Jump to content

How do small ships feel after Oasis Class?


Recommended Posts

Not concerned about the conditions of their ships (although I find the elevators on older ships a bit creepy), but it is more about the lack of things to do on smaller ships. I am concerned that they would feel too small.

 

I think he was posting in response to me. I think of some of these ships like the Empress that were launched nearly 30 years ago and I just picture spending a vacation inside a floating, dated econo-lodge. However it does reassure me a bit that people here seem to not only not mind, but prefer the older boats.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Tried Oasis for the first time a few months ago. While it is an impressive ship with lots of things to do, I think I prefer a smaller ship. I just wish RCI would update the cabins and overall ship décor on the smaller ships (or at least change out old-looking carpeting, bedding & curtains in the cabins).

 

If I'm traveling with kids though, the bigger ships win for having more for them to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think he was posting in response to me. I think of some of these ships like the Empress that were launched nearly 30 years ago and I just picture spending a vacation inside a floating, dated econo-lodge. However it does reassure me a bit that people here seem to not only not mind, but prefer the older boats.
Have you been on Empress? Except for the stateroom size she does not seem like an old ship to me.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have sailed oasis class and the smallest ship was grandeur. Had a great time on all of them. Big ships and smaller ships have different pros and cons but we have never had a bad cruise.

 

Sent from my SM-T217S using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After Oasis, we enjoyed the smaller ships much more. We felt less crowded on the Radiance and Vision class ships.

 

After sailing on Harmony, we prefer smaller ships. We still had a great time on that cruise, which was it's first transatlantic voyage, but for some reason, didn't love that ship. Still haven't been on a Vision class ship, but enjoyed Brilliance. I think our favorite class is Freedom, which isn't really small at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just read your signature, and very sorry to hear if you can't cruise now. I also see that you did Oasis in her first year and mostly sailed Radiance Class afterwards. How did that feel?

 

I think I ought to try something smaller, but when I did Anthem it felt way too small. I suppose it doesn't help that Quantum Class ships are basically the child of Radiance Class and X Solstice Class and probably feel smaller than they are.

I think Quamtun class ships are the second largest cruise ships currently sailing.Maybe it is because of the layout of Anthem that makes it seem small. I think the Royal Promenade makes a ship feel bigger, even if it isn't.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Everyone has different things they enjoy about cruising. What is your favorite thing to do? What is most important about the ship you cruise on? We have been cruising for 25 years and gone through a variety of "needs" on a ship. On our honeymoon, we wanted lots of dancing and nightlife. 2 years later, we took a Southern Caribbean and visited islands every day. That was a small ship and we didn't care. 10 years later, we first took our kids. The kids club was very small, but that was good as all three of our daughters were in the same room. 5 years later, we wanted huge ships with tons of things for the kids to do. Now it doesn't matter what's on the ship, we cruise for The embarkation location and itinerary. Only you can decide what is important. I actually prefer smaller ships now as it is easy to find people I am cruising with!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My wife and I prefer the smaller ships. We have been on 39 Royal Caribbean cruises and 4 of them have been on Oasis class ships but we will not be sailing on ships that big again. When we want to visit a theme park, we take advantage of our annual passes to Walt Disney World but when we cruise we want to be somewhere less impersonal and less regimented. We do not want to have to make reservations for every show and we do not want the distances between venues to be so great that we need scooters (as we do at Disney). Therefore, our favorite ships are first Radiance Class, second Vision Class and third Voyager Class. We no longer sail on any ships larger than Voyager class.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We did a transatlantic on Oasis followed by a TA on Allure followed by a Oasis cruise. Last year we did a 15 night TA on Independence and I felt the ship was to small. We just booked a 15 night Ovation transpacific and I think that ship is to small, but my wife will be happy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The choice is kind of personal, we have only sailed RCCL ships and have sailed on every class. Our first ship was Nordic Prince which does not exist anymore and was smaller that Majesty of the Seas. Remember when she came out we thought they just couldn't get any bigger. I was concerned when we first booked Oasis that it would be too big. But now after several cruises on her and Allure we are hooked. Given the different areas of the ship we actually think that it seems smaller than a class like Radiance. We love the different options and the ability to find away places like Central Park. We love the various dinning options, especially 150. This is now our favorite class. We have sailed Liberty a few times and have some other cruises planned on her because she is closer to the west coast where we live. Don't find a great deal of difference, not quite as wide but still a nice ship and a better deal for us coming from the west coast. So we think they all have pluses and minus and while we were worried about the big ships, we love them. With that said, we would not hesitate to go on a small ship to be able to go to Cuba or if there was a specific port we liked. We took two long cruises on Brilliance cruises to the Mediterranean and they were great. So sorry to not fall on once side or the other, would choose big over small, but would also choose cruise over about anything else. Enjoy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't met a cruise ship I didn't like. :D Those that spoke up and said there is not as much to do on the smaller ships must have a narrow scope for entertainment. We find as many activities on the smaller ships as we did on Oasis and Allure.

There's a reason Oasis ships have 2 extra pages for the Cruise Planner

 

Aqua Theatre

Ice Rink

Parades

FlowRider

Outdoor Movies with an actual sight line

3D movies

Slides

24 hour food

Carousel

Zip Line (We finally did it)

 

It's a shame the Centrum ships don't do aerial shows anymore

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Edited by John&LaLa
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Haven't met a cruise ship I didn't like. :D Those that spoke up and said there is not as much to do on the smaller ships must have a narrow scope for entertainment. We find as many activities on the smaller ships as we did on Oasis and Allure.

 

No, I do not have a narrow scope for entertainment. Larger ships have multiple activities happening at the same time, smaller ships do not. As I suspected, the activities on our Radiance sailing were limited, the CD chose to highlight movies as a bulk of the entertainment and showed movie trailers as part of his morning show. There was one ping pong and one free throw tournament all week. No quest, just a family Quest on one evening. Many copies of Alaska compasses out there will prove it to you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No, I do not have a narrow scope for entertainment. Larger ships have multiple activities happening at the same time, smaller ships do not. As I suspected, the activities on our Radiance sailing were limited, the CD chose to highlight movies as a bulk of the entertainment and showed movie trailers as part of his morning show. There was one ping pong and one free throw tournament all week. No quest, just a family Quest on one evening. Many copies of Alaska compasses out there will prove it to you.

 

It was the first time in many years that we were on a ship without Quest. Not that we really miss it. I agree that they were really pushing the movies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's a reason Oasis ships have 2 extra pages for the Cruise Planner

 

Aqua Theatre

Ice Rink

Parades

FlowRider

Outdoor Movies with an actual sight line

3D movies

Slides

24 hour food

Carousel

Zip Line (We finally did it)

 

It's a shame the Centrum ships don't do aerial shows anymore

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

It's about time you tried the Zip line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Daughter & I will be on our first Oasis Class in 2020 on the Allure and looking forward to seeing this very large ship, but Ill admit, since this class sails mostly the Caribbean, there is only so many times you can sail the same itinerary then wish something new. I really enjoy the Freedom Class and have been on the Radiance 4 times, Brilliance and Serenade once. There is more to do on a Freedom Class yet love the Radiance Class also. I have no plans to sail anything smaller then the Radiance Class.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My wife and I prefer the smaller ships. We have been on 39 Royal Caribbean cruises and 4 of them have been on Oasis class ships but we will not be sailing on ships that big again. When we want to visit a theme park, we take advantage of our annual passes to Walt Disney World but when we cruise we want to be somewhere less impersonal and less regimented. We do not want to have to make reservations for every show and we do not want the distances between venues to be so great that we need scooters (as we do at Disney). Therefore, our favorite ships are first Radiance Class, second Vision Class and third Voyager Class. We no longer sail on any ships larger than Voyager class.
We feel the same way and love being on smaller ships with way less passengers. We will miss the "Royal Experience" when they eventually sell off the smaller ships. Not ready to join the ancient crowd on Azamara, Silver Sea, Crystal, or even Celebrity.

 

If we want the kind of stuff found on an Oasis class ships....we would be much better off going to Vegas. Vegas has much better shows and restaurants with a smaller cost.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We feel the same way and love being on smaller ships with way less passengers. We will miss the "Royal Experience" when they eventually sell off the smaller ships. Not ready to join the ancient crowd on Azamara, Silver Sea, Crystal, or even Celebrity.

 

If we want the kind of stuff found on an Oasis class ships....we would be much better off going to Vegas. Vegas has much better shows and restaurants with a smaller cost.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Really? Maybe if you stay at Excalibur and eat at a burger joint.

 

We dropped over 4 grand in 36 hours between airfare, Bellagio Penthouse, LOVE (not what I thought), Tom Coliccio Heritage Steak, Walbergers, and Cabowabo Cantina. And a little gambling.[emoji6]

 

Fun, but crazy expensive.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Really? Maybe if you stay at Excalibur and eat at a burger joint.

 

We dropped over 4 grand in 36 hours between airfare, Bellagio Penthouse, LOVE (not what I thought), Tom Coliccio Heritage Steak, Walbergers, and Cabowabo Cantina. And a little gambling.[emoji6]

 

Fun, but crazy expensive.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

You must lose a lot gambling?

 

We usually stay at Mirage or MGM for just about free ( a much nicer room than a balcony cabin on Oasis). We eat dinner at the best places in town for $100pp. We go to shows every other night for $100pp. Other meals are $50pp. There is airfare for us no matter ship or Vegas. We spend around $2500 for the week if you don't count my DW's shopping....lol.

 

Of course you can spend much less than that if you stay at Excalibur/Luxor ( still a better room than an Oasis cabin and priced at $30 a night for people with no comp), eat at mid tier places on the strip ( better than the MDR on Oasis and some of the specialties) and just do a few shows. Easy under 2k......

 

I did stay at the 3 bedroom/5 1/2 bath fountain view Penthouse at Bellagio nine years ago for my daughter's 21st birthday for $550 a night. Private elevators, limo pickup, and lounge were nice but uneeded. Vegas wasn't doing very well back then. I believe that room is over 4k a night now.

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You must lose a lot gambling?

 

We usually stay at Mirage or MGM for just about free ( a much nicer room than a balcony cabin on Oasis). We eat dinner at the best places in town for $100pp. We go to shows every other night for $100pp. Other meals are $50pp. There is airfare for us no matter ship or Vegas. We spend around $2500 for the week if you don't count my DW's shopping....lol.

 

Of course you can spend much less than that if you stay at Excalibur/Luxor ( still a better room than an Oasis cabin and priced at $30 a night for people with no comp), eat at mid tier places on the strip ( better than the MDR on Oasis and some of the specialties) and just do a few shows. Easy under 2k......

 

I did stay at the 3 bedroom/5 1/2 bath fountain view Penthouse at Bellagio nine years ago for my daughter's 21st birthday for $550 a night. Private elevators, limo pickup, and lounge were nice but uneeded. Vegas wasn't doing very well back then. I believe that room is over 4k a night now.

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

That's where we stayed. It was an upgrade.

 

Look familiar [emoji16]

 

We only had 2 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths. Did I not find one? This was dead center, top floor

 

One night only. Dawn flight out, Red Eye home.

 

Math doesn't add up though.

Dinner and shows alone is $2,000

Add lunches and transport

Not everyone gets a free room

 

I really just wanted an excuse to post my fountain picture. [emoji6]

I also forgot to say there were four of us.

 

 

f2657b5a55f523e6c9905feffcec2c5e.jpgc6475fd8cc3982dc12db18e29c403d66.jpg

 

bellagio-las-vegas-penthouses-imaginative-2-bedroom-penthouse-suite-1-gallery-and.jpg

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Edited by John&LaLa
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's where we stayed. It was an upgrade.

 

Look familiar [emoji16]

 

One night only. Dawn flight out, Red Eye home.

 

Math doesn't add up though.

Dinner and shows alone is $2,000

Add lunches and transport

Not everyone gets a free room

 

Just don't get it

To each his own I guessf2657b5a55f523e6c9905feffcec2c5e.jpgc6475fd8cc3982dc12db18e29c403d66.jpg

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

John

 

Just saying that we don't like doing Oasis class and can do Vegas (Superior entertainment and restaurants) for around the same price if not less in my case.

 

On ships I also have transport dollars and a night in a hotel before the cruise. Cash you don't need to spend living in Florida. Not everyone gets a free room.....but you got to admit that Vegas rooms are very inexpensive unless you stay in a suite.

 

That suite has been redone since we stayed there. We were down the hall a little more as we could see Planet Hollywood and MGM in the background. I do remember that chandelier over the dining table.

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

John

 

Just saying that we don't like doing Oasis class and can do Vegas (Superior entertainment and restaurants) for around the same price if not less in my case.

 

On ships I also have transport dollars and a night in a hotel before the cruise. Cash you don't need to spend living in Florida. Not everyone gets a free room.....but you got to admit that Vegas rooms are very inexpensive unless you stay in a suite.

 

That suite has been redone since we stayed there. We were down the hall a little more as we could see Planet Hollywood and MGM in the background. I do remember that chandelier over the dining table.

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

It was a fun trip. Not easily repeated.

 

We need to compare notes on Serenade next year

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anthem in the States, whilst we are in Scotland. If she was still in Southampton, maybe, but if we had to fly across the Atlantic, we would rather just do one of the 3 O sisters in the Caribbean.

 

Oasis is going to be in Europe next year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...