Rhapsody, Voyager or Radiance of the seas

[aussiechic4444]

Hi all,

 

I am looking into doing a cruise either over the 2014 New Year period or in January 2015 out of Sydney with my boyfriend.

 

I have cruised a few years back on a P&O ship and loved it, however this was with a group of friends.

 

I was wondering which of the above ships would be best for a couple in their mid-late 20s?

 

I am happy reading by the pool, doing activities, meeting people, however my boyfriend is slightly more reserved and he also gets bored a lot quicker than I do.

 

Any ideas and suggestions would be appreciated. We will have been together 4 years and this will be our first vacation together.

 

Steph :)

[Esilef]

Voyager as its really large. Heaps to do (or not to do) plus cross age groups ie heaps of people your age (or twice you age) to meet.

[Clarea]

I'd also go with Voyager. No other cruise line has anything line Royal's Voyager or Freedom class.

[kruzerci]

Voyager for sure. It's the largest, has by far the best pool areas, and the most activities.

[tomatosauce]

Voyager is being refitted in November of 2014 so will have new things like waverider, new restaurants, new carpet, etc. to add to the promenade experience (decorations, parades, etc.) so definitely the Voyager. If you are a little freaked out by the size (which you shouldn't be) then go for the Radiance as it is even newer than the Voyager, has lots and lots of specialty restaurants and bars all over the place.

[The_Big_M]

Voyager's getting waverider? Where's that going to go?

[Clarea]

Voyager's getting waverider? Where's that going to go?

Aft deck 13, same as Navigator.

[tomatosauce]

They are getting rid of the inline skating track next to the golf links and making some changes to adventure ocean to add in some extra support.

[The_Big_M]

Thanks :)

Edited January 13, 2014 by The_Big_M

[Pattis_61]

My husband and I prefer the Radiance class ships. They are beautiful and not too big. We have been on the Voyager but have never been on a Freedom class ship. Radiance class ships seem to be more laid back. So it would all depend on what you like.

[OasisOTS2013]

I'd cross out Radiance and Rhapsody. Rhapsody is old and Radiance is the worst ship class. I don't understand the hype over that ship. It is ugly and the balconies are chopped up and screwy. It offers nothing except outside buffet seats and glass.

 

Voyager is more like Freedom which is more like Oasis (their best ship). Therefore go with Voyager. It is getting old but it is a better ship and more modern than your alternatives.

[TeamH]

I have never cruised before so my upcoming trip on Radiance will be my first, however from the perspective of someone who enjoys the same things as you but has a husband who was reluctant to go because he'd be bored, I chose Radiance because it had more port stops - at least on the itineraries I was looking at. Of the 10 days/11 nights sailing we have 6 days of port stops and he's really happy with that, so I guess you've got to think about more than just what there is to do on the ship.

[BecciBoo]

Vger hands down!

[goodycruising]

I agree to check out the ports on the trip. Also take a printed deck plan, or a program of deck plans (like shipmate) on your tablet, whatever, and explore all areas. On all of the ships there is great shows (the theatre normally has 2 evening sittings for the different dinner times), lots of group things like trivia and game show format quizzes. We like the Casino. We have even enjoyed the disco late into the night! It is what you make it.

 

We think Radiance is beautiful with all the huge glass windows in so many of the public areas. There are some that prefer the central promenade of Voyager, which is like and indoor street with shops, café, pub, sports bar.

 

There is a great cross section of ages, but by a general rule there are generally more older overall on the longer trips. We find we have sat and chatted with all ages, and on one of our longest trips there was a very active late 20's couple from USA that do heaps of cruises.

 

If your boyfriend can't find something to do and is bored I would be very surprised. We always leave a cruise saying we didn't get to do all the things we were planning to!

[molsonschooner]

I'd cross out Radiance and Rhapsody. Rhapsody is old and Radiance is the worst ship class. I don't understand the hype over that ship. It is ugly and the balconies are chopped up and screwy. It offers nothing except outside buffet seats and glass.

 

Voyager is more like Freedom which is more like Oasis (their best ship). Therefore go with Voyager. It is getting old but it is a better ship and more modern than your alternatives.

 

You don't hear someone badmouth the Radiance, or the radiance class very often.

[aussielozzie18]

I loved the Rhapsody and I would recommend it to anyone for a first cruise but having said that I found there wasn't alot to do during the day (which suited me fine because I like to relax and read in the solarium) so I would agree with other posters and suggest you go with one of the bigger boats.

[Esilef]

I read somewhere that voyager was getting some life rafts that would double as tender boats.

 

If this is the case they may do more ports of call & different ports in the South Pacific.

[Midwestgal]

Radiance class is very nice but for me I would pick the freedom or voyager class as there's just so much more going on especially late evening.

[aussiechic4444]

Thanks all so very much for your opinions. I have a lot to deliberate over. The voyager is a 14 night cruise (as was my past cruise on the Pacific Dawn) and only goes to one port I have been to. It is a New Years cruise, which I think will be fun in itself and visits Fiji and New Zealand, which I like the idea of (as I've never been to NZ). I also like to sunbake a little and read somewhere that radiance is under glass.

 

I guess I will consult with the boyfriend and see what happens. I like to think he won't be bored, and hopefully we will meet lots of lovely people at dinner and on the dance floor ;)

[Dizziedi]

Love the Radiance and the Rhapsody but don't like the Voyager at all except for the Promenade Deck and the Ice show (just my opinion) and I have been told that it is the Voyager that is going to stay down here in 2015 (hope that's not the case).

 

Cheers

Di

[Hoopster95]

I have never cruised before so my upcoming trip on Radiance will be my first

 

It wouldn't matter which ship you chose, you're first cruise will be awesome! You won't believe it that first night when you're on board sitting at dinner and watching a show that you're actually on a ship!

 

I've been on Voyager & Rhapsody twice, Radiance once.. in fact did Radiance last year on the 11 day Queensland itinerary, is that what you are doing?

 

As far as boredom goes, Voyager by far and away wins out over the other two ships, so many more venues and things to do by far no comparison. There was a couple of posts ago the opinion that too much fuss goes over Radiance class ships... I have to agree... I acually prefer Rhapsody's deck plans better and the refurbishment is fantastic (again only imo better than Radiance's). However for a young couple with the concerns you had I think you made the best choice.

 

The night club in the Viking Crown with the auto-circling bar is awesome every night and a very busy venue (Viking Crown dance floor much better than VC on Voyager class). The top deck aft open area of the ship is beautiful to hang out every morning for breakfast {hint, hint, hint!!!... grab your Windjammer food and walk all the way back past Rita's Cantina... best views on the entire ship}. Also sailaway's on the Helipad are magical compared to Rhapsody's sailaway. It was a very smart choice that you picked n ship for it's itinerary of more ports just in case you ever feel "trapped" it's good to be on land more often to be sure.

 

Radiance also has a a couple of great bars/lounges to enjoy, and a pool table area... the tables self-level while on the ocean! Be sure to involve yourself in the nightly shows and game-shows as it will make your experience of having a laugh at other people's expense (and your own) well worth it lol!

 

whatever you do...DO NOT miss "The Quest"!!!! :p

 

If you have any questions, let me know. Have an awesome cruise :D

[TeamH]

It wouldn't matter which ship you chose, you're first cruise will be awesome! You won't believe it that first night when you're on board sitting at dinner and watching a show that you're actually on a ship!

 

I've been on Voyager & Rhapsody twice, Radiance once.. in fact did Radiance last year on the 11 day Queensland itinerary, is that what you are doing?

 

Ours is 11 nights to the South Pacific. I'm not the OP but thanks for all the info. Definitely plan to be on the helipad for sailaway and won't miss Quest! :D

[BekkaW]

We were recently on Voyager and loved it. Lots of activities day & night. We also have an upcoming booking on Radiance. I'm sure they will both be even better after their enhancements.

[wildweston]

I much prefer Rhapsody or Radiance over Voyager. Maybe cost or itinerary may make up your mind. :)

[goodycruising]

I also like to sunbake a little and read somewhere that radiance is under glass.

 

No the pools aren't all under glass, just the solarium pool, the lots of glass is in relation to the inside bars and areas. If you Google the ship names and click on images you will see more about the pool areas. The one under a glass roof that can be opened is the solarium, and the one out in the pen is always in the open.