Oasis of the Seas Adventure

[lovelife]

The following is just MY experience and MY opinion. If you had a different experience and opinion, that's okay. This does not imply this will be a negative review -- just my review.

 

We are a mature Diamond Plus couple on our 37th cruise -- 29 with RCCL. This was the May 30 Eastern Caribbean sailing.

 

This cruise was my gift to DS, DDIL, DGS, older DGS and his wife. I splurged and booked all three of us grand suites - 11660, 8660, and 11254. DH and I had sailed Oasis previously but they had not. In fact this was DGS's wife's first cruise ever and she started off with the best of the best ships in my opinion. I had made all entertainment reservations although with the gold card we could attend any show at any time except Comedy Live. We pretty much stuck to the reserved times though. During the day we all usually did our own thing but always ate dinner together (except the evening we had a scheduled late return from an excursion and missed our 6 p.m. MDR dinner).

 

We flew from Baltimore a day early and spent the night at Embassy Suites, one of my favorites because of the two-room suites, great included breakfast, and manager's reception with drinks. The huge pool is another draw along with the close walking distance to many shops and restaurants.

 

 

On cruise morning we had the wonderful breakfast in the atrium and then pulled our luggage outside about 10:30. The hotel charges $8 per person for a shuttle to the cruise port so that would have been $56 for the seven of us to go a couple miles. We had planned on taking two taxis until one of the shuttle drivers offered to take just the seven of us for $30. I jumped on that deal.

 

As suite guests, we checked in swiftly and went to the suite waiting area. It was about a half hour wait before we were called. As usual, we headed directly for Park Cafe. Good thing as a half hour later they were lined up out the door. I had my favorite Asian noodles with shrimp and salad. Then it was off to the Boardwalk to ride the carousel. This is when I say, "now it's a cruise."

 

 

We located our dining room table and found we had the location I requested on deck five (Silk) but they had pushed a small table for six up against a huge pole that left room for perhaps five people. Dining at that table was extremely tight for the seven of us with little room to maneuver. We made the best of it and always had a fun time at dinner.

 

We explored the ship a little before the cabins opened. I noticed new flooring on the Boardwalk and the new Sabor. Also, I noticed the addition of an arcade and the inclusion of cupcakes in the ice cream shop. There were no donuts on the boardwalk (I always thought they were awful anyway). I didn't notice any other areas of the ship refurbished except the suite sun deck although I certainly could have missed them.

 

We checked out the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen. These were absolutely awesome and we utilized them a lot during the week!! They are definitely enough to entice me to book suites in the future.

 

 

[lovelife]

About 1 p.m. we headed to our cabins. I love the grand suites with all that room and lots of storage, not to mention the great bathroom and balcony. It had not been refurbished and had plenty of scratches and stains but hey, it's a suite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lovelife]

I forgot to get a photo of the balcony but here is one just like it from a grand suite on Allure.

 

 

Random ship photos:

 

Aqua Theater

 

 

Artsy Birds

 

 

Stairway Artwork

 

 

Looking down on Central Park and its balconies

 

 

In the Promenade

 

[lovelife]

More random shots of ship:

 

One Casino Royale entrance

 

 

Another entrance

 

 

Solarium - absolutely wonderful place

 

 

The Track

 

 

Schooner Bar

 

 

Rising Tide Bar rising

 

[lovelife]

More random ship shots:

 

Casino

 

 

Windjammer

 

 

View up to Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen

 

 

Aqua Theater after dark

 

 

Theater

 

 

Flash Mob Dance Practice in Promenade

 

[caseymorgan]

Great start to your review. We're watching...

[MerriWthr]

Me too! Our cruise on the Lady Oasis is over Thanksgiving... which is way too long of a wait for me!!!

 

M.

[lovelife]

The suite sun deck has changed. No more of those little covered double cabanas. Now they have about four large cabana areas with pergola-like tops providing no shade. I prefer the previous design.

 

 

 

 

They do have a cool-looking shower.

 

 

The Car

 

 

Oops - Forgot to include departure photo

 

[kalajori]

Loving your review. Great pictures of the suite. Did you take any of the Living Room area? We will be in a GS (12260) in September with our daughter and granddaughter. Happy to see that there seems to be adequate storage and closet space for the four of us. We have also requested a foldaway bed. Know we will be a little tight, but wanted them to experience the suite life with us. Thanks so much for posting.

[wolfganghowell]

AMAZING pics and review - thanks.

 

Special thanks for the GS photos - it looks like the configuration is a little different than Freedom/Voyager class. Looks like the closet is against the wall and not opposite the bar. And that there are drawers on the opposite side of the bar as well. Correct?

 

The lounge looks awesome! Did you find the suite sundeck very busy and does it have bar service all day?

[lovelife]

Entertainment:

 

Oasis of Dreams

 

We were scheduled to see the Oasis of Dreams at the Aqua Theater the first night but they had equipment problems and rescheduled us to an afternoon a couple days later. It just wasn't the same in the daytime but still good. We could have gone to any of the night shows but didn't. I definitely like Allure's Aqua Theater show much better.

 

 

 

Comedy Live - Hilarious as usual. This is not to be missed!

 

Cats - What can I say? Hopefully RCCL did not sign a long contract for this show. I've never seen so many people walk out of a show. After intermission about two thirds had left. I suffered through the entire thing trying to give it a chance. DH left at intermission stating, "I can't believe people pay to see this."

 

 

Come Fly With Me - Great show that I really enjoy.

 

 

 

Splish Splash - This comedy Aqua Theater show is wonderful. I watched part of it again later from a not-so-secret balcony.

 

[Mr. Bungle]

The one pic of CentPark has a good view of my cabin for upcoming cruise, right next to the LivingWall. Thanks!!! Unless that shot is facing toward Aft... Then it's blocked on the left...

Edited July 10, 2015 by Mr. Bungle

[lovelife]

Great start to your review. We're watching...

 

Thanks!

 

Me too! Our cruise on the Lady Oasis is over Thanksgiving... which is way too long of a wait for me!!!

 

M.

 

But it will be so worth the wait!! Enjoy.

[lovelife]

Loving your review. Great pictures of the suite. Did you take any of the Living Room area? We will be in a GS (12260) in September with our daughter and granddaughter. Happy to see that there seems to be adequate storage and closet space for the four of us. We have also requested a foldaway bed. Know we will be a little tight, but wanted them to experience the suite life with us. Thanks so much for posting.

 

Thanks for your comments and do enjoy your cruise.

 

I must be slipping as I did not take a photo of the living area, but here is one from our Allure grand suite which is exactly like Oasis. The sofa pulls out to a double or queen bed.

 

 

 

[lovelife]

AMAZING pics and review - thanks.

 

Special thanks for the GS photos - it looks like the configuration is a little different than Freedom/Voyager class. Looks like the closet is against the wall and not opposite the bar. And that there are drawers on the opposite side of the bar as well. Correct?

 

The lounge looks awesome! Did you find the suite sundeck very busy and does it have bar service all day?

 

Thanks for your kind comments.

 

Yes, there are drawers on the other side of the bar. There is no way the two of us could use all the drawers in those suites. There are about 12 plus the shelves in the closet and other cabinets.

 

The few times we went to the suite sundeck it was not busy. Sorry, I cannot answer about the bar service up there. We didn't notice or use it.

[lovelife]

The one pic of CentPark has a good view of my cabin for upcoming cruise, right next to the LivingWall. Thanks!!! Unless that shot is facing toward Aft... Then it's blocked on the left...

 

I do believe that shot is looking aft. I can see the Trellis Bar and glass wall. I love Central Park! Enjoy your cruise.

[lovelife]

Entertainment continued:

 

Headliner - None of us saw this as it just didn't sound appealing and I can't remember who it was.

 

Frozen in Time Ice Show - Fantastic! I love watching the sand artist also. DGS and wife loved it so much they saw it a second time.

 

Sad Photos

 

 

 

DGS and wife sang karaoke in the On Air Club a couple nights. I enjoyed hearing all the singers.

 

We played Majority Rules one evening in Blaze which was well attended and a lot of fun.

 

The Love & Marriage Show was pretty funny.

 

We also watched the World's Sexiest Man contest.

 

 

The glow party was fun, fun, fun. I was prepared with all kinds of glow items for the entire family. We gave some to the staff at the suite lounge and they were thrilled.

 

 

 

[lovelife]

Shops:

 

I didn't find anything to buy but it's always fun looking. Why they put Kate Spade, Coach, and Michael Kors on a ship is puzzling. If I'm going to buy designer, I'll go to the designer outlet and get the same product at a discount.

 

Sorrento's

 

 

On-Air Club

 

 

Boardwalk after dark

 

 

 

 

[BillOh]

Flash Mob Dance Practice in Promenade

 

 

I can further rest assured the flash mob is on Oasis. (I started a thread about it weeks ago.) My wife loved in on Allure and will look forward to it this spring. Keep up the good work, these help me get through the days!

[lovelife]

We had a drink in the suite lounge a couple evenings but usually had one or two (not big drinkers) at the Champagne Bar, Schooner Bar, or Boleros using the pre-loaded drinks on the sea pass.

 

We all attended the Captain's reception in the suite lounge. Drinks were plentiful and there were snacks, but as usual no captain. I have never seen one show up at these things.

 

Since the Diamond Lounge (the former Concierge Lounge) was right around the corner from our cabin, I went in there a few times for a latte or to use the computer. I never saw more than two other people in there - but then it was during the day.

 

More random shots:

 

Mini Golf

 

 

Mini Golf for the Wee Folks

 

 

 

 

 

We watched folks on the Flowrider for a bit one day. Oh to be young and brave.......

 

[lovelife]

I can further rest assured the flash mob is on Oasis. (I started a thread about it weeks ago.) My wife loved in on Allure and will look forward to it this spring. Keep up the good work, these help me get through the days!

 

Thanks. Hope you enjoy Oasis as much as I did.

[BillOh]

 

They do have a cool-looking shower.

 

 

 

I've read dozens of Oasis reviews and don't think I've ever seen this shot before. Always happy to see something new. I probably won't be in a suite though this next trip.

[lovelife]

Dining:

 

We had breakfasts at Coastal Kitchen, Johnny Rockets, Park Cafe, and the Windjammer. Lunches were at Coastal Kitchen, Park Cafe, Windjammer, Dog House, and the Main Dining Room. Dinners were at MDR, Coastal Kitchen, Giovanni's, and one at Windjammer. I can't say enough about the food at Coastal Kitchen -- it was wonderful. MDR always had something good on the menu, Windjammer had many good selections, and Giovanni's was excellent as always. My Big Apple Dog at the Dog House was really good and I love the food at Park Cafe. Other family members had Sorrentos pizza and liked it. I've never been fond of it myself. One of my favorite snacks is the cheesecake pop from Cafe Promenade - simply yummy.

 

 

Grande is not nearly as fancy and nice as on Quantum.

 

 

 

New MDR light

 

 

 

[lovelife]

I've read dozens of Oasis reviews and don't think I've ever seen this shot before. Always happy to see something new. I probably won't be in a suite though this next trip.

 

It is an odd-looking shower. I guess on a hot day it would feel good. I didn't try it.

[lbryant]

Loving your review! We'll be embarking in a couple of months.

We also have a group of 7, so I'm curious about the transportation options. I don't know if taxis are an option or if we have to book a shuttle van. Did you use taxis at all or did you reserve a van? One shuttle co. quoted me $105 + tip to get 7 of us from our hotel (Westin FLL Beach resort) to the ship and $75 + tip from Port Everglades to the airport on the return. Would cabs be cheaper (and could we get away with 2 cabs for all 7 of us + probably 3 big and 2 small suitcases)?

 

Looking forward to the rest of your adventure!