 2013 on Radiance. It was fantastic. So good I have booked it again for this year.

I love Radiance so am biased.

 

A few people have said go with the itinerary not the ship BUT you will have 5 ports and 12 sea days - therefore the amenities on the ship are more important.

 

Also Tahiti is one of the most unaffordable places for Aussie to go. This way I got 3 days in Tahiti. Bora Bora is amazing. Worth it just for the snorkelling there. The rest was a bonus.

 

I also travel with a 20 something. This trip will have an older demographic - but Radiance tends to be younger than Rhapsody (apparently). She is always able to find a group of people her age to socialise with. Last September there was not a huge group of 20's but more than a few.

 

Have fun deciding! It might be worth reading the Meet and Mingle threads for the two ships.

 

Raina

[Aquahound]

The two ships are close enough in amenities that I would choose based on itinerary.

 

Agreed! I think Vision and Radiance Class are very similar, especially after the refurbishments. The itinerary would be my deciding factor as well.

[The Sunset Glow]

Both ships are similar with regards to amenities but Radiance has the outside eating area at the back of the WJ that I absolutely love! In making my decision I would still rank the itinerary as highest in priority though.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Edited January 15, 2014 by The Sunset Glow

[impatientlywaiting]

We were on Rhapsody in '09 Sydney to Australia (before the refurbishing) and had a great time. There were not that many kids at all. Loved the itinerary. Was on Rhapsody again in '12 for Alaska after refurbishing and she looked great. However, when we we do the b2b Vancouver, B.C. to Hawaii to Sydney in '16, we'll be taking the Radiance since I want to make that stop in Bora Bora again. LOVED it there and want to spend another day snorkeling there. Plus 2 stops in New Zealand!

 

I'd say just go with the itinerary you want!