jandb_bear

I was on the same cruise as you. Thank you for writing your thoughts and experience. I missed on a lot of the shows so it was nice you were able to go (I've got little ones).

I thought that the MDR had pretty good food (not a food snob but I know when a burger or steak is over cooked) and felt that most meats were properly cooked and very tender! I enjoyed most of my meals every night there. Our waiter and assistant waiter were a great team (always anticipated our needs by the 2nd night). Had milk for each child with a fruit cup ready for them when we sat down for dinner.

Also agree with the buffet. Pretty good for buffet. No complaints.

I agree that there were a lot less staff for the events. They were supposed to have a end of week parade but because many of the shows were cancelled (due to rougher water), the cast had to be available for the rescheduled ones.

Luckily for me, i did not encounter many rude passengers. Sorry that you had to go through that. I actually had many kind people help me. I was travelling down an elevator with my 2 year old son in my arms. He was crying. The elevator was pretty full but he and I managed to get in. With him in my arms, he started reaching for the doors of the elevator, still crying. The doors opened at one of the floors, his small hand got pulled in with the doors. Many of the passengers in the elevator helped me pry his hand out. A man, who was waiting to get in the elevator, gently took my son's hand to check it and said that it was OK and to just get ice. Strange incident. No permanent damage on my son. But it was nice to see many good people too.

I felt that the guest services were very helpful. Any questions. accounting issues, missing card key pass (they missed my husband's card pass when we checked the room on the first day), they resolved it for us quickly.

I utilized the kid's adventure program for 2 days and it was not as good as it when i was on the Allure 1.5 years ago. The caregivers seemed....very tired. They weren't as enthusiastic or engaging with the kids. My daughter had Po the Panda visit her group 1.5 years ago and hoped he would return. It was scheduled for it for this sailing but because a lot of the cast were not available (they told my daughter Po the Panda had a tummy ache but likely not enough staff), she was extremely disappointed. We never took her back to the kids program after that. There was just not enough staff or they're overworked...not sure. But I was disappointed with the quality of the kids program (cut corners a lot).

But on a positive note, the dining was good. The kid's pool area was always fun. Everywhere else, the staff were overall very pleasant and polite. I do have to mention how much the staff clean...and clean and clean. (e.g. Wiping down door knobs, and commonly used areas). They did a good job there and how the crew maintains the majority of the ship,

Overall, I had a good time on the Allure of the Seas too!

There is a small shelf but any small travel sized bottles can fall through in-between the metal grates (?) that makes up the bottom of the shelf...hard to explain.

In the balcony room, I did not see a clothesline in the bathroom.

If you stay at the Springhill Suites in Dania Beach, there is a free airport shuttle and free shuttle to the cruise port.

I wanted to know if they've changed their policy recently for the free shuttle to the cruise port. I've noticed on TripAdvisor reviews that people had to pay $10/pp?

I've stayed here before but it was a couple of years ago. Back then it was free.

Can anyone confirm?

Hi there,

I've just returned from my first time on the Oasis of the Seas.

I am currently pregnant and was 17-18 weeks when I traveled. Even though Royal Caribbean did not ask for one, I still had my attending physician to write me a note stating my current health, how far along I would be during my time on the ship, and my due date. No one did ask me for it in the end, but it was a piece of mind in case they did. I personally found that not all the people who work at Royal Caribbean had all the facts or understood the most current policies. For me, my family and I had spent so much money to go, I did not want to get denied.

I have a child who's 2.5 years old. She slept on the pull out couch. The pull out bed/couch becomes a king sized bed when folded out (I had a balcony room. I'm guessing the interior room would be the same. My child did not come close to falling off the bed. I even brought with me a $1 blow up water noodle to put underneath the sheets to prevent her from rolling out. Didn't really use it except as a lumbar support when sitting on the couch.

Enjoy your trip in September. Oasis of the Seas is amazing.

Oasis has the O3b high-speed internet now.

Thank you! That's really helpful and a relief. I've heard from my travel agent that some ships are slooooow....and that made me worried.

Thanks for the review WhiteCap. I was looking at the 60minute internet package myself and even called the RCI customer service to confirm and they claim that there's the 60minute internet package available.

This is annoying.

Do you know what the next internet package available? And would you know if it's truly highspeed internet or is it the speed of dial up (please don't say it is!).

Thank you again.

Where did you find the weight/height restrictions for the crib? Would you know that these restrictions are?

You will receive info mid way through the cruise, or check with guest services. Not all airlines participate - again check with guest services. You have to sign up ahead of time, can't do it last minute; I believe 48 hours before departure, but not certain.

 

Excellent service. It is $20 person which usually covers two bags (some people with kids include the kids with their bag so they don't have to pay for the kids). You leave the bags out the night before and they go straight to your home airport. The $20 is in addition to any airline fees which you might have to pay. I am not sure but I think suite guests get this for free.

 

There are certain time restrictions. Flights have to be after 11:30 out of FLL. Different time for Miami flights.

The $20 sounds worth it especially with little kids. I'm not lucky this time around. My airline is not part of the selected airlines that participates in the luggage valet.

Sounds like I'm going to be stuck.

You do not have to disembark that early unless you have a reason to do so. Also disembarkation doesn't normally begin that early - more likely 6:30 am and that is for passengers who wish to carry all their own luggage. You have to be able to take all your bags yourself and cannot use escalator unless you have a "free" hand which might limit you with kids. There is an elevator available but you may have to wait a few minutes to use. Once you are off the ship and cleared immigration you enter a large hall. There are lots of porters there to help with bags.

 

If you do regular disembarkation you put your bags out the night before and only have to carry your hand luggage. Same process as the walk off, except you claim your bags in the large hall mentioned above. Your bags are color coded with tags and on the ship they stagger departures until around 10:00.

 

Unless you have a specific reason to get off early, especially with kids, would think regular disembarkation would be easier for you.

 

If you are flying consider luggage valet program.

Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

We've got a flight for 12:20pm. I'm guessing that should be enough time but our airline is doing renos in Fort Lauderdale and they strongly suggested we arrive 120minutes before departure. We hope to get there before then!

How does one purchase luggage valet? And would you know how much it is?

Forgive my ignorance but where do you request or get a Porter to assist with luggage? I've got a big group of 12. We need to be together as we've got 4 little children .

We want to get out the quickest way and the 5:30am disembarking is very intimidating for me to drag 4 little kids so early in the morning and dragging all our luggage.

Can someone confirm that the hourly rates are still available (on the Oasis or Allure)?

You're TA should have told you that could be place on a wait list for Early Traditional Dining. Suggest you contact your TA to request to be wait listed.

You know...I think we were put on a wait list now that you mentioned it. How will I know we were able to get early traditional dining?

I gather I need to get in touch with Royal Caribbean...

thanks xxoocruiser

When you goto the mdr there is two lines. One for reservations and one without. The line with reservations usually is less wait time.

 

We were just on the oasis with mtd. A party of eleven. We changed our reservation time though out the week. We would make a new time each night as we were leaving the mdr. We also made with the same waiter (randall bill).

 

He was great and after the second night he always had our drinks waiting for us at the table, like traditional dining.

 

So, no you don't have to make reservations before boarding, they go out of their way to accommodate you.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Did you have to wait long when you arrived? And how did you manage to get a setting for 11? We actually have a group of 12 and thought the only way we can be "somewhat" together was break our group up as 8 people and 4 people (a mixed group of little toddlers and a very senior person - hence our need to eat early).

Sorry for the noob question or if it has been answered before.

I'm sailing on the Oasis in June.

I initially wanted a traditional seating dining for the earliest eating time for dinner (guessing 5:30pm) but it was all booked. So my travel agent booked me on My Time Dining requesting for 6pm seating. (I'm also guessing 6pm is the earliest to eat for MTD?)

My question is, if i wish to eat every day at the earliest time the dining room is open, can I reserve online or must I request for this immediately when i get on board the ship?

I have a big group (8) which is why I had hoped to reserve seating. We are pretty consistent with our meal times and would like to sit together.

I appreciate any advice or info you have. Thank you everyone!!!