Oasis 3/22-29/14, so, so writing, pretty good pictures, very pretty girls!

[Patsfan3]

Quick question-Are the pools freezing like every other ship?

[ClevelandRocks!]

Great review. Love your writing and your pictures are beautiful.

[lperry1016@yahoo.com]

Loving the review, always appreciate the people that take the effort to do such a detailed review. I think cruise lines should give a kickback to the people that post photos reviews, as I think it helps generate future business. I know I want to go to there!

 

I'll assume that since YOU have certain talents, not just anyone can enjoy the ritz for a day?

 

I totally agree with metphan714. That is why I booked a cruise on Oasis. The pictures that I have seen are amazing and the reviews are so informative! Thank you for your time and effort in posting this review. I know the cruise compass is helping me plan my cruise. Can not wait until May 3rd!! :D

[caneguy]

DAY 4 CON'T

After dinner we went to see the Aqua Show. We did get there a little late and missed part of the show. This is a very entertaining show and I was sorry I did not get to see all of the show. After the Aqua Show, my friend and I went to see the Headliner Show, Ronn Lucas, Ventriloquist. He was so funny and an amazing talent. If he is your headliner, do not miss this show.

 

 

WITH THE HELP OF AN AUDIENCE MEMBER, really funny!!

 

We then went to see QUEST. If you have never seen the most outrageous scavenger hunt (adult's only!!) then you must stay up late and go to QUEST.

[caneguy]

DAY FIVE - ST. MAARTEN, or SINT MARTIN, or Saint Marrten, or any other way you want to spell the name of this nice Island.

 

YET ANOTHER TIP???

So I really love the Roast Beef sandwich at Park Cafe... Ask the server to slightly grill the slices of roast beef (don't forget to ask for double beef!) on the grill for a minute. Oooooo, it is Sooooo good that way!!!

 

We booked a private all day tour of the Island with Bernard"s. The cost was $66/pp and we went where we wanted, spent as much time as we wanted at each location and learned so much about the Island from our guide David. The van was air conditioned and very comfortable for our party of six. I had read so much about Bernard's that I took a chance and booked online for this tour. SMART MOVE! The cost per person (we were a party of 6) for the total cost of the tour was just a little more than getting a tour from the ship and so much better. David provided bottled water, beer, soft drinks, and a VERY STRONG Rum drink for our drinking pleasure, all of which was at no extra charge. We met by the dock around 9:30 (you can start at any time you want) and we got back to the ship around 3:30. David was wonderful, he explained the difference of living on the Dutch side of the Island as compared to the French side, gave us a great history of the Island and was just a joy to spend the day with exploring the Island.

 

Between the Mega Ships

 

THE OASIS DOCKED IN ST. MAARTEN

 

THE GIRLS WITH DAVID

 

FIRST STOP, SEA URCHINS, OH GROSS!!

 

CONCH! OH GROSS AGAIN!!

 

OYSTER BAY on the way to Orient Beach

[caneguy]

DAY 5 CON'T

Our next stop of our tour of St. Maarten was Orient Beach. We spent some time walking on the beach and enjoying some sunshine.

 

Here are some pictures of Orient Beach..

 

 

 

 

THE COCONUT MAN!!

 

ENJOYING SOME FRESH COCONUT MILK AND COCONUT

 

[caneguy]

DAY 5 ST. MAARTEN CON'T

 

THE GUYS OF BERNARD'S Jackson, David, Timo and D.J. Dave

 

From Orient Beach we went to Grand Case, a small French village with so many really fine 5 star restaurants to have lunch. Most were closed but we found Le Tastevin which I had on a list of restaurants I wanted to try. What a wonderful lunch, on the water, great food and so relaxing.

 

What a nice view of the water from our table

 

ONION SOUP

 

SNAPPER

 

SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS

 

SHRIMP SALAD

[caneguy]

After lunch we drove down to Marigot. We had some nice French pastries from SERAFINA (we got there a little late for a full selection, so try and get there early in the day) and did a little street shopping.

 

 

Our last stop was Moho (Airplane) Beach. The girls did not want to spend time at Moho so did not get to take pictures of the planes. BUT do not fear my Cruise Critic Friends, I will not let you down!! I have taken the liberty of posting pictures I took last year when we were on the Allure. I spent a few hours with my son's at the Sunset Grill, eating some good food, drinking some cold beers and watching the planes come in for a landing. SO, for your viewing pleasure, MOHO BEACH..

 

 

 

THE RUNWAY JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET!

 

SAND BLAST!

[caneguy]

THE FLYERS PRIVATE PLANE (SEE TAIL)

 

AIR FRANCE

 

THERE WAS NO PHOTOSHOP USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS PICTURE!

 

 

Well that's all for tonight, will continue tomorrow.

[inghilch]

Thanks, I am glad I was able to bring back some great memories.

 

 

 

We did get a cab after we got off the ship and negotiated the price. A little confusing but worked out ok. We had the cab driver come back to pick us up after our stay at the Ritz. It was about a 25-30 minute drive and the cost was $12/pp. We did not share the cab only the 6 of us.

 

Thanks again. Okay that makes sense. I know this was your second time so I wasnt sure if you did anything differently. Oh and we gain lots from your review. besides all the information, your photos are amazing! Thank you again.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for your info on St. Martin since DW and I will be there this Oct.

[goodycruising]

PHOTOBUCKET???

 

I just upgraded to a larger account and hope that this works!

 

Let's see in a few hours. It is now 6:30 AM Eastern Time, USA

 

Thank you for doing an upgrade. It was very nice after a busy day at work to come here and see some more great pictures! You are a good bloke

[goodycruising]

THERE WAS NO PHOTOSHOP USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS PICTURE!

 

Thanks for the great plane pictures! My husband wants to go there!

[caneguy]

Quick question-Are the pools freezing like every other ship?

 

I was only in the Beach Pool and it was OK, not freezing at all.

 

ENJOY!!

[Winger67]

The cabbie made fun of us for coming to beautiful St. Maarten and going right to airport beach. Maho Beach has been on my bucket list for years! As an aviation enthusiast it was great to cross that off my bucket list. Literally, had a blast!

[CruiserTK]

Continue to love your review and the photos. Did you use filters on your lens in St. Maarten?

[graphicguy]

What a delightful review. Thanks for posting it. :D

[joand452]

Thank you for your entertaining review and wonderful photos! We did a b2b on Oasis two years ago (with a b2b on Allure the year before) in a JS for all those trips. I didn't think I'd be able to go back to a regular balcony, but we have, and it's actually been okay. Ask me again after Easter to see if I've changed my mind after our regular cabin on Indy.;)

 

Thank you also for the information on using the perks from the TA. We have those same ones (except only one specialty restaurant). I was expecting to get paper certs like we got for our Explorer cruise, but when I asked for this time, I was told they'd put the specials on our account. I already know I want the reflexology from the spa!

[DreamingBig1]

Your daily recap is fun to read. Thanks for sharing.

 

I think your pictures are great, and I know that you are just posting the pictures of your friends daughters out of pride for your friends. I get that.

 

Great job! It looks like you had a wonderful time (and sounds like it).

[Deeliteful]

Thanks for the review. Getting into the mood for same cruise on Allure in June.

Each to their own, but personally I can't understand why anyone wants to visit a beach where planes fly over so low. Not one on my bucket list that's for sure :-)

[knuckles]

Thanks for the review. Getting into the mood for same cruise on Allure in June.

Each to their own, but personally I can't understand why anyone wants to visit a beach where planes fly over so low. Not one on my bucket list that's for sure :-)

 

Hi Deeliteful - I'm sailing on the same Allure cruise as you. Can't wait. Just upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite, 1st time in any Suite. Actually got comped a JS from the casino (long story) a year ago and when the prices went down this week, I was able to do an even swap.

 

Take care,

Knuckles

[caneguy]

I'm back.... this is taking a long time, thanks to all of you for hanging in there with me. Getting the pictures organized, processed and then moved to photobucket takes a lot more time than I thought it would.

 

SO continuing with day 5..

Before dinner I went to the front of the ship to take some sunset pictures..

 

THE SOLARIUM SUNSET

 

SUNSET

 

please excuse the lens flare

 

BYE BYE SUN...

 

 

For Dinner tonight we used our free specialty dinner voucher from our TA at Solarium Bistro. The per person cost of Solarium is the least for any of the specialty restaurants and if you dinning with just two I think it is the best deal on the ship for a speciality restaurant. I still think for a larger party Giovanni's is the way to go as you can share everything on the menu. We had planned on using it the first night at Giovanni's but ate in 150 Central Park with the 20% discount. We then had planed to use it at Chops while in St. Thomas, before a friend pre-paid for our meal at Chops for all of us as a birthday present to my wife!... SO that left Solarium Bistro. The voucher could only be used on a port day. Well, what a surprise Solarium Bistro turned out to be as a different type of venue for dinner. Wonderful atmosphere of a laid back open air feeling. All the food was excellent (maybe the wedge salad needed a little improvement) our server Devvy was charming, had great knowledge of the menu and was around just the right amount as to make sure we were well taken care of but not intrusive. She even let us order double entree's if we wanted!! As with the other specialty restaurants you may order as many items as you wish, but only one entree (unless you are lucky to have Devvy!). There is a dessert buffet and a dessert chef to custom make your dessert!!

 

Here is a look at Solarium Bistro...

 

THE MENU

 

THE SETTING..

[caneguy]

OUR FOOD....

 

SCALLOPS CERVICHE

 

MEDITERRANEAN RATATOUILLE

 

BRISTO SALAD

 

ROASTED BEET AND FETA SALAD

 

ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST

 

CITRUS CRUSTED SALMON

[caneguy]

SOLARIUM BISTRO FOOD CON'T

 

CURRY SEARED TUNA

 

BISON TENDERLOIN

 

SEARED CANADIAN LOBSTER

 

THE DESSERT CHEF

 

 

TWO OF HIS CREATIONS

 

As you can see the food was creative and I can tell you full of flavor. GO TO THIS RESTAURANT, it is the best deal for dinner on the ship!!

[caneguy]

THE END OF DAY 5...

 

Tonight's entertainment was the Comedy show. The two comedians Miguel Washington and Andrew Norelli were both funny, topical and keep the audience laughing throughout the show. My favorite joke was from Mr. Washington,

"I have three son's, two are biological and one is diabolical!"

 

After the show, I went into Central Park for some late night evening pictures..

 

 

 

 

 

So I wish you a good night to all of you and I hope to post day 6 tomorrow.

Coming up..THE ALL ACCESS TOUR, BROADWAY AT NIGHT, and a new way to do SURF AND TURF.