Sunshine or Navigator of the Seas?

[beckzay]

My husband and I have cruise several times before, but not recently. Our children have never cruised and they will be going on this one :) They are active and I know they will like a ship with stuff to do (rock climbing, ropes course, etc.), which is why I chose these two ships. My husband and I have been to Nassau pretty much on every cruise we've been on, but again the kids have never been.

 

Sunshine has 3 ports (Half Moon Cay, Nassau and freeport), 1 sea day...we've been to 2 of the 3 ports

Navigator has 2 ports (Nassau and Cozumel), 2 sea days...we've been to 1 of the 2 ports

 

To me, they are pretty similar, but I've only every cruised Royal once a VERY long time ago. Is there something I'm missing that I should take into consideration? I don't know much about Royal and I plan on doing more research.

 

Has anyone been on both? Which would be the better first-cruise experience?

[dmdiver]

I haven't sailed either of these ships, but I believe Navigator is a pretty large ship. Also, I like Cozumel for the ease of grabbing a taxi from the port to one of the beach clubs along the San Francisco reef area.

 

I recommend you research both ships' activities & see which ones will be most suitable for your kids. I know when we were on Oasis, we didn't do the flowrider, ice skate, etc. When we've sailed on Carnival ships, we always do the water slide & ropes course (on the ships that have them). Check out the reviews on both ships and pull up the deck plans & info on the cruise lines' websites. Depending on the ages of your kids, one ship's activities may be more to their liking.

[wantocruisemore]

We've been on NOS and it is one of our favorite ships. I also think kids may prefer Cozumel to Freeport. Sunshine has ropes course but Navigator has the rock wall. Also has the ice show and little better shows.

 

While it is close, although never been on Sunshine (reviews hit or miss), I would go NOS. It's actually been in drydock since we were on it.

[beckzay]

Thank you. The "kids" are young adults and a teen (23,23,21 and 16) if that makes any difference ;)

[wantocruisemore]

Thank you. The "kids" are young adults and a teen (23,23,21 and 16) if that makes any difference ;)

 

Ours were 22, 19 and nieces were 18 and 14 when in NOS. I think older may definitely prefer NOS. Can't see the kiddie waterworks being that much of a draw.

 

My youngest who is now 23 says NOS is her favorite ship although she has done other cruises since.

Edited March 22, 2016 by wantocruisemore

[tilliebob1919]

We have been on both and found the NOS to be disappointing activity wise and so quiet at night after 10pm unless you were a drinker....bars were mobbed. We went last year, mid November and saw few kids, teens or young adults. Most people were in late 60's and much older in general. Shows were fair. Hardly ever saw the rock climbing wall used. Always someone using the "wave runner" (not sure of the real name for it). Food was great in buffet as well as the MDR.

The Sunshine we thought was too small and congested in general for the amount of people on board. For us, we prefer Carnival overall because it has more going on for all in the evenings to see and do.

 

 

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[teddybear231]

We went last year, mid November and saw few kids, teens or young adults.

 

That explains why you saw such few kids, because you were cruising mid-November when schools are still in session.

 

I would go with Royal Caribbean, much more for the kids to do. We prefer Royal Caribbean to Carnival, it's the cost that usually prohibits us from getting to travel with them more frequently. Don't get me wrong, there are some things that Carnival does better I think, but overall we are a Royal Caribbean fan. Their ships truly are something else.

[heatherhudson15]

We've been on the Sunshine twice and LOVED it. Never been on RCL. I'm Platinum w Carnival so clearly I'm biased. LOL At least I can admit that. We love the Sunshine with all the fun things that it offers. We love love the Serenity Decks. The food was DELISH and the crew were fantastic.

 

 

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[cynt]

Navigator hands down. I've been on both and I cruise what fits my budget when I'm ready to cruise. Royal is my favorite but if I can't find a deal I'll leave them in a heart beat just to get on a ship. NOS is a better quality product.

 

Sunshine is small and they crammed a bunch of new cabins on the ship without expanding the ship. So in essence the small ship got smaller with the additional people on the ship. And I think Sunshine is the ship where very few decks go straight thru forward to aft. That drives me crazy.

 

 

My lil' cousins were 16, 16, 17 and they didn't go to the shows except the comedy shows. They were hanging out with their new friends most of the time. It really depends on the crowd as far as the dance club and where the young adult/college age find to do in the evenings. If there's a good DJ in any of the clubs that's where you will find them regardless of the ship. I've found if there's a good dj and a dancing crowd night one then you will usually find a party where ever the DJ is located.

 

Do what's best for your family!

[dmdiver]

I think young adults might prefer Navigator - at least that would be my choice between the two ships.

[Tapi]

I'm Platinum w Carnival so clearly I'm biased. LOL

 

 

I'm platinum with Carnival but I would pick the Navigator over the Sunshine. [emoji6]

 

To the OP: I will say that itinerary wise, both of these are pretty uninspiring. You've been to Nassau so you already know what it's about. Freeport is a less crowded and developed version of Nassau. You do arrive at an ugly, barren, industrialized port and the nearest beaches are 15 minutes away. Many will tell you that they'd prefer a sea day over a day in Freeport. Half Moon Cay is the only port that makes the Sunshine's itinerary worth it. I do like Cozumel more than Nassau or Freeport although it's very commercialized and it can be extremely packed if you happen to be in port on a busy day (which is not uncommon).

 

Personally, I wouldn't let the itinerary be a deciding factor and would put more weight on the actual ships to make my decision.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Tapi

[jimbo5544]

I'm platinum with Carnival but I would pick the Navigator over the Sunshine. [emoji6]

 

To the OP: I will say that itinerary wise, both of these are pretty uninspiring. You've been to Nassau so you already know what it's about. Freeport is a less crowded and developed version of Nassau. You do arrive at an ugly, barren, industrialized port and the nearest beaches are 15 minutes away. Many will tell you that they'd prefer a sea day over a day in Freeport. Half Moon Cay is the only port that makes the Sunshine's itinerary worth it. I do like Cozumel more than Nassau or Freeport although it's very commercialized and it can be extremely packed if you happen to be in port on a busy day (which is not uncommon).

 

Personally, I wouldn't let the itinerary be a deciding factor and would put more weight on the actual ships to make my decision.

 

Holy moly, is that a Carnival ship I see in your future sailings....:eek:

[Tapi]

Holy moly, is that a Carnival ship I see in your future sailings....:eek:

 

 

Don't get too excited! It's almost a year from now and you know that I have a tendency to keep shopping around and change cruises like 15 times. [emoji6]But I did promise myself that I would definitely support Carnival if they ever returned to Mobile!

[jimbo5544]

Don't get too excited! It's almost a year from now and you know that I have a tendency to keep shopping around and change cruises like 15 times. [emoji6]But I did promise myself that I would definitely support Carnival if they ever returned to Mobile!

 

Ah, location, location, location (used in a different context here though). I knew there must be a reason to pick the oldest Carnival ship afloat as a choice.

[Tapi]

I knew there must be a reason to pick the oldest Carnival ship afloat as a choice.

 

Easy drive, and easy getaway for the kids winter break. I can leave my driveway at 8am and be at the port of Mobile by noon. [emoji3] This cruise will be all about convenience (and price. Great deals right now for that week!)

 

One of our best cruises ever (without exaggeration) was on the Holiday out of Mobile. And a huge reason why that cruise was so wonderful was exactly because of the port of Mobile and its people. Also, fellow cruisers were phenomenal.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Tapi

[2Shoes2Go]

Our choice would be Navigator of the Seas. Plenty of activities and shows are good. Itinerary, of course, is better. The Sunshine is fine, obviously, too. But, except for pricing, we'd choose Navigator, for our young adult children.:)

[beckzay]

Thank you everyone! Such helpful information. Right now, the NOS is actually about 200 cheaper than the Sunshine for 2 ov cabins. Us in one cabin, the "kids" in another. I'm also really drawn to the fact that Royal doesn't make all adults in a cabin purchase the drink package. I think one of the 3 young adults wants it but the other 2 wouldn't get their money's worth from it. Although not a deciding factor since I don't think any of us would do cheers on this sunshine sailing...it's too port intensive.

I also like the idea of 2 sea days as opposed to 1 :)

[TC Cruiser]

I think that you'll enjoy the ship far better on NOS but I was pleased with the evening activities on Sunshine, especially with the comics each night and with the racy singalongs in the piano bar.

[sharse]

My kids are younger (11 and 12) but we had booked Navigator, and I ended up switching to the Sunshine, and I'm glad I did. (Had this been only hubby and I without kids I've have certainly stuck with Navigator. But with kids...)

 

1. More complimentary dining options. The windjammer gets really old at lunch, and on the Sunshine (8 nights) I never had lunch in the buffet. The blue iguana cantina is excellent (they serve breakfast, too) and we really enjoyed JiJi's and the pasta place. Of course guys burgers are pretty good too.

 

2. More activity options for the kids. The ropes course was super fun for them, and much more difficult than expected. My kids loved the water slides as well. Whether or not your adult kids would enjoy that... maybe?

[beckzay]

My kids are younger (11 and 12) but we had booked Navigator, and I ended up switching to the Sunshine, and I'm glad I did. (Had this been only hubby and I without kids I've have certainly stuck with Navigator. But with kids...)

 

1. More complimentary dining options. The windjammer gets really old at lunch, and on the Sunshine (8 nights) I never had lunch in the buffet. The blue iguana cantina is excellent (they serve breakfast, too) and we really enjoyed JiJi's and the pasta place. Of course guys burgers are pretty good too.

 

2. More activity options for the kids. The ropes course was super fun for them, and much more difficult than expected. My kids loved the water slides as well. Whether or not your adult kids would enjoy that... maybe?

 

These are the EXACT reasons I just booked the Sunshine today :)

 

Although almost everyone suggested the NOS here, I think our family will enjoy the Sunshine more. Don't get me wrong, the NOS looks like a beautiful ship and I hope to sail her one day, but for our family right now and for a first cruise for our children, the Sunshine seems like a better fit.

[hockeymom15]

Thank you. The "kids" are young adults and a teen (23,23,21 and 16) if that makes any difference ;)

 

Hello , I have been on both RC and Carnival and with my kids . My preference is Carnival hands down. I have taken my kids on cruises since they were 8 and 5 . Our last one together was when they were 20 and 23 .

My daughter will be platinum on Carnival this Aug and my son has done 7 so I am little experienced with this .

I find there is alot more to do for the kids on the carnival and that is coming from the mouths of babes !! Mine !!

I do tend to email the matre'd ahead of time and ask him to sit us with other families with kids the same age . It works everytime. We get seated with people their age. This breaks the ice and gives them people they know right off the hop . Last May we were sat with two other families . My daughter was 20 at the time and their daughters were both 19. My son was 23 and they had a son 24. They spent the cruise together and ended up meeting a ton of people their age groups . I have done this the last 10 cruises and it works great everytime .

Hope this helps a little .

[tilliebob1919]

We have been on both. If I had kids I would do Carnival without hesitation. We did the Navigator, a different itinerary, last November. Our 2nd time on, the last time in 2006. We were really looking forward to it because of the supposed refurbishments made the previous year. We were very disappointed for several reasons but what was most apparent was the lack of activity and good activity, Hardly anything going on in the evenings after 9:30 even on the promenade and in the casino. The entertainment was sub par. Most of the cruisers were late 60's thru their 80's. Don't get me wrong there were families with teens and or young children but definitely there was not a lot. Been on the Sunshine and it is small and an older ship. Pools are small, layout is kind of strange but many kid related activities.

 

 

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