Oasis of the Seas Western 2/16/13 w/ cruise compass, and menu pics.

[ZimmCouple]

We had 11 in our family and I emailed RC a month before to ask if we could have a big table for all of us. They also have smaller tables for two and four people.

 

What is the email address you used to send requests for the dining room on Oasis?

[A Pisces]

You are doing a Great job with your review, and I am loving the pictures! We will be doing this cruise in just over two weeks, so it is just so wonderful to be reading this, and getting ideas from your travels!

Thank you so much!

[LAatl]

Wow, never heard of missing Labadee. Hear about it all the time with Coco Cay but Labadee, how disappointing :(.

 

Great review, looking forward to more. We did Allure eastern last year and doing the western this year so interested in what activities you did, especially with the boys. We have 3 "kids", 18 - 24, sailing with us and still trying to figure out what they will be interested in.

My son and his friend loved hanging at the pool and arcade. There's a separate Cruise compass for teens. And every day there were things for 18-20. There's so much to do on the cruise for all ages. We were just more interested in hanging out talking with the family than doing the scheduled activities.

[LAatl]

What is the email address you used to send requests for the dining room on Oasis?

rcldining@rccl.com

[LAatl]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4 started with us grabbing breakfast in the MDR again. Everyone heads to the Windjammer, but we found we had no problem getting into the MDR and if you're in a hurry, you could eat off the small buffet in there.

We hadn't originally planned to go ashore in Jamaica, but since we weren't able to go to Labadee, we decided to do the port shops. We grabbed our coupons my DS was smart enough to grab at the Port Shopping Talk on day 2 and went ashore. We did have to wait in a line for about 15 min. to get off the ship...not bad...unless you take into account that the line winds around the elevator area and rude people would come down the stairs or get off the elevator and cut right in line where they were instead of going to the back of the line. (not all of these were foreigners either). I can tell you, if you aren't doing an excursion, you shouldn't go past the initial port shop area since if you go beyond the fenced area, it becomes dangerous with very aggressive vendors. The difference between inside the fence and outside is unbelievable!

We went along to the different shops collecting our free shot glasses, free jamaican cloth bracelet and free key chain. There's also free charms for a free bracelet (again, go to the shop talk). Now, there's a place on the left-hand side of the shops where you can go in and try different rums (we bought the banana and they're $18 or 2 for $30). I will tell you there's a duty-free shop in the center that sells the same size for $15. Wish I would have gone there first.

My son's friend bought something from a local vendor (don't forget to haggle with them) and don't buy the bamboo sheets from Caraloha in Jamaica since they charged $40 more than Cozumel. We smartly waiting till Cozumel. We had bought sheets for our bed a year ago and I can tell you that it's worth the investment. I'll cover that more in my day 6 review.

We all sat down in the market square so my BIL could have his Red Stripe beer and then we went back to the ship to shower. It was very hot and humid!

 

 

More in a bit

[rpettus]

I'm near 92 and Trickum. I sing professionally under my maiden name Lori Linden if you and your wife ever want to come out and enjoy 8 decades of music! Check out my schedule on my website.

 

 

Will do - I'll try Chicago's with my bride.

[Dancnlizard]

Thanks so much for posting! We are leaving this Saturday and can't wait :D

[slimkat]

Did you go outside of the fenced areas at all? Just wondering. I notice many people commenting that it is dangerous but no ever attempts to go outside. And then I have read comments from those who actually went outside of the gates and they have had awesome experiences. I was just wondering what your actual experience was. I will be there next month and I have intention of touring the area.

 

Thanks,

Kathy

[SF]

Enjoying your review and photos, great job. :) We have Oasis booked in a few weeks so this is giving us lots of information.

 

We are waiting to book our specialty restaurants once we board but I read that Oasis has a special where you can book three specialty restaurants together and it works out cheaper this way. Do you happen to know where you can go the first day to find out about this and to book this package?

 

Also is the MDR open for lunch on embarkation day?

[Namelocg]

We will also be sailing on Oasis this Saturday, March 2nd....have you sailed the Oasis before?

Are you arrive in FLL the day before sailing? We are flying into FLL on Friday afternoon.

 

Hi Lucy,

I'm Gale and this is my first Oasis cruise. I am sailing with my DD, 19 years old. Fortunately for us we live in Ft Lauderdale so only a 20 minute car ride to the ship for us. Have you been on our other roll call? We are having a sail away party in cabin 8260 right after the boat drill and a meet and mingle on sunday at 11:15 at dazzles. You can go on line and sign up. What cabin are you in? We are in 8311, boardwalk balcony, port side. Call or stop by so we can meet. We have a great group for this cruise. :D

Gale

[LAatl]

Enjoying your review and photos, great job. :) We have Oasis booked in a few weeks so this is giving us lots of information.

 

We are waiting to book our specialty restaurants once we board but I read that Oasis has a special where you can book three specialty restaurants together and it works out cheaper this way. Do you happen to know where you can go the first day to find out about this and to book this package?

 

Also is the MDR open for lunch on embarkation day?

If you're in any public area the first day, they come up and ask you if you're interested in the package. I think it's 3 restaurants for $50 so it's a very good deal. Giovanni's and I think Chops is on it.

[LAatl]

Did you go outside of the fenced areas at all? Just wondering. I notice many people commenting that it is dangerous but no ever attempts to go outside. And then I have read comments from those who actually went outside of the gates and they have had awesome experiences. I was just wondering what your actual experience was. I will be there next month and I have intention of touring the area.

 

Thanks,

Kathy

We didn't go outside the fenced area. I did some research and I've been to Jamaica before on a different cruise and remembered being bombarded by children asking for money, people wanting to braid my hair and someone trying to sell us drugs. There's nobody to shield you from this and the people are sometimes relentless not taking 'no' for an answer.

[LAatl]

Enjoying your review and photos, great job. :) We have Oasis booked in a few weeks so this is giving us lots of information.

 

We are waiting to book our specialty restaurants once we board but I read that Oasis has a special where you can book three specialty restaurants together and it works out cheaper this way. Do you happen to know where you can go the first day to find out about this and to book this package?

 

Also is the MDR open for lunch on embarkation day?

didn't read the second part. I don't think the MDR is open for lunch the first day. We honestly didn't try because I read it wasn't so we used the Cafe Promenade.

[LAatl]

After going back to the ship to clean up, we decided to take a quick nap. Very under-rated!!! I NEVER take naps at home! We went, of course to the Globe & Atlas to meet the family at 4 and we people watched for a while.

We had resevations at Chops that night and I can tell you that it was one of the best meals we had that week. We had reservations before we left and they had no problem fitting all 11 of us at one table.

Unlike the MDR...you can order two apps per person but only 1 entree and the sides are served family style. The Chops waiter didn't seem to know about the drink package which is strange because it had been in effect for two months before we went. But, we did end up straightening it out and we had house wine with dinner.

 

 

My MIL had the oyster duet an said it was just 'ok,' my son had the onion soup and shrimp cocktail and I ended up finishing his soup, my SIL had the goat cheese and basil souffle and it was amazing, but I had the spicy tuna and I have to say 'I WON!' My SIL was supposed to take 1 bite and ended up eating half. It was amazing!!!!

This was my DH's salad

 

And my tuna...sorry it's blurry.

 

 

 

For my entree, I got the petite filet and they tell you that you can get it Medium-rare or if you want it medium-well, then you'd be better off butterflying it. I got Medium-rare and it came out a little more rare than MR. But it was crazy tender and flavorable. FIL had the barramundi and loved it.

The server ended up bringing some of all of the sides and the onion rings had a great batter, the mashed potatoes were great but I loved the green beans with feta.

I can say that the service was a little slow at this restaurant and maybe they do that because they don't want to rush you, but at the end of entrees it seemed to take forever to get them to come back and take dessert orders. We sat with empty plates for about 15 minutes (which when in a restaurant can seem like an eternity) before they cleared them and took the dessert order.

My son (who loves creme brulee) didn't care for it. The reason...they top it with Barcardi 151, light it on fire, and bring it to you still flaming. I think he didn't like the alcohol taste. I had the MS Mud and shared with with the people who ordered the Red Velvet. You can also get these 'to go' if you want to eat them back in your room later.

 

 

 

After 2-1/2 hrs at Chops, we went back to the casino...please don't think we belong in Gambler's Anonymous...My FIL sat at the casino bar early in the trip while we were at the slots or tables and the service is very good, so we sometimes just sat there at the bar socializing.

I did talk to some people who did the 'Quest' that night (11 pm Studio B, Deck 4) and 'Throw Me a Line' (9:45, Studio B, deck 4) and had a great time, but we didn't go.

We did find that Tony left us another towel animal and some chocolates

[LAatl]

Day 5 is an 'at sea' day and it's also the other formal night. We were going to take our breakfast from the Windjammer and walk up to the Viking Lounge to sit quietly, but, Windjammer was packed, so we went back to the MDR. Don't ask why we didn't go back to Johnny Rockets and their amazing breakfast...I don't know. But, we liked the MDR breakfast. The Waffles are pretty gummy.

We actually went up by the pool area with my BIL and SIL and boy, the chair hogs were out. There are these cute little alcoves with 4 lounge chairs in the shade and someone put stuff all over the chairs and the 1-1/2 hrs we sat where we were, nobody ever came. We sat at one spot in the shade but the wind was crazy, so my SIL wanted to move. We then tried the solarium, but it was like a greenhouse there. We settled on an area where the chairs were facing away from the windows (which you can open) and we turned them around (we're rebels) and sat talking for a while.

We caught the Dreamworks 'move it' parade at 12:30 and there's no reason to wait down on Deck 5 in the promenade when you can go up on deck 6 at Schooners and had the Bird's-eye view. It was a lot of fun and worth it, even for adults.

This was 70's day and they had themed trivia and music all day long. They also had the belly flop competition out in the aqua theater that afternoon.

We ate lunch at Windjammer and it wasn't bad. They have very good service, the fries are very good, but there isn't as much to choose from when compared to the buffets I've had on NCL.

I'll get into the evening in my next post...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[slimkat]

We didn't go outside the fenced area. I did some research and I've been to Jamaica before on a different cruise and remembered being bombarded by children asking for money, people wanting to braid my hair and someone trying to sell us drugs. There's nobody to shield you from this and the people are sometimes relentless not taking 'no' for an answer.

 

Oh I get it. I see how bothersome that could be. Thanks for the info.

[A Pisces]

I was wondering if they had a Beetlemania type show? I saw it listed in an older review of the Oasis, I think from December 2012, but haven't seen it mentioned in your cruise compasses yet.

 

Thanks! I look forward to reading your next post!

[LAatl]

I was wondering if they had a Beetlemania type show? I saw it listed in an older review of the Oasis, I think from December 2012, but haven't seen it mentioned in your cruise compasses yet.

 

Thanks! I look forward to reading your next post!

No. On this ship they had the Unexpected Boys (I haven't gotten to them yet). They do a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute.

[bandlmom]

thanks for posting your review!

[LAatl]

Day 5 is the 2nd formal night and we got all cleaned up and went to dinner in the MDR. I know a lot of people look forward to lobster night...and I usually do...but I was so intrigued by the menu I decided to go a different route. My son ordered the lobster/shrimp dinner, but also wanted steak so he ordered a strip steak on the side.

I didn't get pictures of all of the menus, but I can tell you that the ones you find on CC are not the same as the ones we had. The theme nights are the same (i.e., basil, saffron, etc.) but the menu itself is different.

I ordered the 3-cheese tortellini which was amazing!

 

 

 

and my husband got the thai chicken.

 

 

 

My son's lobster was bigger than I've had on NCL...

 

 

 

Here's the dessert menu...

I had my first baked alaska (on my food bucket list)...

 

 

 

And my husband had the ivory mousse...

 

 

 

After dinner we went down to the Guest Services desk in the Royal Promenade to get the Free Taxi Voucher from the dock in Cozumel to the Forum Shops. NCL docks right near the Forum Shops (for those who haven't been to Cozumel, there's a long row of shops starting at the Forum shops and going down the road. The Forum is 3 miles from where RC docks...so they were giving out a coupon between 6-7 pm for free taxi for 4 people to the Forum Shops). We were at dinner at that time, so we had to go to the Guest desk and get them.

Then we went to Dazzles (2-story club aft deck 8 and 9). This is a SMOKING club...just so you know and the bathrooms are outside. Quick note about the bathrooms...on most decks the women's room is on the starboard (right) side of the ship and the Men's is on the port (left) side. This is different on a few of the decks.

Dazzles was having a live band and had a 50's and 60's dance party with a twist contest. I've mentioned before that I'm a professional singer and was definitely born in the wrong era, because I love music from this period. My son and his friend got there too late to enter the twist competition with me, but they danced with me (shhhh, don't tell their friends!).

After they finished their oldies show, the band took a break and came back with 70's music. We stayed for a while...they were very good (Muzik Vison) was their name. They had horns and each person took turns singing.

Later that night they had the Unexpected Boys (a Frankie Valli tribute quartet). We didn't see their show, but caught them when they sat in on day 6 with the rockie-okie (which I'll get into later)

We had an excursion early the next day in Cozumel, so we went back to the cabin and went to bed. Just a quick note...I'm not sure if I mentioned in an earlier post...I always bring a nightlight to put in the bathroom of hotels, etc...there's no regular plug in the bathrooms. However, the top light stays on very faintly at night and we didn't have a problem seeing in the dark, but it wasn't so bright that we couldn't sleep with the bathroom door open.

[LAatl]

 

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2013 by LAatl
deleted a picture

[LAatl]

I missed something from day 4 Falmouth...that evening was when they had rock-a-rokie in Dazzles from 9:30-10:30 pm. They ask for people to get up and sing (like karaoke) but the band backs you. This is a lot of fun to do and to watch. There was no one really there, so I ended up singing 3 songs. My son and his friend also sing but claimed that their voice were hoarse from yelling at the pool and arcade earlier!

This was the view from our balcony of the beautiful sunrise...

 

 

 

We knew we had an early excursion that morning, so the night before, we all agreed to get room service for breakfast. I can tell you the coffee is EXTREMELY STRONG. So, I opted for the hot tea (which didn't get sent up with the original order, so I had to call down and have it sent up). We ordered scrambled eggs and bacon (the eggs are edible, but not made from eggs in a shell), pastries, juice and milk.

Then went to the gangplank (deck 3) to go ashore. We knew we had experienced lines in Jamaica, so we went down early and 'Brian' said we couldn't wait right by the exit because the Captain hadn't cleared the ship to go ashore, and asked us to go to a 'common' area like the Promenade. We explained that we couldn't wait in a long line since we had to meet our excursion at 8:30 on shore and it was almost 8. He promised we wouldn't have to wait long. I joked that 'I've got his badge number if we miss our excursion.' I can tell you that just before they made the announcement that the ship had been cleared, Brian came up to Deck 5 and found us and told us to come down so we wouldn't have to wait. That's customer service!

We went ashore and there was still a few minutes to go to the bathroom in the little shopping area (pretty clean compared to some others I've seen in ports) and here's a pic of the huge lollipops in one of the stores...

 

 

We did the 'unlimited beach snorkel' and it was fine for beginners. I would have rather done scuba (but only 3 of the 11 are certified) or taken a boat to a reef, but, again, we had to take into consideration that there were 8 other people with us and needed to do something everyone wanted. The tour cost $32 p/p and we had to walk about 10 minutes from the ship to the beach area. It was fine for what it was, but you didn't see some of the beautiful colored fish you would out deeper.

 

 

 

 

The excursion lasted about 1-1/2 hrs (although the tour operator said we could stay in the water longer if we wished, but his part was finished). They provided the equipment, but the three of us brought our own mask and snorkel because we preferred to use ours. We knew we wanted to walk around Cozumel in the shopping area and so we went back to the ship so everyone could shower off all of the salt water. The facility had a shower to rinse off, but we would rather use shampoo and body wash.

Please take note that when you do an excursion, you are expected to tip the tour operator. This is not included in the fee that you've paid for the tour. Bring a little cash with you. They don't expect much, but it's nice to tip a few dollars per person.

This was the view when we walked back to the ship the first time. Look at the cute little ship next to ours!

 

 

After cleaning up we took our coupons (from the shop talk the first full day at 9 am in the Opal Theater) and went down for the 'free taxi' to the Forum Shops. Now, when our group of 11 went to the taxi stand, I can tell you that the coupon stated that the 'free' voucher was per 4 people and the cost is usually $8 for every 4 people. We had 9 people since my MIL and FIL decided to stay on the ship. There was a woman standing alone at the taxi stand and we asked if she's going our direction and offered to have her ride in our large taxi. We gave the driver two coupons and thought the rate would then be $2 per person for the two additional people (one from our group and the woman). I came upon this figure using the math I had learned in school many years ago. Now, I may not know the new 'california math' (don't mean to offend if you live in CA...please don't slam that comment) but the driver told us that it would be $8. Instead of standing and trying to argue in a different language, we agreed and drove down to the end of the strip.

We walked along, and vendors pop out of stores and tell you to come get your free charms since they see you are from the cruise ships. They really are free, although they like for you to browse their stores. Only buy silver that have the imprint .925 in it. Otherwise it's probably not real silver. My SIL bought a beautiful bracelet with Pearl inlay and the tanzanite is worth the trip. There's only one mine in the world so when it's gone...it's gone. I usually get one ring each cruise but decided not to this time.

We did stop by the Cariloha store to get bamboo sheets for my son. We bought ours last year and LOVE them. They keep you cooler and you slide right into bed. They are worth the money. The store in Cozumel sold the twin size for $99 and in Jamaica they told me $139. Plus, in Jamaica, she said that the prices would be the same in Cozumel. I knew that this was more than Cozumel would be so we waited...luckily! They will ship them home for you for free so you don't have to bring them back to the ship and pack them.

We walked for a while and then stopped to get drinks and chips and salsa. And then took a cab back to the port area. We walked around the shops there for a while and then went back on board to clean up from walking around in the hot sun.

We were able to find time to shower, lay down for a while and then meet the group at the British pub and talk with them for a while before dinner. I'll get to that review in a bit, since they only allow you to post 6 pics in each review.

[LAatl]

 

Basil was the theme for dinner in Cozumel. This is one of the best dinners we had in the MDR. Lots of food porn for this night! We ordered the Summer Fruit Medley, Cream of Mushroom Soup (my FIL hates mushrooms and loved the soup so much that they bought the cookbook (only available in the dining room and if you are a C&A member, there'll be a coupon in the booklet in your room) and the Arugula and Pear salad

 

 

 

For the main course, my son & his friend both ordered the Beef Short Ribs and Shoulder (and proceeded to order 5 more pieces of shoulder each!...AHHH to be 16 and have a high metabolism!!),

my son's friend also order the Orecchiette Pasta (He won!) and my husband ordered the Chicken Cordon Bleu.

 

Everything was delicious and I do remember that the after dinner shot this evening was the chocolate chip cookie (I believe it was creme de cocoa white, frangelico, butterscotch snapps and bailey's) YUM! and then dessert will be the next post!!

[LAatl]

 

 

This was the Jaffa Cake...

 

 

This was the Rum Baba...

 

 

Cherries Jubilee...

 

And the Low-Fat Strawberry Trifle...

 

After dinner, we hung around the casino bar until it was time for the Comedy Show (Deck 4 mid). Very funny show for those who aren't easily offended. Do not book this show if you don't like swearing and crude humor. Out of the three guys, we actually thought the opening guy was the funniest. I'm assuming he's there all the time, since he wasn't listed on the program as a headliner.

 

After the show, we went back to the cabins since we were spent from a busy day.

 

Today's towel animal...

 

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!