Quick review Oasis/Bayonne

[suesnake2002]

Here's a quick review of our first cruise, post pandemic shut down. Departure at Bayonne. It seems from talking to alot of people that experiences varied greatly. We had a 12 o'clock boarding time. The earliest time. At about 2-3 weeks before they opened up an 11:30 time slot, as capacity increased. We actually sailed at over 50%, the windjammer was open for dinner. 

They adhere to your boarding time. We got there at 11:15 am. Dropped luggage, parked in garage. There were alot of people sitting around outside. And a line that went back towards the outside bathroom. So since we had an early time we got in line. They would let a few people in at a time. As we got to the front. They were checking our boarding passes for times. And if you didn't have 11:30 or 12 you were kicked off line. Quick and easy boarding. From actually being let in building to ship mere minutes. 

Now as time got later and more people showed up out if thier time slot it hot messy. We heard lots if complaints. We met a wonderful couple, he was in a wheelchair. Be advised while this is going on no accommodations are made for those needing assistance. There's the suite entrance, then everyone else. I learned there are only 16 handicapped rooms onboard. I would think if you have one of those rooms (and yes there are requirements to booking it) that special help boarding could be made. Or a seperate line. 

I also heard of someone showing up late, and being kicked off line!!

So in order for all of this to go smoothly ,show up at appropiate time. 

Our friends had a 12:30 time. And after we got on board they got on line. And everything went smoothly. 

 

  So at this time i will address disembarktion. Things are very different. We always do self, and carry our luggage off. They will give you a card to scan for disembarktion in your room. I am not the most tech savy. So after 2 days i went to guest services to set this up. Waiting made me get the second wave of carry your luggage off. Our tag # was 23, with a disembark of 8:30 (they were running about 10 minutes late) First time off was 7:30. You wait in your room. Turn on channel 2 and wait for your number to be called. Once again varying experiences. When our number was called, we had empty elevators and no lines. I loved this system. As time got later people started coming down when they wanted and jammed up the system. So it's really not royal or the the port messing things up, it's the passengers. 

Your luggage will not be there if you try to leave early. They space things out more for social distance. They also spread out the self disembarktion to give them windows to catch up with the luggage. 

I loved this disembarktion and hope they keep it. This also means rooms will be open later. We went to our room at 2:30 and it was ready. I believe it was open at 2pm. Our luggage was all there. Outside our own door. 

Our vaccinated bracelets were silk ribbons. Thumbs down. You couldn't remove them. So they went in the shower with you. Were wet on your wrist. The long tab dips into your food on plate.

Having trouble uploading pics. Will take a break here. 

[Another_Critic]

Was this the October 24th sailing?

 

I was on the October 17th sailing and had a great time, with smooth embarkation and debarkation.

[suesnake2002]

52 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Was this the October 24th sailing?

 

I was on the October 17th sailing and had a great time, with smooth embarkation and debarkation.

Yes this was the oct 24th sailing. 

[suesnake2002]

[suesnake2002]

While waiting in line, we started our safety briefing film. An alert came up on our phones. We already had the royal app on our phone. So that when we boarded we went straight to our muster station. We checked in. Thumbs up on this. Love it. Better than 3 thousand plus people heading to a muster. Hope royal keeps this. Then off to the schooner bar for our celebration drinks. 

Prior to sailing you couldn't make reservations for any shows. You had to wait til onboard. But there were no kiosks to do this. You had to find a "house" phone or wait til you get to your room. Being a bit tipsy we opted for our room phone. Getting ourselves to our room latter than opening time may have caused us to miss out on getting comedy show seats. The Blaze where it is held is really small. Other than that we were able to schedule all the other shows. Maybe not at our first preference. But we got them all in. I would like you to know that there is no standbye line. Even if there are no-shows,   there is no way to get in. 

We were actually no shows to the ice show. Action packed days and early risings cause us to miss it. We were just too exhausted. 

We did make it to Cats, which was phenomenal. It has been cut back to an hour and a half, i think. No intermission. Excellent top notch performance.

Now in these type of venues you have to remain seated, and you will be released by section. This is an attempt at social distancing. With the boat at 50% capacity it was a logger jam at elevators. Hey they try. 

Elevators was suggested at 6 people. You could have more, if all from the same party. Some people freaked at the thought of seven people. Some people wouldn't bat an eye at eight. Everyone wears masks. It went smoothly and if by chance you did have a wait it was minimal. 

[suesnake2002]

[suesnake2002]

We spent most evenings closing out the schooner bar with Giles. He was a blast. Very funny signer. Made alot if fruends here at the bar

[suesnake2002]

We did have a lunch at the portside BBQ. was pretty good. We had ribs and pulled pork for our meats. I smoke, my ribs are better. Thats ok thier ribs were still good. Thier pulled pork was excellent. 

[suesnake2002]

El loco fresh is a free, included meal choice. We had lunch here twice. Get the nachos!! Load em up. They will put your meat , cheese, beans on where you pick up nachos. Turn around and there they have all the other fixings. Pico de gallo, sour cream, cilantro. Guacamole. Hot sauces. They will spoon everything on for you. Don't be afraid to say more please. Make them the way you like em. I always asked for more cheese!!

[ginnynj]

Sue: so great to have met you guys. We can keep in touch by FB too. Hope your 'back to normal' week goes well! Thanks for posting this honest review and pix! 😍

[suesnake2002]

1 hour ago, ginnynj said:

Sue: so great to have met you guys. We can keep in touch by FB too. Hope your 'back to normal' week goes well! Thanks for posting this honest review and pix! 😍

Thanx Ginny

[suesnake2002]

Main dining room. What excellent service. Food was pretty darn good too. Always hot. I kinda felt 50% capacity was so less stressful on the staff too. Everyone was happy happy to have us on. Our waiter Elon, asst waitress Avigale, and even the head waiter Rakesh went above and beyond. I only have a few pics. 

[suesnake2002]

We stopped at pt Canaveral. We stayed on the ship. Our stop at coco cay was a perfect day. The weather was perfect. We went to the illustrious beach club. I have had a chill island cabana in the past. Before crazy pricing. I love chill island. Now for the honest review of beach club. Yeah it was nice, and includes plush towels. Even day trippers. The loungers have flags you raise if you want a drink. Cute touch. For day people you must make lunch reservations. Lunch is what your paying for. The food is outstanding. The 4 of us all had lobster, cooked to perfection. We were swarmed by small flies when the food came out. 

Now if you like to swim in the water, and not a good swimmer this is not the place for you. The current is ripping here. I do a mean dog paddle. I literally swam as fast as i can to stay in one place. I love the water, but am not a strong swimmer. Anyone who had a mat would be swept along quickly. So if you want a great beach for swimming, stick with chill island. There are jettys there slowing the current. It is also centrally located to many things. 

Before lunch we took a walk around the island. Hung at the pool a little for that party vibe. 

[suesnake2002]

Now every cruise has there 70's night. Being a child of that era i embrace it whole heartily. I met and danced with alot of fabulous people. We weren't the only ones dressing up. And we possed for alot of pics

[suesnake2002]

Our last stop on this trip was Nassau. Like others said it has alot of construction going on. I've been there many times and was thjnking I'd stay on the ship. Hubby had other plans. He wanted another beach day. Ok. So i booked the pearl island beach. I picked this one because it had an hour more beach time. Wow. I had so much fun here. Maybe even more fun than coco cay, cause i spent so much time in the water. I paddle boarded. I kayaked. I doggy swam with my tube to the trampoline, way out in the water. We have our own snorkel gear, and we did that too. 

For purchase were alcoholic drinks (9$-11$) and a snorkel trip. On the back side of the island is a reef. They feed the fish, so there is alot to see. I think it was $32 for 30 min. Lunch is included. With ice water or ice tea. Also on the usland is a small lighthouse you can climb to the top. This is a thumbs up, and would do it again. 

[Oceansaway17]

3 hours ago, suesnake2002 said:

 

Now in these type of venues you have to remain seated, and you will be released by section. This is an attempt at social distancing.

 

So I guess you have to go to the bathroom before the show starts.

Then again it might cut down on folks walking out of CATS.

 

 I greatly dislike not having a stand by line.  having empty seats that someone could safely sit in and they won't let you in just before the doors close is down right MEAN and unnecessary.  If the buffet can be open, then why so strict with the shows.    I am more concerned with elevators than a showroom.

 

 

[jerseyjjs]

31 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

So I guess you have to go to the bathroom before the show starts.

Then again it might cut down on folks walking out of CATS.

 

 I greatly dislike not having a stand by line.  having empty seats that someone could safely sit in and they won't let you in just before the doors close is down right MEAN and unnecessary.  If the buffet can be open, then why so strict with the shows.    I am more concerned with elevators than a showroom.

 

 

 

 

 

They keep tabs on how many people enter the Windjammer and if it reaches a certain limit, they'll turn passengers away there too.  That's why they ask you to swipe your sea card going in AND coming out.

[PTAngel]

"We actually sailed at over 50%, the windjammer was open for dinner." 

 

Was Windjammer open every night for dinner?  We were on Oct 17 & they were closed every day for dinner.  We got onboard at Port Canaveral after our dining time & we had to eat at Portside BBQ.  We enjoyed it so much, we went back for lunch another day.  

[meadowlander]

1 hour ago, Oceansaway17 said:

 

So I guess you have to go to the bathroom before the show starts.

Then again it might cut down on folks walking out of CATS.

 

 I greatly dislike not having a stand by line.  having empty seats that someone could safely sit in and they won't let you in just before the doors close is down right MEAN and unnecessary.  If the buffet can be open, then why so strict with the shows.    I am more concerned with elevators than a showroom.

 

 

People still walked out, as I did (twice). One guy who was asleep had to be awoken by others who wanted to exit.

 

I too was on the 10/24 sailing and I was allowed into shows after they started, without a reservation. Cats being one show & Beatlemaniacs in the theater being the other. I am aware of others who also were allowed in without reservations.

[Another_Critic]

5 hours ago, suesnake2002 said:

I would like you to know that there is no standbye line. Even if there are no-shows,   there is no way to get in. 

 

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I greatly dislike not having a stand by line.  having empty seats that someone could safely sit in and they won't let you in just before the doors close is down right MEAN and unnecessary.

On the 10/17 sailing, we went to the ice show and aqua theater shows without reservations.

[suesnake2002]

13 hours ago, PTAngel said:

"We actually sailed at over 50%, the windjammer was open for dinner." 

 

Was Windjammer open every night for dinner?  We were on Oct 17 & they were closed every day for dinner.  We got onboard at Port Canaveral after our dining time & we had to eat at Portside BBQ.  We enjoyed it so much, we went back for lunch another day.  

Yes the the jammer was open every nite

[suesnake2002]

I had "heard" that people were turned away at aqua show. I don't know the details. I too sneaked into beatlemaniacs after show started. We were in our 70's outfit, no one scanned us. 

I noticed towards the end of the week there wasn't scanning at the jammer. I don't know if they were relaxing things, or i was there at an off peak time. 

Our stateroom attendant said they were relaxing things as time went on. And something about in 7 weeks. 

[meadowlander]

As I wrote, I was allowed in. I did not sneak in which is contrary to Royal's  distancing standards. I asked the rep at each venue if I could enter and I was told I could. 

 

The 2 shows I mentioned, I entered after each was half over. I was allowed into Aqua 80, without a reservation, immediately after the show began but before the performers were on the stage/pool. I stood near the entrance, did not take a seat. I filmed the opening segment and then left.

 

Aqua 80 is the best performance I have seen on any cruise ship. Every performance received a well earned standing ovation. The experience is further enhanced if one is familiar with 80's music. I can't recommend this show enough. Only 6 performance during the 7 days. Reserve this show first!

[mizLORInj]

1 hour ago, meadowlander said:

Aqua 80 is the best performance I have seen on any cruise ship. Every performance received a well earned standing ovation. The experience is further enhanced if one is familiar with 80's music. I can't recommend this show enough. Only 6 performance during the 7 days. Reserve this show first!

 

Absolutely agree.  This is the one show I recommend that everyone see!   It was great.  I also got in to one of the AQ80 shows w/o a reservation.  The later times have fewer people in attendance and more open seats I noticed last week. 

 

If anyone wants to be an Aqua 80 groupie, hang out on deck 5 at the stern.   The performers go in and out of those doors before and during the performance. 😊

 

[Oceansaway17]

19 hours ago, meadowlander said:

People still walked out, as I did (twice). One guy who was asleep had to be awoken by others who wanted to exit.

 

I too was on the 10/24 sailing and I was allowed into shows after they started, without a reservation. Cats being one show & Beatlemaniacs in the theater being the other. I am aware of others who also were allowed in without reservations.

 

 

oh well I did cancel yesterday and this issues was one of 3 reasons.   but I am doing Symphony and Wonder next year and have already done Allure and Harmony.  I guess Oasis is not in the cards for me.

glad to hear folks can get into shows without reservations.

 

They would eliminate the stress if they would just put back on the web.  Getting on the ship and having to deal with reservations first thing is crazy.  I know NCL does it but they have an area by theatre where you go and it does go well.