Oasis of the Seas

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We are Diamond. Will be Diamond Plus at the conclusion of our Jan Navigator cruise. The only "no" we have had was being told our Oasis Comedy Club reservations were not enetered into the "system", so we were sent to the waiting line.

 

We were given two very good quality beach towels as gifts to Diamond members.

 

I honestly never felt like a second class citizen in the ship. I understand the suite guests do have perks we don't get. If I wanted those perks, I'd book a big suite, but the extra price isn't worth it to me. That's just me.

[stbrown]

when i was on Freedom you could get as many towels as you wanted the guy just scanned your card.

 

 

We were on the Freedom in March 2009 and they stated the same towel policey as Oasis this past week. When we returned in May 2009, they had changed the policy because of cruiser dissatisfaction. They scanned your seapass card and charged you if you failed to return them. We went back again in September 2009 and had a wonderful time. Oasis was our fifth RCCL this year. I was blindsided this past week on the Oasis with the return of limits and hardnosed staffers, even thought they still scan your seapass card. Doesn't make sense.:confused:

[Cruising89143]

We are Diamond. Will be Diamond Plus at the conclusion of our Jan Navigator cruise. The only "no" we have had was being told our Oasis Comedy Club reservations were not enetered into the "system", so we were sent to the waiting line.

 

We were given two very good quality beach towels as gifts to Diamond members.

 

I honestly never felt like a second class citizen in the ship. I understand the suite guests do have perks we don't get. If I wanted those perks, I'd book a big suite, but the extra price isn't worth it to me. That's just me.

 

For the price that ones pays for a suite, they do deserve the extra perks. This thread reminds me of why I refuse to take those C&A cruises. Too many Diamond and D+ on board that think that world revolves around them. I read far too many horror stories after the Freedom C&A cruise a few years back. To think that people actually act like this on a cruise was unbelieveable.:rolleyes:

[alexw]

Now I dislike some of these loyal royal members here on cruise critc. Theyre loyal to a line that has no loyalty to them and they bash anyone who says anything negative about the said brand.

 

However, a towel. a freaking towel. Youre upset about a freaking towel?

 

A towel ruined your cruise experience is almost laughable. My god, what would happen if you didnt receive a towel animal one day.

 

Some of you people are scary.

[stbrown]

It seems this site is more about criticizing the critic rather than exposing the shortfalls of the companies and cruises. Cruisers spend valuble time and money on their vacations and shouldn't be derailed by corporate and staffer inconsiderations. It's not about a towel. That's just one example. It's about loyalty to the customer. Perhaps the dots are just too far apart to connect for some of you. Or, maybe you just like being hateful.

[MickeyB426]

It seems this site is more about criticizing the critic rather than exposing the shortfalls of the companies and cruises. Cruisers spend valuble time and money on their vacations and shouldn't be derailed by corporate and staffer inconsiderations. It's not about a towel. That's just one example. It's about loyalty to the customer. Perhaps the dots are just too far apart to connect for some you.

 

Wrong. To you, it WAS about a towel. It's the first thing you mentioned. The dots aren't as far apart as one might think.

 

We're not criticizing the critic, we are criticizing the drama.

[dmwnc1959]

Then by all means, connect more dots for us. So far you have given us one dot, and a sad dot at that.

 

We have yet to hear ANY other examples of how you were treated like a second-class citizen...other than a towel ruined your cruise.

 

We'll be waiting.

[toxicfairy]

Note to self...pack a few beach towels! WOW problem solved for me ...LOL !

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Now I dislike some of these loyal royal members here on cruise critc. Theyre loyal to a line that has no loyalty to them and they bash anyone who says anything negative about the said brand.

 

.

 

Yet, those who really do like cruising on Royal Caribbean are villified because they DO like it and write postive comments about it. As you say, you dislike the Loyal to Royal bunch. Jimminy! You get criticized for being postive and you get criticized for being negative.

 

I happen to enjoy the Royal Caribbean cruise experience. If others hate it, that is their privilege. Most cruisers never read Cruise Critic anyway.

[dfa1]

I was told by multiple staffers and a supervisor that only Suite guests may receive extra towels poolside and in the Solarium, and that it was COMPANY POLICY. This was a problem on Independance and Freedom, but was changed because of complaints from diamond members, etc. It angers me that the policy made it to Oasis and that I had to go above the supervisors head to recieve an extra towel. I got my extra towel, but, it was no longer fun. Just one of the many NO's.

 

I am not trying to jump on the bandwagon and beat you up for having an opinion, but I've got to tell you that I'm a lowly Platinum Member & they asked me how many towels I needed and gladly accomodated me. They never told me "No," and were very friendly and did not hessitate to give me two. I'm sorry that this was not your experience.

[bwest the man]

We were on the Freedom in March 2009 and they stated the same towel policey as Oasis this past week. When we returned in May 2009, they had changed the policy because of cruiser dissatisfaction. They scanned your seapass card and charged you if you failed to return them. We went back again in September 2009 and had a wonderful time. Oasis was our fifth RCCL this year. I was blindsided this past week on the Oasis with the return of limits and hardnosed staffers, even thought they still scan your seapass card. Doesn't make sense.:confused:

 

if it's that important just take a towel from your room.:rolleyes:

easy solution to a simple problem instead of making a huge deal over a simple towel.

[alexw]

Yet, those who really do like cruising on Royal Caribbean are villified because they DO like it and write postive comments about it. As you say, you dislike the Loyal to Royal bunch. Jimminy! You get criticized for being postive and you get criticized for being negative.

 

I happen to enjoy the Royal Caribbean cruise experience. If others hate it, that is their privilege. Most cruisers never read Cruise Critic anyway.

 

Context is everything. I said i dislike some of the loyals. The term "some" means a lot in that instance. Dont twist words, youre not good at it.

[alphakitty]

Note to self...pack a few beach towels! WOW problem solved for me ...LOL !

 

Even easier way to solve the problem with less packing...go to the gym and grab a couple of the older, large yellow towels. No need to sign out or worry about returning. :)

[stbrown]

Getting to Oasis was easy, but parking was not covered. We check in online so we were on the ship in about 15 minuites. We walked on directly into the Promenade. What a wonderful first impression. The ship in incredible. The Diamond lounge is one floor up and has a balconey overlooking the Promenade. It's a great view. And the super-automatic espresso machine did a wonderful latte.

[stbrown]

The first night in My Time Dining was a bit comical and chaotic, but, the second night we had a great team that we were able to reserve for the rest of the cruise. We ate in the Solarium for lunch most days, which is were spend most of our time on all the ships. Giovanni's was good, but they fail to provide the desert that had been ordered two days earlier. Room service did a great job each morning for breakfast.

[stbrown]

The head liner the first night was bad, we left early and went to the Boardwalk. It's a great place and hard to believe it's on a cruise ship. We ended most nights on the Boardwalk having a milkshake at Johnny Rockets, and then walk back to our rooms through Central Park. This was my favorite part of the ship. It's has a wonderful atmosphere.

[stbrown]

The ice show was the best we've seen on the ships. Royal Caribbean really goes all out with their Broadway style of entertainment. Most of their shows run about 50 minuites, but, Hair Spray ran an hour and forty minuites including the ten minuite technical break. Theme of the cruise, "blah, blah... technical difficulties." As far as the Aqua-shows, the stunts were good and the tech is high, still needs something.

[stbrown]

We had a balcony room and the captain gave us a great view of a lagoon style beach with wooden cabanas. Turns our it was gated and availble to only the suite guests. They did allow us, with an escort, to walk down to the beach and take a picture of the ship. Labadee overall is a great little beach break, complete with roller coasters and zip lines, but the temperature hit 97 degrees and was almost unbearable. We did have a nice afternoon walk down the beach watching the zippers come down off the hill across the water.

[stbrown]

We like to work out everyday of the cruise and the gym is an important part of our cruise experience. On the Oasis, they have moved it down to the six floor and seperated the wet area from the workout area. The wet area is now part of the spa on the fifth floor. It is now availble to suite guests and spa patrons. We spend our afternoons in the Solarium. We love being able to stay through the day with food service just steps away. There are fewer shady spots however, and when I find one, I like to have an extra towel to throw on the chair someone else has been in the for the last couple of hours. On the first day I asked for an extra and the attendant refused. I walked across the deck and got my towels at a different stand. That afternoon, only the first stand was open to turn in the towels. The attendant apologized, as did her supervisor. On the last day of the cruise, the same two staffers refused me an extra towel. I had to get a customer service manager to contact the pool deck supervisor to get an extra towel.

[stbrown]

We like to work out everyday of the cruise and the gym is an important part of our cruise experience. On the Oasis, they have moved it down to the six floor and seperated the wet area from the workout area. The wet area is now part of the spa on the fifth floor. It is now availble to suite guests and spa patrons. We spend our afternoons in the Solarium. We love being able to stay through the day with food service just steps away. There are fewer shady spots however, and when I find one, I like to have an extra towel to throw on the chair someone else has been in the for the last couple of hours. On the first day I asked for an extra and the attendant refused. I walked across the deck and got my towels at a different stand. That afternoon, only the first stand was open to turn in the towels. The attendant apologized, as did her supervisor. On the last day of the cruise, the same two staffers refused me an extra towel. I had to get a customer service manager to contact the pool deck supervisor to get an extra towel.

 

 

So, If this kind of stupidity doesn't bother you. Than, by all means, go take a cruise on the Oasis. I hear there are hundreds of openings... LOL.

[alexkrn46]

We were in the balcony suite on the IOS in March, we had the towel police after us. I found it annoying. We were on the AOS in a GS, towels were not a problem.

 

I see that if I want the type of service I have been granted on previous cruises I have to book a GS or greater.

 

What I found in the Suite.

 

A. I could order room service any time.

B. Get as many towels as I wanted.

C. Got chocolates on my bed.

D. Access to the concierge lounge.

 

These were all types of services we had enjoyed as a regular cruiser or Diamond Member.

 

Now I find that the beach we have enjoyed in Labadee is suites only.

That you have to make reservations to enjoy dining in many venues and shows.

 

So I can understand how a towel issue can be annoying and disturbing. We can book a suite on any cruise line ( we have on NCL) and enjoy these services for a cheaper rate.

 

While the Oasis seems like quite a ship, when I am on vacation, I don't want to worry about towels ( It reminds me of a very cheap motel), worry about dinner reservations, or pay extra to enjoy services I had enjoyed free.

[dmwnc1959]

stbrown, your last collection of comments were quite nice and informative. THANKS for sharing your experiences.

 

That last description of why you wanted a 2nd towel now makes more sense, and maybe staff should be made available to wipe down sweaty Solarium lounge chairs when vacated? I have seen it done it land-based workout centers and plasma donation centers, why not on a cruise ship? It only takes 10 seconds.

 

Overall it would be interesting to see how you rated the 'complete' 4-day OASIS experience, understanding such a 'first revenue cruise' poses some hiccups.

[Sam & Soph]

Just seems to me it is a lot easier to become a Diamond or Diamond + member if you live in or are close to Florida/California. (Or a travel agent.) Why the complaining about a towel. How about throwing in that airfare that the rest of the country has to put out. Not all of us are retired with a great pension plan that wasn't stollen. We just save for the next time to get a relaxing vacation from the cold. Stay warm everyone and have a great week!

[4everafter]

I just got home from the same cruise - I am D and I was in a suite and I didn't notice ANYONE getting special treatment outside the 4 walls of the CL. and I came home with 4 towels - charged for 6!! I still had a great time even though I went to all of the shows on standby and I got turned away at the comedy club because I couldn't reserve a spot. It seemed like everyone had D pins on, don't feel cheated out of anything - surely you found most of the cruise enjoyable ???

[Grandeur]

I just got home from the same cruise - I am D and I was in a suite and I didn't notice ANYONE getting special treatment outside the 4 walls of the CL. and I came home with 4 towels - charged for 6!! I still had a great time even though I went to all of the shows on standby and I got turned away at the comedy club because I couldn't reserve a spot. It seemed like everyone had D pins on, don't feel cheated out of anything - surely you found most of the cruise enjoyable ???

 

Marcia,

 

Way to make the best of your cruise!! I am curious, what did they charge per towel? Also you said this is Diamond month. Hope they don't run out of stuff by the 12th. Did you see much of Brenda and Jan?