Live From Oasis of the Seas 2/18-2/25!

[jam19872016]

Quote function works, nifty.

  

On 2/21/2018 at 7:33 PM, jam19872016 said:

After eating we set out to see about getting a cab to mystic mountain or taking a tour of the island. We were approached by a cab driver who offered all of the above for $20 per person. Sold.

 

His name was Winston (it is so odd to me that I can remember his name, but so many of the crew I want to mention in my post cruise survey I forget names of) and he was very friendly. He was a bit odd, he was like a tape player and would randomly repeat something he had just said word for word and in the same tone. But a pretty nice guy who told us some pretty interesting facts. Sometimes more than once lol.

 

You can't really tell in this picture, but this was an entrance to a cave with some very intricate looking faces carved into it.

 

 

After taking a tour that included a drive through the rain forest, he got a call and told us he had to take another couple back to the ship, but he would drop us off and be back in 15 minutes for us.

 

Ummm, ok?

 

This is where things started to really go wrong. He dropped us off right in front of a store. Being the smart tourists we are, we knew if we went in that shop we would be scammed into buying useless junk we didn't want. So we went to a nearby restaurant for a quick drink, declining a cab from the man half way through the Red Stripe in his hand.

 

We each ordered a strawberry daquari with vodka because we don't care for rum. When it came time to pay we asked if they accepted credit cards. He said it was a $20 minimum on a credit card but we could leave a tip. That rubbed M the wrong way so she said we'd just pay cash. Suddenly the total was $31. We asked him how it was possible for two drinks to be

$31 and asked to see the menu again.

 

We showed him it said daquaris were only $8 and he showed us where a shot of vodka is $5 so each drink was $13, plus tax. In what world does a daquari not have alcohol in it, all we did was substitute rum for vodka. I checked with Uncle Google, and apparently Jamaica does have a crazy high sales tax (16.5%) but we were not charged tax at the restaurant, nor charged tax when we wanted to pay with a credit card, so at the time believed he was lying about the tax as well.

 

He said his manager did not see him put alcohol in it, so he would not charge us for it. It would only be $16 (again no tax). I gave him a $20, he gave me no change but I guess it would be hard to make change since the $20 went in his pocket instead of a cash register. Good thing we were too smart to get scammed at the store we were dropped off at.

 

[jam19872016]

  

On 2/21/2018 at 7:43 PM, jam19872016 said:

We arrived back where we were dropped off at. A man approached us and said Winston could not wait for us but told him to pick us up when we arrived. We didn't keep track of the time so I guess we could have run late. I really hope this guy didn't see Winston drop us off and scam him out of his fare, but I imagine that is something that would only happen to him once and he would know better. And if he was being scammed, it would teach him not to drop paying customers off before delivering on what was promised.

 

But to tell the truth, I think we were the ones scammed - again. We started out with a tour guide in spacious late model SUV with an AC that worked too well (it was freezing). We finished with a cab driver in a tiny car that buckeled under our weight when we sat down. It had over 692k miles on it and frequently stalled in traffic, no working AC or power steering.

 

Let me just say this, Jamacains drive crazy - and this guy was the worse. We went through busy downtown streets with no sense of order. In some countries you drive on the right hand side of the road. In main areas of Jamaica, you drive on the left hand side of the ride. When driving through downtown and residential areas of Jamaica, you just drive wherever you feel like it. Seriously, people just sorta weaved around the road in any direction, mainly to avoid the potholes that were so large they would have literally swallowed our car alive. I took comfort in the fact that the car had survived 692k miles of this man's driving so he must be an expert in dodging the potholes. Maybe a better adjective would be "sinkholes".

 

This guy was seriously demented. Island time was lost on him, he wanted to make sure we got where we were going in a hurry. Red lights had no meaning on him. Once when stuck at a red light, he crossed the median and drove up the other side of the divided highway since nobody was coming.

 

My favorite was when he ran a red light. There are a few ways to run a red light. There is the always popular "light turns yellow and you speed up instead of stopping". Then if your the type who doesn't think rules apply to them you can always do the "stopped at a red light but nobody is around so I am going to go ahead and go". Then for the truly dedicated, like my cab driver, there is the "stopped at a red light at a busy intersection with traffic coming from both directions but I am going to pull out anyway and force others to slam on their brakes to avoid killing my paying customers".

 

We were a bit frazzeled from our experience at the bar (this is still before the traffic incidents had our nevers completly shot) so we didn't bother telling him we were supposed to be going to see mystic mountain. He said the waterfall and the beach and we went along, just to get this day over with.

 

The beach was gross. Like completly gross and we left within five minutes. It was called Mahogony Beach and if you are ever offered to be taken there, flat out refuse.

 

I wasn't sure if we would make it to the waterfalls. The car was really struggling up the winding roads going up into the mountains. Then we pulled into some guys driveway. This was where I started to get pretty freaked out. He pulled into some random driveway and said this is where you disembark.

 

I didn't know what to think I was in a little bit of disbelief about what was happening but was slightly aware that I was about to be murdered or at least mugged and left to find my way back to the ship. Afterall I got into a random car (it did have a taxi decal, but do I really know how to spot an authentic decal?) at a random shop, at some random spot in downtown Ocho Rios. He could see we were uneasy, and explained this is where we would see the waterfall because there is a fee to actually go to the waterfall. The views here were truly spectacular, but seriously how bout a heads up before you pull into a person's driveway and say "this is where you disembark."

 

Dunn's River Falls, from a distance.

 

 

 

The view of the island from the front of the house.

 

 

 

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

8 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

I will concede that I have not given Falmouth a proper chance, but as they are separated by just over an hour, I think it would be fair to say my experience here would be pretty similar.

nah, Falmouth was a lot more subdued when we were there pre-pandemic.

 

We were just in Ocho Rios and just went to the beach next to port. This time went better than our first time there, lol. But the smell of weed at the beach was overwhelming.

[jam19872016]

  

On 2/21/2018 at 7:46 PM, jam19872016 said:

In the end, we made it back to the ship safe and sound but I have had enough of Jamaica. While there are some ports I can say I'm not crazy about and would not mind staying on the ship (Freeport, Belize) this is one I am done with without an excursion (La Romana and anywhere in Jamaica). I truly enjoyed the experience as hard as that is to believe, but I made a lot of bad decisions that could have ended badly and I have no desire to travel here again. My next cruise also stops in Jamaica, sigh.

That next stop btw was in....Falmouth. I took my mom around the port shopping area and it was a better experience, however I just read the review from the guy on this ship last week and he also relayed his poor experience in Falmouth while attempting to leave the port shopping area. Basically had to return to the ship because the locals would not stop hounding him even after repeatedly saying no thanks.

 

I am sure there are lots of wonderful things to do in this port, DIY is not one of them.

 

The scenery is gorgeous, however. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

4 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Jamacains drive crazy - and this guy was the worse. 

This guy was seriously demented.

wow, sounds like you went on quite an adventure.... Way worse than getting duped into paying $20 for a carving of our names on some really ugly wooden sticks, lol.

[jam19872016]

3 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

nah, Falmouth was a lot more subdued when we were there pre-pandemic.

 

We were just in Ocho Rios and just went to the beach next to port. This time went better than our first time there, lol. But the smell of weed at the beach was overwhelming.

If I'm being honest, I will probably not give it a chance to redeem itself as long as I keep seeing current reviews from people saying they were harassed.

 

Yes, the weed smell was quite over powering too. Sadly I am used to it these days in big cities back home. Terrible odor.

[jam19872016]

2 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

wow, sounds like you went on quite an adventure.... Way worse than getting duped into paying $20 for a carving of our names on some really ugly wooden sticks, lol.

Do you at least still have the ugly wooden sticks?

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 minute ago, jam19872016 said:

Yes, the weed smell was quite over powering too. Sadly I am used to it these days in big cities back home. Terrible odor.

honestly, the only time we get to smell it is while cruising. It is a terrible odor, indeed.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

4 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Do you at least still have the ugly wooden sticks?

I doubt it. But for the first couple of years I burst out laughing every time I saw them somewhere in the house.

My poor husband didn't expect such treachery from a seemingly nice local guy. In our defense, it was our first time in Jamaica... 

Edited February 23 by Itchy&Scratchy

[jam19872016]

2 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

honestly, the only time we get to smell it is while cruising. It is a terrible odor, indeed.

Haven't smelled it all week this cruise. Very refreshing. Carnival would have drug dogs, and while it helps, I will still smell it two or three times during the cruise. Beats the non stop smell that was so prevalent recently especially out of Miami.

[jam19872016]

Just double checked the list on Club Royal's website. It does not match the list at the casino desk. I am going to enquire with the host and see which is accurate, the list online is much more comprehensive. Leaps and bounds better options.

[KroozNut]

22 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

I will concede that I have not given Falmouth a proper chance, but as they are separated by just over an hour, I think it would be fair to say my experience here would be pretty similar.

Ummmm, no. Jamaican experiences are COMPLETELY different, depending on the port.

[jam19872016]

11 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Just double checked the list on Club Royal's website. It does not match the list at the casino desk. I am going to enquire with the host and see which is accurate, the list online is much more comprehensive. Leaps and bounds better options.

I figured it out, I was looking at the incorrect list on the website. Back to the drawing board as I don't really know what I want to pick for my instant certificate now.

 

But first, time to see how lady luck is feeling today. Two more days, just need her to hang in there with me for two more days 🙂

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

16 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

Haven't smelled it all week this cruise. Very refreshing.

but you are in an inside cabin, right? We smelled it a lot while trying to enjoy balconies on cruises.

[jam19872016]

4 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

but you are in an inside cabin, right? We smelled it a lot while trying to enjoy balconies on cruises.

That's unfortunate. I would not be happy to spend the money amd not be able to enjoy my balcony. 

[happy cruzer]

2 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

 

My biggest issue is how few combinations you Gan get for under $20. Burger and dessert? Nope.

 

Nachos and burger? Nope.

 

Even if you drop down to 12 wings, there is nothing else you can order except fries.

 

I still had plenty of food, the portions here are borderline obscene just wish my options weren't as limited.

Was there another late lunch option? Like Sabor?  Thank you for the report and pictures of the UDP.  Once the cruise ends would love to see your final take on the package.

[jam19872016]

Guy behind me hit a 3100 jackpot. I might be a little jealous.

[jam19872016]

15 minutes ago, happy cruzer said:

Was there another late lunch option? Like Sabor?  Thank you for the report and pictures of the UDP.  Once the cruise ends would love to see your final take on the package.

No sabor on Oasis. There was Portside and Johnny Rockets that were also available but I did want to try Playmakers at least once.

[jam19872016]

Tonight is Giovanni's.

 

I think these may be the same salt and pepper from 150. Or Portside? I definitely saw them somewhere. 

 

[jam19872016]

Lemon drop martini.

 

[jam19872016]

Caprese salad 655.

 

[jam19872016]

Half order of carbonara and branzino 705.

 

 

[jam19872016]

Caprese salad was so fresh and delicious. Very light, simple, yet delicious item.

 

The carbonara had such a rich a creamy flavor and I loved the runny egg yolk perched on top. Even when i ordered this in Venice, I don't recall my egg still being runny. Fantastic to see that here.

 

The fish had a perfect cook and I'm not sure what it was seasoned with but I need that in my life more. Very tasty and seemed to be salt based and I'm usually not a fan of salty foods.

 

The best beef was at 150 CP but best fish goes to Giovanni's. 

[jam19872016]

And best chocolate dessert is going to be a tie between this and the tart at 150.

 

Chocolate hazelnut cake 723.

 

 

Maybe the edge to this one.

[jam19872016]

Yes I am going to give the edge to that. The 150 chocolate tart is more creative with the black currant Sorbet.

 

This is a pretty straightforward chocolate dish, but boy does it deliver as an amazing piece of chocolate. 

 

Heading back out now to either casino or may check out schooner if it is not too busy.