Allure of the Seas vs Norwegian Escape

[justindrover]

Not sure if this is the right spot for this but I am trying to decide between the Norwegian Escape and RCL Allure of the Seas

 

Will be travelling with my wife and two daughters (5 and 2) also we are in our mid 30s

[Clarea]

Some recent similar threads:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2354689

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2332713

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2314606

[RichardE954]

I have been on both and would definitely choose Allure, especially if you like to spend time on the pool deck. Escape has a terrible pool area and deck.

Edited June 21, 2016 by RichardE954

[Schasz]

Well we have not been on either but we are booked on the Allure for next April. Our first and last experience with NCL was on the Getaway. Best time we had on that cruise was when we were off the ship. The pool area and especially adult was a joke. We did the dinner package and thought that food was average at best. We will never book another NCL cruise.

[Deptacon]

different ships with different offerings. I found with the drink packages and specialty dinning.... with NCLs current offerings where its included or "free" the price comes out better.

 

Escape is not getaway but yeah, its not a pool ship. Not like the pools on Allure are much bigger when you factor amount of passengers.

 

I chose Escape to get something different after several royal cruises. looking forward to it. Very tired of the standard RCLs stops as well, especially for oasis class.

Edited June 23, 2016 by Deptacon

[SeaHunt]

I vote for Allure UNLESS you book a Haven stateroom on the Escape - huge fan of the Haven offerings on NCL ships here. :D

[Aquahound]

Allure. I've been on both and I loved both. But Allure is better in my opinion.

[Surfguyxxx]

Being a RC fan, I would normally go for them. That being said, I know many a NCL fan that "like" them but don't "love" them. Good luck

[DCT61]

NORWEGIAN ESCAPE is a beautiful ship with a GREAT crew, GREAT restaurants and GREAT entertainment. The pool area is tight, but the water slides, rope course and mini golf were a lot of fun..even for a 50 year old.

That said, I'd have to give the edge to ALLURE. The ship never felt crowded and it was just...special. The Crown Loft Suites are without equal. They feel like your own highrise condo on the ocean.

We are doing our third cruise on a Oasis class ship in January. NCL is great...but RCL is just a little better.

[jticarruthers]

Don't both.

 

Escape is definitely less pool deck friendly but like the ship in general better than Allure.

 

Big Q is price ... Escape for us was much less than Allure and included drink packages so it was not even close.