bigsky

Agree! PS... Montana native here Big Sky.

Then to Florida? What a drastic change! I'm a native Californian, but been in MT for 21 yrs now...wow, doesn't seem that long. Still have a lot of Ca in me :D

Guess that's why I enjoy cruising so much. Have to have a beach vacation at least once a yr. Miss it!

What part of MT were you from?

We're Platinum on Disney and Diamond+ on Royal, and two observations on Disney and two observations on Harmony:

 

Disney:

1) Disney stopped being amazing when they added Dream and Fantasy. Prior to doubling the size of their fleet, no one even came close to what Disney delivered. Lately, the bloom is no longer on the rose (unless you're a first-timer). We've watched the quality of the brand steadily decline over the past 3-4 years.

 

2) We still slot in a Disney cruise when the price is right (but that's getting tougher to do anymore)

 

Harmony:

1) She's different than either of her sister ships. The addition of the water slides adds a real draw for teens so your kids would have a blast. There are a ton of activities for teen/pre-tees that simply do not exist on any other ships

2) Despite what some people say, she's surprisingly not crowded. There are so many public area on the ship that the pax really seem to dissipate to different areas.

 

Overall, if you look at the cost/person/day, Harmony is a substantial savings over Disney (Disney is almost double the cost/day on Harmony), and seven days on a cruise beats four days on a cruise any time :)

I so agree with the amount of people on the ship and doesn't feel like it! Of all our cruises, it felt the least crowded. So many places to go and spread out.

One thing I loved about the Oasis class. So many people, but so many places for them to go. Never felt like there were that many people on board, and ours was sold out.

We are in the same boat. We are not completely fed up with Carnival since we are going to check out the Vista next year, but after our experience on the Breeze, we decided to give Royal a try. We took some land vacations and had a baby so we hadn't been on a cruise for a couple of years and we were disappointed at the decrease in quality and availability of the food on Carnival along with a few other things. I'm a little concerned as far as the food because it seems like that is a common complaint with RCL from what I've been reading, but we are not that picky, so hopefully we should be ok.

Just noticed that you're going on the Oasis in Sep. We went on her a little over a yr ago and loved it! Going on her sister ship the Allure in Sep. Loved Central Park at night! Make sure you try their roast beef sandwiches. I don't eat much bread, so I had them make me up a large salad and put the beef in it. So good! At night you really forget you're on a ship.

We used to cruise Carnival. I think our worst ship from them that we cruised on was the Liberty. Hated the layout!

Anyways, have a wonderful time!!

I've never sailed RCCL, and probably won't because the way they market themselves doesn't appeal to me, so take my opinion with that bias in mind.

 

A few previous posters have said "7 nights beats 4". Yes, if the experience is identical or similar enough not to matter. But I'd rather spend 4 nights with my family at a Ritz-Carlton than 7 nights at a Holiday Inn. I'm not saying those are fair comparisons for the two ships, but just trying to say that the math isn't as simple as 7>4.

How can you compare the two if you haven't been on Royal? And to call it the Holiday Inn?? Disney the Ritz? Royal is far from the Holiday Inn!!!

To the OP....I would choose the 7 day. Been on both Disney and many on Royal. On that class of Royal, there's so much to do for kids that age and any age. No one will be bored. I would personally never cruise less than a week. By the time you unpack and get to know the ship, you have to go home if it's only a 4 day.

Since the Harmony is newer, you could probably go on the Oasis or Allure for much less money. I think the main difference is just the slide. With the other two, you'll have the aqua theatre and also shows movies.

I know with Fort Lauderdale, the port is so close. The hotel picks us up at the airport at no charge. Very little in cost to the taxi returning to the airport after the cruise.

Someone mentioned Princess, but I've been on her. Beautiful ships, but too old of a crowd and not as much to do for the kids.

For me, it's a no brainer. But it's what's important to you. You won't be disappointed with Royal, and you get three extra days! :D

We have anytime dining so that helped. I wrote out all the shows and times down to help figure it out as well. Yes it was like a puzzle because we're not real late people and some of the shows were.

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4 people? yes!.....if one of you becomes sick you will be able to get "fresh" air. Also when getting dressed those who r ready can wait on the balcony.

 

You have done the math 125. extra....excursion/ you will be spending far more time on the ship then on shore.

 

Yes, it is worth it, just for "crowd control".

The one time my dh got the flu at the beginning of our cruise. Confined to the cabin almost entire time. Oh how I wish we had a balcony!! Figured we'd save a few dollars. We never cruise with an interior anymore. Love my balconies!!

Don't know your financial situation, but that's like night and day for me! We only cruise ov balconies. It's not just the space, but you feel you have so much more room when you can look outside. If you do a Boardwalk, kids would be entertained watching the outside..., aqua theatre, movies, carousel....You could have some ocean view as well! Those are noisier, but on any guarantee, you have no idea where you'll be put. At least you know the neighborhood you'll be. We always pick an ov balcony in that area. Such a convenient spot! Since we always pick out cabins, not sure if you could have Central Park or the Boardwalk. I personally think it's worth it.

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I'd pick the Allure. If you have 3 days, I'd hit Walt Disney World which is about 200 miles away. But if you're coming this far. There's also Kennedy Space Center which is about the same distance....lots of beaches. Easy choice for me, but everyone is different. Love the Oasis class!

I think it's time you started speaking only for yourself. Please don't speak for me and many others like me who appreciate the hard work, time, commitment, and thoughtfulness that goes into this kind of a venture. Frankly, I'd like to know how many people you polled to get the "no one wants" data.

 

OP, thank you to you and your DH for your enthusiasm. Don't ever let others temper it.

Like button....

I'm too picky about location to book guarantee's anymore. I was told long ago that if they assign you, it can also change if you're booked guarantee.... Hope they don't if you're happy where they assigned you.

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Mines due next week and I'm sailing Sep 4th...

Which is which?

St Thomas itinerary for nice beaches.....The other would be for history. Been to Cozumel many times. Belize we did the Altun Ha/River Wallace...We couldn't dock in Roatan because the water was too rough...even though we saw others did :mad:

When we go to St Thomas, we usually like to go over to St John via catamaran or other type of boat transportation. Such beautiful beaches! You can also stay with nice ones as well. St Maarten we love to sail there.

We did the Oasis a yr ago and did that same itinerary. Getting ready to go on the Allure since we loved that class so much. I personally would rather go out of PC.

Depends if you want beautiful beaches or history.

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Had both and love the hump!! Love the location

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Interested in knowing. I don't recall seeing any they sold.

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There were so many kids on the Oasis when we went. Lots of characters walking around. Lots for them to do. My vote would be for the Oasis.

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Great review and LOVE all of the pictures! We are still trying to decide if the Oasis (or even more -- Quantum) classes are just "too much" for us....that's a lot of people. Love the reviews on what people do and don't like.

I found when we went on the Oasis, it felt like less people. So many places that you can go. Much less congested

I like the hump mid ship better next to the elevator. It's a preference....some like them, some don't. I found it to be hotter and woke to a little soot. Good and bad. Like anything else, it's subjective. I would always try it once to see if it's for you.

The two biggest differences that stick out for me with the two....Princess- Hate their cabins. Basically the bed takes up the entire room. Very small. Also, tiny bathrooms. The two we sailed on, you can look down on everyone from your balcony. I don't want people looking down on me. Also, much older crowd. Beautiful ships, but Princess isn't for us.

I think it's what's important to each one. Food isn't important. Not a foodie. As long as I get to eat, I"m fine. Love the variety though on the Oasis class with Royal. Nice since the Windjammer can be jammed. Hard to find seating. Certain times we just avoided it.

We always get their about 10:30 when we cruise out of there on Royal

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Ours for Sep 4th opened up a few weeks ago. So maybe a few more months? Just keep checking. Someone from our roll call alerted us.

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We always stay at the Hyatt Place 17th st. Free shuttle to hotel and free breakfast. Got for 99.00 this September. Stores and restaurants across the street.

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Rings go in the safe when off the ship. I have a cheaper watch I wear off the ship and nothing flashy.

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We've brought cheapie ones. Easy to deflate and sometimes just leave there.

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