Celebrity Equinox vs. RCCL Harmony

[lardan]

Haven't been here in a couple years, but I'd love to ask for some advice. My wife and I are planning a 30 year anniversary trip June 2016. We will be starting in Barcelona for a couple days, then taking a Mediterranean cruise.

 

We are trying to decide between the new Harmony of the Seas (will be the 2nd voyage) and Celebrity Equinox. The class of cabin that we want are within a couple hundred dollars, so that's not a factor. The itineraries are similar as well, with Harmony ending back at Barcelona and Celebrity ending in Athens.

 

However, the Equinox is offering free gratuities, drink package, and $300 total onboard credit. That's a pretty attractive offer.

 

Has anyone sailed on an Oasis ship and the Equinox who can give me their opinion?

 

Thanks in advance

[Robkat]

Congrats on your upcoming 30th! DH and I are celebrating our 30th this December, with an 11-nighter on the Equinox, also with the All In package.

We've been on the Oasis, and it was brilliant! Loved the ship. Can't go wrong there.

Just got off the Silhouette, which was (ship-wise) almost exactly like the Reflection (which we were on the previous year) and loved that ship as well. Obviously not as "innovative" and "exciting" as the Oasis, but a stunning ship nonetheless. The Silhouette was the first time for us with the All In package (drinks package, pp grats & OBC) and ... we're hooked!

We always said that those perks, while nice, wouldn't ever make a difference to us in choosing a ship ... well, we were wrong! it was a great experience and we loved having all 3 of those perks. So, having that offer is a definitely plus.

The only other thing to consider is that sometimes a roll-out of a new ship takes a few voyages under its belt to get all the kinks out and for the staff/crew to start feeling settled in. Not always, but often enough, the first few voyages are a little rough around the edges.

In any case, it's a good problem to have ... we'd advocate for the Equinox, but I'd also advise to try to experience one of the Oasis-class ships at some point, as they are something else.

Good luck and happy cruising!

[lardan]

Thanks for the great reply Robkat. We actually have been on the Oasis, and for both of us, that was our favorite ship. When I first looked at the Harmony, I thought it was Quantum class, and was excited about it. A little more research I found out it was Oasis, so that made me consider Celebrity more. Happy Anniversary to you as well. Enjoy your cruise.!

[chemmo]

We have cruised Allure and got of Equinox a month ago.

 

Both ships are great. I think the new oasis class ship will really appeal to families more than the Equinox so my first point of consideration to you is do you want a more family orientated ship or more adult?

 

Restaurants are very good on both although I would give celebrity my vote for food.

 

My big question is re comparable rooms. There are real confusions about what perks you get for your money, especially if you are looking at the lower suite rooms, on both lines. Also celebrity does have Aqua class which I have not used personally which is basically a balcony room but with a specialised dining room. Many cruise critic reviews say this does add to the quality of their vacations.

 

It may be worth you adding a further question on this blog and on a RCCL one asking which of the rooms you are looking at have the best perks.

 

If your room is not an issue my final comment would be if you want a high level of entertainment go for RCCL if you want rest and relaxation go for X

[lardan]

Thanks for the insight Chemmo. Since it will be just the two of us, and while I love kids, I would prefer a quieter ship with fewer kids and nicer meals, ambience. I am really leaning toward Equinox. I have researched the cabin situation as well. We will choose Aqua Class because of a few of the perks. In my opinion, the lowest suites on both ships are definitely not worth the jump in price.

 

Thanks again.

[chemmo]

I am sure you have chosen wisely. We loved our recent cruise. Blu, the restaurant for Aqua class is really nice, we used it some days for breakfast. Persian Gardens is worth a visit too. It can be very busy sea days, we have found the best time to visit is on port days if you get back early from an excursion.

 

Have a great time.

[earl06]

forsure the oasis, no comparison. We did the equinox and it were not happy, oasis is amazing.. im still in awe!

 

 

 

 

Haven't been here in a couple years, but I'd love to ask for some advice. My wife and I are planning a 30 year anniversary trip

 

 

 

 

June 2016. We will be starting in Barcelona for a couple days, then taking a Mediterranean cruise.

 

We are trying to decide between the new Harmony of the Seas (will be the 2nd voyage) and Celebrity Equinox. The class of cabin that we want are within a couple hundred dollars, so that's not a factor. The itineraries are similar as well, with Harmony ending back at Barcelona and Celebrity ending in Athens.

 

However, the Equinox is offering free gratuities, drink package, and $300 total onboard credit. That's a pretty attractive offer.

 

Has anyone sailed on an Oasis ship and the Equinox who can give me their opinion?

 

Thanks in advance

[pip43]

We were on the Equinox in April. Wonderful experience. I think the food was the best we have experienced so far. We have booked a back-to-back on Equinox in Oct.'16 starting out with transatlantic.

[villauk]

We've been on Oasis and Equinox, both great in their own way. I think with Oasis class ships it's all about the ship - entertainment, activities, shows etc., now Equinox is more relaxed, the personal touches. It's a tough decision :confused:.

[TSC]

For me this would be an easy decision because of where you are cruising. I vote Equinox because a med cruise is usually very port intensive and you spend very little time exploring the ship. If this was the Caribbean, I'd vote the Harmony.

 

For Med cruises, you get up in the morning, grab breakfast, go explore some lovely city in a different country and don't come back until time to dress for dinner. You might wander around for a drink or two and catch some entertainment, and then hit the bed because you've got an 8 hour excursion planned for the next day. That's why the Equinox would be my vote. It's demographic will fit your age group (30th anniversary - congrats - we are at 38), think the food and dining experience is much better than RCCL, the drink package is quite nice, and the ship is lovely (just disembarked in Rome on Thursday.)

 

I've not cruised on the Oasis class, but have been on the Freedom and Liberty with my grandkids. We love those ships with the kids. The crowd is more family oriented, the shows and movies are more geared to families, and there is soooo much to do. But, in the Med, you'd really have trouble taking advantage of the things the ship has to offer unless your cruise had a large number of sea days.

 

Personally, I think the large fun ships are best for the Caribbean where you have time and the inclination to enjoy the ship. In the Med, I prefer the elegant hotel feel of the Celebrity line.

 

But - you can't go wrong with either!

[lardan]

Thanks for all the advice. We need up booking the Equinox because of the perks and since we booked Aqua class, we are looking forward to eating in Blu.

 

As one poster mentioned, we plan on being off the ship all day long in our cities.

[hcat]

Thanks for the insight Chemmo. Since it will be just the two of us, and while I love kids, I would prefer a quieter ship with fewer kids and nicer meals, ambience. I am really leaning toward Equinox. I have researched the cabin situation as well. We will choose Aqua Class because of a few of the perks. In my opinion, the lowest suites on both ships are definitely not worth the jump in price.

 

Thanks again.

 

Good choice....We disliked most everything on Oasis...too crowded almost everywhere...sort of like the mall on weekends. To us it seemed, better for families or younger zipling , flow riding couples, rather than couples on a special celebration ...The specialty dining venues not on par with Celebrity...need to pre book shows and events...just not the Modern Luxury vibe,..many disgree but Equinox is what we would pick..

 

one thing we did like better on Oasis was the Diamond morning coffee area and the evening get together...in a nice club...great buffet there...nice daily event...better than MDR!

But on balance Celebrity S class is superior...esp with BLU and some soecialty rest nights out...

 

 

Have a great time,

Edited May 27, 2015 by hcat

[illiniwahoo]

For me this would be an easy decision because of where you are cruising. I vote Equinox because a med cruise is usually very port intensive and you spend very little time exploring the ship. If this was the Caribbean, I'd vote the Harmony.

 

For Med cruises, you get up in the morning, grab breakfast, go explore some lovely city in a different country and don't come back until time to dress for dinner. You might wander around for a drink or two and catch some entertainment, and then hit the bed because you've got an 8 hour excursion planned for the next day. That's why the Equinox would be my vote. It's demographic will fit your age group (30th anniversary - congrats - we are at 38), think the food and dining experience is much better than RCCL, the drink package is quite nice, and the ship is lovely (just disembarked in Rome on Thursday.)

 

I've not cruised on the Oasis class, but have been on the Freedom and Liberty with my grandkids. We love those ships with the kids. The crowd is more family oriented, the shows and movies are more geared to families, and there is soooo much to do. But, in the Med, you'd really have trouble taking advantage of the things the ship has to offer unless your cruise had a large number of sea days.

 

Personally, I think the large fun ships are best for the Caribbean where you have time and the inclination to enjoy the ship. In the Med, I prefer the elegant hotel feel of the Celebrity line.

 

But - you can't go wrong with either!

 

I totally agree with this perspective.