Allure vs. NCL Escape

[lidodeck03]

Just returned from a seven day cruise on Allure of the Seas, and last November was on Norweigan Escape. Thought it would be neat to compare certain aspects of each ship to help others who may think that there is nothing out there that could compare to their current loyalty whether it be Royal Caribbean or Norweigan. I am not loyal to either, and this was our first Royal Caribbean cruise and wanted to see for myself if all the "WOW" about Royal Caribbean is justified. I will rate each aspect on a scale from 1-10...1 being the worst, 5 being average, and 10 being amazing!! Alure of the Seas will be A, Escape will be E. Here goes!

Embarkation A=3 E=6, Disembarkation A=9 E=6, Pool Area A=8 E=5, Lunch Buffet A=5 E=7, MDR A=8 E=5, Specialty Restaurant A (Sabor)=6 E (Food Republic)=9, Room A=7 E=8, Room Storage Space A=7 E=8, Bathroom Shower A=9 E=7, Bed A=9 E=7, TV Stations Available A=7 E=5, Room Steward A=7 E=8, Stateroom Climate Control A=6 E=8, Overall Friendliness of Staff A=6 E=8, Bar Staff A=6 E=7, Guest Services A=6 E=8,Overall Ship Cleanliness A=7 E=9, Overall Room Cleanliness A=7 E=9, Entertainment A=6 E=9, Casino Smoke A=4 E=8, Coffee A=8 E=6, and last but not least, deserts A=9 E=7. At the end of the day which ever cruise ship you decide to go on you will have a wonderful experience. These are a few things that we look for on a cruise and I am sure that others have there own specific items that they look for. I was most impressed with the food on Allure because everybody says that it is so bad, and most dissapointed in the entertainment. The entertainment overall on the Escape was far superior to anything on the Allure. The beds and shower on Allure far exceed anything on any other cruise line or hotel in my opinion! Oh and one other thing, we never felt crowded on Allure, but at times did on the Escape. Allure was sold out and at full occupancy and we never had to wait for a long period of time for a drink, an elevator, a lounge chair by the pool or wait in line at the buffet. I don't know how they do it with 6000 passengers, but it never ever felt crowded. Happy Cruising!!

[Clarea]

Thanks for the comparison. I'm surprised that a Royal ship can beat any other ship in TV stations and desserts.

[lidodeck03]

Escape had several soccer stations and that was about it other than the ships stations. On Allure we were able to watch several baseball games at night as well as the NBA Playoffs. Allure also had some good movie channels. As for the deserts, I enjoy cheesecake. Escape had a wonderful cheesecake, but it was only served once. Allure had cheesecake everyday on the lunch buffet, and a few times in the MDR. Also the warm chocolate cake in the MDR was one of the best deserts I have had anywhere.

[islandgirl70]

We just returned from the Allure as well and did the Escape in December. I ended up liking the Escape better and thought the food was amazing! Especially dessert.

[Aquahound]

I've also been on both Allure and Escape. I loved my Escape cruise but my opinions differ a little from yours.

 

I really liked the Brat Pack on Escape but otherwise, I don't think Escape's entertainment came anywhere close to Allure. I also think embarkation and the terminal itself is far superior on Allure. On the other hand, I thought the shower on Escape was more roomy than on Allure....both being great, by the way.

 

One thing I totally agree with is the crowds. Escape was, by far, the most crowded and most chaotic ship on which I have ever sailed.

[LuCruise]

Thanks for the comparison. If we stray from Royal, we would consider NCL Escape.

 

I'm wondering what you didn't like about the entertainment on Allure? Everyone's tastes are different but I found it amazing....first class.

 

And what kind of shows does NCL Escape have?

Edited May 11, 2016 by LuCruise

[eroller]

I've sailed both ALLURE and ESCAPE. For me there was no comparison, ALLURE wins hands down. I like outdoor deck areas and various pools, and this is where ESCAPE truly fails. The decks are packed with people (more so than other lines) and pools are limited and not very appealing. No solarium of course like ALLURE has. I thought entertainment was ok on ESCAPE, but nothing compared to ALLURE. It's hard to beat an ice skating show and diving show as these venues simply don't exist on other lines. They are unique. Add to that a broadway calibre show and it's a win win. I didn't think entertainment on ESCAPE was bad, just nothing compared to ALLURE. I did love the brat pack dinner show but you had to pay extra for that. Food was pretty even between the two ships but service better on ESCAPE. The bar staff especially on ESCAPE seemed overworked and short handed. Too many people with the beverage package meant the bar staff simply could not keep up.

 

I would sail either ship again, but ALLURE has the wow factor (Royal Promenade, Central Park, Boardwalk, solarium, ice skating rink, Aqua Theater, etc) and ESCAPE had very little wow.

[jticarruthers]

Like both didn't love either.

 

Judging from others account we may have just had a "bad" week on Allure as our experience seems to differ from most but we found the service/happiness level to be very low and it impacted our thoughts on Allure. (We had a lot of stories that basically ended with "shrug, its the biggest ship in the world what do you expect").

 

Loved the room on Escape, only an Oceanview but probably the best cabin we have had.

 

Meals were similar, buffet on Escape beat the pants off Windjammer.

 

Entertainment, not a huge draw for us but I would give the nod to Allure from what we saw.

 

Pool deck definitely goes to Allure.

 

Assuming both cruises were free I would probably be tossing a coin, given the usual price differential I would take Escape with an included drinks package for less than Allure.

[ATLgirl15]

I've sailed both also and would say Allure wins hands down. We thought entertainment was really lacking on Escape. There is much more energy on Royal cruises, much more visible cruise director engaging with the crowd. The biggest difference is the overall feel of the ship. Allure is so open, you don't feel like you are on a ship. You can be on deck 8 and see the sky. Even covered spaces are several stories tall. Elevator lobbies are open and you can see every floor. There are live plants and trees on board. Escape felt very claustrophobic - low ceilings, closed off spaces and narrow hallways. I will say Escape did win in a few areas - one being the thermal suite in the spa. Royal's is a joke compared to that. We loved the food on Escape but we had a free specialty dining package so its not a good means to compare to Allure's MDR. However, Allure has much more variety in complimentary dining throughout the day. And I agree with never feeling crowded on Allure - there are so many neighborhoods that people were really spread out.

[lidodeck03]

I've also been on both Allure and Escape. I loved my Escape cruise but my opinions differ a little from yours.

 

I really liked the Brat Pack on Escape but otherwise, I don't think Escape's entertainment came anywhere close to Allure. I also think embarkation and the terminal itself is far superior on Allure. On the other hand, I thought the shower on Escape was more roomy than on Allure....both being great, by the way.

 

One thing I totally agree with is the crowds. Escape was, by far, the most crowded and most chaotic ship on which I have ever sailed.

On Escape we saw Million Dollar Quartet, Legally Blonde and a few Comedians. We were on the Getaway and seen the Blue Man Group and Legends in concert...all were outstanding. On embarkation day on the Allure we sat in the terminal from 11:00-12:45pm. They told us that they were doing a customs inspection. Way too long for thousands of people to be sitting there. I will agree that the shower on Escape was more roomy, but the water pressure on the Allure was awesome!

[eroller]

On embarkation day on the Allure we sat in the terminal from 11:00-12:45pm. They told us that they were doing a customs inspection. Way too long for thousands of people to be sitting there. I will agree that the shower on Escape was more roomy, but the water pressure on the Allure was awesome!

 

 

 

That kind of wait is unusual for an Oasis class ship in FLL. I've sailed on OASIS and ALLURE twice each and in each case it was literally 15 minutes from walking in the terminal to walking onboard the ship. Better than any ship I've sailed including luxury lines like Silversea. It's really impressive and Royal Caribbean has gone to great lengths and expense to make it happen, even building a specially designed terminal. Sorry you didn't get to experience what is probably the best embarkation process in the business.

[lidodeck03]

Thanks for the comparison. If we stray from Royal, we would consider NCL Escape.

 

I'm wondering what you didn't like about the entertainment on Allure? Everyone's tastes are different but I found it amazing....first class.

 

And what kind of shows does NCL Escape have?

 

We have seen the Blue Man Group, Legally Blonde, Million Dollar Quartet, and several comedians. We also have seen Burn the Floor which takes you from the music and dances of the 60's to the present. They dancers were amazing to be able to perform all those dances several nights a week, and wearing the shoes that they wore. The show was very high energy. As I understand it, NCL only has the shows for 6 months at a time and then they bring new shows onboard.

[eroller]

As I understand it, NCL only has the shows for 6 months at a time and then they bring new shows onboard.

 

 

Not true. Typically the shows stay on for years. Blue Man Group just left EPIC recently and has been onboard since day one. Same with Cirque dinner and dreams and Burn the Floor. BREAKAWAY has had the same shows since day one and same with all the older NCL ships. In fact the good entrainment is only on the four nearest NCL ships. On the rest of the fleet it's pretty ho hum. They did just switch things up a bit on GETAWAY and ESCAPE, but with no real explanation. I don't think it was planned and possibly something contractural.

[lidodeck03]

Like both didn't love either.

 

Judging from others account we may have just had a "bad" week on Allure as our experience seems to differ from most but we found the service/happiness level to be very low and it impacted our thoughts on Allure. (We had a lot of stories that basically ended with "shrug, its the biggest ship in the world what do you expect").

 

Loved the room on Escape, only an Oceanview but probably the best cabin we have had.

 

Meals were similar, buffet on Escape beat the pants off Windjammer.

 

Entertainment, not a huge draw for us but I would give the nod to Allure from what we saw.

 

Pool deck definitely goes to Allure.

 

Assuming both cruises were free I would probably be tossing a coin, given the usual price differential I would take Escape with an included drinks package for less than Allure.

 

I agree, for the value it would be Escape with the drink package included.

[lidodeck03]

That kind of wait is unusual for an Oasis class ship in FLL. I've sailed on OASIS and ALLURE twice each and in each case it was literally 15 minutes from walking in the terminal to walking onboard the ship. Better than any ship I've sailed including luxury lines like Silversea. It's really impressive and Royal Caribbean has gone to great lengths and expense to make it happen, even building a specially designed terminal. Sorry you didn't get to experience what is probably the best embarkation process in the business.

 

That is why I had to experience it for myself. I read all the threads on here too, and I take them with a grain of salt unless everybody says the same thing. First impressions (embarkation) says a lot, and of all the cruises we have been on that was far and away the worst. Is it typical?..I don't know, I only know what I experienced. I (and 5,999) other people wished it would have been 15 minutes like you say! I will say that disembarkation was the best that we have ever had.

[eroller]

That is why I had to experience it for myself. I read all the threads on here too, and I take them with a grain of salt unless everybody says the same thing. First impressions (embarkation) says a lot, and of all the cruises we have been on that was far and away the worst. Is it typical?..I don't know, I only know what I experienced. I (and 5,999) other people wished it would have been 15 minutes like you say! I will say that disembarkation was the best that we have ever had.

 

 

Yup not saying it didn't happen. Just don't think it's typical and certainly not my experience. If they were having required USCG drills that day then the 15 minute embarkation goal that RCI strives for is down the toilet. I do know for certain RCI invested more than any other cruise line to ensure lines on these behemoths were kept to a minimum. They knew on a ship this big that excessive lines would mean a huge failure. It's one reason the Oasis Class never tenders in a port. They always dock and in most cases have dockside security screening sheds set up rather than doing it onboard the ship. Keeps the lines down and moving faster. I would say Royal Caribbean has been largely successful in their efforts. One of the comments you read again and again in reviews is how spacious and uncrowned the ships feel even with 5500+ pax onboard, and that lines and waiting are rarely a problem. The ESCAPE and Breakaway Class feel much more high density to me, and indeed they have an inferior space ratio compared to the Oasis Class. The Oasis Class also gets a premium over other ships because they are pretty incredible and people want to experience them. I would say with good reason. I think they are pretty awesome!

[lidodeck03]

I thought that the District Brewhouse micro brewery and the Waterfront were definately a WOW on Escape. The Boardwalk on Allure was ok... nothing spectacular, but I did like Central Park. Ice skating venue was very nice as well. I think that I enjoyed the ice show the most.

[eroller]

I thought that the District Brewhouse micro brewery and the Waterfront were definately a WOW on Escape. The Boardwalk on Allure was ok... nothing spectacular, but I did like Central Park. Ice skating venue was very nice as well. I think that I enjoyed the ice show the most.

 

 

I don't drink beer so I guess the District Brewhouse was lost on me. I did love Food Republic on the other side though. I thought it was excellent.

 

I agree the Waterfront is pretty cool. I did enjoy it a lot, but unfortunately it didn't help with how crowded and disjointed the upper decks were. What a cluster you know what. I also miss the solarium which is a favorite spot on the Oasis Class. Very serene. Had to find a serene spot on ESCAPE unless you pay extra to use Vibe.

 

More than anything I'm just not a fan of how NCL does business. In the past six months they have raised drink prices, raised gratuities twice, started to charge for room service, changed specialty restaurants to a la carte pricing, and even charge a substantial service charge on so called "free" amenities like an included beverage package. I realize all cruise lines are out to make money, but NCL just seems much more brazen about it with little respect for the customer. Just the feeling I get lately and I've been cruising NCL since the 80's.

[Aquahound]

On Escape we saw Million Dollar Quartet, Legally Blonde and a few Comedians. We were on the Getaway and seen the Blue Man Group and Legends in concert...all were outstanding. On embarkation day on the Allure we sat in the terminal from 11:00-12:45pm. They told us that they were doing a customs inspection. Way too long for thousands of people to be sitting there. I will agree that the shower on Escape was more roomy, but the water pressure on the Allure was awesome!

 

I think you're mixing up your cruises. Legally Blond is on Getaway, and BMG and Legends in Concert are on Epic. The main shows on Escape are After Midnight and Brat Pack.

 

Ref Allure boarding, it sounds like you fell victim to the random USCG inspection that affects all cruise lines. Minus that inspection, I have seen no other terminal as efficient as the Oasis/Allure terminal. Not even close, and certainly not Escape's.

 

I thought that the District Brewhouse micro brewery and the Waterfront were definately a WOW on Escape.

 

100% agree with you there. I thought the waterfront was awesome. We ate specialty 4 times out there and I loved it every time. I'm also a craft beer snob, so I also loved the Brewhouse.

Edited May 11, 2016 by Aquahound

[slynnes]

We were on the Allure last April and on the Escape this January. We are booked on Allure in 2 weeks (you can see what my wife and I prefer...)

 

First comparison...Pool Deck...Allure's deck, chairs, pool area is 500% better then Escape. Escape you are lucky to even be able to walk on the pool deck floor. They do have the Vibe as someone mentioned...which we did fork over the extra $100 each for it...If it wasn't for the Vibe we would of been very disappointed overall ...the Vibe was Excellent for the private bar...never overcrowded chairs...etc. No access to a pool in there..just a whirlpool...but very quiet (probably too quiet for some).

 

We felt the food and service in the MDR better on the Allure. The specially dining on Escape was excellent!

 

The entertainment...hands down Allure! Escape did have the Million Dollar Quartet which was awesome..but almost every thing else we did not enjoy. Allure's Aqua Show, Ice Rink Show, and Chicago was top notch and very entertaining.

 

My wife and I are very active.. so there is absolutely no comparison when it comes to the fitness/running track on Allure vs. Escape. Allure's is beautifull; Escape running track was back by in a busy area of the deck...and it was like 15 laps per mile! People and chairs were always in the way.

 

We do buy the drink packages (supposedly free on Escape..but not totally). Bar service on the Escape was not as prompt as the Allure. The ONLY exception to this was in the VIBE...bar staff in there is EXCELLENT. Cost on Norwegian's "free" drink package climbed; they raised the price of the package to like $80 per day...which is free..BUT you pay service charges on top..which end up being alot. God forbid if you want a package on NCL and you don't get it free...very expensive.

 

Escape's buffet has much better access and seating then the Allure's buffet (windjammer), and the food quality is about even.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I've been on Epic (not Escape) and both Oasis and Allure. About the only thing I preferred on NCL was the buffet.

 

Escape's waterfront does look very nice though. I do think a big draw back on Oasis Class is the lack of sea views.

 

PS...I thought Allure's entertainment was amazing.

[Yorkvillain]

I loved both but the Allure wins for me mainly because of the pool deck. With that being said, I had a blast on the Escape and hope to go back one day soon.

[lidodeck03]

I don't drink beer so I guess the District Brewhouse was lost on me. I did love Food Republic on the other side though. I thought it was excellent.

 

I agree the Waterfront is pretty cool. I did enjoy it a lot, but unfortunately it didn't help with how crowded and disjointed the upper decks were. What a cluster you know what. I also miss the solarium which is a favorite spot on the Oasis Class. Very serene. Had to find a serene spot on ESCAPE unless you pay extra to use Vibe.

 

More than anything I'm just not a fan of how NCL does business. In the past six months they have raised drink prices, raised gratuities twice, started to charge for room service, changed specialty restaurants to a la carte pricing, and even charge a substantial service charge on so called "free" amenities like an included beverage package. I realize all cruise lines are out to make money, but NCL just seems much more brazen about it with little respect for the customer. Just the feeling I get lately and I've been cruising NCL since the 80's.

I also thought that the ropes course, and the waterslides on Escape were very nice. We had the beverage package on Escape but not on Allure. Drink prices on Allure I thought were very expensive as well. Royal Caribbean has also raised their gratuities, and Sabor is now a la carte. as is Vintages. It must work or they wouldn't be doing it. Don't get me wrong we really enjoyed the Allure....just a little disappointed after reading the threads on here we thought that it was something that would be like an "out of body experience", it wasn't ....it was a nice seven day cruise on a nice ship better than most, but not anything that would make me never want to cruise on any other ship or cruise line.

[eroller]

Don't get me wrong we really enjoyed the Allure....just a little disappointed after reading the threads on here we thought that it was something that would be like an "out of body experience", it wasn't ....it was a nice seven day cruise on a nice ship better than most, but not anything that would make me never want to cruise on any other ship or cruise line.

 

 

To each his own right? It's what makes the world go round, and also why we have so many cruise lines to choose from. Perhaps expectations were too high if you were expecting something along the lines of an out of body experience! Lol. I don't think any ship or cruise line can achieve that. Always best to go in with lower or average expectations and be pleasantly surprised than set yourself up for failure with expectations that are too high.

 

How you feel about ALLURE is exactly how I feel about ESCAPE and NCL. There are just better choices for me, and with companies where I feel more valued as a customer. This is not to say I won't sail NCL again. In fact I have a cruise this fall on EPIC but that is only because a large group of friends are going. Beyond that, there is no compelling reason to return to NCL.

Edited May 11, 2016 by eroller

[lidodeck03]

To each his own right? It's what makes the world go round, and also why we have so many cruise lines to choose from. Perhaps expectations were too high if you were expecting something along the lines of an out of body experience! Lol. I don't think any ship or cruise line can achieve that. Always best to go in with lower or average expectations and be pleasantly surprised than set yourself up for failure with expectations that are too high.

 

How you feel about ALLURE is exactly how I feel about ESCAPE and NCL. There are just better choices for me, and with companies where I feel more valued as a customer. This is not to say I won't sail NCL again. In fact I have a cruise this fall on EPIC but that is only because a large group of friends are going. Beyond that, there is no compelling reason to return to NCL.

I didn't care for the EPIC. Bathroom and stateroom layout was strange. Could not get used to a hand sink at the foot of the bed.