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Oasis of the Seas TransAtlantic Voyage Through the Eyes of Art & Ellie

artbcpa

By artbcpa,
in Royal Caribbean International

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artbcpa "Live from...." Rare

artbcpa

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Now let me get back to my blog/review or whatever you would like to call it.

 

This morning we ate breakfast at the Windjammer Marketplace. So far my impression of the food is very positive. I have been on other cruise lines where the only positive thing I could say about the food was there was a lot of it-- not true so far on this voyage. I have also sailed on cruise lines where their food is rated higher. We will withhold judgment for now as consistency is one of the things that sets apart the very best from the very good.

 

After breakfast, Ellie and I played in the table tennis tournament. My only complaint would be the organization. There were 18 people who showed up to play and the person in charge made the decision to only use two of the four tables. After much coaxing from the players, he let us use a third one. Since the tournament was only 45 minutes long and most of the people who play were in the tournament, I really don't think the rest of the passengers would mind if they couldn't play ping pong for that period of time.

 

After the tournament Ellie went to the spa and I went to lunch. Ellie was VERY impressed by the quality of the spa treatment. She said it compares favorably to any she has had on cruises. Since we have cruised on some of the top rated cruise lines, that is saying a lot.

 

At 2:00 PM (excuse me 3:00 since they changed the time at 2 PM), I accompanied Ellie to the card room to play mah jongg. That is one of her very favorite things to do. This one area I would have to give the Oasis poor marks on. For the largest cruise ship in the world, not to have full mahj sets is embarrassing. For that matter the quality of the table tennis equipment was also pretty poor. We have been on ships with under 500 passengers who had better equipment.

 

Tonight is the first formal night. While I realize that some people would prefer not dressing up, Ellie and I look forward to these nights. We don't dress up often at home. California in particular has a very informal culture. So it is fun to see all the men and women in their formal outfits. When we were in Asian waters, it was amazing to see the very different outfits the ladies wore. Some of the gowns were just spectacular. We decided to purchase Chinese outfits when we were there in the spring. So tonight we expect to be the only non-Asians dressed in traditional Asian formal wear. It should be fun.

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Cindy

Cindy

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Here is a sneak preview into our outfits for tonight: https://www.flickr.com/photos/30213465@N05/

 

Love the outfits!

 

I'm really enjoying "seeing" the Oasis through your eyes. My husband and I will be trying her for the first time next month. We've been a little leery of the size, but decided we wanted to cruise on one of the big ships to experience the different dining and entertainment options.

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Rcarper4001

Rcarper4001

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I would greatly appreciate if the conversation regarding the boarding process would end. I am trying to make this thread an ongoing discussion of our voyage on the Oasis as seen though the eyes of Ellie and Art. There are other threads that are focused on the problems in Southampton (and Rotterdam).

 

Thank you.

 

Art

 

Agree,

 

Thanks for taking us on your voyage. Great pictures:)

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pscruzinboyz

pscruzinboyz

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HI ART,

 

First off, love the thread and your pictures thus far.

We are from Huntington Beach and we are also on the Air New Zealand flight that leaves out of LAX at 5:00 pm going to London on the 31st of October. If we are at LAX at 3:00 pm...we should be in good Shape? Was your flight Full and you said service is excellent?

Like you...we booked the Oasis the morning it opened back in April 2013, had room 11729 which is what we wanted.....but after 7 months of really thinking do we only want 1 port for the 12 nights...we jump ship and went over to the Adventurer OTS that does Europe and the Caribbean and ends in San Juan. So with your thread....We are going to see what we missed. I hope we made the right move.

How are the crowds so far? We have been on Oasis only once, loved it and never felt crowded at all. How about your cabin...where are you located.

On the weather....we are only in Southhampton for the day / night....can we get away with just Sweatshirts or maybe a Wind Breaker for the moisture? Since we are sailing to warm climates, seems silly to bring jackets for one day....and you know us So Cal guys.....shorts and t-shirts and flip flops.

Thanks for taking your time on doing this thread and looking forward to the next week and a half.

 

Mike

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AlexanderBeetle

AlexanderBeetle

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Internet - This one you probably already know the answer. Slow and unsteady, but no worse than most other ships. It takes multiple attempts to get on and you can lose the connection at any time and have to try to get back on once again.

 

Wasn't the O3b connection supposed to be up and running after the dry-dock or was it still set for later?

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The Big Booper

The Big Booper

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Let me try to answer a few of the questions:

 

...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

Flickr - For many years, I was on Webshots and absolutely loved it. Then they sold out and basically told us all to get lost. I joined Flickr and it is "all right". It would be a little difficult to explain all the details of the website here, but I can tell that all the things you asked about can be done. However things are not straightforward and it will take you awhile to learn where each of them are.

 

...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

More to follow on our adventure on the Oasis of the Seas.

 

Thanks.

 

I also was a loyal Webshots user and am still looking around for a replacement. We will be on the Oasis in January 2015 along with 2 other couples who have never been on any RCI ships other then the smallish Vision class so we have been appointed the "trip planners" for the group. I appreciate all the work that goes into a "Live" trip report.

 

Happy Sails!

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KeywestK

KeywestK

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Wonderful review. I do like how you are doing the photos with a link. Much easier to view. Please tell your wife that I've never seen a Mah jongg set on any RCI ship. BUT, there were several on Celebrity Eclipse when we sailed last year. I never travel without my MJ card;)

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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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At 2:00 PM (excuse me 3:00 since they changed the time at 2 PM), I accompanied Ellie to the card room to play mah jongg. That is one of her very favorite things to do. This one area I would have to give the Oasis poor marks on. For the largest cruise ship in the world, not to have full mahj sets is embarrassing. For that matter the quality of the table tennis equipment was also pretty poor. We have been on ships with under 500 passengers who had better equipment.

 

 

I grew up with a Mah Jongg playing mom -- what do you mean when you say, 'they did not have full mah jongg sets'? A partial mah jongg set is useless....was the activity called 'Mah Jongg Game Time' or something like that.....and if so, therefore people who enjoy Mah Jongg should make sure to bring their own set.

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The Big Booper

The Big Booper

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I checked out your complete photos on your Flickr site. I'm also a CPA and my question is...how'd you wangle an invitation to the ESPY party at the Rabbit Hutch West? Together with dancing bunnies? I got no clients or connections like that. Just kidding.

 

I'm building a list of suggestions for the other 2 couples going along with us in January, keep up the good work!

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Cindy

Cindy

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Flickr - For many years, I was on Webshots and absolutely loved it. Then they sold out and basically told us all to get lost. I joined Flickr and it is "all right". It would be a little difficult to explain all the details of the website here, but I can tell that all the things you asked about can be done. However things are not straightforward and it will take you awhile to learn where each of them are.

 

 

I also was a loyal Webshots user and am still looking around for a replacement.

 

I went with SmugMug when Webshots reimagined itself.:( I've been thrilled with the site. It's a little more expensive than some, but uploading is fast & easy, the site is visually pleasing, and the products they offer are top notch.

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artbcpa "Live from...." Rare

artbcpa

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The daily schedule for today was filled with things to do - just the kind of cruise that Ellie and I love. Dinner tonight was once again very good overall. I had the duck with black current sauce. Since I also make duck, I know how hard it is to get out the fat and keep it crisp. The chefs did a great job. Ellie had the Fettuccine and the cold soup for the second night in a row and really loved both of them. Yesterday was watermelon rasberry and today's was banana rum.

 

We also tried out the Casino and both of us made money -- not much, but then again we don't bet very much. As long as I don't lose much, I just chalk it up to entertainment.

 

With regard to your questions:

 

New aft Grand suites - I agree. I will try to get access and post photos.

 

Flickr replacement SmugMUG - Thanks for the info. I will look into it myself.

 

Pre-Espy party at the Playboy Mansion - Ellie is in the business (show business) She arranged it for my 65th birthday. Did you like the smile on my face? It was one of my bucket list items.

 

Coastal Kitchen - I will ask about their policies tomorrow morning

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ShipRiders

ShipRiders

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I checked out your complete photos on your Flickr site. I'm also a CPA and my question is...how'd you wangle an invitation to the ESPY party at the Rabbit Hutch West? Together with dancing bunnies? I got no clients or connections like that. Just kidding.

 

I'm building a list of suggestions for the other 2 couples going along with us in January, keep up the good work!

 

 

I guess you missed the Red Carpet photo's.

 

Ellie and Art you are living a "charmed life". It has been a real thrill just looking at where you have been and what you are doing.

 

Looking forward to more of your Oasis TA.

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Shippy Great Review Rare

Shippy

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We always loved the casino on the Oasis and Allure because we did have a bit of luck.

I felt it was because these were the 'biggest casinos at sea'.

I hear ther is a new VIP room for high rollers....which we are not.. . Did they take existing room out of the original casino for this or take some of the surrounding area?

Is the casino still devided half smoking and half non smoking?

 

thanks

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