Even though Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships have technically the same overall design, there are important differences between each ship.

I went on a seven-night cruise onboard Adventure of the Seas in August, sailing to the Western Caribbean. I had a fantastic adventure (no pun intended) with my mom, visiting Roatan, Belize City, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

This was not the first time I had sailed on Adventure of the Seas. Back in 2014, I sailed onboard Adventure of the Seas for a fabulous New Year's cruise with my family to the Southern Caribbean. 

Adventure of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class of ships. All of the Voyager Class ships are mid-sized and built between 1999 and 2003, making all of the ships over 20 years old.

These ships were revolutionary for the cruise line with the first ice skating rink at sea and the first Royal Promenade, which features shops and restaurants in the center of the ship.

In fact, I’ve been sailing on Voyager Class ships since Royal Caribbean first debuted these vessels. I originally sailed on Mariner of the Seas in 2005 with my family when it was one of the biggest ships in the world. I was lucky enough to sail on Mariner of the Seas twice last year, once with my sister during spring break and then again last summer during the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise.

I’ve also sailed on sister ships Navigator of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas. In September, I will sail on Voyager of the Seas for the first time. Needless to say, I’ve come to know Voyager Class ships very well, especially Adventure and Mariner. 

One key difference between the two is that Mariner of the Seas received a Royal Amplification in 2018. This was a major investment for Royal Caribbean, costing $120 million to add new thrills, restaurants, staterooms, and entertainment onboard. On the contrary, Adventure of the Seas did not receive a Royal Amplification because it was postponed due to the pandemic. Instead, Adventure went through a $61 million revitalization in 2016 and 2018.

Ultimately, Mariner of the Seas features an upgraded Voyager Class experience while Adventure of the Seas has yet to receive a Royal Amplification. 

Here’s how these ships compare, including aspects that I like about each.

I find that Mariner of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas are the perfect size for cruising

All of the Voyager Class ships are well suited for many different kinds of cruises, including weekend getaways and longer, port-intensive sailings. I’ve sailed everywhere from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and New England onboard these ships.

Mariner of the Seas clocks in at 139,863 gross tonnage while Adventure of the Seas is slightly smaller, measuring at 137,276 gross tonnage. Lengthwise, Adventure and Mariner are the same at 1,020 feet long. 

Since the ships are similar in size, the guest capacity is similar too. Adventure of the Seas can hold 3,807 guests while Mariner of the Seas can accommodate 4,000. 

On my recent cruise on Adventure, the total number of guests onboard was around 3,950 (according to the crew members I asked). This means that there were many cabins that had more than two people in them.

Read more: Cruise ship occupancy rates are over 100%. Why that isn’t actually a problem (or what you think it means)

At the time of these ships being built in the early 2000s, they were among the biggest in the world. Nowadays, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships are nearly double in size with many more people onboard. These mega-ships also cannot reach smaller ports, which limits their itineraries.

I love the size of the Mariner and Aventure; they have so many amenities onboard without being overwhelmingly large. The entertainment still feels like world-class productions. There are many different dining options onboard as well.

I really enjoy the unique production shows onboard both Mariner and Adventure

When Voyager Class ships were built, these vessels featured something that no other ships in the world had: an ice skating rink! At the time, the idea of having an ice skating rink on a moving cruise ship, especially in the Caribbean, was pretty mind-blowing.

Dubbed Studio B, the small ice skating rinks onboard are home to some spectacular ice shows. These are not your run-of-the-mill cruise ship productions. Instead, you will find Olympic-style skating with twists, turns, and flips that leave me stunned. Even though Mariner and Adventure are both mid-sized ships, I love that they feature such unique entertainment.

Mariner of the Seas’ ice show is called Ice Under the Big Top while Adventure of the Seas’ production is called Cool Art, Hot Ice. The circus-themed show on Mariner is one of my all-time favorite production shows. It’s funny, high-energy, and incredibly impressive. The circus theme brings back childhood memories for viewers of all ages!

There are other production shows onboard Mariner and Adventure, all of which I enjoyed. Mariner of the Seas features Gallery of Dreams and Center Stage in the Royal Theatre while Adventure of the Seas has shows called Invitation to Dance and Can’t Stop The Rock in the Lyric Theatre. 

Dining and drink venues onboard both ships are very similar, although I prefer Mariner’s upgraded offerings

When Mariner of the Seas received her Royal Amplification, the cruise line focused on adding new dining and bar options. 

One of the most unique bar options in all of Royal Caribbean’s fleet is the Bamboo Room. This tiki-themed bar is located in the Royal Promenade and serves up some delicious cocktails. Royal Caribbean describes the Bamboo Room as, “A laidback Polynesian watering hole with a throwback vibe and kitschy-cool craft cocktails like the Island Old Fashioned and Tiki Tea.” The Bamboo Room is only available on Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.

I love the funky cocktails here, especially the mojitos. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else on a Royal Caribbean ship! Since Adventure has not received a Royal Amplification, she does not feature any unique spots like this.

You can also find a Playmakers on Mariner of the Seas, which is Royal Caribbean’s sports bar and grill specialty restaurant. While I have never had the food here, the Campfire Skillet is one of the most delicious desserts I’ve had on a cruise ship. We were not able to have this on Adventure of the Seas, as the ship does not feature a Playmakers yet.

Another major advantage that Mariner of the Seas has over Adventure of the Seas is the Italian restaurant available. Onboard Mariner, my sister and I were able to dine at Jamie’s Italian. This restaurant serves fresh, handmade, and rustic Italian fare thanks to a partnership with Chef Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most famous food exports. I’ve been able to dine at Jamie’s Italian on multiple cruises, and I believe it’s my favorite specialty restaurant at sea. 

On the other hand, Adventure of the Seas has a Giovanni’s Table. This is Royal Caribbean’s original Italian restaurant. While I am a big fan of Italian food anywhere, I do prefer the menu and trendy atmosphere at Jamie’s Italian. 

Mariner of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas both feature Izumi Sushi, but Mariner also has the hibachi restaurant. Another difference is that Adventure’s Izumi Sushi is located in the Royal Promenade. (I thought this was neat because you could walk by and see the different classes happening while you were shopping.) Where Izumi is located on the Mariner is where Chops is located on Adventure. 

More differences between the two ships can be seen when comparing the onboard thrills

Mariner and Adventure have The Perfect Storm waterslides, a rock climbing wall, a sports court, and a Flowrider on deck 13. Both ships also have mini golf, but they are located in different areas of the ship.

Because of the Royal Amplification, Mariner has updated thrills like the Sky Pad bungee trampoline (though this is going to be removed soon), "Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z", and an Escape Room “The Oberservatorium.” I didn’t partake in any of these activities on the Mariner, so I didn’t miss them when I was on the Adventure.

Overall, Mariner of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas are both excellent cruise ships that are well-maintained for their age

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class ships are some of my favorites, each being slightly different yet special in their own way.

I like the Royal Amplification that Mariner received, and I hope Adventure will get amplified in the near future. Who knows, maybe the delay will introduce new amplifications that could be even more popular. I believe adding more complimentary dining options, preferably quick casual, would be a popular addition to the Voyage Class ships.

No matter if you cruise on Mariner of the Seas or Adventure of the Seas, you will have a wonderful time!

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class cruise ships can be a nice choice for first-time or seasoned cruisers. They come with plenty to do, see, eat, and drink onboard, and offer a diverse range of itineraries around the world.

In addition, many Voyager Class ships have recently been amplified and are filled with Royal Caribbean’s newest features and amenities. Let’s take a deep dive into the Voyager Class to see what these five impressive ships have to offer.

Voyager Class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has five Voyager Class ships:

• Voyager of the Seas is the first ship of the class, and she sails from Stockholm, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Boston, and San Juan, offering cruises to New England, Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.
• Explorer of the Seas is the second ship of the class, and she sails from Miami, San Juan, Venice (Ravenna), and Rome, offering cruises to Europe and the Caribbean.
• Adventure of the Seas is the third ship of the class, and she sails from Galveston and Cape Liberty, offering cruises to New England, Canada, and the Caribbean.
• Navigator of the Seas is the fourth ship of the class, and she sails from Los Angeles, offering cruises to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera.
• Mariner of the Seas is the fifth ship of the class, and she sails from Port Canaveral, offering cruises to the Caribbean.

Amplified ships

The Voyager Class debuted in 1999. At the time, the features, amenities, and size of the Voyager Class were top-notch. In fact, Voyager, Explorer, and Navigator of the Seas were considered the largest cruise ships in the world when they were built.

Over time, though, Royal Caribbean realized the ships could use some updates. Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas have all recently been amplified through Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program.

Royal Amplified is Royal Caribbean’s program that updates ships’ amenities, staterooms, dining and lounge choices, activities, and more. Because three Voyager Class ships have been updated, you will find many of Royal Caribbean’s newest attractions and activities onboard.

Explorer of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas were set to be amplified in 2020 and 2021, but amplification has been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Because of this, these two ships have some notable differences in onboard activities and dining offerings.

Voyager Class size

The Voyager Class ships are all of a similar length, gross tonnage (GT), and capacity (at double capacity):

• Voyager of the Seas: capacity of 4,269 guests, 1,020’ long, 137,276 GT
• Explorer of the Seas: capacity of 4,290 guests, 1,020’ long, 137,308 GT
• Adventure of the Seas: capacity of 3,807 guests, 1,020’ long, 137,276 GT
• Navigator of the Seas: capacity of 4,000 guests, 1,020’ long, 139,999 GT
• Mariner of the Seas: capacity of 4,000 guests, 1,020’ long, 139,863 GT

Activities and things to do

A Royal Caribbean cruise on a Voyager Class ship will certainly not be boring. These ships pack plenty of activities every day of the cruise for guests of all ages.

Waterslides

All Voyager Class ships with the exception of Explorer of the Seas have waterslides onboard. Voyager, Adventure, and Mariner have The Perfect Storm waterslides, a set of racing slides that jet off the side of the ship. They even have clear sections so you can see the water below you!

Navigator of the Seas is home to two slides: The Blaster and Riptide. The Blaster is an aqua coaster where two passengers slide on a raft up, down, and around the ship. It is the longest water slide at sea. Riptide is a mat racer waterslide which curves around Navigator of the Seas.

Ice skating

All Voyager Class ships have Studio B, an ice skating rink, onboard. In addition to ice skating shows performed throughout the cruise, there are set times available where guests can ice skate. Ice skates and helmets are provided for this complimentary activity.

Laser tag

Guests sailing on Voyager, Navigator, and Mariner of the Seas can play laser tag onboard. Also held in Studio B, Battle for Planet Z is a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience. Guests wear electronic vests and break up into teams to face off in the laser tag arena.

Puzzle Break Center

On Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas you will find the Puzzle Break Center. Here, guests can complete a timed puzzle challenge to try and break out of the escape room in time.

Other sports activities and things to do

All Voyager Class ships have both a rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, and mini golf. Each ship has a Sports Court as well, where games like pickleball, basketball, and soccer are complimentary. Other activities such as ping pong and shuffleboard are also available to guests.

Like other ships, activities including trivia, crafts, guest lectures, and live bands are offered on Voyager Class ships.

Pool Deck

The pool deck on Voyager Class ships consists of two side-by-side main pools and several jacuzzis. Each ship also has a Solarium with a pool and two jacuzzis. The Solarium is not totally enclosed, so the pool is in the sunlight and the jacuzzis are in the shade. The pool chairs in the Solarium are padded for extra comfort.

Each ship’s pool deck also has a bar in the main pool area and another  bar on the running track deck which offers nice views of the pool and ocean.

Adventure of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas both have a kids area on the pool deck. On Adventure, you will find Splashaway Bay, an aqua park complete with waterslides and splash areas. On Navigator there is a splash pad area with water sprayers.

The other Voyager Class ships do not offer pool activities for children still in diapers.

Entertainment and Venues on Voyager Class ships

The two main entertainment areas on Voyager Class ships are the theater and Studio B, the ice skating rink.

The main entertainment lineup on Voyager Class ships is as follows:

• Voyager of the Seas: Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme and Music in Pictures in the Royal Theater; Ice Odyssey in Studio B
• Explorer of the Seas: Invitation to Dance, Wild, Cool & Swingin’, and Fast Forward in the Palace Theater; Spirits of the Seasons in Studio B
• Adventure of the Seas: Invitation to Dance, Jackpot, and Can’t Stop The Rock in the Lyric Theater; Cool Art, Hot Ice in Studio B
• Navigator of the Seas: Ballroom Fever and Showgirl in the Royal Theater; iSkate in Studio B
• Mariner of the Seas: Gallery of Dreams and Center Stage in the Royal Theater; Ice Under the Big Top in Studio B

Other entertainment options can be found throughout the Voyager Class ships, from live music to comedians and karaoke. 

Differences between the Voyager class cruise ships

Voyager Class ships share the following dining and bar venues:

• Windjammer Marketplace
• Main Dining Room
• Cafe Promenade
• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• Izumi (sushi)
• Johnny Rockets (excluding Voyager of the Seas)
• Ice cream stand (found at Cafe Promenade)
• Schooner Bar
• Solarium Bar
• Viking Crown Lounge
• English-style pub
• Star Lounge (named differently on some ships)
• Pool bars

Voyager of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Voyager of the Seas has Giovanni’s Table, The Tavern bar, and R Bar.

Giovanni’s Table is a classic Italian restaurant on Royal Caribbean’s ships, with menu highlights including grilled lamb chops, gorgonzola gnocchi, and linguini with clams.

The Tavern bar and R Bar are bars that do not have a strong theme, but are a nice place to relax with a drink onboard.

During the recent amplification of Voyager of the Seas, the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center as well as Adventure Ocean areas were refurbished and modernized. There is a new outdoor hangout area for teenagers onboard as well.

Voyager of the Seas has a total of 1,715 staterooms:

• 691 interior
• 228 ocean view
• 673 balcony
• 123 suites

Explorer of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Explorer of the Seas has Giovanni’s Table, The Tavern bar, and the Connoisseur Club.

The Connoisseur Club is a lounge onboard where guests can relax while smoking cigars. It is one of the few designated smoking areas on the ship. There are few Connoisseur Clubs left in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, so this may be replaced once the ship is amplified.

Explorer of the Seas’ amplification has been postponed, but when she is amplified a variety of new features and activities will be added:

• The Perfect Storm water slides
• Caribbean-style pool deck with hammocks, daybeds, and in-pool loungers
• The Lime & Coconut pool bar
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Playmakers, Johnny Rockets Express, and Starbucks
• Laser tag
• Revamped Adventure Ocean and teen area

These additions were announced prior to the coronavirus pandemic, so they may change.

Explorer of the Seas has a total of 1,715 staterooms:

• 691 interior
• 228 ocean view
• 671 balcony
• 125 suites

Adventure of the Seas

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Adventure of the Seas has Giovanni’s Table, Boleros, Aquarium Bar, and Champagne Bar.

The Champagne Bar is located on the Royal Promenade and is an elegantly-decorated lounge area that has not only champagne, but other cocktails and beverages.

Despite the name, the Aquarium Bar does not have actual aquariums, but does feature aquatic and marine life decor.

While Adventure of the Seas has not undergone a full amplification process, she does have a few features that are usually only seen on newer or amplified ships. The Perfect Storm waterslides and Splashaway Bay were added in 2016, which offer more fun for both kids and adults onboard.

Like Explorer of the Seas, the full amplification of Adventure of the Seas has been delayed. When the Royal Amplified program restarts, though, many of Royal Caribbean's newest dining venues, bars, and activities are expected to be added to the ship.

Adventure of the Seas has a total of 1,672 staterooms:

• 667 interior
• 242 ocean view
• 638 balcony
• 125 suites

Navigator of the Seas

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Navigator of the Seas is perhaps the most modern Voyager Class ship due to her impressive amplification. Navigator differs the most from other Voyager Class ships in regards to her venues, layout, and decor.

Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Navigator of the Seas has Jamie’s Italian, Hooked Seafood, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, El Loco Fresh, The Lime & Coconut, Starbucks, R Bar, Boleros, and The Bamboo Room.

The Bamboo Room is a Polynesian-themed tiki bar with a selection of tropical drinks and colorful decor. Playmakers is the signature sports bar on Royal Caribbean, and the location on Navigator of the Seas features a pool table, shuffleboard, arcade games, and a private viewing area to watch sports. Food and drinks at these venues come at an additional cost.

As far as more formal specialty dining options, guests can enjoy Hooked Seafood and Jamie’s Italian. Menu highlights at Hooked include the messy fish sandwich, baked oysters, and Maine lobster roll. Highlights at Jamie’s Italian include the eggplant parmesan, freshly-made pasta, and meat plank.

There are two pool deck food options on Navigator: Johnny Rockets Express and El Loco Fresh. Johnny Rockets Express offers typical American food like hamburgers and fries, and is priced à la carte. El Loco Fresh is a complimentary, grab-and-go Mexican restaurant with burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and a salsa station.

One of the most impressive features of Navigator of the Seas is her pool deck. Navigator of the Seas has a Caribbean style pool deck design complete with colorful decor, art, casita lounge areas, comfy seating, and The Lime & Coconut pool bar.

She is also the only Voyager Class ship to have hot tubs on the running deck which overlook the pool area. In addition, the top deck of The Lime & Coconut was transformed into a lounge area with comfy seating, tables, and lights.

Navigator of the Seas is also the only ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet with To Dry For. This is a blow dry bar and hair styling salon onboard.

The Adventure Ocean programming on Navigator was modernized during the amplification as well, and features a kid's rock climbing wall as wall as an outdoor deck for teens.

Navigator of the Seas has a total of 1,694 staterooms:

• 670 interior
• 232 ocean view
• 671 balcony
• 121 suites

Mariner of the Seas

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Other than the dining and beverage venues shared on all Voyager Class ships, Mariner of the Seas has Jamie’s Italian, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Dog House, Starbucks, Boleros, and The Bamboo Room.

Mariner of the Seas shares many of the same dining and lounge venues as Navigator of the Seas.

She is the only Voyager Class ship to offer not only Izumi sushi, but hibachi. Guests can reserve a dining time at Izumi Hibachi, where a chef cooks your meal right in front of you.

She is also the only Voyager Class ship with the Dog House. Located on the pool deck, this complimentary dining venue offers a variety of hot dogs and sausages.

Mariner of the Seas has a few activities not found on any other Voyager Class ship. First is the Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee jumping experience. Here, guests can put a VR headset on and jump up and down on the Sky Pad’s trampolines while playing games in a series of virtual reality simulations.

There is also the Sky Climber, a climbing arena for kids to spend their day climbing up, down, and around on the sports deck. In addition, hammocks and other nice seating are found on Mariner of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas has a total of 1,674 staterooms:

• 669 interior
• 246 ocean view
• 638 balcony
• 121 suites

Who is the Voyager Class best for?

The Voyager Class ships, although considered “smaller” when compared to newer Royal Caribbean ships, are still massive vessels with tons of activities offered onboard. Not too big and not too small, they are an excellent option for first-time cruisers.

The Royal Amplified program has set Voyager Class ships on par with some of the fleet’s newest ships. Voyager Class ships offer waterslides, FlowRiders, mini golf, rock climbing, pools, live music, ice skating shows, and more. 

Voyager Class ships come at a lower cost compared to Oasis or Quantum Class ships, as well, so they can be a more budget-friendly option for travelers while still providing a modern cruise experience.

Voyager Class ships have elegant design integrated throughout the ship, which brings a feeling of sophistication to the cruise experience. A great example of this is in the Main Dining Room, which were inspired by the design and layout of opera houses.

And while Voyager Class ships offer fun-filled activities onboard, they also offer plenty of areas for rest and relaxation. The Promenade Deck on Voyager Class ships is large and circles around the entire ship. Guests may enjoy walking the Promenade Deck during the day to get away from the hustle and bustle elsewhere onboard.

Voyager Class Tips & Secrets

The helicopter pad, or helipad, is accessible to guests on Voyager Class ships. The helipad can be accessed by walking all the way forward to the ship on the Promenade Deck. This will lead to a flight of stairs which brings you to the helipad. This is a fantastic spot to watch sailaway or relax while onboard.

The Izumi location on Navigator, Voyager, and Explorer of the Seas is on Deck 14 and offers dramatic views of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Select Voyager Class ships have a Peek-A-Boo bridge, where guests can peek into the bridge and see what the ship’s captain and officers are up to. To access the Peek-A-Boo bridge, head to the very front of the Solarium and exit through the sliding glass doors. Walk down the pathway until you reach the bridge.

Voyager, Explorer, and Adventure of the Seas do not have an escape room. Instead, this area of the ship is Skylight Chapel, a wedding chapel that can accommodate up to forty people. Church services are conducted here and this space is open throughout the day for guests looking to relax or pray.

Voyager Class ships offer saunas and steam rooms in the fitness area.

When you are looking to pick the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise for your family, often you will find a few good choices to choose from and in many cases, it can come down to the ship class as the big difference. 

With over 20 ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, there are a lot of choices and today we will compare two of the most popular classes of ships, the Oasis-class to the Voyager class.

The ships

The Voyager-class ships include Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.

The Oasis-class ships include Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.

Ship size

The Voyager class ships were built between 1999 and 2003 and set the standard for what a large cruise ship is these days.  You will have a little over 3000 passengers onboard with you, has 15 decks and is 138,000 GT.

The Oasis class was first built between 2007 and 2010 with some new ships under construction since 2013.  On these ships, there are somewhere between 5400 and 6200 passengers, has 16 decks and is 225,282 –227,700 GT.

Both classes of cruise ships are large but the Oasis class is currently the largest in the world.  While the Oasis class dwarfs the Voyager class, they are both really big ships and essentially we are talking about a big class and a bigger class.

What's onboard

Voyager class ships are best known for their 350-foot indoor mall known as the Royal Promenade,that features indoor pubs, shops, cafes, and bars.

Activity options on all five ships board include a basketball court, at least 3 pools, a mini-golf course, a rock wall, an ice skating rink and on some ships a FlowRider surf simulator.

Royal Promenade on Navigator of the Seas

The Oasis class is known for having it all and have seven different "neighborhoods" that are areas of the ship with a distinct theme, such as a Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, Central Park and more.  There's also a slew of dining choices (25 in total) and Broadway shows.

You will find onboard Oasis class ships many of the same features of the Voyager class but larger and in some cases more of them.  For example, there are two rock climbing walls and two Flow Riders on the Oasis class.

Central Park on Oasis class

Both classes of ships have the same core offerings, such as the Adventure Ocean kids club, dining rooms, specialty restaurants, pools and more.

Significant differences

Besides the size of the ships, there are some key differences that will either be a plus or minus for you.  

The Oasis-class ships have a special pool splash area just for kids and babies.  On the Voyager class, you will find pools but no water play area for kids and no pool access for children with diapers. This can be a big factor for families with younger children.

H2O Zone on Oasis class ships

In terms of pricing, generally speaking the Voyager class ships tend to cost less and offer more variety in their itineraries.

Voyager class ships also offer a lot of the same onboard activities and entertainment that the Oasis class does, such as the ice skating rink, FlowRider, and Royal Promenade.

Both classes of ships have recently been refurbished over the last few years and have gotten new specialty dining options as well as updates to their staterooms.

For families with children under 18, the Oasis class offers a lot more in kids activities, both in terms of the Adventure Ocean club as well as activities.

In terms of dining, if you enjoy specialty restaurants and do not mind the extra cost, the Oasis class offers far more choices than any Voyager class ship.  If you want a Voyager class ship with a lot of specialty dining, Navigator of the Seas should be your pick.

Sabor Modern Mexican on Navigator of the Seas

Another key difference is the Oasis class ships have Broadway shows, such as Cats (Oasis of the Seas) and Mamma Mia (Allure of the Seas).  The Voyager class ships have Broadway caliber shows but they do not feature former Broadway shows.

Where the ships sail

The Voyager class ships have spread to nearly every corner of the globe.  At the time of this blog post, there are two Voyager class ships based in Asia and Australia, one in the United States, one in Puerto Rico and many traveling to Europe in the summer.  You will find a great deal of port options on a Voyager class ship.

Voyager of the Seas in Sydney

The Oasis class ships are traditionally based in Florida although Royal Caribbean has started to send them to Europe for the summer.  As of the time of this blog post, the home ports for all Oasis class ships will still be in Florida.

Conclusions

Voyager class ships offer a lot for very likely less cost than the Oasis class.  You still get a decent variety of specialty dining, pools, and lots to do .  

The Oasis class offers it all and has more for families with young children to enjoy.  It still has premium pricing so you will likely pay more for it on average.

Both classes are large ships and with the recent refurbishments to the Voyager class, the differences are not as wide as they once were.

Honorable mention for the Voyager class goes to Navigator of the Seas.  It seemingly had the best refurbishment with a slew of restaurants, virtual balconies and more.

Honorable mention for the Oasis class is Harmony of the Seas, which will debut in 2016 and will have water slides, a first for Royal Caribbean ships.

Which class do you prefer? Is Voyager class a better choice or do you think there's no beating Oasis class? Share your opinion in the comments below!

This week Royal Caribbean announced when its Voyager-class ships will get 75 new staterrooms per ship as part of its planned refurbishment but did not offer much detail beyond that.  We now think we know where these staterooms will be added.

Thanks to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com reader Jimbo, it looks like the new staterooms are being added to deck 3 and deck 12.

Comparing old deck layouts of Navigator of the Seas versus what is on the current site, there's a number of staterooms being added.

Old Navigator of the Seas deck plan for deck 12

New Navigator of the Seas deck plan for deck 12

New Navigator of the Seas deck plan for deck 3

Old Navigator of the Seas deck plan for deck 3

During Royal Caribbean's third quarter financial results conference call, Royal Caribbean CEO Adam Goldstein mentioned that as part of the fleet-wide revitalization program, all Voyager class ships will recieve 75 new staterooms.

Voyager class ships are the next batch of Royal Caribbean's ships to get the upgrades that will roll out many new ammenities and upgrades, first seen on the Oasis class.  These new staterooms, however, are a departure from other ship upgrades and unique to the Voyager class.

The order of upgrades is currently scheduled as follows

• Navigator of the Seas: February 2014
• Adventure of the Seas: April 2014
• Voyager of the Seas: May 2014
• Explorer of the Seas: February 2015

Mariner of the Seas received her upgrade back on May 2, 2012 and did not recieve a stateroom upgrade at that time.

Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas arrived in Adelaide, Australia today for her first stop down under.  

Locals expect that Voyager of the Seas' one-day visit will produce a $1 million boost to the economy of South Australia.  International Cruise Council Australasia general manager Brett Jardine is excited about what a ship like Voyager of the Seas means to the area, "That is probably a conservative estimate, but when you factor in an average of each passenger spending about $200 on shore tours, plus the extra spending on souvenirs, in bars and cafes, then any money the crew spend while ashore, as well as re-supplies for the ship, fuel and port charges ... it soon adds up."

Voyager of the Seas will instantly become Australia's biggest hotel, with 1556 rooms.  

Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to arrive at Outer Harbor from Fremantle at 5.30am and depart for Melbourne at 7pm. Voyager will be cruising to places such as New Zealand and South Pacific islands until March 12.