My next cruise? Should I go cheaper?

Question

I went on my first cruise in March on the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas (which is one of the biggest afloat).

My wife and I went with two other couples and are looking to go on another cruise by ourselves in the next year.

Honestly, since we've done the biggest ship, will we be disappointed if we travel on any other smaller ship?

I love what options we had on the ship...there was tons of stuff to do aboard, but we're afraid if we go smaller or choose another cruise line that we won't have the same fun experience we had the first time.

Answer 1

Nothing is ever going to exactly as much fun as the first time. At least in exactly the same way. Think about your first whatever and compare it to subsequent ones.

Answer 2

I have been on the Freedom of the Seas which is one of the two twin sisters of the Liberty (exact same ship, different name and decor) and on many other cruises.  Here's what I recommend based on my experiences.

First of all, the Liberty (along with the Freedom and Independence) is a larger version of the Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships which are:

- the Mariner of the Seas

- the Voyager of the Seas,

- the Adventure of the Seas

- the Explorer of the Seas, and,

- the Navigator of the Seas

All of the Voyager class ships have just about all of the same features of the Liberty (and its sister ship) except the FlowRider on the back of the ship.  But they do have instead an in-line roller skating track near where the mini-golf course is.  The Voyager class ships also have the solarium (pool and hot tub area) for adults only and the promenade mall down the center.  The gym is not quite as large as on the Liberty but it is very nice.  They have the ice skating rink and the ice show.   The Voyager ships are somewhat smaller, but not like going to one of the very small 700 to 800 passenger ships.  The voyager class ships accommodate 3100 guests while the Freedom Class which includes the Liberty accommodate 500 more at 3600 guests.  I have been on two of the Voyager class ships, the Adventure and the Mariner, and I can tell you that you will enjoy them just as much.

Take a look at the features of the Freedom class ships:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/multimedia...

Then take a look at the features of the Voyager class ships:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/multimedia...

You would also enjoy the Royal Caribbean's Radiance Class ships:

-the Brilliance of the Seas

- the Radiance of the Seas

- the Serenade of the Seas, and

- the Jewel of the Seas

Take a look at the Radiance Class ships:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/multimedia...

These classes of ships have the rock climbing wall, a water slide on the pool deck, the basketball court, the mini-golf, a nice gym, the solarium, and a beautiful atrium. But they do not have ice skating and roller blade track, or the flowrider.  But the two ships in this class that I sailed on, the Brilliance and the Jewel, were fabulous and I am sure that you would enjoy them.  I know I like both of these even more than the Freedom class ships.

Answer 3

You will not be disappointed if you go on a smaller ship, it is just different. I went on the grand Princess the first time and on about cruise #4, i went  on a small ship through the Panama canal and enjoyed it just as much. The ship was just as elegant as the Grand, but with less swimming pools, theaters, lounge areas and other public rooms. Our cabin was about the same size and the food was the same. I have been on eight cruises, all with Princess, and at the end of this year, I will be going on a 700 passenger ship once again.

Answer 4

http://riveraramos.vacationmedia.net/

Answer 5

there are pros and cons to both. I have been on the very large ships such as the CCL Liberty and Triumph and also have been on the tiny ships like the CCL Holiday and NCL Dream.  The newer ships obviously have more bells and whistles but i found that the smaller ships are easier to navigate, have shorter lines and overall seem less crowded.  I am equally happy on a a new ship or a smaller older ship. My parents on the other hand went on one of the new Princess ships then went on the CCL Holiday a month later and hated it.  It's really all personal preference.

Answer 6

Almost every cl has ships that are close to the size of Liberty even theyre smaller so any one off theese ships would do if you like the options a big ship get. Browse the web and find out what other mega ship can offer. Also try to make a list of must be things on liberty and see if theyre on the others. Somethings like the ice rinks is a RCCL specaility while others are everywhere. With that said there are favours or reapetive cruising to. So if you love RCCL then there is nothing that prevent you from cruising with them again. Just dont forget to enroll in the crown and anchor club if you havent. Thats what bring you repeative cruise benefis. But dont be afraid to experience other cls Theyre all slightly different. Johan

Answer 7

It sounds like u have ur answer, just research online or with ur agent and see exactly what smaller ships have to offer