Oasis Arrival With HAL Ships in the Video

[fcorey]

Originally Posted by passthru

I always thought I would not be interrested in a very large ship, but I and 27 others of my family went on the Freedom of the Seas in June and it seemed less crowded than either the Grand Princess or the Carnival Glory that we also cruised on this year. Getting off the ship was no more difficult than any other ship we have been on. We were really surprised. We are going on 2 HAL cruises early next year on the Zuiderdam and Westerdam. I will be looking to see how these feel as far as being crowded since we have never sailed on HAL before.

That's not too surprising, RCCL will have had to figure out ways to handle the massive crowds for these ships, and lets face it they have lots of ships to practice on...Freedom, Liberty, and Independence are all large in their own right. These 2 monsters, Oasis and her sister, are being built as destinations in their own right. They are resorts that float and can be moved. The Vegas comparison is quite a good one. Personally I think its a bit larger than I would like....then again I never thought I would try something as large as Crown Princess and we are doing that in January... I think for families with children they may be a good option, let face it there is allot to do, and many things to please many interests. The shear logistics of that ship amaze me, and I will say who knows maybe some time in the future we'd consider trying her, but for now there are just too many other more appealing options for us. I wish them well.

[jtl513]

Originally Posted by bobincm

Personally, I think the Oasis will end up being a failure. It is Las Vegas. It is unlikely passengers will repeat since it can only go to a few ports. RCCL hopes that it is a destination in itself so ports aren't important.

I've met people who have gone on Caribbean cruises a dozen times or more, and don't bother to get off at ports any longer. The question is can RCCL find enough of these people in addition to the newbies?

[lettienets]

Originally Posted by Boytjie

Usually ships arrive with passengers very early in the morning so it is difficult to get a big welcome going at 6 am! I must say, I watched the Dream christening ceremony on the Web and it was pretty lame!

I was on the Carnival Dream transatlantic as it arrived in NY in the middle of the night. Some people got up but not me. The reason for no fanfare - the new USS NY was leaving that morning at 8 and it got all the fanfare coming and going.
The naming ceremony for the Dream was held after the passengers got off and travel agents got on and it did look lame to me on the website when I watched it after returning home. The whole thing was handled badly. The ceremony should have been in Europe when it left Venice for the first of 3 Med. cruises. Also the godmother, Marcia Gay Hardon? - big disappointment to me too.
The transatlantic cruise I was on was so much fun. Wonderful food, entertainment and activities. So much choice. If Carnival had longer itineraries I would sail Carnival more often. My last 4 cruises have been HAL and I really enjoyed the change. So lively and fun. I am 63 and that was pretty average age for this transatlantic cruise or younger. I also booked their upcoming 15 day repositioning Panama Canal cruise to get a more lively cruise while I can. (San Diego to Mobile AL with the option to get off in Tampa) Then back to HAL for the Top of the World