Liberty vs. Oasis

Looking long-range, March 2019. My wife and I are both 30ish, will be traveling without kids. First cruise was recently on the Disney Dream with kids and additional family, had an absolute blast. Due to scheduling/life this is the earliest we can make another cruise happen. We've narrowed it down to these two.

Liberty: From Galveston, stops at Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel

Oasis: From Canaveral, stops at Labadee, Falmouth, Cozumel

I've been researching cruises a lot since we returned; here are my thoughts on the pros of each ship that are important to us.

Pros of the Liberty

- We live in Nebraska, so Galveston is cheaper/easier for us to get to than Canaveral. (I know both ports are an hour away from the airport... still much cheaper to fly to Houston Hobby).

- The adults-only solarium is an area we would really like to use on either ship; I've read that the Liberty's is better; larger pool, not as muggy, quieter, etc.

- Better connection to the sea.

- A few waterslides.

- Better piano bar (? - I've read this a couple times but haven't found a consensus)

Pros of the Oasis

- Of the many 'Oasis class vs. Freedom class' threads, it seems most people recommend the Oasis. People generally like both, of course, but Oasis seems to win more often than not.

- More dining options.

- Better entertainment.

- The 'wow' factor.

- Stops at Labadee, our most desired port on either itinerary.

The cost of each cruise is virtually identical; no difference at all there. We are planning on an inside room (after having a balcony on the Disney cruise that we hardly used) if there is a significant difference from one ship to the other.

As you can see, there are things we like about each ship, and maybe it's just up to us to pick one and go with it. I know I'm splitting hairs and we will have a great time either way, but any guidance the CC community can offer would be appreciated. Thank you.

If you are flying to both ports, then Florida for sure. Galveston is at the bottom of our list of fly-in ports.

We prefer Freedom class to Oasis. But, you'd probably love the extra dining and entertainment options on Oasis. And the ports are better. We're tired of the Mexican ports and would take Labadee and Falmouth over two stops in Mexico any day!:p

I have sailed both. I love both classes of ships but I would probably pick oasis over Liberty with all else being equal. If you are saving a lot of money then go with Liberty. It is a great ship.

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If you are flying to both ports, then Florida for sure. Galveston is at the bottom of our list of fly-in ports.

If we are resigned to an hour or so of transportation (taxi/limo/Uber) each way anyway from Orlando-Canaveral or Hobby- Galveston, then what's the difference? This isn't the first time I've heard this, just looking for more details. Thanks!

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If we are resigned to an hour or so of transportation (taxi/limo/Uber) each way anyway from Orlando-Canaveral or Hobby- Galveston, then what's the difference? This isn't the first time I've heard this, just looking for more details. Thanks!

 

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Also consider that flying to Orlando will likely cost us an additional $300ish total.

If it's really worth the extra cost and Galveston is that bad, then we may remove that from the list of Liberty pros.

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I've sailed Liberty and Allure. I think you can't go wrong with either choice, however I think my favorite night on any cruise was the night in the comedy club on Allure. We laughed so hard and enjoyed the adults only atmosphere.

The Oasis will definitely have more entertainment options so that is probably the one I would pick. But really both will be great so pick whatever itinerary appeals to you more.

If we are resigned to an hour or so of transportation (taxi/limo/Uber) each way anyway from Orlando-Canaveral or Hobby- Galveston, then what's the difference? This isn't the first time I've heard this, just looking for more details. Thanks!

Galveston has no rental car agencies near the port that are open on Sunday and take one-way rentals. Port Canaveral has at least a half-dozen open on Sunday, that take one-way rentals, and have free shuttles to the cruise terminal. Some people report that the least expensive and most convenient way to use a rental car at Galveston is to rent it for the entire week and park it at the port.

This may have improved, but shuttles used to be way more expensive at Galveston. Port Canaveral shuttles are available for $20pp between the port and MCO.

The nicer Galveston Island hotels many times want a two day minimum stay on the weekend.

My daughter was on Oasis Dec 2015. She is 28 and she loved Oasis. However, she preferred the adults only area on Indy which is a sister ship to Liberty. Oasis solarium got hot at times and no actual pool. However lots of people seemed to enjoy it. Moshe prefers the sun and larger pool with chairs close to the pool area. Liberty does have the slides now installed. However, she went on Carnival Breeze in Nov. 2016 for her honeymoon. She didn't like Breeze as much as Indy.

Realize Houston is cheaper to fly to BUT cost of getting to port is not easy or cheap. The week she went, hotels were averaging $300 a night. Just check the cost to and from port and hotel cost if you fly in the day before like we always do. Another issue with Liberty...even if you have a drink package, all alcohol has to be purchased the first day due to Texas alcohol laws...you can't use the package.

My daughter went to Roatan on the Breeze and it was just ok for her. Port wise, I would do Oasis over Liberty. We love Labadee as we always do the excursion to the private sandbar/island.

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I agree that whatever ship you pick, you will have a great time. We have been on Liberty twice and had a blast. Love Roatan and Falmouth so either would be great too. One more thing to consider is that depending on when you travel in March, you have to think about Spring Break. Both will be overwhelmed with multi-generational families and LOTS of kids (especially 3rd and 4th weeks). If I was traveling without my kids, then it would depend on the adult only spaces and if Liberty's solarium vs. Oasis specialty restaurants and shows. Don't pick a ship based on the smaller bar entertainment, those entertainers could be there or not on your sailing.

. Another issue with Liberty...even if you have a drink package, all alcohol has to be purchased the first day due to Texas alcohol laws...you can't use the package.

Sorry to correct you but this is not accurate. You can use your package the first day. The only limitation is that in TX waters, there are only certain brands they are allowed to serve so the selection is limited. As soon as you are out of TX water way you have access to full selection. it is 12 nautical miles out. I believe that while in TX they must serve alcohol bought in TX so that is why there is a limited selection. There is a pic on this thread that shows the options

http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/niksmom639/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-11/E5288C85-BADC-41B5-868F-A3918A663E65_zpsmjzdozm4.jpg.html

 

Realize Houston is cheaper to fly to BUT cost of getting to port is not easy or cheap. The week she went, hotels were averaging $300 a night. Just check the cost to and from port and hotel cost if you fly in the day before like we always do. Another issue with Liberty...even if you have a drink package, all alcohol has to be purchased the first day due to Texas alcohol laws...you can't use the package.

 

My daughter went to Roatan on the Breeze and it was just ok for her. Port wise, I would do Oasis over Liberty. We love Labadee as we always do the excursion to the private sandbar/island.

 

 

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I am booked on a cruise out of Galveston in June on the Liberty.

Just to be clear, are you saying that even if you have the alcohol package, you will have to pay for any drinks the first day? So when the ship is sailing out of the port on Sunday and they offer drinks, I will have to purchase them even if I have the alcohol package?

Another issue with Liberty...even if you have a drink package, all alcohol has to be purchased the first day due to Texas alcohol laws...you can't use the package.

 

My daughter went to Roatan on the Breeze and it was just ok for her. Port wise, I would do Oasis over Liberty. We love Labadee as we always do the excursion to the private sandbar/island.

 

 

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We were just off Liberty in March. You can use your beverage package there first day but there are limited selections (both for purchase or package) due to Texas liquor laws. By dinner, its typically full bar.

Roatan was one of our favorite ports. It is a top area for shallow water snorkeling....so many fish.

I am booked on a cruise out of Galveston in June on the Liberty.

Just to be clear, are you saying that even if you have the alcohol package, you will have to pay for any drinks the first day? So when the ship is sailing out of the port on Sunday and they offer drinks, I will have to purchase them even if I have the alcohol package?

No, you don't have to pay for drinks if you have the package.

You just have a limited selection of alcohol and beer until you get 12 miles off the coast, because of Texas liquor laws.

Instead of asking strangers which will always give mixed opinions.

Just find out for yourself.

Go on one this year and the other next time...

No, you don't have to pay for drinks if you have the package.

 

You just have a limited selection of alcohol and beer until you get 12 miles off the coast, because of Texas liquor laws.

Thanks. That's a relief.

Instead of asking strangers which will always give mixed opinions.

Just find out for yourself.

Go on one this year and the other next time...

Thanks for being so helpful! If I could go on a cruise every year, I would! But unfortunately I cannot. And since it's going to be a couple years before we can cruise again, I want to make the best choice. And I asked for feedback specific to my needs, instead of a generic A vs. B. Isn't what these boards are for?

Thanks to those that have provided constructive feedback. It has been very helpful already! Sounds like Oasis is the pick, my only real concern is the solarium not being as pleasant... But everything else seems to tilt toward Oasis, even the departure port.

Thanks again, I'll keep listening!

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Sounds like Oasis is the pick, my only real concern is the solarium not being as pleasant... But everything else seems to tilt toward Oasis, even the departure port.

The solarium is very nice on the Oasis. I think it is bigger than the Liberty, but do not quote me on that. The Oasis has more of a spa feel to it. There are lots of pics on cruise critic's review: http://www.cruisecritic.com/photos/ships/oasis-of-the-seas-368/solarium-162891/

The only real thing I like better about the Freedom class solarium is the pool has a deep end and there is a "bar" that separates the deep & shallow end and has stools on either side so it is a nice place to sit and have some drinks. On the Freedom class the pool area is not covered at all so you are in direct sunlight the whole time unless you are sitting at that bar (there is a bridge that goes over top).

The Oasis "pool" is tiny but like I said it is really supposed to be more like a spa than a pool. The solarium is not fully covered and there are windows that open all around and I find that as long as those windows are open and the boat is moving there is a nice cross draft on most days so it is not too stuffy.

We are also from Nebraska. We have done the other Liberty route and will do this one next Jan. For us Houston was so much cheaper we could rent a car at the airport use it to see the area, pay to park the week at the port and use it to get back to the airport and it was still cheaper than flying to MCO. We stayed in League City so our hotel was cheaper too. I love Florida but it costs so much more to get there. I have not done and Oasis ship so I can't compare the ships but we loved the Liberty and can't wait to go back.

I'll be on the Oasis in July and sailed liberty in February. Liberty was great and all the major differences of the two has all been stated. My main decider would be the ports. I over cozumel and can't wait to do labadee. The rest are just meh. My time on oasis in July will decide If I like the big ships enough to do them again.

Go big red!

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-----Realize Houston is cheaper to fly to BUT cost of getting to port is not easy or cheap. The week she went, hotels were averaging $300 a night. Just check the cost to and from port and hotel cost if you fly in the day before like we always do. Another issue with Liberty...even if you have a drink package, all alcohol has to be purchased the first day due to Texas alcohol laws...you can't use the package.

My daughter went to Roatan on the Breeze and it was just ok for her. Port wise, I would do Oasis over Liberty. We love Labadee as we always do the excursion to the private sandbar/island.

----

This is not accurate information. You CAN use the drink package immediately upon boarding the ship. This is Royal, not Carnival.

I love the Liberty, but I'm doing my first Oasis class ship in August, so I can't really compare. I love the solarium and the crew is second to none. Which airport would you be flying into? If Hobby, I wonder how much it would be to Uber?

For the Costa Maya port there is an AWESOME place to do a all inclusive beach day called Almaplena. We had a very nice time there. Because I've been to these ports a lot, the Oasis itinerary is a little more appealing to me.... Come to Texas. You will have a good time. :-)

Having sailed both, here's my 2 cents. We prefer Liberty over Oasis. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed Oasis and I expect we will sail on that class again someday. Here are some of the reasons we like Liberty better.

Solarium - when we sailed Oasis, the Solarium was unbearably hot and muggy. We couldn't stay in there for any length of time - much less find a seat. The "pool" is ridiculous. The Liberty has a great solarium for hanging out, large pool.

Pool deck - Oasis is just a cluster. Too many people, the Pool Bar is on the side of the ship and covered. The band is in an area where you can't really even see them. If you enjoy the pool deck, Liberty wins hands down.

Sabor specialty - much better ambiance and style on Liberty.

Staff and crew - Due to Oasis size and the hordes of passengers, you really don't make any connections with the crew. Only you know if this is a big deal. We feel the crew is friendlier on the smaller ships.

windjammer and main dining room - we heard so many horror stories about them on Oasis that we didn't even try them.

Liberty slides - they are really fun if you like that kind of thing. We did.

Schooner Bar - we prefer the venue on Freedom and Voyager class. The one on Oasis is open and overlooks the Promenade. No one on our sailing ever seemed to be there.

Casino - if you do the casino, the one on Oasis is large with half of it non smoking. Liberty only has a very small non smoking area.

As you know, Oasis definitely has more dining and entertainment options. Central park is lovely. Dazzles is a nice venue.

All in all, Oasis felt like a vacation resort, Liberty feels like a cruise. We also are able to mix and meet with fellow passengers easier on Liberty. Oasis, not so much.

I know you are looking forward to Labadee but Roatan has the best beach I've seen in the Caribbean. LOVE West Bay and the greatest snorkeling is there.

Whatever you decide, have a great time.

Liberty -People on CC tend to overdramatize the alcohol limit on day one. Yes the brands are limited to those that are bottled in Texas. You may not get your favorite call brand or beer but there's plenty to drink. And yes drink package works the minute you walk onboard.

We just got back from our first Oasis cruise and I would choose that ship over any other one! Ship was beautiful and so much to do and the solarium was great! We went on freedom last year and it was ok... thought the solarium was small and humid as not much air flows. Pick oasis!

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Instead of asking strangers which will always give mixed opinions.

Just find out for yourself.

Go on one this year and the other next time...

GENIUS!! So, this is what brilliance looks like ... I like the way you think! :cool: