OASIS - June 25th Review

[Sugar*Magnolia]

This Review will be a work in progress over a few days I hope to keep you entertained and that you check back.

 

A little about Team K; we are a family of 4. Me, DH, DD/22 and DS/18. We booked this back in the beginning of 2010. This was our 12th (& the kids 10th or 11th) cruise. Most of our cruises we have left from the NY/NJ area leaving the hassle of flying behind.

 

DS chose Oasis for his HS Graduation celebration cruise, so off we go to Ft Lauderdale. We flew in the day before and I made plans to see my friend aka “Birthday Sister” who I hadn’t seen in 30 yrs. We stayed at the “Hotel Rennaisance Ft Lauderdale Cruise Port Hotel”- a $17 taxi ride from the airport, very nice hotel and a 2 minute ride to the port (Port Everglades). We made arrangements at the hotel for a taxi ($6.00pp and DH gave them a $5 or $10 tip) to the port. We also booked them to take us to the Courtyard Marriot on our return (we booked a room for the day since our flight home wasn’t until 5:30pm). DH called them when we disembarked and they were there in 2 minutes.

 

DH and I stayed in a D1 (10198, a balcony hump-cabin) and our kids stayed across the hall in a C2 (10197, a Central Park balcony). Both cabins were excellent locations. Our D1 balcony had a table and 3 chairs. The table is so much better then a short and small side table we're accustomed to on the Voyager class.

 

Just a cool night shot of Ft Lauderdale.

 

Embarkation couldn’t be smoother; we were on board by 11:30. (yeah, okay maybe I should mention this... I remove my belt- take off my shoes, do everything Im asked. Not concealing or smuggling anything, but there I am setting off the alarms, and yes I had to be "wanded") :)

 

 

 

We checked on our cabin at noon and since our cabin attendant was finished he let us in. We left our carry-on’s behind, locked the door and were off exploring. We stopped in to look at Cup Cakes!

 

 

 

Outside Regalia, I loved these pretty sea horses.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

We stopped in to IZUMI to change our reservation time and to make sure they could accommodate preparing our sushi rolls using soy paper. When I saw a picture posted on a thread here on cc (a few weeks back) of Izumi I had commented that I thought the décor could have been more reflective of Asian style- I take that comment back, lol I do believe Izumi has great asian style.

 

 

 

 

A first look at Central Park

 

 

 

[KayJay4]

Great review so far - thanks! I will be on the 6th August sailing so this is really getting me ready for my cruise!!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Oasis Boardwalk, a First look~

 

Agreed, pretty innovative, but personally I wouldn’t miss it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although Oasis is huge, we found it very easy to navigate. It never seemed a far walk anywhere.

 

There were times the ship seemed crowded and times it didnt.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Later tonight, these seats will be filled. And......it will rain and storm on our show!

 

 

 

We made it to Johnny Rockets for breakfast twice, but passed on it for lunch.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Great review so far - thanks! I will be on the 6th August sailing so this is really getting me ready for my cruise!!

Thank you!

 

You will love Oasis! Stay tuned for more pictures!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

First Visit to Park Café

Featuring, The Infamous and Raved About Roast Beef Sandwich!

 

 

And Delicious Salads

DD’s 3 Cheese Pannini

 

 

And Potato Leek soup

 

 

 

Always crowded, but we were always able to get a table. Tables are also very close together. Between indoor and outdoor seating the tables turned pretty quickly. The flavored water, okay, the Mango flavored water is really good. I didnt taste the others.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

We stopped into Chops

 

 

 

Then up to Viking Crown Lounge

 

 

 

 

 

We knew that the Viking Crown Lounge was the only indoor lounge on board to afford a nice view of the ship and outdoors.

 

 

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Pear Melon Martini

 

 

 

Welcome Aboard Gift

 

 

Muster is totally painless! We were in Studio B.

 

 

The Chapel is beautiful.

 

 

[Sugar*Magnolia]

We began Sail Away in the cool comfort of Viking Crown lounge.

 

 

 

 

 

Ciao Ft. Lauderdale, Sea ya’ soon!

 

Then some of us from roll call met up at the Sky bar. It wasn't a very active roll call and other then our pretty faces, some of us were going on hope to recognize each other. There was an alternate private group to post a pic, but that wasnt too popular either. Any way, it was great to meet those that showed up. Shout out to Tim & Chrissa for the t shirt! That was super nice of you guys!

[Cruising89143]

Very nice photos. We watched you sail out of FLL as we left the next day on the Allure.

[DonnaK]

Loving you review! Cant wait to read more!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Very nice photos. We watched you sail out of FLL as we left the next day on the Allure.

 

Hey, I thought that was you waving!

:):D

[Sugar*Magnolia]

We chose My Time Dining (MTD) for this cruise. We have always gone traditional-late seating and although I prefer that over early/main I still always wished there could be a compromise. I want to start dining at 7:30 every evening! Voila, MTD showed up on board RCI ships. Although available on our Dec 2010 14 night holiday cruise, we still opted for late. This time around, going on Oasis and having to prebook your shows and entertainment, it forced us into trying MTD.

 

The first night of MTD is not organized. There are 2 lines and both pax with and without reservations wait on either line. We waited around 15 minutes (I was not patient at the beginning and wanted to know why there weren’t separate lines. This is so where DH and I complement each other, he is calm, cool and collected- Me, not so much. This all changes the second night and there are separate lines and MTD runs fabulously!) We were first being shown to a table in an area at the far back that I didn’t like. Before he even got us to the table, I expressed how that wouldn’t work, we turned to a table for four that overlooked the deck below and asked if that would work and we were happily seated there for the rest of the cruise – with the same wait staff, and at the same time (except for the nights we went to Izumi and Chops). MTD for us was the best experience ever!

 

I can add here, after reading a few reviews prior to this sail that said the MDR food was only so-so, I had no expectations of anything but not-so-good fare. Boy was I surprised. The food in the MDR during MTD for us was way beyond good. I wont say excellent, but totally surprised it was so very, very good.

 

Unlike my last review where I posted pictures of every plate of food that graced our table of 6, along with a post-it note hand written description, this time the food porn is sporadic.

 

 

Yum! Vidalia Onion Tart

 

Fruit, something or other

 

 

 

Oh!!! And it was our anniversary!!

[RaiderFaninNM]

Great so far!

 

Love the pictures, we are also planning a graduation cruise for our son in 3 years, his idea, on the Oasis, no doghouse on her? I agree in that the food on the MDR was very good I found and looked forward to dinner every night, keep it coming!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

TONIGHT we had reservations for Oasis of Dreams. Here are just a few pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sugar*Magnolia]

 

 

 

 

The mad escape from the rain.

 

 

 

 

We all enjoyed the show, despite the rain and having to exit and take cover. DD and I being somewhat more critical of the performance thought the synchronization was off and the majority was more a gymnastics program rather then a dive show. Well, we could have been mistaken, because we were expecting more of a dive show. We did love the diving at the end. Okay, DD and I were just picking it apart, it was truly wonderful and very, very enjoyable! Everyone seeing this show will enjoy it. Loved the Red Bull divers. Make reservations, arrive at least 30 minutes prior to show time- and try to get the comfy chairs or you will be sitting on the benches.

 

I think we went back to the cabin shortly after this performance. Oh, Day one- we could not get the cabin water to cool. (Day 2 we immediately called Guest services and it was fixed)

[LABCHICK]

Loving your review so far. We will be sailing on her Dec. 10. Love seeing all the pictures. Keep it coming.

 

Judi :)

[sleepymom101]

I am loving your review - especially the pictures. My daughter was in charge of taking pictures so they are sporadic. (If I were in charge there would have been none). We had a fabulous time - wonderful waitress in the dining room - say hi to Alana in the main dining room and follow her recommendations, she was always right! She even brought my daughter the dish she ordered one night plus the dish she recommended so that she could try both. My daughter agreed that Alana's choice was the winner. Our room steward was fabulous as well. Only had towel animals two of the nights (budget cutbacks? or maybe you will have to pay on your sea card if you want them more often. who knows?) We had a ocean view balcony room that was wonderful. I brought a bunch of stuff along that had been recommended on the boards - really used the extension/more outlet strip and the over the door hanger thing for the bathroom. I brought a lot of crystal light but ended up not using it because the flavored waters were so good even though they were not available everywhere. Thanks to the boards we were on the ship by 11:15 and eating our roast beef sandwiches by 12. ( My husband went to school in Buffalo and he said the park cafe sandwiches were better than the beef on weck that is a Buffalo specialty. That seeded/salted roll is called a kimmelweck - don't know why) We (except for my vegetarian daughter) thought they were fabulous. Ask for the horseradish instead of the mustard. Absolutely full sailing but never waited more than a minute or two to get a table at Windjammer and Park Cafe. It was great that my almost 18-year old son could go to the midnight shows if he were so inclined. We saw all of the shows except for Headliner. Reservations ahead are a real help but you still have to get there 20-30 minutes early to get the best seats.

I signed up for the boot camp program at the gym. It was tough but I felt better about dessert afterward. Gym is crowded in the morning but empties out as the day goes on. What I didn't like was that included in the boot camp was a body composition analysis, after which they tried to sell me a line of "detoxifying products to release the water and fat I am retaining". Luckily, my husband reminded me that we had bought these products on a long-ago cruise and they were pretty worthless.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

The cabin - - as mentioned in many other reviews and live threads, the outlets are located under the ever-so-tiny desk area. This was an epic fail, but I heard it was corrected on Allure. Also, we felt there was not enough storage at all – and, the safe shrunk! How can it hold your valuables if it is getting smaller? It didn’t affect us, we had a laptop lock for the laptop and locked other stuff in a suitcase. Also, no pullout clothesline in the shower.

 

 

 

Note: I realize I titled this with the wrong sail date...it should be 6/25 - anyone want to change it feel free (moderator).

 

Ah, my favorite, a Sea day!

 

DH and I had breakfast at Johnny Rockets. I had scrambled eggs (which are the same as on windjamer buffet or if they are ordered in the MDR, they are not fresh eggs scrambled to order), DH had over easy. Nothing to elaborate on. DD and I checked out the Coach store, (to my surprise) they had a very nice selection.

 

 

 

Then off to watch DS boogie board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sugar*Magnolia]

DD and I were going to have a cupcake tasting challenge, but we ended up only sharing these 2 on the first sea day. Oasis = so much to do so little time…

 

#1 Red Velvet with Cream cheese Frosting

 

 

#2 Apple Pie cupcake with a sweet cream and cinnamon frosting (If I remember correctly)

 

 

Sorrento’s – the busiest place on the promenade when folks return from excursions.

 

 

Random shot of Rising Tide Bar

 

 

Diamond Lounge

 

[Nancynurse]

Thanks for all of the great info and the review! We board this beauty in less than two weeks!

 

Nancy

[cruzkitty]

CruiseDiva-Wonderful review! I am really enjoying your Review and the pictures! I'll be sailing on her soon. Did you eat at Chops?

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Thanks for all of the great info and the review! We board this beauty in less than two weeks!

 

Nancy

 

Thanks for the nice comments! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

 

(BTW- I just saw you are from Sarasota, my best friend who I grew up with here in the northeast lives there!

[Sugar*Magnolia]

CruiseDiva-Wonderful review! I am really enjoying your Review and the pictures! I'll be sailing on her soon. Did you eat at Chops?

 

Thanks for the nice comments! Yes, we did eat at Chops. It was amazing! Stay tuned for pictures, I think it was day 6.