Jewel vs allure

[mlmbar]

My friend and I have sailed oasis twice and allure once. Our only other cruise was on carnival pride, a much smaller ship. Considering the jewel. Any comments on jewel? Would we be happy on a smaller ship after living oasis class? Appreciate any input!

[debshomespun]

We have cruised Oasis and Allure once each. We have also cruise Jewel twice, and Radiance once. I would book the Jewel with no problems. The smaller ships offer a more intimate cruise experience. The Radiance class have alot more views of the ocean. There are elevators with windows midship, and they also offer an open area at the back of the windjammer for meals. It is one of our favorite places to eat breakfast on the Radiance class ships.

 

We are booked for 21 nights on the Legend in Jan/Feb and are looking forward to the smaller ship experience. You will have a fantastic time on the Jewel. She is one of the prettiest ships in the fleet IMHO.

[cruisegirl1]

Each class of ship brings a unique experience. The Jewel is a beautiful ship with many lovey public areas and fine amenities. Naturally the ship will not offer the variety of entertainment EACH night and will have just one show, there are fewer specially restaurants, no flow rider ice rink or aqua theater etc. The Jewel is a centrum based ship, rather than the promenade ( mall) atmosphere.

 

We’ve sailed every RCCL CLASS and have no problem moving from one to another. Do your research on what each ship offers and make sure it meets your expectations and enjoy

M

[dsue]

We haven't been on Allure or Oasis, but have done the Freedom twice, plus Navigator and a few others in that class. Our favorite is still the Radiance class, we've been on the Radiance and Serenade and just booked the Jewel for our 25th. I love the intimacy and the accommodations. It's perfect for us. Love the Thermal Suite, Pool Tables and little café by the rock climbing wall that serves clam chowder in a bread bowl and onion rings.

[Langley Cruisers]

Each class of ship brings a unique experience.... Do your research on what each ship offers and make sure it meets your expectations and enjoy...

 

Absolutely agreed. Have sailed both (Oasis) and there really is no comparison as each is so different. Each was an experience. This is such a personal, subjective topic. Would sail Jewel again in a heartbeat, will not sail Oasis again.

[Desert Cruizers]

Have not sailed Oasis or Allure, but have sailed both the Radiance and Brilliance, sister ships to the Jewel. Although smaller then the Voyager Class, they are good size ship and offer more views of the ocean from inside. We prefer the Radiance Class.

[Upandadam]

Really wanting to try a Radiance class ship. Have done the Allure and are booked on the Oasis, but do recognize that they tend to separate you from the ocean views on much of the ship. Something we notice Carnival ships tend to keep intact, and have read about Radiance class.

[mlmbar]

Thank you for tour many insights. I know there is no comparison as they are totally different. I guess our concern was that we would not be happy on a smaller ship. We really don't do shows or at least did not on Oasis and Allure because it required too much pre planning. Since all year our lives are planned out, when on vacation we do not to do too much planning. We love dining, beaches, and the sea. How are the ports? We are looking at S Caribbean

[Langley Cruisers]

How are the ports? We are looking at S Caribbean

 

My advice is to read the reviews; there are many here on this board, and in the Member Review section.

[Desert Cruizers]

The Radiance Class ships have an area on the Port side that is all glass from Deck 5 thru 10, I am not sure of the total width of this area but it could be 100 feet, so as you travel up the outside elevator, you have this gorgeous view of the ocean. In the Schooner Bar and other areas of lounges, centrum, & upper decks again more glass so it really gives you what I call and open feeling. The larger ships Voyager Class, Freedom and Oasis, are beautiful ships as well, offer much more with entertainment, dining and outside activities but are more enclosed. This is merely my opinion. We sailed on the Liberty of the Seas for our TA and everything was outstanding but we prefer the Radiance Class overall. I don't think the Radiance Class are small at 90,000 tons and roughly 2500 full occupancy. We are sailing the Radiance of the Seas next year for our Australia trip and can't wait.

[voyager89]

I have sailed the Oasis and was also afraid to miss the huge ship and all the amenities so I booked the Adventure out of San Juan (which to me seems like an Oasis Jr), it was that or the Jewel. I loved the promenade and I was thinking I would miss it but then as I was getting more into this I changed my mind and decided to go for the Jewel, which has a better itinerary IMO.

 

I am sooo looking forward to the "smaller" ship experience. I still think the ship is kind of big, but we call it smaller since well, the Oasis just cannot be beatten. We sail in January and already looking for an even smaller ship to sail on.

 

The question is if you want to cruise making the ship the destination itself or the ports. I would say go for Jewel, I am sure you will love it and will help you make youur mind up if you stick with mega ships or stay with the smaller ship. Oasis / Allure are huge, impressive and full of things to do. Jewel is just a way more beautiful ships, not so much to do but its a ship to relax at the solarium, enjoy the outdoor eating experience and use for a more port intensive cruise

[mlmbar]

I have sailed the Oasis and was also afraid to miss the huge ship and all the amenities so I booked the Adventure out of San Juan (which to me seems like an Oasis Jr), it was that or the Jewel. I loved the promenade and I was thinking I would miss it but then as I was getting more into this I changed my mind and decided to go for the Jewel, which has a better itinerary IMO.

 

I am sooo looking forward to the "smaller" ship experience. I still think the ship is kind of big, but we call it smaller since well, the Oasis just cannot be beatten. We sail in January and already looking for an even smaller ship to sail on.

 

The question is if you want to cruise making the ship the destination itself or the ports. I would say go for Jewel, I am sure you will love it and will help you make youur mind up if you stick with mega ships or stay with the smaller ship. Oasis / Allure are huge, impressive and full of things to do. Jewel is just a way more beautiful ships, not so much to do but its a ship to relax at the solarium, enjoy the outdoor eating experience and use for a more port intensive cruise

 

We ARE looking for a more port intensive cruise this time I am beginning to believe. No great love for sea days. The Jewel sounds beautiful with all of the ocean views which are missed on Oasis class. One question- the jewel is older, is it showing its age? (I know I am LOL)

[Desert Cruizers]

The years the 4 ships were built, beginning with the Radiance, 2001, Brilliance 2002, Serenade 2003 & Jewel 2004. I would love to sail on the Jewel of the Seas, I have read she is a beautiful ship and newest of the 4. Our last sailing on the Radiance, was in 2008 so haven't been on her since her improvements. We are doing the NZ, Transpacific and 12 day Hawaii back to Vancouver on her starting March 19, 2014.

[cruisegirl1]

I love it when folks refer to a 2500 passenger , 90,000 ton ship as “small” Sure it is smaller than some other RCCL ships but still a big cruise ship. There are many ships ( especially on upscale lines) that are a fraction of the size.

 

Enjoy

[voyager89]

We ARE looking for a more port intensive cruise this time I am beginning to believe. No great love for sea days. The Jewel sounds beautiful with all of the ocean views which are missed on Oasis class. One question- the jewel is older, is it showing its age? (I know I am LOL)

 

(Correct me if I am wrong) but I know the only newer ships to Jewel are the 3 Freedoms and the 2 Oasis. The refurbishment to Jewel is not due until 2016 so that must mean something. I have heard the ship is in excellent shape. Luxury liners like Seabourne, Silversea, or even Azamara are older than that and still offer impecable accomodations, so I wouldnt wory about that.

 

To be honest I am more excited to sail on the Jewel that I was about the Oasis for some reason

[Desert Cruizers]

I found the Radiance of the Seas quite large, not as big as the Voyager Class but still had to really arch my neck to see her upper decks when standing on the docks. At 962 feet long, imagine having a cabin on the aft and still having to walk over a football field length just to get to the mid ship balconies

[Familygoboston]

I love it when folks refer to a 2500 passenger , 90,000 ton ship as “small” Sure it is smaller than some other RCCL ships but still a big cruise ship. There are many ships ( especially on upscale lines) that are a fraction of the size.

 

Enjoy

 

This always cracks me up too- especially when people are taking cracks at the "big" ships:rolleyes:

 

I've sailed Oasis class twice and Jewel once (and will again in 2 weeks:D)

 

But on to the OPs question. Jewel has less than half the passengers of Oasis/Allure and it is able to dock right "in town" at a lot of its ports. But it doesn't feel "less crowded"; it feels more crowded. Oasis class took the standard "cruise ship" design and turned it on its head. So Oasis class feels less crowded than other classes of ships. But the other classes have the ability to dock in a better location. So making the decision really hinges on- are you sailing for the experience on the ship? Or the experiences in the ports?

 

Here are my observations:

 

Oasis class has more options for meals and entertainment and the entertainment is far better on Oasis class. Oasis class shows are amazing, groundbreaking, and showcase and incredible range of talented performers. Jewel offers two of the worst production shows (IMO) on a Royal ship.

 

Jewel has amazing views and the ability to dock close to the main tourist areas in port. I felt very disconnected to the places we went on Oasis class. Even though all the ports are " dock" ports they are often in a remote or commercial area that can accommodate the size and amount of pax.

 

Oasis class feels less crowded everywhere, meals, shows, pools, shops on the promenade are designed to better accommodate the crowds. We found Jewel to get very bottle necked in the evenings through the Centrum, and there is no way to avoid traveling through the smoky casino unless you choose to go outside on the windy promenade deck. The single pool was jammed all the time and the solarium is small and hot

 

The service was a bit more personal in Jewel. It's still a lot of people, but the crew will see you more often than on Oasis class. Like wise, you are more likely to make acquaintances and keep running into the same folks on Jewel than on Oasis class, where we were sometimes looking for people and wouldn't "run into them " with out a firm plan.

 

Oasis class has the Royal Promenade, which some people really love, and Jewel does not.

 

Jewel has an amazing WJ, with both interior, solarium and exterior seating areas, which Oasis class does not. It also has the neat Seaview cafe, but outside of those and the MDR, there aren't many options. Oasis class has more options than can be mentioned here, but only a few places where you can see the ocean while you dine.

 

And in conclusion...I love them both!:D For different reasons and different kinds of vacations. Have fun choosing!

[Desert Cruizers]

Familygoboston, Since I can't offer any opinions of the Oasis Class, I will offer my views on the two Classes we have sailed. Radiance and Freedom.

 

Radiance class: Beautiful, Offers great views of the ocean, easy to navigate, most shows are good to very good, found the food to be good, staff very friendly and courteous always appeared ready to help. Got the feeling we were really at sea because of the open feeling it gave you. Offers wonderful cruise experience without having all the extras that your much larger Oasis Class gives you.

 

Freedom Class ( Liberty of the Seas), Beautiful ship, entertainment excellant, food good ( have found the food to be equally good on all our cruises regardless of lines), Royal Promenade a lovely area but got very congested during sales and shows letting out with everyone having to use the area as their main travels. Difficult to go straight thru from Deck 4 with Studio B, so had to use RP then down steps. Experienced worst disembarking with everyone crowding the hallways, preventing people from exiting elevators delaying scheduled groups from leaving. This I will add was this one incident due to customs and two ships in port using the same terminal.

 

My overall view, Royal Caribbean has the lovliest & well maintained ships, have always had well manered crew, entertainment in most cases are very good to excellant. I would like to try an Oasis Class, so I can see all that it offers.

[ryano]

I love it when folks refer to a 2500 passenger , 90,000 ton ship as “small” Sure it is smaller than some other RCCL ships but still a big cruise ship. There are many ships ( especially on upscale lines) that are a fraction of the size.

 

Enjoy

 

Heh! Thats nothing! I seen someone on here a while back call Freedom of the Seas a "smaller ship" :eek:

 

Smaller than Oasis girls? Yes of course but STILL one of the largest ships in the world! LOL

[Desert Cruizers]

Freedom a smaller ship, now I would call the Vision Class small and never sailed on them. I think they are comparable in size to Princess's Sea & Sun Princess ship at 70,000 tons. I was amazed on how large the LOS was when we did our TA.

[Familygoboston]

[quote name=Desert Cruizers;405138

My overall view' date=' Royal Caribbean has the lovliest & well maintained ships, have always had well manered crew, entertainment in most cases are very good to excellant. I would like to try an Oasis Class, so I can see all that it offers.[/quote]

 

I hope you do one day- we've never cruised Freedom class, but have cruised all the others still floating ( and a few not anymore;)) and that's why I say Oasis class is a game changer. Instead of taking Mariner class (first with the RP) and just stretching it, like they did with Freedom class, they truly re engineered how the ship handles the people on her. Of course you still get bottlenecks leaving the theater, and if there is a big sale or parade on the promenade. But other than that embarkation, ports, dining, pools etc, it just doesn't feel like the older ships do. It's more crowded than a desert isle, of course, its still a cruise ship but I'm comparing ship to ship. Many times I looked around and thought, "where IS everyone? "

 

I agree about Radiance Class- really lovely! A fav of ours!

 

Heh! Thats nothing! I seen someone on here a while back call Freedom of the Seas a "smaller ship" :eek:

 

Smaller than Oasis girls? Yes of course but STILL one of the largest ships in the world! LOL

 

I always like to point out that Majesty was the "biggest thing afloat" when she first launched ;) Now she the bitty baby next to Allure in port at Nassau:p

[TexCruise371]

We just returned from the Jewel and have sailed on Oasis twice and Allure once. We have also sailed on every class of ships that Royal has right now. We have enjoyed them all.

 

The Radiance class ships are quickly becoming our favorite class of ship. As others have said, maybe a little more intimate and the ship is in great shape.

 

Would not hesitate to sail either again.

 

You can't go wrong either way. ;)

[Familygoboston]

We just returned from the Jewel and have sailed on Oasis twice and Allure once. We have also sailed on every class of ships that Royal has right now. We have enjoyed them all.

 

The Radiance class ships are quickly becoming our favorite class of ship. As others have said, maybe a little more intimate and the ship is in great shape.

 

Would not hesitate to sail either again.

 

You can't go wrong either way. ;)

 

Totally agree! The title of this thread makes it sound like a WWWF smack down ;):p But really both ships are great! :D

[mlmbar]

Totally agree! The title of this thread makes it sound like a WWWF smack down ;):p But really both ships are great! :D

 

I didn't mean to make it sound like a WWWF smack down. I just wanted to hear opinions regarding both ships and would I feel disappointed in Jewel. Sorry for the deceptive title

[Desert Cruizers]

mimbar, I didn't read your tital as a smackdown, you were asking for peoples view on the two classes. I am unable to give you an honest opinion of the Oasis Class ships since we have not sailed on them yet, so I can only speak from what I see from the outside and style of the ship from pictures or off the Web cams and on the ships we have sailed on. We haven't sailed anything smaller then the Radiance class and personally doubt we will go on their smaller Vision class. We would I am sure enjoy our cruise but find the 2500-3000 passenger range a comfortable number for us. The Liberty of the Seas with what, 4,000 some passengers, didn't feel all that crowded. You take the length of the ship, in relation to the number of decks and spread over 3,000 passengers around, your not going to feel like their all in one location.