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Both on-board and since returning from my short inaugural cruise
on the Epic, numerous people have asked me - which is my favorite and which is
the best ship as well as the most economical to purchase.
This article from "Cruise Critic" pretty much puts the two
giants into perspective.
- Now that the second most innovative ship of all time, NCL's
Norwegian Epic, has been launched, how will it stack up against Royal
Caribbean's gargantuan Oasis of the Seas?
As we let these hot new ships duke it out for deal supremacy, the real questions
become: Which one are you going to pick and how much will you pay?
Meet the Contenders
Based out of Fort Lauderdale, the 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas
debuted in December 2009, claiming the undisputed title of "biggest cruise ship
in the world." The heavyweight vessel features such innovations as balconies
overlooking a lush onboard park and Coney Island-esque boardwalk, new dining
venues like the beachy Seafood Shack and upscale 150 Central Park, two
rock-climbing walls, surf simulators and a water-based acrobatics show.
The newcomer -- the Miami-based 153,000-ton, 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic --
was christened just last week, bringing fresh new approaches like curvy cabin
designs, name-brand entertainment such as Blue Man Group, cruising's first Ice
Bar (kept at a bone-chilling 17 degrees), and more dining choices than ever
(like an Argentinean churrascaria and a Chinese noodle bar). Epic is also taking
aim at solo travelers, and the ship features an unheard of 128 "studios," Yotel-like
mini-accommodations priced for one.
The Deal?
Start comparing 2010 prices between Oasis and Epic, and one thing quickly
becomes apparent: Oasis of the Seas is consistently more expensive than
Norwegian Epic. On a weeklong Caribbean cruise departing September 18, 2010
(incidentally low season in the Caribbean because it's during Hurricane Season),
a standard balcony cabin with an ocean view on Norwegian Epic costs $949 (a
pricey but not ridiculous $135 per night), while the equivalent cabin costs
$1,589 on Oasis of the Seas (over $200 a night). Being thrifty and booking an
inside cabin on the same sailing will cost $649 on Epic and $1,029 on Oasis.
Those looking to travel over Christmas (which falls within high season in the
Caribbean) will pay even more for the same cruise in the same accommodations.
Epic's Christmas cruise costs $1,349 for an inside cabin and $1,869 for a
balcony. Contrast that with Oasis, which is quoting a breathtaking $1,999 fare
for an inside and $2,849 for a balcony.
As we trolled both cruise lines' websites for fares, we noticed that more
categories on Oasis of the Seas were sold out than on Norwegian Epic, which
clearly may account for the higher rates on Oasis.
In addition, NCL has been including Norwegian Epic in recent sales. As part of
NCL's Hello Balcony! promotion, you can book a deluxe balcony cabin for the
price of a regular balcony (what this means is a little more in-cabin space to
stretch out in). Throw in a separate promotion, an airfare sale on Epic's
Caribbean cruises, and you can lower your total vacation cost with airfares from
select cities from $99 or $199 roundtrip. We haven't seen the same discounting
of Oasis cruises, with the exception of some quiet fare drops for
shoulder-season April and May cruises. (And in fact, during Oasis' early days,
"deals" were unheard of).
In addition to checking the cruise lines' Web sites, we also contacted travel
agents who priced some last-minute summer Oasis and Epic sailings for us. For a
family of three sharing a balcony cabin, the August 7 sailing of Norwegian Epic
costs $3,761 (total, cruise only). Ocean-facing balcony cabins are sold out on
Oasis of the Seas, but tghere was an interior-facing Central Park cabin for
$4,605.
Future Fare Wars?
But does Oasis' sister, Allure of the Seas, which will feature all the same
innovations as Oasis with a few notable tweaks, command a lower price point
because some of its sheen has been lost as the second of two. We checked fares
for 2011 Caribbean cruises. The good news: Deal hunters will be happy to know
that fares for these sailings are a lot closer in price.
Using the second week of January as our target dates, on a Norwegian Epic
cruise, you'll pay $789 for an inside or $1,079 for a balcony. On Allure's
second week January cruise, prices right now start at $899 for an inside or
$1,249 for a balcony -- a difference of just a few hundred dollars. (Checking
Oasis for the same week, we're seeing $1,149 for an inside and $1,449 for a
balcony.) April fares, which are usually higher priced than in the dead of
winter, are similarly matched: Epic's April 16 cruise runs $1,009 for inside and
$1,319 balcony compared to Allure's April 17 cruise at $1,299 (inside) and
$1,749 (balcony). (Checking Oasis for the same week, we're seeing $1,299 for
insides and $1,649 for balconies.)
Of course, we must offer this caveat: As the sail dates approach and categories
begin to sell out, fares could change at any time.
Which Ship is the Value Champ?
Although Norwegian Epic base rates are consistently lower, that doesn't
necessarily mean your Epic cruise will be cheaper or a better value than one on
Oasis or Allure. Remember that all three ships charge extra fees for everything
from specialty dining to drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments and souvenirs
-- which could significantly impact your final vacation bill.
Plus, while both ships are pulling out the stops with new dining and
entertainment options, not to mention unusual ship designs, and both offer
similar Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, in the end, they belong to
different cruise lines with different philosophies. You may be a Royal Caribbean
fan, willing to pay more for the action-packed, activity-focused experience that
line promises, or you may be so devoted to NCL's Freestyle Cruising,
do-whatever-you-want atmosphere that even an Oasis price drop couldn't convince
you to switch lines. |
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