Voyager Class vs. Radiance Class

[ABcruisers]

I've only had the opportunity to sail on the Navigator and will soon be on the Voyager, but I've read in many threads that a lot people prefer Radiance Class ships. Is the preference related to ammenities, itineraries, pricing, size, or some other reason? Thanks.

[pmshirl]

I will probably get flamed for this,:) but i have sailed both and prefer Voyager Class ships. I like the bigger ships, younger crowd, and the Radiance was not very clean when I was on it.

[guineapiggirl]

;) I guess it is personal preference, and I cannot say that one is better than the other. The Radiance was spotless in 2005, and I was disappointed to read the last post that is was not clean not too long ago. Keep in mind that I have only been on one of each, so I will not judge all Voyager class ships by this one trip. On the Explorer I found that we were waiting on line a lot and the service was not as good when compared to the Radiance. It felt crowded, especially in the Promenade. I have to deal with crowds and traffic all year, so I don't want to deal with that on vacation. It also seemed like the crew was overworked. We did not figure out who our room steward/attendant was until the 5th day.

 

I preferred the Seaview Cafe (Radiance class) to Johnny Rockets because 1) it was free, 2) more variety and 3) they have the best banana cream pie!!

Another plus for the Radiance is that the Windjammer cafe has outdoor tables and the roof of the solarium closes.

 

I live only about 30 minutes from Cape Liberty, but I will probably try the Grandeur out of Baltimore before going back on the Explorer.

 

kim

[cb at sea]

Having been on both classes, I, too, prefer Voyager class! Can't really say why Radiance class didn't do it for me--it's a beautiful ship.... Just a feeling, I guess! Aside from the ice rink show, and the promenade, there's really not that much difference!

[estreetbandfan523]

i have been on both classes and i pick Voyager Class hands down, way more to do, two things i like about the radiance class: the glass elevators looking to the water, and the pool tables, they should put the pool tables fleet wide, but other than that Voyager Class takes it

[lv2bcruzin]

It really comes down to what you want in a cruise, which can vary cruise to cruise. If you want tons of activities and have kids then the Voyager class is the way to go. If you want a little more slow pace and little more class then the Radiance class is the way to go. They both have a lot in common so it's not to say that the things I mentioned for reasons to do one or the other class can't be found on both. It's just that in general these are the things that will be different enought to make a decision on.

[Ocean Boy]

The Voyager class is definitely my favorite. I have been on Explorer and Mariner as well as Serenade for the Radiance class. Here is a bit of a comparison of the two classes.

 

Either class of ship is great but the Voyager class is just incredible. It is my favorite class of ship though I do like the Radiance class and there are plenty of folks here that prefer the Radiance class.

 

Both ships have rock climbing, miniture golf, and a basketball court. The Voyager class has a Royal Promenade which runs down the center of the ship and has shops and pubs. They also have "street performers" here. It is hard to describe how it feels the first time you step onto the Royal Promenade. I think it is amazing. They also have roller blading and an ice rink. You will never see anything like the ice show on any other class of ship except for Freedom. The adult solarium does not have a retractible glass roof over it. They have a beautiful three level dining room. They have Johnny Rocket's which is an extra charge hamburger food venue. They carry somewhere around 3200 passengers but are designed to do so very well.

 

Radiance class has much more glass which allows you to see the ocean from just about any public area of the ship including the elevators. The Radiance class ships tend to have a very elegant look and feel. They have a very beautiful centrum but, in my opinion, it is no match for the Promenade of the Voyager class. Their windjammers are beautiful and have outdoor seating which Voyager class does not have. However, it is pretty hot in the caribbean so you might want to eat inside in the air conditioning anyway. They also have self leveling pool tables. The adult solarium has a retractible glass roof. Mostly it is kept closed and the air conditioned interior is a welcome relief from the heat. They have a very nice two level dining room but it doesn't measure up to the look of a Voyager class dining room. They have the Seaview cafe which is a cruise fare included food venue that is great for late night snacks and has nice inside and outside seating. They carry around 2500 passengers. And just a note. The main pool is way too small for the number of passengers that the ships carry. And the shopping area really turns into a bottleneck of people when the shows are getting out.

 

I have to say that I suspected we would miss the Royal Promenade when we decided to book Serenade and I was right about that. I could write about the Promenade and the Voyager class ships all night but you just have to experience it yourself to understand.

[GMoney]

My favorite things about Radiance class: 1) Thermal Suite, 2) Solarium, 3) Champagne Bar, 4) Colony Club area.

 

My favorite things about Voyager class: 1) Pool area size (Decks 11 - 12), Promenade.

 

I love them both, but if I had to pick, Voyager class wins every time.

[ABcruisers]

Thanks for your replies everyone!! Never having cruised on any Radiance class ship I was curious, but I fell in love with the Promenade as well so I'm glad we booked on the Voyager!! However any cruise is a good cruise so one day I may find myself on a Radiance:)

[Pitbull1130]

Although Radiance is smaller I thought the personal space felt larger. Below are some other things I liked about The Radiance class.

 

Lines felt shorter

Seaview Cafe

Stadium Movie Seating

Best Schooner Bar afloat right beside the pool tables

[LAKaye]

I am sad that there seems to be zero plans to build any more of the Radiance class sort of ship. They are far more elegant than the Voyager or Freedom class, which for me are too big and overcrowded. I feel there is less space per passenger on the Voyager class ships.

 

I will never understand the appeal of the Royal Promenade---it is a shopping mall at sea. I guess people need their shopping malls with them on vacation. It boggles my mind that people would do something as exciting as get on a ship and sail the seas---which indeed is very grand---and then sit inside this ship in artificial light and no exposure to the sea or the outdoors.

 

Leslie

[ABcruisers]

I think the appeal of the Promenade is that it's comforting to have something familiar like a little pub or shopping centre travelling with you. It's also the novelty of feeling like you're walking down a street in the middle of the ocean. Finally when in an interior cabin it'n nice to have a view that doesn't cost the price of a balcony suite! I could rave about the Promenade all night but I won't bore everyone!

[Ocean Boy]

I will never understand the appeal of the Royal Promenade---it is a shopping mall at sea. I guess people need their shopping malls with them on vacation. It boggles my mind that people would do something as exciting as get on a ship and sail the seas---which indeed is very grand---and then sit inside this ship in artificial light and no exposure to the sea or the outdoors.

 

Leslie

You make it sound like people that enjoy the Promenade never leave it for the week. :eek: Sorry you see it as a shopping mall. Others of us see it quite differently.

[CaptData]

I for one wish to thank the OP. I will be on Radiance at end Sept. I have been on Navigator and will go on Voyager after Radiance. this has helped with my questions.

[Ocean Boy]

I for one wish to thank the OP. I will be on Radiance at end Sept. I have been on Navigator and will go on Voyager after Radiance. this has helped with my questions.

I'm sure that you will have a great time on Radiance. I booked Serenade after Explorer and Mariner because I didn't want it to seem like I was basically doing the same ship three times in a row. It is always exciting exploring a new type of ship. I have absolutely no regrets about booking Serenade. She was a great cruise as I wrote in a review that I did. That being said, I'm headed to Adventure in March for my next cruise.

[shoreless]

To the OP -- thanks for starting this thread. It's been useful to read about the differences between the ships. I haven't had a chance to try either class yet, and won't for a while because my first RCCL cruise will be on the Empress. In the future I think I'd like to try one of the ships with the Royal Promenade, not because I want to spend all my time indoors or in a shopping mall, but because I think I'd enjoy the contrast of the inside and outside areas of the ship. I think it would be nice to be able to come in from my balcony or outside deck and take a walk to browse through a shop or choose from several places to stop for a snack. :)