Oasis Review 1/31/15-2/7-15 with a toddler

[CruisingTeacher19]

This is a review of the Oasis of the Seas from 1/31/15.

 

A little background information: We are a family of 3. Mom, Dad both in 30's and a little boy who just turned 2 in January. We traveled with extended family (my parents and an aunt, uncle, cousin and her husband). There were 9 of us total. We are platinum members and cruised with our son when he was 13 months last March. This was our first time on the Oasis of the Seas. The previous cruises have been on the voyager class ships.

 

Day 1 Embarkment: We went to Disney for 5 days in Orlando prior to the cruise. This was an amazing vacation. We rented a car through dollar rental car on Friday evening and drove down from Orlando on Saturday morning. We left at 8am from Disney World and arrived around 11 at FLL. When we dropped off our car we were told they no longer offer free shuttle to the airport so we lugged our luggage, carseat, stroller and other things across the airport and waited for 45 minutes in the taxi line. We finally got a taxi around noon and arrived at the terminal shortly after. From taxi drop off to check in we were on the ship in less than 15 minutes.

 

Our first stop was the windjammer for lunch and to meet up with family. We spent the first evening exploring the ship and stopping in the nursery to rent a bag of toys (go early!) we also reserved some childcare times and let our son Jacob play in the children play area. That evening we went to dinner.

 

We had MTD. This was our first experience with MTD but we had pre reserved 6pm every evening. We were a party of 9 and sat at the same table on deck 4 every evening and had the same amazing waitstaff. This was the first time our head waiter was around all the time and extremely friendly with our son and great! This was the best service we have received on a RCCL ship, last year on the adventure I was very disappointed in the service and the food. The oasis had the same menu but much better food quality and the service was the WOW we have grown to expect from RCCL.

 

We were supposed to go to the Diving show the first night but got mixed up and ended up exploring the ship and walking around. We meet our stateroom attendant which again was a WOW experience. She was a wonderful woman who was also very helpful and friendly. Our room was always made up and she was always smiling and talking with our son. We had a central park balcony. I enjoyed the balcony on many occasions while my son was napping in the afternoon or people watching in the evening. It was a great choice for our family, it was not windy or hot and always felt like the perfect weather on the balcony. It was also a great spot to store our stroller. I told my husband after this experience we will have to get a balcony again, I usually get an interior cabin.

 

Next up: Day 2 at Sea

[CruisingTeacher19]

Day 2: At Sea

 

Today we woke up and tried to go to the Windjammer for breakfast! This was a horrible experience! The windjammer was Jammed up. I was meeting people here so I ended up standing in line for over 30 minutes just to get a seat. This was a huge problem the entire cruise for both breakfast and lunch. We ended up finding alternatives most days for both meals but everything seemed to be very busy during these meals everyday. This was the only thing that has me questioning if I will do another big ship again. The food in the windjammer was also lacking the entire cruise. Where is the nacho bar and all the hot food like on the voyager class? I believe the food in the windjammer needs great improvement!

 

After the windjammer we took our son down to the pool to play for the morning. The H20 zone was great the entire cruise. It was never crowded and we had no problems getting a seat. My son loved it and played for hours. On the last day it was too cold and windy and he only lasted a few minutes, however, most days he wanted to spend the entire morning there.

 

Another place my son loved was the Royal Tots play room. It was crowded the first sea day but most of the time it was empty and a great place for my son to run off energy.

 

We also loved the dreamwork characters. My son loved getting his photo taken with the characters and meeting them. They were great at interacting with our son.

 

Every afternoon we took him back to the room for a 3 hour nap and he napped very well in our bed. We had an egg crate on the bed (did not ask for it) and it was soft and very comfortable. After nap we would get ready for dinner and go to dinner. Tonight we were supposed to watch the superbowl but we ended up taking our son back up to the play area and then hanging out in the promenade before heading to bed early.

 

Tonight was the first formal evening. We got dressed up and went for a drink before dinner.

[clawmachine]

Thanks for your review! In August my brother will be travelling with us and his 26 month old on Oasis, so all your information is helpful!

[cruizinawayinva]

I clicked on your review because your username was familiar. I remember your Adventure thread from last March. We also traveled on Adventure with our young boys last March a sailing or so after you. :)

 

We leave in a few weeks for Disney for a week before driving to FLL to board Allure, not Oasis but close. Great minds think alike. Can't wait to read your review.

 

Your little guy is a cutie!!

[Bellyflopchamp]

Looking forward to this review. Not many out there where someone brings their toddler. We are going with our daughter in November on the Allure and she will be just under 2 years old so I wll be watching for your experences.

 

Couple of questions for you, First was your son potty trained and therefore allowed in pool or kiddie lay area we wont be? Second, you mntioned the stroller. Did you bring a full size one, or just a small umbrella type stroller. My wife wants to bring just the smaller one, but I think it might be difficult to get around with it in ports.

[Madsofa]

Great review so far! Looking forward to reading more, we're boarding the Oasis next month.

[cb at sea]

Do try the dining room for breakfast from now on....you're seated and served, so crowds aren't a problem! Such a nice way to start the day!

[puggylicious]

Loving your review. We will be traveling with a 25 month old and 6 adults next January and look forward to hearing all about your cruise. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and pictures.

[LuCruise]

Looking forward to your review and hearing how your son enjoys it too

[APDMOM]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I agree, when you travel with a young child, a balcony is the way to go! That way you still get to enjoy the "outdoors" while they nap or go to bed at night. :)

[CruisingTeacher19]

Thanks everyone! I am going to try and give as much information as possible about traveling with a toddler.

 

A few side notes before continuing the review:

 

We travel with our full sized jogging stroller. It fits great throughout the ship including the hallways. The only issue we have is we have to close it in order to fit it through the stateroom door. I find traveling with the larger stroller is best because my son can lay back and relax while we are on the ship. I couldn't find a photo from the cruise but here is one of our stroller taken a week before while we were at Disney World.

 

We also travel with the Ergo. This is my must have tool for travel. I purchased the Ergo sport when my son was 8 months old and we have traveled several times. I always check our stroller and carry my son throughout the airport in the ergo. He is now 25 pounds but easily fits on my front or back. We used it a lot in the evening as well because he will fall asleep snuggled up next to me in it.

 

We always bring our carseat when traveling as well. (Yes we are the family with all that luggage!) We usually do not take it in the taxi, I use the Ergo for that. However, for the plane it is a must have for us as it is a comfort and my son usually travels well in his own carseat.

 

I found some photos of the Royal Tots Nursery play area that is open from 8am-10pm. It is a great room for the kids to run around in and play.

[CruisingTeacher19]

Day 3 was our first Stop in Lebadee at RCCL private Island. We had never been to this Island before and I was unsure what to expect.

 

Before departing we went down to Jonny Rockets for Breakfast. It had the same options as the windjammer but had eggs made to order. It was a good breakfast and was not crowded and service was quick.

 

We decided to go to Columbus Cove on the Island. I had heard it was the best beach with the clearest water and sand on the Island and quiet. We arrived about 1030 but had family who had saved us a front row spot. It was our only beach day and was a great morning/afternoon. The sand was ok but did have small bugs (sand fleas?) We made sure to dispose of and wash everything as soon as we got back into our room. I had purchased a set of 4 buckets on amazon before we left and they were compact enough for the suitcase and perfect for my son to play with. The buffet was set up right near where we were and we walked over there for lunch. The food was simplistic but it was ok.

After lunch we headed back to the ship to let our son swim in the pool again and play in the H2o splash zone. We spent the afternoon with the pool to ourselves. This was often the case most afternoons while we were in port.

 

After swim we took Jacob back to the room for a nap and we got ready for dinner. We had dinner in the Dining room every evening. Tonight the service was once again great. After dinner we checked Jacob into the Nursery for the first time. My son is not one to like strangers. I stay home with him and he will not even go into the daycare at the gym. I was very apprehensive but decided to try to put him in the nursery so we could enjoy a show. They gave us a phone and I assured them it was ok to call me if he got upset. We went to the headliner show which was great and then picked him up 2 hours later. He didn't want to leave....until he saw me and then got all teary eyed and wanted to get out. We utilized the nursery 2 more times during the cruise. It was $8 an hour and you could put him in for half hour increments, so $4 a half hour.

 

After the headliner show we met my parents who took our son and the pack n play to their room so we could go to the adult comedy show. The show was ok, I personally prefer carnivals comedy clubs but this was something different that is not offered on RCCL's smaller ships. I was surprised how small the club was but the comedians were funny.

Next up: Jamaica.

[CruisingTeacher19]

Today was jamaica

 

I was not too excited about this Island as every excursion that seemed of interest was a far drive and driving with a toddler far can be unpredictable. We decided instead to stay at the port and do a little shopping and then go back to the ship for lunch and swimming.

 

We ate at Jonny rockets again for breakfast. It was not busy, we tried going to the windjammer but the line was once again ridiculous.

 

We did not dock until 10:30. We went around the shops, my husband found a cigar shop and stopped for a cigar and smoked it while my son and I went to enjoy a margarita at Jimmy Buffets. We then went back to the ship, the windjammer was for once not too crowded! We ate lunch and then went for a swim in the H20 zone.

 

This evening we decided to try out the diving show, it was not very good in my opinion. We did not stay for the whole thing. We did however, enjoy a few carousel rides and walking along the boardwalk. We also enjoyed the promenade and the pizza place a few times. My son loves Ice-cream!

 

One thing that was awesome about this ship was the dreamwork characters. My son loves the Penguins and freaked out when he saw them. He ran up and we got a few photos.

[bubba83]

Loving your review.. our kiddos will be 3 and 5 at the time of their first cruise..cant wait!

[bbfgator]

Hello - thanks for posting your review & pictures :). We are on Oasis in a month or so and am wondering what time you are heading to breakfast in the Windjammer? We are early risers so wonder if we'll have better luck. Not liking the sound of the "lines" but alas it is a big ship! Thanks again for taking the time to post!

[Grandma Dazzles]

Hello - thanks for posting your review & pictures :). We are on Oasis in a month or so and am wondering what time you are heading to breakfast in the Windjammer? We are early risers so wonder if we'll have better luck. Not liking the sound of the "lines" but alas it is a big ship! Thanks again for taking the time to post!

 

Have sailed the Allure and Oasis several times. Yes, there can be a line at the door, but have found that it moves very quickly - it helps actually - as the staff will walk you to a table - they know which tables are open. On other ships I have seen it just as crowded, but walking around looking for a vacant table was more frustrating.

 

Never had to wait as an "early riser" - up around 6:00 or 7:00 and breakfast before 8:00. It can be crowded on port days - everyone wanting to get off the ship early.

 

If you want to eat more leisurely use the main dining room - a lot of people overlook the buffet there - plus you can order off the menu - or do both. Buffet there is just as quick as Windjammer.

[Grandma Dazzles]

 

This evening we decided to try out the diving show, it was not very good in my opinion. We did not stay for the whole thing.

 

]

 

Wow! Loving your review, but the comment about the diving show surprised me! I've never met anyone who didn't enjoy it - and also found it to be so incredibly different! Can never get over those divers from the high platforms on a moving ship! Just curious as to what you didn't enjoy? The synchronized swimming and trampoline gymnastics are so good! But I guess that's just my opinion!

[puggylicious]

Looking forward to more of your review.

[ksmizzle]

I'm going in April on Oasis w my son who will be 18 mo old. We are also a family of 3 and in our thirties, we will have my parents, my sister and her husband, and my uncle. That makes me feel safe! Love the pics of the royal tots play area, just seeing that I know my kid will love it! I planned to have him watched briefly some evenings, but who knows- with family there it might not be necessary. I've been to all of these ports so we plan to take it slow, eat well, enjoy our balcony, drink cocktails, and enjoy a vacation. I know people say having a toddler isn't a vacation, but I'd miss him too much! No way would I leave him. I've traveled the world, this is just how we have to roll now. It will get easier as they grow, but I'm enjoying this change. I'm so glad you reviewed, I'm getting excited! Following.....

[Vs1023]

Following along! We are heading on Oasis in November with a 10 (girl) and almost 5 year old (boy). We did Freedom this past November and loved it. Before that we did Voyager. So I'm a little concerned if I'll love this huge ship, but we definitely want to check it out :) Your little guy is adorable!

[sg1phileshipper]

Great review so far! Your son is so adorable :D

 

Cindy

 

 

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[cmpells87]

do u have any pics from balcony into central park?