Oasis of the sea vs ncl getaway - family with small kids

[CALYMO]

My husband and I are trying to decide between two ships for our March 2017 trip...and of course we don't agree :) Both the NCL Getaway and Oasis of the sea have a western itinerary which is what we are looking to try this winter.

 

I am looking for advice / opinions on which one might be better for a family of four. Two children 7 and 9 who really haven't enjoyed spending too much time in the kids clubs away from us they would rather do things all together. Which is totally fine for hubby and I as we know those days are bound to change in the near future

 

We have sailed two times on the Disney Fantasy and one time on NCL Escape all eastern . We enjoyed both each having its pros and cons but would consider both of them again for sure !

 

I just cant seem to pick between these two ships!!

[Clarea]

Some similar threads than might have useful info:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2307772

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2298026

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2252998

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2097961

[JinxyB]

I've been on both ships with a small child and I would pick NCL Getaway. Getaway has 5 slides (3 they can go on - the other 2 you have to be 100lbs). No age restriction on rock wall on Getaway, awesome ropes course, bungee trampoline and spider web slide all free on Getaway. I'll give the edge in entertainment to Oasis and they also have the ice rink. We loved the Getaway so much we are going again next March!

[Cel_cruise]

As much as I love RCI, if they don't like kids clubs, I think the big ships are better for 10 and up - wanna be able to zip line and flow ride etc.

 

If they are not into ropes and rock climbing and water slides - then it probably doesn't matter about the ship - just pick the specific itinerary you prefer!!

[CALYMO]

Thanks so much for the links and responses :)

 

I have one more question that may help my decision - regarding formal nights. The more I read and research .... I get the impression on RCL they are really formal on these nights. On our other cruises we always dressed up for supper but never tuxedos or suits for hubby and on Disney and NCL that was totally ok there was a wide range of attire so you couldn't really ever feel over or under dressed.

 

On the oasis I am to expect two or three nights where hubby has to wear a suit?

 

Thanks

Cara

[Clarea]

Thanks so much for the links and responses :)

 

I have one more question that may help my decision - regarding formal nights. The more I read and research .... I get the impression on RCL they are really formal on these nights. On our other cruises we always dressed up for supper but never tuxedos or suits for hubby and on Disney and NCL that was totally ok there was a wide range of attire so you couldn't really ever feel over or under dressed.

 

On the oasis I am to expect two or three nights where hubby has to wear a suit?

 

Thanks

Cara

The dress suggestions are not enforced, you will see a wide variety of attire on formal night.

[Biker19]

The more I read and research .... I get the impression on RCL they are really formal on these nights.

 

You must do your research somewhere other than CC.

[CALYMO]

Sorry ...yes the reading I was doing was on the RCL website directly. I see now this has been discussed as was my original post. I am still finding my way around searching specific forums instead of getting results from all forums.

 

Question thou - why would you bother to take the time to post a response like that? Seems so strange to me - Kind of why although I have been a member of this board for years I don't post often :rolleyes: Maybe its Nova Scotia thing but were I am from :) but if not constructive or helpful I don't see why the need to comment?

 

Enjoy your day :)

Edited August 18, 2016 by CALYMO

[Grandma Dazzles]

Formal night is not so formal any more. You will see every possible dress from tuxs to jeans. Wear what you are comfortable in - would suggest a minimum of long pants and collared shirt for men. RC does state no shorts for dinner in the main dining room, but does not always enforce.

 

Oasis is a great ship for kids. Probably too small for zip line and possibly flow rider, but otherwise should be ok. Rock climbing, ice skating and multiple pools, etc.

 

Carousel is great for young kids and the aqua show and ice show are also great.

[aubreyc1988]

My husband and I are trying to decide between two ships for our March 2017 trip...and of course we don't agree :) Both the NCL Getaway and Oasis of the sea have a western itinerary which is what we are looking to try this winter.

 

I am looking for advice / opinions on which one might be better for a family of four. Two children 7 and 9 who really haven't enjoyed spending too much time in the kids clubs away from us they would rather do things all together. Which is totally fine for hubby and I as we know those days are bound to change in the near future

 

We have sailed two times on the Disney Fantasy and one time on NCL Escape all eastern . We enjoyed both each having its pros and cons but would consider both of them again for sure !

 

I just cant seem to pick between these two ships!!

 

i would do Oasis class because I like the entertainment and all around experience better, but both ships are great! Ive sailed Getaway and Escape, and Getaway is almost exactly like the Escape.

 

Whats the price difference? Since you've already done Escape but havent done RCI or Oasis class, I'd do Oasis because it's different and I like trying new things/different cruise lines and you've already sailed on the Getaway's sister, Escape.

[CALYMO]

Thanks again for all the responses :)

 

Prices are coming in right around the same when we add the drink package to RC. (Its included as a promo for NCL)

[bigsky]

Thanks so much for the links and responses :)

 

I have one more question that may help my decision - regarding formal nights. The more I read and research .... I get the impression on RCL they are really formal on these nights. On our other cruises we always dressed up for supper but never tuxedos or suits for hubby and on Disney and NCL that was totally ok there was a wide range of attire so you couldn't really ever feel over or under dressed.

 

On the oasis I am to expect two or three nights where hubby has to wear a suit?

 

Thanks

Cara

 

We went on the Oasis. Loved it so much, getting ready to go on her sister ship in a few weeks. No one is forced to wear suits in any restaurant. Even formal night, it was very mixed. IF he wants to wear a suit, he can, but never expected. n the dining room, you get shorts, jeans, khaki's, .....just a mix of everything.

I wouldn't worry at all about attire, and just go and enjoy yourselves. Just as long as you look nice, you'll be fine.

 

I think your kids would love the Oasis!

[NECruiser83]

Sorry ...yes the reading I was doing was on the RCL website directly. I see now this has been discussed as was my original post. I am still finding my way around searching specific forums instead of getting results from all forums.

 

Question thou - why would you bother to take the time to post a response like that? Seems so strange to me - Kind of why although I have been a member of this board for years I don't post often :rolleyes: Maybe its Nova Scotia thing but were I am from :) but if not constructive or helpful I don't see why the need to comment?

 

Enjoy your day :)

 

Couldn't agree with you more!!! Lots of unnecessary postings on CC.

 

I would suggest Oasis only since you haven't sailed RCI before. I have sailed twice with RCI, my third one booked on Harmony this November. But since I do not want to limit myself to 1 cruise line, we are booked on the Getaway for next year. As far as "formal" nights, there will be 2, but it is not as formal as you may think, a sports coat is plenty. Also, specialty restaurants are always smart casual, if you wanted to skip the MDR that night, and there is always windjammer. I think either of your choices you will have a wonderful time!

 

Please report back on your choice 😆

[hansolosmom]

Mine never liked the kids club either, so what I did was show the kids the amenities on the ships and had them help me decide which ship to do, this was pre-Oasis and we ended up on Freedom.

 

The draws were the flow rider, rock wall and ice rink, plus the kids splash area, where we spent a lot of time.

 

So you could try showing your kids the different activities on the ships and see if they have a preference. And you've done Disney, the dress code is similar, you'll see just about everything in the MDR.

 

Plus I'd look at total price, you said drink packages are included for NCL which is a draw, plus I don't know if any of the sailings you're looking at have the 3 & 4 passengers free, but that would be a plus too. For dh & I were are thinking Breakaway vs Anthem in April due to the perks on NCL right now.

Edited August 18, 2016 by hansolosmom

[rance]

I have sailed both ships with kids and would pick Oasis hands down.

Our kids love to swim and the pool deck on NCL was a real disappointment. It was very crowded and load. I found after a few times on the slides they were done with it.

Oasis on the other hand had amazing pools.

[Donna_In_India]

We sailed the Getaway as a family of 11 (5 kids) and the Oasis just my husband, myself, and our then 6 year old daughter. We did both cruises last August. Hands down I'd go with the Getaway. Other than the pool/splash area and the rock climbing wall there wasn't much else for her to do on the Oasis. I think she was too young for the flow rider and zip line. The Getaway has the slides, rock climbing wall, ropes course, trampoline, and spider web. The Oasis does have better entertainment for kids but only the Ice and Aqua shows (although my daughter loved Cats as well).

 

A couple of other things...the Oasis was SO crowded. I've never been on a ship where there was a long line just to get into breakfast buffet. I know food is subjective but my own opinion was that the food on the Oasis was ....well it was not very good. I also didn't like the Promenade. I hated the shops and feeling so far from the water. Love the Waterfront on NCL.

 

Have a great cruise, whatever you decide!

[bigsky]

The Oasis was the largest ship I've been on, but seemed like the least amount of people. So many places to go.

 

 

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[John Reid]

Oasis will have much better pool access.

[sportmorgan]

Oasis for the pools, carousel, aqua and ice shows! My 7 and 9 year olds favorite vacation!

[Grandma Dazzles]

We sailed the Getaway as a family of 11 (5 kids) and the Oasis just my husband, myself, and our then 6 year old daughter. We did both cruises last August. Hands down I'd go with the Getaway. Other than the pool/splash area and the rock climbing wall there wasn't much else for her to do on the Oasis. I think she was too young for the flow rider and zip line. The Getaway has the slides, rock climbing wall, ropes course, trampoline, and spider web. The Oasis does have better entertainment for kids but only the Ice and Aqua shows (although my daughter loved Cats as well).

 

A couple of other things...the Oasis was SO crowded. I've never been on a ship where there was a long line just to get into breakfast buffet. I know food is subjective but my own opinion was that the food on the Oasis was ....well it was not very good. I also didn't like the Promenade. I hated the shops and feeling so far from the water. Love the Waterfront on NCL.

 

Have a great cruise, whatever you decide!

 

Just a different perspective on the quoted post.

 

I have never felt the Oasis was crowded. They do a remarkable job of moving people. It can seem crowded at the end of a show or when a main dining seating ends, but compared to other ships thought people moved about with ease. Pool decks were great!

 

As far as the Windjammer for breakfast I have rarely used. There are other free locations which I prefer so really can't comment. Have seen lines at peak lunch times, but seeing as they are seating you and finding a spot found the line moved quickly.

 

Cruised on the Oasis with grandkids including a six year old granddaughter. There was so much for her to do ..... She loved to ride the carousel, rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf, table tennis, shuffleboard ...... Not sure why you thought there wasn't much to do. Yes, too young for zip line and flow rider, but plenty of swimming options. Also spent a lot of time on the sports court playing soccer/basketball.

 

Every child is different but I have yet to hear anyone say there wasn't much to do on Oasis.

[riclop]

My husband and I are trying to decide between two ships for our March 2017 trip...and of course we don't agree :) Both the NCL Getaway and Oasis of the sea have a western itinerary which is what we are looking to try this winter.

 

I am looking for advice / opinions on which one might be better for a family of four. Two children 7 and 9 who really haven't enjoyed spending too much time in the kids clubs away from us they would rather do things all together. Which is totally fine for hubby and I as we know those days are bound to change in the near future

 

We have sailed two times on the Disney Fantasy and one time on NCL Escape all eastern . We enjoyed both each having its pros and cons but would consider both of them again for sure !

 

I just cant seem to pick between these two ships!!

Hands down .OASIS !!!

[aubreyc1988]

We sailed the Getaway as a family of 11 (5 kids) and the Oasis just my husband, myself, and our then 6 year old daughter. We did both cruises last August. Hands down I'd go with the Getaway. Other than the pool/splash area and the rock climbing wall there wasn't much else for her to do on the Oasis. I think she was too young for the flow rider and zip line. The Getaway has the slides, rock climbing wall, ropes course, trampoline, and spider web. The Oasis does have better entertainment for kids but only the Ice and Aqua shows (although my daughter loved Cats as well).

 

A couple of other things...the Oasis was SO crowded. I've never been on a ship where there was a long line just to get into breakfast buffet. I know food is subjective but my own opinion was that the food on the Oasis was ....well it was not very good. I also didn't like the Promenade. I hated the shops and feeling so far from the water. Love the Waterfront on NCL.

 

Have a great cruise, whatever you decide!

idk how anyone can say the Oasis is more crowded than Getaway/Escape - that ship doesn't do well with crowds, esp on the pool deck. On Allure when we sailed, never felt "Crowds" unless it was getting out of a show, which i feel like in inevitable on any cruiseship.

[NECruiser83]

idk how anyone can say the Oasis is more crowded than Getaway/Escape - that ship doesn't do well with crowds, esp on the pool deck. On Allure when we sailed, never felt "Crowds" unless it was getting out of a show, which i feel like in inevitable on any cruiseship.

 

I too was surprised when I read about crowds on Oasis, although I am not overly surprised it was in the mostly the windjammer. I plan on trying to avoid there on my Harmony sailing in Nov. Overall, I have heard more complaints about crowds on Getaway and Escape than I have heard about Oasis class.

[CALYMO]

Oasis it is!! Cant wait for March 2017

 

Putting a deposit today on a D5 GTY ... these stateroom codes confuse me a little but we are not fussy just wanted to be sure to get an ocean view with a balcony. I have never not booked my actual cabin before as I always just booked myself through the cruise line and they always put me right in a room. I used a T/A this time..

 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer me a bit of advice and shared experiences with me. So appreciated it !

[aubreyc1988]

I too was surprised when I read about crowds on Oasis, although I am not overly surprised it was in the mostly the windjammer. I plan on trying to avoid there on my Harmony sailing in Nov. Overall, I have heard more complaints about crowds on Getaway and Escape than I have heard about Oasis class.

 

buffet was neverc crowded on Escape/Getaway, but the pool area was always packed, as well as decks 6-7-8, mostly because they do game shows in the atrium, and there's never enough seating, so people just stand around there all the time.