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The Almost Complete Food Lovers Guide to the Oasis of the Seas

BrianAlt
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CruisingCaraCat

CruisingCaraCat

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Hi again Brian. I commented on this thread about 15 months ago to chime in with my Oasis eating expreiences. Since then we have sailed on the Allure (September 18 this year) and have her booked again for upcoming April 22nd.

 

Some thoughts on Allure -

 

150 is still the best food on the ship (and the seas for that matter). A great experience - great food and exceptional service.

 

The dog house is great - the sausages are reslly good. I ate lunch there at least three times.

 

I think Ritas is a step up from the seafood shack...not that I don't mind fried seafood but the food at Ritas was surprisingly good (and I am a Mexican food snob). It seemed like any day other than the fiesta you could walk in at any time.

 

Again Vintages is a great place to have casual dinner. It looked like the tapas menu had been expanded and it is a bargain what you can get there.

 

We hit every restaurant except for Sambas and Chef's Table (and the MDR of course) - I have been disappointed with Churascos(sp?) on land so I was a little woried about trying it on board. Chef's table was fine once but it looks like the menu was very similar to Oasis and I didn't think I needed the experience again.

 

I caught that you were sailing this April - will we be shipmates?

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BrianAlt

BrianAlt

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What would you suggest first making the show reservations or dinner? We are going next March and now have just started to read all there is about this ship (OASIS) thanks for your input.

 

Definitely shows first. Then you can fit your dinner plans around the shows.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

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  • 1 month later...
Buffett fan

Buffett fan

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I just found this review today (only on page 3)...and I just booked dinner for the Chef's Table after reading your review. I'm totally excited! I would never have booked this prior to reading your review, but you "sold" me! Can't wait to read the rest of this review!

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johnbob7

johnbob7

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Definitely shows first. Then you can fit your dinner plans around the shows.

 

First of all, loved your foodie review, based a lot of my planning for Allure on your report, thank you very much.

 

Re: booking shows first, given that the dining reservations seem to open well before the show reservation, don't you run the chance of not getting the dining you want if you wait for the show reservations to open?

 

We're doing Allure in May, sorry we'll miss you but hoping you have time to post some observations from your trip prior to our departure.

 

Again, thanks for your contributions and enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

bobj

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BrianAlt

BrianAlt

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First of all, loved your foodie review, based a lot of my planning for Allure on your report, thank you very much.

 

Glad it helped. :)

 

Re: booking shows first, given that the dining reservations seem to open well before the show reservation, don't you run the chance of not getting the dining you want if you wait for the show reservations to open?

 

Definitely an issue and I'm running into that with my Allure cruise. Show reservations are still not open. Okay, I'll say, "it depends." If you want to do the Chef's Table, BOOK IT. If you have one special dinner in mind, book it. If you're going to do all specialty restaurants, then you need some flexibility.

 

One thing you can do is, book some reservations at times you THINK will work and when the showtimes come out you can cancel and rebook to better fit the shows. The showtimes are fixed. The meal times have flexibility. So better to book the shows first. But sometimes that's not possible.

 

Does that help? A definite maybe? :o

 

We're doing Allure in May, sorry we'll miss you but hoping you have time to post some observations from your trip prior to our departure.

 

I hope so too. :D

 

Again, thanks for your contributions and enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

bobj

 

Thanks! Have a wonderful cruise!

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johnbob7

johnbob7

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One thing you can do is, book some reservations at times you THINK will work and when the showtimes come out you can cancel and rebook to better fit the shows. The showtimes are fixed. The meal times have flexibility. So better to book the shows first. But sometimes that's not possible.

 

Does that help? A definite maybe? :o

 

Yes it does help, thanks. I have been watching the show times over the last few months and, while there is some variation occasionally, they seem to remain somewhat stable. So as you suggested, I am using the latest "standard" show schedule to base dining reservations off of, then after shows book I can go back and make adjustments to dining as needed.

 

I am hoping to book Chef's Table and was going to target mid week, as the shows we're most interested in seem to be clustered at the beginning and end of the week.

 

Finally, we are arriving day before and based solely on internet research I booked dinner precruise at Market 17, right across from the Hliton Marina. It looks good for foodies and can't beat the location. Any insight on the Ft Lauderdale dining scene?

 

Thanks,

 

bobj

 

ps do you know when the dining reservations opened for your Alllure cruise?

Edited by johnbob7
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Buffett fan

Buffett fan

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He gave us two glasses and poured approximately half into each glass. (I would say it was slightly heavy handed.) It was plenty! Six glasses each would have been too much. Plus, don't forget the martini!

 

Silly question - was the wine tasting part of the dinner or was that something you added onto the meal? Thanks for taking the time to answer all the questions!

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BrianAlt

BrianAlt

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Not silly at all. It was added and I believe it was $75 (but that's from memory and it's been a year and a half). If you share, you only pay for one, but they'll pour it into two glasses.

 

At Chef's Table the wine is included in the price.

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Buffett fan

Buffett fan

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Not silly at all. It was added and I believe it was $75 (but that's from memory and it's been a year and a half). If you share, you only pay for one, but they'll pour it into two glasses.

 

At Chef's Table the wine is included in the price.

 

Thanks Brian - right after I sent you the question, I found the answer in a later post. Before I got a chance to send another "never mind" post, you had already answered. You're quick!! For the record, I've been compiling a list of info to take with me - and several of your tips are included! I also used your guide to help me make at least one additional restaurant reservation :D. So far, I have booked Izumi, 150 Central Park, Chef's Table and the Samba Grille. Seriously considering Chops...that might be next on the reservation list. Thanks so much!! :)

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CruisingCaraCat

CruisingCaraCat

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Definitely an issue and I'm running into that with my Allure cruise. Show reservations are still not open. Okay, I'll say, "it depends." If you want to do the Chef's Table, BOOK IT. If you have one special dinner in mind, book it. If you're going to do all specialty restaurants, then you need some flexibility.

 

Hi Brian

 

We tried show booking for April 22 last weekend and noticed that it looks like March 25 was the latest sailing open for show reservations so yours might open in 2 weeks or less.

 

I went ahead and booked 150 for first night which has been our pattern and I am planning on dining there twice this cruise. I don't want to book the second until on board and checking for when the menu changes.

I agree completely with your advice that shows should be reserved before booking restaurants with the possible exception of Chef's table because of the limited seating.

 

Again enjoy the Allure - I'll be looking for your opeinion.

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Smithster

Smithster

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Silly question - was the wine tasting part of the dinner or was that something you added onto the meal? Thanks for taking the time to answer all the questions!

Chef's Table aboard the Carnival Magic - This was our first Chef's Table and it is my understanding Chef's Table on other ships can be different. I want to state this was one of the highlights of our cruise. There were 8 of us at a table of 12. We met at the Schooner Bar where the Chef came, along with servers to give us appetizer or two. He explained what it was and how they were made. Also wine was served. We were escorted to a elevator held for us to the Galley. I understand all Chef's Tables may not be held in galley. To me this was a great idea, even though a little noisy. But that was the fun of it. We all had assigned seating (great idea) and were right next to where all our food was being preparred. We had a choice of red or white wine. On the Magic there was not a wine pairing with each course. I undertand on some Chef's Table that you might have a pairing. I will say you could drink as much as you want. This was a 3 hour experience so if you are looking to eat and run do not book this event. Personally we all loved it. We had a tour of the galley along with a lesson on how they made the Melting Chocolate Cake. A picture was also included. We were able to take a picture with the chef and of course Carnival also took more pix for you to purchase. The food was excellent and all served in small portions. Thank goodness as it was 7 courses. Conversation was kept to chatting about food and preparration. We had lot of interaction with the chef and his crew. Truly worth the money

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BrianAlt

BrianAlt

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Chef's Table aboard the Carnival Magic - This was our first Chef's Table and it is my understanding Chef's Table on other ships can be different.

 

I did the Carnival Chef's Table on the Glory and thoroughly enjoyed it. That one is DEFINITELY not about the wine. Two wines, a red and a white. The Chef's Table on Allure/Oasis is in the Concierge room and they pair the wines to the courses.

 

Both are great and they are different.

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cruisenshop

cruisenshop

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Chefs Table on Oasis was great - even though we did not join Brian and Sheri as we were reserved for different nights. The food and wine pairing and service were lovely. Keep in mind that Chef's Table will most likely be a group of people you don't know. That said, our first experience was not so great because we were seated with a family who left the room to smoke and talk and drink and their behavior delayed the meal and made it difficult for the rest of us to enjoy the experience in the way it was intended. That said, the concierge realized our disappointment and booked us to return later on our cruise. That evening - even without Brian and Sheri- came close to perfect. Our table that night was filled with interesting, traveled, lovely people whose company we enjoyed immensely.

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