Escape vs Rccl oasis class

[maggieq]

Seriously considering the escape for a very last minute nye cruise. For anyone that has sailed on the oasis class, can you tell me how much more the pool decks are crowded? Also, is the smoke that bad?

 

Actually excited thinking about a new cruising experience.

 

Thanks!

[SuiteTraveler]

It is considerably more crowded, however, the crowding can be avoided by going to H2O or getting a pass to Vibe or being in The Haven. The smoke is mainly bad in the casino (as in if you play in there, you will need to shower and change clothes afterwards.) As far as the rest of the ship, it's not bad at all. On the plus side, the spa is about 1000 times better than that on Oasis class ships - spa pass is well worth the money or get a spa cabin. You DO need reservations for the specialty restaurants and the shows and they ARE worth the extra cost. Or just have a very casual cruise and eat in the MDR and buffet and O'Sheehan's or do a combination of included and specialty dining - either works out fine. Escape is a great ship, I think it is worth trying! Have a great time!

[SuiteTraveler]

There are photos of the zoo that is the main pool deck. Now I should mention interestingly enough, the slides have short waits!

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=main+pool+on+ncl+escape+photos&biw=1440&bih=729&tbm=isch&imgil=jUdwI7kq3b2Y8M%253A%253BHMRwXHh1_q_rQM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.cruisecritic.com%25252Fphotos%25252Fships%25252Fnorwegian-escape-691%25252Fmember-7%25252F17553%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=jUdwI7kq3b2Y8M%253A%252CHMRwXHh1_q_rQM%252C_&usg=__2oWeg6aiKm-hS0TpVQ_TcU4OXBE%3D&ved=0ahUKEwiHu9j8toHRAhXLhVQKHYygCV8QyjcIMw&ei=xm9YWIfAPMuL0gKMwab4BQ#imgrc=jUdwI7kq3b2Y8M%3A

[Freehike]

The Oasis class is superior ship in almost every way. The design of that ship is so brilliant that you never realize how many people are on it with you.

 

The one obvious exception, just like SuiteTraveler pointed out, is that the spa on the Oasis sucks. It's a terrible design, but considering many will never visit the spa, it's only an annoyance to a few of us.

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

What is your age and what sort of entertainment do you like?

 

Do you prefer a more "formal" cruise or freestyle?

 

You don't NEED to be in Haven or Vibe to avoid crowds on the Escape. There is a deck 19 sundeck with bar and two hot tubs (and forward looking views as well), and the waterfront on deck 8, though not near pools, is a quiet and comfortable place to me and something Oasis-class is entirely lacking; more water views.

 

Oasis ships really do move crowds around well though. Either company should give a good experience. I liked NCL food better, I liked Royal cabins slightly better.

[maggieq]

What is your age and what sort of entertainment do you like?

 

Do you prefer a more "formal" cruise or freestyle?

 

You don't NEED to be in Haven or Vibe to avoid crowds on the Escape. There is a deck 19 sundeck with bar and two hot tubs (and forward looking views as well), and the waterfront on deck 8, though not near pools, is a quiet and comfortable place to me and something Oasis-class is entirely lacking; more water views.

 

Oasis ships really do move crowds around well though. Either company should give a good experience. I liked NCL food better, I liked Royal cabins slightly better.

 

45-60 but we love be all kinds of entertainment.

[maggieq]

Worried about the azipod issue now

[Hamilton_Rob]

Deck 18 and 19 on the Escape are great for getting sun. Plenty of space.

 

 

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[sjh422]

We have sailed both Oasis and Escape several times.

 

Oasis pros

Does not feel crowded

Different types entertainment - ice show, aqua show,headliner show, Disco party

Larger cabins

Flow Riders

Neighbor hoods - central park & boardwalk and a huge promenade area

Larger shopping area with a variety of shops

24 hour cafe and pizza restaurant

 

 

 

Oasis Cons

Not as many speciality restaurants as NCL

Stage show "Cats" is quite long (loved mama mia on Allure)

Dining room food not as good as NCL

No gathering place like the Atrium

No offerings like free drink package, speciality dining, etc

[cruisetimeforme]

Love taking NYE cruise, so much Fun! Are you getting a good last minute price? It's a great ship and worthy of at least one try in my opinion. Never hurts to try something different as you might very well enjoy it more than you thought

[cage keeper]

There are photos of the zoo that is the main pool deck. Now I should mention interestingly enough, the slides have short waits!

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=main+pool+on+ncl+escape+photos&biw=1440&bih=729&tbm=isch&imgil=jUdwI7kq3b2Y8M%253A%253BHMRwXHh1_q_rQM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.cruisecritic.com%25252Fphotos%25252Fships%25252Fnorwegian-escape-691%25252Fmember-7%25252F17553%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=jUdwI7kq3b2Y8M%253A%252CHMRwXHh1_q_rQM%252C_&usg=__2oWeg6aiKm-hS0TpVQ_TcU4OXBE%3D&ved=0ahUKEwiHu9j8toHRAhXLhVQKHYygCV8QyjcIMw&ei=xm9YWIfAPMuL0gKMwab4BQ#imgrc=jUdwI7kq3b2Y8M%3A

LOL, this photo is too funny. Deck is very crowded but not one person in the pool.

[Stevie17]

It's good to read these comparisons. Our last cruise was on Oasis, and our upcoming March cruise will be on the Escape. Looking forward to sailing on this ship!

[riclop]

MUCH MORE pool space on Oasis class.

[FLSteve11]

LOL, this photo is too funny. Deck is very crowded but not one person in the pool.

 

That's because the picture is probably misleading. Based on all the people standing and looking towards the pool (including much of the second deck above the pool), I would guess this is during some kind of pool event. Like a belly-flop competition. So it's more crowded in that area the unusual.

 

However, having sailed Breakaway and the Oasis class, I will agree, there is a LOT more area around the pool area on Oasis class.

[cruisegal40]

Just off the Escape. Did the Allure a bit ago. I felt the Allure had better flow. Pool area(s) were better also.

 

I agree the pool shot must have some type of pool activity going. Not too many people actually swim in the Escape pool. There is just not room for it.

[borntobehappy]

We did Oasis in August & I was absolutely flabbergasted by the pool deck. We were previous Disney cruisers with only 2 pools. The pools on Oasis just keep going & going. We always went early so never had a problem getting a spot. The smoking area is on the pool deck but you don't have to be anywhere near it. I really loved the Oasis. We loved the shows. Our dining room experience was top notch (13 people). Have fun either way!

 

 

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[LakeWobegon]

The smoke in the casino? I did not notice it when walking through every day. Maybe you would if you ate dinner at the French restaurant on the first floor of that area.

 

The main pool deck was crowded on our cruise during Easter Week 2016. But the pool itself was not crowded and honestly, it wasn't like "you can't walk anywhere and getting you angry you booked this cruise kind of crowded." And crowds and lines really, really irritate me. I did realize this was a popular week going in.

 

There were still open chairs in the very back in the shade at the edge of the ship after lunch. As others noted, lots of options to sun all around the top decks if you don't need to be by the pool.

 

I found getting drinks by the pool even when crowded never more than a couple of minute affair as there were so many bartenders.

 

Finally, and ironically, the kids pool and area was much less crowded if you wanted to just hang your feet in the pool with a drink. And watch your kids ride the waterslides, which is what most of them were doing, or the ropes course, etc. And that's a big part of why NCL had to cram the main pool area in there among all the activities, especially those designed for kids and teens.

 

As a family of four, we are going back this March because of the slides and activities. We looked into Harmony with RCL but it was and still is a few thousand more all things considered (total price, drink package, credits) and we can't get a large balcony room or one with a Pullman bed like the Escape. I have a hard time paying 2-3K more when we thought Escape was a beautiful, well maintained ship with lots to do, great food all around (and I eat at a lot of fancy places for my frequent work travel), some of the friendliest people (staff) we've ever met, and a great set of stops (minus Nassau, cough, cough).

 

Oasis may be a superior ship in every way as one poster alluded to, I don't know. I'm sure it is a great ship. And one I hope I can go on some day. But I don't think you will go wrong either way. It's a good problem to have. :) Good luck!

[Aquahound]

Seriously considering the escape for a very last minute nye cruise. For anyone that has sailed on the oasis class, can you tell me how much more the pool decks are crowded? Also, is the smoke that bad?

 

Actually excited thinking about a new cruising experience.

 

Thanks!

 

Ref the pools...forget it. The pools on Escape are a joke. The Escape does not compare to Oasis Class when it comes to pools and deck space around the pools.

 

No, I did not find the smoke to be that bad. The casino is kinda sprawling. It's an odd design. It looks like they just threw slot machines into a hallway as an afterthought and called it the casino. So smoke can be an issue if you use that deck to go fore and aft. It's easily avoided though.

[cruise pup]

That's because the picture is probably misleading. Based on all the people standing and looking towards the pool (including much of the second deck above the pool), I would guess this is during some kind of pool event. Like a belly-flop competition. So it's more crowded in that area the unusual.

 

However, having sailed Breakaway and the Oasis class, I will agree, there is a LOT more area around the pool area on Oasis class.

 

According to Gambee's review, the pool is too deep to stand in which is why people just dangle their feet in it. But he gave the ship high marks.

[Aquahound]

That's because the picture is probably misleading. Based on all the people standing and looking towards the pool (including much of the second deck above the pool), I would guess this is during some kind of pool event. Like a belly-flop competition. So it's more crowded in that area the unusual.

 

However, having sailed Breakaway and the Oasis class, I will agree, there is a LOT more area around the pool area on Oasis class.

 

This is a more accurate image of Escape's pool on a sea day:

 

[big al]

FYI- The Oasis ships have 15 pools & 20 hot tubs, the most of any ships on the Seven Seas..remember, they are SIXTY thousand tons more than the Escape, & that's a lot...as a cruise agent, I have been on both, and as far as pools go, Oasis wins hands down, and those 2 canti-levered hot tubs in the adult Solarium that stick out 12 feet over the sea, 112 ft above water, are simply the coolest hot tubs around IMO....that being said, the Escape does have many more dining options & lots of entertainment & I LOVE tHe Waterfront on deck 8- there's nothing like it anywhere ( until MSC 's Seaside comes out Dec. 2017, which will have thousands of sq. ft of outside space..) ..also love Oasis's Central Park, Boardwalk & diving show, ice- skating shows...great ships...love the Escape & Getaway also..balconies much bigger on Oasis ships...

 

Big Al