CCL Magic or RCCL Oasis?- Looking for Opinions!

Yes, I know there are a few other threads out there about this debate, and I have read them all. My fiance and I still have questions and really can't decide between the Carnival Magic or the Oasis of the Seas. One common theme of previous responders on other threads was "If it was the same price..." but in our case, it's not the same price which makes the choice harder. Here are the details:

CARNIVAL MAGIC

4 Ports: Amber Cove — St. Thomas — San Juan — Grand Turk

Interior: $2,066

OASIS OF THE SEAS:

3 Ports: Nassau - St. Thomas - St. Maarten

Interior: $2,307

Our concerns: I want 4 ports instead of 3, ports are better on Magic, I like the cheaper price tag of the Magic, my fiance really likes the idea of trying the Oasis, I'm concerned with the lack of ocean view on Oasis, more people tend to lean toward "try Oasis," I feel like the Oasis could be cool too.

Given the facts above, price difference, differences in port number/places, and our concerns, what would YOU do?

Thanks!!!

I would choose Magic mainly because I'm not interested in going to Nassau.

What time of year are you sailing and how many people? I ask because I'm booked on a high floor balcony on the Magic for less than either of those prices. Both seem very high for an interior. Unless you are sailing in June. Or over Christmas or New Years.

I would choose Magic mainly because I'm not interested in going to Nassau.

 

What time of year are you sailing and how many people? I ask because I'm booked on a high floor balcony on the Magic for less than either of those prices. Both seem very high for an interior. Unless you are sailing in June. Or over Christmas or New Years.

You are correct with that guess, these are both for early August. I work in the school system and have taken a lot of time off work for cruises this and next year, so we were hoping to do a cruise when I'm not on contract. I had no clue summer cruises were sometimes double winter cruises- yikes!! Definitely a shock, but we think it's an okay compromise so I don't need to take more work time off.

Oasis

I would say Oasis just because I want to go on her at least once. We have taken more Carnival than RCL but have tried and liked them both. If you have been on Carnival, Oasis would be a nice change of pace.

I agree with Vamartha, Nassau is a place I would stay on the ship, but then again I like days at sea.

Either way you can't go wrong. You will be on a great cruise.

I been on both tell me what you expect in a cruise...entertainment, specialty restaurants, pools...what do you enjoy doing on a cruise? Is food important to you?

Remember your only in ports for a few hours.

The price difference for the Oasis is pennies more for what you get.

I been on both tell me what you expect in a cruise...entertainment, specialty restaurants, pools...what do you enjoy doing on a cruise? Is food important to you?

 

Remember your only in ports for a few hours.

 

The price difference for the Oasis is pennies more for what you get.

I think the ports are really important, 4 vs 3, and even that, one of the Oasis ports is Nassau, which we've done 4 times, so totally not exciting. At this point, we've identified that seeing and experiencing many different ports is important, and we'll have time for relaxing on a ship later in life.

Not so much into the specialty restaurants, so that doesn't sway us either way. We don't swim or use the hot tubs much either. Entertainment (music in various venues, comedians, and shows) is really fun for us. We also enjoy laying out, enjoying the sun, and reading. We recently got off the Carnival Liberty and were somewhat disappointed with food both on the Lido and in MDR, but really we just expect good food and good options.

I'm very worried that all the cool "WOW factor" stuff that comes with the Oasis will distract from the fact that we're on the ocean/supposed to be seeing the water/not at a floating mall.

I think the ports are really important, 4 vs 3, and even that, one of the Oasis ports is Nassau, which we've done 4 times, so totally not exciting. At this point, we've identified that seeing and experiencing many different ports is important, and we'll have time for relaxing on a ship later in life.

 

Not so much into the specialty restaurants, so that doesn't sway us either way. We don't swim or use the hot tubs much either. Entertainment (music in various venues, comedians, and shows) is really fun for us. We also enjoy laying out, enjoying the sun, and reading. We recently got off the Carnival Liberty and were somewhat disappointed with food both on the Lido and in MDR, but really we just expect good food and good options.

I'm very worried that all the cool "WOW factor" stuff that comes with the Oasis will distract from the fact that we're on the ocean/supposed to be seeing the water/not at a floating mall.

I would go with Magic just based on your likes. Doesn't seem that a lot of things Oasis has to offer interest you so why spend the extra money.

We have a cruise our 3rd Oasis class booked next followed by the Magic.

Have fun whatever you choose.:)

Bill

When we cruise Carnival we always have dinner in the Steakhouse, because the buffets and MDR food to us is not good.

The Oasis will give you much more complimentary options for food, many different places to have breakfast and lunch...such as the Parc Cafe, Solarium Bistro, there is a Vitality Cafe, the MDR is open for lunch during sea days and we always found the buffet lunch on RC to be edible where Carnival we find many items to be inedible. Late at night on Carnival past 11pm, you only will have room service or pizza on RC you also have Sorrento's Pizza but you also have the Promenade Cafe which is open 24 hours, you can get mini sandwiches of all types, cookies, salads, muffins, brownies, etc.....much more things to eat. If you get the drink packages they have the unlimited soda machines throughout the ship. The hot dogs on the Oasis dog cart actually are very good! During the am they have homemade donuts, you certainly don't get all this on Carnival.

Entertainment on RC blows away what you get on Carnival...and never miss the aqua show and the ice show!

If you enjoy having cocktails the drink package on RC has no limits where on Carnival you have maximum of 15 (no I never reached 15 but reached 14 twice lol) but if your a beer and wine drinker RC unlimited drink package will suit you much better.

If your getting a balcony RC balconies are larger

I am sorry but there is no comparison Oasis vs Magic, the answer is definitely Oasis, give it a try, I guarantee you that you won't loose that "ocean feel" and you will fall in love with the Oasis. There is an abundant of outdoor places you can sit to see the ocean as well as the interior and trust me, you never feel that there were thousands of passengers on board, the ship is built very well in a way you don't run into crowds, other than the parades they have on a couple of nights for an hour at a time. I been on 69 cruises so far and the Allure and Oasis is the best ship I ever been on, so good that I am going on the Harmony in 11 days!

The price you got for the Oasis is a WONDERFUL price surprised its not a lot more.

What I love about the Magic, and yes, she is one of my favorite Carnival ships is the casino, my other half gets all types of treats sent to our cabin and bottles of wine during dinner, I think the Carnival Steakhouse is the best specialty restaurant out of RC and I love the live band that plays late in the evening, although I just heard they stopped large bands and are going to due/trio bands ugh! I also love the MDR breakfast that is open until 1pm during sea days.

Shows definately RC, food definitely RC especially the buffets, food late night definitely RC. I also love the shower doors on RC.

In Nassau, we go and have a very nice lunch at the Fish Frye...Twin Brothers is not to be missed.

Oasis is the destination !!!

When we cruise Carnival we always have dinner in the Steakhouse, because the buffets and MDR food to us is not good.

The Oasis will give you much more complimentary options for food, many different places to have breakfast and lunch...such as the Parc Cafe, Solarium Bistro, there is a Vitality Cafe, the MDR is open for lunch during sea days and we always found the buffet lunch on RC to be edible where Carnival we find many items to be inedible. Late at night on Carnival past 11pm, you only will have room service or pizza on RC you also have Sorrento's Pizza but you also have the Promenade Cafe which is open 24 hours, you can get mini sandwiches of all types, cookies, salads, muffins, brownies, etc.....much more things to eat. If you get the drink packages they have the unlimited soda machines throughout the ship. The hot dogs on the Oasis dog cart actually are very good! During the am they have homemade donuts, you certainly don't get all this on Carnival.

 

Entertainment on RC blows away what you get on Carnival...and never miss the aqua show and the ice show!

 

If you enjoy having cocktails the drink package on RC has no limits where on Carnival you have maximum of 15 (no I never reached 15 but reached 14 twice lol) but if your a beer and wine drinker RC unlimited drink package will suit you much better.

 

If your getting a balcony RC balconies are larger

 

I am sorry but there is no comparison Oasis vs Magic, the answer is definitely Oasis, give it a try, I guarantee you that you won't loose that "ocean feel" and you will fall in love with the Oasis. There is an abundant of outdoor places you can sit to see the ocean as well as the interior and trust me, you never feel that there were thousands of passengers on board, the ship is built very well in a way you don't run into crowds, other than the parades they have on a couple of nights for an hour at a time. I been on 69 cruises so far and the Allure and Oasis is the best ship I ever been on, so good that I am going on the Harmony in 11 days!

 

The price you got for the Oasis is a WONDERFUL price surprised its not a lot more.

 

What I love about the Magic, and yes, she is one of my favorite Carnival ships is the casino, my other half gets all types of treats sent to our cabin and bottles of wine during dinner, I think the Carnival Steakhouse is the best specialty restaurant out of RC and I love the live band that plays late in the evening, although I just heard they stopped large bands and are going to due/trio bands ugh! I also love the MDR breakfast that is open until 1pm during sea days.

 

Shows definately RC, food definitely RC especially the buffets, food late night definitely RC. I also love the shower doors on RC.

 

In Nassau, we go and have a very nice lunch at the Fish Frye...Twin Brothers is not to be missed.

While I agree with a lot of what you said I disagree about Sorrentos and the doughnut place.

Sorrentos has to have the most awful tasting pizza I have ever tried anywhere. I keep trying it every time I cruise on RCI but it's never any better.

The doughnuts were lackluster as they had little to no filling in the jelly doughnuts I had.

With that said I'd still go Oasis myself but still recommend the Magic to the OP.

Oh yeah you do "lose" the ocean feel unless you book an oceanview balcony or a far aft boardwalk balcony.

Bill

After having sailed the Dream, Breeze, and the Allure of the Seas, we enjoyed them all. We got a real good deal on an outside balcony on the Allure. We had already been to all of the ports you mentioned on both the Magic and the Oasis. We decided to let the ship be the destination. Of course, we got off in all the ports. We really think you get your money's worth on the Oasis class ships. We absolutely loved our cruise. If they said to different ports with the Oasis ports, we would sail them more often. What a ship?!

Amber cove is a great stop. If based on ports would do Magic as I haven't done either ship.

Those prices seem really high. Are you looking at a holiday cruise?

The question is really what do you want from the cruise? Oasis class was designed to be a floating resort where the ship is primary over ports. Magic can't touch that.

If ports are priority, you have your answer. Either way enjoy and safe journeys.

Sorry, just saw you are going in August. Be sure to come back and let us know what you opt for.

A seriously huge thanks to everyone who replied! My fiance and I read through all the comments and suggestions and it definitely gave us stuff to talk about. It's nice to hear from other experienced cruisers, especially people who have been on those ships before and can give personal recommendations/feedback.

We ended up selecting the Carnival Magic mostly due to the ports (4 instead of 3, and better stops in our opinion) and the price was a little cheaper. My concern about the Oasis having so much to do that it loses that "cruise ship/ocean" feel was another deciding factor. We will definitely try an Oasis class in the future; there's 4 out now and another on the way, so we feel assured that we'll get to sail one in the coming years and "use the ship as the destination."

Thanks again everyone!

A seriously huge thanks to everyone who replied! My fiance and I read through all the comments and suggestions and it definitely gave us stuff to talk about. It's nice to hear from other experienced cruisers, especially people who have been on those ships before and can give personal recommendations/feedback.

 

We ended up selecting the Carnival Magic mostly due to the ports (4 instead of 3, and better stops in our opinion) and the price was a little cheaper. My concern about the Oasis having so much to do that it loses that "cruise ship/ocean" feel was another deciding factor. We will definitely try an Oasis class in the future; there's 4 out now and another on the way, so we feel assured that we'll get to sail one in the coming years and "use the ship as the destination."

 

Thanks again everyone!

You made a good choice. Royal might have the better ship and better entertainment but Magic exceeds them in every other category in my honest opinion. Now that Oasis is getting older and more afforable, I will give her a try sooner or later but Im in no hurry whatsoever to roll back onto a Royal ship. They aint "all that and a bag of chips" to me.

 

Sorrentos has to have the most awful tasting pizza I have ever tried anywhere. I keep trying it every time I cruise on RCI but it's never any better.

Agreed. I would rather have a 3.00 Red Baron out of the frozen section than that garbage they call pizza. Carnival pizza is MUCH better.

Magic is certainly one of Carnival's better ships in my view. We were on it in February and had a nice time. Normally we too put a lot of emphasis on ports, but when we booked Oasis for this upcoming October we preferred the fewer port days, allowing more time to explore the ship.

Magic has some very nice features, particularly the wrap-around deck, a really nice Ocean Plaza (love having Alchemy and Taste Bar all right there, makes it a great location for pre-dinner cocktails and live music) and lot's of good included food options. Found Serenity not too serene as its butt-up to Waterworks but if you go far enough forward its not too bad.

Yes, I know there are a few other threads out there about this debate, and I have read them all. My fiance and I still have questions and really can't decide between the Carnival Magic or the Oasis of the Seas. One common theme of previous responders on other threads was "If it was the same price..." but in our case, it's not the same price which makes the choice harder. Here are the details:

CARNIVAL MAGIC

4 Ports: Amber Cove — St. Thomas — San Juan — Grand Turk

Interior: $2,066

 

OASIS OF THE SEAS:

3 Ports: Nassau - St. Thomas - St. Maarten

Interior: $2,307

Our concerns: I want 4 ports instead of 3, ports are better on Magic, I like the cheaper price tag of the Magic, my fiance really likes the idea of trying the Oasis, I'm concerned with the lack of ocean view on Oasis, more people tend to lean toward "try Oasis," I feel like the Oasis could be cool too.

Given the facts above, price difference, differences in port number/places, and our concerns, what would YOU do?

 

Thanks!!!

We just returned from the Carnival Dream. The Oasis was far and away the better ship. The only place the Dream was better was the kids club and the fact that it has water slides if that is your thing. We enjoyed the flow riders, the central park and the aqua theater. The ice show was cool as was the main theater. The Dream felt very crowded almost all the time to us where the Oasis never seemed to have a crowd unless you happened to be where a show was letting out.

Went on that exact cruise on the Oasis back in Nov. I would not recommend it at all. Unless you enjoy no fun. Seriously though, it's a pretty ship and all, but the average age was about 70, and everything closed down at 1am. All the venues are extremely small, so it was hard to find a seat when there was actually something going on. I will say there was an awesome casino and the food was really good. But, the social activities were subpar. The nightclub was dead every night and the so were the deck parties. I would never recommend that cruise to anyone. Hope this helps

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Went on that exact cruise on the Oasis back in Nov. I would not recommend it at all. Unless you enjoy no fun. Seriously though, it's a pretty ship and all, but the average age was about 70, and everything closed down at 1am. All the venues are extremely small, so it was hard to find a seat when there was actually something going on. I will say there was an awesome casino and the food was really good. But, the social activities were subpar. The nightclub was dead every night and the so were the deck parties. I would never recommend that cruise to anyone. Hope this helps

 

 

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Not sure who you are responding to, (quote is your friend) but all I can say is WOW!:eek:

Bill