Live from the oasis - 5/1 - 5/15!

[Mack704]

The entry below was written several hours ago...but it took until now to get onto the RCCL wifi network...

 

 

15 months ago…that’s when we booked this cruise. Been studying since then. On this website, I’ve read probably 175 reviews. I’d like to give back a little. So…it’s time for Live…on the Oasis!

 

We flew down a day early, stayed at the Hyatt Place Airport North. It was nice - recommend it! Free hotel shuttle to the ship today…from the time the shuttle dropped us off to the time we were on the Promenade…maybe 12 minutes!

 

It’s a big WOW here too! We high-tailed it up to the Sports Area to get in line for the Zipline - nobody was there! By the time somebody showed up, there were about 8 people - I mean I heard about 2 hours waits to reserve the Zipline. We were there about 11:45, and there were 8 people there. A Crew member shows up…and tells us this week they’re trying something new. During the posted open hours, just line up for your turn, but make sure you have signed your waiver first, have on closed-toe shoes, dry clothes, no jewelry, carrying nothing but your Seapass card ONLY!!!

 

So…we walked to the other end of Deck 15, to the Solarium Bistro. I thought the food was pretty good! They had a hot buffet, and a cold buffet, all healthy selections, but pretty tasty. They had cold seared tuna, several different salads, including a salad bar, delicious ranch dressing. The hot side had a seafood dish with shrimp, bay scallops and mussels, a boneless skinless chicken dish - real tasty - grilled zucchini and squash - excellent, maybe a touch spicy. Brussel sprouts were great too.

 

After lunch, we took a walk around the ship. The Boardwalk was a little shorter than I expected, but long enough! We sat down in the Aqua Theater, and watched the Cruise Director’s welcome video - the cruise director IS Ken Rush, by the way - seemed very friendly on tape.

 

We walked through Central Park, toured Entertainment Place on Deck 4, rocketed up to Deck 17 to check out the Viking Crown Lounge - windows on 3 sides - nice view! Comfortable chairs - they seem to have comfortable chairs in all the lounges.

 

By then, rooms should be ready, we figured, and they were. Moved in, the Boss started unpacking (DW is one terrific packer and unpacker!), and around 4 went to the obligatory security briefing…it was painless, just minutes. Particularly painless for me...since I slept through it!

 

Back to the room to relax…DW finished unpacking (guess who’s typing this!). Cruise started about 45 minutes ago. It’s about 6:15 now, Get back to you later tonight, or tomorrow. Will be glad to answer any questions…that I can!

 

Harvey

[Zoey1]

woo hoo...was hoping someone would do a live post...looking fwd to the western itinerary review..we are on her 5/29...can't wait to hear all about your trip..thanks for taking the time to "take us along"..have a great week!

Wendy

[tright]

I just love these live reviews!!!! Thanks!!! can't wait to go

[champagne123]

WAKE UP!!!!! How was dinner last night? Did you eat in the MDR or My time dining? Did you see any shows?

[Merc]

thanks so much harvey, we are on this cruise 5/15 have been waiting for someone to do a live on this itinerary, you are awesome!!!!! hope you and your wife have a wonderful week!!! 12 more days for us.

 

 

Debbie

[islandbound1day]

Have fun! I cannot wait to read more!

[Beach710]

Hi

Thanks for posting the live thread.

 

This probably sounds dumb but when you say "no jewelry" does that mean none, no rings, to earrings, no anything?

 

I never take my jewelry off! :eek:

 

Thank you.

[Mack704]

Hi everyone! Day 2! Before I continue, a little about the cabin.

 

We have a balcony cabin D-5 on Deck 8, starboard forward. Other reviews have remarked that the cabins seemed smaller. Seems pretty much the same as other balcony cabins we’ve been in on other ships. Storage is a little tight (DW says it is quite tight - not as many drawers as on other ships - and no drawers in the bedside tables), but we got everything put away! The bed is closer to the balcony. The big flat screen TV faces the sofa, but swivels. The bathroom is typical cruise ship - small. Plastic shower doors - no curtain - the shower is a cylinder - the doors slide open and closed. Sink water never gets real cold - but it does get warm! No disappointments here - no more, no less than we expected.

 

We have MTD on deck 5 of the MDR, and our reservation was for 8:30 last night. But we got hungry, so we went at 8:00. Had to wait in line about 2-3 minutes, and they took us right in. We always request a table for 2...and that’s what we got! Our waiter, Andu (sp?), was terrific! First we got bread and rolls - delicious. DW got the Vidalia Onion Tart - and she said “Yummy!” . I had a bite and fully agree! I had Smoked Fish Tapenade - which was terrific - Caesar salad with lots of dressing, just the way I like it, and watermelon gazpacho, which was not to my taste - a little too sweet for me, but DW tasted and liked it.

 

My prime rib was real good - tasted a little more like chuck roast than prime rib, but I like chuck roast too! DW had sea bass, and liked it a lot - I actually got that too, and the lentils under the sea bass were tasty. We always get the sugar-free desserts, and the Pot du Crème (chocolate pudding) was a great ending.

 

We both left full and content!

 

Did a little casino, came out $5 ahead on the poker machines, then went to the Opal theater for the Welcome Aboard show, which this week was something special. They had a Las Vegas entertainer, Paul Boland, who did comedic song impressions, and he was good!

 

This morning, we went to our CC Meet and Mingle, met some of our fellow CCr’s, and we’re getting ready to go to lunch (we just got room service coffee first thing, as we usually do)! They call 5 minutes before they bring it, and we use that as our wake-up call!

 

Answer to the last question - yes - they said ALL jewelry! Lock it up in your safe before you go!

 

More later…

 

Harvey

[caa419]

Thanks for all the info. I really enjoy the Live Reviews!! Makes me feel like I am almost there (76 more days!!) Hope you have a Wonderful time--you sound like you have such a positive about everything! Enjoy!

[rzmz89]

Thanks for the information. I love the "live feeds." and appreciate the folks that do it. We will be back on the Oasis in June and looking forward to info on the western caribbean itinerary. Ricca from Chicago.

[ready2sail40]

Looking for more info on the cupcake cupboard, is it worth the money for the class?

 

ALso what is the drink making class all about?

 

Thanks.

[CruiserNicole47]

have on closed-toe shoes, dry clothes, no jewelry, carrying nothing but your Seapass card ONLY!!!

 

 

What qualifies as closed toe shoes??? Thanks for mentioning this I never would have thought about it because ALL I bring is flip flops/sandals and heels for formal night. I hate tennis shoes.... so are they required for the zipline?!??

[ILUVTRIPS]

Hi everyone! Day 2! Before I continue, a little about the cabin.

 

Hi Harvey,

 

Thanks for the post. I'm on the 29 May sailing and I can't wait! Have a Mimosa by the pool for me!

 

Jo :)

[islandbound1day]

I would love to know when the 2 formal nights are during the Western itinerary.

[CLQ]

Harvey, thanks for taking us all along with you. We're on the Western itenerary in July, so we've been waiting for some info as well.

 

I have a few curiosities--

* How did the under-bed storage space work out compared with other ships you've been on?

* If you end up having breakfast at Johnny Rockets, a scouting report on that would be good.

 

** Maybe as much as anything--we'll be curious about what night the 2nd formal night is especially.

 

We're appreciative of all you tell us. Have a great time.:D:cool:

[hollon]

I'd like to know is the ship really worth the money - thanks - love your review, keep'em coming

[CariBear]

Looking forward to tagging along with you on your Oasis cruise!!

[Beach710]

Answer to the last question - yes - they said ALL jewelry! Lock it up in your safe before you go!

 

More later…

 

Harvey

 

Hi Harvey,

Thanks for answering my question and for sharing your trip.:)

 

I can't wait to hear more!

[Cruise Cat]

Harvey - Glad your having fun!!! I'd like to know how the Back to Back (B2B) works out. Do you get your week 1 alcohol? Do you actually have to get off the ship?

Chuck

[packandgo]

Harvey - Glad your having fun!!! I'd like to know how the Back to Back (B2B) works out. Do you get your week 1 alcohol? Do you actually have to get off the ship?

Chuck

 

We were on the Oasis b2b in January and had the liquor that was purchased the first week delivered to our cabin on the last night of the cruise that first week.

 

Also, they do take you off the ship at the end of the first week to go through customs and bring you right back on the ship. This is only about a 5 - 10 minute process..very quick.

 

This ship is so amazing and fabulous with so much to do. Even after doing a b2b for 14 days we have booked again for Jan. 2011. There was a lot of things that we did not get to do that it keeps you coming back!:D

[kissimmee-cruiser]

Hey there! We get onboard next Saturday! We can't wait. Let us know later in the week if the zipline sign up stayed the same or if we need to go get signed up as soon as we get onboard.

Have a great time and we'll be joining you soon!

[TrishOB]

Do the TVs over the cantilevered hot tubs have remotes for guests to change the channel? Or is whatever is being shown on them controlled by the staff, or is it a set channel? What is usually showing on the TVs?

[Ella2]

What qualifies as closed toe shoes??? Thanks for mentioning this I never would have thought about it because ALL I bring is flip flops/sandals and heels for formal night. I hate tennis shoes.... so are they required for the zipline?!??

 

Not the OP, but have sailed on Oasis on a pre-inaugural (and will be on her for a Western this August, so looking forward to that part of this review!)...and can tell you that flip flops or heels would NOT be allowed. They mean completely covered, closed-toed shoes such as tennis shoes. I had to borrow some from another cruiser as I also didn't travel with any closed toe shoes that trip...but ended up not doing the zipline then.

 

If you want to do the zipline, you definitely need to pack something like tennis shoes. You can go pick up a cheap pair somewhere if you will never use them again. :)

[Cruise Cat]

We were on the Oasis b2b in January and had the liquor that was purchased the first week delivered to our cabin on the last night of the cruise that first week.

 

Also, they do take you off the ship at the end of the first week to go through customs and bring you right back on the ship. This is only about a 5 - 10 minute process..very quick.

 

This ship is so amazing and fabulous with so much to do. Even after doing a b2b for 14 days we have booked again for Jan. 2011. There was a lot of things that we did not get to do that it keeps you coming back!:D

 

Thank you very much!!! I think we did a good thing with the back to back. We knew we could not see the whole ship in just 7 days!:)

[Platinum of the Seas]

Thanks so much for all of the updates! Hope you are having fun! Can you try to save all the compasses for us to put up on the site when you get back? We leave in a few weeks and are looking forward to seeing the compasses for the new itinerary! Thanks!! :)