Carnival vs RC Oasis

[mal831]

We took our kids on the Oasis last summer and had a great time.  This summer the only cruise I think we can swing is Carnvial Venezia.  Will they be disappointed?  The cruise seems to have good reviews except for the pool, which was a big hit last summer with my 5 year old.  My older ones will be 12 and 14.   The oldest was not into the teen club on Royal, I'm hoping the tween one might appeal to her more.

[john91498]

There's no comparison. The Oasis is vastly superior ship.

 

Just my opinion...

[mz-s]

Hope you like smoking, reports are much of the Venezia smells like smoke because of the poor ventilation in the casino.

[Pellaz]

Interesting.  What were the complaints about Venezia's pool?    

 

Oasis would of course be a much more "wow" ship, but that level of wow comes at a price, as you've noted.   

[staceyglow]

If my kids were ever "disappointed" about a cruise I took them on, it would be the last one.  The fanciest vacation I ever had when I was a kid was a long weekend to Rock City and Ruby Falls, and we drove there in our woody wagon.  

 

They would be staying with Grandma and Grandpa while Dad and I enjoyed ourselves on the ship.

Edited December 30, 2023 by staceyglow

[nhraformula00]

That is a really tiny ship compared to Oasis.

[jimbo5544]

Oasis as a ship is a amazing ship.  The cruise expereince when we sailed on her, was not so amazing.  If the Op is sailing for the ship and neighborhoods and more for pay options, then Oasis wins.  How big the ship is simply does not cut the mustard in terms of experience.  Degrdation of potential ports visted, no tender ports, etc etc…

[Drazil65]

Been on the Oasis a few years ago but not on the Venezia (no interest in sailing this ship at this point),  That being said, we have sailed just about every ship class CCL has over the last 20 years with the Excel class currently our fav.  Apples and oranges when it comes to the RCCL Oasis.  There are a couple of other RCCL ships that would be a little easier to compare with several of the CCL ships but not this one IMHO.  

 

You may want to search (if you have not done so already) for the reviews on the Venezia as it seems like its a 50/50 mix overall.  As I dont know your children likes and dislikes or how they like to be entertained, I can only say that if they loved the Oasis I am not sure how this CCL ship will stand up to their expectations (or yours).    

Edited December 30, 2023 by Drazil65

[Itchy&Scratchy]

we were on Oasis this year It was great! If interested, please see review in signature, but in short - we loved it.

[mets07]

We have been on Oasis more than once and the last time was with our son and 3 of his kids ages 6, 4, 2. They loved it. Pools, slides/play areas, kids club, carousel, etc. 

 

My husband and I will be on Venezia in February and perhaps can comment better then. We have heard pools / pool areas are small. We like to try different ships and cruise lines, and were interested once we saw this ship was leaving from NYC. But this has nothing to do with what might appeal to kids...

[firefly333]

12 hours ago, mets07 said:

We have been on Oasis more than once and the last time was with our son and 3 of his kids ages 6, 4, 2. They loved it. Pools, slides/play areas, kids club, carousel, etc. 

 

My husband and I will be on Venezia in February and perhaps can comment better then. We have heard pools / pool areas are small. We like to try different ships and cruise lines, and were interested once we saw this ship was leaving from NYC. But this has nothing to do with what might appeal to kids...

If I was picking I'd pick mardi gras over Venezia but I dont like italian food so I'm prejudiced. That isnt a new ship, it's one that could be better utilized in the american market. Mardi gras is newer and will have more new features.

 

I've done oasis, last spring break. Lol over 2k kids. Never again during spring break. Did oasis 3 times, allure 4 times and harmony 3 times. All oasis class. Harmony I had the best food which set it apart. Did wonderland as a bogo. The fillet mignon 3 times. It was just the best so far food wise. Allure dining not a good experience. But i would pick mardi gras class in a heart beat over the italian ship. But that's me. Is the price that much better than mardi gras? Half price I might try it. 

[mets07]

I don't know for sure @firefly333 but reason OP might be considering Venezia is perhaps it is local for them. (We have only done Carnival once before, but we are in NY/NJ area and the ship looks nice, it is going in our case to at least one port we have not been to before and one we have been to only once, and it is an easy drive from home).

[firefly333]

9 minutes ago, mets07 said:

I don't know for sure @firefly333 but reason OP might be considering Venezia is perhaps it is local for them. (We have only done Carnival once before, but we are in NY/NJ area and the ship looks nice, it is going in our case to at least one port we have not been to before and one we have been to only once, and it is an easy drive from home).

Ok I'm moving next year and Venezia is going out of port Canaveral by the time I move, but I see wouldnt have moved there by next summer. I'm moving fall. Hence why I thought oh same port as mardi gras. 

[klfrodo]

On 12/29/2023 at 2:52 PM, mal831 said:

We took our kids on the Oasis last summer and had a great time.  This summer the only cruise I think we can swing is Carnvial Venezia.  Will they be disappointed?  

Without a doubt

[RoperDK]

As you found out, Oasis class is great.  Only Mardi Gras could compete.  However, if Venezia is all you can swing, then give it a try and adjust expectations.  Only you know if your kids could adjust to the different amenities and still have a good time.   

[Lemony32]

We've sailed both ships. We just got off the Venezia new years eve sailing and sailed the Oasis years ago. Like others have said, there's no comparison. These are completely different ships and experiences. The Venezia is a smaller ship. We adjusted our expectations and had a great time. 

My advice for a smaller ship: Plan out what you want to do between sea days and port days carefully. Be prepared for a family movie or boardgames night. They played movies on the lido deck and the lido deck balcony had boardgames for everyone to use. I packed facial masks and my manicure kit for a DIY spa day at sea.

We didn't use the pools on Venezia. They are small and crowded. Half Moon Cay was our beach day. I packed inflatable pool float hammocks instead of renting a clam shell. The beach didn't feel crowded since there were fewer people getting off the ship. We stayed onboard at one of the ports since we had been before and we enjoyed the day on the ship. I forgot to use the waterslides that day. I usually try them out if there's no line up. If we were traveling with another couple/family, I would have packed a beach volley ball and frisbee and booked a small group catamaran and snorkeling for one of the port days. 

 

The buffets are smaller and the options were limited. We had Guy's burger, tacos or pizza for lunch if nothing appealed to us at the buffet. The mid-night buffet is non-existent. Everything would be closed if I was peckish after midnight. Not a bad thing for our waistlines. I wish we had brought snacks on board with us. The main dining room had filet mignon, lobster and shrimp cocktail.

We checked the app for the dinner menu before deciding if we wanted to go. We had the late dinner seating which was around the same time as the shows so we had to miss one or ther other. I would recommend booking the early dinner seating so you can catch the shows after dinner.

The theather has the state of the art light and sound. But theather design and seating layout is awful. Try to get front row seats so you can see the stage and hear the performance. 

Pack a separate set of clothes if you plan to stop by the casino. It's freezing in there and you will smell like stale cigarettes. 

 

I think the Venezia is a fun ship for tweens and teens. They'd roam the ship in large packs making up their own fun. A couple we met told us they only saw their kids at dinner. Their kids had cell phones and could text them. Their kids went to the kids camp on the first day to meet other kids. 

I wish I had known about the deck parties before going. Families got really dressed up for the 80s party and white party. And people lined up early for the silent disco headphones. My husband said there were a lot of kids playing basket ball and dodge ball in the sports area.

 

Overall we had a fun trip and met great people. It seemed like a good ship for families. I would take my nieces and nephews on this cruise.

[BlerkOne]

Oasis only has about 100,000 more gross tons and a couple of thousand more passengers. At least Venezia is capable of making tender ports.

[StephPS79]

I haven't been on Venezia, but I've sailed a few different Oasis class ships, including Oasis, along with some various size Carnival ships.  What I always find myself saying, Oasis class ships are beautiful ships, they win on this ship itself, hands down.  But whatever reason, I have more fun on Carnival.

 

A pretty ship is nice, but that doesn't complete the cruise experience.  

[jsglow]

If you gave me the choice of an RCCL Oasis Class vs. Windstar's Star Pride (or even Carnival Pride, for that matter), I'd make the exact same choice every single time. I guess it's good that I know what kind of cruiser I am. 

[mz-s]

the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten

[StephPS79]

1 hour ago, mz-s said:

the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten

 

I'm not sure what point to take from this comment, but as it relates to this post, my experience on Carnival has been better than my experience on Royal Caribbean, regardless of the ship itself.  Royal Caribbean's price tag is exceedingly higher than Carnival's.  Do I think Oasis of the Seas is superior to any ship in Carnival's fleet?  Absolutely!  Do I think that justifies a poorer experience with a higher price tag?  Not a chance.

[Joebucks]

If the context here is about kids, Oasis would be vastly more fun for kids than Venezia. It is basically targeted towards two, different markets. 

[BlerkOne]

10 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

 

I'm not sure what point to take from this comment, but as it relates to this post, my experience on Carnival has been better than my experience on Royal Caribbean, regardless of the ship itself.  Royal Caribbean's price tag is exceedingly higher than Carnival's.  Do I think Oasis of the Seas is superior to any ship in Carnival's fleet?  Absolutely!  Do I think that justifies a poorer experience with a higher price tag?  Not a chance.

I flat out don't like Royal at any price point.

 

Some people are swayed by bribes and are fickle; some like a brand (or don't) and bribes are irrelevant.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

I flat out don't like Royal at any price point.

 

Some people are swayed by bribes and are fickle; some like a brand (or don't) and bribes are irrelevant.

Well I'm hopefully boarding dream for 2 weeks Saturday. Just my luck seem to have pinched a nerve or whatever so that's why its iffy, nothing to do with carnival. 

 

I am looking forward to white pizza and guys hamburgers. I'm hoping its dream where there is a seafood place with lobster rolls. I have always said all lines have stuff I like. I know people who are loyal to one and only one. Even on the rcl threads I post carnival has better pizza. 

 

If the bribe is more free perks, then thats me. I miss my free wifi and drinks and discounts on carnival. On rcl I ate pizza once in 3 weeks. I pulled off the cheese and toppings. Uggh. And I post I wish royal would take lessons from carnival on anytime dining. They stink at it. I loved on carnival I could push a button and be seated without standing in a long line. 

 

I just dont agree any one line does it all the best. I used to go back and forth to get Mdr variety. Not because one was the best, for variety. This will be my diamond cruise and here I am in pain leaving tomorrow. Hope I make it onboard. I was in emergency tuesday the pain was so bad so I'm not exaggerating.  Disappointed. I booked a couple of excursions now I'm worried about. 

 

I will never agree one is all perfect .. they all have pluses. I'll be heading to guys burgers asap when I board. I dont touch royals free burgers btw. Another thing carnival does better. Fast food. I like junk food not a solid burger and cheese and all that, give me a greasy burger on a toasted bun .. im hoping for guys. I read they got rid of the sauteed onions. Darn. My favorite part of guys burgers.

 

Why does it have to be 100% loyalty? 

[mets07]

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Well I'm hopefully boarding dream for 2 weeks Saturday. Just my luck seem to have pinched a nerve or whatever so that's why its iffy, nothing to do with carnival. 

 

I am looking forward to white pizza and guys hamburgers. I'm hoping its dream where there is a seafood place with lobster rolls. I have always said all lines have stuff I like. I know people who are loyal to one and only one. Even on the rcl threads I post carnival has better pizza. 

 

If the bribe is more free perks, then thats me. I miss my free wifi and drinks and discounts on carnival. On rcl I ate pizza once in 3 weeks. I pulled off the cheese and toppings. Uggh. And I post I wish royal would take lessons from carnival on anytime dining. They stink at it. I loved on carnival I could push a button and be seated without standing in a long line. 

 

I just dont agree any one line does it all the best. I used to go back and forth to get Mdr variety. Not because one was the best, for variety. This will be my diamond cruise and here I am in pain leaving tomorrow. Hope I make it onboard. I was in emergency tuesday the pain was so bad so I'm not exaggerating.  Disappointed. I booked a couple of excursions now I'm worried about. 

 

I will never agree one is all perfect .. they all have pluses. I'll be heading to guys burgers asap when I board. I dont touch royals free burgers btw. Another thing carnival does better. Fast food. I like junk food not a solid burger and cheese and all that, give me a greasy burger on a toasted bun .. im hoping for guys. I read they got rid of the sauteed onions. Darn. My favorite part of guys burgers.

 

Why does it have to be 100% loyalty? 

 

I agree with you @firefly333 and hope you feel better soon and can go on the cruise.

 

My husband and I have sailed mostly Royal, but have tried NCL, Carnival, and recently MSC. We will be on Venezia next month.

 

All the lines have positive elements and some things that could be better, but we always enjoy cruising. One thing we get on Royal that I agree with you is hard to sacrifice is the free loyalty drinks starting at Royal's Diamond level. 

 

Happy cruising to all.