Oasis Concerns

We are a Diamond Plus couple booked in an OS for b2b's on Oasis (will go from D+ to Pinnacle Club on second cruise). These cruises will just be the two of us. Final payment due May 29th and as we near that date we are having some concerns that we have chosen the right ship and we hope you can either validate our concerns or set our minds to ease about them. Here they are;

1) we love Radiance Class and most of our RCCL cruises have been on those ships, Vision Class, and a few Voyager Class. We like Radiance class because we cruise for peace, quiet, and just to get away from our very busy lives back home. Wondering if Oasis is just too much (size, number of people, so many venues, etc)?

2) we have read on these boards about long wait times for MyTime dining and that bothers us. Are the reported long wait times normal or just a few isolated cases?

3) also heard that Windjammer is a crowded nightmare, that it is really too small for the number of people on Oasis?

So many of these things comes down to individual tastes, etc but any feedback is appreciated.

I would agree that Windjammer is too small for the number of guests onboard. However, that problem is mitigated somewhat by the number of alternative venues available for breakfast and lunch.

I can only get excited about cruises I have not been on. Concerns might arise during or after a cruise.

I was on Oasis last week, and as it was my first cruise, I can't answer 1, but I can help with 2 and 3.

We had MTD (just 2 people- my husband and me), and we never had to wait more than a few minutes. When we arrived, they took our stateroom #, confirmed those in our party, and took us to our table. The only times we had to wait were because we requested a specific table. The line for those with no reservations was always long, but if you have reservations I'm sure you'll be fine.

If you avoid Windjammer during the most popular times [i.e. 8-9am, noon] it doesn't feel too crowded. We went for a later breakfast or later lunch and didn't have any problems with crowds. Don't go on the first day for lunch! The line is ridiculous! I enjoyed the Solarium Bistro as an alternative to Windjammer.

Since you are in an Owner's Suite, you will have access to Coastal Kitchen, so if MTD turns out to be a problem, just eat in CK. :)

I haven't been on Oasis yet and just a few days shy from Diamond but since you will be Pinnacle you certainly have cruised often and will do so in the future. I say give it a try, especially that it is just the two of you, I am sure you can find some quiet spaces on that massive ship. You will never know until you try and if you don't like it, book Radiance class again :)

Or, if you really want to shake it up, book Oasis for your first leg and if there is a Radiance class in/near Orlando or sailing day after you get back from Oasis, book it and have a back to back on two different ships :)

Problem solved LOL

My wife and I are just simple Platinum members, but found the easiest way to avoid all headaches on Oasis is to have reservations. We had MTD reservations we made in the mornings all but two nights and never had a wait. Oasis has so many dining options I think we only hit the Windjammer once or twice - yes it is busy but just try to miss peak times and you'll be ok.

If this is your first cruise on an Oasis class ship, keep in mind you also should get reservations for all shows as well to get top seating. I believe these large ships are the only ones that offer reservations for shows.

I had the same concerns. I was on Harmony last week - my first cruise on an Oasis Class ship. All of our previous cruises have been on smaller ships- some on Oceania's Regatta with 650 passengers so this was a much different experience. I was hesitant to book Harmony but my DH really wanted to try it. We ate in the MDR two nights with a MTD reservation and did not have to wait. They escorted us to our table without delay.

There are some quiet places on the ship. One of our favorite places for lunch was Park Cafe. Great salad bar, sandwiches and desserts and it was not crowded. We ate there 3 or 4 times. The Suites Lounge is also a quiet spot. I had breakfast there every morning at their continental buffet. I would avoid Windjammer on a sea day. It's going to be very crowded. Not worth it, in my opinion. We had lunch there on one port day and it was fine.

You won't need to make a reservation for any of the entertainment because you're in a suite. I had spent a lot of time online making reservations but then discovered we didn't need them. Have a great cruise!

Since you are in an Owner's Suite, you will have access to Coastal Kitchen, so if MTD turns out to be a problem, just eat in CK. :)

We forgot about that! Are the offerings, etc the same?

We forgot about that! Are the offerings, etc the same?

Coastal Kitchen has a different menu than the Main Dining Room.

You don't HAVE to do ANY of the activities or shows if you prefer not to...so you can get all the "down time" you want, regardless of what is offered.

Yes, the WJ is smaller than it should be, but that's because they have so many other dining venues.

Thank you all! This is what I love about these boards! We are going forward...Oasis here we come!

Coastal Kitchen is great - we loved the menus and variety. You also can have a really nice breakfast there. As for peace and quiet, the Suite Lounge is very nice. We played cards there during the day and if you like to read, you've got a great spot away from the hustle. There is also an outdoor bar and sundeck for suite guests - again, great way to avoid the crowds.

The Coastal Kitchen has its menus on line. You also get to sit in the VIP area for all the shows and you do not need to make reservations. I still make the on-line reservations, but change anytime we feel like it. You need reservations for the Coastal Kitchen as well. You do not need reservations for breakfast or lunch. When we travel in an Owners suite we never see the main dinning room or the Windjammer!

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Been on the Allure twice (I know not Oasis but basically the same) but have yet to even step in the Windjammer. There are so many other dining venues. Going on the Oasis in January and feel once again we won't feel a need to even find it.

Congrats of Pinnacle!

BonVoyage

Dawna

I had Oasis booked for August 2018 - last evening I switched us to Empress of the Seas from Tampa - we got a Jr. Suite for an amazing price & we will get to see Key West - I do want to do Oasis - but will wait a bit!

Glad to read everyone's positive remarks about Oasis class.

Do you need to make reservations for Coastal Kitchen before we board?

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Do you need to make reservations for Coastal Kitchen before we board?

No, you can make them on board.

Also since op is in a suite, there is a podium for suite guests at mtd. Just walk up to podium and they will sit you asap. This was on the allure.

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Just finished my first sailing on Oasis class. I had sailed with RCCL twice many years ago and really loved Radiance class as well. For me, I really enjoyed just lounging in a bar watching the ocean through the windows. Although you don't really have this opportunity on Oasis, I did really enjoy our week onboard but it is a little different than my other cruises. Windjammer does get crowded. Finding a seat wasn't always that bad some of the food stations would get a little crowded.

One thing that makes it better is all of the complimentary options on board like Solarium, Park Cafe, Vitality Cafe smoothies (with drink package), Johnny Rocket's for breakfast.

Congrats on upcoming Pinnacle, op! Maybe one day for me...

We also just got off Oasis and had a Grand Suite. The suite perks on the Oasis class are wonderful. We never set foot in the MDR and only ate in the Windjammer twice for lunch (we wanted the curry). It was very busy with seating being full - we were going to take our plates up to the suite lounge if we could not find a table. Coastal kitchen was so nice - excellent service and food that seemed to be cooked to order for the most park. We also had dinner in the Solarium Bistro one night to try it - enjoyed the food but because we ate on the early side it was strange watching people in the pool while dining. We had access to all the shows except the comedy club by just showing our cards - the reserve rows have great views. The suite only sundeck is quite, has its own bar, and nice ocean view. The suite lounge - which shares the room with coastal kitchen is also quite with some view.

I enjoyed sitting in the aft deck chairs on deck 5 for a nice wake view. We also enjoyed a glass of wine while listening to the violin duo in central park

After the suite perks on oasis it will be hard to book a suite on a vision or radiance class ship again

Congratulations on pinnacle

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Since you are in an Owner's Suite, you will have access to Coastal Kitchen, so if MTD turns out to be a problem, just eat in CK. :)

We have been on Oasis and Allure. On the Oasis we were in a suite.

Suite passengers had priority in the main dinning room so there was no waiting or need to reserve a table. Eating in Coastal Kitchen was also very nice.

I don't like crowds yet Oasis has become my favourite class. Plenty of entertainment, eating venues and quiet spaces to hang out. Central Park is my favourite space. Exclusive suite deck with cabanas and a dedicated bar was also really nice.

Windjammer did get crowded at times. Trick was to avoid peak times. On occasions, a queuing system was in place and you were escorted to a table and this seemed to address the crowding issue.