canuckcruiselover Posted December 16, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 16, 2013 We are two young seniors and just returned yesterday from our 10th RCCL cruise and first on the Oasis. Embarkation Flying from Toronto in December the day of the cruise would not have been my first choice but we couldn’t make it work to arrive a day before. Fortunately, there were no problems. Our flight left Toronto at 7:40 am and arrived in FLL around 11:00 am. We managed with just two carry-on suitcases which saved a lot of time at the airport. With a stop in the cab to pick up 2 bottles of wine from Total Wine, we were on the ship by noon. We found the check-in experience to be extremely professional, fast and well-organized. RCCL really has it down to a fine art. The Ship As so many have said before, the Oasis is an amazing engineering marvel and really is a floating city. Even my husband, an engineer, was in awe. I don’t know whether it’s the sheer size or better stabilizers than other ships we’ve been on, but even when the Captain announced that we had 12-ft swells, I only felt some slight rocking. The Stateroom We were in Room 8592 – beginning of the hump on the starboard side which is also the side where the ship docks on the Western route. I expected a smaller room than usual but it was more than adequate. However, in my opinion, the hump is overrated and not worth paying extra for the few extra feet of depth on the balcony. The Food With so many food venues included in the price, we didn’t do any specialty restaurants. We had dinner in the Main Dining Room 3 nights and in the Windjammer on the other nights. Stand-outs for us were the beef tenderloin in the WJ and the braised beef duo and lamb shanks in the MDR. The service in the MDR was very fast and we were in and out in 45 minutes or so. We were at a table for two and, according to the server; the small tables get priority service. The WJ is a lot smaller than on other ships and seemed to have less variety and less stations but we always managed to find something we liked. However, I love Indian food and was disappointed in the fewer choices available. We had some pizza slices from Sorrentos a few times and thought they were very good. I particularly liked the chicken/avocado and chicken/potato pizzas. We only ate breakfasts in Johnny Rockets and the Park Café. We tried the much-raved-about roast beef sandwiches in the Park Café but I really don’t know what all the fuss is about. To us, anyway, it was nothing special. Entertainment For us, the entertainment really made this cruise spectacular. Usually, DH and I sit on the side of an aisle at the back of the theatre so we can make a quick get-away which is usually 10 minutes into a show on other ships. This time, we watched every show in its entirety and agree with everyone else who loved the entertainment. All the shows were outstanding. Even the Belly Flop competition was a whole new experience in the aquatheatre. It was a riot and being able to see the entrants underwater was fun. We didn’t go to any of the parades or dance venues. We really liked the fact that there is so much to do, that there were never times when we felt bored. Usually, after day 4, my DH is ready to leave but not this time. The Casino Because the casino is “split” into two halves for smoking and non-smoking, it didn’t seem particularly big and there seemed to be more tables than usual. I found the machines to be very tight and the selection pretty boring – a lot of machines I’ve never seen before and not enough new ones. I didn’t hear any big win announcements either. As a smoker, even I found the smoking side really bad at times. With no more indoor smoking venues, a lot of smokers were in the casino just sitting or standing around. On a windy or rainy day, there really isn’t anywhere else to smoke. It is going to be a lot worse after January 1st. And, yes, the dining room on Deck 4 does smell of smoke close to the entrance. Internet This was the first sailing with the upgraded internet and the connection was excellent – much faster than we’ve experienced in the past. DH was very impressed. Ports We’ve been to Labadee a few times so we stayed on the ship and enjoy the pool to ourselves. We had a wonderful relaxing day. Even on sea days, though, there were always lots of loungers available near the pools. We walked around the fenced area at Falmouth and bought a few things and spent the afternoon outside on the ship until the clouds rolled in. It rained on and off the rest of the day. Cozumel is by far my favourite port. We were invited to a VIP BBQ at Playa Mia with about 60 other guests (courtesy of Club Royale). It was a wonderful day with a gourmet BBQ and host bar. I stopped in the pharmacy in the port on the way back to buy Retin-A cream – much cheaper than in Canada! My only “complaint” Some of the venues are way too small for the number of passengers, particularly On Air and Comedy Live. There were several occasions when we tried to go to On Air to watch Karaoke but it was packed every time. Some guests carried in extra chairs from the promenade and plonked themselves down in front of others who were probably there an hour before to get a decent seat! The best tip I read on CC was to type the week’s schedule day by day with the itinerary and pre-booked show times. I taped it onto a small card (two sides) and carried it with my seapass. It was very helpful. Would I cruise on the Oasis class again? I don’t know how many passengers were onboard but the ship never felt crowded. Sometimes we had to wait a bit for an elevator but it wasn’t terrible. For us, the ship is the destination and I really don’t think I would enjoy the other ships as much any more. There are so many more choices on the Oasis – neighbourhoods, food and entertainment – that really do put it in a class all by itself. I have a serious case of PCD. Can’t wait to try the Allure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Familygoboston Posted December 16, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Thanks for your review! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarajean1962 Posted December 16, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Great review!:D. Glad you guys had an awesome time! Tara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INmitch Posted December 16, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Why is it going to be worse after January 1st? What's changing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted December 16, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Why is it going to be worse after January 1st? What's changing? No more smoking on balconies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INmitch Posted December 16, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Is this on all the RCCL ships? Or just the Oasis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted December 16, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Is this on all the RCCL ships? Or just the Oasis? All. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 16, 2013 #8 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Is this on all the RCCL ships? Or just the Oasis? Fleetwide starting Jan 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INmitch Posted December 16, 2013 #9 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Well that's just friggin great.:mad: I'm a smoker and my very most favorite thing is getting up early sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and a few smokes while we come into port. AOS Feb 23rd may be my last cruise. I'm sitting here steaming!!! Hadn't heard anything about it. Sorry didn't mean to hijack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted December 16, 2013 Author #10 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Well that's just friggin great.:mad: I'm a smoker and my very most favorite thing is getting up early sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and a few smokes while we come into port. AOS Feb 23rd may be my last cruise. I'm sitting here steaming!!! Hadn't heard anything about it. Sorry didn't mean to hijack. I see you only recently joined Cruise Critic so you missed the many threads on the subject. If you do a search on "smoking" you will find them all . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 16, 2013 #11 Share Posted December 16, 2013 Well that's just friggin great.:mad: I'm a smoker and my very most favorite thing is getting up early sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and a few smokes while we come into port. AOS Feb 23rd may be my last cruise. I'm sitting here steaming!!! Hadn't heard anything about it. Sorry didn't mean to hijack. I believe they announced the policy change back in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knittedcabin Posted December 17, 2013 #12 Share Posted December 17, 2013 thank you for the review. I am so looking forward to our time on Oasis in Feb. I did have a quick question. As a person who freely admits to having no sense of direction was it difficult known which side of the ship you where on? I have visions of having to walk a complete circle to get to my room on deck 8 :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted December 17, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted December 17, 2013 thank you for the review. I am so looking forward to our time on Oasis in Feb. I did have a quick question. As a person who freely admits to having no sense of direction was it difficult known which side of the ship you where on? I have visions of having to walk a complete circle to get to my room on deck 8 :confused: I don't think anyone has a worse sense of direction than me and I found the Oasis surprisingly easy to get around -- much easier than on other ships in fact. Signs are everywhere. I did take a print-out with me of deck 8 but it's really not a long walk from one end of Central Park to the other if you are on the wrong end -- it's not the length of the ship. I also had a picture of the Park Cafe in my head so I always knew that our room was on the opposite side :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knittedcabin Posted December 17, 2013 #14 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I don't think anyone has a worse sense of direction than me and I found the Oasis surprisingly easy to get around -- much easier than on other ships in fact. Signs are everywhere. I did take a print-out with me of deck 8 but it's really not a long walk from one end of Central Park to the other if you are on the wrong end -- it's not the length of the ship. I also had a picture of the Park Cafe in my head so I always knew that our room was on the opposite side :) thank you, sounds like I will be printing out deck 8 and hopefully not have to wear my t-shirt that says "Yes, please help me I'm lost":D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bravostar Posted December 17, 2013 #15 Share Posted December 17, 2013 thank you, sounds like I will be printing out deck 8 and hopefully not have to wear my t-shirt that says "Yes, please help me I'm lost":D You will love the electronic maps located at the elevators.Just put in your cabin number or venue you are looking for and it will tell you how to get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aallen30 Posted January 18, 2014 #16 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thanks for the review! How much was your cab fare with the stop at Total Wine? I will have to do the same thing next month when we sail on Oasis. We couldn't arrange our schedules to fly in the day before:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyPC Posted January 18, 2014 #17 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Sounds like a fun trip - can't wait to try it in 2015! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBumb Posted January 18, 2014 #18 Share Posted January 18, 2014 great job Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JF - retired RRT Posted January 18, 2014 #19 Share Posted January 18, 2014 thank you, sounds like I will be printing out deck 8 and hopefully not have to wear my t-shirt that says "Yes, please help me I'm lost":D Check out "shipmateapp.com". You can load your ship/cruise/itinerary on your smart phone or tablet. The ship deck plans are then in your hand wherever you are - very helpful. Just be sure to "look" at each deck before you leave home. That way the deck plans are in the device memory and you can view them while in airplane mode. I don't go on a ship without it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toxicfairy Posted January 18, 2014 #20 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Trying (with no luck ) to find out for certain if Oasis has the Prohibition party. It is listed on Royals website under Oasis but many people are saying it's only on Allure. Would you happen to know? Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise. Sadly my doctor tells me it has been noted in the American medical journal that the only known cure for PCD is ;) to book another cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willing292 Posted January 18, 2014 #21 Share Posted January 18, 2014 What is club royale? Thanks for the excellent review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted January 18, 2014 Author #22 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Trying (with no luck ) to find out for certain if Oasis has the Prohibition party. It is listed on Royals website under Oasis but many people are saying it's only on Allure. Would you happen to know? Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise. Sadly my doctor tells me it has been noted in the American medical journal that the only known cure for PCD is ;) to book another cruise! Yes, there was a Prohibition party but I can't comment on it as we didn't attend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted January 18, 2014 Author #23 Share Posted January 18, 2014 What is club royale? Thanks for the excellent review. It's the casino club. When you get enough points to join, the casino host will approach you to ask whether you would like to join. It costs nothing (except what you gamble of course) and you earn cash rebates off your next cruise and/or complimentary cruises. I don't recall the minimum number of points required but I think you need to play at least $2,000 during your cruise to qualify or 3 consecutive hours a day. I don't recall the exact numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted January 18, 2014 Author #24 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Thanks for the review! How much was your cab fare with the stop at Total Wine? I will have to do the same thing next month when we sail on Oasis. We couldn't arrange our schedules to fly in the day before:( I don't remember the cab fare but Total Wine is across from the port so it's not really out of the way. My DH was in and out the store in 2 minutes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willing292 Posted January 19, 2014 #25 Share Posted January 19, 2014 It's the casino club. When you get enough points to join, the casino host will approach you to ask whether you would like to join. It costs nothing (except what you gamble of course) and you earn cash rebates off your next cruise and/or complimentary cruises. I don't recall the minimum number of points required but I think you need to play at least $2,000 during your cruise to qualify or 3 consecutive hours a day. I don't recall the exact numbers. Thanks, I guess my $20 per day doesn't qualify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now