For Those that have done both...Please help.. NCL Haven and Oasis/Allure balcony

[js]

Hi.

 

For those that have done both, NCL Haven and Oasis/Allure balcony, can you please let me know if you enjoyed Allure in a balcony?

 

We cruise NCL (Platinum after my cruise end of month) in Haven and a few nights shy of Diamond on RCCL.

 

We have cruised the NCL "Away" ships about five times and after end of the month, have NCL Escape in Haven booked for my 50th Birthday.

 

However, I have also wanted to cruise on Oasis/Allure since they both started sailing and haven't done so, although I know one day I will.

 

My dh and I are leaving the kids at home and sailing on our own. The balcony cabin on Allure will be less than half of what I'm paying for NCL Haven but I'm trying not to factor in the price. Once I factor in the ultimate drink package (whatever it's called), it will bring up the RCCL price but still not close to Haven. Can't do the Genie since I think with that and adding on the drink package, I would be paying more for RCCL and I am not sure if it will compare to the Haven (we hang out there all day for the most part).

 

If you have done both, would you suggest I just change it up and do Allure? I love the ports on Escape, even have a cabana with another couple on Harvest Caye but I will be sailing Allure for the ship. Decisions...decisions...

 

Thank you all very much!

[aubreyc1988]

I would do something different, (Oasis/Allure)

 

I haven't sailed in the Haven, but I don't stay in our rooms on cruises much, so doesn't really interest me

 

It's a completely different experience than NCL and the shows on both those RCI ships are FANTASTIC

 

If I had to choose, I'd give the Allure a bit of an edge over Oasis based on Broadway shows offered, but they are both MIND BLOWING ships!

 

Also, I disliked on Escape the lack of pool chairs and the adults only deck. Oasis and Allure do not have this problem, plus their adults only area has a pool as well as several large hot tubs. I've had balcony rooms on Oasis and Allure and they are VERY large, with large balconies (On Escape, I couldn't even sit straight without my knees hitting the glass"

 

Drink package price on RCI varies per sailing, but it's anywhere between 38-44.00pp per day. Includes premium drinks, specialty coffee (Not starbucks brand tho), bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, redbull, etc. They will also do lots of drink specials if you don't do the package, like buy a drink, get a half price shot floater, 1.00 mimosas in the Casino Bar on port days, etc

[graphicguy]

Done both....AOS in a balcony (w/drink package) and Haven on NCL. Hands down, no ifs, ands or buts about it, HAVEN! The service and pampering alone is worth the up charge. Throw in you own private Haven bar and restaurant (which is quite good), your own private pool area and you'll have an experience you'll want to repeat.

 

Having reserved seating for the shows (which on the "away" ships are the best at sea), conceierge making your reservations for you, Butler tending to whatever you need...it will be hard to cruise any other way once you are in the Haven.

 

Do yourself a favor....book a Haven Spa room. Those cabins are usually the least expensive Haven cabins available, and you'll get a Jacuzzi in room, and free access to the excellent thermal spa area.

 

Plus, you get ALL THE GOODIES...the drink package, the specialty dining package and whatever else they're offering at the time.

[js]

I would do something different, (Oasis/Allure)

 

I haven't sailed in the Haven, but I don't stay in our rooms on cruises much, so doesn't really interest me

 

It's a completely different experience than NCL and the shows on both those RCI ships are FANTASTIC

 

If I had to choose, I'd give the Allure a bit of an edge over Oasis based on Broadway shows offered, but they are both MIND BLOWING ships!

 

Also, I disliked on Escape the lack of pool chairs and the adults only deck. Oasis and Allure do not have this problem, plus their adults only area has a pool as well as several large hot tubs. I've had balcony rooms on Oasis and Allure and they are VERY large, with large balconies (On Escape, I couldn't even sit straight without my knees hitting the glass"

 

Drink package price on RCI varies per sailing, but it's anywhere between 38-44.00pp per day. Includes premium drinks, specialty coffee (Not starbucks brand tho), bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, redbull, etc. They will also do lots of drink specials if you don't do the package, like buy a drink, get a half price shot floater, 1.00 mimosas in the Casino Bar on port days, etc

 

Thank you. I priced out the highest drink option and for two people I believe with taxes comes to $910. When we cruise, we get the drink package on any line. The balcony size doesn't sway me although we had an aft last NYE on Independence and it was amazing! I do know that RCCL wins vs NCL on balconies. Yes, you are correct. The pool area on the Away class ship are awful! I'll only sail in the Haven on those ships. I don't even like to sit facing the pool (I don't understand why people do I rather look out to the ocean) but that area is awaful!

 

Done both....AOS in a balcony (w/drink package) and Haven on NCL. Hands down, no ifs, ands or buts about it, HAVEN! The service and pampering alone is worth the up charge. Throw in you own private Haven bar and restaurant (which is quite good), your own private pool area and you'll have an experience you'll want to repeat.

 

Having reserved seating for the shows (which on the "away" ships are the best at sea), conceierge making your reservations for you, Butler tending to whatever you need...it will be hard to cruise any other way once you are in the Haven.

 

Do yourself a favor....book a Haven Spa room. Those cabins are usually the least expensive Haven cabins available, and you'll get a Jacuzzi in room, and free access to the excellent thermal spa area.

 

Plus, you get ALL THE GOODIES...the drink package, the specialty dining package and whatever else they're offering at the time.

 

Thank you. I actually had him quote Harmony since it is the same exact dates as Escape.

The price I received for Harmony balcony (B6) I compared to my Haven Escape (H5 on deck 17 in Haven) also included $350 OBC.

The difference was $5959 (really $6459 but I used a $500 CruiseNext Certificate so not counting the $500, I'll use another time).

So $5959 - $3655 = $2304

Drink Package with taxes, no discount I believe is: $910

$2304 - $560 = $1744 (I would use the $350 OBC and add my own $560 for a total of $910 for drink package)

$1744 difference

4 night specialty restaurant package is $100 per person = $200

$1744 - $200 (Specialty dinners for four nights) = $1544

 

So, the price for me to change from Escape Haven in actual Haven to balcony on Harmony will be $1544.

I mentioned to my dh about the spa Haven (I'm sailing in one in two weeks :) ) but if we sail on Escape he wants to be in the actual Haven. It really isn't more about the money, although it's always a factor, it is/was more about trying to change it up with a new ship I have been wanting to do for quite a few years but I'm also looking to book a big family trip summer 2018 so maybe I can save it for then? I know I'll be giving up the pampering but wondered if the ship (Harmony) will make up for it with it's concept and different options.

[aubreyc1988]

Thank you. I priced out the highest drink option and for two people I believe with taxes comes to $910. When we cruise, we get the drink package on any line. The balcony size doesn't sway me although we had an aft last NYE on Independence and it was amazing! I do know that RCCL wins vs NCL on balconies. Yes, you are correct. The pool area on the Away class ship are awful! I'll only sail in the Haven on those ships. I don't even like to sit facing the pool (I don't understand why people do I rather look out to the ocean) but that area is awaful!

 

 

 

Thank you. I actually had him quote Harmony since it is the same exact dates as Escape.

The price I received for Harmony balcony (B6) I compared to my Haven Escape (H5 on deck 17 in Haven) also included $350 OBC.

The difference was $5959 (really $6459 but I used a $500 CruiseNext Certificate so not counting the $500, I'll use another time).

So $5959 - $3655 = $2304

Drink Package with taxes, no discount I believe is: $910

$2304 - $560 = $1744 (I would use the $350 OBC and add my own $560 for a total of $910 for drink package)

$1744 difference

4 night specialty restaurant package is $100 per person = $200

$1744 - $200 (Specialty dinners for four nights) = $1544

 

So, the price for me to change from Escape Haven in actual Haven to balcony on Harmony will be $1544.

I mentioned to my dh about the spa Haven (I'm sailing in one in two weeks :) ) but if we sail on Escape he wants to be in the actual Haven. It really isn't more about the money, although it's always a factor, it is/was more about trying to change it up with a new ship I have been wanting to do for quite a few years but I'm also looking to book a big family trip summer 2018 so maybe I can save it for then? I know I'll be giving up the pampering but wondered if the ship (Harmony) will make up for it with it's concept and different options.

 

I know on Adventure of the Seas, they did some cruise planner discounts on the Royal Caribbean dining package too, so the prices MAY be cheaper than what you anticipate. I got BOGO at Giovanni's on my cruise planner for 30.00pp and honestly, the main dining room food was soooo good I didn't really even need it. As for the beverage package, not everyone in the stateroom HAS to buy it, so it may be better if you buy one for the heaviest drinker, and the other person just pays as you go. Also, if you buy the RCI drink package, wines by the bottle are 40% off. My husband doesn't drink nearly as much as I do, so really his bar bill is more like 100.00 TOPS by the end of a 7 day cruise. But of course, it all depends on the individual, you may both need it, but I just wanted to make you aware of any other potential savings.

 

One draw back of the Harmony, in my opion as someone who has never sailed it, is that there is no pool in the Solarium (adult only deck) unlike Oasis and Allure. And frankly, I don't like the look of the slide over the boardward, really hinders the "Aft" view. They will have the Robot Bartender, which Oasis and Allure doesn't have I don't think, and a couple new restaurants and small things, but Oasis, Allure, Harmony are all very similar, kind of like how similar Escape, Getaway, Breakaway are.

 

As for pampering, I think you can purchase a thermal pass. Not sure on the price, but when I toured the Oasis/Allure Spa areas it did look very nice. You don't really NEED the Haven only area as the ship is SO big and there are so many quiet places you can go be by yourself. I also find the stateroom attendants to be better on RCI in terms of friendliness and them getting stuff you ask for. Not that its a huge issue, but just my opinion.

 

I'm a big believer in checking off bucket list stuff, so if the Harmony is something you've always wanted to try, do it!

[StlGal]

Hi.

Can't do the Genie since I think with that and adding on the drink package, I would be paying more for RCCL and I am not sure if it will compare to the Haven (we hang out there all day for the most part).

 

Thank you all very much!

 

If you book a suite on Allure/Oasis/Harmony that includes a Genie then everything else is included as well. This includes - drink package (including specialty coffees, bottled water, fresh squeezed orange juice, etc), dinner package (unlimited specialty dining), suite deck, suite bar (inside and outside), suite lounge, suite restaurant, free on demand (pay per view) movies in your room, and free internet. I'm sure I missed a few things as well... like private escort on/off ship, private waiting area, reserved seating at all shows except the comedy club, etc.

[willowvacay]

We have done both. We love, love, love NCL and we love the Haven. It is truly the best way to cruise on the mass market ships IMHO. However, we did go on Allure of the Seas in a regular balcony cabin for the same reasons that you are discussing...just because the ships look awesome and we've really wanted to try them since they came out. We went and really enjoyed our trip but we still enjoy NCL and the Haven hands down over Royal Caribbean. We thought the shows and the food were better on NCL and the obvious benefit of the Haven service. The thing we still talk about regarding Royal was the zoom internet. It was a great price and it worked so well you could stream Netflix or the ESPN app to watch live games.

[js]

I know on Adventure of the Seas, they did some cruise planner discounts on the Royal Caribbean dining package too, so the prices MAY be cheaper than what you anticipate. I got BOGO at Giovanni's on my cruise planner for 30.00pp and honestly, the main dining room food was soooo good I didn't really even need it. As for the beverage package, not everyone in the stateroom HAS to buy it, so it may be better if you buy one for the heaviest drinker, and the other person just pays as you go. Also, if you buy the RCI drink package, wines by the bottle are 40% off. My husband doesn't drink nearly as much as I do, so really his bar bill is more like 100.00 TOPS by the end of a 7 day cruise. But of course, it all depends on the individual, you may both need it, but I just wanted to make you aware of any other potential savings.

 

 

 

One draw back of the Harmony, in my opion as someone who has never sailed it, is that there is no pool in the Solarium (adult only deck) unlike Oasis and Allure. And frankly, I don't like the look of the slide over the boardward, really hinders the "Aft" view. They will have the Robot Bartender, which Oasis and Allure doesn't have I don't think, and a couple new restaurants and small things, but Oasis, Allure, Harmony are all very similar, kind of like how similar Escape, Getaway, Breakaway are.

 

 

 

As for pampering, I think you can purchase a thermal pass. Not sure on the price, but when I toured the Oasis/Allure Spa areas it did look very nice. You don't really NEED the Haven only area as the ship is SO big and there are so many quiet places you can go be by yourself. I also find the stateroom attendants to be better on RCI in terms of friendliness and them getting stuff you ask for. Not that its a huge issue, but just my opinion.

 

 

 

I'm a big believer in checking off bucket list stuff, so if the Harmony is something you've always wanted to try, do it!

 

 

Thank you very much for your detailed response. I really appreciate it. The drink package is a must do as well as 4-7 nights in specialty restaurants.

 

For a ship as big as the Getaway, although we dont need the Haven it is a HUGE plus since "Away" ships have a very small pool area that is loud and crowded. And the Haven is just magical lol

 

What a shame about lack of pool in Solarium. I love the Solarium on RCCL ships.

 

Thank you very much for your help.

 

 

 

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[js]

We have done both. We love, love, love NCL and we love the Haven. It is truly the best way to cruise on the mass market ships IMHO. However, we did go on Allure of the Seas in a regular balcony cabin for the same reasons that you are discussing...just because the ships look awesome and we've really wanted to try them since they came out. We went and really enjoyed our trip but we still enjoy NCL and the Haven hands down over Royal Caribbean. We thought the shows and the food were better on NCL and the obvious benefit of the Haven service. The thing we still talk about regarding Royal was the zoom internet. It was a great price and it worked so well you could stream Netflix or the ESPN app to watch live games.

 

 

Thank you very much!! I know we will enjoy our cruise no matter what but for my 50th we decided tonight that we will stay in the Haven. We have amazing ports that I love our excursions, including a beach cabana on Harvest Caye, May Chan and Nach Cocom and and the Escape Haven looks even nicer than Breakaway and Getaway.

 

The Zoom on RCCL doesnt interest me but glad that is something you enjoyed.

 

Ill get on the Oasis class ships one day maybe when I cant do the Haven or Ill just book it for our Summer 2018 cruise. Those dayes should come out shortly.

 

Thank you.

 

 

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[graphicguy]

JS....you're welcome. Make sure to eat outside when you have your concierge book the specialty restaurants. Escape is known for the al fresco specialty dining areas. It's a treat to have great service while dining on great food while watching the ocean roll by. Matter of fact, the whole outdoor area where there are lounging areas, bars and restaurants were some of our favorite areas. Have fun!

[Candycrusher]

We did a Crown loft suite on the Allure. That is also a fabulous way go about that cruise. We will definitely do the Haven in the future. This is the only way we will cruise from now on. It is like a cruise within a cruise. Hope more cruise lines start doing this. Enjoy your trip.

 

 

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