NCL Escape and the RCL Allure of the Seas?

[az-cruiser]

We have been on NCL breakaway, and getaway, we loved then! I am trying to decide between NCL Escape and RCL Allure of the seas. We have 2 teenage boys.

 

Can anyone give me there thoughts? Pros/cons of each ship?:D

[StlGal]

We have never been on Escape (yet... 99 more days... but who's counting? hah!)... but I can give you some pro's/con's for Allure as we have been on her twice (Europe & Caribbean).

 

Pro's

 

• Allure is enormous
  
• Different neighborhoods (7 of them) - we especially enjoyed Central Park and the Boardwalk
  
• Many dining and bar options - many free options as well as specialty (pay) options
  
• Entertainment is top notch - Broadway show (Mama Mia), ice skating, water shows (cirque-like), comedy shows, etc.
  
• Activities - there are 4+ pools, adult solarium, lots of hot tubs, putt-putt golf, climbing walls, basketball, outdoor running track, ping pong, flow riders (surfing/boogie boards), movies, zip line, ice skating, trivia, garden walks, etc, etc, etc.
  
• Staff is top notch - very friendly and willing to go the extra mile (of course there are always exceptions... but that's just it... it's the exception, not the norm)
  
• VOOM internet is amazingly fast
  

Cons

 

• Allure is enormous - first day boarding, after shows the halls can feel a little crowded near elevators, etc. but overall never felt very crowded... could always find a seat at pools, shows, etc.
  
• You have to make an effort to see the ocean
  
• Room service is no longer free
  
• Can no longer carry on water/soda - however, the drink packages include bottled water if you choose to go that route.
  
• Must pre-book your restaurant reservations if you want to ensure that you get the time that you want. Especially true with specialty restaurants as they fill up quickly.
  

We loved Allure, and most recently Harmony... with two teenage boys you can't go wrong.

[SuiteTraveler]

I've been on both. Allure doesn't have the water slides that NCL ships have, but it does have 2 flow riders, rock climbing, mini golf, sports court, zip line, ice skating - so the activities are different. Kids clubs are extremely active, busy and you see them once in a while on Boardwalk which is nice to see the kids doing a pirate themed activity or what have you.

 

I would say the big question is what do your boys prefer?

Ropes course and major waterslides (Escape)

or

Flow rider, ice skating (Allure)

 

In terms of shows, all the shows on Allure (except the comedy show) are family appropriate. There is a high diving show, a show similar to Cirque du Soleil, a Broadway musical(Mama Mia!), an ice skating show...The shows on Escape are more adult oriented and probably not of much interest to teens. The buffet on Escape is better than that on Allure, but Allure has a dedicated free pizza restaurant. There is also a hot dog stand on Allure and Wipe Out Cafe - which tends to be a teen hangout with hamburgers, etc. There is also Johnny Rockets (costs extra, but only nominally). There is a donut stand. Foodwise, there is a lot for a teenage boy to like on Allure as there is also on Escape.

 

For you, Allure doesn't have a thermal area in the spa similar to Escape. There are heated tile loungers and a sauna and steamroom and that's pretty much it. There is the adults only solarium which is very nice and does not cost extra - it's more similar to Vibe, except there are a couple of small pools and hot tubs in there. You will find that the pool deck on Allure feels much less crowded than on Escape.

 

To me, whereas NCL's newest ships feel a lot like a Las Vegas Casino resort with a waterpark, Allure feels like being in a major theme park. I think both make great cruises and I would recommend you try both.

 

You didn't mention if you will be in a suite or not if you are on Allure? There is some differences there between NCL and RCCL. But for a regular stateroom, the differences are minimal.

Edited January 26, 2017 by SuiteTraveler

[MMOMOM]

Well, we just booked Escape last night for April and from what I'm reading, we're really looking forward to it. We've sailed both the Allure and the Oasis and LOVE them both! I think there is plenty to do for teenage boys. We like the JS on both Oasis and Allure and not the neighborhood Balconies because we enjoy sitting on the balcony looking at the ocean and like the extra space the JS provides. But, depending on what neighborhood there is plenty to watch there from the balcony as well. Some say the Oasis and Allure are way too crowded, but we never found that and I think it's because of the way it's set up and the neighborhoods and all ... people are just all over the place. We loved everything about it. I actually felt more crowded on the Freedom Class Ships with RCI. Either way, have a wonderful time ... from what I'm reading the Escape sounds amazing though!