John UK Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Hi Everyone Thinking of doing our first cruise later this year and it all sounds a bit daunting if I am honest. We have seen two cruises (Caribbean and departure from Miami at end of December) we like which are 9 days. I have absolutely no idea which is the better ship so looking for some friendly advice really. On the cruise will be me and my wife plus 10 year old daughter. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks John (UK) foxrunner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveling Mike Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 I would not have told you this before last February, but I would do the Oasis class ship for the first-time cruise with a family. Last February I went on the Sympathy of the Seas and fell in love with the big ships. There is unlimited number of things to do. It is different and there will be 5,000 new friends with you, but it is a very big ship. I would save the smaller ship for a second cruise or one doing Alaska or Panama Canal. Pattycruise, travellingtannis and michaelp1446 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelp1446 Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Couldn't agree more with @Traveling Mike. Oasis class for first-time cruise with a family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancity Cruiser Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 Since all advertising for Royal shows the latest and greatest features I feel a first time cruiser (especially with children) should do Oasis class ship. Being on this site means you are doing some research which is good but you wouldn't believe how many people see advertising for Royals latest ship, then book the cheapest cruise they can find (usually an older ship) and are shocked when there are no water slides or zip lines or aqua theatre. PPPJJ-GCVAB and GatorCruiser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 I also vote Oasis class ship. However be warned it is A LOT of walking. Book near the aft elevetaor-it is closest to Windjammer (buffet) and the main dining room. The theater is all the way forward but you aren't going there 2-3 times a day like the 2 aforementioned locations. Look at the deck plans for "white space" (no cabins) next to, below or above you....those tend to be crew work areas/storage areas and can have noise at most bizarre time of day/night, so it is recommended to avoid those areas crusingg and michaelp1446 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryAA Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 I was just on the Explorer last month. We started out on that class (Voyager) and still enjoy the classic cruise experience. Nowadays we prefer the Oasis class, bigger ship and more places to roam around. We leave on the Symphony next Saturday and can’t wait. foxrunner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GatorCruiser Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 I’ve done symphony and wonder and am about to knock out Harmony in march. I’ve also sailed navigator which I loved. Having said that , I’m an oasis class homer so far. foxrunner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted January 30, 2023 Report Share Posted January 30, 2023 They're both just fine WAYNO and foxrunner 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxrunner Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 1 hour ago, smokeybandit said: They're both just fine Agreed! If the price difference matters to you then go Mariner. The onsite logic is that the price "savings" can be used for your next cruise. We've never gone 9 nights and I'm jealous! If you probably will not cruise again because of other plans then go all out on Oasis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I agree that they both will be fine. However when it comes to activities, maybe you should explore the cruise compasses. Each ship will have pros and cons. I think Explorer seems to be a good representation for small ships, it seems to have just enough to not feel cheated. While for some Oasis will be too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Oasis! Lots more to do there for your daughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac66 Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I would do Explorer first then work my way up to Oasis class. Gives you someone look forward to. We did Explorer for our kid's first cruise. Then a couple other ships then a couple Oasis class ships. The kids, all now grown up still talk about their first cruise as their favorite. Ray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Oasis all the way everyday and twice on Sunday. You will need to book another cruise while on board as you will not be able to do or see everything on just one cruise. It just gets addicting after that....lol teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 My wife and I are big fans of Voyager class ships, and we even have an upcoming cruise on Explorer. Exactly one year ago, we were on Oasis for a 7N cruise out of Miami and found her to be a bit too big for us as we currently are (mid-50s with adult children). All that being said, I just showed her this thread, and we both agree that if we were cruising with our kids when they were an average age of 10, we would go Oasis all the way. There is so much more for a family to do. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Red Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Oasis Class Ship Hands down. You would regret not gong on it over the Explorer. Oasis are pretty much the only class ship we go on now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAYNO Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 Folks speak of Explorer as being tiny when compared to Oasis. Gee, one is 1186 feet long, and the other is 1025 feet long. They are both astonishingly huge ships. I cannot pick one over the other. They are both gigantic and they both offer more activities than I've ever used or participated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 24 minutes ago, WAYNO said: Folks speak of Explorer as being tiny when compared to Oasis. Gee, one is 1186 feet long, and the other is 1025 feet long. They are both astonishingly huge ships. I cannot pick one over the other. They are both gigantic and they both offer more activities than I've ever used or participated. It is not so much the length but the beam and interior volume is so much more on an Oasis class ship. teddy and Pooch 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 28 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said: It is not so much the length but the beam and interior volume is so much more on an Oasis class ship. For sure When we walked on Oasis last year, I was surprised at how wide the Promenade was compared to Voyager Class ships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAYNO Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 46 minutes ago, Jolly Ogre said: It is not so much the length but the beam and interior volume is so much more on an Oasis class ship. Oh I knew someone would need to correct me. Believe me, I've been on them all. I still say, they are all large, and for a first time cruise, even a little tiny Explorer-class is overwhelming in size. I don't cruise only to be on the largest ship afloat, but also because of the itinerary. My kids or family are not gonna whine because they had to be on the little tiny Explorer. But then again, maybe I underestimate the need for grandiose gratification. Jolly Ogre 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonOasis Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 There is a lot more to do on Oasis, there is a more entertainment on Oasis, and a lot more dinning options on Oasis than Explorer. You can't go wrong with either of these ships, I've personally cruised on both but Oasis offers a lot more onboard than Explorer. Also my husbands first cruise was on an Oasis Class ship the Allure of the Seas and he absolutely loved it hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPPJJ-GCVAB Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 I vote Oasis for your daughter teddy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midwest Cruiser Posted January 31, 2023 Report Share Posted January 31, 2023 @John UK I Would echo what most are saying above that with your family and especially for your Daughter, I would recommend Oasis Class ships. So many more activities on board to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac66 Posted February 1, 2023 Report Share Posted February 1, 2023 A 10 year will not care what ship you take them on. You're on an awesome cruise after all. Plenty for everyone to do on the Explorer. If you do Oasis first you'll get spoiled and never will want to do the smaller ships. Do Explorer first and then you can always move up later. I think the Oasis class is too overwhelming at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac66 Posted February 19, 2023 Report Share Posted February 19, 2023 We just did the Explorer for the third time in Dec of '22. Just got off the Serenade. Now that's small ship (Radiance class) in comparison. There is more than enough to do on the Explorer for families. I would choose that for my first family cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowen Posted February 19, 2023 Report Share Posted February 19, 2023 I have two teens at the moment and they love Explorer and Oasis (we’ve done Allure and Harmony). I asked which they liked better and they both said they wouldn’t be able to pick. I’d probably go with Oasis just because there is a bit of a boardwalk feel with the carousel and all. Also zip lining is fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted February 19, 2023 Report Share Posted February 19, 2023 Our first cruises were on Empress & Majesty so as small as it gets. Then we took DGS on Mariner & I told my TA I could never do anything bigger. Well then I got a great deal on Harmony and OMG it was just a game changer. Back to smaller on Explorer in October and really felt the difference, tin can balcony, much narrower promenade, fewer bar choices, fewer food choices. I vote Oasis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 19, 2023 Report Share Posted February 19, 2023 The problem you will have is future cruises! If you go on Explorer It's exciting for all of you as its all new and you have nothing to compare it agsinst. If you like cruising and move up to an Oasis class then again its new and because its bigger your daughter who will be a year or 2 older will be just as excited. However if you flip it then going from a bigger ship to a smaller may not be as exciting simply due to the fact theres not the same things to do onboard as you experienced previously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.