Oasis / Allure vs Norwegian Getaway

[ivanrocko]

We are planning 2015 Cruise Vacation on the Oasis, Allure or Norwegian Getaway. Any suggestions? Which cruise do you recommend, and Why?

[Familygoboston]

My cousin did Oasis (sister ship - Allure) and BreakAway (sister ship- Getaway) 18 months apart...I asked her this question since I have never sailed Norwegian. This is what she told me...

Passengers on Breakaway were the rudest she had ever encountered on a cruise ship, so service was bad, and Breakaway seemed more poorly staffed than Oasis.

She felt Oasis had better food and entertainment. She thought BreakAway had more "fast food" (pizza burgers etc) options, open more hours, but missed the Park Cafe type of foods on Oasis.

 

BreakAway had better "active" activities for her kids around the pools and sports decks (she felt the zip line was a one hit wonder where as the BreakAway had trampolines and such her kids loved because they are cheerleaders)

 

Cabin service was not as good or as friendly on Break Away.

 

So those were her opinions shared with me...good luck making your choice!

[SteveH2508]

Here is a very well written and well presented recent review of the Getaway.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2095556

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Have never been on those ships, but have been on the NCL Epic, along with 5 RC cruises. I probably will never sail NCL again due to the poor service and the lack of good food in the main dining areas. The Oasis/Allure are supposed to be amazing ships, and I will probably be sailing on the Allure for the first time next year.

 

Another thing to consider: It is said that the Oasis is getting Dynamic Dining next year. A quick search for Dynamic Dining on Quantum of the Seas will inform you what it is, BUT no one knows how this will be rolled out on Oasis. RC said that the MDR would be remodeled in Oct 2015 but Dynamic Dining would not start until Mar 2015.

 

This is a reason why we are not considering Oasis, but considering Allure for our spring vacation next year because Allure is not supposed to go to drydock until Apr or May 2015 and who knows if she'll get Dynamic Dining also.

[rednose83]

I would just pick which one meets your needs best.

 

Past reviews aren't really that reliable considering that people have such different experiences on the same sailing. One person comes back and says it was the most awful thing ever and the other says that they had the most amazing time.

 

There are just too many variables!

 

I've not been on Oasis/Allure (soon though- looking at booking) or Getaway. I have been on Breakaway and had an amazing time. That was the cruise that we had our probably best cabin steward. BUT, on the other side of the the ship- they may have had their worst ever steward.

 

I have heard the rude passenger thing about BA which normally gets chalked up to there being a high % of NY'ers. I didn't notice a difference. We loved the entertainment on BA.

 

I don't think you'd go wrong with either ship though, TBH.

[roe2ship]

We did the Breakaway (sister to Getaway) it is a nice ship and wouldn't hesitate to cruise on her again however I would choose Oasis or Allure without a second thought. Quality of food and the service is better on Royal. IMO, the entertainment on the Oasis Class ships are the best at sea. One major flaw with the Breakaway (and I imagine Getaway) is that the pool and open space on the pools decks is small which results in a small quanity of loungers. I began to think that NCL stands for "No Chairs Left." The hallways are very narrow and the standard balconies are tiny.

 

We thought our Breakaway cruise had the best mix of passengers ever. You can't go wrong with any of them. Good luck in deciding....that's fun too.

[ivanrocko]

What cruise is better for a family vacation?

Better food, shows, kids camp, swimming pools, entertainment, included in price?

 

We had been on Disney Dream, and we know that Disney Cruises are the best for kids, and the Disney Fantasy is a great option, but we already got Disney Parks annual passes, and we want to do a vacation not disney related for now, plus Disney Cruises are expensive, like double or triple price than other cruise lines.

We know that Royal Caribbean - Freedom Class is great !!!

But we want to try the Oasis Class or Norwegian Getaway...........

 

Help us to choose our next family vacation, Thanks ;)

[riclop]

Allure/ Oasis because everything is better.

[JasonV1]

Hard to beat the Haven on the Getaway if you can swing it. The perks were amazing.

 

The lack of pools compared the Oasis class boats means the Getaway pool deck is a zoo when the ship is full/near full. you can pay for Vibe access, but no pool and it can get very hot. The Oasis a Solarium is so much better.

 

Getaway gym is really small for the size of the ship, if that matters. The water slides/rope course/zip line are awesome though, if that matters.

 

The placement of outside doors in the middle of 678 waterfront lets in blasts of air if windy outside, and creates hotspots (when hot). This could get frustrating at times. The placement of the casino on deck 7 midship near the atrium is odd, especially when the smoking ban goes into effect. I'm not saying the smoke smell was bad and carried a lot, but after this fall who knows what will happen if lots more visit to smoke.

 

I did a CC review where I called out these items, although everything else was great. I really like the NCL drink packages as all beers are included, no mysteries like Royal.

 

Oasis class has the edge for breakfast/lunch eateries. I didn't starve on the Getaway but I missed the Park Cafe quite a bit.

 

I'll probably sail it again for big events (like 20 yr anniversary) if I can afford the Haven, but if I can't I have to sail Royal for the Solarium if anything. I like the decent sized quieter area with the pool and the Getaway just doesn't have that (unless you are in the Haven).

Edited September 9, 2014 by JasonV1

[ivanrocko]

Thanks All for your input, but we still undecided.

It looks like the Allure is the one, but the Getaway is a really good option, and the one new cruises are following, for example RC Quantum and Anthem, but they are going to be homeport outside the US. So I will wait for the Quantum Class to be homeport in FL, and for now I will choose RC Allure or NCL Getaway.

Any suggestions or comments ??? :confused:

[camaro69]

We have done all 3 - Oasis, Allure & Getaway ...I would have to say Allure was my favorite, so much to do it was awesome! Getaway was fun but not as many options for entertainment, the back of the Allure/Oasis with the dive show was very very cool! Good luck making a decision!

[ivanrocko]

We have done all 3 - Oasis, Allure & Getaway ...I would have to say Allure was my favorite, so much to do it was awesome! Getaway was fun but not as many options for entertainment, the back of the Allure/Oasis with the dive show was very very cool! Good luck making a decision!

 

 

Thanks, Allure is getting our attention

 

 

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[Bloom9]

Tough decision, both ships are amazing, I really enjoyed the shows on Getaway - the Burn the Floor and the Illusionarium are not to be missed, the Allure has Chicago and the shows in the Aqua Theater. Whatever you decide enjoy - you can't go wrong with either ship.

[ivanrocko]

Tough decision, both ships are amazing, I really enjoyed the shows on Getaway - the Burn the Floor and the Illusionarium are not to be missed, the Allure has Chicago and the shows in the Aqua Theater. Whatever you decide enjoy - you can't go wrong with either ship.

 

 

Sounds good,

I know the two next cruises, but What cruise should I try first?

 

 

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[ivanrocko]

1. RC Allure, 2. NC Getaway, 3. Disney Fantasy, 4. RC Oasis, 5. RC Freedom

 

What do you think about this plan?

Any suggestions???

 

 

 

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[rednose83]

1. RC Allure, 2. NC Getaway, 3. Disney Fantasy, 4. RC Oasis, 5. RC Freedom

 

What do you think about this plan?

Any suggestions???

 

 

 

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You sound like me :D

[weebobby]

Hi all !

 

I have been looking at cruises for a few weeks now . We are looking to get a holiday at the end of next month as my wife is pregnant and we might not get a good holiday for a while! We have never been on a cruise before but have been doing plenty of research.

 

I liked the look of the cruise from Carnival Liberty out of San Juan for June 28th which is a great price but couldn't seem to get flights to match out of Belfast/Dublin down to San Juan. Its a great itinerary with only one sea day and some nice islands like St.Lucia and Barbados. We want a stop over somewhere on the East Coast for a few days eg Miami/NYC as we are big fans of the USA!

 

However, I can get very cheap $600 flights (we have $100 flight credit to use on United after being heavily delayed last year) out of Belfast down to Fort Lauderdale from June 23rd to July 4th. I have been to F.Lauderdale and Miami last year so am familiar with the area. Will probably stay somewhere in Miami Beach - there are some great prices on hotels (23rd-27th) with Como / Fontainbleau / Edition / Thompson @ $175 per night.

 

I have been looking at various websites/agents - have found Sandy at VivaVoyages very nice (all US agents are allowed to sell carnival and Norweigian cruises to people in Europe but RCL seem to only allow a limited number such as Sandy )

 

The best prices at the moment for a sea view balcony room departing June 27th to July 4th seem to be approx:

 

$1550pp Oasis of the Seas - ( 3- Nassau , US Virgin Island , St.Maarten )

$1200pp Getaway - ( 3- Nassau , US Virgin is, British Virgin is)

 

I have no idea if these prices are good as have never cruised before. Obviously i am aware the last day of the cruise - July 4th is a big day in the USA.

 

We are both 30 years old and enjoy travel. We will save up and then spend it on travel (have been to Australia, Asia , Tanzania Safari followed by Zanzibar in Africa , Bora Bora , USA multiple times as well as all over Europe).

 

My take on the two cruises from what I have read ( PLEASE feel free to correct me):

 

Getaway - New/trendy ship. "Cool Miami Vibe" would suit us with the choice of restaurants and flexible dining. Seems to get fairly positive reviews. some concerns over the outside areas being crowded on at sea days. 4.5* rating on CC.

 

Oasis - Seems to get great reviews. Few recent mentions of being crowded? 5* rating on CC. Seem to be introducing flexible dining. Decent wifi package too.

 

Given the prices and that we are looking for a balcony room , our ages etc does anyone have any advice on which cruise to go for ????

 

Thanks

 

Weebobby !!!

Edited May 12, 2015 by weebobby

[neptune18]

Been on Oasis, Allure (twice) and Breakaway. Leaving this Sat. on Getaway. We liked Breakaway and would not hesitate to sail her again. There is nothing, however, like Oasis/Allure. The ships are magnificent and despite NCL's claim of freestyle dining, we found O/A to have more dining options. We also liked the entertainment, in general, better on O/A but Breakaway had Rock of Ages, which was the best show I've ever seen at sea.

 

One thing Breakaway/Getaway does do better than Royal is the Waterfront, which is an outside eating/drinking area. You just tend to spend more time outside at night on these ships, which is nice. Overall, I would say Royal is a better, more polished product but you can't really go wrong with either.

[katie'smommy]

We have also been looking at cruises for the end of next month. Last summer we sailed on Oasis in a Family Inside cabin (2 adults/3kids) and had a great week. The kids had a blast and there were lots of activities to keep us busy...though I don't think we actually made it to any shows at night.

 

Fast forward to this year, and I've been trying to price cruises and RC is sooo much more expensive. Family cabins are at least $2500 more than we paid last year and the cheapest price we could get on either Oasis, Freedom or Indy was $6800 for 2 adjoining interiors. I've only sailed on RC and we are thisclose to being platinum so I kept calling and checking.

 

Finally, I told my DH that we should just go to the beach for a week instead. On a whim I checked NCL and they had 2 connecting family interiors for $4600. Kids are over the moon about the 5 (!) waterslides (they saw other ships in port with them and were bummed that Oasis didn't have any), plus the ropes course, trampoline, walking the plank, etc. food isn't really that important to us as we ate in the Windjammer most of the time anyway. We will miss the Central Park area - but I'm sure we'll cruise on RC again sometime. I figure, how bad could it be? We're still on vacation and having great family time with my kids. If we like NCL then it just gives another option in the future :-)

 

Good luck - but, really, I don't think you can go wrong either way...