Need help deciding

[Jmeyers]

Hello! We are currently booked on liberty of the seas, and just read a review that independence of the seas has gone through a recent refurbishment, where liberty of the seas has not. Deciding if we should switch to liberty of the seas, or even voyager of the seas. Traveling with two teenagers ages 19 and 20. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much. 

[smokeybandit]

Odds are changing the cruise would be just an added expense with no real benefit to your cruise experience.

[cruiseguy1016]

Don't make the switch based solely on when a refurbishment happens. RCI does a very good job of maintaining their ships. We sailed Liberty last year and had no issues with her condition.

[PhillyFan33579]

I sailed on both ships last month. To me, the big difference is Independence has Playmaker’s, which Liberty does not have. However, the water slides are much better on Liberty (I love water slides even as I close in on turning 60). I also like the casino better on Liberty, if that is important to you. I think you will enjoy a cruise on either ship. I wouldn’t consider Voyager over either ship. 

[Jmeyers]

We only gave a deposit, so I could probably transfer it.

[OCSC Mike]

28 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

To me, the big difference is Independence has Playmaker’s, which Liberty does not have.

 

This is the reason I'd prefer Indy (and Fish N Ships although I've never tried it) but I'm all about food. Otherwise, I wouldn't care much.

[Jmeyers]

Thank you all for your help. Are the staterooms on Liberty dated compared to Independence?

[Scoobydobe7]

1 hour ago, Jmeyers said:

We only gave a deposit, so I could probably transfer it.

Even if you transfer you will still lose 100. Per person

[Another_Critic]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

However, the water slides are much better on Liberty (I love water slides even as I close in on turning 60). [snip] I wouldn’t consider Voyager over either ship. 

 

IMO, the waterslides (Perfect Storm) were slow on Liberty.  Much faster on Voyager (when docked in Akureyri, Iceland 🙂 ).

[neverbeenhere]

I don’t know them, but 20 doesn’t seem like a teenager and 19 still qualifies as an adult. Our one b2b on the Liberty was nice. Independence is good. Haven’t been on the Voyager. 

[PhillyFan33579]

3 hours ago, Jmeyers said:

Thank you all for your help. Are the staterooms on Liberty dated compared to Independence?

In general the cabins are similar on both ships. It will cost you $100 per person to change your cruise. 

[allie3490]

If you’re gonna go through the trouble of switching might as well move to an Oasis class ship. They’re the top of the line 

[taglovestocruise]

1 hour ago, allie3490 said:

If you’re gonna go through the trouble of switching might as well move to an Oasis class ship. They’re the top of the line 

+1..

[Another_Critic]

2 hours ago, allie3490 said:

If you’re gonna go through the trouble of switching might as well move to an Oasis class ship. They’re the top of the line 

 

Icon begs to differ.  

[Tree_skier]

I don't know you will notice substantial differences between the two.  Someone mentioned that they thought the slides were slower on Liberty.  I'm not sure if that is so but I liked the Tidal Wave slide vastly more then the regular slides.

 

It's a two person slide that do in a tube. It's the best slide in the fleet.

[time4u2go]

What's the itinerary for each of the ships?

[PhillyFan33579]

5 hours ago, allie3490 said:

If you’re gonna go through the trouble of switching might as well move to an Oasis class ship. They’re the top of the line 

Unless they are cruising in the next 13 days, Icon will be the top of the line. 😎

[allie3490]

16 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Unless they are cruising in the next 13 days, Icon will be the top of the line. 😎

 

Can't recommend a ship I haven't been on.

[PhillyFan33579]

2 minutes ago, allie3490 said:

 

Can't recommend a ship I haven't been on.

I understand your point. I have cruised with RCI long enough that I feel very confident that Icon class ships will top Oasis class ships. 

[LobsterStalker]

36 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I understand your point. I have cruised with RCI long enough that I feel very confident that Icon class ships will top Oasis class ships. 

That's pretty subjective . In 'Wow Factor' , for sure ! But for personal preference , there are many, many variables that determine every cruisers 'Top' Class

 

Cheers

[taglovestocruise]

Worst bang for your buck.....ICON.....

[Biker19]

10 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Worst bang for your buck.....ICON.....

Probably Star for now.

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Probably Star for now.

I was looking at Star prices the other day for next year. Prices are high, but not as bad Icon…yet. It really is crazy what people are paying to cruise on Icon. I booked two cruises on Icon when bookings opened, but I don’t forsee cruising on Icon again for the next several years. I can literally go on 3-4 seven day cruises on RCI and/or Celebrity for the price of 1 seven day cruise on Icon.