Oasis of the Seas vs Carnival Dream *pic*

[halos]

. I suppose people who are more interested in the ship versus the ports would be okay with jumbo ships. .

 

That's a good assessment. I'd be one of those who sails for the ship. I definitely cruise for the ship not the ports. My favorite part of my Hawaii cruise were the sea days..all 9 of them.

[Cruising89143]

RCI built the Allure and Oasis so big that the ships can't get into most ports. I suppose people who are more interested in the ship versus the ports would be okay with jumbo ships. Not me.

 

Yes and many ports in the Caribbean and around the world are updating their facilities to accommodate these ships. St. Kitts is another port that Allure has visited and can handle these two ships but yes the ships are a destination in themselves. I did a B2B on the Allure and loved it. Would love doing a transatlantic on one of them.

[halos]

Would love doing a transatlantic on one of them.

I think if I were planning a TA, the bigger the ship, the better for sure.

[Dave85]

Nassau: no problem. Cozumel: no problem. St. Maarten: no problem. St. Thomas: they do have to dock at Crown Bay. Does not look too bad to me.

 

Keep in mind that all cruise ships used to fit through the Panama Canal. Most ships that cruise lines are building now will not... the past is gone, but Panama is working on changing that. LINK

 

Tom

 

Truth be told I missed docking downtown in St. Thomas a little bit, but by no means was it a deal breaker. I'd still sail Oasis/Allure to St. Thomas over a smaller, "normal sized" ship.

[gamma5]

The first ship DH and I ever cruised was Oasis. What an experience! We loved her! Excellent entertainment, many shops and much to do. However, you walked and walked and walked and walked....LOL. Just going from your cabin to dinner was a trek! Our next cruise was the Fantasy. Closer, shorter cruise and cheaper. We just wanted to cruise, OK? Enjoyed it just as much. Was it a much different experience? Yes, if definitely was. Did we enjoy it just as much? Definitely! We had a verandah suite and DH was delighted that the breakfast buffet was just down the steps! We knew it would be different so we delighted in the anticipation of the unexpected. So, IMO, it is all what you make of it. We will be sailing the Dream this coming April and again we are excited to see what she will have to offer. Maybe we are just more easy going than some, but some of the comments regarding various ships, to me, just come off as arrogant and rude. We just enjoy the different experiences the various ships have to offer. And, after this.....hmmmmm, which one will be next? :D

[HMH G]

I saw those two side by side in St Martin. Oasis is a huge square floating warehouse and I have no desire to go on that ship.

 

 

I can't wait to get back on the Oasis class! Allure was absolutely fantastic. I'm just off the Carnival Triumph and it felt TINY and CROWDED. I think we were spoiled by "the floating warehouse" being our first cruise. Anything else just looks unimpressive.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

I can't wait to get back on the Oasis class! Allure was absolutely fantastic. I'm just off the Carnival Triumph and it felt TINY and CROWDED. I think we were spoiled by "the floating warehouse" being our first cruise. Anything else just looks unimpressive.

 

If someone asks my opinion (first time cruiser) I usually suggest that they don't start with something at the top of the heap - for the reasons you've just stated. Though I don't recommend that they start with something too old or too small either. What they need is... you know, a Goldilocks cruise!! :D

 

Tom

[onthehighseas606]

We met a couple who cruised on the Oasis recently. They said that even though it was a huge ship and carried lots of passengers, it didn't seem like you were running into people - it was very roomy and beautiful. I'd jump on it and experience it for myself. Can't be any worse than what we just got off of. :rolleyes:

[texsun49]

I am sure Oasis of the Seas is opulent and offers a lot, and all those that cruise on her have a wonderful time....however when I cruise I like to feel like I am on a ship, that looks like a resort on a floating platform. Even some of the larger ships of the other lines are getting to that point, but nothing like that.

[Cushing985]

We haven't been on either the Dream or a ship in the Oasis class (just putting it out there!). When the Oasis first came out I couldn't believe how big it was and honestly thought too big for me and had no interest cruising on her. After reading a ton of pictorial reviews and seeing how beautiful it is inside I'm looking forward to the day when we go onboard.

 

A common theme in the reviews is that there really isn't a crowding problem onboard as there is so many places you can go to for both entertainment and eating. My only concern with this class of ship is how do you get 6,000 people off the ship in case of an emergency? Not really a concern but more curious than anything and I assume the Coast Guard approved their evacuation procedures.

[HMH G]

If someone asks my opinion (first time cruiser) I usually suggest that they don't start with something at the top of the heap - for the reasons you've just stated. Though I don't recommend that they start with something too old or too small either. What they need is... you know, a Goldilocks cruise!! :D

 

Tom

 

 

Hehe yea I thought about that and how we probably should have started with a smaller ship, but then after getting off of the Triumph I honestly think we would have just brushed it off and said that we're "not cruise people" and never would have tried Allure.

[gardeningmama]

I can't wait to get back on the Oasis class! Allure was absolutely fantastic. I'm just off the Carnival Triumph and it felt TINY and CROWDED. I think we were spoiled by "the floating warehouse" being our first cruise. Anything else just looks unimpressive.

 

I will admit that it does LOOK impressive.

[wranglerguy]

Going on the dream in may and nervous about the crowds I have read about. Can't imagine the crowds on the oasis.

 

 

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OIIIO

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Going on the dream in may and nervous about the crowds I have read about. Can't imagine the crowds on the oasis.

 

 

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OIIIO

 

I think the take home message that I've gleaned from this thread is that the Oasis tends to feel LESS crowded than the Dream. The numbers (space ratio specifically) seem to support that general consensus as well.

 

Tom

[bguppies]

Here is mine, I know many of you have seen it already.

 

 

 

 

Majesty ots, disney dream, carnival dream, ncl sky, oasis of the seas.\

 

 

We traveled on the Allure and could not be more happy, we are actually worried that from now on we will be comparing all our future adventures to the Allure one. That said I look forward to the day I can sail on the Breeze :).

 

 

Don't trash talk something you have not experience, I learned that the hard way :D.

 

That is the best picture I have seen to show the true size differences...

 

I assume you took it crossing the bridge back from Paradise Island in Nassau?

 

Bill

[bguppies]

I think the take home message that I've gleaned from this thread is that the Oasis tends to feel LESS crowded than the Dream. The numbers (space ratio specifically) seem to support that general consensus as well.

 

Tom

 

Dream was the most crowded experience we have had on any Carnival cruise. (Spirit class is by far the best)

 

Just curious Tom, as I know you usually cruise in suites.

 

We just booked the Garden Villa 14000 on the NCL Dawn for next year.

 

Ever cruised a Garden Villa or the Dawn and what did you think?

 

Bill

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Dream was the most crowded experience we have had on any Carnival cruise. (Spirit class is by far the best)

 

Just curious Tom, as I know you usually cruise in suites.

 

We just booked the Garden Villa 14000 on the NCL Dawn for next year.

 

Ever cruised a Garden Villa or the Dawn and what did you think?

 

Bill

 

I've only seen photos of the Garden Villas... "WOW" about covers it!

Three bedroom... what's the square footage?

 

Never been on the Dawn (or a Dawn class ship), only the Sky (2x), Pearl, and Epic (2x).

 

ENJOY!

 

Tom

[bguppies]

I've only seen photos of the Garden Villas... "WOW" about covers it!

 

Never been on the Dawn (or a Dawn class ship), only the Sky (2x), Pearl, and Epic (2x).

 

ENJOY!

 

Tom

 

Thanks Tom....

 

Its my parents 50 th anniversary, DW and my 15th anniversary, and Brother's 10 th anniversary that year, so we picked a date in the middle and Tampa, being the middle of everybody going.

 

 

The family figured they would splurge for all of the events to be celebrated.

 

Be interesting to test the NCL waters after 11 Carnival cruises.

 

Figured if we liked that NCL experience, we could move up to Epic or Breakaway.

 

Bill

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Thanks Tom....

 

Its my parents 50 th anniversary, DW and my 15th anniversary, and Brother's 10 th anniversary that year, so we picked a date in the middle and Tampa, being the middle of everybody going.

 

 

The family figured they would splurge for all of the events to be celebrated.

 

Be interesting to test the NCL waters after 11 Carnival cruises.

 

Figured if we liked that NCL experience, we could move up to Epic or Breakaway.

 

Bill

 

Our first NCL booking was the Epic, but we ended up slipping in a 3-night on the Sky. By doing so we not only got a taste of NCL, but was then on their Casino "radar" and thus managed to get two grand off our Epic suite! Now IF we had just booked the Sky as our first "testing of the waters", I don't think we would have returned so soon to NCL. Even though we took a second cruise on the Sky, I was not really impressed with the ship.

 

The Dawn is newer/larger than the Sky - so should have more to offer. Make sure you enjoy the free buffalo wings that NCL offers 24/7 (well... NOT 24/7 on the Sky)! ;)

 

The Epic, and no doubt the Breakaway are true destinations. If you become bored, it's your own fault!! :D

 

Tom

[cruisemom101]

@bguppies....do you still have your Dream fun times? I am cruising in April and am looking for some current ones. Thanks

[cruisinfanatic]

Going on the dream in may and nervous about the crowds I have read about. Can't imagine the crowds on the oasis.

 

 

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OIIIO

Why does everyone think the crowds will be worse on Oasis/Allure than any other ship.

 

Say your having a party at your house this year with 25 people. Kind of crowded maybe?

Say you've moved into a house that is twice as large, has more places to go in it and have a party for 50 people. Do you think it will be more crowded?

No

[texsun49]

I have found on any cruise ship there are times and places that are crowded, but have always been able to find quiet spots as well. On any ship if you are going to popular spots at peak times you will no doubt encounter a crowd. Not likely on any size ship will the ratio of people to space be much different, they are going to get as many souls on board as they can accomodate to maximize profit potential. More open deck space with less venues to create bottle necks would create a general sense of less crowded, but the venues create attraction...so it is a trade off.

[halos]

D.

 

We just booked the Garden Villa 14000 on the NCL Dawn for next year.

 

Bill

 

Figured if we liked that NCL experience, we could move up to Epic or Breakaway.

 

Bill

 

LOL...IF you like the experience?? With the GV, I believe it would be next to impossible to NOT like the NCL experience. I eye up those suites every chance I get. Please come back with a review and photos!!!