Oasis Questions

[Newbcruiser1]

We (my parents, who have not cruised since the late 70's, and myself, who has cruised on RCI twice in the last couple years although never on the Oasis) have recently booked our next cruise on the Oasis in February. We are compulsive planners, like many others here on Cruise Critic and just have some random questions.

 

My parents would like to know where smoking IS permitted? We are aware of many places it's not allowed, including our CP balcony, but they would like to know where they may smoke.

 

Are there self-serve frozen yogurt machines, and if so, where?

 

What time do check-in and boarding generally start?

 

Which dining time is best (or MTD?) to work around all of the shows, etc? They are travelling as part of a group who have early seating, and with friends who do not know when they wish to eat, therefore might break off from the group and select MTD. Are reservations required on the Oasis for MTD or can we just show up? On the Explorer last year we were unable to get tables without having reservations unless we showed up at 9pm!

 

Does Izumi have take-out for a quick snack?

 

Any other tips would also be much appreciated! Thanks in advance! :)

[househunter]

We (my parents, who have not cruised since the late 70's, and myself, who has cruised on RCI twice in the last couple years although never on the Oasis) have recently booked our next cruise on the Oasis in February. We are compulsive planners, like many others here on Cruise Critic and just have some random questions.

 

My parents would like to know where smoking IS permitted? We are aware of many places it's not allowed, including our CP balcony, but they would like to know where they may smoke. We are not smokers but I do know that they can smoke in Boleros, at the bar at the Schooner Bar and on one side of the deck at a pool bar. Smoking is not permitted at any of the pools no matter what side of the ship. I think there may be one other place too?

 

Are there self-serve frozen yogurt machines, and if so, where? We saw several in the pool area kind of in the middle of the ship. There was also some in the Wipe out Cafe.

 

What time do check-in and boarding generally start? We got to the ship at about 11:15 and were onboard by 11:30! This is very typical of what others have been reporting too.

 

Which dining time is best (or MTD?) to work around all of the shows, etc? They are travelling as part of a group who have early seating, and with friends who do not know when they wish to eat, therefore might break off from the group and select MTD. Are reservations required on the Oasis for MTD or can we just show up? On the Explorer last year we were unable to get tables without having reservations unless we showed up at 9pm! We ate at about 7-8 every night and were able to see all of the shows except for the headliner show which we were not interested in. There are afternoon and late night times as well as the normal evening ones. I would make reservations for all of your shows online as soon as they become available and then book your meals around them. Most were sold out by the time we got on the ship. Also make your specialty dining reservations early! We only ate in the main dining room twice during the cruise but would have liked to go to Chops a 2nd time. They were fully booked by Tuesday.

 

Does Izumi have take-out for a quick snack? The prices there are all ala'carte. We got sushi to go once to eat on our balcony.

 

Any other tips would also be much appreciated! Thanks in advance! :)

 

Hope this helps!

[Newbcruiser1]

Thanks for the reply! :)

 

Does anyone know of anywhere else they can smoke? What would be the closest to our forward CP cabin (we're on deck 12)? Closest to the dining room?

[EmTeeNesters]

Does anyone know of anywhere else they can smoke?

 

Check out the "Notes" located at www.cruisedocs.com. I found this there:

 

The Portside of Deck 15(Pool Deck) is for smoking. There is an area up on Deck 16 (Suites Outdoor Bar) that is for smokers too (in one area). Smokers also have the Port side of the Casino. The Starboard side is reserved for non smokers.

[househunter]

Check out the "Notes" located at www.cruisedocs.com. I found this there:

 

 

However you can only smoke at the bar on the port side of deck 15, not the whole deck and not at the pools at all which is good!