Allure OTS compared to Mariner OTS

[jobinseattle]

I imagine that RC Oasis class ships are probably the most popular ships? I have never been on either but can anyone compare Allure OTS to Mariner OTS? We are going on Harmony OTS later this year. I understand that Allure is an Oasis class ship and Mariner is a Voyager class ship meaning Allure is bigger. How much bigger and if you have been on Mariner did you like it?

[F27TW]

I was on Mariner last April and loved it.   I like the mid-size ships best (the Voyager and Freedom class).     The bigger crazy amusement parks at sea with 6000+ pax have no appeal to me.

 

Mariner was just the right size.  

[livetravelcruise07]

We LOVED Mariner. We were on her last April! We do love our Oasis class ships though, because there is a lot more to do, lots more food and activities. But there is something about the smaller ships, they are the perfect size and still so much to do on those ships! 

[BillOh]

17 minutes ago, jobinseattle said:

I imagine that RC Oasis class ships are probably the most popular ships? I have never been on either but can anyone compare Allure OTS to Mariner OTS? We are going on Harmony OTS later this year. I understand that Allure is an Oasis class ship and Mariner is a Voyager class ship meaning Allure is bigger. How much bigger and if you have been on Mariner did you like it?

I love both ships and have been on both twice.   If you have kids more to do on Allure, but we are  empty nesters and usually pick an itinerary. 

[UNCFanatik]

I have been on Allure and Mariner 

 

I prefer Oasis Class ships but I did enjoy Mariner. 

 

What me & family liked about Mariner over Allure:

 

1. Water Slides

2. Bamboo Room-Their Tiki Bar

3. I liked the Star Lounge area better for Karaoke than the space on Allure.

4. More ocean views from the Mid Decks

 

Allure over Mariner

 

1. More complimentary food options. 

2. Separate Promenade Cafe and Serentos. Its just one area on Mariner

3. Solarium area

4. Zip Line

5. Central Park and Boardwalk

 

Cant go wrong with either ship. Just a matter of preference 

[SG65CB]

There's really not a lot of things you can do on an Oasis-class ship that you can't do on a Voyager-class or Freedom-class ship. 

 

The Oasis-class offers more spaces with places like Central Park, and some more activities like the water show and comedy club, but otherwise they have a lot in common. Flowriders, rock walls, slides, pools, casino, ice rink, royal promenade, theater with shows, specialty restaurants, etc. etc. are available.

[klfhngr]

We've done Allure/Symphony and Mariner/Navigator/Explorer. We loved them all, but to be honest, we had a blast on Navigator last Oct. Didn't feel overwhelming and that I had to get it all done in 7 days, like I feel on the Oasis class ships. We were able to get it all done without 'rushing'. Will I do Oasis class again? Of course! We love them too! And even Icon! But you'll love the smaller ships. Well, we did Vision and probably won't again.

[klfhngr]

26 minutes ago, BillOh said:

I love both ships and have been on both twice.   If you have kids more to do on Allure, but we are  empty nesters and usually pick an itinerary. 

The ALLURE, the ship that left me! LOL!! UGH, good times!

[BillOh]

39 minutes ago, klfhngr said:

The ALLURE, the ship that left me! LOL!! UGH, good times!

Was that in Nassau and you ended up getting back on her in Fallmouth? I remember reading a story like that here years ago

[easyqueasy]

I’ve cruised both ships and I enjoyed Allure more. It is an impressive ship. Lots to do and see, lots of seatings around the ship. The exercise track on a separate dedicated deck so you’re not using same area as others is great. And there are two separate Flowriders for surfers and boogie boarders and that’s a huge plus. Mama Mia and the Aqua show were also fantastic. I enjoyed the outdoor movie by the pool on Mariner more as the seating for it on Allure was odd and lots of activity and people not caring that they’re loud and talking at the seats even though they’re not watching the movie. But Mariner is good, just not as good in my opinion.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

we prefer newer ships and loooove Oasis class. Harmony is teensy bit better than Allure, IMHO, even though both are Oasis class. Both are definitely better than Mariner, simply due to being Oasis class and newer, imho.

[DrProfessor]

Love Mariner.  We've been on and love both.  One thing to note if you do specialty dining (UDP), Allure has more options than Mariner.  Mariner is not bad - Chops, Jamie's, Izumi and Playmakers.  Allure adds a few more options like 150 Central Park (probably our favorite on Oasis class) and Wonderland.  Oasis class also has CK for suites where Mariner doesn't.

 

I think we just lean toward Freedom and Voyager classes a little more, but we have been on Oasis, Harmony and Allure and enjoyed them all.

[jobinseattle]

Oasis class also has CK for suites where Mariner doesn't. What is CK as we were looking at getting a suite on Mariner.

[OCSC Mike]

8 minutes ago, jobinseattle said:

Oasis class also has CK for suites where Mariner doesn't. What is CK as we were looking at getting a suite on Mariner.

 

Suite perks are far greater on Oasis class.

 

CK is a restaurant I'd describe as better than the MDR but not quite specialty (although night one filet mignon is excellent).

 

With a suite on Allure you would also get free WIFI for each person and free beer, wine, soda, bottled water, etc. in the suite lounge from 11-11 each day. None of those perks are included on smaller classes.

 

Of course, the prices usually reflect the differences. Also, everything I wrote applies to full suites, not junior suites.

[jobinseattle]

Thanks, CK must be Coastal Kitchen. I have read about it before.

[SB9]

I was on Allure when she was new and it was may favorite ship. Recent reviews noted she is showing her age as she missed her dry dock scheduled during COVID. I believe she is getting the amplification done in January (might be wrong on that). So if sailing after her Amplification I would pick Allure. 

 

However... I've been on Mariner twice and had a blast each time. Once before kids and last year with kids. Mariner is a great ship. 

 

Pick the the price and sail date that works best for you and you can't go wrong with either ship. 

 

[OCSC Mike]

55 minutes ago, SB9 said:

Recent reviews noted she is showing her age as she missed her dry dock scheduled during COVID. I believe she is getting the amplification done in January (might be wrong on that). So if sailing after her Amplification I would pick Allure. 

 

She looked fine to me in October. Had a great time as always.

[PhillyFan33579]

10 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we prefer newer ships and loooove Oasis class. Harmony is teensy bit better than Allure, IMHO, even though both are Oasis class. Both are definitely better than Mariner, simply due to being Oasis class and newer, imho.

This comes down to personal preference but I prefer Allure over Harmony because Allure has a pool in the Solarium, which Harmony doesn’t have. I agree Oasis class ships are overall better, but Mariner has two of my favorite bars (Bamboo Room and Playmaker’s) which Allure snd Harmony don’t have. 

[jobinseattle]

Thanks everyone, I am pleasantly surprised that there were so many good things to say about Mariner. I honestly thought everyone would not even think about Mariner because it is a smaller ship.

[DrProfessor]

Also, it is subjective (all of this is to some extent), but on Mariner, you see the ocean a bit more almost everywhere you go.  On Oasis class ships, when you are in the "inside", there are many parts of the ship where you cannot see the ocean including in the specialty dining (those based in the Central Park area).  It never really bothered me, but my wife liked the views better on Mariner.

[Norwich Cruiser]

Always had enjoyable cruises on both.

 

 But prefer Allure mainly because of the entertainment.

[BND]

Well, as Royal ships pretty much all sell out in the US, I'd say, they're all pretty popular for their own reasons.  We prefer smaller ships for a relaxing vacation. Younger cruisers and families tend to favor larger ships with more to do.  We've been on Explorer 4 times and we really liked it but they moved it out of NJ so we haven't been on her in years.  We've been on Oasis class several times also but they can be a lot if you're not looking for that level of activity.

[BecciBoo]

Allure hands down, our favorite of all the sisters.  Symphony second.  We've been empty nesters since we started 25 yrs ago and still like the big ships better, much more to do and see.  Mariner was good (3 cruises on her) but nothing like the sisters.

Edited March 15 by BecciBoo

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, BecciBoo said:

Allure hands down, our favorite of all the sisters.  Symphony second.  We've been empty nesters since we started 25 yrs ago and still like the big ships better, much more to do and see.  Mariner was good (3 cruises on her) but nothing like the sisters.

Like a previous poster mentioned, everyone’s favorite ship(s) is subjective. All things being equal I prefer bigger ships like you, but I still frequently cruise on smaller ships because I like to feel like I am cruising on water. It’s very easy to forget you are on water on an Oasis class ship. Icon is an improvement in this area, but there are several things on Icon that I thought were a big step backwards compared to Oasis class ships, although not to the point that I wouldn’t cruise on Icon again. 

[BecciBoo]

As they say, variety is the spice of life.  We wouldn't be able to cruise if everyone wanted the same ship.LOL  I hope ICON doesn't disappoint, I've been building such huge expectations.