Help me decide!

[LetsMakeWaves55]

Hi All!

I'm taking my mom on her first cruise ever next December and can't decide which itinerary/ship to pick from these two I've narrowed down. She doesn't want a real long one for the first time so I have two shorter ones. I'm having a hard time deciding between large Oasis class ship vs 1 more day of sailing...any insight? What would you chose? Price is pretty similar so that doesn't matter at this point. I'm worried 4 days on Oasis class won't give us enough time but I also like the WOW factor of the big ship...then it's Labadee vs Coco Cay....help!

 

5 Day - Independence of the Seas. Miami -Nassau-Labadee. 

4 Day - Allure of the Seas. Port Canaveral-Nassau-Coco Cay

 

Thanks for your help!

[Another_Critic]

Did you ask your Mom?

[dani negreanu]

For the first time, I'd go with "Indy" and not the biggest ship, which may be a bit overwhelming.

 

And 4 days is way too short.... Until you get in the "mood"... you disembark.

[ZoeyVictoria]

I think the Oasis might be a little overwhelming for a first time cruiser. 

[LetsMakeWaves55]

I did ask her, but she told me to decide as she didn't know much difference. Her only request was not a tiny ship so both of these are fine. 

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Ship: Allure wins

Ports: Allure wins. CocoCay > Labadee

Will you be staying a night prior? If so, Miami > Port Canaveral

 

I've done a couple of 4 night cruises and although they are short, we've enjoyed them. You just can't go expecting it to feel like a week-long vacation. 

[Rockymaya]

Oasis class because of the varied entertainment.High diving, ice skating and watching people on the flow rider.

 

[Another_Critic]

30 minutes ago, Rockymaya said:

Oasis class because of the varied entertainment.High diving, ice skating and watching people on the flow rider.

 

Indy has ice skating/show and flow rider.

[LisaLisa87]

Do you plan to get off the ship at both stops? If so, is there a 5-day (or 6-day) that goes somewhere other than Nassau in your timeframe?

[JustUs275]

I love that you get to take your mom on her first cruise! I would go with Independence. There's so much to love about this class, without being too overwhelming. I enjoy both Labadee and Coco Cay, no preference there. I hope she loves cruising, whichever ship you decide on!

[moposh]

I'd do 5-day.  Have fun!

[Toddcan]

me?  100% the Indy.  1 day longer - and it's a big ship with a lot of the bells and whistles. 

[cruzvaca]

Do Indy first so that after she cruises  and says that was too short and that she loves cruising you can book oasis class for a longer trip the following year 😊

[Another_Critic]

12 minutes ago, cruzvaca said:

Do Indy first so that after she cruises  and says that was too short and that she loves cruising you can book oasis class for a longer trip the following year 😊

The follow year?  Why not the following week?  😄

[RedIguana]

4 hours ago, LetsMakeWaves55 said:

5 Day - Independence of the Seas. Miami -Nassau-Labadee. 

4 Day - Allure of the Seas. Port Canaveral-Nassau-Coco Cay

 

Thanks for your help!

Have to ask. Have you looked at the 5 day on the Radiance out of Tampa?

[barb in ga]

I vote for the 5 day on Independance. I'm a huge fan of Oasis class, but I also love Freedom Class. They both have the awesome ice skating show as well as other entertainment and music. DH and I are seniors and we love both ship classes, but 5 days is way better if the travel logistics works for you.

Have a great cruise!

Barb

[orville99]

How old is your mom? It does make a difference...

[LetsMakeWaves55]

Thank you all so much for your input. I've been debating between these 2 options for weeks because I've sailed both classes and loved both. The thing that keeps pulling me back to Allure is 150 Central Park because I love that restaurant and the aqua show...but the Indy one also has great food and I have not yet been to Labadee. It's a tough one. 

 

For reference, my mom is 59 and we will be getting off the ship in ports so I can show her some island experiences too.

[cruzvaca]

I would say go with your instincts. Can’t go wrong with either one.  You will have a great dinner with your mom at 150 Central Park!!

[OCSC Mike]

Just got off Indy this morning and had a great time as always. That said...

 

Allure for me and it's not even close. Huge fan of Cococay and prefer Oasis class to Freedom (although I obviously enjoy both). The only part I'd prefer Indy for is the extra day.

[LetsMakeWaves55]

Thank you all for your input and advice. I decided to go with the 5 day on Indy! Longer time, 2 sea days and I've never been to Labadee yet! Hopefully she will be hooked like I was and we can go again on an Oasis ship next. 😎