**Semi live** Oasis of the Seas February 26-March 5 2023

[wrldtrvllr]

Planning on posting a semi-live review of the Oasis of the Seas.  We will be sailing from Miami to the Western Caribbean Feb 26-March 5 2023 with ports of call in Coco Cay, Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya.  For what it’s worth, this will be our 32nd cruise, 9th since the Restart, 8th time on Oasis (3rd since they added the *bleep* purple slide). We’ve never stayed in a suite, never bought the key, never dined in specialty dining (unless it was comped)…we are in the pay less and go more often camp. We enjoy cruising for it’s simple ease. 

 

We tend to fly to FLL when sailing from south Florida, tend to stay at a hotel with a free airport shuttle and then Uber/Lyft to appropriate port the next morning.  Terminal A in Miami for Oasis class ships.  (Thrice we’ve flown in the day the ship sails and while that appeals in many ways we have decided that’s too stressful—a coworker recently missed a holiday Celebrity cruise due to the day of departure flight being delayed—ship was still in port when they arrived but the manifest was closed and they were out of luck).

 

We try to sign up for an early arrival time (check in online or via the app 45 days before sailing).  This trip our Uber picked us up at 0930, we arrived to our check-in line at 1030 and were on board by 1045.  Fare= $43 plus tip for a comfort Uber. They stage right next to FLL so will arrive very quickly (5 min) to hotels near FLL.

 

In Miami you first check in (show passport and set sail pass, confirm picture etc). After this, boarding can back up at the X-ray machines.  This seems to be intentional to regulate the flow up the escalators to actually board the ship. By this point you don’t need passports, etc… just set sail pass in paper or electronic form right as you board.  (In contrast to Port Everglades terminal 18 where the X-ray screening is before the official check in).  Miami doesn’t appear to give a priority nod except to pinnacle, suites and the Key. Today though, no delays and we moved quickly through security and on to the ship. 

 

For us, initial priorities include exploring the ship, muster station check in, finding our dinner dining table, and lunch at the windjammer.  Room access generally opens at 1:00.  

 

On the first day we tend to go to the windjammer right as it opens at 11:00, attempting to beat the crowd 😂. Of course there are many other lunch venues open—Park cafe, solarium bistro (opened at noon on this cruise), and el loco fresh being our other top choices though the boardwalk dog house, sorrentos pizza, and cafe promenade are also “free” lunch locations.

 

Sea pass cards (room keys) are outside your room (on the door).  A coworker on a Disney cruise earlier this month found her room had been occupied by another family who apparently didn’t check the room #, names on the cards, etc, giving the room steward unnecessary additional work to remake the room on turnaround day!  Drinks/activities can be accessed before the rooms are open by showing your set sail pass or app.

 

We prefer traditional dining to have the same staff each night and a predictable schedule (part of our avoidance of making too many decisions while on a cruise ship!). Dining table info generally shows up on the app once on free Royal Wi-Fi and/or is on your sea pass card. I like to scope out the location so that when the doors open we can walk right in and don’t have to wait for an escort to the table. 

 

Show reservations, dinner reservations, etc can be made pre cruise online or upon arrival.  If you’re not a planner just go in the standby line to shows and my time dining—it’s nothing to stress over.
 

Luggage shows up outside (or sometimes inside) your room sometime that afternoon…ours was there by 1:30. 

 

We often get boardwalk balcony rooms since usually they are less $ than the ocean view. Also people watching is a plus. Close to the end gives a pretty good view of the rock climbing wall, aqua show rehearsals (and the actual show), games on the boardwalk, etc.  People frequently complain about the noise or the lack of privacy (people can see you on your balcony 😱). It is noisy on the balcony at times, mostly “white noise”, but movies/sporting events are pretty loud, and of course the aqua show is very loud, BUT inside the cabin with the balcony door locked it isn’t a much of a problem. The balcony is still a nice place for morning caffeine, weather check, etc.  Frequently similar price as inside room.  Occasionally I prefer the white noise over hearing too many details of people’s lives on an ocean balcony.  We’ve enjoyed Central Park balconies as well…really aren’t in the room enough to stress over location/type of room/etc. 
 

looking aft:

looking forward:

 

Today the ship is parked bow towards downtown—I’m hoping/assuming this means we will go to the turnaround area on sail away. Previously that has provided great views of downtown/sunset/fireworksetc. Last time (December 2022) we were aft towards downtown and did not use the turnaround…

 

Shows for the week:

Carnival celebration setting sail

 

 

[FionaMG]

Thanks for sharing @wrldtrvllr.

Have a great cruise. 😊

[wrldtrvllr]

After the turnaround, heading out…

 

For those wondering per our cabin steward it’s twice a day service for the next two weeks. Switching to once a day for the 3/12 cruise, except suites remain twice a day as others have said. Our steward said they get briefed next week and at this point he didn’t know if passengers get to pick morning vs evening service. 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by wrldtrvllr

[Missusdubbya]

Thanks for taking us with you!

[Lionesss]

Following, excited to read about your travels.

 

Love your introduction and pictures.

 

Thanks for sharing

 

Be safe and Enjoy your cruise.

[NoShoes2]

We watched the sail away yesterday. We were surprised to see the ship facing towards the turn around basin too. My wife is hoping for the same. We sail in 4 weeks! Have a great cruise!

[LuCruise]

Excited to see your post.  We will be on Oasis in two weeks, same itinerary and we also booked Boardwalk balcony rooms (kids in connecting).  You have a great view!  Looking forward to following along and hearing about your vacation and what you do. Enjoy your cruise!  Thanks for the update about room cleaning.  Guess we'll be the first down to 1x per day.

Edited February 27, 2023 by LuCruise

[ValerieJo]

15 hours ago, wrldtrvllr said:

After the turnaround, heading out…

 

For those wondering per our cabin steward it’s twice a day service for the next two weeks. Switching to once a day for the 3/12 cruise, except suites remain twice a day as others have said. Our steward said they get briefed next week and at this point he didn’t know if passengers get to pick morning vs evening service. 

 

Thanks for the update.  We get on the 12th.   I’ll be following your review.  Enjoy your cruise! 

[hazeleyes46]

What room are you in? We just booked 11329 for September 🙂

[jmh2006]

Also following and also leaving on the 12th!!!

[crewsweeper]

Really like the Oasis.  But DW doesn't necessarily care for heading down to Miami.  Long drive...for me.  But looking forward to the rest of your review.  I think these more minimalist cruises can be the best.  No expectations.

[PompeySailor]

Enjoying your review 

We will also be onboard soon

 

Have a great cruise 

Happy Days!

[hazeleyes46]

43 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Really like the Oasis.  But DW doesn't necessarily care for heading down to Miami.  Long drive...for me.  But looking forward to the rest of your review.  I think these more minimalist cruises can be the best.  No expectations.

Oasis is coming back to NJ if you prefer going out of there 🙂

[Rusty_lock]

17 hours ago, wrldtrvllr said:

After the turnaround, heading out…

 

For those wondering per our cabin steward it’s twice a day service for the next two weeks. Switching to once a day for the 3/12 cruise, except suites remain twice a day as others have said. Our steward said they get briefed next week and at this point he didn’t know if passengers get to pick morning vs evening service. 

 

Looking forward to foloowing along.  I board her next Sunday.  Take good care of her.

[rorito]

Following your review. Will be onboard in April. If you have a chance to ask, would you please inquire when Oasis is scheduled to have the Jazz on 4 converted to a non-smoking casino? Work has started on Harmony and they plan completion in 2 weeks. I am hearing they will then convert Oasis, Allure and Symphony next but no news in what order. I did hear that plans were all Oasis class ships would be converted by end of April. Thanks for any news concerning this on Oasis! Have a great cruise!

[crewsweeper]

41 minutes ago, hazeleyes46 said:

Oasis is coming back to NJ if you prefer going out of there 🙂

That's worse!!!😮

[Preziosa]

We Will Be on Oasis the 9.th of April. Comming all the Way from Denmark to sail on This ship for a second time.

[wrldtrvllr]

7 hours ago, hazeleyes46 said:

What room are you in? We just booked 11329 for September 🙂

We’re on deck 9. I imagine 11329 will be better—less slide interference. That was the case for 11729 when we had it and thought it was very nice. 

[sandym718]

25 minutes ago, wrldtrvllr said:

We’re on deck 9. I imagine 11329 will be better—less slide interference. That was the case for 11729 when we had it and thought it was very nice. 

Thanks for the review!  We're on deck 9 in May with connecting insides.  How are you liking the general deck location? 

[wrldtrvllr]

rehearsal for the aqua show day 1

Dinner last night was for us no change from the old menu with the exception of my trying the spinach and artichoke dip—which actually did have discernible artichoke (unlike some previous experiences at bar food places).  Service also was typical for us, not bad at all.  1 hr 20 min ish for the meal for our table for two. Hot food was hot, cold food cold. 

 

Day one No show in main theater (movie instead) but comedians and aqua show occurred as scheduled. 
 

Today was Coco Cay. First however we played some pickle ball (including playing with a woman who has a goal to learn something new this trip as she celebrates a birthday north of 70!). We very much enjoyed their company and hope to see them on the pickle ball court throughout the week. 
 

 

Great weather as we hoofed it to south beach. (Might take tram next time—but we misunderstood the beach towel arrangement. They had announced towels would be on the gangway (or so I thought they said). Turns out not the case today, but you can get them on the island. Only being aware of towel stand near the pool, we walked to it first. Turns out there’s a towel stand in south beach as well…this is also relevant because they wanted us to return towel to where we checked it out—next time we’ll take towels off the ship I think)

South beach 

 

The Day beds are in this direction from the free loungers. The cabanas are behind the photographer here. We were in the free area about 50 yards from the bar. The bartenders came around frequently or it was a short walk. On the other side of the cabanas (150 yards?) was the snack shack where they have their crispy (fried) chicken sandwich, burgers, dogs, premade Caeser salad, Greek or green salads for lunch. More selection at the food place closer to the ship but I prefer the beach at south beach. 
 

 

[wrldtrvllr]

We were in port with Enchantment of the seas. 
 

Something new for me at south beach—was swimming and came upon a lemon shark (or so the life guard identified it as). Saw it several times as well as a couple of sting rays. The shark got as close as 15 feet from shore. Life guard said they are harmless and are only in this close because of high tide. He (lifeguard) apparently was watching me swim in towards the shark and got a kick out of my reaction when I spotted it!  I’m sticking with the story that I was simply fascinated to see it. 
 

aqua 80 from the balcony. High energy show! It’s a can’t miss on Oasis. 
 

[wrldtrvllr]

25 minutes ago, sandym718 said:

Thanks for the review!  We're on deck 9 in May with connecting insides.  How are you liking the general deck location? 

It’s perfect for us. It is a hike from aft stairwell but we’re ok with that. Deck 9 is nice middle location vertically. We personally only take the elevators for disembarkation with luggage so being only 5 decks up from dinner and shows, and about 5 decks below pool/sports deck/solarium works out well. 
 

we like to cross the ship on 8 (Central Park) so deck 9 is convenient for that. 

[wrldtrvllr]

7 hours ago, rorito said:

Following your review. Will be onboard in April. If you have a chance to ask, would you please inquire when Oasis is scheduled to have the Jazz on 4 converted to a non-smoking casino? Work has started on Harmony and they plan completion in 2 weeks. I am hearing they will then convert Oasis, Allure and Symphony next but no news in what order. I did hear that plans were all Oasis class ships would be converted by end of April. Thanks for any news concerning this on Oasis! Have a great cruise!

Working on getting info on that but don’t know yet

[rorito]

4 minutes ago, wrldtrvllr said:

Working on getting info on that but don’t know yet

Thank you! Hope you are having fun!

[LATTELOVE]

Following.

So happy to see new reviews from Oasis.

We will be sailing Oasis this summer out of 

Cape Liberty, New Jersey. 

Thank you for taking of your time to do the

postings.