New Cruisers Tackle Oasis (6/8-6/15/13)... A Photo Review

[ravenraisin]

Enjoying the review so far making me excited to be going soon!!!!:D:D:D

[A Pisces]

I was on the Oasis in March, but it is still exciting to read the reviews with pictures.

I think the reason people skip the desserts in Park cafe, is you are full from the meal, or they didn't turn around and see them. :)

 

I am looking forward to reading more of your review, and about your trip to the space center.

Edited June 16, 2013 by A Pisces

[Jan_In_Maine]

Thanks for writing a review ... It helps get through the time until our cruise in August. Jan

[scopewest]

We're planning to sail Oasis or Allure at some future date, but your review is making me want to book now!

 

Can't wait to read more, and I love your photos!

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Sorry it's taken so long to post... anyway...

 

After lunch, we decided to see a little of the ship before the rooms were available. The first place was the forward balcony on deck 14. It is extremely easy to find... there are signs at the elevator lobby pointing you the right way. One tip... there is a button to open the door going outside. There's a sticker on the door saying "sliding door", but trust me ;) don't try to slide it yourself.

 

Here's the empty deck...

 

And as nice as the Oasis is, I think sailing on this one...

just MAY be a little nicer. I'm guessing not as many guests. From what I can tell, the name of this yacht is 'A'.

 

We did decide that this is where we want to do sailaway. Then it was time to check out our cabin...

. Notice the blue ring around the number. Each quadrant of the ship has a different color. Those quadrants are marked on all the signage throughout the ship and around every door sign. Blue denoted 'Starboard Forward', Pink/Red was 'Port Forward', Yellow & Green I think were Starboard and Port Aft. I'll post some more on the signs later.

 

Our bed was by the balcony, and I did enjoy this placement.

You can't tell it from the above photo, but the TV is on a hinge and can be angled toward the bed. We generally kept it on the bridge channel.:D

 

More to come later... get to walk the beach with my DW one last time before heading home.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Continuing with the room... I know there's been a lot of discussion about the number of outlets in the room. RCI has installed a three outlet port on the "desk"...

These were plenty for us. I'd occasionally charge the laptop, and I had two camera chargers. It was no problem cycling things through the outlets.

 

The only outlet I saw in the bathroom was this one above the sink (on the "ceiling")...

I didn't need to use it, so I'm just assuming the strange slots simply accommodate multiple styles of plugs.

 

Another debate I read about early was the ability to lock yourself out on the balcony. If you are concerned about this AT ALL, don't be. There is a handle on the outside of the balcony.

.

For those of you with kids, there is a latch on the inside that will prevent the door from being opened. It's at about eye height on an adult (sorry, no picture of that).

 

I forgot to mention, about a month out, RCI ran a sale, discounting all the cabins. So I called our TA and we got moved up to a D1 for no charge!

 

Also on the desk/countertop was our Meet & Mingle information, cabana ticket (didn't need it) and the confirmation of OBC from our TA.

 

Now, the light switches... one of the comedians described it as a Rubic's cube... There are four switches just inside the door. One is a 'Master' switch and will turn off every light. Of the next two, one turns on the lights over the pictures (accent lights) and the other does the 'main' overheads. These two operate as 'buttons', press once for 'on', press again for 'off'. The bathroom switch operates like a normal switch (up for 'on', down for 'off'). I can't remember the Master switch, we didn't use it.

 

There were also two switches next to the bed (the side away from the balcony) that controlled the picture lights & overheads. A switch between the bed and the balcony controlled the light on the balcony.

[Merion_Mom]

Two reasons...

1) It saved $200/ticket and

2) We're visiting Kennedy Space Center tomorrow, so it made sense (at the time) to fly RT to Orlando and stop at Kennedy after the cruise.

 

In hindsight, this is probably the one thing I would change about the whole week (would just eat the cost, skip the Space Center and do RT from FLL).

 

Saving money is good. But you know that you can fly TO FLL and FROM MCO?

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Saving money is good. But you know that you can fly TO FLL and FROM MCO?

 

Yes. It made sense at the time though. :p

[S.A.M.J.R.]

We set down our carry ons and went exploring some more. While walking down the hallway, we got a peak at one of the service elevators... obviously being used to get luggage to cabins.

.

 

They have recycling cannisters at various places on the ship (although I could never find one when I wanted one, only when I didn't need one.

 

While walking on the pool deck, I was amazed by the reflections on what I think was the Viking Crowne Lounge...

 

And of course, the remnants of 'Genesis' being wiped away...

 

as we’re walking in the interior corridors, I start feeling a little woozy/lightheaded. Anytime we were outside on the deck, I had no problem. We find out way to the Spa and go to their little snack counter. One “special” is a cucumber juice with ginger drink. I think the ginger might help my feeling and order that. Anna gets a Mango/Vanilla smoothie. The employee makes my drink, and it’s definitely a different taste. It tastes like cucumber (duh) with a hint of ginger. We leave the spa with our drinks, and I just can’t get used to the taste. I end up throwing most of it away and we share Anna’s smoothie as we continue to walk the deck.

 

We just take in the sights and sounds for an hour or so and head back to the cabin around 3:30. Our luggage (at least the two bags with the clothes in them) got delivered shortly before 4, so we unpack those. PLENTY of room in drawers and closet (again, for two people).

 

Ophelia, our cabin attendant comes to introduce herself and lets us know there’s a bag in security (no surprise). She said we could wait until after sail away to pick it up. We ask for ice and to clean out the refridgerator. She said she’s not responsible for the fridge, but she would let the appropriate person know.

[hondarr9]

Embarkation Day, or "Let's get this party started!"

 

I ended up waking up before 5, and couldn't get back to sleep. I spend some time on the computer, and shortly after 6, I look back out the window and our ship had come in.

Man is she big! Kill some more time until Anna wakes up, then we get ready and head out around 8 for breakfast. A quick stop for some hairspray for Anna, IHOP for breakfast, then turn the car in at FLL. A free shuttle (provided by National) takes us to the pier. We get there shortly before 10.

 

Our view from the shuttle bus...

 

We gave three bags to the porters… two with clothes (one was our in flight carryon), and one had two six packs of Pepsis and a six pack of bottled water and our snorkel gear.

They want your Set Sail pass and passport (or other ID) out before entering the building. There was no line at security, and we get through that with little hassle (they had to scan my camera bag three times, having me take the laptop out before the third time). There was a short wait to check in (organized by deck # & status), then get your picture taken and head up stairs to the waiting area.

Once you get up the stairs is a table to get your kids wrist bands. The wrist bands will be used in an emergency to get your child to your muster station. They will direct you to seats based on your status. Get your seat, then go to the bathroom. There were some vending machines available if you got hungry.

Get your kids wrist bands here...

There is free wifi available in the waiting area...

 

Can you tell me if you noticed how many minors were on this sailing? We were on the ship on embarkation day as visitors. We were told that the minor to adult ratio was unusually high due to a large group celebrating a Quinceañera. They were in the blue shirts. To me it looked like a nightmare if you were not involved, but I haven't seen any complaints about it from either review. Just curious.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Edited June 17, 2013 by hondarr9

[SWManiac]

Great pictures!!

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Can you tell me if you noticed how many minors were on this sailing? We were on the ship on embarkation day as visitors. We were told that the minor to adult ratio was unusually high due to a large group celebrating a Quinceañera. They were in the blue shirts. To me it looked like a nightmare if you were not involved, but I haven't seen any complaints about it from either review. Just curious.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

Honestly I was worried too while waiting to board. However we had no issues on board. In fact, the next time I noticed the Quinceanera group was in line for customs when leaving the ship in Lauderdale.

 

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[S.A.M.J.R.]

Great pictures!!

 

Thanks! Plenty more to come. We are traveling today so there will be a littke delay (depending on flights)

 

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[hondarr9]

Honestly I was worried too while waiting to board. However we had no issues on board. In fact, the next time I noticed the Quinceanera group was in line for customs when leaving the ship in Lauderdale.

 

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Wow, that really is another advantage of a large ship. Thanks!

 

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[S.A.M.J.R.]

The muster drill was at 4:30. They started making announcements around 4. Our muster was in the Comedy Club on deck 4. We headed down at 4:25. There are plenty of crew members directing you to the right location. Have your Sea Pass readily visible when going to muster. Every crew member (it seemed) on the way wanted to see it.

 

During the muster, you watch a short video about what to do in case of an emergency. I was under the impression they wouldn’t start the video until everyone (all over the ship) had “checked in”. At least one person showed up during the video, and another took a fussy child out.

 

Muster lasted 15 minutes, then it was time for sailaway. We wanted to get to deck 14, but weren't about to climb 14 flights of stairs. The elevators were JAMMED. Even waiting for elevators, we still got up to deck 14 in plenty of time. Some 'pre-sail' pictures...

We called home to let my parents know where to look for us. It took me 10 minutes to convince my dad they would zoom the cameras in when we started to sail. :p

[suzypayne]

what type of camera did you use taking your pics on the cruise?

[S.A.M.J.R.]

what type of camera did you use taking your pics on the cruise?

Two different ones...

 

My "main" camera is a Nikon D5000, and I brought the two kit lenses.

My secondary camera is a Panasonic DMC-TS3. This is my underwater camera.

[MJRGoBlue79]

Wow, how crazy! We were in 7594, right next door on the Oasis for your sailing.

 

 

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[S.A.M.J.R.]

Wow, how crazy! We were in 7594, right next door on the Oasis for your sailing.

 

 

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That is funny. My wife made the comment on the last night of the cruise that we knew there were people on both sides of us, but barely even saw them. I think I saw the family in 7590 one morning on the balcony as we were pulling into some port, but that was it.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Some more shots of the sailaway...

 

Had to get the house with the flowrider...

People waving from the beach...

After Sailaway, someone was nice enough to offer to take our picture. Very thankful to them, since it wasn't often we got a picture together.

Edited June 18, 2013 by S.A.M.J.R.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

After sailaway, we went down to deck 2 to claim our luggage. There was *NO* line, and 4-5 security people. One of them wanted to know why we brought a rocket launcher and a crossbow. :D We opened the bag, showed them the Pepsi & Water, and it was "have a good cruise". No problem.

 

Anyone ready for some food porn? Dinner tonight was at Giovanni's as part of the Central Park dining package. I will totally recommend the package to anyone who wants to try out the specialty restaurants. Giovanni's the first night, then Chops & 150 Central Park on later nights.

 

Our waiter was Ayhan from India, and he set the bar for the staff the rest of the cruise. Bread was brought the table with Oil & Sweet Vinegar (very good), then it was time for the food...

 

Mozzarella in Carrozza Alla Giovanni (Appetizer) Mozzarella wrapped in fresh cut prosciutto.

 

I can't find the rest of the menu, so I don't remember the exact names of the rest of the food, but Anna had the veal,

 

I couldn't decide between the penne pasta with shrimp or the crab ravioli. Ayhan offered both in 1/2 portions (I was worried about finishing two full portions)...

Edited June 18, 2013 by S.A.M.J.R.

[joand452]

Enjoying your review and photos!

 

Looking forward to more,

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Anyone feel like desert?

 

Creme somthing for Anna

Cannoli for me...

And Ayhan accidently brought us the chocolate cake. We had to take a bite, but it was REALLY rich for us...

 

One "Gotcha" when dining at the specialty restaurants... when we were seated, Ayhan asked if we wanted distilled or sparkling water. We asked for distilled. At the end of the meal, he brought our bill. I expected extra charges for the alcohol (Italian Martini for Anna and Margarita for me), but there was also a charge for the water! $13/carafe(?), and we had two. We quickly learned to ask for normal tap water at the other specialty restaurants.

 

After dinner, we decided to walk around the track. We'd make this a nightly thing for after dinner. Yea, that didn't happen. :D

 

View of the wake from the track...

And we made a new friend...

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Enjoying your review and photos!

 

Looking forward to more,

 

Thanks. Needless to say if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask away. If I don't know the answer, I'll make something up. :D

[S.A.M.J.R.]

We walked around a little more exploring, and went through the casino. One entrance had some displays about gambling, and had a reminder of "home"...

I've spent many hours at Churchill Downs for work. It was strange to see on a ship though. However, they need to update their picture. This picture is from pre-2003 at least. :p

 

We did find a colorful view of the Boardwalk.

Since I had been up since before 5 this morning, we called it an early night. I didn't have a problem getting to sleep ANY night and slept like a rock.

Edited June 18, 2013 by S.A.M.J.R.