Carnival GLORY vs NCL GETAWAY vs RCL OASIS

[weebobby]

Hi all !

 

I have been looking at cruises for a few weeks now . We are looking to get a holiday at the end of next month as my wife is pregnant and we might not get a good holiday for a while! We have never been on a cruise before but have been doing plenty of research.

 

I liked the look of the cruise from Carnival Liberty out of San Juan for June 28th which is a great price but couldn't seem to get flights to match out of Belfast/Dublin down to San Juan. Its a great itinerary with only one sea day and some nice islands like St.Lucia and Barbados. We want a stop over somewhere on the East Coast for a few days eg Miami/NYC as we are big fans of the USA!

 

However, I can get very cheap $600 flights (we have $100 flight credit to use on United after being heavily delayed last year) out of Belfast down to Fort Lauderdale from June 23rd to July 4th. I have been to F.Lauderdale and Miami last year so am familiar with the area. Will probably stay somewhere in Miami Beach - there are some great prices on hotels (23rd-27th) with Como / Fontainbleau / Edition / Thompson @ $175 per night.

 

I have been looking at various websites/agents - have found Sandy at VivaVoyages very nice (all US agents are allowed to sell carnival and Norweigian cruises to people in Europe but RCL seem to only allow a limited number such as Sandy )

 

The best prices at the moment for a balcony room departing June 27th to July 4th seem to be approx:

 

$1600pp Oasis of the Seas - ( 3- Nassau , US Virgin Island , St.Maarten )

$1300pp Getaway - ( 3- Nassau , US Virgin is, British Virgin is)

$1000pp Glory - (4- Half Moon cay , Turks+C , San Juan , US Virgin Island )

 

I have no idea if these prices are good as have never cruised before. There seems to be plenty of spare capacity on Oasis and the same cruise on June 13th is going for $300 less pp (per person) which makes me think to wait and see if prices fall. Obviously i am aware the last day of the cruise - July 4th is a big day in the USA.

 

We are both 30 years old and enjoy travel. We will save up and then spend it on travel (have been to Australia, Asia , Tanzania Safari followed by Zanzibar in Africa , Bora Bora , USA multiple times as well as all over Europe).

 

My take on the three cruises from what I have read ( PLEASE feel free to correct me):

 

Glory - Extra stop , Cheapest , 4.5* rated ship on CC.

 

Getaway - New/trendy ship. "Cool Miami Vibe" would suit us with the choice of restaurants and flexible dining. Seems to get fairly positive reviews. some concerns over the outside areas being crowded on at sea days. 4.5* rating on CC.

 

Oasis - Seems to get great reviews. Few recent mentions of being crowded? 5* rating on CC. Seem to be introducing flexible dining. Decent wifi package too.

 

Given the prices and that we are looking for a balcony room , our ages etc does anyone have any advice on which cruise to go for ????

 

Thanks

 

Weebobby !!!

Edited May 11, 2015 by weebobby

[RSLeesburg]

I think the Glory has the best itinerary of the three, as I am not a huge fan of Nassau. But I might lean towards Getaway as it is newer, and is not that much more.

 

We faced same dilemma when looking at Oasis and Freedom. We decided on Freedom as it had one extra stop and was less expensive.

[weebobby]

Hi

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Yes i would agree with your comments.

Glory is actually about $1100 with all taxes vs $1300 for Getaway.

At the moment at the current prices i am probably leaning towards Getaway.

I might just wait a little more time to see if any of the three drop in price as that could change my preference

(for example a $300 drop in Oasis would have it at the same price as Getaway)

although obviously by waiting I risk the chance of them rising in price....

but this is a last minute holiday and I am not attached to one particular ship and if one price rises i can act on booking one of the other two

Edited May 11, 2015 by weebobby

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If I were traveling all that distance from Ireland, I would be choosing a longer cruise -- at least 7 days.

[Cruzaholic41]

I have been on all 3 ships and Oasis is definitely the ship to pick. Nothing compares to Oasis. The ship is amazing.

 

Second pick would be the Getaway.

[RSLeesburg]

You know, something else just occurred to me - doesn't Carnival also board Liberty in Barbadoes? You might want to see if you can get flights there, and then do Southern itinerary like you originally wanted.

[#1TravelMom]

We have also been on all three ships. I voted for the Getaway and then read your post. I would definitely choose the Getaway for our family and specific needs - we have a 10 yr old daughter. We also like the ease of the Getaway's freestyle dining. The Oasis has more wow factor, but I doubt you will utitlize much of it - Flowrider, zipline, or ice skating. Likewise, the Getaway is perfect for kids - rope obstacle course, spider climb, and waterslides.

 

We may be in the minority, but we didn't like the entertainment on the Getaway or the Oasis. Others rave about Burn the floor and Cats, but - honestly, for us - more than 10 minutes of salsa dancing and cats singing is plenty for us.

 

In the end, I would choose the Glory for the the itinerary. In fact, we will be on the Glory the week of July 4 - our favorite itinerary.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Agree that Oasis is a totally different ship - nothing compares except her sister ship Allure. So much to see and do. Don't let the people who complain about crowds put you off. Other than when an event ends, eg. End of a show, the ship handles crowds very well.

 

Assume that you have checked rules regarding flying/cruising while pregnant. There is a cut off date.

 

Good luck. Enjoy your trip.

[weebobby]

Hi everyone

 

thanks for all the comments which are Much appreciated and i have taken on board.

i am going to monitor the prices on these ships ( I am set up to alerts etc ) as I would be keen on the Oasis if the price dropped . Otherwise there are pros and cons to all three if I go for an alternative i am sure we will enjoy ourselves.

PMcC1998 - yep dates are fine.

RSLeesburg - yeah I looked at that but doesn't really work for us with having some time in USA. San Juan does work out as you can stop off in New York but flights are very expensive.

Krazy Kruizers - all 3 cruises are 7 days ones, its just they don't have a lot of port stops...

Out of interest does June 27th to July 4th fall just before the schools go on holiday in the USA ?

 

Thanks !!!!

Edited May 11, 2015 by weebobby

[OCruisers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :)

 

Oasis would certainly be our choice!

 

LuLu

[wichitastatecruiser]

I've been on two of the three ships. (I was on the Freedom before the 2.0 upgrades which is the same class ship though).Main question on the Oasis is what kind of balcony did they quote you for? Central Park, Boardwalk or Ocean view? If that's the price for the ocean view I would jump on it. I would pick Oasis over Getaway personally but a lot of people seem to prefer Getaway over Oasis. There are two CC members that have had in depth photo reviews of both ships, one even has video.

 

One is Megacruiser Link to Getaway review and in his signature you can click over to his Oasis review): http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2171334

 

The other is Jim Zim who was actually on the Allure the Oasis sister ship, he also has a review to both the Getaway and Carnival Glory in his signature: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2136157

 

That should keep you busy researching for awhile! Remember, there will be a test!

 

Good luck and happy cruising!

Edited May 11, 2015 by wichitastatecruiser

[weebobby]

Hi,

OCruisers and wichitastatecruiser thanks for your messgaes

 

Oasis - I was quoted 2731 euros total for a sea view balcony (cat D7) so converted that's about $1550 per person with $100 on board credit. Including taxes but not gratuities. I noticed the same sailing 2 weeks earlier is cheaper so was maybe gonna hold out for a similar drop...although this cruise ends on your 4th July if that affects price.

 

the best price on the Getaway for one of the angled sea view balconies is 770 British Pounds = $1200pp including taxes. This includes the free drinks package too although my wife will not be drinking alcohol.

 

prices from Sandy @ http://vivavoyage.co.uk/

 

wichitastatecruiser - I will read through all your information now ! thanks !!!

Edited May 11, 2015 by weebobby

[weebobby]

actually forget my claims that it is cheaper to go on the Oasis 2 weeks before in an Ocean Balcony Room.

 

27th ( all are balcony rooms )

 

Oasis - $1550 + $100 credit

Getaway - $1200 + free drink package (or speciality dining or wifi etc)

Glory - $1100

[wichitastatecruiser]

Hi,

OCruisers and wichitastatecruiser thanks for your messgaes

 

Oasis - I was quoted 2731 euros total for a sea view balcony (cat D7) so converted that's about $1550 per person with $100 on board credit. Including taxes but not gratuities. I noticed the same sailing 2 weeks earlier is cheaper so was maybe gonna hold out for a similar drop...although this cruise ends on your 4th July if that affects price.

 

the best price on the Getaway for one of the angled sea view balconies is 770 British Pounds = $1200pp including taxes. This includes the free drinks package too although my wife will not be drinking alcohol.

 

prices from Sandy @ http://vivavoyage.co.uk/

 

 

wichitastatecruiser - I will read through all your information now ! thanks !!!

 

Jim Zim is the one with both photos and video, they also can be easier to follow because he provides links to a stand alone site. After seeing those reviews either you'll know which one you want to do, or be even more conflicted!

 

Also with NCL you can do the Dining package since your wife can't drink. So that might give NCL an advantage there.

 

Let us know which one you pick and safe travels to this side of the pond!

Edited May 11, 2015 by wichitastatecruiser

[weebobby]

The poll is a lot closer now ! 3 v 4 v 3

 

have read the Megacruiser Getaway review , Excellent!

 

On to the Oasis review now !

[Grandma Dazzles]

Hi everyone...

Out of interest does June 27th to July 4th fall just before the schools go on holiday in the USA ?

 

Thanks !!!!

 

 

Schools will be out on the dates quoted. In general, schools get out at the end of May or early June and return late August or early September. Varies from state to state.

 

Bear in mind July 4th is Independence Day. Major summer holiday here.

[Lerin]

Glory because it stops at Half Moon Cay.

[weebobby]

Hi all

 

I have spent a whole day going through MegaCruisers Getaway and Oasis review and Jim Zims Glory and Allure reviews !

 

Each cruise has some great positives!!

 

What a hard choice !!!

 

Weebobby

[wichitastatecruiser]

Hi all

 

I have spent a whole day going through MegaCruisers Getaway and Oasis review and Jim Zims Glory and Allure reviews !

 

Each cruise has some great positives!!

 

What a hard choice !!!

 

Weebobby

 

Tried to warn you that either you would know which one you wanted to go on or be more conflicted! :p

[weebobby]

Ha ha more confused than ever but at least i am far more informed about each cruise!!!!!

[kelmac]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If I were traveling all that distance from Ireland, I would be choosing a longer cruise -- at least 7 days.

 

I agree 100%!

 

Enjoy!

Kel:)

[wichitastatecruiser]

Ha ha more confused than ever but at least i am far more informed about each cruise!!!!!

 

What type of vibe are you looking for?

 

When I was on the Freedom (a sister of the Glory and also pre 2.0 upgrades) to me it was more of a party atmosphere. You have a piano bar and comedians that seem popular. At night the main "hot spot" tended to be the night club which played mainly hip hop. There is also at least 1-2 dance venues on the ship. The casino is ok and the serenity deck is ok. Two small pools, and ok water slide, 6-8 hot tubs, all which close at midnight.

 

Getaway is between Carnival and RCI IMO. The big thing is the deck parties every night. The waterfront is my favorite aspect of any ship I've been on. Combine that with Spice H20 and a balcony and you will be close to the sea. One small pool, 4-6 hot tubs (which close early). No real "only adults" area. Besides the night deck parties there is only one other dance club and it was mostly dead. Comedians on here aren't as good as Carnival and they have the same 3.

 

Oasis is a big ship, but you will forget your on the ocean when your not on your balcony. The ship will give you the most options when it comes to food and entertainment. Central park is gorgeous. Solarium is almost unbeatable as an adult space. So many pools and hot tubs. Hot tubs are cleaned in cycles to assure that there is at least 1 always open. At least 4 different dance clubs that target different music styles. More formal than both Carnival and NCL. Comedian here was funny. Also have the great ice show.

 

Food is about equal on all three. Carnival staff dance and do routines in MDR, NCL staff do Congo lines in buffet randomly, RCI, I don't recall what they did if anything.

 

Also humor is subjective since I am American and your not. See Megacruisers opinion on the show since he's on your side of the pond on if he thought they were funny.

 

The new Harmony is adding water slides, if RCI ever adds a waterfront concept to the mega ship I would be elated. The new Carnival Vista is adding exclusive areas like the Getaway but sadly those launch after you have your baby! I have had fun on all 3 and will go on all 3 again. I'm a balcony snob in that aspect NCL is cheaper for me to get a large or aft balcony as the only way to get large balconies on RCI is junior suite and above and Carnival really doesn't have any large balconies.

 

Maybe you will hit the lotto and be able to take a b2b2b on all 3! Whatever one you do choose you will have a good time as I have had on all 3 ship classes.

[kelmac]

My first choice would be the Getaway, but only with the UDP (Ultimate Dining Package). Avoid the buffet and eat Lunch in the Dining Rooms.

Oasis would be great with tons of things to do and better than average food.

Never cruised Carnival so I have no opinion there.

 

Never been on a "bad" cruise, so I don't think you can make a mistake. Hope you enjoy what ever cruise you select.:)

 

Enjoy!

Kel

[Guest maddycat]

Schools will be out on the dates quoted. In general, schools get out at the end of May or early June and return late August or early September. Varies from state to state.

 

Bear in mind July 4th is Independence Day. Major summer holiday here.

 

In the NY/NJ area schools close for the summer in mid to late June. All US schools will be on holiday during your cruising dates, late June through July 4.

Edited May 12, 2015 by maddycat

[Cruzaholic41]

Been on all three. First, rule out the Glory. That ship isn't even in the same ballpark as Getaway and Oasis.

 

Of the remaining two, I recommend Oasis. The design of that ship is amazing and the entertainmnet on board cannot be matched by Getaway.