Oasis 12-7/12-14 - Good, and a bit disappointing.

[cello56]

DH and I just got home from our December 7-14th Oasis of the Seas cruise. This was our second time on Oasis, plus we have also sailed on Allure twice, with 15 cruises in total - all with RCI. Here are a few of my thoughts on this cruise.

 

Embarkation - was so slow! We had a guy who clearly had no idea what he was doing. He took so long to get us checked in that other agents were all looking our way and asking him what was wrong. But eventually he did get it done and we were good to go for our cruise! On board by about 11:20AM.

 

Ship - wonderful as always! Hard to believe that this ship is four years old - she basically in my opinion looks brand new.

 

Cabin - D8 - 8158 - close to the elevators on deck 8 right near the entrance to Central Park. Very convenient location. Cabin was in good repair and our cabin attendant was great. We are very easy guests - our only request was four towels each day instead of two.

 

Dining Room - Deck 4 table 988 - right by the railing on the 'island' part of that floor overlooking the central area of deck 3 dining. Service staff were great, food was as expected. HOWEVER ..... the smell of smoke from the Casino was just awful in the entrance to this diningroom. The first entire section of tables smelled like a used ashtray each and every night. What a shame. RCI goes to all this trouble to provide a very beautiful atmosphere and it is ruined by the disgusting smell. Luckily our table was just past this zone of odour and we only got wifts of it throughout the meal. All they needed to do was install glass doors on the casino to keep the smoke inside where it belongs. Add speakers so the the casino 'noise' could be heard outside the doors to draw people in and you would have had a perfect solution.

 

Internet - Ours was the first cruise that went to the new plans. There were only three choices. Unlimited for $179. 24 hours for $49.95 and 60 minutes for $29.95. So basically, you had to spend a minimum of $30 even if you only wanted to be online for a few minutes to check email etc since they no longer offer by the minute rates. Since DH and I are now Diamond level, and each get 30 minutes of free internet, we did not feel we needed to purchase a plan. Unfortunately, it took 30 minutes of standing in line at Guest Services for them to figure out how to activate those 30 minutes. I get it, this was new, but with over 600 D & D+ onboard you would think they would have figured this out prior to boarding. So for anyone else looking to use their free minutes for D & D+, you need to ask them for the activation code and then log in using a 'coupon'. I felt that internet speeds were very good throughout the week.

 

Shows and Entertainment - awesome! We saw the aqua show and Come Fly With Me each twice. Saw Hairspray and Frozen in Time once each. The headliner was a ventriloquist and he was really good. There is just so much entertainment on Oasis there was always something to do.

 

Crown & Anchor - here is where we felt that RCI really slipped and disappointed us. This was our first Diamond cruise. I know, Diamond is pretty low in the big scheme of things in the Crown and Anchor program. But it was a big deal to US. We went to Blaze for the evening event every night, and not one time did the Concierge ever come over and say hello, introduce herself, congratulate us on our new status. In fact we never even saw her, except for the last night when she was standing prominently outside the door as people left. Even then she ignored us! Twice I dropped by the Diamond lounge and asked for our Diamond pins. She had no interest in getting them for us. The second time she told us to walk over to loyalty and get them ourselves. Which we did, and the guy who got them simply shoved them in my hand without even looking at me.

 

I was not asking or expecting anything extra. Simply introducing herself, or making sure the pins were delivered to our rooms cost nothing. The fellow at next cruise could have made up for the Concierge's blunder by being polite and handing me the pins and saying "Congratulations on making Diamond!" instead of being rude and making us feel like we were a bother.

 

I know that this is a small issue, but it was a chance for RCI to deliver this "WOW!" they keep talking about and they missed the boat. It won't affect us choosing to sail RCI, but it did put just a wee bit of a tarnish on what should have been an exciting milestone for us.

 

Overall a great cruise, and we look forward to sailing on Freedom at the end of January. I have heard that the Concierge in Freedom's Diamond Lounge is really good. Fingers crossed!!

[SSVacation]

Congratulations on making Diamond! It is not an easy thing to do, well it sure is fun! I would have to say you are correct, there should have been more interaction with the concierge and at the least a smile and congrats when you got your pins.

We have found that some concierges are much better than others, some will just sit at there computers all the time while others are always present and talking to everyone, the latter we have found is the norm, you will experience that soon enough, most of the. Are fabulous.

[smeck]

Diamond is nothing to sneeze at. Our next cruise in May we'll make Emerald, quite awhile before we get to Diamond.

[Yorkvillain]

Wow, I can't believe embarkation was so slow. In September I went from my hotel room at Hyatt Pier 66 to the Royal Promenade in 25 minutes. Shuttle, dropped bags off, security, checkin and boarded in 25 minutes total.

[MermaidWatcher]

DH and I just got home from our December 7-14th Oasis of the Seas cruise. This was our second time on Oasis, plus we have also sailed on Allure twice, with 15 cruises in total - all with RCI. Here are a few of my thoughts on this cruise.

 

Crown & Anchor - here is where we felt that RCI really slipped and disappointed us. This was our first Diamond cruise. I know, Diamond is pretty low in the big scheme of things in the Crown and Anchor program. But it was a big deal to US. We went to Blaze for the evening event every night, and not one time did the Concierge ever come over and say hello, introduce herself, congratulate us on our new status. In fact we never even saw her, except for the last night when she was standing prominently outside the door as people left. Even then she ignored us! Twice I dropped by the Diamond lounge and asked for our Diamond pins. She had no interest in getting them for us. The second time she told us to walk over to loyalty and get them ourselves. Which we did, and the guy who got them simply shoved them in my hand without even looking at me.

 

No matter which level a customer reaches, and no matter where that is in the "big scheme of things", it should represent a loyal customer to RCL, and as such I don't think your expectation that a C & A rep would realize this, and have been trained enough to know to make each recipient feel special, if just for a fleeting moment, is unrealistic. Your 15 cruises may not represent much in the "grand scheme of things" for RCI's total revenue, but it certainly represents a good bit of money you have spent with them, and a little bit of acknowledgement is always appreciated.

[Paulette3028]

DH and I just got home from our December 7-14th Oasis of the Seas cruise. This was our second time on Oasis, plus we have also sailed on Allure twice, with 15 cruises in total - all with RCI. Here are a few of my thoughts on this cruise.

 

Embarkation - was so slow! We had a guy who clearly had no idea what he was doing. He took so long to get us checked in that other agents were all looking our way and asking him what was wrong. But eventually he did get it done and we were good to go for our cruise! On board by about 11:20AM.

 

Ship - wonderful as always! Hard to believe that this ship is four years old - she basically in my opinion looks brand new.

 

Cabin - D8 - 8158 - close to the elevators on deck 8 right near the entrance to Central Park. Very convenient location. Cabin was in good repair and our cabin attendant was great. We are very easy guests - our only request was four towels each day instead of two.

 

Dining Room - Deck 4 table 988 - right by the railing on the 'island' part of that floor overlooking the central area of deck 3 dining. Service staff were great, food was as expected. HOWEVER ..... the smell of smoke from the Casino was just awful in the entrance to this diningroom. The first entire section of tables smelled like a used ashtray each and every night. What a shame. RCI goes to all this trouble to provide a very beautiful atmosphere and it is ruined by the disgusting smell. Luckily our table was just past this zone of odour and we only got wifts of it throughout the meal. All they needed to do was install glass doors on the casino to keep the smoke inside where it belongs. Add speakers so the the casino 'noise' could be heard outside the doors to draw people in and you would have had a perfect solution.

 

Internet - Ours was the first cruise that went to the new plans. There were only three choices. Unlimited for $179. 24 hours for $49.95 and 60 minutes for $29.95. So basically, you had to spend a minimum of $30 even if you only wanted to be online for a few minutes to check email etc since they no longer offer by the minute rates. Since DH and I are now Diamond level, and each get 30 minutes of free internet, we did not feel we needed to purchase a plan. Unfortunately, it took 30 minutes of standing in line at Guest Services for them to figure out how to activate those 30 minutes. I get it, this was new, but with over 600 D & D+ onboard you would think they would have figured this out prior to boarding. So for anyone else looking to use their free minutes for D & D+, you need to ask them for the activation code and then log in using a 'coupon'. I felt that internet speeds were very good throughout the week.

 

Shows and Entertainment - awesome! We saw the aqua show and Come Fly With Me each twice. Saw Hairspray and Frozen in Time once each. The headliner was a ventriloquist and he was really good. There is just so much entertainment on Oasis there was always something to do.

 

Crown & Anchor - here is where we felt that RCI really slipped and disappointed us. This was our first Diamond cruise. I know, Diamond is pretty low in the big scheme of things in the Crown and Anchor program. But it was a big deal to US. We went to Blaze for the evening event every night, and not one time did the Concierge ever come over and say hello, introduce herself, congratulate us on our new status. In fact we never even saw her, except for the last night when she was standing prominently outside the door as people left. Even then she ignored us! Twice I dropped by the Diamond lounge and asked for our Diamond pins. She had no interest in getting them for us. The second time she told us to walk over to loyalty and get them ourselves. Which we did, and the guy who got them simply shoved them in my hand without even looking at me.

 

I was not asking or expecting anything extra. Simply introducing herself, or making sure the pins were delivered to our rooms cost nothing. The fellow at next cruise could have made up for the Concierge's blunder by being polite and handing me the pins and saying "Congratulations on making Diamond!" instead of being rude and making us feel like we were a bother.

 

I know that this is a small issue, but it was a chance for RCI to deliver this "WOW!" they keep talking about and they missed the boat. It won't affect us choosing to sail RCI, but it did put just a wee bit of a tarnish on what should have been an exciting milestone for us.

 

Overall a great cruise, and we look forward to sailing on Freedom at the end of January. I have heard that the Concierge in Freedom's Diamond Lounge is really good. Fingers crossed!!

 

We also have made 15 cruises with RCCL, and when we made Diamond after our 10th cruise, I don't remember much of a hubbub being done for us on cruise #11. Our Diamond pins were in our stateroom, and I quickly pinned it to my sunhat, which I wear around outside all the time. At the Diamond lounge, we were greeted nicely, just like others....I did not expect special attention to be made to us, because we had just become Diamonds. It just meant we had some extra perks to take advantage of, if we so desired. We generally go to the C&A and Diamond events....just like others do.

 

Handling the internet, has gotten a little trickier, since they went away from the coupon books....and after our last cruise (just recently over Thanksgiving), DH wrote an email to the C&A department about it. He then had a very nice telephone call from a representative in the C&A department, to discuss the situation. They are working to figure out a better way to 'provide information' and access, was the outcome of the call.

 

Just my POV.

 

If you were disappointed in something, let RCCL know. Nothing may change for you, but perhaps it could prevent someone having a similar experience.

[tarajean1962]

No matter which level a customer reaches, and no matter where that is in the "big scheme of things", it should represent a loyal customer to RCL, and as such I don't think your expectation that a C & A rep would realize this, and have been trained enough to know to make each recipient feel special, if just for a fleeting moment, is unrealistic. Your 15 cruises may not represent much in the "grand scheme of things" for RCI's total revenue, but it certainly represents a good bit of money you have spent with them, and a little bit of acknowledgement is always appreciated.

 

Well said and my thoughts exactly! We will make Diamond on our next cruise and it is a big deal to us! I totally get your point!

 

Tara

[oneputt18]

We were also on this cruise and agree with all you have said except for embarkation. We arrived at 12:28 and went thru security, checked in, pictures taken and we were in our cabin at 1:05.

Diamond celebration was a Royal calendar and an entry in a win a cruise promotion. Other than our welcome aboard amenity and a plate with four pastries on it, the welcome back and exclusive event on the helipad that was it from Crown and Anchor.

[ariawoman]

DH and I just got home from our December 7-14th Oasis of the Seas cruise. This was our second time on Oasis, plus we have also sailed on Allure twice, with 15 cruises in total - all with RCI. Here are a few of my thoughts on this cruise.

 

Embarkation - was so slow! We had a guy who clearly had no idea what he was doing. He took so long to get us checked in that other agents were all looking our way and asking him what was wrong. But eventually he did get it done and we were good to go for our cruise! On board by about 11:20AM.

 

Ship - wonderful as always! Hard to believe that this ship is four years old - she basically in my opinion looks brand new.

 

Cabin - D8 - 8158 - close to the elevators on deck 8 right near the entrance to Central Park. Very convenient location. Cabin was in good repair and our cabin attendant was great. We are very easy guests - our only request was four towels each day instead of two.

 

Dining Room - Deck 4 table 988 - right by the railing on the 'island' part of that floor overlooking the central area of deck 3 dining. Service staff were great, food was as expected. HOWEVER ..... the smell of smoke from the Casino was just awful in the entrance to this diningroom. The first entire section of tables smelled like a used ashtray each and every night. What a shame. RCI goes to all this trouble to provide a very beautiful atmosphere and it is ruined by the disgusting smell. Luckily our table was just past this zone of odour and we only got wifts of it throughout the meal. All they needed to do was install glass doors on the casino to keep the smoke inside where it belongs. Add speakers so the the casino 'noise' could be heard outside the doors to draw people in and you would have had a perfect solution.

 

Internet - Ours was the first cruise that went to the new plans. There were only three choices. Unlimited for $179. 24 hours for $49.95 and 60 minutes for $29.95. So basically, you had to spend a minimum of $30 even if you only wanted to be online for a few minutes to check email etc since they no longer offer by the minute rates. Since DH and I are now Diamond level, and each get 30 minutes of free internet, we did not feel we needed to purchase a plan. Unfortunately, it took 30 minutes of standing in line at Guest Services for them to figure out how to activate those 30 minutes. I get it, this was new, but with over 600 D & D+ onboard you would think they would have figured this out prior to boarding. So for anyone else looking to use their free minutes for D & D+, you need to ask them for the activation code and then log in using a 'coupon'. I felt that internet speeds were very good throughout the week.

 

Shows and Entertainment - awesome! We saw the aqua show and Come Fly With Me each twice. Saw Hairspray and Frozen in Time once each. The headliner was a ventriloquist and he was really good. There is just so much entertainment on Oasis there was always something to do.

 

Crown & Anchor - here is where we felt that RCI really slipped and disappointed us. This was our first Diamond cruise. I know, Diamond is pretty low in the big scheme of things in the Crown and Anchor program. But it was a big deal to US. We went to Blaze for the evening event every night, and not one time did the Concierge ever come over and say hello, introduce herself, congratulate us on our new status. In fact we never even saw her, except for the last night when she was standing prominently outside the door as people left. Even then she ignored us! Twice I dropped by the Diamond lounge and asked for our Diamond pins. She had no interest in getting them for us. The second time she told us to walk over to loyalty and get them ourselves. Which we did, and the guy who got them simply shoved them in my hand without even looking at me.

 

I was not asking or expecting anything extra. Simply introducing herself, or making sure the pins were delivered to our rooms cost nothing. The fellow at next cruise could have made up for the Concierge's blunder by being polite and handing me the pins and saying "Congratulations on making Diamond!" instead of being rude and making us feel like we were a bother.

 

I know that this is a small issue, but it was a chance for RCI to deliver this "WOW!" they keep talking about and they missed the boat. It won't affect us choosing to sail RCI, but it did put just a wee bit of a tarnish on what should have been an exciting milestone for us.

 

Overall a great cruise, and we look forward to sailing on Freedom at the end of January. I have heard that the Concierge in Freedom's Diamond Lounge is really good. Fingers crossed!!

 

Were you the ones with the greyhounds on your door? LOL! I was in 8151! (the one in the wedding gown on embarkation day). I heard you ask for extra towels :-)

 

Did you have any issue with the temp in your cabin? We'd go to bed and it would be a nice cool temp, however over the course of the night, would raise 5 degrees every single night. I can't imagine why a cabin would raise by 5 degrees over night. (it was an interior in case this is a phenomenon known to those).

 

This was my first time on RCCL, and first time on a mega ship. Aside from the room temp, I had a fantastic time on board. So much to see and do. I still can't believe it's already over. Entertainment was great. I admit i was skeptical about a ventriloquist but he was fantastic. Our table was Deck 3l 984. Our waiter was outstanding, best I've had over all my cruises. Maybe that's because it was my first time in assigned dining rather than an open seating.

 

Overall great cruise, and I'm really sad it's over!

[cello56]

Were you the ones with the greyhounds on your door? LOL! I was in 8151! (the one in the wedding gown on embarkation day). I heard you ask for extra towels :-)

 

Did you have any issue with the temp in your cabin? We'd go to bed and it would be a nice cool temp, however over the course of the night, would raise 5 degrees every single night. I can't imagine why a cabin would raise by 5 degrees over night. (it was an interior in case this is a phenomenon known to those).

 

This was my first time on RCCL, and first time on a mega ship. Aside from the room temp, I had a fantastic time on board. So much to see and do. I still can't believe it's already over. Entertainment was great. I admit i was skeptical about a ventriloquist but he was fantastic. Our table was Deck 3l 984. Our waiter was outstanding, best I've had over all my cruises. Maybe that's because it was my first time in assigned dining rather than an open seating.

 

Overall great cruise, and I'm really sad it's over!

 

Yes that was us! I spoke to you in the hallway right before muster drill! Loved your wedding dress!!

We had one night when our room temp got really warm overnight - turns out that we inadvertently turned off the Master Switch and killed the air! I ended up taping a piece of paper over the switch so that that didn't happen again! LOL!

[kgrassel]

I couldn't agree more about the Oasis Diamond Concierge. We also attended the Blaze cocktail hour every night, and were completely ignored. She was there some of the time, but always paying attention to the same few people and ignoring the rest.

On other ships they have always made it a point to circulate among the guests, and sometimes to leave a message on the cabin voicemail letting us know about the next day's events. Nothing from Ms. Fernandez but the first day letter in the room. Disappointing.

[ariawoman]

Yes that was us! I spoke to you in the hallway right before muster drill! Loved your wedding dress!!

We had one night when our room temp got really warm overnight - turns out that we inadvertently turned off the Master Switch and killed the air! I ended up taping a piece of paper over the switch so that that didn't happen again! LOL!

 

I dont recall seeing a master switch (aside from the master switch for the lights in the room). There was a dial on the thermostat but that's all I remember.

 

The master switch (the one on top of the light switch bank near the bathroom) isn't the one you're referring to is it? If so, i'm going to kick myself LOL

[boaterette]

My best friend just got off this cruise. She said she had the best time ever. She does not smoke and never smelt any smoke in the mdr. She said even the casino did not smell bad. Sorry you weren't recognized as being diamond as you think you should have.

[portofrome]

Thanks for writing your review.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your comments.

 

Keith

[Lionesss]

Very nice review . . . . . and

Congratulations on Diamonds status.

We are Emerald and too us it is a big deal slowly climbing the loyalty ladder.

When our Diamond day arrives I will be ecstatic, because I dont think we will ever hit Diamond plus.

Thank you for your thoughts.

You write very well.

Sea Ya

[quantumleap]

I dont recall seeing a master switch (aside from the master switch for the lights in the room). There was a dial on the thermostat but that's all I remember.

 

The master switch (the one on top of the light switch bank near the bathroom) isn't the one you're referring to is it? If so, i'm going to kick myself LOL

 

 

 

Don't kick yourself too hard...but yes, the "master switch" also switches off the air conditioning!

[Paulette3028]

Well said and my thoughts exactly! We will make Diamond on our next cruise and it is a big deal to us! I totally get your point!

 

Tara

 

When DH and I made Diamond, it also was a big deal for us. I just did not expect much 'fanfare' about it, on our next cruise. We looked forward to the extra perks for sure. It will take us a while to get to D+, since we only take 1 weeklong cruise per year, and a short weekender. We don't book suites, where we would get double points. I also look forward to making D+, and even then the extra perks are more valuable to me, that the 'outward recognition'.

 

But that is me. I make sure that the people who would care about my status and be able to make sure it was a little bit more enjoyable, by "rewarding" me for my status (in a private small way), know it.

 

It isn't necessary for a public pronouncement of my status in any way.

[countess5]

Congratulations on Diamond Status! We sail on Oasis January 25th 2014 and this puts us in Diamond status which is big deal!!! :)

 

I remember when we got our Emerald pins, I call the pins KMA pins, Kiss my ***! That is what they should do with the amount of money that we all have spent and stayed loyal to RCL!!;)

 

Our second trip on Oasis (last 2011), glad to hear she still dresses up well. We are on the 8th floor and looking forward to being near Cental Park, especially near Park Cafe and those great beef sandwiches!!:D

[kkpcruiser]

This will be our first cruise as Diamond on the Oasis in January. We are new to Oasis and new to the "diamond lounge" as we have previously been concierge guests on royal. Although Ive heard mixed reviews about crowding and service in the DL, we are really looking forwrd to this perk. We appreciate the complimentary specialty coffees and drinks and wouldn't be put off by lack of attention by the concierge. It sounds like there were alot of Diamonds and D+ were on board, so I imagine they were pretty busy.

 

You mentioned seeing some of the shows twice. How are you able to do this? is there a line right before the shows that will allow guests who haven't reserved the opportunity to go in if there are no shows?

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. we are really looking forward to the Oasis.

[Clarea]

...

You mentioned seeing some of the shows twice. How are you able to do this? is there a line right before the shows that will allow guests who haven't reserved the opportunity to go in if there are no shows?

Yes, there is a standby line that is allowed to enter the venue about 10 minutes before the start of the show.

[LAngle]

Is Carolina still the concierge in the Oasis diamond lounge? We were with a group last Feb that spent some time every evening there, and we had some issues with her, too. The rest of the crew working there was amazing, we got great service from them. We were never moved to Blaze.

 

Nice review and I do want to go back someday.

 

And lgonquin, sorry you feel that way. By the way, we got to Diamond via steerage. Many of us do. :)

[Paulette3028]

I was talking with a friend last evening and trying to get them to accompany us on our cruise in June on Allure (our first time on an Oasis class ship). Her question was what do we like and what disappoints us ?

 

I answered her 2 part question like this:

 

We love visiting several places and unpacking once. Add to that, no grocery shopping, cooking and lots to do (or not do, depending upon our interest); entertainment in the evening and even some gambling (if interested).

 

What disappoints me is very little -- it is not that we have 'low expectations' -- because we don't. For the most part, the food is good to very good. If I am dissatisfied, the staff is told and it is taken care of....as with any service on the ship from housekeeping to (insert issue).

 

That is the service that I like....and as Royal Loyalists, the added perks, just are extras. Yes, I do wear my Diamond pin on my sun hat....just because I have earned it by being loyal. If I get one small personal piece of attention from a staff member, fine...if not, no complaint either.

 

We have fun and keep coming back. I hope our friends join us. They have never cruised before. Will it add pressure to my cruise, no. Royal will have to live up to the picture I presented.

[cello56]

Thank you for all the comments.

 

Just to clarify, at no point did I suggest that I expected a lot of fanfare, and to have our new status announced to the masses! All I expected was a hello from the concierge and a congrats as the guy handed me the pins. Seriously, it would have taken zero effort on his part, and it is the concierge's JOB to introduce herself!

 

We did the shows a second time by standing in the standby line. They let us in about 10 minutes prior to the show. The seats that were left were mostly off to the side, but that was fine, and we enjoyed seeing the shows from a different angle.

 

Yes, the master power switch on Oasis class kills the air conditioning too!

[Paulette3028]

Thank you for all the comments.

 

Just to clarify, at no point did I suggest that I expected a lot of fanfare, and to have our new status announced to the masses! All I expected was a hello from the concierge and a congrats as the guy handed me the pins. Seriously, it would have taken zero effort on his part, and it is the concierge's JOB to introduce herself!

 

We did the shows a second time by standing in the standby line. They let us in about 10 minutes prior to the show. The seats that were left were mostly off to the side, but that was fine, and we enjoyed seeing the shows from a different angle.

 

Yes, the master power switch on Oasis class kills the air conditioning too!

 

I guess some of us reading your post, read it to mean you did 'expect' a certain amount of fanfare. So clarifying your point is nice. Whenever I have been greeted by a Royal staffer or even just casually had 'eye contact' or engaged in even the smallest of conversation if has been with the ultimate of 'manners'; so, I wonder what I may be missing here.