Independence or Navigator?

[Gabrielle R.]

OK... I need some advice... I have NOT sailed on either of these ships... Haven't been on the big ships... Radiance class is the largest we have been on. DH and I are looking at a Christmas cruise... It is when we can go.

 

We are now Platinum for Royal :) Anything that would make our experience more outstanding?

 

I looked very closely at Navigator - an 8 day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale I like the ports well enough- haven't been to Labadee.

 

Indy is an back to back. Leaving Dec 24-Jan. 2. Ports are ok. Not a fan of Jamaica- BUT we would probably get to enjoy the ship more. We would also get to see Labadee with Indy too.

 

The big difference is where and days. Navigator Eastern Caribbean, Indy Western. Been to all the ports, pretty much at a tie with all of them.

 

Navigator plus- not a back to back- so no repeats, a little cheaper.

 

Indy- Longer- Back to back. Ft Lauderdale on turn around day.- (BUT we do enjoy Ft Lauderdale- no hardship ;) )

 

So... What are some pluses for either ship?

Advantage of a back to back vs. an 8 day cruise?

 

I think that is where I'm at. I sure would appreciate any ideas/advice about either (or both) ships!

Gabrielle

[MichaelCMTX]

We've just been on Indy and are looking at Navigator before it departs Galveston.

 

Radiance class to Freedom class is a tough yardstick for comparison. It was a lot easier when on Indy to think something "is pretty much the same general area as when we were on Voyager/Mariner, just maybe 25% further away." Those front elevators were pretty freakin' far!

 

One thing I can bring up is with Indy only having Chops and Giovanni's, we missed having Izumi, plus Navigator has Sabor which the buzz seems pretty good on. It just seemed to me that if Serenade could fit an Izumi, and Indy is that much bigger... ?

 

Hope this helps you make your decision.

[Gabrielle R.]

Thank you!

It helped....

I would LOVE to hear what people liked best about either of the ships. As Michael pointed out there is a HUGE jump for me and my DH... So I'm really interested in hearing about features.

 

I wouldn't mind Izumi, but DH might not want to try it.... How much does it cost to eat in Izumi?

 

THANK YOU for any information on either ship!

[MichaelCMTX]

Thank you!

It helped....

I would LOVE to hear what people liked best about either of the ships. As Michael pointed out there is a HUGE jump for me and my DH... So I'm really interested in hearing about features.

 

I wouldn't mind Izumi, but DH might not want to try it.... How much does it cost to eat in Izumi?

 

THANK YOU for any information on either ship!

 

On Serenade Izumi was a small cover charge and a la carte for your entrees, that may have since changed. Truthfully, we'd never EVER done sushi before and this was basically a booze-fueled CL invite/dare. I thought the hot rocks were a little overrated though the our skills (or blood alcohol level) might have hurt our cooking ability. Izumi staff were very accommodating of sushi rookies. The Champagne Lobster Roll was very good. The online menus are your friend.

[Bert64]

Is there anyone else that can add insight as to what the differences are between the ships? I know Independence is newer and larger. But after the refurb, is Navigator that far behind it with things that have been added/upgraded?

 

Trying to decide between a 5 night on the Independence (going to Labadee and Falmouth) or a 6 night on the Navigator (going to George Town, Falmouth and Labadee). Independence would be a balcony. Navigator would be an oceanview. Same price. Both January 2016.

 

Is there a comedian or comedy club on each ship? It might have to come down to activities/entertainment.

[Clarea]

Is there anyone else that can add insight as to what the differences are between the ships? I know Independence is newer and larger. But after the refurb, is Navigator that far behind it with things that have been added/upgraded?

 

Trying to decide between a 5 night on the Independence (going to Labadee and Falmouth) or a 6 night on the Navigator (going to George Town, Falmouth and Labadee). Independence would be a balcony. Navigator would be an oceanview. Same price. Both January 2016.

 

Is there a comedian or comedy club on each ship? It might have to come down to activities/entertainment.

There is no comedy club on either ship.

 

There will be at least one comedian show in the main theater, likely more than one.

 

Both ships are very similar now. Navigator has more specialty restaurants.

[nelly55]

Indy has the cantilever hot tubs, one of our favourite places especially on a sea day. Will miss that on Explorer this year.

[George C]

My only complaint on Navigator was when they added all these restaurants ( which we loved ) they also added cabins and took away some of the common space, found ship a little crowded. not terribly but crowded. ( we did rebook and will sail on Navigator next month)

[Bert64]

There is no comedy club on either ship.

 

There will be at least one comedian show in the main theater, likely more than one.

 

Both ships are very similar now. Navigator has more specialty restaurants.

 

Thank you! I actually just went deck by deck to compare, and it really seems like they're incredibly similar. So, I gotta decide 5 nights in a balcony, or 6 nights in an oceanview (but with George Town) :confused:

 

The person I'm going with, this is his first cruise, of what will hopefully be many. I don't know whether letting him think a balcony is the norm is a good thing. ;) Don't want him disappointed if the next time we're downgraded!

[Bert64]

My only complaint on Navigator was when they added all these restaurants ( which we loved ) they also added cabins and took away some of the common space, found ship a little crowded. not terribly but crowded. ( we did rebook and will sail on Navigator next month)

 

I unfortunately took a break from cruising and haven't been on one in 4-5 years! We're going in January, so, I'm hoping that will help with the crowds/kids and that we'll have nice weather, but I can't remember. All the cruises kind of blur together at this point, as far as the when on which ship and where it went to!

[Clarea]

Thank you! I actually just went deck by deck to compare, and it really seems like they're incredibly similar. So, I gotta decide 5 nights in a balcony, or 6 nights in an oceanview (but with George Town) :confused:

 

The person I'm going with, this is his first cruise, of what will hopefully be many. I don't know whether letting him think a balcony is the norm is a good thing. ;) Don't want him disappointed if the next time we're downgraded!

Personally, if I wanted someone to really get hooked on their first cruise, I'd go with the balcony.

[paulh84]

I was contemplating the same cruises and did the same things you did. Mulled over deck plans, pictures, reviews, etc. etc. etc. We haven't been on Indy, rather Liberty instead, but those two are nearly identical. NOS has more specialty dining and I did get one of the panoramic ocean view rooms up on deck 12. Other than being a slightly condensed version (~100ft shorter I believe) and the dining, they're basically identical ships.

 

We chose to go the extra night. 5 nights wasn't quite long enough, but a B2B wasn't an option for us.

[Paulette3028]

OK... I need some advice... I have NOT sailed on either of these ships... Haven't been on the big ships... Radiance class is the largest we have been on. DH and I are looking at a Christmas cruise... It is when we can go.

 

We are now Platinum for Royal :) Anything that would make our experience more outstanding?

 

I looked very closely at Navigator - an 8 day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale I like the ports well enough- haven't been to Labadee.

 

Indy is an back to back. Leaving Dec 24-Jan. 2. Ports are ok. Not a fan of Jamaica- BUT we would probably get to enjoy the ship more. We would also get to see Labadee with Indy too.

 

The big difference is where and days. Navigator Eastern Caribbean, Indy Western. Been to all the ports, pretty much at a tie with all of them.

 

Navigator plus- not a back to back- so no repeats, a little cheaper.

 

Indy- Longer- Back to back. Ft Lauderdale on turn around day.- (BUT we do enjoy Ft Lauderdale- no hardship ;) )

 

So... What are some pluses for either ship?

Advantage of a back to back vs. an 8 day cruise?

 

I think that is where I'm at. I sure would appreciate any ideas/advice about either (or both) ships!

Gabrielle

 

We loved Indy, when we just sailed on her....plenty to do, and enough places to eat -- we did not do specialty restaurants; we only do Izumi, when it is on a ship, usually. We loved Indy, even though she doesn't have Izumi. We cruised on Navigator, 11 years ago, before her refurb and are going on her in November...She fostered our love of cruising.

 

When I look at your question, I look at it differently. Both will be terrific...but do you want the extra day.....even though it is on a short B2B on Indy. You seem to be traveling quite a distance and is it possible to do a land excursion while in Fort Lauderdale on turnaround day? I don't know if it is possible to do an excursion on turnaround day......and some people would say that the 'headache' of a turnaround day (with two short cruises back to back) isn't worth it, and would just choose the 8 day Navigator.

 

Personally, I have never been on a B2B, and I am passing along comments made to me, when we have mentioned discussing doing a 4/5 night set of cruises for a B2B.

 

Just things to think about.

[Summerknight]

We have done two b2b that were easy peasy. I am torn between the same two ships for next winter. Leaning toward the navigator.

[39august]

We have sailed both ships recently. I definitely would choose NOS. In my opinion she is much more attractive visually than Indy. Service was fine on both ships.

[wolfganghowell]

We have sailed both ships.

 

Indy - Basically Indy is just a Voyager class ship on steroids. Little bit bigger - the differences are really the cantilevered hot tubs and a much larger and more secluded kids zone. Promenade is similar with Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's separate places instead of combined as on Navigator. The pool decks are different. Casino a little larger.

 

Navigator - We like the pool deck set up a little better on Voyager class. The band and dance area is close to the Pool Bar and we enjoy it there instead of in the center like on Freedom class. Navi is gorgeous now with the new color scheme and soft furnishings. We loved Sabor - best meal on a cruise and completely unexpected since we are Texan and have lots of great Mex choices.

 

They are more similar than not so I would choose based on price and itinerary. We enjoyed both. I would definitely have picked Indy before Navigator got its upgrade but now it would definitely be a toss up. And for us, all things being equal on price/itinerary, I think we would go with Navigator. But it would be very close!

[Gabrielle R.]

We loved Indy, when we just sailed on her....plenty to do, and enough places to eat -- we did not do specialty restaurants; we only do Izumi, when it is on a ship, usually. We loved Indy, even though she doesn't have Izumi. We cruised on Navigator, 11 years ago, before her refurb and are going on her in November...She fostered our love of cruising.

 

When I look at your question, I look at it differently. Both will be terrific...but do you want the extra day.....even though it is on a short B2B on Indy. You seem to be traveling quite a distance and is it possible to do a land excursion while in Fort Lauderdale on turnaround day? I don't know if it is possible to do an excursion on turnaround day......and some people would say that the 'headache' of a turnaround day (with two short cruises back to back) isn't worth it, and would just choose the 8 day Navigator.

 

Personally, I have never been on a B2B, and I am passing along comments made to me, when we have mentioned discussing doing a 4/5 night set of cruises for a B2B.

 

Just things to think about.

THANK YOU!

DH and I enjoy Fort Lauderdale. We are pretty comfortable if we decide to go out and explore.

Thanks for the input!

[Gabrielle R.]

We have sailed both ships.

 

Indy - Basically Indy is just a Voyager class ship on steroids. Little bit bigger - the differences are really the cantilevered hot tubs and a much larger and more secluded kids zone. Promenade is similar with Cafe Promenade and Sorrento's separate places instead of combined as on Navigator. The pool decks are different. Casino a little larger.

 

Navigator - We like the pool deck set up a little better on Voyager class. The band and dance area is close to the Pool Bar and we enjoy it there instead of in the center like on Freedom class. Navi is gorgeous now with the new color scheme and soft furnishings. We loved Sabor - best meal on a cruise and completely unexpected since we are Texan and have lots of great Mex choices.

 

They are more similar than not so I would choose based on price and itinerary. We enjoyed both. I would definitely have picked Indy before Navigator got its upgrade but now it would definitely be a toss up. And for us, all things being equal on price/itinerary, I think we would go with Navigator. But it would be very close!

THANK YOU!!!!

I am leaning towards Navigator. I really appreciate the input!

[mwne2nks]

We have been on both and keep coming back to Navigator. I think Indy is a hair bigger but they are both nice.