Pat&Liz

I had this problem too... Though it let me click the tick box before I entered all the Credit Card details, and stayed ticked after... weird

If you religiously steralise bottles (I did until my kids were a year old!) I strongly recommend a cold water steraliser tub and milton tablets - much easier than trying to find a microwave etc.

Definitely bring the essentials + at least half to accommodate increased consumption and any delays. (Goes for nappies, pureed food and formula etc)

Dish washer soap and cleaning utensils to keep extra bottles and bowls and soothers clean and sterile.

They will happily provide a travel cot, but i'd bring your own bedding as it will be more of a comfort to your baby.

Extra clothes - especially if you're flying (and a change of clothes for yourself too - it's really no fun to travel in a sweater that has vomit or poop down it!)

Other than that - just roll with it. Vacationing with a child will naturally be different to vacationing without one, but there is no reason why it won't be as enjoyable as before you had a baby, just different!!

Oh, and books/DVDs/Games for whilst baby is napping is a great idea, and if you go for a balcony, it's great to be able to sit out and enjoy the sunshine whilst nap is in progress for sure! :)

Freedom class has a great Promenade family cabin, which consists of a King bed (or two twin!), a double sofa bed and a set of bunk beds set in an alcove. Loads of space... That could work for you, DH, DS, DS and DS friend (provided two don't mind the sofa bed). Then your DD, DD friend and DMIL in a 2nd cabin. That way you satisfy an adult in each room and wouldn't mean your DS11 is having to hang with his older brother in a cabin away from you.

I agree with the policy, though I would keep fighting that 30 day rule. You should have that clearly in writing somewhere in the contract that you made. Keep trying resolutions to get your money back if you are within that 30 days change period (which I read as a change, rather than a cancellation!)

Here in the UK, the deposit for all cruises and all grades is non-refundable. It irritates me when people hold and cancel bookings right before full payment is due and get to walk about scott-free.

I too am trying MTD on Oasis later this month. I'm travelling with my sister, and as much as I love her, I also really love getting to sit with new people over dinner.

I haven't made any reservations, but is it still possible to 'walk up' and request to be sat with other people?

Glad you got one sorted out!! Are you going to keep checking for an accessible cabin as well?

Some fabulous ideas there - Thank you all so far! :)

Following along! Getting all excited for my trip in 5 weeks time! :D

Hello,

I'm off on the Oasis end of next month (5 weeks and 5 days, but who's counting?! ;) )

On debarkation day, we will, no doubt, get off the ship far earlier than I would like to, and our flight home isn't until 6.25pm.

We have booked a hire car, but are looking for ideas/suggestions for things to do that are fairly cheap and possibly a bit different.

No need to suggest Disney or Universal - we'll be doing those on our summer vacation in May, so have no intention to pay their ridiculous prices for tickets for a few hours. Would love to hear of your 'out of the way' secret gems! :)

Thank you

Liz

p.s. We is myself (33) and my sister (29) both physically fit and healthy.

Apologies in advance if this has been covered a bazillion times in other threads.

I have always cruised with traditional dining, and have noticed that for my upcoming Oasis cruise, I'm down for My Time Dining. Would I be better off making specific reservations for the MDR for each day of the cruise, or am I able to just 'show up' at the door and wait for an available table?

Thank you,

Liz x

Hi,

I've been looking into the 3 night cruise on Independence, leaving on the 21st October.

When I search, I can find loads of JS, D2 and below cabins, but not a single D1 or anything above a JS...

Now, I suppose there is always the slight possibility that the higher suites and all the D1 cabins have been snapped up already, but I really find that hard to believe given the number of other cabins available, especially the JS, which has hump cabins available still.

Any ideas why the other categories wouldn't be showing up for sale? Really would like to treat my hubby for our 10th anniversary!

I say that's totally unacceptable - RCCL's error - not yours! They should be readding all those extra free of charge AND offering OBC for the inconvenience and stress. Call back and demand to speak to the resolutions department!!

Just came across this, and it sounds like a really fun way of exploring the ship. Does anyone know if this is still run/sold, as all the threads regarding it that I've seen date back to 2010??

Thanks

Lizzi x

The contest was only open to US residents. How could someone from the U.K. win[emoji204][emoji85][emoji86][emoji87]

 

 

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Fortunately, that is not the case. The competition was run through the UK RCL FB page. T&C can be seen here:

They state in condition 1: The competition is only open to UK residents. Maybe there was another competition run for US citizens??

Is that the America's Cup yacht racing one? We've done quite a bit of sailing before (including sailing round the Isle of Wight in a regatta!) as my father-in-law and brother-in-law are sailors. Great fun. I'll definitely consider that as an option!

Depending on the ages/weight of the children (I know you said under 4, but my experience is this can still vary considerably!) I'd plan to bring booster seats with me (car seats if the children are too young!) Their safety is more important than the hassle of lugging them around or storing the car seats in the cabin. Most airlines will allow carseats for young children free of charge, but failing that, buy a large soft bag and check them in.

For our trip to Orlando (Disney holiday, not a cruise) we're bringing along two 'Trunki Booster Pak' booster seats/backpacks.

For previous trips, we've bought a large 'Sunshine car seat bag' for the flights and for easier carrying.

Wow, was this a RCCL competition? What did you have to do for it?

Yes - Run through the RCCL facebook page, for Valentines Day. I had to tag my partner and say what sort of person he was (out of Aquatic adventurer, Adrenaline Junkie and Sight Seeker).

I wrote: "my husband of almost 10 years is definitely an Aquatic Adventurer. We met through the Kayaking club at university, and took our honeymoon onboard Freedom of the Seas in 2007. It would be beyond amazing to win this trip!! :) xx"

So really, not a huge amount to win such an amazing prize. There were 2,377 comments so to be the one person chosen is really mind-blowing. I've had people asking me for lottery numbers all day at work, which is kinda amusing as I must have used up a life-time's luck in winning this!

Thank you all - This will be my first time on Oasis. I'm interested to see how she measures up to Freedom and Liberty. My hubby has held the opinion since Oasis was built that she is too big, but I have been keen to sail on her!

I will look into St. John as that appears to be a popular excursion. I'd like to swim with dolphins if possible, though I'd prefer a wild swim. Not sure if there are any of those available though.

:D:D:D:D

I won their Valentine's day competition for a week's caribbean cruise on Oasis in 10 weeks time. I'm literally still reeling from the news and my luck (I found out yesterday and still waiting for it to sink in!)

Anyone got suggestions for their favourite excursions in Nassau, Charlotte Amelie and Phillipsburg? So much planning to do and so little time to do it in!!

Afternoon all,

I have a quick question regarding luggage tags. As it's been at a few years since my last cruise, I remember being able to get luggage tags at the port from the baggage handlers.

I'm sailing from Barcelona at the weekend.

Can anyone who has sailed recently let me know if that is still an option, or do I definitely need to print them at home before I go?

Thanks

22 days until my Adventure

I've sailed out of Barcelona a couple of times (both with weekend stays in the city before the cruise!)

I can thoroughly recommend the hotel Atlantis (http://www.hotelatlantis-bcn.com/) as comfortable, good value for money and spectacularly located at an easy 2-3minutes walk from Placa Catalunya (which is the main square, where the aerobus drops/picks up from, and where the tourbuses leave from and the biggest nexus terminal for the metro system)

For embarkation, we took the metro to drassanes and walked to the columbus monument and took the port bus - it was all very very easy and dropped us directly in front of the ship.

For disembarkation, the queue for the bus was very long, so we opted for a taxi up to placa catalunya and then took the aerobus to the airport.

I'm beyond gutted at this.

We too booked our upcoming cruise on the basis that they would have the Royal Tots nursery in by our sailing (October!) Our youngest will be 2 1/2 and will just miss out on the adventure ocean programme.

Once again, I feel let down by Royal Caribbean's promises and cut-backs.

This is a lovely thread!! I love reading about these beautiful memories and bonding experiences!

For me, the biggest one we've had was on our honeymoon cruise. We flew out from the UK to Miami, and met another couple on the shuttle bus to the pre-cruise hotel. We saw them again the next morning, and discovered they were also on their honeymoon.

When we arrived at our dining table, we were delighted to find them sat with us. We joked to our waiters that the last couple would be British honeymooners as well, so when they showed up the next night (they'd booked a speciality restaurant the first night I believe!) the waiters greeted them with the title 'the last honeymooners'. We found out that whilst they were British, they weren't on their honeymoon, or even married.

During the cruise we ate together and chatted long after our meals were finished, and became friends. On the 5th night, the remaining couple announced they'd just got engaged. We drank a toast, and generally had a good evening.

The last night we spent together after the meal, playing mini-golf by moonlight, drinking in the bars til really late, before meeting for breakfast the following morning.

We're still friends with both couples now, and I'd love to think that we'll cruise together again some day!! :)

Hiya,

Congratulations on your baby!

I think you have a lot of good advice given in regards to planning ahead and taking plenty of distraction toys and a stroller that can be slept in comfortably.

I would still be steralising bottles at that age. I'm not sure what the equivalent brand would be in the US, but here I would suggest taking a cold water steraliser with milton tablets or liquid. Also take washing up liquid and a bottle brush to clean the bottles and teats thoroughly in the sink.

I think most cafes would be able to provide you with boiling water for heating food and milk up, if your child needs that.

Also, Oasis has the royal nursery, which costs $8 an hour, but would allow you to take some additional time to yourselves if you needed.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise and anniversary! :) xx