LIVE from Oasis of the Seas Transatlantic (with bonus Disney World) April 2024

[cruiselover04]

Looking forward to joining you virtually on your live. Very much enjoyed reading your previous lives. I know several people that are on the ship with you. My husband and I will also be in the Westbound TA with a group of friends. 
 

Jenni
 

[gatour]

13 hours ago, laurieal said:

The red button is to lock/open the bathroom door. It turns green when unlocked. 
 

The bottom one had a bell image on it, so maybe something related to an alarm? Not even sure if that one is also a button since I didn’t try pressing it. Perhaps I should have… 👀 

Having spent a lot of time in hospitals over the ladt year and a half because of my liver transplant,  I bet the thing near the floor is a "I have fallen and I can't get up" get up alarm button.  Hospitsl bathroom even in the public areas have those rip cord alarms in case someone needs help.

 

I am loving your trip report.

[Jaynay]

Thank you so much for your trip report.  I am really enjoying it! The info on Brightline is helpful. I live near Orlando and contemplating using Brightline for a future cruise.

[#55worktoplay]

Excellent review that I am very much enjoying. 
 

I think you should write a guide book for Disney you sure covered allot of things I didn’t even know about and I’ve been several times.  What a great idea with the progressive dining. 
 

Thanks, wishing you smooth sailing across the Atlantic.

[laurieal]

It’s Cruise Day!

 

Thank you for all the pictures of your pets. They bring joy to my heart on this chaotic morning. 
 

There is at least a two hour wait for an accessible taxi, so I’m trying to get a regular one. The problem is I’m a bit of a Goldilocks. The vehicle can’t be too small or my wheelchair won’t fit in it, but it can’t be too big or I won’t be able to get on it. 
 

A vehicle is here. Wish me luck!

[laurieal]

It was absolute madness coming into the port, but that could have been because there were still people getting picked up. I was expecting to wait up to 1-ish hour for an accessible taxi, but by taking a regular one I ended up here earlier than expected. 
 

I caught my first glimpse of the Oasis while stuck in traffic at 9:45

 

 

I was dropped off at 10:10

 

 

I got into the line for the 11:00 check-in people at 10:13

 

 

And I was let into the terminal at 10:26 

 

 

Check-in and security were a breeze and I’m currently sitting in an area with other mobility challenged people, one of which is a comedian. He used to do stand up, but now he has to do sit down (he uses a scooter - ba dum tss). 

 

I have the 3 nights dining package and the Diamond Plus BOGO, so I’m kind of last minute trying to figure out when/where I want to eat. I’m on the fence about the Hibachi, so I’ll head to Izumi once on board and see what they have left. 

 

[OBX-Cruisers]

Laurieal thanks for the reply to my question about your camera/phone that you are using.  Your pictures and commentary are so good that RCI should be paying you for helping the rest of us understand the logistics of getting from one place to another to get to their cruises.  On one of our TA cruises my wife tripped and hurt her knee sufficiently badly that I ended up pushing her in a wheelchair for most of the cruise and afterwards is disembarking and getting to and from the airport.

YOU are one courageous and adventurous soul and I along with many others will be following you vicariously and joyfully.   Unfortunately wife now has Covid that is a curse STILL with us.  No cruises for us while you are on yours so enjoy your time on the Oasis; Solarium Bistro is my favorite for early breakfast and snacks; much nicer than Windjammer and usually not very crowded

.

[laurieal]

I was on board at 11:08. Here’s my first look at the Promenade as I came in. 
 

 

My first mission was to head to Izumi and take care of my dining reservations. Because I’m, well, me, I got the ends of the ship mixed up and I ended up in the front when I wanted to be in the aft. 
 

Or the opposite. To be honest I’m still not 100% sure. But because of my mistake, I ended up having to go through the casino, so enjoy some empty casino pictures. 
 

 

 

 

Once on the right side, I found Izumi pretty easily. 
 

 

 

There were only two people ahead of me when I arrived, one of which was the guy who is organizing the sailaway meetup for the solos on this cruise. 
 

On the one hand, meeting people is good and it’s fun to run into them afterwards during the cruise, so I was planning on joining. On the other hand, new people are absolutely terrifying so I was also planning on bailing. Now that I’ve met one person, I think I’m good to go. We’ll see 😂 

 

But let’s not focus on how people make me anxious. Let’s focus on the food!

 

I had previously booked Giovanni’s for tonight at a very good price during the International Pizza Day sale. I was hoping to use that for my Diamond Plus BOGO, but they couldn’t do it because they usually have to charge the most expensive restaurant. 
 

I decided to keep Giovanni’s as an independent reservation for tonight. For my Diamond Plus BOGO, I booked 150 Central Park and Chops for nights 2 and 3. 
 

Then, I also had the 3 nights dining package and I booked 150 Central Park, Chops, and Izumi Hibachi. 
 

I also confirmed that I will be able to bypass the stairs to attend the Sushi and Sake lunch I have booked. 
 

 

By the time I was done, a pretty large queue had accumulated. If you have an early check-in time, I recommend making your reservations as soon as you board. 

[laurieal]

Next up was muster and I had to report to station A2. It was at the other (pointy) end of the ship, so I went up to the Promenade to avoid having to roll on carpet. 
 

 

 

Then I went up to deck 6 where my muster station was. 
 

 

Good job getting me into the spa and fitness center, Royal. Well played. 

 

Since I had taken care of all the embarkation day business, it was time for lunch in Central Park. 
 

 

 

Park Café it was for a kümmelweck sandwich. I accidentally joined the line for the salad station, which was a bit traumatic. Thankfully someone pointed me in the right direction. 
 

 

 

[laurieal]

I was now fed, but I still needed to get hydration. There was only one place to go for me: deck 16. I practically lived there on the Wonder. 
 

 

 

 

 

I grabbed a Lime & Coconut drink from the Lime & Coconut bar. It’s one of my favorites, so a perfect way to start the cruise. 
 

 

 

One Lime & Coconut turned into two and also a bottle of water with ice just appeared on my table, so I’m going to stay here for a little bit even if the staterooms are ready. 

[laurieal]

40 minutes ago, OBX-Cruisers said:

Laurieal thanks for the reply to my question about your camera/phone that you are using.  Your pictures and commentary are so good that RCI should be paying you for helping the rest of us understand the logistics of getting from one place to another to get to their cruises.  On one of our TA cruises my wife tripped and hurt her knee sufficiently badly that I ended up pushing her in a wheelchair for most of the cruise and afterwards is disembarking and getting to and from the airport.

YOU are one courageous and adventurous soul and I along with many others will be following you vicariously and joyfully.   Unfortunately wife now has Covid that is a curse STILL with us.  No cruises for us while you are on yours so enjoy your time on the Oasis; Solarium Bistro is my favorite for early breakfast and snacks; much nicer than Windjammer and usually not very crowded

.

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it. 
 

I’m so sorry your wife caught Covid. I wish her mild symptoms and a speedy recovery. 
 

The Solarium Bistro is also one of my favourite spot on ships that have it. Definitely not as chaotic as the Windjammer. 

[gambler]

Loving your review. Following along. Have a wonderful trip!

[elizabethbp]

I I am really enjoying your review. I was on the Oasis last summer - my favorite bar was the Trellis bar though. Have a wonderful cruise!

[laurieal]

2 minutes ago, elizabethbp said:

I I am really enjoying your review. I was on the Oasis last summer - my favorite bar was the Trellis bar though. Have a wonderful cruise!

Thank you! I will make sure to visit the Trellis Bar. Any drink in particular you enjoy there?

[laurieal]

Day 1 Compass

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Shows

 

 

 

The only one I’m familiar with is Jennifer Singer since she was on the 2022 Wonder TA. 

 

Is there anyone in there you think I shouldn’t miss?

[Cherful59]

Have been enjoying your review.  Enjoy your cruise.  

[laurieal]

Crown Lounge letter

 

[laurieal]

I’m staying in an interior stateroom on deck 6. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So far the stateroom looks like it’s going to be pretty good for my needs. I’m a bit bummed that the door doesn’t open automatically, but it’s fine, I can open my own door. I will also miss having outlets on both sides of the bed and USB ports, but again it’s not a big deal. 
 

My luggage isn’t here, yet, but my backpack is all unpacked and I’m lying down a little. I’m definitely not napping, nope, not me, but I’m just going to close my eyes for a moment. 

[GimmeOcean]

Waves down the beach from Odyssey in Ft Lauderdale

[Rogueperson]

You’re on the other end of the port.  I may not be able to get a picture of you.  Plus.  I was late due to accidents on 95.  Just checking in now.

[laurieal]

57 minutes ago, GimmeOcean said:

Waves down the beach from Odyssey in Ft Lauderdale

Hey, Odyssey! 👋 

 

Have a great cruise!

[Rogueperson]

 

I took this at 4:15.  Had problems connecting.  Not sure if you left yet.  You are either gone or obscured

Edited April 21 by Rogueperson

[MJSailors]

Laurie- I am wishing you a good sea journey as it is a trans Atlantic,not a typical cruise to the Caribbean. My DH and I did one TA on the QEII and we found that sea journey to be quite relaxing. 
I read about your trip on the train from Orlando to Miami and I have a question that I hope you don’t mind answering.

It may be helpful to people who are new to experiencing handicapped travel for themselves.

I was wondering how you managed your luggage in and out of the train terminals and on your way to the hotel. I am thinking that there were porters to assist in the train terminals and you mentioned a checked bag. Just thinking about you maneuvering your way to the hotel.

Take care

MJ👩🏻

[laurieal]

43 minutes ago, Rogueperson said:

 

I took this at 4:15.  Had problems connecting.  Not sure if you left yet.  You are either gone or obscured

We are still here!