Royal Caribbean Newbie - Advice Please

[Clay Clayton]

Long time cruiser but never on RC. In-Laws are planning a cruise next year and have selected an Oasis cruise. They have asked me for advice on how to get the best pricing and of course I have no idea.
 

So I am hoping some of the good karma I’ve built up on the Norwegian and Viking boards will come back to me on this board!

 

Any hints, advice, tips are welcomed and encouraged. 
 

TIA, 

Clay

[Sunshine3601]

Do you or in laws have a preference of where you wish to sail to/from?    

Do you have a preferred month for your sailing?

Number of days?

 

[Ourusualbeach]

7 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Long time cruiser but never on RC. In-Laws are planning a cruise next year and have selected an Oasis cruise. They have asked me for advice on how to get the best pricing and of course I have no idea.
 

So I am hoping some of the good karma I’ve built up on the Norwegian and Viking boards will come back to me on this board!

 

Any hints, advice, tips are welcomed and encouraged. 
 

TIA, 

Clay

Find a TA with group rates. 

[Clay Clayton]

13 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Do you or in laws have a preference of where you wish to sail to/from?    

Do you have a preferred month for your sailing?

Number of days?

 

Sorry- They have already selected the sailing. Oasis, April 10, 2022.  Just wondering if RC has any secrets on how to get the best deal, or promos they should look for etc. 

[Sunshine3601]

11 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Sorry- They have already selected the sailing. Oasis, April 10, 2022.  Just wondering if RC has any secrets on how to get the best deal, or promos they should look for etc. 

There are discounts for anyone 55 or older as well as military discounts.  

If you look at pricing on rcl website make sure to input these options when pricing.  Select exclusive rate discount to select what applies.

If you book now and see pricing drops prior to final payment date you can call and reprice for the lower rate.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Sunshine3601

[Sunshine3601]

There are numerous types of cabins / balconies on Oasis.  Do you already know what type of cabin you want?

[firefly333]

10 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Sorry- They have already selected the sailing. Oasis, April 10, 2022.  Just wondering if RC has any secrets on how to get the best deal, or promos they should look for etc. 

Ouch. I booked oasis for spring break 2023 and its spring break, I bet your date is super high too.

 

The good news is it's such a fun ship.

 

DO book shows ahead of time when they open. Rcl will spread you out thru out the ship so it's not as crowded. The two musical shows are top notch, Cats is the broadway musical they pay royalties to do. The dive show features divers from all over the world, amazing.

 

Eat breakfast early at johnny rockets, it's free for breakfast but gets crowded. I divided lunch between city park cafe and the solarium, the Windjammer, the buffet gets crowded.

 

Zip line and climbing walls and surfing have lines.

 

There isnt another good way to get good prices. Someone lower down has a thread on promo codes, or above get a ta with a group rate.

 

Terrific choice. I did oasis twice it was so fun.

[Sunshine3601]

Btw I like your name.  My granddathers name was Clayton, he was 6'5" and I when I was a little girl I called him Gumby since everyone called him Clay.

[Clay Clayton]

19 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

There are numerous types of cabins / balconies on Oasis.  Do you already know what type of cabin you want?

Balcony. I’ve discussed the differences between the Boardwalk/Central Park facing ones and ocean facing ones.  I was surprised the price between them isn’t much different. 

[ReneeFLL]

@Clay ClaytonHave they already booked? If so how long ago? A TA can usually give you a great price.

[Casino Comp Chick]

9 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Long time cruiser but never on RC. In-Laws are planning a cruise next year and have selected an Oasis cruise. They have asked me for advice on how to get the best pricing and of course I have no idea.
 

So I am hoping some of the good karma I’ve built up on the Norwegian and Viking boards will come back to me on this board!

 

Any hints, advice, tips are welcomed and encouraged. 
 

TIA, 

Clay

Hi Clay, 

Fancy meeting you here. I have been trying to get on the Oasis since last year...Here is to hoping I don’t get cancelled a 3rd time.

The one big difference you will see is drinking will run $425-$550 and the all in dining will run you about $200. Drinks alacarte are more expensive on Royal & the all in dining also gets you lunches in the specialty restaurants on sea days.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Casino Comp Chick

[Casino Comp Chick]

8 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Balcony. I’ve discussed the differences between the Boardwalk/Central Park facing ones and ocean facing ones.  I was surprised the price between them isn’t much different. 

Go with the ocean view as the others have no privacy from the cabins across from you.

[NC State]

6 hours ago, Heymarco said:

Best trick I learned is check price once a week or set an alert. If price drops before final payment, call and get it reduced. If it drops after final payment, you can sometimes upgrade for free if the next category is now the same price or lower than what you paid. Good luck!

 

How do you "set an alert"?

[Big_G]

11 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Long time cruiser but never on RC. In-Laws are planning a cruise next year and have selected an Oasis cruise. They have asked me for advice on how to get the best pricing and of course I have no idea.
 

So I am hoping some of the good karma I’ve built up on the Norwegian and Viking boards will come back to me on this board!

 

Any hints, advice, tips are welcomed and encouraged. 
 

TIA, 

Clay

 

11 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Find a TA with group rates. 

 

Best answer ^^^

 

My son did a wedding cruise. Not only did the TA get a good rate, we didn't have to deal with who was in or out or remind others that final payment was due.

[TheMastodon]

11 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Long time cruiser but never on RC. In-Laws are planning a cruise next year and have selected an Oasis cruise. They have asked me for advice on how to get the best pricing and of course I have no idea.
 

So I am hoping some of the good karma I’ve built up on the Norwegian and Viking boards will come back to me on this board!

 

Any hints, advice, tips are welcomed and encouraged. 
 

TIA, 

Clay

 

You will enjoy Oasis !  Only ships my boss will allow our family to sail on.

[FTLCruiseGal]

Black Friday has some really good deals on shore excursions, drink packages, and other add-ons (spa, dining, etc.).  If they can wait until then to purchase these things, I would.  If not, purchase now and check Black Friday.  They can cancel and repurchase.  I did this, and saved about $500 on drink packages and shore excursions.

[FTLCruiseGal]

3 minutes ago, TheMastodon said:

 

You will enjoy Oasis !  Only ships my boss will allow our family to sail on.

Agree 100 %.  Have been on Allure and going on revamped Oasis soon!

[vacationlover_mn]

Once they book, things like excursions and drink packages will eventually show up in their online “cruise planner”.  If they book something, and the price goes down, they can cancel and rebook at the lower price.  I try to check prices daily, and have so far saved almost $200 on excursions and the boozy pkg, for my 2022 cruise

[Clay Clayton]

9 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

@Clay ClaytonHave they already booked? If so how long ago? A TA can usually give you a great price.

Not yet.  Thanks. Will call our regular TA

[Clay Clayton]

3 hours ago, Casino Comp Chick said:

Go with the ocean view as the others have no privacy from the cabins across from you.

Isnt that what curtains are for?  LOL

[mjkacmom]

That’s Easter week, I would expect a ton of kids and high prices.

[Clay Clayton]

Yes-not ideal in many levels

[Sea Dog]

13 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Balcony. I’ve discussed the differences between the Boardwalk/Central Park facing ones and ocean facing ones.  I was surprised the price between them isn’t much different. 

I think if you want to people watch go with Boardwalk. If you want to ocean watch go with a balcony. I will take a ocean view balcony every time.

[js1357]

21 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Find a TA with group rates. 

How do you do that?  I tried to message you.

[Clay Clayton]

11 minutes ago, js1357 said:

How do you do that?  I tried to message you.

Agreed, hope he/she tells us!