NCL Escape v. RCCL Symphony - opinions please

[Toofarfromthesea]

I'd love to hear your opinion of how these compare. I'd be looking at an ocean view cabin on a b2b in the Caribbean. I don't really care about itinerary comparisons, just the ship experience. 62 year olds - not big partiers ourselves but we love to people watch the partiers and enjoy the music.

 

Thanks.

 

(cross-posted to ncl board)

[Clarea]

Other NCL Escape vs RC threads:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2626357

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2607107

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2606408

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2604251

[Toofarfromthesea]

Other NCL Escape vs RC threads:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2626357

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2607107

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2606408

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2604251

 

Thanks, Bob, I'll check them out. Very helpful.

[one_beachlvr]

For Cabins-Symphony

For Food-Escape

Traveling with Teens? - Symphony

Adults only? - Escape

Entertainment - pretty equal

Getting on and off easily? - Escape

Service - Escape

Unique venues/shows - Symphony

[BNBR]

Not even close. Symphony by a mile. I've sailed Escape and Oasis/Harmony and its just not even close. Escape was actually pretty bad outside of some nice dining, which Symphony has as well anyways.

 

Adults area way better on Symphony, embarkation and debarkation better on symphony, entertainment WAY better on symphony, pools far better on symphony.

 

Escape is a seriously overcrowded mess with venues that feel low budget, it's really not very good.

 

On Escape, don't expect to get a lounger or spend any time in or near the pool. It's horrendous.

[pajazz28]

I agree with the overcrowded mess on Escape. They tended to have all activities during the day in there top 3 or 4 decks and at night all dinning, entertainment, casino,clubs, are all on decks 6, 7 and 8. So the ship seems twice as full as any Oasis sizes ships which have more passengers. This cause all passenger to flood those areas. Not like Oasis class ships where you have the boardwalk on deck 6, Central park on deck 8, Promenade on Deck 5, restaurants on all decks throughout the ship. Also the adult area on Escape it terrible there are rows on chair lined up one next to the another with no view of the ocean because of a large screen at the end of the ship making noise all day long. The Oasis solarium is separate out and quite so you can relax and enjoy the view of the ocean. I feel the food is the same free food is OK and the specialty dinning is really good.