Convince Me...Explorer or Radiance

[njoyndride]

Here's the story - After eight long years we've finally convinced our dearest friends to cruise with us in November using my 50th birthday to guilt them into it. Every time we cruise we are always saying J & J would love this and J & J would love that. I'm convinced they will be in 7th heaven and I really hope they get hooked as we've traveled extensively with them on land vacations and they are great traveling buddies! I want their cruise experience to be extra special.

 

Since it's my birthday they, along with DH, insist I pick the ship and itinerary. I've changed my mind a dozen times and finally have cabins held on Explorer doing a typical Western plus Labadee and Radiance doing Eastern with San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Nassau. I have two hump JS cabins being held on Explorer and 2 JS side by side on Radiance.

 

I keep wrestling with hump cabins and promenade vs. elegance and glass AND east vs. west. We're all about the beaches, funky watering holes along the water, hiring locals for island tours and sitting on the balcony watching the flying fish.

 

Please share your thoughts and experiences, I have this weekend to decide!

[skyking]

Wow this is a tought one. I love the Explorer and have been on a few Voyager class ships, but I am still eager to try a Radiance. I think they would be happy with either one, but the question is what one do you want to sail on:)

 

Tim

[spatz]

EXPLORER Sorry but I get excited when I hear the Ship Explorer. Our first cruise on her and it certainly will not be the last.

 

just linda

[superjerryw]

Looks like it will boil down to ambiance. Do you prefer a more refined atmosphere in which case you want the Radiance or do you want more of a mall type of atmosphere which would be the Explorer. You can't go wrong in either case. I've sailed on both ships and had a great time on each.

[bosteph]

I think that I would select Explorer. If you're "all about the beaches" this one will probably be a better fit (4 ports vs. 3 ports).

 

I know that you will have fun either way. :D

[FinelyCruising]

If it is about Flying Fish you will not see them on the eastern.

 

Question: What do you all like to do as a group on yor land vacations? That may shed some light into the best ship for you all for this trip. Plus is any of the cruises longer than the other?

 

You have the best cabins selected for both so that is no issue.

 

Wow I wish I was you! :)

[buzzandjulie]

I think a first cruise should be elegance I would pick radiance and have been on both

[caviargal]

Voyager was too much for me. To many lines, too many kids, too crowded. I won't be doing that again!

 

Serenade (Radiance Class) was my best ever RCI cruise. Elegant, open to the sea, no lines or crowds, few kids.

 

I was in heaven!

[TwiliteNights]

You have two excellent ships to choose. I feel your next question should be which itinerary you would prefer....that will choose your ship. Personally, I do not like the Western Caribbean, so that would only leave me choosing the Radiance. The Radiance was docked in front of our ship last week in Aruba. What a gorgeous ship she is...and at night, with all that glass and the atrium elevators going up and down facing the outside of ship...it was an awesome sight. I'm booking her next year for Alaska.

One other thing. If the folks that are finally traveling with you have never cruised before, I would WOW them by taking the Eastern over the Western any day. Of course this is your choice. I feel this will leave a great impression on them in returning to cruising. Especially visiting St. Thomas and possibly doing a side trip to "Trunk Beach" on St. John....the best beach you can go to....in my humble opinion.

Now you must make your choice, as you have the best cabins. So go for it!

 

Happy Cruising

[Erie Dave]

Both are excellent choices. You can't go wrong, but save your pennys and do both when you can, that is the best option.

[cruiseman_tx]

I've cruised on both classes, and, for what it's worth, my personal preference leans toward the Voyager Class ships. I like the additional outdoor pool and pool-deck space and more hot tubs. Also a larger solarium with two hot tubs instead of one. The promanade is great for rainy days, watching the parades or just hanging out at the Promanade Cafe, and it allows for easier access to the shops, casino, bars, theater and dining rooms. I also found that there were many fewer delays and crowds at the elevators on the Voyager class. The first couple nights on the Brilliance it took a good 10 minutes to get to the dining room from deck 10. Using the stairs wasn't an option, as I had a torn knee ligament. Thereafter, we got dressed and went down a little earlier and waited in the Centrum for 10-15 minutes untill the dining room opened, having to stand around quite often as there is limited seating in the Centrum area.

 

On the Radiance class ships I like the layout of the Schooner Bar, and the Sports bar is much larger than Voyager, with more screens for viewing and adequate non-snoking and smoking areas to please everyone. Traffic to and from the theater has to go through the casino or the centrum shops area, and it can be quite congested through the shops, especially after a performance is done. I like the Seawiew Cafe over JR's, and I also like the layout of the Windjammer on Radiance class much better.

 

All that being said, we've had great cruises on both classes of ships, and would not hesitate to book a cruise on either one. You'll have a great time no matter what.

[njoyndride]

You guys are great, thanks for all the input. I've been on both Serenade and Navigator so it actually makes this all the more difficult as I loved both of them. I love Jamaica but love showing others St. Thomas and particularly taking a side trip to St. John. Of course there's Mr. Sanchos in Cozumel...great shrimp cocktail! It's a lovely dilemma to be in. Keep the suggestions coming!

[GCBCKat57]

I just rebooked on the Explorer and I love it, but really wanted to try the Serenade out of San Juan. If you're "all about the beaches" you may want to consider this itinerary with it's 5 ports of call. I would have, but my sailing date could not be accomodated...that's next on my list for sure, though.

 

I'm sure whatever your decision, you're going to have a blast:D

[njoyndride]

You'd love Serenade and it's port intensive itinerary. Sailing out of San Juan is always great, flying there is a loooooooooooooooooooooooong day from California. One of my friends hates to fly otherwise I would have done Serenade or Adventure in a heartbeat. I'm so happy they are cruising with us I didn't wanted to make the flight as short as possible while still exposing them to the Caribbean.You're right whatever we do it will be fantastic, such an awful decision to make oh me oh my ;) .

[Blizzard54]

You mentioned that you had the hump on the Explorer. I found that the hump on that class is not as big a deal as they are on the Radiance Class. The hump is not as pronounced. I prefer the Radiance Class because it has more of a traditional ship design.

[njoyndride]

Thanks for the comment John it's one of the things that's a big pro on the Explorer side along with the promenade.

[just4kixx]

Having just got off the Radiance earlier this month (adults only in my party), and anticipating the Navigator (with full family in tow) in June... If it were me, I'd be looking at the Radiance class. It doesn't have the Prominade and skating ... true, but my impression is that the Voyager Class is more "family oriented" than the Radiance Class... if that's even possible :rolleyes:

 

Being "couples only" in your group, and if you "all about the beaches"... given the itinerary that you are looking at, I'd go with The Radiance. (Boy she is an 'awesome' ship! Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

Have fun!

A~ :)

[CruiserTK]

We have sailed on the Navigator and the Radiance. Both are beautiful in different ways, as has already been mentioned. I would be in a dilemma too if I had to choose between your two ships. You mention that you like tours done by locals. One bonus here is that if you go to St. Thomas you can book with Godfrey Tours. He definitely conducts one of the best island tours I've been on. The Radiance class has the solarium with the domed roof -- a bonus if the weather does not cooperate. Either way, you will most definitely WOW your friends.

[njoyndride]

Thanks again, I'm leaning toward Radiance Western at the moment. Stay tuned it might change in an hour LOL. You guys are great for taking the time to help me out! :D

 

Hey Finelycruising - You're right I just got back from eastern and not a flying fish in sight! I know I've seen them on many of my cruises is it only western and southern or just southern? I didn't realize that they are regional.

[FinelyCruising]

If it's November you are going I would stay away from the eastern route. While in no way scientific, I think there may be a better chance to get to Mexico and stay away from some of the nasty weather that comes up this time of year. Not that last year is any indicator. :rolleyes: Maybe someone else can chime in on that for more info.

[mrg0433]

Sounds like you are young enough to enjoy the large size of Explorer. Older people get tired doing so much walking on the larger ships. The ice skating shows and Promenade are something special about Explorer that your friends would enjoy. We are thinking of booking a Promenade cabin in 2006. For now, we are counting the days until we sail on the Jewel in our hump cabin. I would also suggest trying NCL's freestyle dining sometime with your friends. They won't know what they prefer until the compare ships and cruiselines. We really enjoyed having 10 restaurants to choose from each night on NCL. I can't wait to try Portofinos on Jewel. I think RCCL will be adding more and more restaurants in the future because so many people like the choices. I enjoy trying different ships every cruise.

 

Mary

Plymouth, MA

[njoyndride]

Thanks Mary...funny you mentioned NCL prior to our friends agreeing to go with us we were going to sail on Norwegian Sun out of NOLA. Since the ports included Roatan and Playa Del Carmen I decided to switch to a more traditional itinerary. Yeah I hear the pitter patter of 60's little feet right behind me LOL.

[njoyndride]

Just wanted to say thanks again, we decided and booked Radiance, woo hoo!!!

[Travelgrrl]

I'm very happy for you - I think the first time cruisers will be WOWED by the Radiance and the Eastern Caribbean itinerary.