The Fun Researcher
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Posts posted by The Fun Researcher
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Placing my flame suite on...
Personally, I appreciate a good cruise director far more than a visible outgoing captain. Am I the only one who wants the Captain navigating the ship? I don't care if he doesn't say a word as long as we get to our destinations (and back) safely.
I leave the shmoozing and all that to the rest of the crew.
Dan
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Just wanted to say that I appreciate everyone's replies. I booked Allure in October, but I'm not leaning toward Freedom and will most likely make the switch.
They are such different ships that they both deserved to be tried at least once.
Dan
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Thank you for the replies! It's looking like a tie at this point. I love the idea of being in a GS and having those perks, but the Wow factor of the Allure is very tempting!
There is definitely a WOW factor to the Oasis class. However, we found that it faded quickly, and we missed a lot from the Freedom class.
We missed:
The feeling and sights of sailing on the ocean. On the Oasis class, it kind of felt like you step foot onto an impressive hotel and show up at ports throughout the week. It was difficult to find ready access to good views of the ocean.
A nice fitness center. The Oasis class felt like an afterthought. No good views of the seas while running (versus outstanding views on the Freedom). Also, the fitness center smelled of cigarette smoke our entire cruise on Oasis class.
The ability to "get away". On Oasis class, even late at night (we're in our early 40's and like to party, dance, and relax late into the night) we couldn't get away from crowds when we wanted to. It seemed like everywhere you went there were lots of people even late at night. This was especially evident in the promenade. On Freedom class, it quiets down late. On Oasis, there were many young kids (10 and under) and families after midnight running around the promenade.
On Oasis class, it felt more like "go, go, go" to try and do and see all that the ship had to offer. Not as relaxing. The Freedom class already has more than enough for an 8 night cruise.
Bartenders felt more disconnected on the Oasis class, but where "o.k".
Food was equivalent between the two.
Edited to add... Our kids were DD13, DD10, and DS7 on our cruise this past Dec 2014, and they all loved what the Independence (sister ship to the Freedom) had to offer. They loved the kids areas. The Freedom class has the Dream works characters as well, so if your 14 year old may like that, it's another plus.
Dan
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Having been on Oasis class and Freedom class, we prefer the Freedom class for a number of reasons.
We also prefer Eastern versus Western, and 8 nights is better than 7.
That is just our opinion though.
Dan
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OP, funny you bring this up! Pizza is our go to late night snack to soak up some drinks. It's also a big fav with the kids at night as well. After being in Freedom class three times, we're too used to having pizza offered.
We are on the Navigator in April and I made sure that I could get pizza somewhere! Was very glad a while back to find out that it is offered in the cafe promenade!
Dan
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You'll have a fantastic time! Let the good times roll!!!
Dan
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Folks, remember the single seating price is now based on RCI's fantastic results from stateroom BOGOHO.
They are manipulating the base price in order to entice a multiple purchase.
This is how the majority of consumer marketing is today. "Black Friday" forever.
Yeah, but the BOGO offers aren't as good as they seem. They jack up the price for the first cruiser, so the BOGO offer brings the price pretty much where it was a few years back without BOGO.
Dan
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OP, that's a bunch of BS on the part of RCI!
Glad to hear that it isn't getting you too down. Have a GREAT cruise!
Problem is, I don't know what to tell you. Seems like RCI has steeply (and I mean STEEPLY) raised prices for almost anything onboard in the last year. (drinks, food, etc...)
I've already been contemplating trying other cruise lines, and RCI is pushing me that way. Drink and Specialty Restaurant prices were reasonable just 2-3 years ago. Not anymore. (for us)
Dan
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Thanks for sharing! Ahh, I remember so many of those entrees and appetizers from the Main Dining Room!!!
Love so many of them. Only problem is, the menu hasn't really changed in the last few years, and it's so much the same between the Freedom and Oasis class. To be honest I'm getting a little too used to it. Spoiled I guess. My particular favorites:
Appetizers:
The soups. (Pretty much all of them) :)
Escargot - Every night without fail
Scallops
Beef Carpaccio
Smoked Duck
Antipasta
Entrees:
Lamb Chops
Beef Tenderloin
Lobster
Horseradish-Crusted Salmon
I'm not a dessert guy, but if I get one it's the cheese plate
..and who can forget the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARM Bread!
Dan
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You remind me of the smoke smell now! I did keep telling my husband it smelled like smoke to me! Oddest place on ship to smell smoke. Free weight area was where I found wall space that immediately attracted many others! Lol. I didn't need any machines but I did note treadmills only had small Windows to look out. Last year on Silhouette, the treadmills were in front of floor to ceiling glass walls. Now that was nice!
Exactly!
Dan
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Personally, I think the oasis or quantum class have a lot more to keep you occupied on port days. More people is the trade-off
Dan
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They really aren't out as much as I thought they might be. It's definitely not in your face.
Dan
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We did three cruises on Freedom class before we went on the Oasis in May. I probably sound like a broken record, but honestly we are looking forward to getting back to Freedom class. Oasis just didn’t do it for us.
There are a lot of great features on the Oasis class, but I think you’ll appreciate the Freedom class again. We like the connection to the ocean and views on the Freedom class, the more cohesive feel, the ability to more easily find areas that aren’t filled with people/kids, the fitness center…
We’re actually trying the Navigator (Voyager class) in April 2016, which looks awfully dang close to Freedom size. I think the Freedom class is going to end up as our sweet spot though.
Dan
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After the show, we went and checked out the fitness center and find out how to get on the running track so we could make our plan for the next morning.
Glad you had a great cruise!
We had a lot of positives for the Oasis, but the fitness center was a HUGE disappointment. First, it smelled of cigarette smoke. (of all places!). We asked the workers about it and they said it was due to the employee break area being just above (I think they said above) the fitness center. The smoke gets pulled in. The ship was still docked at Ft. Lauderdale getting ready to sail, and they said that once the ship was at sea it would clear up. Problem was, it never did, and we checked many times. Was a huge turn off. The whole fitness center felt like an afterthought, versus a highlight on the Freedom class. I like to run (on a treadmill) and lift free weights. The fitness center felt chopped up, and incohesive. The free weight area was fine, but I really missed the beautiful views out the fore of the ship on the Freedom class with all the windows. Not so on the Oasis.
Maybe they felt that all the walking you need to do on the Oasis takes away the need for some good exercise? ;)
Dan
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Hoping for a solid update to this thread. We were shocked at the drink prices on the Oasis this past May, 2015. We thought it maybe was due to the ship. Sounds as though it's across the board though.
I used to get Captain Morgan's on the rocks, or sometimes mixed with Coke, and on our first few cruises ('12, '14) it was around $6.50 (and i think that may have included the tip). On the Oasis this year I think it was closer to $9.50. All the prices were nuts. We were shocked! It really has gotten out of hand!
Dan
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$22 for a Cupcake class? What do you get for that? Since I am going with a group of women celebrating birthday that might be fun but $22 seems excessive.
Doesn't seem too bad when a single drink on RCI reaches half of that nowadays. :):(
Dan
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February weather is awesome for a cruise IMO. Our Nov/Dec weather was fairly chilly in Florida, and still a little close to hurricane season.
Dan
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She doesn't like the MTD because she's use to traditional where you get the same table and wait staff every night.
All four of our cruises have been My Time dining and we've always had the same table and wait staff. It helps if you choose the same time to eat each night. That is what seems to make the most difference. You can also request to have the same wait staff (especially if you like the ones you got the first night). Same goes for the table. You can request the same, or one closer to an area that you like. They will do their best to accommodate you.
I think there has been only one night were we didn't have the same staff, but that was because changed our meal time significantly from the night before.
Dan
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The ship definitely WOW's, and we had a great cruise on Oasis class in May, but overall we liked the size and views from the Freedom class more.
Have a great cruise!
Dan
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Agree with Gregg. I don't see issues except for two things. They should have apologized. ...and they should have given you clear indication when this will be removed from you SO's account.
Dan
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As soon at 8:30 rolled around it was back to normal, wide open at both entrances. It was just between 5 and 8:30.
We went back about 9 and while open to everyone it was very quiet. I think it depends on the number of diamonds on each individual cruise.
Ah, got it. Hope it's not dead later at night, but glad we can get in! :)
Dan
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Please help me understand. I am lowly gold (turning platinum on our upcoming cruise) We have a long way to Diamond.
Anyway, are you all saying there is a chance that we could be shut out of the Viking Deck altogether? I've downloaded the Cruise Compass's for the Navigator 8 night itinerary that we'll be on, and almost every night there is a DJ in the Cosmopolitan Club starting around 10:30 pm. (since the deck 3,4 nightclub is gone) We plan to be there (deck 14), since we love to dance to a DJ while having a few drinks. There isn't a chance that we'll be shut out of this will we?
Dan
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Lost our military OBC to upgrade as well :( Was only $26 but that was 2 drinks darn it :(
REALLY sad that $26 only gets you about two drinks. Crazy. The drink prices have really gotten out of hand.
Dan
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Ok I got clarification. When I first booked on the first day of the BOGO you paid the price they showed per person for the first person and got half off that for the second person. They have since changed it so that the price per person shown is indeed already calculating in the BOGO based on a 2 person occupancy. I find it very confusing that they changed the way they do that. It should have stayed showing the per person price and then the second person is half off that. that is much easier to understand.
Interesting. I agree, it was easier before when you saw the price being different for the 2nd person. I see why they are doing it this way now though. If people are comparing prices from one cruise line to another, this shows the discounted price up front and makes the price more attractive.
Dan
Wow, What a Captain: Vision of the Seas
in Royal Caribbean International
Posted
Well said. I can say, I do appreciate hearing from the captain when we arrive to ports, upon departure, etc... They do a good job of putting us at ease and relaying important info.
Having had good, and not so good, cruise directors I just feel that they have far more impact on our cruise enjoyment than the captain. I don't mean to derail this thread. I just view the role of the captain a little different than others I guess. :)
Dan