Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class of ships leaded the way in cruising when they were released almost 20 years ago, but having had multiple refurbishments each, how does the Voyager class stack up today?
The Voyager class is made up of five different cruise ships including Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator and Mariner Of The Seas. They were much larger than the outgoing Radiance class and included many of the features that lead the way for the Freedom and Oasis class ships. In fact the Freedom class ships are essentially stretched versions of the Voyager class. When the ships were first released (between 1999 and 2003) they were more or less carbon copies of one another - if you enjoyed one ship you were bound to enjoy one of the others. However, in recent years this has changed and Royal Caribbean have now adapted each ship to bring slightly different experiences onboard each of them. We have taken a closer look into each of the ships below so that you are able to understand what each of them can offer.
Navigator Of The Seas
Mariner Of The Seas
The first Voyager class ship, and second in the whole fleet, to get 'amplified' as part of Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplified programme was Mariner Of The Seas. She received new upgrades such as waterslides and Skypad. She is also a 'second generation' ship and was the last ship in the Voyager class, preceded by Freedom OTS. Some of the stand out features onboard Mariner are:
Adventure Of The Seas was the last of the first generation Voyager class ships. You can tell this as her balconies do not come outside of the superstructure. She is one of the two Voyager class ships that has not yet had a Royal Amplified refurbishment. Currently we do not know what the plans are for her refurbishment either. This being said, the ship already has waterslides and a flowrider so you certainly wouldn't be bored whilst onboard. Currently, the stand out features onboard Adventure are:
Explorer Of The Seas is supposed to be having her refurbishment right now (April 2020), however due to Coronavirus this refurbishment has had to be pushed back and as of now Royal Caribbean has not released a new date as too when this will be completed. This means that I'm also not sure wether any of these upgrades will get cancelled (in order to save money), so this is subject to change. I believe the main features on Explorer are:
The oldest ship in the class is Voyager Of The Seas, she is also currently the ship with the newest refurbishment in the class. You can tell Voyager apart from other ships in the class because she is the only one with the baby bull hull colour (although this is likely to be added to the others ships in time), the ship has also received slightly different upgrades due to the fact she currently sails in Asia. Specific highlights of Voyager include:
The Voyager class is made up of five different cruise ships including Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator and Mariner Of The Seas. They were much larger than the outgoing Radiance class and included many of the features that lead the way for the Freedom and Oasis class ships. In fact the Freedom class ships are essentially stretched versions of the Voyager class. When the ships were first released (between 1999 and 2003) they were more or less carbon copies of one another - if you enjoyed one ship you were bound to enjoy one of the others. However, in recent years this has changed and Royal Caribbean have now adapted each ship to bring slightly different experiences onboard each of them. We have taken a closer look into each of the ships below so that you are able to understand what each of them can offer.
Navigator Of The Seas
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| Navigator Of The Seas received a major refurbishment in 2019. |
Navigator Of The Seas was the first of Royal Caribbean's 'second generation' voyager class ships and was launched in 2002 - this variation included a new style of glass balcony and also a larger windjammer buffet area; making the outside of the ship look much more modern. In 2019 Navigator had one of the biggest refurbishments in Royal's history, completely transforming multiple areas of the ship. Some of the stand out features onboard Navigator are the following:
- Two giant waterslides including one which goes over the side of the ship and the longest water slide at sea.
- Caribbean style pool deck and the 'Lime and Cocanut' bar featuring a roof top terrace and live music.
- The first blow dry hair salon at sea.
- Flowrider surfing simulator.
- Jamies Italian, Playmakers sports bar & arcade and the Bamboo Room.
- Newly refreshed Solarium area
Navigator is currently sailing 3/4 night itinearies to Perfect Day at CocoCay & The Bahamas.
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| Mariner Of The Seas was the second ship in the fleet to get 'Amplified' |
The first Voyager class ship, and second in the whole fleet, to get 'amplified' as part of Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplified programme was Mariner Of The Seas. She received new upgrades such as waterslides and Skypad. She is also a 'second generation' ship and was the last ship in the Voyager class, preceded by Freedom OTS. Some of the stand out features onboard Mariner are:
- Skypad: the VR trampoline experience.
- The perfect storm waterslides.
- Flowrider surf simulator.
- Panormaic front staterooms
Mariner Of The Seas currently sails short 3/4 night sailings from Miami to CocoCay.
Adventure Of The Seas
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| Adventure Of The Seas is due to have her 'amplified' refurbishment next year. |
Adventure Of The Seas was the last of the first generation Voyager class ships. You can tell this as her balconies do not come outside of the superstructure. She is one of the two Voyager class ships that has not yet had a Royal Amplified refurbishment. Currently we do not know what the plans are for her refurbishment either. This being said, the ship already has waterslides and a flowrider so you certainly wouldn't be bored whilst onboard. Currently, the stand out features onboard Adventure are:
- Perfect storm waterslides.
- Outdoor movie screen
- Splashaway bay kids area
- Flowrider surf simulator
Adventure Of The Seas currently sails 5/9 night sailings from Cape Liberty, NJ.
Explorer Of The Seas
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| Explorer Of The Seas has had her refurbishment work postponed (Picture: Unknown) |
Explorer Of The Seas is supposed to be having her refurbishment right now (April 2020), however due to Coronavirus this refurbishment has had to be pushed back and as of now Royal Caribbean has not released a new date as too when this will be completed. This means that I'm also not sure wether any of these upgrades will get cancelled (in order to save money), so this is subject to change. I believe the main features on Explorer are:
- Perfect storm waterslides.
- Reimagined pool area (expected to be much like Navigator).
- Glow in the dark Laser Tag.
- All new teens-only area.
Explorer Of The Seas will (hopefully) set sail from Rome on 7/9 night itineraries to Italy and the Greek Isles. She will then move to the Caribbean later in the year.
Voyager Of The Seas
The oldest ship in the class is Voyager Of The Seas, she is also currently the ship with the newest refurbishment in the class. You can tell Voyager apart from other ships in the class because she is the only one with the baby bull hull colour (although this is likely to be added to the others ships in time), the ship has also received slightly different upgrades due to the fact she currently sails in Asia. Specific highlights of Voyager include:
- The Perfect Storm waterslides.
- Laser Tag
- Flowrider Surf Simulator.
- Upgraded Adventure Ocean.
Voyager Of The Seas is due to be sailing 3/4 night itineraries from Shanghai, once cruises resume.
Although many of the features onboard Voyager class ships remain quite similar, recent upgrades have definitely set them apart from each other. Which is your favourite Voyager class cruise ship? - I would love to sail on Navigator; those slides look amazing!
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