Radiance of the Seas vs. Explorer of the Seas

[CoBob]

Hey Everyone

We just got off our best cruise ever on the Navigator of the Seas. But now we have to quickly decide which ship to take next year for our annual Thanksgiving cruise.

Due to the fact that most group space is already sold out on most of the larger RCI ships we have narrowed it down to 2. The Radiance of the Seas and the Explorer of the Seas.

I need to know which you prefer and why. Hopefully some of you have sailed both and can compare them. We really liket the set up of the Navigator (it was our first Voyager class cruise). We had an absolutle blast in the 2 Poets Pub and liked the location of the Cafe Promenade where we could just sit and watch.

How does the Explorer compare to the Radiance. I have never been on a Radiance class vessel and although it is $100 cheaper per person I am still hesitant to book it since the Navigator was so much fun.

Please let me know what you think. I need to make this decision rather quickly. As alway your great advice is appreciated.

 

Bob

[Ocean Boy]

I can't compare the two for you. I have done both the Explorer and Mariner. I love the Voyager ships with Explorer being my favorite. However, I have booked Serenade, which is a Radiance class vessel, for next year just to try something a bit different and I have some of the very same anxieties as you about the decision. When you find something that you really like you hate to risk changing for something that might be as good.

 

However, I had the very same reservations about trying RCI after sailing Celebrity. We really liked Celebrity and I was nervous about changing to something that I might not like as much. It turned out that I am now hooked on RCI. My point is that if you become comfortable with something too soon and let it keep you from trying different things you will never know what you are missing. If it turns out that Serenade doesn't measure up I know where I'll be the year after next! Either way, I doubt that Serenade could possibly be a disappointment even if she doesn't measure up to Explorer.

[debandbill]

Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges...both are very good-- just different. I don't think you will be disappointed with the Radiance but its a different experience...give it a go just for the change...you won't have a bad cruise and if you find you prefer the larger ship...you can always go back.

[nascarfans_wny]

OceanBoy:

 

 

We'd love to hear what you like about Explorer, since we're booked on her next fall. We're eager to learn everything we can about her long before we board :)

[Ocean Boy]

nascarfans...

 

The review I did about Explorer disappeared when they switched from the old message boards to the new ones. I still have it on disc and when I find it I'll post it for you. For right now I'll say this... Enjoy the anticipation as you are in for the week of your life.

 

Are you doing the Eastern or Western route? We sailed on the western route. But at the time it was the route that Navigator is now doing. It wasn't the new western route that Explorer is presently doing.

 

BTW, I see from your tag line that a member of your family sailed the Rafaelo. When I was a kid I had a huge infatuation with the old Italian line. I still try to read everything I can about it. I'd love to hear about any memories of the ship that he has.

[Blizzard54]

I sailed on the Radiance 5 times before sailing on the Explorer. I enjoyed the Explorer but are going back to the Radiance next year.

 

In all we have sailed on 29 different ships form 16,000 to 138,000.

We have also toured about 6 others.

 

The Radiance is our favorite.

[carbon]

We sailed on the Voyager, Brilliance and Serenade. When we first boarded the Brilliane and saw the center of the ship I thought is that it? Nothing like the Prominade on the Voyager. But we loved the Brilliance and then booked the Serenade the following year. We will be on the Explorer next March due to the itinerary. We have an 8th deck room overlooking the prominade. I am sure you will enjoy which ever you choose. Just remember to be in the moment and enjoy!

[Ocean Boy]

Well, what is it about the Brilliance that you loved? Your remark about the Centrum just got me nervous again!

[cruiseman_tx]

I've cruised on both classes, and, for what it's worth, my personal preference leans toward the Voyager Class ships. I like the additional pool and pool-deck space and more hot tubs. Also a larger solarium with two hot tubs instead of one. The promanade is great for rainy days, watching the parades or just hanging out at the Promanade Cafe, and it allows for easier access to the shops, casino, bars, theater and dining rooms. I also found that there were many fewer delays and crowds at the elevators on the Voyager class. The first couple nights on the Brilliance it took a good 10 minutes to get to the dining room from deck 10. Using the stairs wasn't an option, as I had a torn knee ligament. Thereafter, we got dressed and went down a little earlier and waited in the Centrum for 10-15 minutes untill the dining room opened.

 

On the Radiance class ships I like the layout of the Schooner Bar, and the Sports bar is much larger than Voyager, with more screens for viewing and adequate non-snoking and smoking areas to please everyone. Traffic to and from the theater has to go through the casino or the centrum shops area, and it can be quite congested, especially after a performance is done. I like the Seawiew Cafe over JR's, and I also like the layout of the Windjammer on Radiance class much better.

 

All that being said, we've had great cruises on both classes of ships, and would not hesitate to book a cruise on either one. You'll have a great time no matter what.

Ron

[Ocean Boy]

I know what you mean about the Royal Prominade. In fact, that is the one thing that has be the most nervous about booking Serenade. I love it on the Promenade. It amazes me how it is always changing and there is something different each time you go there. Whether it be the lighting, decorations, entertainment, activities. Sitting at the Wig and Gavel and walking across to the Cafe to get some pizza. It is just an incredible place. Those folks on these boards that describe it as a shopping mall, in my opinion, are truly missing something.

[hdawson]

When I returned from Navigator, I felt like I had spent the week at the

Mall of America. Don't take that wrong. Yes I did enjoy the cruise. Out of 15 cruises, Brilliance (radiance) is by far the prettiest ship I've seen. With all those walls of glass, you always have a

feeling of being intouch with the sea. To me that's what cruising is about. One other plus for Radiance class is about 1200 to 1500 fewer people on board.

[cruiseman_tx]

hdawson...I believe you got your figures wrong. Passenger capacity (double occupancy) is listed by RCCL as follows for the two ships.

Explorer... 3,114

Radience.. 2,501

Difference.. 613

I know that both ships can carry more when you have familys with 3 or 4 per cabin.

[Blizzard54]

Although the difference may be only about 600 passengers, I always felt less crowded on the Radiance.

 

Both ships a great. It is really a matter of personal taste.

 

Try them both, then you decide!

[dougp26364]

OceanBoy:

 

 

We'd love to hear what you like about Explorer, since we're booked on her next fall. We're eager to learn everything we can about her long before we board :)

 

We just got off Explorer a couple of weeks ago. I have pictures of the ship, not the ports, at http://community.webshots.com/user/dougp26364

[hdawson]

Cruiseman. I stand corrected. You are correct. I was comparing Voyager class, which I suspect has a higher incedence of third and fourth guests to a cabin and Millenium which I believe is the same hull as Radiance class. Of course Radiance even with the same hull has more cabins (and smaller) so occupancy of course is higher than on the Millenium by about 600 guests. Been on both and both Mille and Brilliance are fantastic ships.

[cruiseman_tx]

Thanx for the reply. I've had absolutely great cruises on both Voyager & Radience class ships and will surely sail on both again. But, I'm looking forward to cruising on an M class ship for two weeks next year. Have heard so much about the food & service, so it's time to give X a try.

[hdawson]

Cruiseman. When on Mille don't miss the opportunity to dine in the Olympic.

It's world-class.

[cruiseman_tx]

Thanx for the heads up. I'll be on Infinity, so do you know what is comparable to the Olympic??

[hdawson]

Specialty dining on the Infinity is in the SS Unite States.

[cruiseman_tx]

hdawson...thanx! We'll definitely give it a go.

[CoBob]

Thanks Everyone. Just curious - how was the crowd at the Wig and Gavel?