My Oasis Star Class Experience (3/12-3/19)

I am sharing my Star Class experience, not to brag about it, but to give some information for those who may be interested in what is involved with sailing Star Class. When I booked, there was not a lot of current info., so I thought I'd share.

After my first Star Class Cruise, I have to tell you, I don't know if I can ever go back to "normal" cruising again! We booked the 2 bedroom Aquatheater suite (10730) for my husband and I and our 2 adult children (20 and 21). It was a great week of being completely spoiled!

It started 6 weeks before sailing when we received a questionnaire via email (silly questions which I answered honestly, but feel was never read). 4 weeks before sailing, I got an email asking if we wanted to rent a cabana at Labadee (we did) and what times we wanted dinners at Specialty restaurants and which shows we were interested in. All reservations were made and a schedule was emailed to me about 2 weeks prior to sailing.

1 week before the cruise, the Genie sent me the LOOP app. We did communicate through that a few times, but apparently it doesn't work very reliably, so we communicated through email, and then by phone onboard.

On embarkation day, at the terminal, we reported to the Star Class Area and were ushered to an area where we were met by an official looking man who escorted us past all the lines and directly to the check-in area, where they had all our paperwork filled out, and we just had to sign and had ID photos taken. We were then escorted past all other lines to a suite guest waiting area to wait about 8 minutes for our Genie, Lety Sanchez, to arrive. There were snacks and drinks (juice and water), of course.

Lety escorted us onto the ship and up to our room (her magic elevator card bypassed all the other floors). I wish we could have used that magic little card all week. ;). She took us to our room (AMAZING, btw) and got us set up with internet passwords, dinner and entertainment schedule, and told us how to reach her when we need ANYTHING!

The room was stocked with all the refreshments we had requested, and those refreshments kept getting replenished every day, whether we drank them or not!

Anytime I would ask for anything, the answer was always a cheerful and enthusiastic "Of course!" "Absolutely!" or "Completely!" There were not any surprises just showing up, or things I never thought of appearing out of the blue, like they imply in the Star Class brochure (which I hadn't really expected) but we were well taken care of and made to feel very special, which is why we splurged for this indulgent experience.

Our Genie reserved front row-center seats at each show we wanted to see, and made sure we had a drink in hand if we wanted it. When she found out my daughter was waiting in line for popcorn, she said "We don't wait in line for anything!" and it was delivered up a couple minutes later. Honestly, I don't mind waiting in line for things, but she kind of made us feel bad for not letting her do her job. We paid for this service, so we may as well use it.

When we showed up to reserved seats at the shows, people did kind of look at us like "who are you and why are you so special?" but again, we did pay for this service, so we just took it all in stride.

My son loves to ride the flow rider and they said he should show his Star Class Sea Pass and they would have him sit in the stands and they would pull him up to ride after every 5th guest or so, but he felt weird doing that, so he just waited in line with everyone else. I can't say that I blame him for that.

We did eat at every Specialty Restaurant and at Coastal Kitchen, and most every meal was excellent. This is the first cruise where we never ate dinner at the MDR and never stepped foot in the WJ. I can't say that I missed either one. ;). We did have lunch at the MDR twice during the week, and they now have a very nice buffet, which we really enjoyed.

Disembarkation, as others have mentioned for Star Class, was a breeze, with the Genie escorting you off, in a 15 minute process. Pretty nice!

Some have mentioned Star Class benefits being cut. But if you ask for it, they will, most likely make it happen. We didn't really ask for much, but they did deliver guacamole to the room one afternoon, and a cheese plate another day. The hand crafted cocktail cart did come by every afternoon if we were in the room. My kids enjoyed their "free" Starbucks beverages everyday. We never asked about laundry, but they probably would have done it for no charge if we had asked.

I am happy to (try to) answer any (reasonable) questions you may have about Star Class, the Oasis, or the Aquatheater Suite.

Diane

What a wonderful experience for you! I was in a loft suite last june(lowly sky class [emoji23]) and noticed the genies at work with their charges. I enjoyed watching the special attention the star class cruisers got and laughed at the nasty comments of envy from some of the other passengers. If you can, you should! Love the extras that suites get on Royal Caribbean !

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you for you post. We live in Trinity just up the street from you. We are sailing in June in the same suite two floors below and are so looking forward to the whole genie VIP experience. It is good to hear that I don't have to stress about trying to book things ahead of time like a cabana. We always book a cabana although it may not be in the location we wanted. Is there anything at all that I need to think about booking ahead or should I just not even worry about it and know that it will be all taken care of by the genie?

Also for dining I assume they take care of the reservations and you just pick where you want to eat each night?

Thanks for the review for Oasis. I just did it on Anthem, the only downer was they couldn't get a cabana on CoCoCay. So I wonder if it's different between the two islands? (Didn't matter as we had to bypass CoCoCay anyway this time due to weather). I'm just curious (since I'm on Allure and Labadee is a port and I want a cabana there). I guess it would be similar to Oasis?

I'm glad you had a super time! Sounds like your genie did a great job for you!

Thank you for the information. I'm also interested in cabana information. Other posters have talked about reaching out to the Concierge ahead of time, but if that's not necessary, all the better. Did you get your choice of type of cabana? And did they just put the bill for the cabana on your On board Account or was payment up front?We are in an 8330 Jan '18 so we are glad to hear everything went so smooth. Also planning to skip the MDR in favor of the Specialty/Coastal Kitchen combo.

After my first Star Class Cruise, I have to tell you, I don't know if I can ever go back to "normal" cruising again!

I have to agree with you on this ! After our Star Class experience on Harmony in Feb (ATS 8330) I don't ever want to cruise again without my Genie !!! Getting Star Class rooms is getting really tough though. They are snatched up before you can book them !

When we showed up to reserved seats at the shows, people did kind of look at us like "who are you and why are you so special?

If this happened to us, I was oblivious to it. I don't recall any nasty looks or comments.

The only unpleasantness that I witnessed was at the Ice show. The entire first row was reserved for Star Class but since there were just 2 of us, we moved all the way to the last 2 reserved seats. A bit later an elderly gentleman with a cane came down and sat next to us. Just a few moments later our Genie came down and after a very quiet and nonconfrontational chat, apparently informed the gentleman that these seats were reserved for someone else. The gentleman was not happy. Let's just leave it at that. Reluctantly he relocated but not before causing quite a scene. Eventually the family for whom these seats were reserved, showed up. I'm glad that they did not have to witness the skirmish over their seats. I'm sure it would have made them feel uncomfortable.

1 week before the cruise, the Genie sent me the LOOP app. We did communicate through that a few times, but apparently it doesn't work very reliably, so we communicated through email, and then by phone onboard.

Agree about Loop. Whatever the intention was for Royal, this app is a complete dud. Apparently the Genies have to be on their computer in order to receive any Loop message (really ??) and since they are so very busy they are RARELY at their computers. The very best way to comm with the Genie is to pick up the phone and call them directly. It worked 100% of the time.

All reservations were made and a schedule was emailed to me about 2 weeks prior to sailing.

Our experience was a little different. The only reservation that we made prior to boarding was for our cabana on Labadee. After we boarded, our Genie had taken the liberty of making all of our specialty restaurant reservations for the entire week....with the obvious understanding that if we wanted to make any changes, he would do that for us. We liked is itin so we just stuck with it ! Circumstances throughout the week caused a few small changes but for the most part we just went with his recommendations.

We did eat at every Specialty Restaurant and at Coastal Kitchen, and most every meal was excellent. This is the first cruise where we never ate dinner at the MDR and never stepped foot in the WJ. I can't say that I missed either one. ;)

Amen to that ! We never stepped one foot into the MDR or WJ EVER the entire week and it was wonderful !

She took us to our room (AMAZING, btw)

What did you think of that mattress in the master BR ? Wasn't it heavenly ?? That was THE most comfortable mattress I have EVER slept on. Wish I could have taken it home !

Some have mentioned Star Class benefits being cut. But if you ask for it, they will, most likely make it happen.

This was our experience as well. I had also heard that amenities were being cut but if they were, I sure didn't see it. We were never denied ANYthing. Even our drinks that exceeded the drink package threshold (I think it was $13 ??) were included. Wine by the glass in Vintages was included where I had heard that it was not. Milk shakes at Johnny Rockets were included. Absolutely THE only thing that we were told was not included were the pastries at Starbucks. We were allowed to visit the Thermal Spa as often as we wished.

Thank you for the information. I'm also interested in cabana information. Other posters have talked about reaching out to the Concierge ahead of time, but if that's not necessary, all the better. Did you get your choice of type of cabana? And did they just put the bill for the cabana on your On board Account

I did ask my Genie to reserve our cabana before we sailed. He was able to give us our first choice (B1). I did not realize this but apparently (according to our Genie) Star Class do receive priority for reserving cabanas. I'm not sure how this works....it doesn't make sense that this privilege could extend beyond sail date but that is what I was told.

For Suites, they will just add the charge of the cabana to your onboard account, even if you reserve it prior to sailing.

Interesting. We had an incident in the ice show as well, where folks sitting in the reserved seats were asked to leave. Security was called...and well... (words were said) Seems as though there needs to be some work letting passengers not sailing in Star Class, know about Star Class, as we noticed a few shocked looks when we were able to sit in front row seats and bypass the customs line at the end of the cruise.

We had intended for our trip in January to be the last for a while. But after experiencing the benefits of having a "genie" we booked a cruise on Harmony for early next year. We did not notice any cutbacks on anything we were originally promised

I did ask my Genie to reserve our cabana before we sailed. He was able to give us our first choice (B1). I did not realize this but apparently (according to our Genie) Star Class do receive priority for reserving cabanas. I'm not sure how this works....it doesn't make sense that this privilege could extend beyond sail date but that is what I was told.

 

For Suites, they will just add the charge of the cabana to your onboard account, even if you reserve it prior to sailing.

Thanks for confirming - I did try to reach out to reserve one early - we are sailing in a Grand Loft Suite May 11th & going to Labadee - the response I got was

Apologies for the inconvenience. As advised below and as confirmed by our onboard Concierge, even the Barefoot Cabanas have been opened for online booking.

The Royal Genies and Concierge doesn't have access to book the Cabanas anymore.

I am thinking that I tried to early and they probably have a script they have to follow in this case - our Genie is coming back from vacation I believe before the next sailing and the person who responded said that he would forward out request - when I called the Shore Excursion desk I was put on hold for a while and he came back saying something like "not all the cabanas are made available to be booked online - so check when you get onboard". This wouldn't be the 1st time we were in a suite & managed to book a cabana prior to the cruise via the concierge.

Pat

We cruise the Allure in 10 days and are in cabin 8330 with our 7, 6 and 3 year old! We can't wait! We already requested a beach cabana and I sent a dinner/show reservation suggestion schedule. We have the same genie as my parents who are in suite on 17th floor, wonder how that will work?

Your review was spot on. We have enjoyed Star class on Oasis and Harmony and will be trying out on Anthem on 5/11/17. It is hard to go with out Star Class. We went on Independence after Oasis and felt something was missing.

The Royal Genies and Concierge doesn't have access to book the Cabanas anymore.

If accurate, this is something very new. We sailed on Harmony 11 - 18 Feb and our Genie reserved our cabana for us well before we sailed.

I just hate it when we all get conflicting information from the "supposed" people who are suppose to know ! It's so frustrating !

I'm glad to hear of everyone's great experiences with Star class. My wife and I will be in one of the sky loft suites on Allure in October and I'm really looking forward to enjoying all the amenities.

Just noticed that drinks over $13 dollars are not included? We have some martini drinkers, does that mean they are not included? Our genie didn't contact us until I emailed concierage this past weekend (2 weeks before cruise) about our need for a cabana (we still have a napper). I think it depends on the genie when they contact you?

Just noticed that drinks over $13 dollars are not included? We have some martini drinkers, does that mean they are not included? Our genie didn't contact us until I emailed concierage this past weekend (2 weeks before cruise) about our need for a cabana (we still have a napper). I think it depends on the genie when they contact you?

For any drink that is over the package limit, you would be charged the amount over the limit. So if the package limit is $12, a $13 drink will cost you $1.18 ($1 difference plus 18% tip).

There is ALWAYS going to be SOMEBODY who did not/could not pay for what YOU paid for and they are going to make some sort of nasty comment either here or on the ship about somebody "being better." Well, guess what? You paid more and I guess if somebody foolishly wants to think that makes you "better" than they are, fine. IGNORE it and THEM. EVERYBODY makes choices...EVERYBODY.

If accurate, this is something very new. We sailed on Harmony 11 - 18 Feb and our Genie reserved our cabana for us well before we sailed.

 

I just hate it when we all get conflicting information from the "supposed" people who are suppose to know ! It's so frustrating !

And I am not sure if what he said was accurate since it's a little over 6 weeks away - a RCCL blog & their website say it's done via the concierge or in our case the genie

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We were in a deck 8 ats in December on oasis. A few things to note. We were charged the additional charge above the max for a few drinks (chocolate martinis). No biggie.

I was given private 15 minute sessions on the flowrider about 5 times various mornings before they opened. Awesome perk. I was told it is dependent on if they have $ generating private sessions booked. They was little demand for the flowrider on our cruise so I guess I got lucky. You can skip the line for zip lining as star class. Never did it but my dad did.

The hand crafted cocktails to the room thing is a waste. It was a menu of like five drinks so you can't just ask them to make what you want. We asked and they said they cant make drinks not on the menu. 5 of us adults and not a drink on that menu appealed to any of us at the time. We never bothered again. Can you imagine? Pretty dumb concept IMO.

Go up to the suite deck above the solarium if you like privacy laying out. Love it up there.

If you want something just ask. It will probably be accommodated. Awesome experience but we did sky class a couple times and really that is very nice too and way less money in most cases. :)

Interesting. We had an incident in the ice show as well, where folks sitting in the reserved seats were asked to leave. Security was called...and well... (words were said) Seems as though there needs to be some work letting passengers not sailing in Star Class, know about Star Class, as we noticed a few shocked looks when we were able to sit in front row seats and bypass the customs line at the end of the cruise.

What is it with the ice show? On Harmony we saw the same thing. Genie comes down with a party of three. There were only 2 seats next to each other open, with a 3rd one open 5 seats to the left. One couple smiled and moved over one seat each to make room for the 3rd star class person to sit with the other two. But the other couple would not move. Complete jerks. So the 3rd start class person ended up sitting by himself, 2 seats away from his 2 friends. Oh, did I mention the couple that wouldn't move had a dog in their lap?

All week we saw issues like this. We were slumming it in Sky class. The poor girls in the theater whose job it was to hold 2 looooong entire rows in the main theater for any and all sky class. Hopeless, frustrating for them. What made it worse was that week there was a couple hundred people from East Asia on the sailing. They would literally push the girl aside to take any seats they wanted. "No English....No English....."as they waved her away. So rude. They knew what they were doing.