2DogHooman

Go Cats! But yeah... Maria... this is going to be bad, again.

We're also on the 10/7 Harmony sailing heading to Labadee, San Juan and now St. Kitts instead of St. Maarten. I'm happy to have a replacement port, and happy that it is one that we haven't been to before!

Getting worried about soon-to-be Hurricane Maria, though. If it goes as is projected, that could take San Juan and St. Kitts out of the mix (also potentially hitting St. Maarten and St. Thomas AGAIN)... then I am afraid we'll see all three Oasis-class ships flip over to Western itineraries for the foreseeable future, as all other options for Oasis-class ports are out of service. We are thrilled to have gotten a great deal on Harmony, and we are really going on this one for the ship more than anything else, but man... Costa Maya, Cozumel and Labadee are going to get CROWDED in a hurry if that happens! I'm happy to wait in a long line for a tender to Grand Cayman, though, if they are taking votes for back up locations?

Also, let it be said that the inconvenience and changes that we are experiencing pale in comparison to those that live in the ports that we love so much. I hope that all efforts to rebuild are quick and efficient, and that safety and security is available in all of the locations, sooner rather than later.

I have an iPhone 6 running iOS 9 on T-Mobile so this may or may not apply.

 

We were on Freedom recently, and when I connected to the WiFi, with cell data turned off, my phone connected to the WiFi network and eventually found the T-Mobile network WiFi calling network. I received and sent a few text messages and did not see any additional charges on my bill.

 

I did not try calling anywhere since the WiFi service was so slow that basic browsing barely worked. I know Allure has the new Voom internet so you may not have this problem.

 

With iOS 8 I had the set up on land and was unable to get the WiFi calling connection to T-Mobile with cellular turned off. I don't know if I didn't wait long enough or if it was a change made between iOS 8 and 9.

Oasis and Allure both have Voom Internet (which is VERY good, I must say). On Oasis last week, I used T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling successfully on a standard Google Nexus 6 running stock Android. There was some echoing and packet loss, due to the fact that you are transmitting over a satellite connection. I wouldn't recommend it for a critical conference call where optimal call quality is key.. but for everyday calling to check in with family, etc., I would say it is very much sufficient. SMS texting is a bit slow. MMS will not function properly, but if you are wanting to send pictures, that is easily accomplished over any number of other apps.

Of course, with Sprint, your mileage may vary. Just wanted to point out that, from a technological standpoint, it works just fine with TMo Wi-Fi calling. Between the internet on the ship, and TMo's unlimited international data and 20 cent per minute calling that worked everywhere we docked (INCLUDING Labadee!!!!!) I was never out of touch.

Friday it was announced my employer will close Dec 24 - Jan 3. Pricing across all lines are high due to the holidays. Should I give up looking for a last minute deal? I guess I could stay home and clean out the closets but that's no fun:(

 

FYI..I'm booked on Adventure Dec 5 but another cruise later in the month won't hurt.:)

You only live once, and you only have "forced" recreation every so often, so take advantage of it!

Our Allure cruise was over Thanksgiving, and it was fantastic. It was not very full at all, and there were very few youngsters on board (not that there is anything wrong with youngsters). I'd guess if you could get one that boarded PRE-Christmas on the 24th, you might also miss some of the Merry Christmas-surprise cruising family traffic as well.

Bottom line? Do it! For sure!

Same here....maybe it's just an Oasis thing ;)

I was just on Oasis last week and CAN CONFIRM that seafood was available in the Windjammer on both formal nights. There is a side station set up at the midway point of both sides. On the first formal night, they had (small) lobster tails with butter, of which I ate many, and feel little to no regret. On the second formal night, they had King Crab legs and shrimp, with the same side station setup.

There were no riots and no trading of punches witnessed by me during these times. At worst (on lobster night), I think that the line was maybe four or five deep, and moved very very quickly. I think that lobster night was the better of the two, and it was nice to have as an option, and not have to wear a suit to do it. :cool:

So...could I just take my cup to a bar, like I did on the Navigator last June (no freestyle machine) and get a soda?

Yep. Or, even easier, just flash your SeaPass card. It will have the Coca-Cola logo on it (or sticker if you don't purchase before boarding), and they will get what you need, no cup required from you.

I have printed my set sail pass but can't work out how to print of my luggage tags. Unless I'm too far out as I still have around sixty days to go.

Thanks

You should see them available soon. If for some reason you don't, don't worry. They will either have a blank template that you can print out and fill in, or you can have the porters complete the tags at the port for you, when you drop your bags off. We have brought/checked an extra bag both times and they made up the luggage tag right there for us, no issues, no worries.

My boyfriend and I just booked our first Royal Caribbean cruise on the Oasis leaving April 23! Needless to say I am very excited and I want to plan everything right now!

 

I just booked our entertainment and I tried to book our dining reservation but there is nothing available on the page.

 

When can I expect to be able to plan our dining?

 

Also any general advice about RCCL and the Oasis would be greatly appreciated!!!

Dining opened up for our sailing in October just under 60 days out. I definitely recommend following the meet & mingle thread for your sailing. Most folks on there are very very helpful, and there is a mob-sourcing effort to stalk the RCI site for when dining opens up. They will make sure that you aren't left out.

I just got back home from last week's Western Caribbean sailing, so if you have any questions, just let me know!

Royal Promenade, Windjammer, Wipeout Cafe.

Small correction on this for Oasis. Just hopped off on Saturday. They are located at Sorrento's (2), Windjammer (4, 2 on each end of the horseshoe), and one in the arcade adjacent to the Wipeout Cafe. Wipeout Cafe has soft-serve ice cream machines and Vitality Water/Juice dispensers.

FWIW, on our sailing there were chronic issues with at least one of each pair of machines being out of ice/out of order. We sailed VERY full, and had pretty rotten weather the last couple of days, which kept everyone inside. This might have contributed to the problem, but we definitely did not experience anything like that on our Allure sailing last November. And, the machines never lacked for syrup for all of the flavors, so they were being reasonably maintained from that perspective.

We're sailing out on Saturday, so I will keep an eye out... Platform diving board off of the upper deck of the Solarium, into the center hot tub, maybe?