Best RCCL ship for Western Caribbean?
 

My wife and I just turned 30 and we are going on our 14th cruise in June 2003. We have never sailed Royal Caribbean, so we really want to give it a try (We enjoyed the Fun ships of Carnival and thought that some of the other cruise lines such as Celebrity were too slow for our tatses.<BR><BR>We are interested in a 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary departing from some port in Florida (because we live in South Florida), preferably a Saturday sailing.<BR><BR>I quickly looked and I think that the Navigator of the Seas departs from Miami on Saturdays and calls at the ports in Labadee, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. That seems like a lot of ports for a 7-day cruise, and that is just what we like. This ship seems to be only 1 month old.<BR><BR>I also think that the Explorer of the Seas departs from Miami on Saturdays to Labadee, Hispaniola, Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Georgetown (Grand Cayman), and Cozumel. That seems like 5 ports in 7 days. Is that right? I see that this is only a 2 ½ year old ship.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Which of these ships is better, and why? <BR><BR>The last ship on which we sailed was the Carnival Pride (we sailed on it 6 months after she was built), and we liked the ship.<BR><BR>Any tips?<BR><BR>When is the best time to buy tickets?<BR><BR>

Hi Snorkelman,<BR><BR>The Navigator is the sister ship to the Adventure, Explorer and Voyager.<BR>I sailed the Voyager and Explorer and they are really destination ships. The ports are really secondary. RCCL spent the most money on the decor of the Voyager. The cruise experience and the entertainment were the same.<BR><BR>The Explorer has 4 ports the same as the Navigator. Labadee is in Hispaniola.<BR><BR>I would book now with the Early Booking Prices. Plus you would get your choice of stateroom. The price will go up as the sailing draws near and then reduce right before sailing if the ship is not selling. I doubt if the price will go below the Early Booking Price. <BR><BR>Since the ships are the same, just choose the least expensive. Place your deposit and check prices every couple of weeks to see if either ship's prices go down. Then simply cancel one and book the other. If you have a travel agent have him/her do this for you.<BR><BR>The ice shows are spectacular. The productions shows are not as professional as say the second show on the Pride. The food, especially the buffet, is not up to Pride's standards but you will not go hungry. The service is average, same as on Carnival. <BR><BR>Either RCCL ships have great detail and are hands above the Pride. You will enjoy the experience and may not want to leave the ship on the islands.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Is the RCCL adventure, a lot bigger then the carnival victory??

Yes, these ships (Adventure, Navigator, Explorer, Voyager) are larger then Victory.

how big of a difference?<BR>After the Adventure, Explorer..... class, which is the second largest class of ship.<BR><BR>Is the voyager worth paying 200 $ us more per person then the victory??

Yes.

The Carnival Victory is 101,000 tons and carries 2,680 pass.<BR><BR>Princess Grand Class ships are 105,000 tons and carry approx 2,600 pass.<BR><BR>Carnival Conquest Class ships are 110,000 tons and carry 2,974 pass.<BR><BR>RCCL Voyager Class ships are 138,000 tons and carry 3,114 pass.<BR><BR>In 2004 the new Cunard Queen Mary 2 will be 150,000 tons and will carry only 2,620 pass. When Carnival Corp. builds this one it will be one heck of a ship.<BR><BR>Paul

thanks paul, great reply!!