RCCL Oasis or NCL Epic?

[Luv1204]

Hi, I just saw that NCL is running a kids free promotion. We are book on the RCCL Oasis of the Seas for early December in an inside cabin and was wondering is it worth changing over to the Epic getting a balcony for a cheaper price. The Oasis looks like alot of fun and has got such high reviews on CC 89% while the Epic looks nice also it has not got the good reviews 72%. Is the Oasis that much better? Is the Service and Food Better, the activities, the ship, the all around product? The itineray is the same. What should I do, is the Oasis that much better that I should pay more and have not as good cabin?

[rt1092]

You get what you pay for. If you want cheaper try another RCL ship. The Oasis is usually quite a bit higher.

Some people like NCL.

We tried it once, never again.

[Red-Sol]

Hi, I just saw that NCL is running a kids free promotion. We are book on the RCCL Oasis of the Seas for early December in an inside cabin and was wondering is it worth changing over to the Epic getting a balcony for a cheaper price. The Oasis looks like alot of fun and has got such high reviews on CC 89% while the Epic looks nice also it has not got the good reviews 72%. Is the Oasis that much better? Is the Service and Food Better, the activities, the ship, the all around product? The itineray is the same. What should I do, is the Oasis that much better that I should pay more and have not as good cabin?

 

Only my opinion but I think that the overall quality of these ships and their experiences are quite similar. (I have been on the Epic and the Allure but not the Oasis Yet..the Allure however is basically the same as the Oasis) Cabin type however plays a big part in the experience. Having a balcony cabin on the Epic for a lower price than an inside on the Oasis to me would be an important factor. I would probably choose the Epic myself under those circumstances. Whatever you choose however you will have a wonderful time.! :)

[yogimax]

With the kids free promotion, why not take advantage and get a balcony on Epic and save money for your next cruise on Oasis.

[CruisinShips]

Hadn't been on a cruise in a few years prior, but have now done those two (Epic in Feb, and Oasis a couple of weeks ago).

 

You will enjoy both...it depends what is important to you.

 

WOW factor definitely goes to the Oasis. Gorgeous ship, whereas the Epic is perfectly nice but just lacks a little pizazz.

 

Entertainment...pretty even...both better than most ships.

 

Food...as a foodie, I will say that the specialty restaurants on both were exceptional. Pretty even IMO. Food in free restaurants on the Epic was below par as was service pretty consistently. Oasis was decent.

 

Service....RCL is a notch above in their attitude, attention to detail and give-a-#### factor. LOVE RCL for that.

 

Cabin....we had a grand suite on the Oasis, so it's not fair to compare. But if you haven't heard, the bathroom situation on most cabins on the Epic is quite bizarre. You enter the front door, and there is a frosted glass shower door on one side, and a frosted glass toilet room on the other. You walk in right through the bathroom. You can pull a curtain closed to separate off from the rest of the cabin, but whatever. There is the sink outside the curtain, in our cabin right next to the sofabed, so if someone is on the sofa while someone is brushing their teeth, well, you get the point. Otherwise the cabin was fine.

 

Ports...Epic was Eastern, Oasis was Western.

 

Both are fun, both were great on their own...if you care more about price and ports and prefer those things on the Epic, then by all means go for it. But if you want to be blown away by the ship and that is most important...one needs to experience the Oasis.

 

Any questions?

[Luv1204]

Thanks for the info. I would love to sail both of those ships, maybe one day. If you say alot of things are pretty even but better service, better food in the MDR, and the Wow factor are on Oasis (those things are pretty important to me) maybe I should stay where I am book on RC. I guess we wont be in the room so much anyway.

[CruisinShips]

Thanks for the info. I would love to sail both of those ships, maybe one day. If you say alot of things are pretty even but better service, better food in the MDR, and the Wow factor are on Oasis (those things are pretty important to me) maybe I should stay where I am book on RC. I guess we wont be in the room so much anyway.

 

I just re-read and saw it would be an interior vs. a balcony...I had missed that...and if that is the case I would take the balcony on the Epic any day of the week. Hope I didn't just confuse matters more for you!!:p

[Red-Sol]

I just re-read and saw it would be an interior vs. a balcony...I had missed that...and if that is the case I would take the balcony on the Epic any day of the week. Hope I didn't just confuse matters more for you!!:p

 

I definitely agree..there is no comparison between the feeling of an interior vs. a balcony. Even if you don't spend a lot of time in a cabin those moments spent on the balcony are just great!

[Luv1204]

I am surprised at the response. The ships do not sound as far apart as there ratings and reviews. I am also surprised that the balcony expierence is so much better then an interior, even though we will probably not be in the room that often. Thanks for all of your thoughts

[Luv1204]

I forgot to mention, our family loves hanging by the pool. From what I read the pool on the Epic is too small and very crowded. People have said the Oasis has multiple pools making it less crowded by each pool, is this true?

[mizdiz]

We sailed Epic this past Feb. My kids loved it. They are 7 & 11. My 7 yo liked Epic better than our Disney cruise.

 

I was trying to decide between Oasis and Epic and decided on Epic because of a review I read by someone who had done both and their kids were same age as mine. They said their kids liked Epic better.

 

The service on Epic was okay, but not great. We enjoyed the specialty restaurants. MDR was just okay. Entertainment was great. The pool was never crowded.

 

You can't go wrong with either ship. I hope to book Allure or Oasis soon.

[Ocean Boy]

 

 

Entertainment...pretty even...both better than most ships.

 

 

I am surprised that you feel that way. What does Epic have that can even come close to what occurs in the Aqua Theater?

[CruisinShips]

I just can't put a price tag on the value of a balcony....glass of wine, late afternoon, my beautiful GF, sun setting...it is one of the reasons I love to be on a cruise ship.

 

This pic was taken from our balcony on the last night of our Oasis cruise two weeks ago.

 

[CruisinShips]

I am surprised that you feel that way. What does Epic have that can even come close to what occurs in the Aqua Theater?

 

Aqua theater was great (enjoyed the aqua comedy show very much)... We Epic had Blue Man Group, Cirque, some other good shows I can't remember, but one of the most fun parts was the "Howl at the moon" dueling piano show most nights. We enjoyed that a couple of times during the week.

 

Aqua Theater was good, but it wasn't what I would consider a main reason I enjoyed the Oasis....

[mcatmcat]

I havent being in any of the two , but i would say oasis , and Im not a loyal costumer

[sammyh25]

Been on Oasis, Allure and Epic (3 times). I just can't grow to like Epic, it's good and the staff are very friendly, but the ship just doesn't work for us. The entertainment is great on Epic but on Oasis it wins by a very large margin, IMHO. We always found the pool area on Epic too busy and spent our time in Spice H2O at the back of the ship, on Oasis and Allure we could always get beds near one of the numerous pools.

 

I don't like the layout of Epic, there just isn't a heart to the ship that the Royal Promenade brings, but again that's a very subjective view. I'm sure which ever ship you choose you'll have a blast, it is after all what you make of it. Epic is not a bad ship, just that Oasis and Allure are streets ahead of it, again IMHO.

[ck3mcpherson]

Take in to consideration the extra cost on the epic for the specialty features. If you are saving a considerable amount, I would probably go with Epic. I am booked on the Oasis and cant wait for the experience. We took our kids on the Carnival Dream over spring break, because of cost, and was in port next to the Oasis. We usually only do a cruise once every couple of years, but because we were in such awe over the Oasis we hurried home and booked a cruise. We are going in August, that will be 2 cruises within 6 months. We looked at the Epic, but there were so many extra costs for our family to be able to enjoy the ship.

[Luv1204]

OK, That sunset from your balcony is beautiful.

[time4u2go]

Take in to consideration the extra cost on the epic for the specialty features. If you are saving a considerable amount, I would probably go with Epic. I am booked on the Oasis and cant wait for the experience. We took our kids on the Carnival Dream over spring break, because of cost, and was in port next to the Oasis. We usually only do a cruise once every couple of years, but because we were in such awe over the Oasis we hurried home and booked a cruise. We are going in August, that will be 2 cruises within 6 months. We looked at the Epic, but there were so many extra costs for our family to be able to enjoy the ship.

 

What are the "specialty features" you are referring to?

[VegasChic]

I saw this same post on the Norwegian boards - I'm on the same boat:o

I've done Epic have Oasis booked for October (halloween) and saw the kids free on NCL and was considering moving my Oasis booking for next year and booking the Epic again.

 

Here is what I loved about Epic:

 

Food - Noodle Bar, Cagneys, Teppenaki (were my favs) Buffet and MDR is ok, Moderno Churrascaria was quite good. So I did a lot of specialty restaurants and it wasn't much between the 2 of us we spent about $160 in specialty restaurants (I'll pay that any day for better food). O'Sheehan's Pub was good and also free.

 

Shows: Blue Man Group (Free), Legends in Concert (Free), Cirque Dreams ($20 or $25pp depending on where seated). Second City (Free).

 

I saved money on alcohol because I brought 6 bottles of wine onboard which they charge $15 per bottle corkage fee = $90

 

We bowled one day watched football games & movies some nights on the big screen in the atrium.

 

I loved my room I had a mini-suite w/balcony and it was very modern looking. Tons of storage, a full bathtub ( I had absolutely no issue with the bathroom setup) I actually loved it but hey I guess people like being closed in a tiny space for more privacy. I don't need privacy been with my husband 18 years and there's no shyness with us. However, when 3 people are trying to get ready, those tiny bathrooms are not fun! Loved sitting on my balcony reading, listening to music, drinking wine, taking pictures etc.,

 

What I did not like:

Small Pools - But I always found a deck chair

Small Spa - I thought the lobby of the spa was wasted space I've seen bigger spas on smaller ships I was really dissapointed.

 

Location of Casino - Right in the middle of the ship surrounded by restaurants and bars (not smart) it felt cluttered and very crowded with everyone walking through to get to another area.

 

The ports were not great - cozumel (been there about 5 times), costa maya (hung out at the big pool surrounded by shops). Roatan (Love this place but there was a small hurricane passing through the minute we got off the ship and lasted the whole time we were there:mad:

 

Overall I loved the Epic and would definitely sail her again unless I like the breakaway better:D

 

As far as Oasis goes, I booked it last year and cancelled it and took another NCL cruise (jewel) it was a deal I could not pass up (don't regret it either). For some reason the Oasis does not appeal to me so much I keep thinking of the movie Wall-E when I think of it (strange) a ship that big kind of scares me. All that said I'm keeping my booking and I need to get over it. I know I will have a wonderful time and more than anything my 5 year old has been begging to try the Oasis because of dreamworks. I'm up for anything so we'll see good luck and sorry for the long post:eek:

[chellecruise12]

In regards to the kids pools.. We have a 8 & 10 yr old & went on the Oasis the week of 6/16. We liked to go to the pools as early as possible because by noon the kids areas were packed.. We liked to go after breakfast like about 9:30 am & they would be empty.. We would get the free frozen yogurt when they opened it by the pool at 11:30 then go on to do other things.. After dinner the pools were empty again but we never went back.. This was our 1st cruise so I can't compare but we loved the boat & want to try Allure for the western loop next..

[Ocean Boy]

Take in to consideration the extra cost on the epic for the specialty features. If you are saving a considerable amount, I would probably go with Epic. I am booked on the Oasis and cant wait for the experience. We took our kids on the Carnival Dream over spring break, because of cost, and was in port next to the Oasis. We usually only do a cruise once every couple of years, but because we were in such awe over the Oasis we hurried home and booked a cruise. We are going in August, that will be 2 cruises within 6 months. We looked at the Epic, but there were so many extra costs for our family to be able to enjoy the ship.

 

When we were on Oasis we had occasion, at different ports, to be docked across from both the Dream and Epic. Looking over at those ships I never had the slightest urge to book either one. Oasis is truly awesome.

[time4u2go]

You get what you pay for. If you want cheaper try another RCL ship. The Oasis is usually quite a bit higher.

Some people like NCL.

We tried it once, never again.

We find this to not necessarily be true. Our Disney cruise was quite a bit more expensive than our other cruises, but we didn't find it to be THAT much better than our other cruises.

[Flying Solo]

I've been on the Epic twice and just got off the Oasis. If the price was the same on both, I'd go on Oasis. If I were saving money and could get a balcony instead of an inside cabin by going on Epic, I'd go on Epic. They are both a lot of fun.

 

Both have great entertainment. Personally I liked the entertainment on Epic a bit better but that's just a personal preference. I also liked the variety of restaurants on Epic a bit better. O'Sheehans is concept that Oasis doesn't have. It's a central point on the ship with good, quick food and entertainment like bowling, air hockey, HUGE screen tv.

 

On the other hand, Oasis has a "wow factor" that is far beyond Epic. And I like the way that Oasis is divided up into neighborhoods. It has a different feel depending on what part of the ship you are on.

 

Bottom line: Both ships make for a really fun vacation. Don't fret too much about it. You'll have a great time on either one.