Mariner, Navigator, Freedom.....

[stacyinpa]

Hello...I never sailed a RCCL ship before. I did sail on Carnival and Disney.

 

I like the idea of all the RCCL has to offer for kids to do onboard. We just got off the Victory and had basically 5 days at sea...we went to Costa Maya (short time there) and Jamaica (short time there). We didnt get into Caymen because they said high sea swells. That would have all been fine except they did NOT have enough for them/us to do with 5 sea days.

 

I didnt come here to complain about Carnival because the Inspiration we had a great time on....I did want to get advice and compare the Triumph (Victorys sister ship) to one of RC.

 

There was alot of BINGO to do, there was 1 xBox with many kids standing around to take a turn, 1 ping pong table, one shuffleboard (not well noticed), and just generally not much to do besides the kids club and the pool. I felt we had more to do on the Inpsiration then the Victory and thats a newer ship. I felt after 5 days at sea there should have been more for the kids..us too to do. I am not a hard person to please, but I was bored myself. NOt even something as simple as a napkin folding seminar..nothing. They had a Casino....we are not big gamblers but do enjoy some time there...not 5 days worth.

 

So that being said....I am wondering what you previous RC cruisers can tell me about your cruise line. I want to good as well as bad and realize everyone looks at things different.

 

I like the idea of RC private island--but then is it really private? Disney has a private island also. The Royal Promenade looks neat! The basketball courts, mini golf...those things woudl have helped if they were on the Victory..since we had so many sea days. I liek sea days, but 5 of the same old-same old was a bit much.

 

How are the shows? I hear the ice show is not to be missed! As far as food...we dont get into all that fancy stuff so that wont matter to us. Can we get stuff like hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers...and ICE CREAM all day? That was the one thing on Carnival that my kids loved...lol Someone told me RC has frozen yogurt, not ice cream...is that so?

 

Boy I know Im asking alot, but I hope you can all help me. I actually have $ on the Freedom, BUT was wondering about the Mariner and the Navigator. I was really impressed with the Mariners pictures on Travelocity. Is there one ship or all of them have the movies outside...that seems so neat!

 

Please help! Hopefully we get to go to Cozumel and Caymen--we didnt get to either of these on Victory. They subbed Costa Maya for Cozumel and I do understand why. But then no Caymen either..yikes. I do understand tho.

 

Can you help me out? Tell me what you can. I really appreciate it! I am trying to get familiar with JRockets, the ice rink, rock wall, mini golf but I dont understand the difference between the different classes of ships.

 

Thank You!!

Stacy

waljs@verizon.net

[stacyinpa]

Sorry--my girls will be 17 and 12 when we sail in Dec/06.

 

Thanks again--Stacy

waljs@verizon.net

[carla64]

Stacy.....

 

You and I have the same concerns. I also sailed the Carnival Inspiration which was our first cruise. We did not go to Coz or Grand Caymans like we were supposed to. We went to Progresso instead which was a shocker. Our cruise was cut from a 5 day to a 4 day. I found things to do, like Bingo and some trivia games. I had a really good time, but found myself getting a bit bored towards the end.

 

This year I'm taking my daughter on a cruise for her 16th birthday.

 

I'm torn between the Navigator (7 day cruise) and the Enchantment (5 day cruise) which is less expensive. I have been looking for a Teen Compass online for the Enchantment. I hope someone reads this and posts one. :) The Navigator seems like it has so much to do, but I worry about a 7 day cruise being too long....especially if ports are cancelled like they were on the Inspiration!.

 

I look forward to cruising on a RCI ship, just can't decide which on!

 

Take Care

[1corona4u]

The Navigator, decor wise, is much nicer than the Mariner, is that's important to you. I have also seen many more negative reviews/comments about the Mariner, than I have for the Navigator.

 

 

carla64,

I have done both the NOS and the Enchantment, and both were great cruises, but I like the Voyager class ships better than the Vision. There is no comparison really in my mind. I am doing the NOS again, but not sure I will ever do the EOS again. Just missed all the things the NOS has, like the Promenade, golf, etc.

 

Trust me, 7 days is not too long. It goes by reallly fast.:)