7 night Allure VS 8 night Freedom - Help me choose!

I havent taken a Cruise since 2010 and now its time for us again to Cruise, in February 2017 we will be boarding :)

But I have trouble deciding which one to take.

The options are down to 8 nights Eastern route on the Freedom the 5th of February or 7 nights on the Allure western route also on the 5th of February.

The price on these two Cruises are about the same, Allure being marginally more expensive but that is not the question here. The difference is only about 250$ totally.

The criterias are:

2 adults and 2 Children, age 12 and 14, 2 cabins needed. Inside standard is fine enough for us.

Western or Eastern route really doesn't matter for us, that is not the big question.

I guess the question for us is what ship to choose. For my wife and Children it doesn't matter either so its up to me to decide :)

I know Allure is newer and bigger but until just about recently Freeedom was the largest. Is Freedom faded or is it still pefectly fine? We are in no way snobs that demand absolute luxury but if getting to choose between mediocre and superb of course we choose the better if at similar price.

Will we be just as happy on the Freedom as Allure? I haven't cruised in 7 years but I do remember that when going on the Majesty in 2010 it was not the same as when we cruised Jewel in 2008. We were really blown away on the Jewel but even if we had a good time on Majesty it was not up to the same standard according to us.

Is there a similar difference between the Allure and the Freedom as Freedom is an older ship?

Other things to consider is the size of Allure and one night extra on the Freedom. Our kids are large and wellmanered enough to roam around themselves on the day but we don't want to loose the feeling of being on a ship instead of a resort..

So please help me solve this pleasant problem ;)

I'd go for Freedom and the extra day.

8 > 7

I'd go for the Freedom also. Same things for the kids to do.

This is a pretty good predicament to be in. I see this as a no lose situation. I love both ships and for me and my wife, this would probably be an easy decision to take the 8 day. With you not cruising since 2010, I am going to guess you haven't been on an Oasis class. That might be a vote for Allure and its awe factor. Both have excellent kids programs from what I am told. Might be it better to take the kids on a 7 day first rather than an 8 day? Again, this is almost a no lose situation.

I actually agree that eight nights is better than seven. However, I think there are two areas that, if they are important to you, could move you to Allure over Freedom.

There are more evening entertainment options on Allure and I think that, for most people, the shows are generally better on Allure as well. Also, you have the aqua theater shows on Allure.

The other thing is that if you really like specialty restaurants, then Allure is going to have more options.

Neither of these things would move us to Allure, but what is more important to you may be different.

8 Night..

I am on freedom right now as I'm typing this. I have met lots of people on board worh a lot more than the 22 cruises under my belt, and we all agree Oasis and Allure are the very best. It's not just bigger. It's better. The aqua shows are jaw dropping. There is also a Broadway production show on each as well as a comedy club and many more dining venues. Freedom

No longer has a dance club. The boardwalk and central park are fantastic. Do yourself a favor and do not just the biggest, the BEST. It offers a lot more than Freedom.

Thanks for your advice. But you are not making this any easier ;)

I had almost settled for Freedom, due to the extra day and that were not that much into specialty dining. Shows and dancing are not our thing either when we are with the kids so that points to Freedom over Allure.

I however do like to visit the casino and like to gamble in the evenings so the casino is of some importance to me.

What I am worried about is that I will regret if I choose Freedom and is not satisfied, then I will be annoyed over myself that I didn't choose Allure. And if I choose Allure and am dissapointed I will be annoyed that i didn't choose Freedom...

Is there a big difference in modernity and standards on these two ships?

I think I will have to let the wife and kids decide... but it will probably be a split decision if I know my family well enough, wife prefering lower price and longer cruise while the kids wants the biggest and newest...

If it was just me and the wife on the cruise we would have chosen the cheapest without hesitation but now were thinking of making this trip not just for us but also for the children.

I'd take Eight and the $250

It's that great feeling on that 7th night knowing you aren't getting off the ship in the morning.

... What I am worried about is that I will regret if I choose Freedom and is not satisfied, then I will be annoyed over myself that I didn't choose Allure. And if I choose Allure and am dissapointed I will be annoyed that i didn't choose Freedom......

Sounds like the only solution is to do both ships, maybe a B2B?

I'd take Eight and the $250

 

It's that great feeling on that 7th night knowing you aren't getting off the ship in the morning.

I think that moneywise it will even out, 4 stops instead of 3 and there goes our savings (probably). The one extra day is the question and the ships condition compared to Allure.

If you haven't experienced an Oasis Class yet and if it's that close in price to Freedom, I would choose Allure. It's an amazing ship. Otherwise I would tell you to take the extra day on Freedom.

Sounds like the only solution is to do both ships, maybe a B2B?

Unfortunately not possible, that is totally out of our budget and also we are doing a Florida round trip on the same vacation.

Normally I'd say the extra night. But i'd go with the Allure. Love that class and all to do. Entertainment is superior. Kids will love it!

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If casino is a big draw for you, I would do the Freedom. We did NOT like the casinos on Allure or Oasis. One side is supposed to be "no smoking" but there is nothing to divide it and it is in a very enclosed halllway. You can smell the smoke way before you see the casino. If you are a smoker, it won't bother you at all. We are doing our third cruise on Freedom and love her. We enjoy the larger cabins (Oasis class are very small) and more connection to the sea. Oasis class is truly a floating resort so it depends on what you are looking for. Your kids might really enjoy that resort feel. I hope whichever you choose, you make it incredible, don't waste a minute second guessing your choice!!

We are currently going through the same situation and are booked on the freedom eight day that you referred to. We got a great deal on a Junior suite but the price to fly to Fort Lauderdale is making us rethink our choice and possibly do anthem out of New Jersey and drive. Choices choices!!!

That is a very tough call....my husband and I are divided on these two classes. I prefer the Oasis class for the neighborhoods and entertainment, he prefers the Freedom class due to the size being large but not too large and he LOVES the adult pool area on that class (which I agree with)

Here's the comparison from my view:

Oasis class:

-larger

-more pools

-better evening entertainment options

-larger sports deck/activities w/ zip line (which I've yet to do lol)

Freedom class:

-large, but not overwhelming as the Oasis class "can" be to some

-solarium is better-not closed off roof with a real pool and bar stools

-same basic sports deck activities just on a smaller scale

Even though the Oasis class is newer, the Freedom is hardly old and won't feel outdated. If your most recent was a smaller ship, both will feel huge to you and your family!

The only reason I would say the Freedom is the adult pool area and the extra day, but if you are planning on doing things with you kids the adult pool area may not even be important. So my vote is the Allure-and don't worry about going down in size in the future-we've been somewhat alternating between the 2 classes and we like them both for different reasons.

Thanks for your advice. But you are not making this any easier ;)

 

Is there a big difference in modernity and standards on these two ships?

 

I think I will have to let the wife and kids decide... but it will probably be a split decision if I know my family well enough, wife prefering lower price and longer cruise while the kids wants the biggest and newest...

 

If it was just me and the wife on the cruise we would have chosen the cheapest without hesitation but now were thinking of making this trip not just for us but also for the children.

You have peaked my casual interest, not enough to get me to research, but what are the port choices between the 2 cruises you are looking at? How many port days/sea days will you see?

I havent taken a Cruise since 2010 and now its time for us again to Cruise, in February 2017 we will be boarding :)

 

But I have trouble deciding which one to take.

 

The options are down to 8 nights Eastern route on the Freedom the 5th of February or 7 nights on the Allure western route also on the 5th of February.

The price on these two Cruises are about the same, Allure being marginally more expensive but that is not the question here. The difference is only about 250$ totally.

 

The criterias are:

2 adults and 2 Children, age 12 and 14, 2 cabins needed. Inside standard is fine enough for us.

Western or Eastern route really doesn't matter for us, that is not the big question.

 

I guess the question for us is what ship to choose. For my wife and Children it doesn't matter either so its up to me to decide :)

I know Allure is newer and bigger but until just about recently Freeedom was the largest. Is Freedom faded or is it still pefectly fine? We are in no way snobs that demand absolute luxury but if getting to choose between mediocre and superb of course we choose the better if at similar price.

 

Will we be just as happy on the Freedom as Allure? I haven't cruised in 7 years but I do remember that when going on the Majesty in 2010 it was not the same as when we cruised Jewel in 2008. We were really blown away on the Jewel but even if we had a good time on Majesty it was not up to the same standard according to us.

 

Is there a similar difference between the Allure and the Freedom as Freedom is an older ship?

 

Other things to consider is the size of Allure and one night extra on the Freedom. Our kids are large and wellmanered enough to roam around themselves on the day but we don't want to loose the feeling of being on a ship instead of a resort..

 

So please help me solve this pleasant problem ;)

How well do the four of you travel together?

I once had a B2B of 9 & 5 nights booked for me and my two teenagers.

My son said, "I can take the two of you for 9 days, but I don't think that I could do 14!"

So I cancelled the 5 nighter.

:D

Any chance that an 8th day could be the straw that breaks the camel's back of civility for your family?

Just throwing it out there!

:)

I would go with Allures simply because of this being a family cruise. The kids (teens) will love Allure and all it has to offer...even for a go on the carousel. I feel it's a ship that any cruising family should try at least once. It's like nothing else out there!

I havent taken a Cruise since 2010 and now its time for us again to Cruise, in February 2017 we will be boarding :)

 

But I have trouble deciding which one to take.

 

The options are down to 8 nights Eastern route on the Freedom the 5th of February or 7 nights on the Allure western route also on the 5th of February.

The price on these two Cruises are about the same, Allure being marginally more expensive but that is not the question here. The difference is only about 250$ totally.

 

The criterias are:

2 adults and 2 Children, age 12 and 14, 2 cabins needed. Inside standard is fine enough for us.

Western or Eastern route really doesn't matter for us, that is not the big question.

 

I guess the question for us is what ship to choose. For my wife and Children it doesn't matter either so its up to me to decide :)

I know Allure is newer and bigger but until just about recently Freeedom was the largest. Is Freedom faded or is it still pefectly fine? We are in no way snobs that demand absolute luxury but if getting to choose between mediocre and superb of course we choose the better if at similar price.

 

Will we be just as happy on the Freedom as Allure? I haven't cruised in 7 years but I do remember that when going on the Majesty in 2010 it was not the same as when we cruised Jewel in 2008. We were really blown away on the Jewel but even if we had a good time on Majesty it was not up to the same standard according to us.

 

Is there a similar difference between the Allure and the Freedom as Freedom is an older ship?

 

Other things to consider is the size of Allure and one night extra on the Freedom. Our kids are large and wellmanered enough to roam around themselves on the day but we don't want to loose the feeling of being on a ship instead of a resort..

 

So please help me solve this pleasant problem ;)

Our family did Allure for March Break and we just got off the Freedom last week. Without a doubt I would choose the Allure. More to do for the kids and also the entertainment and service on Allure is 10X better . We couldn't wait to get off Freedom last week, we did not want to leave Allure. For us, it's a no brainer, go on Allure.

We just went through this same predicament.

Freedom 8 day (we have been on the Freedom before)

Allure 7 day

Harmony 7 day

Escape 7 day

Epic 7 day.

What decided it for us was the ports. We have been to St Thomas, St Martin and Coco Cay. Don't care for Falmouth, Cozumel or Nassau.

We really wanted to do Labadee and San Juan and try St Kitts because its new to us.

If its just for the ship and the ship only go big.

If you enjoy the ports more go with the extra day.

Freedom will have plenty to do and has good shows and activities. We chose Freedom even though we will see the same shows and have most of the same activites. Its a good ship, you'll have a good time and won't be dissapointed.

But if you really don't care about the ports go with the Big Ship. It'll be amazing.

Another small factor was the room we got and the price. We had 2 kids free and reduced price for the other 2 kids. (6 atogether and It was 30% off everyone and 2 kids free) We got room 8500 which is an oceanview that has two seperate sleeping rooms and a living room for cheaper than two insides.

We couldn't get the same type of room on the other ships and the closest in price was the Epic for 180.00 more.

It was a real tough choice and I am still not sure if we did the right thing but I know its a good ship and we will love the ports. And on the 7th and 8th day we will rest :)

-Sean

I'm not going to be much help either. Been on Freedom twice (loved it!) and am heading on Allure for the second time next spring. If your last two cruises were the Jewel and Majesty, either ship will feel huge. I actually prefer the Freedom because it still feels like you're on a ship. My wife loves Allure but you don't get quite the "at seas" feeling on that ship. If that's important to you of course. Enjoy whatever you choose. You'll have a blast. If you choose the Freedom I doubt you'll be disappointed although you might just book the Allure on board!

Time for a family meeting. The kids are old enough to do some research on each ship and ask them which cruise they prefer, and why. Then, you and your wife should each discuss what your thoughts are too. Rather it is for the ship, or the ports, since you cannot decide on our own, get the input from the rest of the family. This way, they all have some say so, and obviously, probably won't all agree. Then, you can go with majority. Lets you off the hook, so if they don't have a good time, they cannot blame you, LOL.