Has anyone cruised either of these ships with RCCL and have any comments?

I was going to ask the same question!!! I can't wait to hear the reply

I'm also thinking of taking a Carnival cruise out of Baltimore Maryland, since I live in Maryland, but I've never cruised Carnival<BR>

We cruised on the Voyager of the Seas in April of 2001. It truly is a beautiful ship. It took my 13 year old son two days just to explore all of the common areas. The food was not as good as the meals on Celebrity's Galaxy but good all the same. The entertainment and activities were more than plentiful. I would sail on any of these ships and would decide which one based on the itinerary. Feel free to post any questions you might have.

Dawn,<BR>Did you find it too crowded? Did you find it hard to meet other people? Was it hard to get on the rock climbing wall? Did you have to pay for that?

I sailed on Explorer.<BR><BR>It is a great ship! It didn't feel too crowded except for at the parade.<BR><BR>They do not charge for rock climbing and if you go during non-busy times, you have no problems getting to do it.<BR><BR>It is a great ship! Easy to navigate around. <BR><BR>I like Princess food better then RCCL but I would sail this ship again in a heart beat.

<BR>Hi India,<BR><BR>I have sailed both the Voyager and Explorer. If you have any specific questions, ask.<BR><BR>You are not fighting crowds except at the two parades, before and after dinner and before and after the shows. Elevators are busy when passengers are coming back from shore tours. This is the norm on all mega-ships except the new Carnival Spirit Class which have new layouts that optimize passenger traffic. Works well. This will pertain to the Legend that you are thinking of taking out of Baltimore.<BR><BR>Do not fear the Carnival ships. They are not like the ships of old. They have great food and are still improving.<BR><BR>Enjoy,<BR><BR>Paul

As stated by others, the only time we felt crowded was during the parades, otherwise, I never felt like we were on a ship with 3500 plus people. The first day, I went with my son to book the rock climbing wall for our day at sea. We had no problem doing this. I would do that first thing however. The rock climbing wall, the ice skating and roller blading rink, etc are all included in the price of your cruise. There is no extra fee. As far as meeting people, that was harder for my son who was 13 at the time. He didn't sign up at the teen club in the first couple of days so the groups had been formed. He did find some kids to hang out with. It was easier to meet people on the Galaxy. It was a smaller ship and you are more likely to see someone more than once or twice. He also learned from his Voyager cruise and signed up with the teen club within the first hour of boarding. It completely enhanced the cruise for all of us.

Definitely go!<BR><BR>These are great ships.

Another fact from Paul - the new Spirit class Carnival ships don't have crowded elevators when passengers are returning from shore excursions because they have "new layouts that optimize passenger traffic". <BR><BR>My first comment is that I was on the Explorer and never experienced nor saw crowded elevators during or after shore excursions. Second, maybe the "designers" of the Spirit should have spent more time on air conditioning system than crowd control.

Oh, Peter, shut up.

Petershutup - and your point would be what? Anything to contribute? Do you have any personal experience about the crowded elevators on either Carnival or RCCL?

The most obvious choice to avoid crowds is to always take the stairs (unless of course you are unable) I never gain weight on a cruise, because I do so much walking and climbing.