Which Itinerary Would You Choose - Oasis Class

[ResearchObsessed]

My friend and I are looking at taking a cruise this September (we know it's a bit of a risk, we're prepared for all the possibilities that come with that). We are considering Oasis class. I have only been on one other cruise, Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan to the ABCs. She hasn't been on one ever. We are looking for a vacation that is equal parts relaxing and exciting. Given the below itineraries, which would you choose? Hoping to get expert advice from those of you who have visited these places and been on these ships!

 

Allure

Sunday, September 15	Fort Lauderdale, FL		4:30pm
Monday, September 16	At Sea
Tuesday, September 17	At Sea
Wednesday, September 18	St. Kitts	8:00am	5:00pm
Thursday, September 19	St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands	7:00am	4:00pm
Friday, September 20	At Sea
Saturday, September 21	Nassau, Bahamas	10:00am	7:00pm
Sunday, September 22	Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Harmony

Sunday, September 15	Port Canaveral, FL		4:30pm
Monday, September 16	CocoCay, Bahamas	8:00am	4:00pm
Tuesday, September 17	At Sea
Wednesday, September 18	St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands	Noon	8:00pm
Thursday, September 19	St. Maarten	7:00am	4:00pm
Friday, September 20	At Sea
Saturday, September 21	At Sea
Sunday, September 22	Port Canaveral, FL	6:00am

 

Symphony

 

Saturday, September 14	Miami, FL		4:30pm
Sunday, September 15	At Sea
Monday, September 16	Roatan, Honduras	9:30am	6:00pm
Tuesday, September 17	Costa Maya, Mexico	8:00am	5:00pm
Wednesday, September 18	Cozumel, Mexico	7:00am	6:00pm
Thursday, September 19	At Sea
Friday, September 20	CocoCay, Bahamas	8:00am	5:00pm
Saturday, September 21	Miami, FL	6:00am

 

[Biker19]

The cheaper of the two Eastern itineraries, likely Allure. 

[George C]

Harmony has two of our favorite islands and a beach stop

[BNBR]

Symphony western by a mile. More ports and all of them are excellent with a variety of things to do - and on the best Oasis class ship. 

[ResearchObsessed]

HAHA! Well, one for each. Guess I can't go wrong!

[MrFunInTheSun]

Harmony!

 

Join us in the 9/15/19 roll call. 🙂

[Clarea]

I'd go with Allure, for St. Kitts.

[BNBR]

Just now, ResearchObsessed said:

HAHA! Well, one for each. Guess I can't go wrong!

 

Harmony and Symphony are notably newer and upgraded compared to Allure.  Symphony even more so than Harmony.  Something to consider. 

 

What kind of excitement are you looking for? That may help narrow down which ports. And if you prefer more ports, then the western is obvious. I like Cozumel as they have some really neat adventurous tours like secret river. Try elaborating a bit to narrow it down. 

 

[ResearchObsessed]

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

 

Harmony and Symphony are notably newer and upgraded compared to Allure.  Symphony even more so than Harmony.  Something to consider. 

 

What kind of excitement are you looking for? That may help narrow down which ports. And if you prefer more ports, then the western is obvious. I like Cozumel as they have some really neat adventurous tours like secret river. Try elaborating a bit to narrow it down. 

 

 

Sure! We are both relatively price conscious so we definitely aren't expecting to spend $200 for an excursion on each island, but one and maybe two for sure. I know we would totally enjoy brining our own snorkeling gear and doing that on our own, if there are any islands that is good for. If we were to spend a bit of money on one island it would definitely be for something adventurous and exciting - ATVing, swimming with the rays, jungle adventure etc. 

 

As for sea days, no more than two to three is totally fine, so any of these options tick that box. Seems like these ships have more than enough to do over 3 sea days. 

[BNBR]

Symphony won't be the most price conscious. Something to consider.  But the ports it visits are very good for doing cheaper private excursions. $59 for all inclusive beach day with snorkeling, beach toys, drinks, food, etc. Plus cozumel will have the more adventurous tours that may be appeal to you for that stop.  Amazing Secret River is worth every penny and very memorable. Sent many family members on it and they still talk about it. That's your jungle adventure! 

 

I imagine allure is the least expensive sailing? Ultimately you can't go wrong with any of them.

Edited March 3, 2019 by BNBR

[ResearchObsessed]

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

Symphony won't be the most price conscious. Something to consider.  But the ports it visits are very good for doing cheaper private excursions. $59 for all inclusive beach day with snorkeling, beach toys, drinks, food, etc. Plus cozumel will have the more adventurous tours that may be appeal to you for that stop.  Amazing Secret River is worth every penny and very memorable. Sent many family members on it and they still talk about it. That's your jungle adventure! 

 

I imagine allure is the least expensive sailing? Ultimately you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

Thanks, that's all really useful information! When I say price conscious, it's more that after we purchase the cruise and drink package, we aren't down for spending another $1000 on excursions. So we definitely want a few stops to provide more affordable yet beautiful beach days with the possibility of snorkeling on our own. 

[BNBR]

Just now, ResearchObsessed said:

 

Thanks, that's all really useful information! When I say price conscious, it's more that after we purchase the cruise and drink package, we aren't down for spending another $1000 on excursions. So we definitely want a few stops to provide more affordable yet beautiful beach days with the possibility of snorkeling on our own. 

 

Western fits the bill for sure. Plus you have CocoCay in it which is free, can snorkel, and food/drinks included with your package. 

 

My personal suggestions would be Little French Key In Roatan, Maya Chan in Costa Maya although you can also spend $20 on the malecon and get chairs, food, and drinks, Secret River in cozumel, and free day in CocoCay. 

 

I'm sure others can chime in with some other great ideas for the Eastern itineraries to compare. 

[mrpayroll]

For me, it would be Symphony, Harmony, then Allure. Nassau is not high on our list. 

[Jimbo]

Roatan best snorkling of all the islands. Symphony for sure.

[Clancy14]

I choose Harmony.  The day before disembarking is a sea day, not a port day.  Gives you all day to do your packing, not rushed after returning from an island/port and having to hurry up, shower/change/pack/hand out additional tips/get your photo package, say good-byes, etc. and then ,have your luggage outside your cabin by 10pm.  (Plus, I like the ship!)!

 

- Clancy

[zdad59]

We just got off Allure, doing the itinerary that you show for Symphony.    We sailed Harmony last year.    Haven't been on Symphony yet but will be in July.   Based on what you showed, I would pick....

 

Harmony.

 

• We liked Allure, but liked Harmony better.  
• We liked the Western Caribbean ports but liked Eastern Caribbean better. 
• We are not bug fans of Nassau, so CoCo Cay would be a better choice for us there.
• We do prefer St. Kitts over St. Thomas, but not by a lot.

All that said, I would think Harmony is the best combination of fun things to do and relaxation.   Can't go wrong, no matter what you choose.

[John&LaLa]

Are you flying in or driving to port?

[Snit13]

3 hours ago, ResearchObsessed said:

My friend and I are looking at taking a cruise this September (we know it's a bit of a risk, we're prepared for all the possibilities that come with that). We are considering Oasis class. I have only been on one other cruise, Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan to the ABCs. She hasn't been on one ever. We are looking for a vacation that is equal parts relaxing and exciting. Given the below itineraries, which would you choose? Hoping to get expert advice from those of you who have visited these places and been on these ships!

 

Allure

Sunday, September 15	Fort Lauderdale, FL		4:30pm
Monday, September 16	At Sea
Tuesday, September 17	At Sea
Wednesday, September 18	St. Kitts	8:00am	5:00pm
Thursday, September 19	St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands	7:00am	4:00pm
Friday, September 20	At Sea
Saturday, September 21	Nassau, Bahamas	10:00am	7:00pm
Sunday, September 22	Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Harmony

Sunday, September 15	Port Canaveral, FL		4:30pm
Monday, September 16	CocoCay, Bahamas	8:00am	4:00pm
Tuesday, September 17	At Sea
Wednesday, September 18	St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands	Noon	8:00pm
Thursday, September 19	St. Maarten	7:00am	4:00pm
Friday, September 20	At Sea
Saturday, September 21	At Sea
Sunday, September 22	Port Canaveral, FL	6:00am

 

Symphony

 

Saturday, September 14	Miami, FL		4:30pm
Sunday, September 15	At Sea
Monday, September 16	Roatan, Honduras	9:30am	6:00pm
Tuesday, September 17	Costa Maya, Mexico	8:00am	5:00pm
Wednesday, September 18	Cozumel, Mexico	7:00am	6:00pm
Thursday, September 19	At Sea
Friday, September 20	CocoCay, Bahamas	8:00am	5:00pm
Saturday, September 21	Miami, FL	6:00am

 

I have been to most of the ports multiple times as have many other cruisers.  I will always choose Eastern over Western Caribbean cruises.  Which ever you decide on you will have a great time.

[ResearchObsessed]

12 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Are you flying in or driving to port?

 

We are from Denver, so flying. 

[BNBR]

1 minute ago, ResearchObsessed said:

 

We are from Denver, so flying. 

 

I'm a bit baffled by the question. Lol. I'm curious about the explanation now. 

[John&LaLa]

So which airport is easier and cheaper to fly into? 

Ft Lauderdale airport is closest to port. 

Pt Canaveral isnt that hard to get to from Orlando. 

You need to factor all that in

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

 

I'm a bit baffled by the question. Lol. I'm curious about the explanation now. 

 

Totally valid question

[nalatrixie74]

I'm just curious why St Kitts is special to some of you? We are going in November.  I will say St Martin was quite special and had alot to offer, but that was before the hurricane.  I'm not sure what kind of shape it's in. When all else fails,  I go with cheapest,  and what I haven't done before.  Have a great time! 

[ResearchObsessed]

32 minutes ago, nalatrixie74 said:

I'm just curious why St Kitts is special to some of you? We are going in November.  I will say St Martin was quite special and had alot to offer, but that was before the hurricane.  I'm not sure what kind of shape it's in. When all else fails,  I go with cheapest,  and what I haven't done before.  Have a great time! 

 

I REALLY want to go to St. Maarten. I was on the Adventure sailing that was the first ship there after the hurricane to offer aid. We picked up about 300 people (and quite a few cats and dogs) while dropping food and supplies. Of course we didn't get off the boat, and all we saw was destruction. I was so excited to visit that island (of course I wasn't angry, just saddened by the devastation) and would love to now. 

[OCruisers]

Symphony would be our choice ... just for the fun of the ports of call!