Oasis vs Epic, my thoughts on both, just back home

[LSauls7537]

Sailed Sept 11 on the Epic in cabin 8079 and home today from Oasis, in cabin 11195. We're seasoned travelers, live in Florida and are not tied to any one brand. Hubby and I are in our 60-70's. Both ships we were on the Eastern sailing.

 

I thought this would be easy to write, but it's not; both ships were phenomenal, but both offered a unique experience. Our cabin on Epic was small, but so was Oasis. Both offered plenty of room to put everything and not use all the spots; just needed a crossing guard when both of us wanted to get to the other side of the room ....at the SAME time. We really did love the balcony overlooking Central Park, we could hear the entertainment during the day from the pool deck but wasn't overly loud. It was nice to listen to the guitarist downstairs without going down there...but understand, this isn't your "typical" cruise, being in these cabins offers you more of a feeling at being in a resort, much like the Gaylord in Nashville. You don't feel much movement, and not seeing the ocean changes the "feel". We loved seeing the bagpiper play each night and chucked when we would see the gentlemen strolling his lady thru central park, he in a full suit and tophat and she in her finery. If you want more action, noise and truly a Boardwalk atmosphere, then I'd get cabins overlooking Boardwalk. You still do have the option of the ocean views as well though. Both behemoths...NEVER a waiting line, can't figure out how they do that. The new terminal in Ft Laud is perfect for the Oasis, it's round...go figure, everything is easier to reach and a shorter distance for the staff if it's a central hub.

 

Our personal preference for dining is the Epic, we really have come to appreciate doing what we want and when. On Oasis we had traditional dining. We did note lines on day 1 for those that hadn't chosen booking times or my time dining before the cruise. I do like on the Oasis there is an option for those with children to have a 45 minute expedited dinner with the kids, then kids to back to the childrens area or teen area and Mom and Dad can linger over coffee or after dinner drinks.

 

Food- loved BOTH the Italian restaurants and of course the steakhouses, we didn't have a bad meal. Did like the layout of the Epic for the buffet, just more room between food and people which always made the area look very uncrowded. We liked all the different venues on both ships for dropping in, O'Shannahans on Epic was our fave and Park Cafe on OOS.

 

We stayed the night pre cruise and had PERFECT stays each time, in Miami staying at the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon, bumped up to the suite. I've stayed in 4 * hotels and the rooms and service were nothing close to the the Hampton. This cruise for Ft Laud, we stayed at the new Cambria Suites, again, great hotel, non smoking hotel though for those where that might make a difference. Both hotels offered a special of the room for the night and free parking of your car for the week and transportation to the port.

 

Now I'll just make some observations and note they aren't being critical, just noticed.

 

Better TV on Oasis, Fox, CNN International, always cartoons and movie playing for kids, several for adults, a comedy channel and a station that was English, EXCEPT all commercials were in Spanish; they sure do a lot of advertising for kids toys, Depends and "As seen on TV products". We're not sun worshipers and when it got hot, we'd retreat to our cabin, sit on the balcony and people watch or sometimes catch a movie.

 

Oasis did a bang up job of advertising their other cruises. Each of the itineraries were shown, and ships, but, they had families who were cruising; so the cameras met them when they arrived at the departure city, thru some days pre cruise and what they did, then onto the ship. It showcased not only the ship, but showed the ports, some of the tours plus the ship; including a lot of behind the scenes tours. I'm now sold on the Med cruise next and decided I like the Radiance class ships.

 

Both lines were great about no constant announcements. Even when debarking this morning, announcements were made in the waiting area only, not over the PA. Richard spacey the CD was the most hysterical CD we have ever had on a cruise; he was so talented! Staff on both lines, no issues, great staff.

 

Our one bartender that stood out is Edwardo in the Casino Bar, he'll keep you in stitches for as long as you sit there....stories, majic, jokes, he has em' all.

 

We had several issues this week on the OOS and we appreciated the captain keeping us informed. We looked out on deck when we should have been arriving in St Thomas only to notice there were 4 other cruise ships and us and no one was docking. Capt made the announcement as "soon as everyone on shore figures things out" we'll dock. Didn't find out why we were sitting for 2 hours and no one docking, but we did stay an extra hour in St. Thomas....maybe someone out there knows what REALLY went on.

 

We had 3 "Alpha" calls this week, one resulting in the Captain telling us on our way back we were diverting toward San Juan due to a medical emergency. Later it was cancelled and we turned back again and headed home, so either the patient was stable or had passed. Still nice to be informed, especially in light of everything going on in our world.

 

One complaint about the Oasis and shared by many and heard all week long was the ship was WARM! Maybe because there is so much heat generated on Deck 8 where there is Central Park and boardwalk, I don't know, but, it was very uncomfortable at times. The other being what is perceived by some as a shortage of restrooms, there being restrooms only on each end of the ship. That I sorta understand; you go to a restaurant and forget you're on a ship so most land restaurants have bathrooms...just need to remember where you are.

 

In the "did she/he REALLY say that?" department..."It's raining and I'm getting wet", ...on deck 8...well ah...the whole deck is open to the sky.... same place overheard in Central Park...."I thought it would be air-conditioned"...winds are blowing 35 knots and a "knothead" couldn't figure out why the aqua show high with diving into a 17X21 ft pool would be cancelled.

 

The kids area on both ships was great; lots of room, lots of activities, though think Oasis beats out the sports area with activities and sports deck.

 

I'd go back on either one in a heartbeat; now just need to start saving!

 

If there's anything you'd like to ask, go ahead, I'll be checking back.

 

 

Linda

[cocoabeana]

Thanks for your observations. I switched from the Epic to Allure. I have a boardwalk stateroom all the way on the end, so I can see the ocean too! I have always wanted to do the oasis or allure, but the Epic was a little less money, then the price dropped so I switched.

 

Any cruise is a good cruise, so no complaints. Glad you enjoyed them both

[bionicman97]

Thanks for the review :)

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Thank you for the comparison and review. We have sailed Oasis and will be sailing on Allure Dec 1 and then again in February. We did give serious thought to trying out Epic and may do so yet if the time and itinerary are right. I know my son would love Epic's huge sliding board. It is nearly impossible to schedule a time when he can take time off work and still fit in a cruise. We might just have to try Epic without him.

 

Oh, about the delays at St Thomas. I read somewhere that some key dock workers were on strike that day and there was a scramble to make other arrangements.

 

We have sailed on NCL's Pearl. My Hubby liked the food, especially in the buffet. I wasn't crazy about the decor and prefer Royal Caribbean ships. I did think the shows in the theater were good.

 

Again thank you for taking the time to compare the two ships. I can't wait to try out Allure with the new features that are not on Oasis, even including a Starbucks. I loved Oasis. I called it the WOW! ship.

[Kooolmomma]

Thanks for the review. We will be cruising on the Epic in February and then a B2B on the Oasis immediately afterwards. You gave me some invaluable insight - thanks again.

[7x57]

Thanks for the review!

[will work to cruise]

Thanks for the review. Nice comparison!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Would not book either the Oasis or the Allure. Just a matter of pre

of preference

[sjcruiser]

Thanks for the review.

[Flying Solo]

Great review. Being able to compare the 2 ships makes for a terrific review. And nicely done. Thanks.