Freedom of The Seas or Navigator of The Seas

[Georgiagolfer]

DW and I haven't sailed RCI since November 2009 but are looking at booking Freedom or Navigator for January 2013. Looking at a JS and have priced both ships. Freedom is $700 more than Navigator.:confused:

 

What ship do you prefer for those that have sailed both, and is Freedom worth the additional money? We can drive to Canaveral, but would have to fly to New Orleans,although I have enough miles that cost of flight is not an issue.

[Newtoncruise]

Freedom has a flow rider and more bars and restaurants. We sailed liberty last year and adventure this.

 

I don't think the price differential is worth it......spend the difference on a GS!

[UCF_Knight]

Freedom and Navigator are more alike than they are different. Sure there were minor differences in the original design, like Freedom having a Flowrider and Navigator having an inline skating track. Overall though, the layouts of the ships are almost identical. Freedom is just a bit bigger overall. Although Freedom has already gone to drydock for her Oasis like upgrades while Navigator is still waiting for hers. So Freedom already has some of the new features added (outdoor movie screen, cupcake shop, digital signage, etc). Navigator is still waiting for her upgrades.

 

I would go on Navigator and save the money. There is not enough of a difference in the ships to justify that much money for me.

[Georgiagolfer]

Freedom has a flow rider and more bars and restaurants. We sailed liberty last year and adventure this.

 

I don't think the price differential is worth it......spend the difference on a GS!

 

Thanks, Newtoncruise, may do just that. Although I can have a few more drinks and spend a little longer in the casino with the $700.

[Georgiagolfer]

Freedom and Navigator are more alike than they are different. Sure there were minor differences in the original design, like Freedom having a Flowrider and Navigator having an inline skating track. Overall though, the layouts of the ships are almost identical. Freedom is just a bit bigger overall. Although Freedom has already gone to drydock for her Oasis like upgrades while Navigator is still waiting for hers. So Freedom already has some of the new features added (outdoor movie screen, cupcake shop, digital signage, etc). Navigator is still waiting for her upgrades.

 

We have sailed Mariner and liked her. Not a fan of the outdoor screen if RCI is just as loud and intrusive as those on CCL.

[molly361]

Have been on both. Would pick the Navigator and save the $700. That will be a LOT of stuff

[Georgiagolfer]

Have been on both. Would pick the Navigator and save the $700. That will be a LOT of stuff

 

Thanks all, for the suggestions. Will book next week and will let you know which we choose. But will also consider any other comments.

[bobert]

I would tend to agree with what has already been written. I have been on both and love each. Think of Freedom of the Seas as a slightly stretched version of the Navigator of the Seas The biggest addition on Freedom is the Florider. With that much difference in price it's hard to justify. I will say it I was biased in favor of the navigator as I went back on her repeatedly. But the Freedom is also a beautiful ship and I was on her when she was brand new but I remember thinking how much more similar she was to the Navigator than different so with that big a difference in price the only question to me would be how do you feel about the respective itineraries. No choice is wrong and you will enjoy either of them. :-)

[daveky]

I vote for the Navigator over the Freedom for that much of a price difference for the reasons mentioned above.

[DonnaK]

Another vote for Navigator over Freedom to save $700!

[Eng23]

We have sailed Mariner and liked her. Not a fan of the outdoor screen if RCI is just as loud and intrusive as those on CCL.

Just FYI, I was on the Freedom after the outdoor movie screen was installed. It was very pleasant to have and in no way is the screen used in the manner it is on other cruiselines. It was never obtrusively loud. I enjoyed watching football games that were shown and the movies. Royal Caribbean has done a good job in the use of it's outdoor screens.

[cruiselvr04]

Sailed on both twice. Love both. Much the same just a few less bells and whistles for Navigator. If the ports of call don't matter I'd save the money.

[sail2sea]

Freedom is my go to ship because Port Canaveral is the most convenient port for me too. But the cool thing going for Navigator is it is going out of Nola.

[TM38Rob]

I'm sailing on Freedom in January, and sailed on Navigator 4 years ago.

 

I chose Freedom for the new enhancements added, as well for the difference in Western Caribbean itinerary between the Freedom and the Navigator.

 

While the Freedom and Navigator will be in Falmouth, Jamaica the same day (during the week I'm sailing) and will call on Cozumel and Grand Cayman on different days, the Freedom stops at Labadee, Haiti while the Navigator has an extra day at sea.

 

The Freedom also alternates between Eastern Caribbean one week and Western Caribbean the next.

 

The Navigator is a nice ship if you're looking to save the money over the additional port of call and enhancements on the Freedom.

[xxoocruiser]

Thanks all, for the suggestions. Will book next week and will let you know which we choose. But will also consider any other comments.

 

Just as a reminder prices can change at anytime .

[Georgiagolfer]

Thanks again all. DW and I don't really cruise for the Ports anymore. We just like cruising for relaxation and fun. We are mid 60's so not really the flow rider type. LOL!! DW has never been to NOLA, so was looking to go 2 days ahead to take in some sights if we choose Navigator. As for Freedom, Canaveral is the easiest Port we have ever sailed from.

[Ocean Boy]

Freedom has a flow rider and more bars and restaurants. We sailed liberty last year and adventure this.

 

I don't think the price differential is worth it......spend the difference on a GS!

 

I think that the only restaurant Freedom has that Navigator doesn't is Sorrento's. And almost anything that you can get in Sorrento's can be found in the Cafe Promenade on Navigator.

 

To the OP, unless you really want to have a flowrider, I don't think that there is anything that makes Freedom worth the $700 extra over Navigator.

[Georgiagolfer]

I think that the only restaurant Freedom has that Navigator doesn't is Sorrento's. And almost anything that you can get in Sorrento's can be found in the Cafe Promenade on Navigator.

 

To the OP, unless you really want to have a flowrider, I don't think that there is anything that makes Freedom worth the $700 extra over Navigator.

 

Thought that was on Navigator, as it was on Mariner. We did like the sandwiches and muffins in Cafe Promenade.

[Ocean Boy]

Thought that was on Navigator, as it was on Mariner. We did like the sandwiches and muffins in Cafe Promenade.

 

All of the Voyager and Freedom class ships have the Cafe Promenade. Voyager's do not have Sorrento's. Sorrento's wasn't "invented" until they started building the Freedom class ships. Are you saying that Mariner had Sorrento's when you were aboard? It wasn't when we sailed on the ship.

[Georgiagolfer]

All of the Voyager and Freedom class ships have the Cafe Promenade. Voyager's do not have Sorrento's. Sorrento's wasn't "invented" until they started building the Freedom class ships. Are you saying that Mariner had Sorrento's when you were aboard? It wasn't when we sailed on the ship.

 

No, I just thought I remembered it on Mariner. Course that was in 2009,and memory comes and goes.:eek:

[Smurphy]

I would choose the Freedom over the Navigator. We were on the Navigator this past February and found that it is very much in need of a dry dock. I knew that when I booked, but I am fine with worn carpet, a little rust on my balcony railing, etc. However, the carpet and the sofa in our cabins smelled terrible. I didn't use the sofa all week.

 

Also, my kids and I missed the FlowRider. Even if you are not going to use it, it was tons of fun to watch and the sports deck was more exciting. We also missed Sorrentos on the Navigator.

[Georgiagolfer]

I would choose the Freedom over the Navigator. We were on the Navigator this past February and found that it is very much in need of a dry dock. I knew that when I booked, but I am fine with worn carpet, a little rust on my balcony railing, etc. However, the carpet and the sofa in our cabins smelled terrible. I didn't use the sofa all week.

 

Also, my kids and I missed the FlowRider. Even if you are not going to use it, it was tons of fun to watch and the sports deck was more exciting. We also missed Sorrentos on the Navigator.

 

Thanks, as watching could be as much fun as participating, especially "newbies.":cool:

[Georgiagolfer]

Well, I'm back. As you can see in my signature, we did not book either ship I asked about, we booked Jewel of the Seas.

 

While at our TA's today, the RCI representative walked in and we talked with her about 20 minutes. Very pleasant and sweet woman. She said this is her favorite class of ship for rest and relaxation. We decided to just do 5 nights now, and 7 in May and September, 2013.

 

Again, thanks to all for comments and assistance.

[sailingawaysoon]

I've been on the Navigator and Mariner awhile back. I can't remember, did they have pizza at the promenade? I guess my mind is a total blank. We are thinking of booking this ship in November. Not a deal breaker if it isn't there, just curious. Thanks.

[Ocean Boy]

I've been on the Navigator and Mariner awhile back. I can't remember, did they have pizza at the promenade? I guess my mind is a total blank. We are thinking of booking this ship in November. Not a deal breaker if it isn't there, just curious. Thanks.

 

Both Navigator and Mariner have pizza in the Café Promenade on the Royal Promenade. They, however, do not have a dedicated Sorrento's Pizza like the Freedom class ships do.