Never cruised RCI

[ajdude]

We are thinking about a Royal Caribbean cruise with lots of family. Couple of questions:

 

1) For non-smokers, how are the Voyager and Freedom class ships? We did a cruise on the Carnival Imagination a few years back and the smell of smoke was everywhere. We did the Disney Wonder recently and that was much better.

 

2) Any ship recommendations for an eastern carib cruise, for extended family and kids?

 

Thanks,

[Aquahound]

First, I suggest the Freedom out of Port Canaveral based on what you said.

 

As for smoke....I too am a non-smoker. The only place it bothers me is in the English pub on the Promenade. Otherwise, no problems (at least, not in my experience).

[Cruising89143]

I suggest any of the Freedom class ships. Nothing like them in the industry today. I have not had any issues with smoke on any RCI ships.

 

I am taking the Freedom this year to the eastern Caribbean. I like the itinerary best over the Liberty but she is moving to Pt. Canaveral next May so her itinerary will change slightly.

[firefly333]

We are thinking about a Royal Caribbean cruise with lots of family. Couple of questions:

 

1) For non-smokers, how are the Voyager and Freedom class ships? We did a cruise on the Carnival Imagination a few years back and the smell of smoke was everywhere. We did the Disney Wonder recently and that was much better.

 

2) Any ship recommendations for an eastern carib cruise, for extended family and kids?

 

Thanks,

 

I did Voyager and it had very few smokers now that you cant smoke in your cabins. I used to go up topside early in the morning and sit with the smokers, but very few of them on my cruise.

 

Of course Voyager out of Galveston wouldnt work, since it only does alternating Western. I got to do Roatan again, :)

[honeywell]

My KIDS chose a Freedom class ship (even over Disney) , the Independence of the Seas, for our cruise next Spring Break. It is a large, very brand new ship, with more onboard activities for THEM than any other cruise ship on any other line. (and if the kids are happy, then mom is happy, right?!)

 

I'm a nonsmoker and aside from a couple of designated smoking bars and the casino, I have never found smoking a big issue - and I can just avoid those places if I choose. (I do manage to visit the casino even with the smoke, though :cool: )

[cruiser2101]

Just off the Mariner in May. The only place where smoke really bothered me was in the casino. I do think it's unfair to non smokers to have to breathe smoke in the casino for an entire 7 day cruise. At the very least they could have a couple of days of smoke free gaming.

[mamacat3]

Not sure when you are wanting to take this cruise. That said - the Radiance class ships are georgeous. Almost all glass - a very pleasant experience. The Voyager class ships have the Royal Promenade which gives you a feeling of being at a mall. There is shopping and eateries and places to drink. There are also parades 2 nights. If you are a people watcher it is a good place to do so. The Freedom class has everything that Voyager has plus the flowrider and a bit more on the Promenade.

 

No knowing the ages is a bit of a struggle also . Hope the info will help you make a decision. No matter which RCCL ship you sail on I don't think you will have smoke issues - we never have except maybe in the casino and not all the time. Also you will be happy you have sailed RCCL and probably will not want to sail the others again!!!!!

 

Good luck and happy cruising!

[temple1]

On the 5 nighter Enchantment has a smoke free night. Of course from what I read, that didn't stop the serious smokers.

[DonnaK]

With kids, any Voyager or Freedom class ship would be great. Smoke is a strong migraine trigger for me, and I've never had a problem with smoke on an RCI ship (except the casino, where smoking is allowed). These ships are very well-ventilated.

[ScottC4746]

We are thinking about a Royal Caribbean cruise with lots of family. Couple of questions:

 

1) For non-smokers, how are the Voyager and Freedom class ships? We did a cruise on the Carnival Imagination a few years back and the smell of smoke was everywhere. We did the Disney Wonder recently and that was much better.

 

2) Any ship recommendations for an eastern carib cruise, for extended family and kids?

 

Thanks,

While there is no such thing as a non smoking cabin. We are extreamly sensitive to smoke and could not tell if anyone had smoked before. The lounges are smoking areas but they do have some non smoking tables in the lounges. What I can tell you is you will LOVE RCL. The ships I have been on were great and the public areas such as the Centrium were full of windows. The newer the ship the more glass.

[madforcruising]

While there is no such thing as a non smoking cabin. We are extreamly sensitive to smoke and could not tell if anyone had smoked before. The lounges are smoking areas but they do have some non smoking tables in the lounges. What I can tell you is you will LOVE RCL. The ships I have been on were great and the public areas such as the Centrium were full of windows. The newer the ship the more glass.

 

 

All cabins are non-smoking !!!

 

Sorry but the ships with the great amount of glass are the Vision & Radiance class. Actually the lack of the huge glass centrums is something that I dislike about the newer Voyager & Freedom class.

[ScottC4746]

All cabins are non-smoking !!!

 

Sorry but the ships with the great amount of glass are the Vision & Radiance class. Actually the lack of the huge glass centrums is something that I dislike about the newer Voyager & Freedom class.

AH, They have changed to all non smoking cabins now. Great!

[Cindy]

We've done two cruises on a Voyager-class ship with family ranging in age from 6 to 70+. The big ships are a great choice for large groups with a variety of ages. There are plenty of activities to appeal to every age group, and we were able to have a good balance of "together" and "alone" time.

The Mariner Eastern out of Port Canaveral was a fantastic cruise. You might want to consider that itinerary when the Freedom moves to PC.