Is Odyssey anything like Symphony and Allure?

[AZDivers]

Because we are good with those 2 ships as we have been on both and looking for a different layout and experience. Is Odyssey a different layout and experience or would it be too similar if the Symphony and Allure are something you don't care to do again?

[sandebeach]

It is a different layout. Instead of the Boardwalk and Aquatheater, they have a very large indoor sports complex with Playmakers on the 2nd floor overlooking it. There is no Central Park, but they have the North Star which takes you on a ride 300 feet above the ship. They also have a Augmented Reality room and they have an iFly simulation sky diving. Hope that helps. 

[AZDivers]

35 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

It is a different layout. Instead of the Boardwalk and Aquatheater, they have a very large indoor sports complex with Playmakers on the 2nd floor overlooking it. There is no Central Park, but they have the North Star which takes you on a ride 300 feet above the ship. They also have a Augmented Reality room and they have an iFly simulation sky diving. Hope that helps. 

good to know. we never really thought much of central park anyway. we are considering giving this a try but so many new ships out since we last cruised!

[daninwi]

We sailed on Allure and Oasis this year, and then went on Odyssey.  They are vastly different ships in layout and design!  We enjoyed the outdoor spaces, Central Park and the Boardwalk in particular, found on Allure and Oasis for sure.  But the Odyssey is a beautiful ship, with a great layout and design.  Don't miss the North Star or Two270 if you choose the Odyssey.  

[Merion_Mom]

1 hour ago, AZDivers said:

Because we are good with those 2 ships as we have been on both and looking for a different layout and experience. Is Odyssey a different layout and experience or would it be too similar if the Symphony and Allure are something you don't care to do again?

 

They are alike in that they are all Royal Caribbean ships.

 

But they are different classes of ships.

 

Allure and Symphony are Oasis class ships.

 

Odyssey is (ultra) Quantum class.  

 

I don't know if you have sailed on Celebrity at all, but some call Quantum class the bastard child of Solstice and Radiance classes.  🙂

 

Quantum class has more "inside focused" areas, such as an indoor pool (the family pool).  Two70 is a fabulous venue, with 270 degree views.  (thus the name) There is a semi-enclosed outdoor smoking "pod" on Deck 5, which some of us call The Bus Stop.  (because it sort of looks like one).  Although some Oasis class ships are rebranding Dazzles as the Music Hall, the "real" Music Hall is on the Quantum class ships, and they are not alike.  

 

Quantum class ships are larger than Freedom class ships but smaller than Oasis class ships.  Lots of specialty restaurants, large Windjammer.  As mentioned by others, the NorthStar is a unique experience as is the skydiving simulator, iFly.  The SportsPlex is home to many interesting activities, including bumper cars, circus lessons (suspended right now because of covid), banks of video games for those so inclined, and more.  And an Escape Room.  

 

And lots more!

[Merion_Mom]

No Starbucks.  Instead, there is La Patisserie, so you don't have to deal with the prohibitions for specialty coffee on either the coffee card or DBP.

[twangster]

Since this is an Odyssey based thread... there is Starbucks and the indoor family pool found on other Quantum class is an outdoor pool on Odyssey.  Also no "bus stop" smoking area on Odyssey.  

 

In general terms I have always liked Quantum class because they are different compared to other Royal classes of ships. Odyssey is a nice evolution of Quantum class and the main dining room is vastly different than the sister ships in this class.  

 

Oasis class (Allure & Symphony) are the largest cruise ships at sea.  They are particularly wider than other classes of ships.  That extra space allows for things like The Boardwalk and Central Park.

 

Quantum class are around 25% smaller compared to Oasis class.   They are not nearly as wide so they are more like a traditional cruise ship compared to Oasis class which are truly in their own league.  

 

I've sailed Odyssey 3 times and every cruise has been great.  

 

The entertainment on Odyssey is pretty great too.

[MPH711]

46 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

No Starbucks.  Instead, there is La Patisserie, so you don't have to deal with the prohibitions for specialty coffee on either the coffee card or DBP.

There is a large Starbucks on Odyssey. 

[soremekun]

Quantum class compared to Oasis class is somewhat like the adopted red-headed middle child.  Unique but very much loved.

[AZDivers]

I wonder if Quantum would be more like Freedom of the Seas in feel than Oasis. 

 

Freedom has definitely been our favorite RC ship so far we liked it much more than Oasis and Allure.

[twangster]

15 minutes ago, AZDivers said:

I wonder if Quantum would be more like Freedom of the Seas in feel than Oasis. 

 

Freedom has definitely been our favorite RC ship so far we liked it much more than Oasis and Allure.

 

Odyssey is different than Freedom class in many ways.

 

Odyssey has the SportsPlex which is great for all that like activities and since it is indoors and air conditioned it operates during inclement weather unlike the outdoor sports court on Freedom class.  Bumper cars at times in the SportsPlex are a hoot.  The Playmakers in Odyssey's SportsPlex is the best Playmakers in the fleet with amazing sea views.

 

No water slides on Odyssey though.

 

The Promenade concept from Freedom class becomes The Esplanade on Odyssey which is like a Promenade with a dog leg turn in the middle.  

 

The Two70° venue on Odyssey is wildly different from anything on any other class of Royal ship.  

 

The North Star observation pod and the sky diving simulator are more unique Quantum class features not found on any other class of ship.  North Star holds a Guinness Book of Record entry for its height.  

 

Like Oasis class, Quantum class are the only other class of Royal ship that have a dedicated suite restaurant "Coastal Kitchen" and the concept of The Royal Suite Class (Sea/Sky/Star).  

[Robo1098]

1 hour ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

They are alike in that they are all Royal Caribbean ships.

 

But they are different classes of ships.

 

There is a semi-enclosed outdoor smoking "pod" on Deck 5, which some of us call The Bus Stop. 

Are you talking about the outside area between the lifeboats? Confused by the "semi-enclosed". 

[twangster]

5 minutes ago, Robo1098 said:

Are you talking about the outside area between the lifeboats? Confused by the "semi-enclosed". 

 

To be clear, Odyssey does not have this smoking area, but on her sister ships like Ovation pictured below the smoking area on deck 5 is enclosed.  Some call it "The Bus Stop".

 

 

[Tatka]

2 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

They are alike in that they are all Royal Caribbean ships.

 

But they are different classes of ships.

 

Allure and Symphony are Oasis class ships.

 

Odyssey is (ultra) Quantum class.  

 

I don't know if you have sailed on Celebrity at all, but some call Quantum class the bastard child of Solstice and Radiance classes.  🙂

 

Quantum class has more "inside focused" areas, such as an indoor pool (the family pool).  Two70 is a fabulous venue, with 270 degree views.  (thus the name) There is a semi-enclosed outdoor smoking "pod" on Deck 5, which some of us call The Bus Stop.  (because it sort of looks like one).  Although some Oasis class ships are rebranding Dazzles as the Music Hall, the "real" Music Hall is on the Quantum class ships, and they are not alike.  

 

Quantum class ships are larger than Freedom class ships but smaller than Oasis class ships.  Lots of specialty restaurants, large Windjammer.  As mentioned by others, the NorthStar is a unique experience as is the skydiving simulator, iFly.  The SportsPlex is home to many interesting activities, including bumper cars, circus lessons (suspended right now because of covid), banks of video games for those so inclined, and more.  And an Escape Room.  

 

And lots more!

 

I believe on Odyssey family pool is also outdoor which is fine as Odyssey will sail from Florida. On Anthem sailing from North East inside family pool is necessary

Edited December 13, 2021 by Tatka

[Oxo]

3 hours ago, AZDivers said:

good to know. we never really thought much of central park anyway. we are considering giving this a try but so many new ships out since we last cruised!

Different strokes for different folks.

We always book Central Park balconies.

Stay Safe and Happy Cruising!

[flamingos]

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

To be clear, Odyssey does not have this smoking area, but on her sister ships like Ovation pictured below the smoking area on deck 5 is enclosed.  Some call it "The Bus Stop".

 

 

Is this the only smoking area on the ship?

[twangster]

1 minute ago, flamingos said:

Is this the only smoking area on the ship?

 

No.

 

On Odyssey specifically the smoking areas include deck 5 outside port side, deck 14 outside port side by the pool (covered) and the casino in designated areas while actively playing.

 

 

Odyssey is different compared to other non-Ultra in this class where the smoking area on deck 5 outside is on the starboard side of the ship on ships like Anthem, Ovation, etc.

[AZDivers]

Are there any ships with no smoking?

[twangster]

7 minutes ago, AZDivers said:

Are there any ships with no smoking?

 

Not in the Royal family.

 

Although it's better when sailing from the UK or Australia where local laws reduce the smoking areas further. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

My BIGGEST question, can one find a roast beef sandwich (Oasis - Park Cafe) on this class of ship? Oddly, that is a minor factor that I would consider!

 

Tom

[AshleyDillo]

3 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

My BIGGEST question, can one find a roast beef sandwich (Oasis - Park Cafe) on this class of ship? Oddly, that is a minor factor that I would consider!

 

Tom

 

Cafe 270!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

 

Cafe 270!

Excellent (another class of ship to consider, LOL)

 

Tom

[Auntiemomo]

The Quantum Class is my least favorite of all the Royal ships.

Edited December 13, 2021 by Auntiemomo

[AZDivers]

3 hours ago, Auntiemomo said:

The Quantum Class is my least favorite of all the Royal ships.

 Why?

[RoyalC]

3 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Excellent (another class of ship to consider, LOL)

 

Tom

On Odyssey- did not have Au Jus with the sandwich- the one on Symphony was much better too. Only ate half of the one on Odyssey.