Sorry - I didn't care for the Oasis!

[stones902]

I decided to do a mini review of our experience on the Oasis 11/24/12 sailing. Just for perspective my wife and I are 47 / 50 and have been on over 25 cruises (D+ on RCI). This was our first cruise on this class of ship. This is only my personal opinion - not necessarily what others may think of the ship.

 

Boarding / Debarkation - Extremely efficient! From arrival to processing maybe 15 minutes until you are ready to board. As opposed to other cruises your Seapass photo was taken at when you received your card as opposed to when you board the ship. Props to RCI on improvements to boarding. Debarkation was extremely efficient as well. We had a late flight so we waited to exit the ship until 9:30 AM. Really didn't have to wait in a significant line and we took advantage of luggage valet service for $20 pp. We didn't need to escort our luggage through customs and did not see the suitcases until Chicago! Well worth the $$$ IMHO.

 

Cabin - standard balcony was similar to other RCI ships. The old CRT style TV was replaced by a decent sized flat screen. You could access your bill, book dinners, etc via the TV in your cabin. Nightstands with drawers were replaced by shelves. For the ladies, a step bar was added to the clamshell shower (presumably to make leg shaving easier). Tip - I think it is important to locate your cabin near an elevator bank to ease navigation around the huge ship.

 

Crowds - unlike other comments I have read we definitely felt the crowds at times mostly in the promenade area. The weather on our trip wasn't great so that could be a possible explanation but we found the area to be quite congested most of the time. We didn't use the Windjammer but I heard many complaints about people being unable to find tables and crowding at the buffet stations.

 

Bars / Lounges - Spent considerable time in the Concierge Lounge (CL). It was a wonderful and comfortable room with a nice large window viewing the back of the ship. We ate breakfasts here as well as evening cocktails. They also offer a lunch menu. The Schooner (a staple on RCI ships) was disappointing as it is located in an interior area of the ship and lacked views of the ocean. It became quite loud as it had exposure to the crowded promenade are and all the activities going on there. I was disappointed with this area compared to other RCI ships. The Viking Crown Lounge (which is beautiful) was underutilized most of the week. Incidentally, a friend of ours who drinks house Pinot Grigio found that she was charged about $5 more for her glass of wine in the Viking Crown as opposed to other bars on board. The bar staff explained that this is because it is considered a "premium venue" on the ship. Dazzles was a pleasant surprise as they had a very good live band every night. Also a very nice venue with windows overlooking aft. Blaze nightclub was pretty small although the size of the club was perfectly adequate given the other nighttime activities on board. Boleros was hopping every night but is located right off the Promenade.

 

Dining - we ate most of our meals in the main dining room. They were very good and comparable with our experience on other ships. The only specialty restaurant we tried for dinner was the Solarium Bistro which we found excellent.

 

I am a cigar smoker and was disappointed with the ship with regard to these accomodations. The cigar louge was on Deck 17 (solarium bar) the first night and then in their regular location outside on deck 17 thereafter. The bartender objected to anyone sitting at the outdoor bar while smoking a cigar in this outdoor venue. Hello....it's a cigar bar! I thought they could find a better and permanent location for cigar smoker similar to the Connoisseur Club on Freedom class ships.

 

Sports Deck - the zip line, flowrider and rock climbing walls were cool. Other that doing these things once we really didn't need to go a 2nd time. Maybe a function of our age?

 

Boardwalk - a really neat area for kids but not much for people our age. Johnny Rockets and the Seafood Shack are located here.

 

General impressions - The ship is obviously designed for families as opposed to couples. Families with kids will find a number of things to do. We found the large crowds distracting. Didn't like the way lines were handled at Guest Services - multiple lines in front of each representative instead of "taking the next person in line". The layout of the ship is such that you don't get a nice ocean view from many of the public venues which we found not to our liking.

 

Hindsight is 20/20 and in retrospect I think it is important to plan your shows and specialty restaurants in advance moreso on this ship as opposed to others. We were not able to hit a couple of things we would have liked to because of our MTD reservation.

 

I heard a number of complaints from passengers based on their experience in the main dining room. In particular, I know of a couple of people who purposely booked a large table in order to meet other passengers. Because the ship has so many dining choices, they found themselves sitting at an empty table for 8 most evenings. I just mention this so that others will keep in mind when planning their dining for the week.

 

So to sum it all up - I'm glad we experienced the Oasis / Allure but would not book it again. We just found it a bit too large for our tastes and didn't care for some of the public venues as compared to other RCI ships we have sailed. I can see why other RCI cruisers really enjoy the ship as there is plenty to like but this was our experience.

[Reader0108598]

No Need to be sorry :)

 

Thank you for your honest review:)

 

We did Oasis in January and Allure last week . We liked Oasis better than Allure but don't think we will be doing either in the future unless we take the "kids" and Grand children.

 

Reader

[molly361]

Thanks for the review. We spent a bit of time in the Viking Crown but did not notice drink prices to be more than the other bars. We were not drinking wine however.

[JeffKoz]

So to sum it all up - I'm glad we experienced the Oasis / Allure but would not book it again. We just found it a bit too large for our tastes and didn't care for some of the public venues as compared to other RCI ships we have sailed. I can see why other RCI cruisers really enjoy the ship as there is plenty to like but this was our experience.

 

Could not agree more. She is a beautiful ship with wonderful amenities (especially for families with kids)...but...for personal preference I'll go smaller :)

[Verfai]

 

The Viking Crown Lounge (which is beautiful) was underutilized most of the week. Incidentally, a friend of ours who drinks house Pinot Grigio found that she was charged about $5 more for her glass of wine in the Viking Crown as opposed to other bars on board. The bar staff explained that this is because it is considered a "premium venue" on the ship.

 

Can somebody confirm this “extra premium venue” charge!? How was it placed or called on the bill??? I do find this outrages that they would charge an extra 5 Dollars for a drink there.

[kruzerci]

Thanks for the review. Not every class is for everyone, like most love the Radiance class, it was our least favorite. I guess that's why there's so many different classes of ships.

[Toddcan]

Although I would actually love to try Oasis class ship, I just cannot get past the cost. I would rather cruise 3 times on Freedom class, for every 2 times I could have cruised on Oasis class. It was the same way with the Mariner vs Liberty - until finally, Oasis came out, and Liberty costs dropped almost overnight - so we sailed Liberty.

 

I didn't win the Powerball, and I can only cruise when school is out, so cost is a big factor for me (#1, actually).

[johneeo]

Our favorite part of the ship was Central Park, and you had no mention of it.

 

Just curious if you spent any time there and your thoughts.

 

Thanx for the review.

[Retired LEO]

Excellent review and my thoughts exactly. Been there...Done that. We also won't be returning to the Oasis class. It's just not for us.

[printingchick]

THANK YOU! I had begun to feel like I was the ONLY one who didn't consider the mega-ship/resorts-at-sea to be the ultimate in cruise vacations. Like you, I want to SEE the SEA! I don't want to feel like I'm at a land-based resort. I want to KNOW I'm on a cruise! The glass elevators on the Radiance class, coupled with the outdoor dining at the Windjammer, make that my favorite class of ship. Ocean...ocean...ocean! Ahhhh...

 

I also like the Voyager class ships, but found even Freedom class to be a bit large for my taste. I thought the Promenade area was very crowded during special events, even on the Freedom class. Now that they have the Shrek characters appearing on the larger ships, it's clear they are aimed at FAMILIES. My "kids" are older now, and even they prefer the smaller ships.

 

I'm glad RCL has so many different classes. I just hope that the smaller vessels don't disappear as they are retired in the future. I suspect I will eventually find myself sailing with Celebrity, as they don't seem to be following the mega-ship direction.

[Let'sGo!]

No apologies necessary. I, for one, appreciate the honesty of your review!

 

We are set to sail on Oasis in May of next year, although I think we have both had our doubts about whether we will like it or not. I think it's simply a "get it out of our system" trip :).

 

On our last Serenade cruise we opted to eat all of our meals in either a specialty restaurant or the Windjammer, simply because the cruise was very port intensive (only one sea day). Turned out we really enjoyed the flexibility and casualness of it. But after all that I'm reading about the WJ on the Oasis and Allure, I'm thinking that may not be an option this time around!

 

Ann

[spookwife]

you have actually just reconfirmed our desire to never ever sail on her or any other ship of that class. Thank you for preventing us from second guessing.

 

not even a Crown Loft Suite can tempt us now......

[Aqua Room]

Its funny...i just got off the Allure and didnt even think of that - how you cant see the ocean really from throughout the ship.

 

We went as a couple (ages 28,29) and loved Allure - but I could totally understand the above opinions. I would definitely go on it again, but I do look forward to trying more and more.

[johneeo]

N

On our last Serenade cruise we opted to eat all of our meals in either a specialty restaurant or the Windjammer, simply because the cruise was very port intensive (only one sea day). Turned out we really enjoyed the flexibility and casualness of it. But after all that I'm reading about the WJ on the Oasis and Allure, I'm thinking that may not be an option this time around!

 

Ann

 

The only time I set foot in the WJ was for breakfast every day at 7:00 AM when it opened. No one there, and just about everything imagineable. Really enjoyed it.

 

There are so many other places for food, no need to do the WJ. I did Central Park, Solarium, and Promenade. Never made any of the other places.

 

My schedule for the Oasis was great, up at 5:00 AM, breakfast at 7, lunch about 11:00 or 11:30. MDR at 6.

[akcruz]

Another that feels there are no apologies needed. I firmly believe that everyone should try the ship for themselves to make a decision whether it fits their lifestyle or not.

 

While we definitely enjoyed our trip on Allure, and may do one more before the kids are older, we most likely will go on the smaller ships in the future.

 

RCI has a ship for everyone, and everyone needs to make their own decisions on what is the right one for them!

[cruiser-007]

There's a difference between an honest review and a negative review. Thank you for your honest review! One day I think we will try Oasis class when conditions are just right and the money factor fits in, still though any review I read is a big help. :)

[loman]

Thanks for the review. Not every class is for everyone, like most love the Radiance class, it was our least favorite. I guess that's why there's so many different classes of ships.

 

Me too , the Seranade was our least favorite . Didnt like the centrum style ship. I like the promanade . The bigger the better . If i want to see the ocean , i will go out on the balcony . The windjammer on the Oasis is a very busy place, but when we were on the Oasis in September , a crew member would greet you at the entrance and find a table for you, never took more than two minutes . We have been on four classes of ships and the Oasis is our favorite .It seems that RCI has something for everyone .

cheers !

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

Thanks for the review. Not every class is for everyone, like most love the Radiance class, it was our least favorite. I guess that's why there's so many different classes of ships.

 

I feel the same...Radiance was my least favorite so far. Small pool deck, could NOT find a lounge chair on a Sea Day, and I mean anywhere...it was not for me. Beautiful ship, but not for me.

[Toddcan]

THANK YOU! I had begun to feel like I was the ONLY one who didn't consider the mega-ship/resorts-at-sea to be the ultimate in cruise vacations. Like you, I want to SEE the SEA! I don't want to feel like I'm at a land-based resort. I want to KNOW I'm on a cruise! The glass elevators on the Radiance class, coupled with the outdoor dining at the Windjammer, make that my favorite class of ship. Ocean...ocean...ocean! Ahhhh...

 

 

Radiance class has an outdoor section to the WJ???? Why did I not know this? Our first cruise was on a small NCL ship that had outdoor dining section. It was the most perfect setting in which to eat breakfast.

 

How many Radiance class ships are there? I need to go to the website and research this more. :)

[BillOh]

Although I would actually love to try Oasis class ship, I just cannot get past the cost. I would rather cruise 3 times on Freedom class, for every 2 times I could have cruised on Oasis class. It was the same way with the Mariner vs Liberty - until finally, Oasis came out, and Liberty costs dropped almost overnight - so we sailed Liberty.

 

I didn't win the Powerball, and I can only cruise when school is out, so cost is a big factor for me (#1, actually).

 

Maybe the rumored third ship will force prices down. My first time on Allure the price dropped $300 from booking till sailing. My second time its stable price wise, but a long way to go before then. In late April/Early May the price differential isn't as much. I haven't sailed on a Royal class yet that I haven't loved. (Yet to do Vision class)

[BillOh]

Radiance class has an outdoor section to the WJ???? Why did I not know this? Our first cruise was on a small NCL ship that had outdoor dining section. It was the most perfect setting in which to eat breakfast.

 

How many Radiance class ships are there? I need to go to the website and research this more. :)

 

Search on Trainman's Jewel cruise around early April of this year for some photos. It was a great setting and usually had plenty of space available, even on embarkation day.

[sr4mjc]

I agree with you! Although I really did love Central Park on the Oasis and Allure. Not enough to book again though :)

[JeffKoz]

Radiance class has an outdoor section to the WJ????

 

Oh yes...it is a very nice area with comfortable seating and wonderful views. So many people do not know it is there, so finding a spot is usually very easy.

 

That is my personal favorite class and all of my next 3 sailings (including a transatlantic) are radiance class. I, like others, enjoying seeing the sea...and all the windows in the public areas allow me to enjoy that aspect.

[ilionite65]

you have actually just reconfirmed our desire to never ever sail on her or any other ship of that class. Thank you for preventing us from second guessing.

 

not even a Crown Loft Suite can tempt us now......

 

What a shame that you would let another person influence your choices! You will never know if you would like the ship or not, because, as you said, you will never sail her! Again, what a shame!

[Gracie115]

Well we are set to try Oasis this Saturday and my concerns are heightened due to your post.....am sure we will be fascinated by the ship for a few days anyway....but since our favorite ships are Celebrity's "S" class not sure how we will feel....but as my DH says....there are no bad cruises.....:)