Which one: arnival Dream Balcony or Oasis Inside Stateroom?

[whitenack]

You guys have been so great at responding, let me test you again...

 

I think we are 90% sure we want a balcony. Spending an extra $1,000 (the difference between Oasis balcony and Dream balcony with ES rates) is out of the question.

 

Looking at Balconies, here are my options (totals are for two people)

 

Dream Cove balcony (7A), 2nd deck, located in first 3rd of the ship - $1618

Dream Strm balcony (8A), 6th deck, located in first 3rd of the ship - $1718

Dream Strm balcony (8B), 6th deck, located in the center of the ship - $1758

Freedom OTS Dlx balcony (E2), 6th deck, located in second third of ship - $2398

 

A couple of questions naturally spawn from this research...

Disregarding the pros and cons of a cove balcony and only from a seasickness standpoint, how much better will the 2nd deck be from the 6th deck, and should that factor into the decision-making at all?

Is there a big difference in the motion of the ship from the first 3rd of the ship versus the center? Is it worth the extra $40?

Is the Freedom OTS worth an extra $640-780?

 

In an earlier post, someone suggested Freedom as a good compromise, and I dismissed it as too pricey. I guess I should have not rushed to judgement and asked if it was worth the extra expense. It has some value to me because it is bigger than the Dream and it is currently sailing and has been reviewed. There is a certain amount of unknown with the Dream, and if I book with the ES I will lose money or be stuck with it if the reviews are poor.

 

Thanks again for all the help.

[firefly333]

Maybe look to see if Freedom has guaranteed balcony. Voyager guarantees came down to $699 pp and a lot gave up their chosen balcony to move to the guarantee .... and got free upgrades to D balconies. sweet.

 

I dont think midship you will notice the difference between deck 2 or deck 6 motion wise. Bring some Bonine just in case?? Or you can get some free at the infirmary location on deck 1 of your Carnival ship. generic labled.

 

Freedom OTS has flow rider and some nice things, depends on if either of you want to learn to surf. The ship to me is a little more WOW than Carnival ships, but Carnival has some things to offset the difference.

 

Freddom will have a bigger balcony than the Carnival ships, which the standard balconies are 10 X 3.5, so just a regular chair is all you can fit, not a lounger, 3.5 ft deep isnt a very deep balcony.

 

I do love RCL but I always find a way to get it about the same price as Carnival, so Im not sure Id pay that much extra since I dont do the extra stuff.

[bguppies]

The primary question you need to ask yourself, to justify the difference between FOS (or any RCCL) versus Dream (or any Conquest CCL ship).....

 

Will you or your Wife extensively use, the "bells and whistles" that differentiate a RCCL from a CCL ship.

Will you use the flowrider surfing machine?

Will you use the rock climbing wall?

Will you skate at the ice rink?

etc...etc...

 

My Wife and I did the Carnival Freedom this past February for our 10th anniversary.

It was the first time we sprung for the balcony and it was the best decision for a special, romantic cruise.

 

In our case, my Wife's idea of a perfect day is a quiet Palapa on a gorgeous beach. (Nachi Cocum in Cozumel is her current heaven)

On a ship, it is getting a lounge chair and relaxing reading a book.

For me, it is some pooltime and playing trivia games.

 

In other words, the "bells and whistles" of a RCCL ship would be wasted on us. Besides adding all the extra passengers that a RCCL ship carries versus a CCL ship.

 

We actually prefer the smaller Fantasy class Carnival ships for the smaller crowds and cozier atmosphere.

 

My Wife has already said, we will NEVER cruise on a ship with 5,000 pax, so Oasis and Allure will never be for us. (I can't even imagine how long it will take to debark in each port, let alone, due to it's size, they will probably have to tender in EVERY port, so a 7-8 hour port stop will have at least 1-2 hours shaved off, waiting for tenders at EVERY port. Insane.)

 

Kudos to you for your research and best of luck with your anniversary cruise, whatever you choose.

 

Bill

[whitenack]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Maybe look to see if Freedom has guaranteed balcony. Voyager guarantees came down to $699 pp and a lot gave up their chosen balcony to move to the guarantee .... and got free upgrades to D balconies. sweet.

 

I dont think midship you will notice the difference between deck 2 or deck 6 motion wise. Bring some Bonine just in case?? Or you can get some free at the infirmary location on deck 1 of your Carnival ship. generic labled.

 

Freedom OTS has flow rider and some nice things, depends on if either of you want to learn to surf. The ship to me is a little more WOW than Carnival ships, but Carnival has some things to offset the difference.

 

Freddom will have a bigger balcony than the Carnival ships, which the standard balconies are 10 X 3.5, so just a regular chair is all you can fit, not a lounger, 3.5 ft deep isnt a very deep balcony.

 

I do love RCL but I always find a way to get it about the same price as Carnival, so Im not sure Id pay that much extra since I dont do the extra stuff.

 

No guaranteed balcony, at least on the website. Not sure I'd want to take a chance anyway. Since it is our first cruise, I want to make sure we get as low and center as we can.

 

Where do you see the size of the balcony rooms for Carnival? I have looked all over but don't see anything.

 

The primary question you need to ask yourself, to justify the difference between FOS (or any RCCL) versus Dream (or any Conquest CCL ship).....

 

Will you or your Wife extensively use, the "bells and whistles" that differentiate a RCCL from a CCL ship.

Will you use the flowrider surfing machine?

Will you use the rock climbing wall?

Will you skate at the ice rink?

etc...etc...

 

My Wife and I did the Carnival Freedom this past February for our 10th anniversary.

It was the first time we sprung for the balcony and it was the best decision for a special, romantic cruise.

 

In our case, my Wife's idea of a perfect day is a quiet Palapa on a gorgeous beach. (Nachi Cocum in Cozumel is her current heaven)

On a ship, it is getting a lounge chair and relaxing reading a book.

For me, it is some pooltime and playing trivia games.

 

In other words, the "bells and whistles" of a RCCL ship would be wasted on us. Besides adding all the extra passengers that a RCCL ship carries versus a CCL ship.

 

We actually prefer the smaller Fantasy class Carnival ships for the smaller crowds and cozier atmosphere.

 

My Wife has already said, we will NEVER cruise on a ship with 5,000 pax, so Oasis and Allure will never be for us. (I can't even imagine how long it will take to debark in each port, let alone, due to it's size, they will probably have to tender in EVERY port, so a 7-8 hour port stop will have at least 1-2 hours shaved off, waiting for tenders at EVERY port. Insane.)

 

Kudos to you for your research and best of luck with your anniversary cruise, whatever you choose.

 

Bill

 

Thanks. This is important to us so it is worth the research. Plus, I am the kind of guy that needs to know everything about a decision before I make one.

 

I don't know what kind of cruisers we will be. I don't know if we will be active-on-the-go cruisers or lay-around-do-nothing cruisers. The only thing my wife says she wants for sure is a spa treatment on our anniversary and a balcony. Other than that I can see her laying around most of the time but would probably join me on the putt-putt and the rock climbing wall if I asked.

 

The MUTS on the Carnival is cool, but I can be picky with movies and that may be a lost feature if the movies weren't anything I was interested in seeing.

 

I want to save as much money as possible, but I am willing to pay extra for something if it is worth it.

[Rowan555]

I don't know if this was mentioned and I missed it, but you talk about the dolphin excursions being better on Royal than Carnival - you can book your own dolphin excursions through Chankanaab or Dolphinaris, no need to book through the ship. You can do anything from the cheapest dolphin encounter to the all day excursion where you pet them, feed them, swim with them, etc. So don't let that factor sway you to one ship or another - you can book independently with no worries.

[bguppies]

The MUTS on the Carnival is cool, but I can be picky with movies and that may be a lost feature if the movies weren't anything I was interested in seeing.

.

 

Our Freedom Anniversary cruise was the first one that we had MUTS and we both loved it...

 

Basically, the movies they will be showing, is what will be on your cable or satelitte PPV channels at the time of your cruise.

 

On our February cruise, here is the entire listing of MUTS for the 6 days.

 

Day 1 - ELO Concert at 6PM, Made of Honor movie at 8PM

 

Day 2 - Brian McKnight Concert at 10AM, Acoustic Alchemy Concert at 11AM, Fool's Gold Movie at 1PM, Speed Racer movie at 8PM and 10:30PM

 

Day 3 - Gato Barbieri concert at 6PM, Leatherheads movie at 8PM and 10:30PM

 

Day 4 - Wynonna concert at 10AM, Brian McKnight concert at 11:30AM, Kung Fu Panda movie at 1PM and Drillbit Taylor movie at 6PM and 8PM

 

Day 5 - Glen Campbell concert at 10AM and 6:30PM, Lilith Fair concert at 11:30AM, Iron Man movie at 1PM, Indiana Jones IV at 8PM and 10PM

 

Day 6 - Wynonna concert at 10:45AM and Acoustic Alchemy concert at 6PM, Chronicles of Narnia II at 8PM and 10:30PM

 

When we got home, Iron Man, Indy IV, Narnia II, Speed Racer, Kung Fu Panda, Fool's Gold, etc.. were all on our PPV channels on DirecTV.

 

Hope that helps you evaluate the MUTS offerings a bit to see if they might intrest you. (I know I loved Iron Man at 1PM while drinking girlie drinks poolside.)

 

Bill

[debshomespun]

I am a huge fan of RCCL, as you can see in my signature. However, I say for your first cruise, and for your 10th anniversary, you definitely should get a balcony to splurge. The Freedom class ships are very nice, but very pricey. The Oasis will be pheonominal, but eventually the pricing will have to come down. It is new now (not out until dec this year) so lots of people are hyped up about this floating city. Lots of bells and whistles, but for a first cruise, I also believe you would be overwhelmed. If and when I take Oasis or Allure, it will be much cheaper than what the pricings are now, and I probably wouldn't even get off the ship at the ports. I would want to spend my whole time on the ship just to see and experience it all, and 1 week won't even be enough time.

 

For first time cruisers, it is great to experience the ports of call. I also say to take the Carnival Dream, get one of the balconies, and have a fabulous cruise. Then, you can see what you like and dislike about cruising (won't be many dislikes, and you will probably get hooked!). Then, you will have a better idea of what you may want for your second cruise!

[Cindy]

For us, it would be the balcony without question.

[mr jailerman]

I agree... My family has wanted to try RCI for awhile now, especially since the Oasis is coming out and looks amazing, however the crowds would be a deal breaker for me. I get frustrated with 2,000 people on a cruise ship, let alone another 3,000 on top of that. For now, we are going to book the Dream for May 2010, and wait to hear reviews on the Oasis. With such a unique ship, they'll have a chance to work out the "kinks" before we give it a try.

Hello to my fellow Chicago Neighbor..:D I am sailing on the Carnival Dream NEXT June 19,2010 on the Cruisecritic Group "Single Parents/Kids/And Friends" Cruise and I must tell you something I found. The Oasis is going out on the SAME DATE and stops that week as the DREAM and the same Balcony cabin I THOUGHT was priced high on the Dream was $2,000 MORE on the Oasis plus 2,000 more people..:eek::eek::D Tempting but Nooooo..:)

[robsvacation]

Oasis will be impressive, but frankly when I went on Explorer of the Seas I didn't take advantage of alot of the "extras" so it was wasted on me. Shore excursions really shouldn't be a decision point IMHO, basically you can get the same tours (and actually usually better ones) online or often right off the ship for less (no cruise line mark-up.) Also for a first cruise you'll likely be impressed with either ship.

 

Finally the cruise line does matter. It's hard to explain until you experience it, but Carnival is happy-go-lucky, joie de vie, drink a little too much, laugh a lot, ignore the little stuff, occationally do stupid stuff, and get overwhelmed by over the top, almost comical decor. RCCL is more kakies and polos at the mall, lobby at the marriott, smile but keep more to yourself. Both are obviously popular. But I find on RCCL your get these people who would never be caught dead on a carnival ship, but generally on Carnival you get people who have cruised both and liked both alot, but don't get why some thing RCCL is so much better. Different focus for sure!

 

My vote is for the Dream!

[cruzzza]

You guys have been so great at responding, let me test you again...

 

I think we are 90% sure we want a balcony. Spending an extra $1,000 (the difference between Oasis balcony and Dream balcony with ES rates) is out of the question.

 

Looking at Balconies, here are my options (totals are for two people)

 

Dream Cove balcony (7A), 2nd deck, located in first 3rd of the ship - $1618

Dream Strm balcony (8A), 6th deck, located in first 3rd of the ship - $1718

Dream Strm balcony (8B), 6th deck, located in the center of the ship - $1758

Freedom OTS Dlx balcony (E2), 6th deck, located in second third of ship - $2398

 

A couple of questions naturally spawn from this research...

Disregarding the pros and cons of a cove balcony and only from a seasickness standpoint, how much better will the 2nd deck be from the 6th deck, and should that factor into the decision-making at all?

Is there a big difference in the motion of the ship from the first 3rd of the ship versus the center? Is it worth the extra $40?

Is the Freedom OTS worth an extra $640-780?

 

In an earlier post, someone suggested Freedom as a good compromise, and I dismissed it as too pricey. I guess I should have not rushed to judgement and asked if it was worth the extra expense. It has some value to me because it is bigger than the Dream and it is currently sailing and has been reviewed. There is a certain amount of unknown with the Dream, and if I book with the ES I will lose money or be stuck with it if the reviews are poor.

 

Thanks again for all the help.

I'm not one to get seasick, maybe a little motion sensitive after eating a big dinner, but nothing a Tums won't fix. I've stayed all over the ship, mostly on mid-to-high decks. I have found that the forward decks for me have more motion. I was medium and very high up on the two cruises where I was in the VERY front of the ship. I have also been in the extreme aft and motion didn't seem to be an issue there as much, but it was present. The engine noise could be heard more, also. If you're worried about seasickness, I'd definately stay towards the center-back. Of course, that would rule out the Cove. That would be hard to pass up just for fear of motion sickness.

 

The cabins I've had that were more towards center ship weren't memorable as far as motion. You probably already have an idea if either of you are susceptible to it. Most of the time, from my experience, it's more a fear than a reality. My sis did get sick on her cruise, but none of my other relatives did even though they feared it. From my personal observations, I feel that the horizontal position makes more difference that the vertical when it comes to motion.

 

It's your money, but that seems like a big price jump to the Freedom. I think I'd stay with the Dream for that price difference.

[cruzzza]

Since you're doing so much research on rooms, I thought I might throw out a little piece of advice... keep in mind what's above and below your room! Noise can be a factor if you're too close to a lounge.

 

Oh, and another thing I wanted to add...I've been on big and small ships and sometimes the size of the ship has nothing to do with how much we enjoy ourselves. One of my all time favorite cruises was the Elation in 2006. I don't know how old it was then (~20 yrs?) but it was far from being a top ship of Carnival's. I love sailing the newest and biggest ships I can, but there are many factors involved in cruising that make it wonderful.

[whitenack]

Since you're doing so much research on rooms, I thought I might throw out a little piece of advice... keep in mind what's above and below your room! Noise can be a factor if you're too close to a lounge.

I'm glad you mention that. I have looked at the deck plans and the cove balconies that are currently available are under the theatre and a dance floor, and the 6th deck for both ships is right above the restaurant, casino, or theater. There are spots open on the 7th deck for more money. I guess I will have to make a choice on that as well.

[iluv2travl]

Do the dream!! Amazing race off ship??? I'm sold! Say no more!

[whitenack]

well, I was all set to book the Dream with a Deck 6 or 7 balcony, until I just found out that deck 5 has an outdoor deck that extends out from the ship and it will be easy for people on that deck to see you on your balcony. Not to mention the noise from the walkers, runners in the early morning or the late-night exploits of parties in the jacuzzis.

 

Major deal-breaker, in my opinion.

 

so...back to the drawing board for me.

[beccadoby]

Oh my, you have a delima!

 

First of all, I book both lines and have sailed both. So, I am not a die hard fan of any certian line.

 

Long story short, I have compared Dream, Freedom, and Oasis for our situation. (persons, cabins, and dates)

Freedom was only $1000 lower

the Dream is about $2000 lower. :eek:

 

 

I say Dream... my son says stay with Oasis.

Wonder who is going to win?

 

Its your anniversary, I say think it over long and hard. Discuss it with your wife. Way your options. Only you two can make this choice. ;)

[halos]

Run-on sentence alert!

 

I know these are impossible questions to answer, and usually the RC fans will vote for RC cruises and the Carnival fans will vote for the Carnival cruise, and the only good answer will be "whatever suits you best", but I thought I would just throw this out and start some discussion to see if I have thought of everything.

 

My wife and I are planning a cruise for our 10th anniversary in early April, 2011.

 

We are considering:

A large interior stateroom on Oasis of the Seas, deck 6, for $1099 pp, or...

 

A stateroom w/ balcony on Carnival Dream, deck 2, for $809 pp

 

Our attraction to Oasis:

• The biggest cruise ship ever to sail - pretty cool
  
• Larger ship means better for seasickness (wife is worried about it) - even though both are big and it probably won't be an issue at either ship, technically the bigger ship will be better
  
• cool places on the ship (7 neighborhoods)
  
• Has a dolphin ride & swim at one of the ports (as opposed to just a dolphin touch with Carnival) - I have always wanted to do this.
  
• Has outdoor water theater and other cool features not seen anywhere else
  

Our attraction to Dream:

• More affordable - can get a balcony for less money than the cheapest option on Oasis
  
• More ports of call than Oasis (4 vs 3)
  
• Has an "Amazing Race" -style land excursion - that would be really fun
  
• Has outdoor movie theater - would be really cool but it depends on the movie they play
  
• Saving money on the room allows for more "extras" during the cruise
  

A few thoughts I have on this...

• The Oasis is the better ship, and the Dream has the price and the ports.
  
• Since we are first-time cruisers, I don't think we are going to care as much about the ports of call because we will be so impresse with the boat.
  
• I think that we will be blown away no matter what we chose due to ANY cruise being unlike anything we have experienced before, so a simple interior stateroom will be impressive. However, for less money, a balcony should be that much MORE impressive.
  
• I am assuming that a balcony on the 2nd deck of the Dream would be a better room than an interior room on the 6th deck of the Oasis. Would that be correct?
  
• I am assuming the dining experience will be pretty much the same with both. Neither will be the best of the best, but both will be more than enough to impress a first-time cruiser.
  

As an inexperienced cruiser, is there anything else I should be thinking about? Anything, in your opinion, to consider? Or, anything I am considering that I should not?

 

 

 

Your time is appreciated.

 

PFFFT! easy solution :)

You're a first time cruiser, which means you have many more ahead of you because you'll likely become as addicted as all of us here are. (how's that for a run-on?)

Book the Dream now, save the Oasis for later when RCI realizes they are over pricing themselves.

 

 

There are SO many ships/lines out there. You need to make an effort to try as many as possible. ;)

It doesn't really matter which you do first. You're going to want to do them all eventually anyway :)

[js]

Have you decided?

I think you really first need to decide now on the ship. You have all the information you got on this thread plus I am sure you are researching on your own.

Once you decide on the ship, let's start with the cabins.

For your first time crusing, I decided to say Dream with balcony.

Not stern. Too forward and you don't know if you/wife are prone to seasickness.

Middle or aft.

For $100-$300 more, I would go with a regular balcony on a deck that is only dedicated to cabins with cabins above and below me (that is what I always do so I am partial).

If you are sailing for the ship, not itinerary, pick what you want first (ship and location) and then look at the itineraries, Western or Eastern. I am booked on the Western but really do love more sea days. We are using our Belize day to have the teens and us sleep in and enjoy a less crowded ship while most are in port.

Let us know what you end up deciding.

[whitenack]

Have you decided?

I think you really first need to decide now on the ship. You have all the information you got on this thread plus I am sure you are researching on your own.

Once you decide on the ship, let's start with the cabins.

For your first time crusing, I decided to say Dream with balcony.

Not stern. Too forward and you don't know if you/wife are prone to seasickness.

Middle or aft.

For $100-$300 more, I would go with a regular balcony on a deck that is only dedicated to cabins with cabins above and below me (that is what I always do so I am partial).

If you are sailing for the ship, not itinerary, pick what you want first (ship and location) and then look at the itineraries, Western or Eastern. I am booked on the Western but really do love more sea days. We are using our Belize day to have the teens and us sleep in and enjoy a less crowded ship while most are in port.

Let us know what you end up deciding.

THanks for checking up on me.

 

No, I have not decided. Well, I guess I have decided that I am not going with Oasis, and we are going with a balcony.

 

The order of importance for this cruise is..

 

Date - has to be during April 7th, 2011

Price

Ship

Itenerary

 

And yes, I have done tons of research. It seems like I have been doing research for 24 hour periods (had dreams about cruising the past few nights). I was close to making a decision (Dream, balcony, deck 6, mid-ship) until I realized that people on deck 5 will be able to easily see folks on their balconies.

 

I have bounced around from ship to ship, cruise line to cruise line. Studying everything I can. I have considered 5 and 6 night cruises to lower the rate. I have considered smaller ships to lower the rate.

 

I was close to a decision again when I found an aft extended balcony on deck 9 of the dream for good money, but now I think there isn't much privacy there either (from above).

 

Here is my current top choices, in no particular order (amounts are per couple, not counting taxes/fees)...

 

Carnival

Dream cove balcony, deck 2, mid ship - $1618 ==== worried about being under a busy area of the ship, as well as sea spray, as well as being closer to the front of the ship

Dream balcony, deck 8, center ship - $1838 ==== there are options for deck 6 and 7, but considering deck 8 because I hope that is far enough from deck 5 to be seen too well.

Dream Spa Balcony, Deck 11 or 12, front of ship - $2018 ==== Just because I know my wife is interested in at least getting a massage on our anniversary, plus it is cheaper than other rooms I am considering. Problem is that it is higher up and at the front of the ship, problem areas for motion.

Liberty/Valor/Glory, deck 6, toward front of ship - $1558 === Good location as far as I can tell. Balconies may be smaller than other options. Doesn't seem to really do much for me.

 

RCI

Freedom OTS, deck 6, mid ship - $2398 ==== Priciest option, but seems to have everything we are looking for. Trying to decide if it is worth the additional money. Would probably not be as happy-go-lucky to enjoy the "extras" (couples massage vs. just wife massage).

Navigator OTS, deck 7, mid ship - $1698 ==== only a 5 nt cruise, and right at the same price of the Dream's 7 nt.

Radiance OTS, deck 7, hump cabin - $1538 ==== Right in the center of the hump, from what I understand is a great location. I hear it is a beautiful ship. Smallest of the ships we are considering. Only a 5 nt cruise, and it returns on the day of our anniversary, which blows the option of spending the day of our anniversary at sea.

 

 

Of those, my current top 3 options would probably include the Dream deck 8, Freedom, and Navigator.

 

I am of the understanding that Voyager OTS is going to release its itenerary for April 2011 tomorrow. After that, I believe I will have collected all the information available to make a decision.

 

I am curious about the Norwegian Epic, but I am doubtful the fares will be competitive considering their other ships' higher prices.

 

So, there you go.