Allure vs. epic?

[colesc15]

Im pretty set on the allure next spring break, however I was looking at prices on the epic and I could get a mini suite for around 300 per person less than what a regular balcony on allure would be. Thoughts anyone? Especially anyone who has been on both? I'm still leaning allure but just crossed my mind.

[colesc15]

Thoughts anyone?

[kellygirl719]

I can't speak to the the Allure vs Epic; however I had friends that did the Oasis and then the Epic and said Oasis was 10x better once they got back from the Epic. Their biggest complaint was the set up of the cabins in the Epic (they didn't prefer the layout)..

[Eng23]

I can't speak to the the Allure vs Epic; however I had friends that did the Oasis and then the Epic and said Oasis was 10x better once they got back from the Epic. Their biggest complaint was the set up of the cabins in the Epic (they didn't prefer the layout)..

I have heard this same complaint echoed on here. In addition many people complian about the entire deck layout of the Epic not being very functional.

[BillOh]

I have heard this same complaint echoed on here. In addition many people complian about the entire deck layout of the Epic not being very functional.

 

A gentleman in my current Allure Roll Call group said basically the same thing, he is trying Allure next year after Epic this year.

[jst4fun715]

Have not been on the Allure but did go on the Epic. We were not happy with the layout of the ship or the cabins. For as big as the ship was, it felt crowded. And the bathroom layouts really leave something to be desired! I have friends that went on the Oasis and loved it. They said even with all the people it didn't have a crowded feel.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

I just got off the Epic on Saturday. I was on the Allure for Christmas.

We sailed on RCI 9 times previously and wanted to try something a little different.

 

Basically the Allure won in my opinion. The ship itself is a lot more "WOW" and I found the production/formal entertainment and comedian a lot better on the Allure. There were more included entertainment choices as well. It's an all around win.

 

However, we had an amazing time on the Epic and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Blue Man Group was amazing and so was the Cirque Tent. The cabin did not bother us one bit. I actually liked the ample ample storage space on the Epic. We did go to 3 specialty restaurants and they were all good. The buffet was great, lots of new choices each day but you could also get many standard items. There were plenty of things to stay busy on sea and port days.

 

If you have specific questions just ask me and I can tell you what you need to know. Both trips are fairly fresh in my memory.

[colesc15]

I just got off the Epic on Saturday. I was on the Allure for Christmas.

We sailed on RCI 9 times previously and wanted to try something a little different.

 

Basically the Allure won in my opinion. The ship itself is a lot more "WOW" and I found the production/formal entertainment and comedian a lot better on the Allure. There were more included entertainment choices as well. It's an all around win.

 

However, we had an amazing time on the Epic and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Blue Man Group was amazing and so was the Cirque Tent. The cabin did not bother us one bit. I actually liked the ample ample storage space on the Epic. We did go to 3 specialty restaurants and they were all good. The buffet was great, lots of new choices each day but you could also get many standard items. There were plenty of things to stay busy on sea and port days.

 

If you have specific questions just ask me and I can tell you what you need to know. Both trips are fairly fresh in my memory.

 

I could get a mini suite for about 600 less for two versus a balcony on allure. What would you do?

[DonnaK]

I could get a mini suite for about 600 less for two versus a balcony on allure. What would you do?

 

 

I would still take Allure. You'll probably spend the difference onboard Epic - Allure has lots of included venues that are wonderful, so there is no need to spend anything onboard unless you want to

[FLACRUISER99]

I would still take Allure. You'll probably spend the difference onboard Epic - Allure has lots of included venues that are wonderful, so there is no need to spend anything onboard unless you want to

 

I agree on my last NCL cruise the bar menu did not have prices! Some drinks were over $15.00!:eek:

[sail2sea]

Both are must do's. You really can't go wrong.

 

Epic prices have come down a lot. If you are lucky you can get it cheaper than Carnival's Dream, not to mention the upcoming Breeze. Allure still commands high prices.

[bigfig63]

Was on Epic last year and Allure this year. Each have their own draw but for me, I preferred Epic. The waterslides on Epic were fun compared to the flowrider which was usually too crowded. Also Epic had better pool/pool areas. THe adult area on Allure was up front in the solarium and it would get quite hot since it is glassed in, main pools very crowded on sea days. Adult on Epic was in the back in H2O zone and had a nice circular arrangement. IMO not enough pool space on Allure.

 

Other then that everything pretty similiar.

[PurpleHays]

I went on the Allure last year for our honeymoon, the Epic for spring break two weeks ago. Allure wins hands down.

 

The Epic had the best food I've had on a cruise ship. The medical staff is awesome (I got food poisoning from my last land-based meal at the Hilton :( ) The shows were good. Don't miss the Cirque.

 

Freestyle dining and the infamous bathroom setup were not dealbreakers.

 

There did seem to be more pay than included dining. Not much pool space or shaded area near the pool (damned redhead skin) The dealbreaker for me was the casino in the middle of the ship, running most of the length of the sixth deck. Since the sixth and seventh were the main thoroughfares, it stunk like cigarettes. Both levels.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

I could get a mini suite for about 600 less for two versus a balcony on allure. What would you do?

 

Our onboard bill ended up being $575 and did NOT include excursions. We wanted to try everything the ship had to offer because who knows if we'll go back or if we will try other ships in the future. So like another poster said above... you will end up spending a significant amount of money more on the Epic than Allure. Our onboard bill from Allure was under $150 and we still enjoyed 2 specialty restaurants on Allure and a few drinks over the week.

 

Personally I found there to be WAY more pool space on Allure and many more open loungers. Epic was a bit of a struggle to find somewhere to sit each day. If you want to peruse on over the the NCL forums here is my review... http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1596560

 

I do agree that the waterslides were much more accessible even on sea days. The slide lines moved quick and there were 3 to choose from vs FlowRider.

[bigfig63]

And don't forget the slide we named the toilet bowl. How often do you get the chance to ride a tube down a slide and get flushed down the drain! On the Epic.

[Gon2hwe]

I fell for the mini suite for the price of a balcony on Epic. Well found out what they consider a mini suite is really the size of a balcony on RCI. Ended up cancelling that cruise when I found a deal on Allure.

[will773]

And don't forget the slide we named the toilet bowl. How often do you get the chance to ride a tube down a slide and get flushed down the drain! On the Epic.

 

I've wondered that too. I feel like the lines would get very long!

[gabbygrrl]

I sailed the Epic and it was my one of my worst cruising experiences. The ship layout is horrible. Although BMG and the Cirque show were fantastic, there were not enough other positives to balance out.

They have a great sushi bar that seats about 12 people. Seriously. Every time we went, there was a line. And the casino is spread out over deck 6 I think and it's thick with smoke, and so was the "family" dining area, O'Sheehan's. So smokey we couldn't even pass through this deck, forget about eating there!

The cabin layout was terrible. We had to step aside so we could pass by each other. We had a large balcony cabin but the bed is about 6 inches away from the sink, which is actually IN the cabin. The bathroom "split" is weird.

Bottom line, Allure. Hands down. NCL is moving the Epic to Europe because it's doing so poorly over here. And their new ships are going to be completely different. They tried something new with the Epic and and it didn't work.

[shonandsuzie]

Personally I found there to be WAY more pool space on Allure and many more open loungers. Epic was a bit of a struggle to find somewhere to sit each day. I do agree that the waterslides were much more accessible even on sea days. The slide lines moved quick and there were 3 to choose from vs FlowRider.

My friend just returned from the Epic and her only complaint was the pool area. She said that it was really hard to find an adult area due to the water slides taking up most of the deck area. There was an adult pool but you had to pay to use it. I thought she was mistaken so I looked it up and found that you do have to pay for it. She had her kids with her and they loved the water park items but it was when the adults wanted to "chill" by the pool that it became an issue.

The ice bar was a big draw for her and they went to it but there was a cover charge which disappointed her.

Prior to her review, we were deciding between Oasis and Epic. We chose Oasis.

[SANDY823]

I've been on both-and hands down to Oasis.. Epic cabins are european designs, and very strange set up, if you are not just a couple -- (e.g. if you are sailing with friends/kids )...

 

Oasis has it all -entertainment was great - Aqua shows, comedy, ... definately gets my vote

[colesc15]

Allure it is :)

[negc]

While I think that EPIC might fare better if the same question were posted on the NCL boards, I do know someone who is not a particular loyalist of either line who, after sailing on both ships, told me that had he not cruised on Oasis, he might not have been as disappointed in the EPIC. In his opinion, there was really no comparison between the two. I only know that based solely on its exterior appearance, the NCL Epic is one butt-ugly ship:)

[Sunkissed Mommy]

There was an adult pool but you had to pay to use it. I thought she was mistaken so I looked it up and found that you do have to pay for it. She had her kids with her and they loved the water park items but it was when the adults wanted to "chill" by the pool that it became an issue.

 

The adult pool does NOT have a fee. We spent time at Spice H20 and didn't pay a cent extra. That is the adults only area that has a pool.

 

Perhaps your friend was thinking of the thermal suite within the spa that has an additional charge and includes a heated therapy pool. Or was she/he thinking of POSH? That is another adults only area but does not include a pool and does includes a fee.

 

gabbygirl- The ship is not being sent to Europe because it is doing poorly in the US. Based on my experience last week I'd say the ship was doing well. I saw a lot of people very happy and having a lot of fun. Since it's inception the Epic has always alternated it's location between the Med and Caribbean based on high and low seasons.

 

I'm no NCL cheerleader, but I'm just trying to clear up a few misconceptions that are out there.

[shonandsuzie]

The adult pool does NOT have a fee. We spent time at Spice H20 and didn't pay a cent extra. That is the adults only area that has a pool.

 

Perhaps your friend was thinking of the thermal suite within the spa that has an additional charge and includes a heated therapy pool. Or was she/he thinking of POSH? That is another adults only area but does not include a pool and does includes a fee.

 

gabbygirl- The ship is not being sent to Europe because it is doing poorly in the US. Based on my experience last week I'd say the ship was doing well. I saw a lot of people very happy and having a lot of fun. Since it's inception the Epic has always alternated it's location between the Med and Caribbean based on high and low seasons.

 

I'm no NCL cheerleader, but I'm just trying to clear up a few misconceptions that are out there.

I believe it was POSH. But she did not notice a free adult pool. Unless it is still in the general vicinity of that water slide stuff?? She seemed very sure about it. I did search here on CC to see if there was indeed a fee and many reported that there was for the adult only area.

 

Oh well. It doesnt really matter for me personally, I was just trying to relay information that I found informative.:)

[graphicguy]

Well...I'm getting ready to sail on the Allure in a couple of months (got a good deal). But, I have sailed Liberty of the Seas, which is a smaller version of the Allure. I have sailed Conquest class of CCL. the afore mentioned Liberty, Celebrity's biggest ship (Solstice). I'll say upfront, Epic is my favorite ship.

 

I really don't get the "knocks" on the cabins. We could fit two in our shower (experience proved it), which we loved. I guess some don't like that you can see a silhouette behind the frosted glass where the toilet resides. But, c'mon....is that really such a big deal with a family member or someone with whom you're intimate with to begin with?

 

The entertainment on the Epic is worthy of $100+/seat (as they charge in Vegas for Blue Man Group and Legends). Even the nominal charge for Cirque includes dinner and a great show.

 

The beds are uber comfortable. And nobody does FreeStyle cruising better than the originator....NCL.

 

Food and service sit at the top of the heap....even better than what I experienced on the Celebrity Solstice (which I paid a premium for because of its alleged premium status as a cruise line).

 

I may change my tune after I sail Allure. But, if it wasn't for the deal I got on it, I would have been right back on the Epic. If Allure is a larger Liberty of the Seas, then I know I'll still prefer the Epic.

 

I'll let you know in a couple of months.