OfTheSeasCruiser Posted July 23, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Have been looking at many, many cruises to many different destinations for our 2015 vacation. If we choose the caribbean, we are looking at these three trips: Oasis of the Seas Western Caribbean - From Ft. Lauderdale to Labadee, Falmouth, Cozumel In a Oceanview Balcony Stateroom Have never been on the Oasis before! Serenade of the Seas Western Caribbean - From New Orleans to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth Oceanview Balcony Have never been to New Orleans. (We like to fly in a day early) Jewel of the Seas Southern Caribbean - St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, St. Maarten Oceanview Balcony More interesting ports, cheapest. The Oasis is the most expensive. The Serenade would be saving us almost $800+. And the Jewel would be saving us $1500+. Have been to all the ports except Falmouth, but have been to Ochos Rios. So we've seen Jamaica. Kind of leaning towards the Oasis, but not sure if it would be worth the extra $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delirious9876 Posted July 23, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 23, 2014 For me Oasis without a doubt as I don't like ships smaller than Voyager class :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare S.A.M.J.R. Posted July 23, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Have been looking at many, many cruises to many different destinations for our 2015 vacation. If we choose the caribbean, we are looking at these three trips: Oasis of the Seas Western Caribbean - From Ft. Lauderdale to Labadee, Falmouth, Cozumel In a Oceanview Balcony Stateroom Have never been on the Oasis before! Serenade of the Seas Western Caribbean - From New Orleans to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth Oceanview Balcony Have never been to New Orleans. (We like to fly in a day early) Jewel of the Seas Southern Caribbean - St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, St. Maarten Oceanview Balcony More interesting ports, cheapest. The Oasis is the most expensive. The Serenade would be saving us almost $800+. And the Jewel would be saving us $1500+. Have been to all the ports except Falmouth, but have been to Ochos Rios. So we've seen Jamaica. Kind of leaning towards the Oasis, but not sure if it would be worth the extra $$. I'm assuming the Jewel is out of San Juan. Have you factored in transportation costs to/from the cruise? How many are going? What age range? Oasis is a destination herself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 23, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Oasis was worth the extra money to us. We especially loved their specialty restaurants. :) LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted July 23, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) I'm assuming the Jewel is out of San Juan. Have you factored in transportation costs to/from the cruise? How many are going? What age range? Oasis is a destination herself. Yes, Jewel is out of San Juan. (Sorry, forgot to mention that!) And yes, transportation is factored in and included when i figured out the prices. We are a family of 3, with a 16 year old. Some extended family may be joining. Edited July 23, 2014 by OfTheSeasCruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted July 23, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) JEWEL...more ports. smaller but very nice ship...great service and food....where are you flying from...? its a no brainer..western has not much to see.. We would be flying from either Philly or Newark, whichever has the best price as our trip gets closer. Also, yes the Jewel would be mostly for the ports, while the Oasis would be for the ship. We have been to both the Western & Southern, so know what to to expect. Edited July 23, 2014 by OfTheSeasCruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted July 23, 2014 #7 Share Posted July 23, 2014 We would go with Jewel. We like the Southern Caribbean ports the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacsmom Posted July 23, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Since you have done both the Western and the Southern itinerary before, I vote for the Oasis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcool Posted July 23, 2014 #9 Share Posted July 23, 2014 The jewel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsky Posted July 24, 2014 #10 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Depends on what's more important... Ports go with the Jewel... The ship, Oasis! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEtue Posted July 24, 2014 #11 Share Posted July 24, 2014 The Jewel gets my vote too :D It all depends on what you and your family wants though. The Oasis and all that it offers or more ports and what they offer. The Adventure also sails from San Juan so that is another choice :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy1016 Posted July 24, 2014 #12 Share Posted July 24, 2014 If it was me, I'd pick the Jewel. Money is always a factor for us so that would be one reason. The bigger reason is the southern route. We love the ports on the southern routes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelli8112 Posted July 24, 2014 #13 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Oasis of the Seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseapril Posted July 24, 2014 #14 Share Posted July 24, 2014 We would choose the Southern- good ports- Dominica wild and unique. Have you been there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare S.A.M.J.R. Posted July 24, 2014 #15 Share Posted July 24, 2014 You save $1500 INCLUDING airfare? Jewel for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EbayCruiser Posted July 24, 2014 #16 Share Posted July 24, 2014 You save $1500 INCLUDING airfare? Jewel for me. With a 16 yr. old, I would pick Oasis for sure!! Tons of things to do and Oasis is the destination, not the ports. We LOVED Oasis and are cruising on Allure this Sept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted July 24, 2014 #17 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Without a doubt…Jewel Of The Seas. The itinerary is fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaKaye79 Posted July 24, 2014 #18 Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) I've been on the Jewel and Oasis. Without a doubt, I would say Jewel. Those ports are SO much fun. The ports on Oasis are the same tired ones you can visit on any ship. Yes, the Oasis is a big amazing ship with lots of things. Are you planning to stay on the ship more? You will have a 7 day cruise with only 3 port days. The Jewel only leaves you on the ship for 1 sea day. I've always wanted to visit Dominica but I can never find a cruise in Summer that goes there. JEWEL gets my vote! 100% Edited July 24, 2014 by AmandaKaye79 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roe2ship Posted July 24, 2014 #19 Share Posted July 24, 2014 The itinerary on the Jewel is much better but being you were not on Oasis yet....no doubt I would pick Oasis. You just have to try that incredible ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted July 24, 2014 Author #20 Share Posted July 24, 2014 We would choose the Southern- good ports- Dominica wild and unique.Have you been there? Yes we have been to Dominica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted July 24, 2014 Author #21 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Thank your for all of the replies. A lot to consider. Also, just checked the Jewel itinerary again, and it is now saying Tortola instead of St. Thomas, but there is no itinerary map posted.. :confused: So just checked cruisett.com and it also has the Jewel in Tortola that day.. Hmmm. Have never been to Tortola, has anyone been there and can comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverhues Posted July 24, 2014 #22 Share Posted July 24, 2014 We went to Tortola almost ten years ago. Beautiful Island. We didnt plan ahead so we just wandered the town and shopped the vendors near the ship. We heard from others that the beaches were fantastic. I hope t o go back one day, and would take a tour to see the Baths in nearby Virgin Gorda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krev Posted July 24, 2014 #23 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Thank your for all of the replies. A lot to consider. Also, just checked the Jewel itinerary again, and it is now saying Tortola instead of St. Thomas, but there is no itinerary map posted.. :confused: So just checked cruisett.com and it also has the Jewel in Tortola that day.. Hmmm. Have never been to Tortola, has anyone been there and can comment? We've been to Tortola, rented a car and went to Cane Garden Bay, it's a beautiful little Island, very hilly and lots of switch backs. We've been to the Southern Caribbean twice and love the ports, guess you have to decide if it's ports or ship that you're going for, such decisions! Enjoy which ever you choose Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare printingchick Posted July 24, 2014 #24 Share Posted July 24, 2014 It depends on what you're looking for in a cruise. A big floating resort with zip-lining, flow-riders and headline entertainment or a smaller ship that can visit more ports of call. I prefer the smaller ships - Either Serenade and Jewel would be my pick for ship. Jewel is by far my choice based on itinerary. The southern island offer significantly more variety and I prefer more ports and fewer sea days. But others will clearly have different preferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare printingchick Posted July 24, 2014 #25 Share Posted July 24, 2014 With a 16 yr. old, I would pick Oasis for sure!! Tons of things to do and Oasis is the destination, not the ports. We LOVED Oasis and are cruising on Allure this Sept. Not all kids prefer bigger ships. I booked my son's high school graduation cruise (he was 17) on a Voyager Class, rather than the alternative which was a Radiance Class,thinking he'd prefer the larger ship. (He'd cruised a couple of times previously.) He is adamant that he prefers smaller ships. I think we tend to assume young people want the larger ships with all the bells and whistles, but that's not always the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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