Convince me why we should sail/try RCCL

[texnewbie]

Hello from Snowy Texas!!!

 

My DH and I are sitting here on our couch searching through different cruise lines trying to figure out which ship and cruise line we would like to try. We plan on cruising in the next year to Eastern Caribbean.

 

So Convince me why we should sail/try RCCL... Besides the main reason these ships look amazing... So much fun!!!!

 

My DH and I are a laid back couple, in our early 50's and been married for 10 years...

We love to sail but have only sailed on Carnival:

which we truly enjoyed even though it wasn't very fancy, sailing on Conquest & Magic out of Galveston, we have no complaints, and we've stayed in a balcony suite and a Spa Suite. (see Trip Reports below)

 

We love to sit on our balcony or on the decks by the adult only pools and read or people watch with our eye's closed. :cool:

 

We enjoy having a couple of glasses of wine, drink of the day or a Corona beer by the pool.

We enjoy having a dinner 1 night in the specialty restaurants (steaks and lobster)and then watching a stage show and then turn in early.

We don't usually gamble (may go to the casino once or twice) but not really enough to be big spenders...

We love to island hop and spend the days on the beach and then watch a sail away.

We like to meet new people but we don't have to party on the main deck and watch the guys participate in the belly flops..

 

We are also big Disney addict's and if we're not cruising for our vacation we're in Disney on vacation...

 

Ever since our first cruise when we sailed into Grand Cayman and Freedom of the Sea sailed in next to us.

 

I have always said.... One day I want to cruise on that ship!!!!

 

I've looked at FOTS sailing out of PC to the Eastern Caribbean:

and

Allure sailing out of FL same itinerary...

 

Both ships look amazing...

But is Allure going to be soooo big that I wont get to see every bit of it

and

will I be overwhelmed with the amount of people everywhere and at every pool...

and

will it be relaxing or will it be to busy...

 

and

 

FOTS has always been amazing to me, but from what I've been reading on here it's looking old

and

when it went into refurb they didn't update the rooms or the serenity pool area...

On both of these ships I'm really looking forward to spending time in the serenity pool area but am I going to be disappointed on FOTS because it's so out of date compared to Allure's serenity pool area...

 

Help....

 

What should I do, and which ship should I try and Why????

 

I have also posted this same question on Princess Cruise if you read both you'll see this question there..

Thanks for the help....

Carolyn

Edited February 27, 2015 by texnewbie

[Sandy Sails]

You're right, so sorry. I've become anti-cruising so I'm the last person to give opinions/advice. I still love this forum though.

 

I've always loved my RCCL cruises but it's been awhile. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Edited February 27, 2015 by Sandy Sails

[reallyitsmema]

After reading all of the negative posts lately, I would never again book a Royal Caribbean cruise!

 

You have posted on other threads that you don't cruise anymore at all so you could make the same statement about all cruise lines.

[davekathy]

After reading all of the negative posts lately, I would never again book a Royal Caribbean cruise!

 

...and you believe everything you read. Your choice, but to each their own.

[NorbertsNiece]

No.

 

If you are going to base your cruise choice on advice from people here take a land vacation.

 

If you read the negative reviews and base your cruise choice on those you'll be taking a land vacation any way.

 

In my signature you can read the joy and frustrations I have experienced cruising with Royal in my blogs. I don't want to be responsible for your choices.

[GTO-Girl]

Hello from Snowy Texas!!!

 

My DH and I are sitting here on our couch searching through different cruise lines trying to figure out which ship and cruise line we would like to try. We plan on cruising in the next year to Eastern Caribbean.

 

So Convince me why we should sail/try RCCL... Besides the main reason these ships look amazing... So much fun!!!!

 

My DH and I are a laid back couple, in our early 50's and been married for 10 years...

We love to sail but have only sailed on Carnival:

which we truly enjoyed even though it wasn't very fancy, sailing on Conquest & Magic out of Galveston, we have no complaints, and we've stayed in a balcony suite and a Spa Suite. (see Trip Reports below)

 

We love to sit on our balcony or on the decks by the adult only pools and read or people watch with our eye's closed. :cool:

 

We enjoy having a couple of glasses of wine, drink of the day or a Corona beer by the pool.

We enjoy having a dinner 1 night in the specialty restaurants (steaks and lobster)and then watching a stage show and then turn in early.

We don't usually gamble (may go to the casino once or twice) but not really enough to be big spenders...

We love to island hop and spend the days on the beach and then watch a sail away.

We like to meet new people but we don't have to party on the main deck and watch the guys participate in the belly flops..

 

We are also big Disney addict's and if we're not cruising for our vacation we're in Disney on vacation...

 

Ever since our first cruise when we sailed into Grand Cayman and Freedom of the Sea sailed in next to us.

 

I have always said.... One day I want to cruise on that ship!!!!

 

I've looked at FOTS sailing out of PC to the Eastern Caribbean:

and

Allure sailing out of FL same itinerary...

 

Both ships look amazing...

But is Allure going to be soooo big that I wont get to see every bit of it

and

will I be overwhelmed with the amount of people everywhere and at every pool...

and

will it be relaxing or will it be to busy...

 

and

 

FOTS has always been amazing to me, but from what I've been reading on here it's looking old

and

when it went into refurb they didn't update the rooms or the serenity pool area...

On both of these ships I'm really looking forward to spending time in the serenity pool area but am I going to be disappointed on FOTS because it's so out of date compared to Allure's serenity pool area...

 

Help....

 

What should I do, and which ship should I try and Why????

 

I have also posted this same question on Princess Cruise if you read both you'll see this question there..

Thanks for the help....

Carolyn

 

We are Platinum on Carnival but really do love and prefer the Royal ships. As you can see from my signature we have already cruised on the Freedom of the Seas several times and will be sailing on her again in June.

 

Or you may want to consider the Oasis or Allure out of FLL. Those ships are huge and are a destination unto themselves.

 

Whatever you choose I hope you have a great cruise.

 

They really have some beautiful ships!

Edited February 27, 2015 by GTO-Girl

[reallyitsmema]

Hello from Snowy Texas!!!

 

My DH and I are sitting here on our couch searching through different cruise lines trying to figure out which ship and cruise line we would like to try. We plan on cruising in the next year to Eastern Caribbean.

 

So Convince me why we should sail/try RCCL... Besides the main reason these ships look amazing... So much fun!!!!

 

My DH and I are a laid back couple, in our early 50's and been married for 10 years...

We love to sail but have only sailed on Carnival:

which we truly enjoyed even though it wasn't very fancy, sailing on Conquest & Magic out of Galveston, we have no complaints, and we've stayed in a balcony suite and a Spa Suite. (see Trip Reports below)

 

We love to sit on our balcony or on the decks by the adult only pools and read or people watch with our eye's closed. :cool:

 

We enjoy having a couple of glasses of wine, drink of the day or a Corona beer by the pool.

We enjoy having a dinner 1 night in the specialty restaurants (steaks and lobster)and then watching a stage show and then turn in early.

We don't usually gamble (may go to the casino once or twice) but not really enough to be big spenders...

We love to island hop and spend the days on the beach and then watch a sail away.

We like to meet new people but we don't have to party on the main deck and watch the guys participate in the belly flops..

 

We are also big Disney addict's and if we're not cruising for our vacation we're in Disney on vacation...

 

Ever since our first cruise when we sailed into Grand Cayman and Freedom of the Sea sailed in next to us.

 

I have always said.... One day I want to cruise on that ship!!!!

 

I've looked at FOTS sailing out of PC to the Eastern Caribbean:

and

Allure sailing out of FL same itinerary...

 

Both ships look amazing...

But is Allure going to be soooo big that I wont get to see every bit of it

and

will I be overwhelmed with the amount of people everywhere and at every pool...

and

will it be relaxing or will it be to busy...

 

and

 

FOTS has always been amazing to me, but from what I've been reading on here it's looking old

and

when it went into refurb they didn't update the rooms or the serenity pool area...

On both of these ships I'm really looking forward to spending time in the serenity pool area but am I going to be disappointed on FOTS because it's so out of date compared to Allure's serenity pool area...

 

Help....

 

What should I do, and which ship should I try and Why????

 

I have also posted this same question on Princess Cruise if you read both you'll see this question there..

Thanks for the help....

Carolyn

 

I would book Allure or even Royal Princess. Freedom is nice but has its issues. You might want to look at Celebrity too.

[Hotel CA]

Nothing old to me about the FOTS --its a great ship. I have not cruised on the Allure as the really big ships don't thrill us (Oasis and Allure and soon to be Quantum--just do not interest us as they are for us too big with too many people).

 

But have cruised Carnival and RCCL and love the Royal difference-- we also thought that the Freedom might be too big for our tastes but it is so well designed, you never feel crowded.

 

So our vote would definitely be for the Freedom-- Not old at all -- she is quite an elegant and beautiful lady.

[JasonTehGreat]

Liberty of the Seas will be in Galveston sometime in 2016.

[Paulette3028]

Hello from Snowy Texas!!!

 

My DH and I are sitting here on our couch searching through different cruise lines trying to figure out which ship and cruise line we would like to try. We plan on cruising in the next year to Eastern Caribbean.

 

So Convince me why we should sail/try RCCL... Besides the main reason these ships look amazing... So much fun!!!!

 

My DH and I are a laid back couple, in our early 50's and been married for 10 years...

We love to sail but have only sailed on Carnival:

which we truly enjoyed even though it wasn't very fancy, sailing on Conquest & Magic out of Galveston, we have no complaints, and we've stayed in a balcony suite and a Spa Suite. (see Trip Reports below)

 

We love to sit on our balcony or on the decks by the adult only pools and read or people watch with our eye's closed. :cool:

 

We enjoy having a couple of glasses of wine, drink of the day or a Corona beer by the pool.

We enjoy having a dinner 1 night in the specialty restaurants (steaks and lobster)and then watching a stage show and then turn in early.

We don't usually gamble (may go to the casino once or twice) but not really enough to be big spenders...

We love to island hop and spend the days on the beach and then watch a sail away.

We like to meet new people but we don't have to party on the main deck and watch the guys participate in the belly flops..

 

We are also big Disney addict's and if we're not cruising for our vacation we're in Disney on vacation...

 

Ever since our first cruise when we sailed into Grand Cayman and Freedom of the Sea sailed in next to us.

 

I have always said.... One day I want to cruise on that ship!!!!

 

I've looked at FOTS sailing out of PC to the Eastern Caribbean:

and

Allure sailing out of FL same itinerary...

 

Both ships look amazing...

But is Allure going to be soooo big that I wont get to see every bit of it

and

will I be overwhelmed with the amount of people everywhere and at every pool...

and

will it be relaxing or will it be to busy...

 

and

 

FOTS has always been amazing to me, but from what I've been reading on here it's looking old

and

when it went into refurb they didn't update the rooms or the serenity pool area...

On both of these ships I'm really looking forward to spending time in the serenity pool area but am I going to be disappointed on FOTS because it's so out of date compared to Allure's serenity pool area...

 

Help....

 

What should I do, and which ship should I try and Why????

 

I have also posted this same question on Princess Cruise if you read both you'll see this question there..

Thanks for the help....

Carolyn

 

The reality is NO ONE can convince you to do something.....we can only tell you our experiences and you then have to decide for yourself. As already pointed out, you will find plenty of negatives on ANY and EVERY message board like this.

 

I can only share with you my experiences...you will see from my signature I have only cruised on Royal....they have always given me a terrific vacation experience, so DH and I keep returning. I just came off of an Independence of the Seas cruise (the sister ship to Freedom/same class)....and had a ball. It is big enough -- without being too too big; and plenty to do...the ports of call were nice, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Labadee. We went on Allure last summer....enjoyed it a great deal, but it is very big with lots to do and see. The next cruise I probably will take, on the Oasis class will probably be when Harmony comes out.....simply because it will have a waterslide for adults and that will be something I will like to do.

 

We had gone on Liberty (also the same class as Freedom) a few years ago, and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to take the Independence cruise...and Indy did not disappoint us at all.

 

For us, it isn't a matter of 'bigger is always better'.....whichever one you choose, you will be able to do the things you enjoy doing, based on what you have listed....they will also give you great entertainment....on Allure you will have a Broadway show....where on Freedom it will be more headliners and Cast Productions which are very entertaining.....in the end it will be your choice.

 

Both will be very good.

[bilyclub]

I like the solariums on the Freedom/Voyager class better than the Oasis class.

[Paulette3028]

I like the solariums on the Freedom/Voyager class better than the Oasis class.

 

The solarium on Oasis class has almost no shaded areas.....which makes it difficult for my husband. On the Freedom class it is a small solarium by comparison and you need to get there early to get a lounge chair....that can also be said, for the regular pool if you want a chair very close to the pool itself.

[Gabrielle R.]

I posted on one of your other threads......... I have NOT done the larger Royal ship's... I am considering Navigator OR Royal Princess.....

 

I am platinum on both Royal & Princess.... DH and I discuss which we prefer...;) One thing we both agree that we like on Royal is the entertainment choices. Depending on how active you want to be.

 

I like the bathrooms better on Royal! I like the shower doors not a curtain which other lines have...

 

Being on a cruise is great! Whichever ship you choose I'm sure you will have fun! Deciding what to do is part of that fun! Good luck!

Gabrielle

[texnewbie]

WOW!!!

 

I didn't mean to cause a problem...

 

I was just wanting some great feed back on RCCL and the ships that I was interested in sailing on... and thought I would use a catchy title to draw your interest in on reading it and hoping you would supply me with some great information whether good or bad.

 

I do understand that this is everyone's opinion and that's why I enjoy this forum because we all have great opinions.

 

Thank you for your input and information.

Carolyn

[texnewbie]

thanks

Edited February 28, 2015 by texnewbie

[texnewbie]

We are Platinum on Carnival but really do love and prefer the Royal ships. As you can see from my signature we have already cruised on the Freedom of the Seas several times and will be sailing on her again in June.

 

Or you may want to consider the Oasis or Allure out of FLL. Those ships are huge and are a destination unto themselves.

 

Whatever you choose I hope you have a great cruise.

 

They really have some beautiful ships!

 

Thank you for your reply... Can you tell me about the Pool area in the Solarium?

 

We are looking at FOTS and Allure, and I'm thinking that if we sail on Allure we should sail on it to some of the ports that we've already cruised to so we could stay on the ship and enjoy it more.

 

Thanks... I'm so excited to cruise and one of the fun things about cruising is trying to figure out which ship to cruise on...

 

Thanks

Carolyn

 

[texnewbie]

I would book Allure or even Royal Princess. Freedom is nice but has its issues. You might want to look at Celebrity too.

 

THANKS!!!! I'll check it out.

[readyk]

i love the freedom class. I think it the perfect size ship for me. There is so much to do on the oasis class that it a vacation all by itself. My choose is freedom, but if you are paying for me to join you on the allure im going. I think you cant go wrong. enjoy and have fun.

[texnewbie]

Nothing old to me about the FOTS --its a great ship. I have not cruised on the Allure as the really big ships don't thrill us (Oasis and Allure and soon to be Quantum--just do not interest us as they are for us too big with too many people).

 

 

But have cruised Carnival and RCCL and love the Royal difference-- we also thought that the Freedom might be too big for our tastes but it is so well designed, you never feel crowded.

 

So our vote would definitely be for the Freedom-- Not old at all -- she is quite an elegant and beautiful lady.

 

Thank you!!:):)

 

Thank you for the great information about the size thing... That's been one of my thoughts is that Allure will be to big for me.

We've sail Carnival Magic (New Ship) and it wasn't to big....

I think FOTS would be perfect size for us.

She (FOTS) sounds and looks beautiful..

 

Thank you!!

Carolyn

 

[texnewbie]

Liberty of the Seas will be in Galveston sometime in 2016.

 

We had booked Navigator of the Sea for this April 2015, but do to the oil industry... and the price of crude...

we had to cancel it for now...

I was looking forward to cruising on it.

 

Liberty Of The Sea is beautiful ship too.

 

Thanks for the information...

Carolyn

 

[CORKY_Q]

Have sailed on Freedom and have another booked soon. Recently returned from the Allure. I can say that we loved them both. Regardless of the numbers of cruisers, we have never really felt crowded on either class of ship.

 

The Allure WILL ENTERTAIN you!!! Broadway shows, Aqua Shows, Comedy Theater in addition to entertainment in the lounges and Ice Shows (which you also have on the Freedom Class.)

 

We have found that Royal ships are much easier to navigate around. You don't have to walk through the shops, casino, photos, etc. to get from fore to aft if you don't want to.

 

DW and I took our first cruise at fifty and, as you can tell by our signature, we have strayed on occasion (mostly due to wanting a specific itinerary and/or departure port,) but we keep coming back to RCI.:)

 

Which ever choice you make, I am sure that you will enjoy it; any day at sea is better than a day anywhere else. :D

[texnewbie]

Liberty of the Seas will be in Galveston sometime in 2016.

 

Thanks!

We had Navigator of the Sea booked for April 2015, but had to cancel due to the oil industry and the price of crude...

 

Liberty of the Sea is also a beautiful ship.

Thanks

Carolyn

 

[chawkjewel]

As you can see from my signature, I have been on several different lines. I had only done a couple of cruises on Royal and, frankly, couldn't tell you what made it any different than the other lines. Then last summer my DH and I decided to hop on Freedom for a last minute cruise. I LOVED this ship. It never felt crowded to me. There were so many places to go and different things to see and do. It sounds from your description that we have similar interests. One day on that trip we found ourselves at the Flowrider. We just went up in the stands to watch and really enjoyed it. Never had an interest in trying it ourselves but we really enjoyed watching everyone else.

 

I've not yet sailed on an Oasis class ship but it is on my wish list. I'm eagerly waiting for Harmony!

 

Enjoy your cruise, whichever you choose!

[texnewbie]

The reality is NO ONE can convince you to do something.....we can only tell you our experiences and you then have to decide for yourself. As already pointed out, you will find plenty of negatives on ANY and EVERY message board like this.

 

I can only share with you my experiences...you will see from my signature I have only cruised on Royal....they have always given me a terrific vacation experience, so DH and I keep returning. I just came off of an Independence of the Seas cruise (the sister ship to Freedom/same class)....and had a ball. It is big enough -- without being too too big; and plenty to do...the ports of call were nice, San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Labadee. We went on Allure last summer....enjoyed it a great deal, but it is very big with lots to do and see. The next cruise I probably will take, on the Oasis class will probably be when Harmony comes out.....simply because it will have a waterslide for adults and that will be something I will like to do.

 

We had gone on Liberty (also the same class as Freedom) a few years ago, and enjoyed it so much that we wanted to take the Independence cruise...and Indy did not disappoint us at all.

 

For us, it isn't a matter of 'bigger is always better'.....whichever one you choose, you will be able to do the things you enjoy doing, based on what you have listed....they will also give you great entertainment....on Allure you will have a Broadway show....where on Freedom it will be more headliners and Cast Productions which are very entertaining.....in the end it will be your choice.

 

Both will be very good.

 

Thanks for your details on the size of things... I have always loved the look of FOTS ever since I first saw it in Grand Cayman and read lots of Threads and trip reports about it and have really wanted to sail on it...

 

I also like Allure but I'm thinking that we should sail on Allure when we sail on an itinerary that we've already been on so we can just enjoy all the amenities of the ship...

 

I can't wait for Harmony to come out... It will be awesome!!!

 

The solarium on Oasis class has almost no shaded areas.....which makes it difficult for my husband. On the Freedom class it is a small solarium by comparison and you need to get there early to get a lounge chair....that can also be said, for the regular pool if you want a chair very close to the pool itself.

 

 

Oh good thought on the pools, I love being in the sun but my sweet hubby is very white and burns easily and he will usually go over to the shade area to sit...

 

Thanks for the information...

I love everyone's thoughts on each ships!!!

Carolyn

 

[Paulette3028]

Oh good thought on the pools, I love being in the sun but my sweet hubby is very white and burns easily and he will usually go over to the shade area to sit...

 

Thanks for the information...

I love everyone's thoughts on each ships!!!

Carolyn

 

 

I like the sun and my DH needs more shade than sun.....but there wasn't a good compromise for us in the Allure solarium....so we hung out by the beach pool....which had an area that was under cover for him, when he had enough sun....best of both worlds like this for us.