Voyager of the Seas US$97m refurbishment has seen a lot of changes on this now 20 year old ship. Most are great but some things could be a disappointment if your expectations are too high. Here is our take on Voyager of the Seas 2019 renovation. We have also written a detailed Voyager of the Seas ship review if you would like to know more about what the entire ship is like post-renovation.

Redesigned Voyager of the Seas kids clubs

The new Voyager of the Seas kids clubs are a big winner as they incorporate loads of space with new and improved gaming, lots of fun toys and chillout zones both inside and out. The teen’s area is particularly cool with multiple spaces and a ‘hidden’ entry via the FlowRider area.

Voyager of the Seas Vitality Spa & Fitness Centre

Voyager of the Seas spa is brand new with contemporary therapy rooms and an all-new gym with state-of-the-art equipment. An added extra is the fitness studio which is totally separate in a glassed off section of the gym. The bad news for some cruisers is the spa no longer has a thermal area.

Upgraded furnishings and carpets

There are upgraded carpets and furnishings in all the lounges, bars, and restaurants. This significant upgrade has made the whole ship appear fresher and more modern. We especially loved the new look Viking Crown Lounge and the refurbished Main Dining Room. 

But the artwork … oh dear

Unfortunately the ship’s original artwork is still in place and often brings down the new look. The wall hangings in the stairwells in particular are dated and in poor repair. And the less said about the cabinets of ‘theatrical maniquins’ at the theatre and ‘curios’ in the stateroom corridors, the better. 

The Perfect Storm duo of racer waterslides.

These are loads of fun for young and old plus you get a workout walking up the stairs. If you don’t want to go too fast, wear a rashy as this will slow you down. For an added thrill, one slide has a clear section which goes over the side of the ship so you can look down at the ocean. Both slides are closed in and ‘flash’ as you go down due to the mix of coloured panels and clear stripes so you might want to skip them if you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures.  Both slides are the same speed but only one has the cool clear panel with a sea view.

Existing staterooms look the same

Much was made prior to the renovation about the ‘refurbished cabins’ but the existing cabins on Voyager of the Seas have only been refreshed with new carpet and curtains. They look exactly the same so if you’re expecting a ‘new look’ you could be disappointed. The bathrooms haven’t changed either and are showing signs of wear and tear in a few spots.

Voyager of the Seas new staterooms

There are 72 new inside and balcony staterooms in the forward section of the ship on deck 11 and 12 (inside cabins only). Book early to snag one of these sparkling new cabins.

More passengers, no new spaces

While the new cabins look great, the downside is these add another 120+ passengers to the ship which can put a strain on drinking, dining and entertainment venues, especially at peak periods.

No burger bar or hotdogs

Johnny Rockets and the Doghouse have been removed. For a ship with such a big focus on families and fun in the sun, a casual poolside dining option was greatly missed on our sailing.

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Battle for Planet Z is fantastic

The new Battle for Planet Z laser tag experience on Voyager of the Seas is fantastic fun. Unlike some other lines, you don’t have to pay for it either. 

Grand Promenade isn’t that grand

The Grand Promenade’s peachy colour scheme, brass fittings and boulevard tiling is looking very dated. It would no doubt be a big and expensive job to change these things but it’s showing its age.

Voyager of the Seas Suite Lounge

The new Suite Lounge area is a terrific addition for those staying in a suite, with ocean views and modern furnishings plus a dedicated concierge. Add the complimentary cocktail hour, breakfast, and all day snacks and you might just be tempted to upgrade on your next sailing.  

Voyager of the Seas Diamond Club

The Diamond Club on Voyager of the Seas is lovely but also very, very small. There were 500+ Diamond members on my cruise and the Star Lounge was used as an overflow area. Even on quieter sailings, this new space will almost certainly struggle to cater to the number of Diamond members onboard.

Disclosure: The writer sailed as a guest of Royal Caribbean.

Want more great cruise advice? Check out our tips for choosing the perfect cruise, cruising with grandchildren, cruising with tweens and cruising with kids of all ages, solo cruising, Celebrity Edge, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas plus the best activities on Ovation of the Seas, doing a Transatlantic cruise with kids, cruising in Australia or Papua New Guinea, cruising on a megaship, scoring a bargain cruise fare, cruising the Mediterranean, making the most of a cruise ship kids club, luxury cruising with kids, and the Byron Beach Club onboard P&O Cruises. We have also reviewed Pacific Adventure, Pacific Encounter, Carnival Splendor, Voyager of the Seas, Nieuw Statendam, Viking Helgrim, Pride of America, Coral Expeditions in Tasmania and the Great Barrier Reef, Celebrity Solstice, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.