Jump to content

Just off Oasis of the Seas - few comments and will do my best to answer any questions


Recommended Posts

We sailed the Oasis of the Seas 7/1 to St. Martin, San Juan, and Labadee. We had cabin 11134 (ultra spacious oceanview) and MTD (did not go to any specialties).

 

Loved

  • Most of the food
  • Most of the drinks
  • Our (non-RCCL) excursion in St. Martin
  • Ship's layout and condition - never felt crowded
  • Ship's staff

 

Liked

  • Size of room and location
  • Adventure Ocean availability
  • Bed wasn't tempurpedic or anything, but I wouldn't call it uncomfortable, and I'm quite picky

 

Meh

  • Steak (it was really bad, but I always ordered an extra entree to be safe)
  • Short stay in San Juan - I really wish we had more time there to do some interesting excursions. As it was, we just wandered Old San Juan on foot, which was fine and enjoyable. I just know San Juan has so much more to offer.
  • Labadee - really the definition of meh. It was fine. We didn't pay for anything, but would probably do the zip line if we went again.
  • A/C seemed a bit sketchy at times.

 

Interesting things/confirmations from these boards

  • Day 7 was not the day to try those on-board activities you'd been putting off. This was the only day/time the ship felt crowded. Lines were crazy at times, but you could usually swing back by after a bit to find a shorter line.
  • Water in the stateroom was never cool/cold. It was always lukewarm at its coldest.
  • Drink package was definitely worth it. Remember to factor in bottled water, coffee drinks, and smoothies/juices and it's a no brainer if you're even a moderate drinker at $50 (I think we got it for $43 at some point - it was $63 on board).

 

Overall

We had an amazing time! I wish my kids (10 and 13) would have been a bit more independent and gone to the activities more often, but that's not on RCCL. My daughter (13) is pretty outgoing, but didn't seem to click with any groups in the teens club so she never went back after the first day. I imagine the counselors' main job is to make those stubborn teens talk to each other and stuff, so again, this isn't to say anything bad about the teens club. Food was really good, for the most part. We live in Charleston, SC, so we knew we weren't going to be blown away or anything, but we were very impressed. The Indian dishes in Windjammer were especially wonderful. Drinks were well made for the most part. Most bartenders were open to suggestions although some (supervisors, too) didn't measure drinks or just left out ingredients occasionally. When you have the drink package, it's pretty easy to just avoid those folks on your next trip.

 

For Bob

Day 6, $80, you could buy more than one card. :-)

 

As I said, I'll do my best to answer any questions anyone has. I'm sure I'll do a more comprehensive review in the next couple weeks - just wanted to get this out there while it's still fresh.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What did you do in st. Martin? We’re going on Allure and stopping in the same ports you did.

We want to do something else besides the beach since we figured we will do the beach in Labadee.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What did you do in st. Martin? We’re going on Allure and stopping in the same ports you did.

We want to do something else besides the beach since we figured we will do the beach in Labadee.

 

We did Captain Bob's tour (Soualiga). It's a bit pricey but worth every penny! It is on a boat all day with a few snorkeling and beach stops. That's probably not what you're looking for, but we would definitely do it again. My only concern with land-based tours there is the traffic, but I guess it wasn't a problem because everyone was back on board and I think we actually left a few minutes early.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your great review. I am a tad perplexed though, that you did not like Labadee. Most people love it (including myself). Have been there 3 or 4 times and consider it such a relaxing beach day.

 

Not to highjack this thread but labadee is one of the worst ports to visit (but pretty to look at) so I can see why the OP said Meh. I disagree that "most people" love it. Note: This is from the opinion of two people travelling without kids. I would put it in the one star category after our visit in 2016 After a looong walk you have to fight to get a beach chair. If you find one..they were broken. I decided to walk on the beach and go in the water...I literally cut my heel as soon as I sample their rocky, shelly beach. Granted, I'm a floridian so I'm used to nice beaches but I feel that RC could ship in some nice beach sand. As far as the buffet, the day we visited they ran out of food and there was no place to sit. Also, had to again fight at the bar to get a drink it was so crowded. We decided to stay on the ship in 2017 and just admire Labadee from the ship, which made for a beautiful vista. Going to do that again on our upcoming cruise in 2017.....Now, this is from two people in their 40s without kids. I'm sure it's a fun place for kids because of the zipline and slides. Disney Cruise line has a great private island and I much preferred theirs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your great review. I am a tad perplexed though, that you did not like Labadee. Most people love it (including myself). Have been there 3 or 4 times and consider it such a relaxing beach day.

 

me too! We always go to the opposite side (not the zip line side) and it so picturesque there, and the beach is very nice.

I greatly prefer it to Princess Cays, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Jamaica ports.

 

 

I'm sure it's a fun place for kids because of the zipline and slides.

I don't remember any slides (we did travel with and without the kid), but the zipline has a min and max weight, and most kids cannot go on it. I remember it because my DH was able to get on the zip line (185#), but another guy from the ship and his teenage kiddo couldn't - the guy was over the limit at 275#, and the teenager was under the limit (I don't remember what it was). Edited by Itchy&Scratchy
Link to comment
Share on other sites

When in San Juan, at which Port did you stop at to visit which Fort? Did you have to walk or could you get a trolley?

We will be on Oasis in 30 days and are determined to visit the both forts in one day but would like to do both. Just trying to determine where will be docked at first. Thanks for your help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When in San Juan, at which Port did you stop at to visit which Fort? Did you have to walk or could you get a trolley?

We will be on Oasis in 30 days and are determined to visit the both forts in one day but would like to do both. Just trying to determine where will be docked at first. Thanks for your help!

 

It's in Old San Juan. If you google Muelle De Viejo San Juan Ferry, it's the next thing to the right (east). We didn't go to either fort but we could see them. There's a free trolley that goes around as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your great review. I am a tad perplexed though, that you did not like Labadee. Most people love it (including myself). Have been there 3 or 4 times and consider it such a relaxing beach day.

 

Honestly, we probably didn't give it a fair shake. I'll say that it being on Day 6, plus being the third of back-to-back-to-back port stops made it hard to really get amped up for the beach. I think the water at St. Martin was considerably clearer and prettier. We had already decided not to pay for anything (though like I said, I could see doing the zip line in the future), so we just wandered around. We weren't bothered by any one or anything, it was just fine.

 

Maybe it has to do with living all of my life within an hour of the beach? It is definitely prettier than our beaches are here, I just wasn't blown away with the stop and wouldn't mark it as a "must-see." Relaxing beach day is how you put it and I think that is about right. Sorry if it read with an overly negative connotation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your views of the ship... we will be on in January..... our first big ship.... looking forward to seeing the ship!!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

The ship is just huge! There are times it does feel really big. Our cabin was almost all the way forward, so remembering I forgot something there at dinner made for quite a long walk. Most of the time, however, it did not feel huge in a bad way. Until the last day, it never felt crowded. There were a couple times (during events) where I had to wait a few minutes for a drink at the bar, but the overwhelming majority of the time I had no wait.

 

The next largest ship we sailed was the Carnival Dream, and I feel like Oasis had more room (not surprising) and less people (very surprising).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not to highjack this thread but labadee is one of the worst ports to visit (but pretty to look at) so I can see why the OP said Meh. I disagree that "most people" love it. Note: This is from the opinion of two people travelling without kids. I would put it in the one star category after our visit in 2016 After a looong walk you have to fight to get a beach chair. If you find one..they were broken. I decided to walk on the beach and go in the water...I literally cut my heel as soon as I sample their rocky, shelly beach. Granted, I'm a floridian so I'm used to nice beaches but I feel that RC could ship in some nice beach sand. As far as the buffet, the day we visited they ran out of food and there was no place to sit. Also, had to again fight at the bar to get a drink it was so crowded. We decided to stay on the ship in 2017 and just admire Labadee from the ship, which made for a beautiful vista. Going to do that again on our upcoming cruise in 2017.....Now, this is from two people in their 40s without kids. I'm sure it's a fun place for kids because of the zipline and slides. Disney Cruise line has a great private island and I much preferred theirs.

 

Always good to hear other opinions. Here is mine; I am in the 'I loved' Labadee side. It was beautiful and we have had great beach days there.

Isn't it your own fault that you went into the ocean without beach shoes and cut your foot? This is a basic thing you should do especially if you are not familiar with the beach? Shouldn't you know this especially if you live in FL?

As far as the walk, how far do you think is acceptable to walk?

 

I have been to the Disney Castaway island also; IMO it was just OK. Very commercialized; shops everywhere and if you did want to go somewhere there were trams to take you a couple of blocks. Not really a true beach island experience; we felt we had to get through all of the commercialized area just to get to the beach areas.

I am not saying it wasn't lovely but very built up and lots of opportunities to buy Disney stuff.

Also IMO the food and bar service were not very good either (the food isn't that good on Disney ships); we went at a not very crowded time and we had to go and find someone to wait on us.

 

That said, it is really all subjective, this is our experience, and I am a HUGE Disney Parks fan. To each their own and I respect your opinions.

Safe sailing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is wonderful! I'm actually embarking on this same cruise in just a few days so I hope you don't mind me asking a couple questions! 1. How was breakfast on the ship? Did you eat at the Windjammer or the Main Dining Hall (I'm trying to avoid the crowds). 2. Speaking of food, are there any places in particular you'd recommend to eat at for lunch (or in general recommend)? 3. What time did you board on embarkation day and how long did it take to get on the ship? 4. Did you visit anywhere in particular in Old San Juan? Right now my plan was to visit both forts, hit Barachinna for Pina Coladas and then finish with lunch somewhere (El Jibarito, Cafe Manolin). Hopefully I didn't barrage you with too many questions. Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Short stay in San Juan - I really wish we had more time there to do some interesting excursions. As it was, we just wandered Old San Juan on foot, which was fine and enjoyable. I just know San Juan has so much more to offer.

 

I just assume the Oasis class uses the pier at Old San Juan when she is there on a port of call. Did I assume correct? I've never seen an Oasis class in San Juan. What were your hours ashore here?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I just assume the Oasis class uses the pier at Old San Juan when she is there on a port of call. Did I assume correct? I've never seen an Oasis class in San Juan. What were your hours ashore here?

Yes, all Royal ships use the OSJ piers for day stops.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are doing a very similar cruise next March on Adventure. We had looked at Oasis while sitting at the next cruise table on our Majesty cruise a couple weeks ago but just couldn't fathom the large price difference on an Oasis class vs the Adventure which we have done twice before. We've yet to take one of the huge newer ships, mainly for that reason.

 

We are again taking our daughter who will be nearly 7 yrs old by that point and she really enjoys the younger age Adventure Ocean on the couple cruises she's been on before with us.....at least for the couple hours we take her there, usually in the evenings so we can partake in an adult beverage or two and hit the casino. We like to spend time with her and not drop her off all day...lol. We've had great experience with them so far and on a smaller ship like we just took she was finding her little friends she made there and talking to them when shed see them throughout the ship.

 

I am liking hearing some opinions on your San Juan and St Maarten things to do. We've only ever used San Juan as a departure port in the past and never really did much there besides get on and off the ship and head to the airport and having been to St Maarten twice in the past (before our girl was born) we always went to Maho Beach to watch the planes land and take off but I wonder if thats been redone since the hurricane last year. Its kind of a lengthy way away from the port and I'd rather not risk it with our daughter in tow. Looking at other things to do there.

 

As for the drink package, its certainly worth it to me, not so much for my wife since she doesn't drink. We were lucky on this last cruise that we called way before hand and they were able to offer us getting her just the soda package (or basic non alcohol) instead of having us both buy in to the alcohol one. I'm not so sure it would make it worth it to me if that were to change this go around.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!!

Edited by kcamp317
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is wonderful! I'm actually embarking on this same cruise in just a few days so I hope you don't mind me asking a couple questions! 1. How was breakfast on the ship? Did you eat at the Windjammer or the Main Dining Hall (I'm trying to avoid the crowds). 2. Speaking of food, are there any places in particular you'd recommend to eat at for lunch (or in general recommend)? 3. What time did you board on embarkation day and how long did it take to get on the ship? 4. Did you visit anywhere in particular in Old San Juan? Right now my plan was to visit both forts, hit Barachinna for Pina Coladas and then finish with lunch somewhere (El Jibarito, Cafe Manolin). Hopefully I didn't barrage you with too many questions. Thanks!

 

  1. Breakfast was pretty good. My wife said the omelettes in the dining room were amazing. We stuck to Solarium Bistro the rest of the breakfasts.
  2. We ate a lot of hot dogs at the Dog House. Park Cafe was a yummy option and Promenade Cafe always had good snacks.
  3. We got to the port right around 10 AM. I'm pretty sure we were on board around 11:30. We had never sailed RCCL before, so even though we were boarding group 2, we had to wait for all the C&A folks to get on first.
  4. We didn't - sorry. We just wandered around. We did get some great 75¢ limbers at a little hole in the wall place. I'm 95% sure it was at the corner of Calle Clara Lair and Calle Las Monjas. There's a small sign outside.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are doing the same tour with Capt Bob in St. Maarten. Did any of the stops havea long swim to the beach or was it pretty accessible? Thanks for your review

 

I would say it was pretty accessible. One of the beaches has a pretty steep drop-off, so you're pretty close before you can touch, but it didn't take longer than a minute or two swimming with one hand (with a beer in my other hand ;)). Our captain was Captain Kirk. He grew up in western Canada and worked as a commercial fisherman up there before moving to the island. Definitely an expert captain - he knew exactly what he was doing.

 

All that being said, if you don't like small boats (this one was 36'), or swimming, or sometimes choppy waters, I'd probably avoid it. He said they do occasionally have people that sign up for the tour and can't swim, or don't like fish, or something crazy like that. Our kids have been swimming their whole lives but are still kids (10 and 13) and they were perfectly fine on the boat and at all the stops.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just assume the Oasis class uses the pier at Old San Juan when she is there on a port of call. Did I assume correct? I've never seen an Oasis class in San Juan. What were your hours ashore here?

 

Bob confirmed which port.

 

I'm pretty sure we were there from 8a - 2p.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your review! We'll be on Oasis next month and appreciate your time. :) Did your younger kid enjoy AO? Were there any great events not to miss? Mine will both be in the 9-11 group.

 

Our 10-year old really enjoyed Adventure Ocean. He was a bit bummed that they didn't have the gaming systems like the teen club but still had a great time. He's a big fan of gagaball (still not sure what that is) and they play a lot of that. The counselors were great and the kids all seemed to be having fun whenever I went by. We went to check on him a couple times (usually later at night) and he usually wanted to stay. They do combine with the Explorers (5-8s) after 10pm, which he didn't love, but they usually put on a movie then too.

 

I'd agree with the consensus on the events. We skipped Cats - really weird that they'd put that show on a cruise ship. Maybe they should do Stomp or something more high energy. Oasis of Dreams is an amazing show - just don't try to get any meaning or storyl line out of it and you'll be fine. Come Fly with Me was pretty cool and enjoyable. We watched the headliner show from the back and skipped out after a few minutes - probably meant a bit more for an older generation. The ice show was also pretty great, though the guy who draws in the sand stole the show! If anything, I'd almost say there's too much to do. When you have reservations every night, you tend to miss the other stuff going on.

 

Oh! The 70's Party was pretty amazing too! It's in the Promenade, but you can get a great view from a seat near the railing at the Schooner Bar.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...