Solstice class vs. Oasis questions

[39august]

I have been looking at S class Sky suites Feb. of 2013. I am disappointed to see the size of these is not even as large as RCI Jr. Suites on Oasis. And they have a pole inside the cabins! I really wanted to try the S-class because the pics I have seen are fabulous! I have not been interested the Oasis class for many reasons. But when I compare the JS on Oasis to the SS on S class, the price is only $80 more for Oasis/Allure for a JR. suite...and it's bigger and no pole in the room! Been booking GS's for the last several cruiss and wouldn't go lower than a JS. Please can some of you who have sailed bothe S-class and Oasis class tell me if the differences on X, (food, atmosphere, glass show, Elite perks etc.)is really worth taking a cabin I'm not really happy about? Or is Oasis worth switching to? I've sailed all the Voyager, Freedom, and Raidance class ships many times.

[Aquahound]

I really love both Solstice and Oasis classes, but would recommend Oasis. It comes down to your preferences. Do you want to always have options of what to do, or do you prefer a slower atmosphere without many activities?

 

If you enjoy going to all the shows, Oasis is much better.

 

If you enjoy slow paced activities and attending enrichment seminars, cooking classes, etc, Solstice is better.

 

Both ships have excellent cover bands playing in the evenings. Oasis plays in Dazzles and Solstice plays in the Sky Lounge. However, on Solstice, the band also plays on the pool deck. The pool deck music on Oasis is a 4 or 5 piece reggae steel drum band.

 

The Solariums are beautiful on both, but the area is much larger on Oasis and seats are easier to find. Both Solariums serve lunch, but there are many more options on Oasis.

[39august]

Thanks Paul. You are one of the folks I hoped would respond! I was just looking at your Solstice pics. I am really so bummed about the SS's on S-class. Someone was kind enough to post photos and that pole in the cabin is a real eye-sore. And the decor is very datk and dingy looking. Not like my RCI suites at all!

[waterbug123]

I have been looking at S class Sky suites Feb. of 2013. I am disappointed to see the size of these is not even as large as RCI Jr. Suites on Oasis. And they have a pole inside the cabins!.......Please can some of you who have sailed bothe S-class and Oasis class tell me if the differences on X, (food, atmosphere, glass show, Elite perks etc.)is really worth taking a cabin I'm not really happy about? Or is Oasis worth switching to? .

 

I have sailed on both Oasis and Allure, as well as Sovereign/Vision/Radiance/Voyager class ships. I took my first Celebrity cruise this past Feb. on Solstice. Here's my take on the comparison:

 

1. If I recall correctly, we had a Sky Suite, but there was no pole in the middle. Maybe the pix you saw were unique to just a few cabins based on their location?? Otherwise, I found the size of the Sky Suite to be comparable to a JS on Radiance/Voyager class.

 

2. If shows and recreational opportunities are important to you, Oasis is probably a better fit. Chicago, the Aqua Show and the other production show will top the shows on Celebrity, and obviously Solstice does not have the flow rider, ice rink, putt putt or zip line.

 

3. Food in the specialty restaurants is very comparable. Loved 150 Central Park on Oasis, and Murano on Solstice in particular. I usually avoid the buffet on RC, but thought the Solstice buffet on Celebrity had a pretty decent selection/quality for lunch, as far as buffets go. Park Cafe was a favorite for breakfast and lunch on Oasis.

 

4. Definitely noticed far fewer PA announcements on Solstice, compared to any RC ship. I'm talking about the constant barrage on RC of announcements for everything from the $10 sale on the pool deck, to bingo, sexy legs contest, and you name it. Rarely noticed any of those annoying announcements on Solstice, so really enjoyed that aspect of it.

 

5. Have enjoyed the music and dancing on Oasis in Dazzles and Boleros; Solstice had good music in the Atrium area at night that was quite enjoyable.

 

6. Pool deck on Solstice was very crowded, sometimes even difficult to find more than a couple chairs together on the upper deck (we were a party of 6). Given the much larger pool area on Oasis, this wasn't as much of a problem. Both have a nice Solarium area.

 

7. Oasis obviously has some unique public areas, namely the Boardwalk and Central Park. Central Park is a nice place to just sit and chat, enjoy a drink, read a book. Solstice has the lawn area up top which we didn't really take advantage of til the last day. In hindsight, wish we'd spent more time up there. Saw several bocce ball games going on, others just relaxing on the grassy areas on towels, we sat around a table by the aft bar playing cards. Never went to the glass show so can't comment on that, but saw a crowd there.

 

Hope that helps. If I can answer any other specific questions, feel free to ask! We will continue to sail RC, as we have D/D+ status so enjoy the balcony discount, and access to diamond/concierge lounge on select ships, but will definitely sail Celebrity again. Due to status matching, we are elite with them, so get some perks, and enjoyed the butler service in the suite. Oh, and for us, the beverage package on Celebrity was worth it as well, so we really enjoyed that!

[39august]

Thanks, Meg. That is a great help.

[debandbruce]

We have not cruised Oasis yet, we are booked for November. We just did the Celebrity Eclipse in April. The ship was full 3000 people and it never felt crowded. I love the Solarium and always found a lounger even on sea days. We had a concierge class aft balcony and it was beautiful. Nothing dark and dank about it. The food was great, we love the way the buffet is broken up into stations which cuts down on waiting in long lines. The shows were good and we loved the strict smoking policy, so nice to go in the casino and not have all that smoke. It is true that there is not as many activities as Royal has but I would sail on her again in a heartbeat! No matter which ship you choose I am sure you will have a great time, how can you not cruising is so wonderful!