Would we regret Oasis or Allure instead of Fantasy?

[bfaber]

We are Disney people through and through! We've done the Wonder, Magic, and Dream and were anxious to complete our Disney crusing experience with the Fantasy. I have the end of May 2014 on hold, but can do the RC Oasis or Allure for over $2000 cheaper the same week!!! Would we regret it? What would we miss that we were used to on a Disney ship? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[EDH Family]

We cruised on the Oasis last Spring Break and loved it. However, it's not geared towards the kids as much as Disney, but it still good for families. Word of warning, due to the size of the ship you have to make reservations for everything including shows...

Due to the high pricing just released we will be sailing the Oasis Spring Break of 2014. Now worries Disney, you still have me for next week and Spring Break 2013...

[EPCOTatNight]

I haven't been on either, but I think that most people absolutely love it. I only know diehard Disney fans that have cruised on them and everyone that I've talked to loved their experiences. I am anxious to travel on one of those ships.

[disneybeachprincess]

I haven't sailed on those other 2 ships but saw them in ports & they are ginormous! Really ginormous! Personally, I'd never want to sail on a ship that big...I wasn't sure if I'd like the Disney Dream as much as the Magic & Wonder but I do & like you, want to sail on the Fantasy to complete the unofficial "grand slam".

You choose what is best for your family! Unfortunately the Fantasy's prices will only go up! So I made the decision to sail on the Fantasy in Spring 2014.

[bfaber]

I should have mentioned we have 3 girls 16, 14, and 12 and a boy, 8. We love swimming, the kid teen clubs, and the shows. And of course the eating! How will all that compare?

[MAJPLO]

There is a really good trip report from a DISer, nenner, who did a "Shrek vsMickey" TR that was very helpful for us in comparing the Fantasy/Dream and the Allure/Oasis. I think her family's final determination was to alternate years between the two cruise lines. But as pp, every family is different.

[mom2aredhead]

I am wrestling with the same thing. The price difference will essentially pay for our airfare and excursions.
I have a few friends that cruised RCCL and loved it, but they had never been on Disney so they can't compare the 2 for me.
One of the main reasons I am still leaning toward DCL is that we have been on the Fantasy on a sold out cruise before, so we kind of know how to handle it, we know the layout, schedule, etc. RCCL will be a whole different thing, which as gigantic as those ships are, I don't think I'd want to try for the first time during the crowded Easter break.

[disneybeachprincess]

Originally Posted by MAJPLO

There is a really good trip report from a DISer, nenner, who did a "Shrek vsMickey" TR that was very helpful for us in comparing the Fantasy/Dream and the Allure/Oasis. I think her family's final determination was to alternate years between the two cruise lines. But as pp, every family is different.

That is a good compromise & if the location of the port isn't an issue, then maybe a good choice for the OP. When we lived in Fla, ports were everywhere. From NC, I tend not to look at Ft Laud or Miami anymore due to travel time & cost. Happy cruising everyone!

[All Things Simba]

If you can swing it, now knowing you're kids' ages and how much fun there is on a Disney ship, I'd say sail on the Disney Fantasy.

But that is a huge price difference and quite the consideration! $2,000 on a 7 night cruise = and additional $286 per day.

You can always sail on Royal Caribbean now and sail with Disney later.
DCL will be there for you when you're ready. I'd have a really hard time with that price difference. You could spend time at WDW before or after the cruise with that amount of money.

My DH really wants to try the new RCCL ships.. they look awesome!

Do you have a "dummy" booking with Disney to transfer and therefore would save you 10%? Do you have family members who could give you Disney dollars for Christmas? What is the majority of your family saying?

Good luck and have fun sailing on either cruise line!

[Floridagram]

I too was going to suggest you find the Shrek VS Mickey post and read it. It is very detailed.

I have read several reviews of the RCCL ships and everyone seems to love them. I plan to give it a try when it fits in our vacation planning. We are doing DCl one more time while all the grand kids are of the age to go to the club but then we fully intend to try the Allure. I think with the ages of your kids they will love it! They have a zipline, flowrider and the water show, I suspect your teenagers will love it so much they never want to go back to DCL.

The biggest difference I see is that you have to plan ahead and get reservations for shows and dinner at specialty restaurants. That may drive me crazy but I plan to give it a whirl!

[Gatrcruzer]

Given the ages of your children, I think your family would really enjoy those ships. For the cost savings I'd definitely give one of them a try! RCI has great opportunities for kids, even if they aren't as child-centered as the Disney cruises. It is a good choice for families.

[Floridagram]

Originally Posted by mom2aredhead

I am wrestling with the same thing. The price difference will essentially pay for our airfare and excursions.
I have a few friends that cruised RCCL and loved it, but they had never been on Disney so they can't compare the 2 for me.
One of the main reasons I am still leaning toward DCL is that we have been on the Fantasy on a sold out cruise before, so we kind of know how to handle it, we know the layout, schedule, etc. RCCL will be a whole different thing, which as gigantic as those ships are, I don't think I'd want to try for the first time during the crowded Easter break.

I suggest you also find the shrek vs Mickey trip report. Apparently these gigantic ships don't seem any more crowded. This report was the most detailed on I have ever read.

[Summerl30]

I'm hoping that's our next vacation after the Disney cruise. Now that we will be family vacationing every year, I still hope dh and I will still do our own.

We are looking at either one of these ships or one class down for either 2013 or 2014 for just the two of us.

[darkwing818]

Originally Posted by bfaber

We are Disney people through and through! We've done the Wonder, Magic, and Dream and were anxious to complete our Disney crusing experience with the Fantasy. I have the end of May 2014 on hold, but can do the RC Oasis or Allure for over $2000 cheaper the same week!!! Would we regret it? What would we miss that we were used to on a Disney ship? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Looks like the OP is getting both sides of the coin, which was probably to be expected. Clearly everyone has different circumstances & let's face it $2,000 is not exactly chump change. Bottom line the OP needs to make this decision & feel comfortable with it. RCCL is a wonderful cruise line & we have enjoyed our cruises with them, just as we have enjoyed (completed the Grand Slam) DCL. You need to be happy with your choice.

[borgthe]

I just went on the fantasy in august and am sailing the oasis in march. I am very much looking forward to the oasis for several reasons. First, they have more pools. The pools were really lacking on the fantasy. Second, the oasis seems to have more interesting ancillary things to do, such as ice skating, zip line, flow rider etc. The fantasy didn't seem to have that many activities. I would definitely save the 2 k and sail oasis