Live From Oasis of the Seas 2/18-2/25!

[jam19872016]

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

What a memory. The joys of youth.

😀😀

I seem to recall also enjoying your Brussel sprouts 🙂

 

[exlondoner]

Just now, jam19872016 said:

I seem to recall also enjoying your Brussel sprouts 🙂

 

I love Brussels Sprouts, just not for breakfast, and not if they are remotely overcooked, which is hard with mass catering.

[jam19872016]

Just now, exlondoner said:

I love Brussels Sprouts, just not for breakfast, and not if they are remotely overcooked, which is hard with mass catering.

I've never been too picky about what time of the day I eat foods. Breakfast is a time of day to me, not type of food.

 

I have had to learn to be careful about spicy foods late at night, which is a shame as I LOVE spicy foods.

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, jam19872016 said:

I've never been too picky about what time of the day I eat foods. Breakfast is a time of day to me, not type of food.

 

I have had to learn to be careful about spicy foods late at night, which is a shame as I LOVE spicy foods.

Finish with a banana - very soothing. For some reason that sounds much more exciting than intended. 😀

[jam19872016]

2 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Finish with a banana - very soothing. For some reason that sounds much more exciting than intended. 😀

What about a pineapple? Or would that be too acidic?

[exlondoner]

10 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

What about a pineapple? Or would that be too acidic?

😀 Well, as you probably know, it contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is a meat tenderiser, and may help with indigestion. Doesn’t do anything for spiciness. And it’s got to be the right way up, of course.

[jam19872016]

Just now, exlondoner said:

😀 Well, as you probably know, it contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is a meat tenderiser, and may help with indigestion. Doesn’t do anything for spiciness. And it’s got to be the right way up, of course.

Perfect! Spicy does not bother me. It's the things that happen in my stomach when I lay down after eating it.

 

And of course, I am always careful of the orientation of my pineapple so nobody gets the wrong idea 😱 

[clochette]

really looking forward to your review, we just came back from Harmony with unlimited dining and very similar choices in food, we also did 150 Central Park 3 times and loved it.   I really enjoy Labadee give it a chance.

[jam19872016]

4 minutes ago, clochette said:

really looking forward to your review, we just came back from Harmony with unlimited dining and very similar choices in food, we also did 150 Central Park 3 times and loved it.   I really enjoy Labadee give it a chance.

150 is hands down my favorite and usually a very quiet atmosphere.

 

On Harmony I would probably throw in a couple trips to Wonderland just because I've only been one time. I also enjoy Sabor even though it's not a crowd favorite. 

 

I'm gonna make the journey into Labadee this time. Those pictures posted earlier looked lovely.

[colesc15]

Following along! We actually get on Oasis the day you get off. Actually the same boat as you as well with the itinerary, wasn't crazy about it but wanted to use my wife's prime cruise on oasis class, so chose this one. 

 

I was actually lucky enough to book Wonder with my own prime cruise next month in March before they stopped allowing Wonder, which we have the dining package on Wonder so it'll be interesting to see how they handle lunches if anything was changed for port days! Enjoy your cruise and wave as we're getting on and you off! 

[mimi'sgirl]

Following along! Love your ‘Lives’! Looking to book Oasis for 2025! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Have a wonderful cruise!

[jam19872016]

9 hours ago, colesc15 said:

Following along! We actually get on Oasis the day you get off. Actually the same boat as you as well with the itinerary, wasn't crazy about it but wanted to use my wife's prime cruise on oasis class, so chose this one. 

 

I was actually lucky enough to book Wonder with my own prime cruise next month in March before they stopped allowing Wonder, which we have the dining package on Wonder so it'll be interesting to see how they handle lunches if anything was changed for port days! Enjoy your cruise and wave as we're getting on and you off! 

Thanks for following along! Lucky you that you got to use Wonder, I would have loved to try that one out, especially since Port Canaveral is my favorite port. So easy. Lots of blackout dates this year, I tried twice to book Harmony before she left Florida and was not allowed. The second time it was not even on the blackout list that I had but the agent said it was a no go 🙄.

 

I've already scoped out the instant rewards list for the points I plan to earn this trip and Wonder is on it. I would like to B2B it with my prime for next year but I'm worried Wonder will be excluded again. Symphony is also an option, but then I'm back in Miami. 

 

I will wave, but don't take it personal if I look grumpy, my vacation just ended 😅

2 hours ago, mimi'sgirl said:

Following along! Love your ‘Lives’! Looking to book Oasis for 2025! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Have a wonderful cruise!

Thanks for following along! If there is anything you're curious about to help you decide to book her, ask away and I will see what I can find out! 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 2/15/2024 at 4:57 PM, jam19872016 said:

Check in is done, I secured a 3-3:30 check-in. Umm ok, going to gamble on showing up early and see what happens. Don't be like me, but if you do, I have never had a problem showing up in Miami early if you come early enough.

we showed up at 11, and it was a zoo for the first time in our cruising history (except for our very first cruise on Indy, but there was an excuse for that - it was Indy's TA cruise, and customs took a long time clearing the ship). 

[jam19872016]

3 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we showed up at 11, and it was a zoo for the first time in our cruising history (except for our very first cruise on Indy, but there was an excuse for that - it was Indy's TA cruise, and customs took a long time clearing the ship). 

That's not good to hear. I hope to be there closer to 10, 10:30 at the latest, but it's always been a breeze. I think one time the line at security inside was starting to get backed up, although still very well organized, but nothing crazy and no trouble getting inside. I can't say the same for how Carnival handles things in Miami, typically very crazy but at least I have a priority line with them.

 

Keeping my fingers crossed for the best. I have to start getting my money's worth out of UDP immediately 😅.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 2/16/2024 at 10:35 AM, jam19872016 said:

Portside BBQ will be tough. Portside is going to be a challenge. I don't find much I would be interested in under $20

3 of us ate there for $30 and at the end I was literally pushing the food down my throat because it was so much of it. In April 2023 the Pitmaster special combo was around $9.99. Plenty of food. I chose smoked wings - yum.

[jam19872016]

3 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

3 of us ate there for $30 and at the end I was literally pushing the food down my throat because it was so much of it. In April 2023 the Pitmaster special combo was around $9.99. Plenty of food. I chose smoked wings - yum.

It's now $14.99, prices have jumped dramatically since the last time I sailed. That is probably the closest to a full meal I will be able to get now and while I will probably be satisfied, I won't be getting value.

 

I used to enjoy the three cut signature combo but it is now $21.99. Two cut is $16.99 but the description does not mention any sides or dressert, which doesn't seem correct so if it comes with the two sides and dessert still, that will be a nice option to have. 

 

Anything a la carte will quickly put me over $20. 

 

I have a pretty big appetite, as one would expect from someone purchasing an unlimited dining option 😁.

 

It would be like selling someone a drink package, but not raising the price limit each time you raise the price of the drinks. Oh yea, and you can only order from each bar once a day.

 

But somehow I will make it work, even if it means stopping at Johnny Rockets for dessert because really the highlight of Portside is their meats and sides although the brookie did make a nice late night snack.

[jam19872016]

+0.4 today 🙄

 

[jam19872016]

Things could always go wrong but last day has decent odds to not go sideways like last time....good thing since @princess76021 has not showed up with the button yet....here's to an uneventful last day

 

 

Jessie's girl 🎶 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

2 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

It's now $14.99, prices have jumped dramatically since the last time I sailed.

this is crazy!

No wonder we started exploring other cruise lines. I mean - they raised their cruise prices unreasonably high, but I didn't realize that the rest of the prices also went up 50%.

[ckrobyn]

On 2/15/2024 at 3:12 PM, jam19872016 said:

Hello everyone!

 

I'm getting ready to sail out for another adventure on Sunday and I plan to do a live review of my time on board. This time I will be sailing on the Oasis Of The Seas for seven days. 

The itinerary is quite possibly the least exciting I have ever done, but then again, you don't sail Oasis for the itinerary. Stops are Nassau, Coco Cay, Labadee, and Falmouth. I was going to book the 25th with this same route but the timing did not quite work out so I booked the 18th and assumed it would be Eastern and a slightly better run, but nope same thing. I don't sail for the itinerary anyway so it will be ok.

 

I'm 36 and live less than two hours away from the big three ports in Florida. Miami is my least favorite because of the traffic and difficulty getting in and out of the port. The sail away view is spectacular though and is something I always looks forward to!

 

Doesn't like the ports, doesn't like the drive to Miami why did he book this cruise? Good question. I'm prime with Club Royale which means I have gambled away enough money in Royal's casinos that I earn a free cruise up to seven nights each casino year. Used to be eight but now only seven, so unless I want to do a six day trip, we need to eliminate all the ships doing 8/6 day runs. I also want Voyager class or newer. I would sail smaller ships, but for the same price my money is on something with more bells and whistles. Obviously it needs to be a port out of Florida. 

 

That leaves me two choices, Wonder and Oasis. Except wait, Wonder is not eligible even though the exclusion has traditonally been no ships in the first twelve months of service, which has passed for Wonder. So Oasis and out of Miami it is. I did come close to choosing Symphony for six days since I have not been on that ship yet and it is Ft. Lauderdale, but in the end that extra day on Oasis swayed me. Even with the extra restrictions, still the best casino program out there when it comes to bang for your gambling buck!

 

I will be sailing solo, have found a great deal (well the best I am going to find in these inflated times) for the Unlimited* Dining Plan so will have an unreasonable amount of food p0rn to share and beverages as well. I did not purchase a drink package, but have my five free drinks a day for being Diamond+ as well as unlimited drinks from the casino when it is open for being prime.

 

If you have any questions about the ship feel free to ask away and I will do my best to find out. 

 

*I put an asterisk because is it really unlimited with a $20 per day limit at Playmaker's and Portside? I checked the new prices and $20 does not go very far like it used to.
 

I will be boarding as you are getting off next Sunday - also solo cruising! I may do a LIVE as well .....

[The sea calls my name]

I have a couple of questions regarding Portside BBQ.  My husband and I have enjoyed their food immensely and neither of us could ever eat all they served us.  Can you post the current prices and also can you ask if they are leaving this venue on the shi[ after their short drydock in October of 2024?.  We are booked for the Oct 24, 2024 Transatlantic cruise following the two week dry dock following its summer in the Mediterranean. I will be extremely disappointed if they remove this venue.

Thanks, and a huge congratulations on your dedication to your health and weight loss. 

[bluewater1298]

Hey just joining in. We met on your last cruise. My husband and I rode the shuttle over with you and sat in the waiting area before boarding Celebrity Reflection. We had talked about parking in Miami because my husband and I will be on the Oasis in April. Looking forward to your post about parking in a different terminal. 

Royal has gone up to $35 a day. Total cost for our cruise would be $245. That's ridiculous! I also checked hotels and couldn't find any that worked. I wish Miami had better options. Ft Lauderdale is so easy with Park&Go. Please post pictures and details of where you park tomorrow. We may go that route or park at the airport and take a cab. 

Also looking forward to your Live review. Enjoyed your last one even though we were sailing along!

Be safe traveling! Hope everything goes smoothly and you have a wonderful cruise!

[jam19872016]

7 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

this is crazy!

No wonder we started exploring other cruise lines. I mean - they raised their cruise prices unreasonably high, but I didn't realize that the rest of the prices also went up 50%.

Yep, and meanwhile the UDP has also gone up in price but the value is far less than it used to be. I'm at least insulated from the high booking costs since the casino comps me, but the onboard extras are getting harder and harder to justify.

 

5 hours ago, ckrobyn said:

I will be boarding as you are getting off next Sunday - also solo cruising! I may do a LIVE as well .....

Looks like all the cool kids will be on next week! I would definitely follow along if you did a live! Will come in handy when I'm having cruise withdrawals.

 

[jam19872016]

5 hours ago, The sea calls my name said:

I have a couple of questions regarding Portside BBQ.  My husband and I have enjoyed their food immensely and neither of us could ever eat all they served us.  Can you post the current prices and also can you ask if they are leaving this venue on the shi[ after their short drydock in October of 2024?.  We are booked for the Oct 24, 2024 Transatlantic cruise following the two week dry dock following its summer in the Mediterranean. I will be extremely disappointed if they remove this venue.

Thanks, and a huge congratulations on your dedication to your health and weight loss. 

I will post a current menu for you tomorrow, I wish I had an old copy to see how far all the prices have gone up but it is quite a bit more expensive than it used to be. 

 

I'll also check on the future of Portside, it's not been added to any other ship so I don't think it's a big revenue source even at the current prices. Too bad as it is really good food and seems busy every time I've been. Hopefully it will survive.

[jam19872016]

1 hour ago, bluewater1298 said:

Hey just joining in. We met on your last cruise. My husband and I rode the shuttle over with you and sat in the waiting area before boarding Celebrity Reflection. We had talked about parking in Miami because my husband and I will be on the Oasis in April. Looking forward to your post about parking in a different terminal. 

Royal has gone up to $35 a day. Total cost for our cruise would be $245. That's ridiculous! I also checked hotels and couldn't find any that worked. I wish Miami had better options. Ft Lauderdale is so easy with Park&Go. Please post pictures and details of where you park tomorrow. We may go that route or park at the airport and take a cab. 

Also looking forward to your Live review. Enjoyed your last one even though we were sailing along!

Be safe traveling! Hope everything goes smoothly and you have a wonderful cruise!

Hello! So glad to see you came out of lurk mode 🙂

 

Agree Ft. Lauderdale was so much easier. I have not found a comparable service in Miami that provides service I would rank about one star. I will be sure to thoroughly document my parking experience tomorrow. Cost will still be $154 so not cheap by any means but a good savings over what Royal wants to park in their lot.