Island Lady's live adventure on Oasis of the Seas

[island lady]

Pat - did you notice if Port Canaveral has added "Global Entry". They have it in Ft. Lauderdale and I wondered if they would put one in when Oasis moved to Port Canaveral.

 

I didn't see one there. Just the huge line to customs, the Suites/Pinnacles line, the mysterious

groups that were directed to cut front of pax in line, and the porters lines.

 

I think we will do the porters lines the next time.

Edited January 30, 2017 by island lady

[molly361]

YIKES on your disembarkation. I thought our self assist was bad but compared to your story it was easy. We were lined up outside on the deck at a little after 6:30 but were still thru Customs by 7:30. The line kept moving except for about a 10 minute delay once inside the terminal in the upstairs area just after getting off the ship. Everyone was stopped for some reason

[island lady]

YIKES on your disembarkation. I thought our self assist was bad but compared to your story it was easy. We were lined up outside on the deck at a little after 6:30 but were still thru Customs by 7:30. The line kept moving except for about a 10 minute delay once inside the terminal in the upstairs area just after getting off the ship. Everyone was stopped for some reason

 

Yeah..it was nuts. :eek:

 

On one of our stops, it was due to a lady with a medical issue once in the

terminal. We all had to wait until the ambulance left, which was actually

pretty quick process. That medical team seemed to have their act

together. Hope the lady was OK.

Edited January 30, 2017 by island lady

[Sarah1974]

Thanks for a great review; I've loved reading all about your time on board

 

Sarah

[Bette And Bill]

I didn't see one there. Just the huge line to customs, the Suites/Pinnacles line, the mysterious

groups that were directed to cut front of pax in line, and the porters lines.

 

I think we will do the porters lines the next time.

 

In Ft. Lauderdale - I think it was the same line that the Suites and Pinnacles use. There is a very tiny sign that say "Global Entry". I was hoping they would get it in Port Canaveral.

[travelgoddess1]

Dreaded Disembarkation Day:

 

Yikes!! After those last beautiful sunny days in the mid 80's....got up early

to watch us slide into port and found rain, a cold 46 degrees, and clamy.

Noticed we followed in one Carnival ship, the "mouse" (Disney) was already

in, and then another Carnival ship came in after us. Four ships in port. Uh-oh!

Customs agents will be spread thin. Three of the ships are no small fries for sure.

 

Three choices for breakfast: WJ, MDR, and Park Cafe. Since it was raining,

and still quite dark, Park Cafe was a no go for us. MDR typically on last day

is always slow...so WJ it was. Pleasantly surprised to find it running smoothly,

plenty of seats available and both sides open for business. The usual limited

offerings for last day, but more than enough to not starve! ;) Another huge

surprise was to find the coffee machine working in the DL this morning. Most

ships, they get cheap and shut it down...leaving us for that burnt tasting coffee

in the WJ. Island Lady was happy cruiser with her last Latte of the cruise.

 

Our tag was #15, scheduled for 8:20. After returning to the cabin for a bit,

we said goodbye to our great cabin attendant, (who also let us check out one

of the OS cabins...Sweeet Suite!). All levels of C&A (except Pinnacle who go

with the Suites people) were scheduled for down one level on deck four of the

Theater. Most everyone else were on deck five (disembarkation deck) and some

were in the dining room. Being one deck down was not a perk for sure, since

elevators are not possible with the crowds, we had to lug our carry on bags

(now loaded with rum and a "did not use" last bottle of wine) up the two sets

of stairs to get back to deck five when our number was called.

 

On the way to our assigned area, we noticed the "self assist" people in line.

:eek: OMG!! Are you kidding??!! The promenade on OA covers

a lot of landscape from one end to the other. This line was going down one side,

back around the end, back down the other side, and then the line to the door.

Grouchy looking pax were pushing and shoving their way along with all their

gear...glad we did not opt for it.

 

Our number was called 10 minutes late (found Terrance our great LA, that

told me they had a record number of self assist, which pushed the timing

back for regular numbers). Once we were called it was a simple walk to the

door, very organized, but the trouble started when we got off the ship. Long

line backed up just after we left the gangway. We were in that line for over

an hour, but at least this line did not have us lugging all of our suitcases.

 

Once let in to the terminal, found our bags right away, and then

joined the other long line to get to customs. Another 45 minutes. Noticed a

side line (not suites or Pinnacles) that kept forming...then they let that group of

20-30 passengers cut in line in front of us every 20 minutes or so. Not sure

what that was, or why they could not simply get in the regular line at the

end. :confused: Held everyone up even more. :(

 

Finally through, easy pick up of our shuttle, and back to our vehicle at

Park N Cruise. Home to my fur baby by 11:00 am.

 

Thanks for cruising along with us, and all of your compliments! Hope

you enjoyed the ride.

 

If there are any more questions, I will do my best to answer them. :)

 

I didn't see one there. Just the huge line to customs, the Suites/Pinnacles line, the mysterious

groups that were directed to cut front of pax in line, and the porters lines.

 

I think we will do the porters lines the next time.

 

The line you are referring to was most likely Global Entry. There is also the priority line to the far right for Suites/Pinnacles. Mobile pass was in effect for PE, but not sure about Canaveral.

 

We always use a porter -- they do get priority in the lines because it is in their best interest to get people out of there quickly and get back inside.

 

I was debating whether or not to use self-assist when I disembark Allure on my upcoming sailing. Based on your observations, I think I will do fine with the Suite/Pinnacle escort.

 

Again, great job! I found your review to be very comprehensive, with a pleasant personal touch. I look forward to your next one (hint hint) :)

Edited January 30, 2017 by travelgoddess1

[davekathy]

island lady...thanks for taking us along on your Cruise.

[cleophus12]

What can you tell us about the pool band? Why only at the end of the cruise? I have very fond memories of the steel drums playing by the pool in the old days of cruising.

[Pacificlander]

Yes, I saw many that were combined. Not very many ships can do this,

especially the older ones, but it looked like a simple tool to pop them open

that can be done by your cabin attendant.

 

Thanks Island Lady!

[island lady]

Thanks for a great review; I've loved reading all about your time on board

 

Sarah

 

Thanks! You are very kind! :)

[island lady]

In Ft. Lauderdale - I think it was the same line that the Suites and Pinnacles use. There is a very tiny sign that say "Global Entry". I was hoping they would get it in Port Canaveral.

 

Didn't see that one here...and we had plenty of time to look around

as we trudged forward. ;)

[island lady]

The line you are referring to was most likely Global Entry. There is also the priority line to the far right for Suites/Pinnacles. Mobile pass was in effect for PE, but not sure about Canaveral.

 

We always use a porter -- they do get priority in the lines because it is in their best interest to get people out of there quickly and get back inside.

 

I was debating whether or not to use self-assist when I disembark Allure on my upcoming sailing. Based on your observations, I think I will do fine with the Suite/Pinnacle escort.

 

Again, great job! I found your review to be very comprehensive, with a pleasant personal touch. I look forward to your next one (hint hint) :)

 

 

Aww...thanks Karen! Very kind of you to say so.

 

No, we checked it out quite well with that odd line. The pax simply lined in that

far right line (not the suites/Pinnacle line) and then a crew member stopped the

first "Disney rope" style set up, and let them through in groups of 20-30

at a time, about every 20 minutes. I could see nothing that explained it.

 

If it was Global entry, wouldn't they go straight through to customs?

They were just let into our line along with everyone else. :confused:

[island lady]

island lady...thanks for taking us along on your Cruise.

 

You are most welcome! Thanks for cruising along with us! :D

[island lady]

What can you tell us about the pool band? Why only at the end of the cruise? I have very fond memories of the steel drums playing by the pool in the old days of cruising.

 

I don't know why they did not play on either of our port sail aways. We checked

out where they would have been, and saw a very weathered sign that said

"canceled due to weather"...but by that time we had been having beautiful sunny

days and calm seas for the last two plus days. Finally cranked them up on Day

six and Day seven (both sea days).

 

We really enjoyed the kick butt great band from Princess playing next to us

in St. Maarten though! ;)

[island lady]

Thanks Island Lady!

 

You are most welcome! :)

 

The friends/families that were enjoying those connected opened

balconies looked like they indeed were having fun! :)

[John&LaLa]

Throughly enjoyed your report, but am so disappointed that I didn't get to meet you onboard! I was at the meet and greet, but didn't get to actually do much meeting. Ah well, maybe next time!

 

And to the poster asking about the Starbucks mugs, I'm almost positive there were none associated with Royal. Just the Miami and Florida "you are here" collection. I did get to pick up one in San Juan though:)

 

There is an Orlando one as well as a Magic Kingdom, Two Epcot versions and Universal Florida one. i'm surprised Tampa or Jacksonville doesn't have one.

 

I prefer the older City series.

[kba1988]

This was a fabulous review. It was so clearly written that even without any pictures at all, I was able to "picture" everything in detail.

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this and share each day with us. We will be on Oasis for the very first time in September of this year...being avid NCL cruisers. Based on your review, and a few others, we anticipate having a great time and enjoying the vessel and all it has to offer!!:):)

[Bette And Bill]

Didn't see that one here...and we had plenty of time to look around

as we trudged forward. ;)

 

Thanks, Pat -

[YachtMama]

Thank you, Island Lady, for your very informative and entertaining Live review on Oasis! I read every entry and it certainly got me excited for our March 12th cruise on her. We are new Diamond members, but I can always learn something new, like your advice about the "magic hour" to go to the DL. We will definitely have to try that!

[Kathie13]

Thanks Island Lady!! Enjoyed your report, as I hung on every word, since we will be going on Lady O on March 26. Have been on her before, but we always can learn more from others opinions. Thanks again!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CruisinCons]

Thanks for taking the time to let us tag along on your vacation! Hope the hobbles go away soon and you are back to yourself.

[beachnative]

Great review...loved your writing style.

 

Hugs to both of you.

[SherriZ366]

Did the people who used porters get through the customs line quicker?

 

Also, did you get my email? Wanted to make sure that I had not screwed up your email address.

[island lady]

This was a fabulous review. It was so clearly written that even without any pictures at all, I was able to "picture" everything in detail.

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this and share each day with us. We will be on Oasis for the very first time in September of this year...being avid NCL cruisers. Based on your review, and a few others, we anticipate having a great time and enjoying the vessel and all it has to offer!!:):)

 

That is so nice of you to say! :) Thanks! I was worried everyone would

be so disappointed that I was not able to post pictures. Did not feel it could

compare to those extremely talented others that have done such great

reviews with pictures.

[island lady]

Thanks, Pat -

 

Thanks, you two world travelers! I still wish I could have stowed

away in your suitcase on your last adventure!! ;) :)