NCL Escape v. RCCL Symphony - opinions please

I'd love to hear your opinion of how these compare. I'd be looking at an ocean view cabin on a b2b in the Caribbean. I don't really care about itinerary comparisons, just the ship experience. 62 year olds - not big partiers ourselves but we love to people watch the partiers and enjoy the music.

Thanks.

(cross-posted to rccl board

I'd say Symphony. I've cruised Escape and 2 of Symphony's sisters (Oasis and Allure). Escape is a great ship and a lot of fun, but not quite on the same level as RCI's Oasis Class. Oasis Class is much more spacious, less crowded, and has more pools. Also, they have the huge adults only Solarium at the front of the ship.

Escape is very chaotic due to the crowds. For sitting back and people watching, you'll be more comfortable on Symphony. Just my opinion. Enjoy which ever you choose. :)

You are comparing a Oasis class ship with a Quantum class ship. If you like the "feel" of a Quantum class ship, you will enjoy the Escape. Lots to do. Lots of different places to eat (no cheapy Sorentos pizza). A few pics from the Escape, sample dailies, and restaurant menus can be found on my live post https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2624246

The Symphony is the shiniest, newest most modern ship out there right now. You're comparing apples to oranges.

There's no other cruise line that offers a ship comparable to the experience an Oasis class ship provides.

I think NCL and RCL are more alike than different....hard to go wrong...

Comparison.

Symphony Pros:

- Better adult areas

- FAR Better entertainment

- More and better food options

- More pools

- Substantially Less crowded

- Unique venues like Central Park and Boardwalk

- Open, spacious, airy with high ceilings and room to breathe

- Larger, better, and more comfortable venues for comedy and main theater

- Newer, nicer cabins

- Far more to see and do, quiet and not so quiet areas

- Excellent casino and entertainment district

- To people watch, you can actually get a comfortable lounger in a prime area (again, much less crowding)

Escape Pros:

- Pretty paint job on the hull

Comparison.

 

Symphony Pros:

 

- Better adult areas

- FAR Better entertainment

- More and better food options

- More pools

- Substantially Less crowded

- Unique venues like Central Park and Boardwalk

- Open, spacious, airy with high ceilings and room to breathe

- Larger, better, and more comfortable venues for comedy and main theater

- Newer, nicer cabins

- Far more to see and do, quiet and not so quiet areas

- Excellent casino and entertainment district

- To people watch, you can actually get a comfortable lounger in a prime area (again, much less crowding)

 

Escape Pros:

- Pretty paint job on the hull

This made me laugh. I can see which one you prefer. :D

From personal experience and also from many comments on cc, Oasis class tend to have more to see and do than can be reasonably done in one week so a b2b on an Oasis especially the newest would be the ideal way to go. I've been on Allure twice and Harmony once and I still see stuff here on cc that I didn't see/do/participate in on those three cruises on Oasis class

Comparison.

 

Symphony Pros:

 

- Better adult areas

- FAR Better entertainment

- More and better food options

- More pools

- Substantially Less crowded

- Unique venues like Central Park and Boardwalk

- Open, spacious, airy with high ceilings and room to breathe

- Larger, better, and more comfortable venues for comedy and main theater

- Newer, nicer cabins

- Far more to see and do, quiet and not so quiet areas

- Excellent casino and entertainment district

- To people watch, you can actually get a comfortable lounger in a prime area (again, much less crowding)

 

Escape Pros:

- Pretty paint job on the hull

How many sailings on each ship? You review reminds me of someone who claims they couldn't find ANYTHING to eat for a week on a cruise ship. Pretty much taken with a grain of salt.

How many sailings on each ship? You review reminds me of someone who claims they couldn't find ANYTHING to eat for a week on a cruise ship. Pretty much taken with a grain of salt.

My comment is accurate and intended to have a little humor as well. Your comment, on the other hand... :rolleyes:

My comment is accurate and intended to have a little humor as well. Your comment, on the other hand... :rolleyes:

I was thinking the same thing. Apparently someone has a chip on their shoulder. Not sure what said chip is though.

My comment is accurate and intended to have a little humor as well. Your comment, on the other hand... :rolleyes:

Having been on both Escape and Oasis Class, I totally agree with you.

I haven't sailed symphony yet, but I had done Oasis Class and have sailed Escape before

To me, better people watching on NCL. RCI has a different crowd, for sure! The "parties" on RCI, at least the sailings I have been on, have less of a turn out vs the NCL turn out

Cost is a big factor for me personally, especially if itineraries are the same. If you want a drink package, then NCL is the way to go. Ive gotten the drink package by paying for it on RCI and wasn't impressed with quality and selection of drinks vs NCL

Entertainment, like the production shows, are better on RCI. However, NCL has better game shows, during the day activities

RCI has WAY better ship layout and functuality vs NCL Escape/Getaway/Breakaway. Most of this is due to Escape decks 6-7-8, which are open to each other. This area is really congested on the Escape, as some shows are held in the Atrium on Deck 6. Just not enough room for all the people watching, and can cause problems with people just wanting to walk through. The casino is also on one of these decks and the smell of smoke does travel far. RCI also has a better adults only area, but the Escape has the Waterfront area, which I also love

Based on what you said you were looking for, I would go for RCI.

Everyone has their own opinion but one of the most succinct ways that I heard of someone else comparing the two is this:

Royal ships are better during the day. (better pool areas, Solarium, Ship Aesthetics, etc.)

Norwegian Ships are better at night. (better and more varied shows, better and more specialties, better themed parties and bars etc.)

One comparison I can make after sailing on Oasis and Allure is that people sailing on NCL absolutely know how to have a good time..people sailing on Royal not so much. The overall vibe on NCL is much better.

One comparison I can make after sailing on Oasis and Allure is that people sailing on NCL absolutely know how to have a good time..people sailing on Royal not so much. The overall vibe on NCL is much better.

Agreed. It's really all about what you're looking for. If I were to compare NCL and Royal to Carnival, NCL is definitely more of a Carnival atmosphere. So to the OP, at 62 years old, it really depends on what you're used to. If you typically cruise Carnival, you're "young at heart" and want a similar party experience, go with NCL. If you typically cruise Disney, Celebrity, Princess or HAL and want a more mellow, romantic atmosphere with your partner, go Symphony and get on OV balcony on deck 8, Central Park.

Always recommend Oasis class over any other ship.

The size does not make for crowds. Ship well laid out and so many variety of venues.

Oasis class ships are my forever ships. I did the Escape and it was better than the new Bliss.

So go on Symphony and try the Allure too.

Not the OP, but we had the same question... though comparing Haven versus the sky suite class (the middle suite tier, I think it was sky.). Any thoughts? We’re doing the Escape this time because we live in NY. But for the future...

Thanks

My parents have done both of these. They really liked the big NCL ship for the ship. They said the ship is just so well laid out that it felt less crowded than the Escape (We all did the Escape together about two years ago) and they would not hesitate in the least to do a big NCL ship again (loved it). Their favorite cruise line is MSC for all the great classical music. And their second favorite cruise line is RCCL bigger newer ships for the great ship layouts and fabulous entertainment offering that you can do when you have that many people. Please note that they have mostly cruised mainstream lines, not the more luxury ones. All that said about favorites, they like any cruise actually and say cruises on any line are more similar than different.

Do note too despite their liking the big RCCL ships more than the Escape, they are joining us next January on the cruise we are doing on the Getaway, a very similar ship to the Escape. Any cruise is a fun cruise. We have a good deal on the Getaway and are price sensitive cruisers, they love cruising, they loving being with their daughter, son-in-law, and especially our son, their 22 year old grandson, so despite their preferring the NCL large ships they really enjoyed the Escape too and are delighted to be doing the Getaway with us.

My husband is 64 and I'm 57, so we are similar in age to you. We aren't big party people, but did enjoy the Howl at the Moon Comedy club and the two big shows on the Escape, which were very good I thought. My mom and dad (young active 82 year olds) thought the Escape entertainment was excellent, but said that RCCL entertainment was even better. DS 22 loves any cruise, especially if mom and dad are paying.

This is not your opinion Aquahound. This is how these ships are built. :)

I would add much better entertainment on the Symphony, and much better spa on the Escape.

There is no ship that compares to the Oasis class and there is no cruise line that offers that quality of entertainment. The aqua theater is amazing. It is what it is. Anyone that claims NCL has better entertainment is woefully ignorant, or just kidding themselves. You get what you pay for.

You are comparing a Oasis class ship with a Quantum class ship. If you like the "feel" of a Quantum class ship, you will enjoy the Escape. Lots to do. Lots of different places to eat (no cheapy Sorentos pizza). A few pics from the Escape, sample dailies, and restaurant menus can be found on my live post https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2624246

love your comparison. it is so hard to really judge what is best and all these people who think they can don't know how comparisons work. it is like comparing a 7 or 10 day cruise with a 4 day one. Of course they are very different. I am always amazed at people who think, because they have cruised on one or the other they have all the answers. Yes, as you say, it depends completely on what you like and what you want to do.

Just like some of us prefer the older, smaller ships and others like to sail on ones that have activities going night and day Neither is right or wrong. One thinks the booze cruise is a wonderful way to spend a few days, others prefer cruising on a ship with lots of dining choices. What ever works for you is the only answer. One thing no one should do is try and compare two different classes of ships.

How many sailings on each ship? You review reminds me of someone who claims they couldn't find ANYTHING to eat for a week on a cruise ship. Pretty much taken with a grain of salt.

my point exactly. For some, they are so partial to one line over the others they can not even be objective. This is fine if they truly have done a fair comparison, but most have not. I always take those types of posters with a grain of salt.