BobNoxious

with the ports, please advise if it is still a S#$%-Show with getting off the ship.  I have never seen such chaos on any ship as I did this year on Oasis.   Each port stop, including Coco Cay, involved lines that wrapped around the ship to get off.

Yup, I got one excursion in.   Just trying to research some, and sometimes can't even get to the descriptions.

Having difficulties this morning.     Getting the "Oh ship!  Something went wrong, we couldn't find the page you were looking for."   and the dreaded "call us" when trying to add to cart.   Anyone else?

On 7/30/2023 at 10:26 AM, MD_Dan said:

After ten RCL cruises in inside staterooms (one with a virtual balcony), we've booked a balcony on Allure in November.  We're looking forward to breakfast on the balcony; sunrise/sunsets; and some quiet times there.  But I had a few questions ...

 

1. I've read online about putting up a hammock.  Any advice on this (pro or con)?  Are the balcony supports strong enough to hang it?

 

2. Are the curtains dark enough to not wake me at the crack of dawn?  Remember ...  We are used to inside staterooms?  Or should we just embrace the balcony sunrise and leave the curtains open all night!  What do you do?

 

3. Are headphones suggested or can we play music at a reasonable volume?

 

Any other advice for a balcony newbie?

Thanks!!

Being that this is your first balcony, and it is an Oasis class ship - did you book a specific balcony that is OCEAN VIEW or did you book a "we pick the room" balcony?   If it is the latter, your "balcony sunrise" may be an amusement park carousel on the boardwalk!

Cabin number and we can let you know.   The sleeping situation would be the easiest, while the bathroom and closet situation may not be!    Price out an interior room across the hall for 3rd/4th vs them being in the same room.

On 8/1/2023 at 10:55 AM, BirdTravels said:

Why would you do that?

Because ROYAL asks it in a question on the survey:   "Has any cruise member requested a positive rating, and if so... who?"   I let Royal know who is specifically asking their customers for positive reviews.   It is ok for staff to remind customers of the survey - but not to solicit a specific rating.   

3 hours ago, mugtech said:

The only ones I do not give 10's are the ones who ask for it.

Me too!   I actually call them out by name so that Royal knows that they are soliciting 10's from customers.   

21 hours ago, NC State said:

We will be sailing next month on the Mariner (FL) for 6 nights. Our dinner menus popped up at the 3 weeks out date.  Checked yesterday and now the "free lobster" is no longer on the menu. (I know it's not free but just part of the fair.) Someone in my FB group said that RC is no longer offering it "free" on any sailings under 7 nights.  Is this true? 

Truth.    You can pretend your cruise cost $16.99 more per person and then order the Lobster Tail with your dinner and pretend it is included in the cost of the cruise.

cruisedeckplans is great!

On 7/25/2023 at 7:56 AM, handbellplayer said:

I have our passport renewal forms completed and ready to mail.  We cruise November 2 on Mariner, visiting Coco Cay, Nassau, and Cozumel.  I wanted to renew, since our passports expire 5/7/2024, so almost exactly six months later.  My husband read an article this morning about renewals taking up to six months.  Should we wait and renew after the cruise (and break the six months rule)  or send them in and risk travelling with only a BC and DL?

When does your cruise end?  The below link from Royal says passports to expire at least 6 months AFTER your cruise (not at the START)?  I would bring birth certificates too, just in case.     Here is where it says "after" here:  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/travel-documents#:~:text=We highly recommend that all,I am a U.S. Citizen%3F

37 days door to door for Expediated for me:    I sent mine out on Tuesday June 20, 2023 and received my new passport (expedited extra $60) on July 27, 2023.

In the Solarium area, is there anywhere for direct sun (like the front sun deck on Oasis) or is it all enclosed in glass?

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

 

Is Harmony suddenly different from other Oasis class ships? Adult comedy was reserved pre-cruise with all the other shows on Wonder for last month.

I has on Harmony at end of covid - so I used my Oasis experience from a few weeks ago:  I was just on Oasis and only ice show, cats, and aqua were preboard.  Comedy was on ship.    Regardless, OP has never been on Oasis class - so it will be good advice to prereserve.     

54 and 61 here.  We loved Harmony.   It is bigger, so you MUST pre-reserve your big shows (aqua, ice show, grease) before your cruise (watch the app).   Then, when you board, you reserve the other shows (comedy, etc) first thing.  Then, you also reserve your dining package restaurants first thing.     You can see it is important to get an early boarding time - so be sure to "check in" the day that opens up as well.   As for crowds - it will be a LOT more people, but there is a LOT more to do - so it will be very spaced out in the evening (some are at shows, some are at the music hall, some are at Karaoke, some at Piano bar, others at boleros, etc...)      Definitely see Grease on board... it is just AWESOME!     Enjoy the Central Park area for coffees (park cafe) and drinks (outdoor trellis bar) and evening entertainment.   

For good pool deck food on Oasis, head over to the Portside BBQ at the rear port of the ship on the pool deck.   Go around 11:30/11:45 to beat the lunch rush.  For like $10-$15 pp it is an incredible selection of BBQ.  There is a country singer that plays there at 12:00pm - so stick around inside and watch - or eat your BBQ at bar height eating just outside the Air Conditioned restaurant.   Pool clothes welcome here (wear a t-shirt with your swimsuit).

you will know the week of.   If you want something close to what you are looking for, google the Royal Caribbean Blog site that has the Cruise Compasses for previous Oasis sailings.

you are on a ship.

on the ocean.

there is no local grocery store.

Resort hotels charge $5/bottle, so you are getting a deal!

On 5/18/2023 at 7:51 AM, Saturngrl said:

There are a few daybeds by the pool and loungers in the pool.  They fill quickly, so be among the first off your ship to snag one.  There are other sitting areas farther away and plenty of loungers on the beach.  

 

Lunch reservations started with an 11:00 time slot.  We arrived early enough to get an 11:30 slot.  I don't know how late they go. 

 

Hope this helps. 

 

Did you walk there or take the shuttle around island there?   (I want to be one of the first, and I am looking for the quickest way).

Can Izumi Hibachi (Oasis) only be reserved at Izumi, or can I go to any restaurant?   I thought I read all restaurants can make your reservations for you when you board, EXCEPT Izumi Hibachi which requires you to go there in person.    Is this still the case?

On 5/31/2023 at 7:50 PM, colesc15 said:

Oh I agree. Their wings were generally cheaper than most land based places. 

that is because you already PAID for lunch each day in your cruise fare.   This should be just the "extra" charge to change your meal to wings.

On Oasis, what specialty restaurants are open for lunch on embarkation day?

On 5/31/2023 at 6:38 AM, A&L_Ont said:

They probably let their kids swim in the pools with swim diapers on too. 

I've been on a cruise on a hot sunny sea day after a kid had a #2 "accident" in the pool.   Hours of cleaning for that now out-of-commission pool.  Now, I report parents who let their kids in pool with swim diapers and have them removed from the pool.   Ditto for adults in diapers too!

It seems that the folks that complain / get upset most about chair hogs are the ones who sleep in and expect a poolside chair late in the morning / early afternoon.    I wake up early, get my chair at 7:30/8am and eat my breakfast by the pool while my wife sleeps in.    Always works for me.     Also, there are plenty of chairs on the upper deck for those who enjoy sleeping in.

On 5/29/2023 at 10:24 AM, BLAMBKY said:

We absolutely enjoy the BIG ships & all their entertainment but I am ready for different ports. Looking at possibly the Canada/New England routes but they seem to be older/smaller ships. Do you spend more time in ports making the ship less important, more about transporting? I would appreciate hearing others opinions/experiences. Thanks!

Liberty of the Seas doing the Canada/NE route.    Also, Oasis on it right now (may 28).

The pricing and "sales" have always been like that.  I remember a website with "fish" in the name that used to price out all the cruises and graph them for you daily.    I've heard of a newer one with "plum" in the name but have not yet tried.