Oasis Review: The Skeptics Did It 11/7

Next is Falmouth. We've done it and for us, it's too dang far to go anywhere outside the port area. I commute enough in the real world, I don't want to spend my vacation time in a van. We headed to Margaritaville. When last we visited, the pool was still under construction. We parked ourselves at the swim up bar, listened to the music and deejay, drank some adult beverages and hung in the pool all day. A thoroughly enjoyable lowkey day.

 

Final stop was Cozumel. We hopscotch between Nachi Cocom and Paradise Beach. Last 2 trips, it's been Paradise and while we love the intimacy and laid back vibe of Nachi, Paradise is wooing us back now that they have expanded with the giant resort pool and the fun people watching of their crazy water toys at the beach. Sure, it can get crowded but the last 2 times it has not been an issue. Cost-wise, if you drink and eat, it comes out around the same. We spent around 5-6 hours at Paradise.

OMG, was that you guys at the front right corner of the bar? We were on the end of the swim up bar toward the bridge most of the day. Enjoyed several adult beverages and had them bring us some lunch there. A nice relaxing day there.

OMG Bum that was us!!!! :D :D I remember you guys too. Funny how I never saw you onboard the ship!

BillOh - a hot tub at night? Come on, that would require Mr Wolf leaving the casino. Fat chance.

I do plan on doing a more organized review for the Review section. This time, I have been really scatterbrained and all over the place with it. Since I have a dang college degree in writing, I better shape up and do a proper one. I'd flunk myself with how I've just thrown crud at the wall and seen what sticks.

I'll be making a few more posts here and some final thoughts as well.

Suite comments.

 

Ok - so......classism is alive and well in the US. We had more laughs at the remarks directed toward suites and gold cards.

 

I am always amazed at the attitude re: suites. People choose their cabins based on their own needs. I know of a millionaire who cruised in an inside cabin. I would hazard a guess that there are people who scrimp and save to sail in a suite and others who can well afford a suite who would much prefer to spend their money in other ways so stay in regular rooms. Throughout the week, we would hear snotty comments about "suite a-holes." Yep - someone actually used that as the description. Not once did we hear a suite person refer to anyone without a gold card in a catty way. It seems to just be a part of cruising.

 

We had our cards next to our place setting at Izumi for the sheer convenience of giving it to the waiter when we ordered drinks. At one point, another diner at our table made a snotty remark about "Why don't you use your gold card for that?" One day as we were walking toward the suite sundeck entrance, someone close by asked what that was. Their companion said, "That's for the suite a-holes." We loved pulling out our cards right after that comment. :rolleyes:

 

I haven't noticed the snarkiness toward suites on any other ship so this may be unique to Oasis class since the suite benefits are definitely a little more in your face.

 

Would be sail Oasis in a jr suite or below? Nope. Too darn crowded. We never heard any great reports on the MDR, the WJ is a total cluster and getting on/off ship for the week was worth it to bypass the chaos. I wish CK would be rolled out fleetwide - it is a wonderful benefit.

The Cats showing on Friday afternoon was very crowded. They kept the suite section closed off until a minute or two before the show. I heard someone say that the suite guests get everything....and they were pretty mad.

We did traditional dining on this sailing and it was not too crowded at all. Lots of empty tables, in fact, with many choosing to eat at alternate restaurants. I can't comment on My Time.

 

We did the Windjammer almost every day for breakfast or lunch, as that was our kids' preference. We even took them to dinner there twice prior to us dining at Chops / Giovanni's. While certainly there were lots of people, we never had problems finding a seat. I guess it all depends on perspective. When we sailed Freedom last, we routinely were walking around trying to find a free table. On Oasis, no matter how full the WJ appeared to be, there were always free tables. Thus in my opinion, it was not *overly* crowded.

 

The only real crowd I saw was at the American Icon Grill for breakfast on Labadee day. It was about 9:00 am or so, and I would say that there were at least 100 people waiting to be seated. I overheard some man comment that others had the same good idea as him.

This was our experience, largely as well. We had no trouble finding a table the one day we did lunch in the Windjammer and there were several other empty tables near us. We do the first service at dinner and our section of The Grande wasn't overly crowded. There was a six top adjacent to us that was empty several nights and another two top adjacent to us that had diners the first night who never came back. Other sections had similar empty tables throughout. The only time we really had a wait at the MDR was for breakfast on disembarkation day and even that was a 5-10 minute wait at most.

I heard someone say that the suite guests get everything....and they were pretty mad.

Then I would like my "everything" please. :D

It's just silly to me that people get that worked up over a piece of temporary property. Anyone who has cruised in a suite knows that you pay for those perks. I'm grateful for what we get. Heck, I'm just thrilled not to share a sink with Mr Wolf and to have a bathroom that a 6'5 giant can shower in while I can still get ready. As I mentioned, I am convinced the concierge held the OTW cabanas for the better suites. Did it bother me? NOPE. The larger suites paid over $10K or more for the week - if I paid that, I'd want a few more "things" than the GS. It's just never ending.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hKBiGZ9Gqcp2G2owtX3RyQy7yQ0ijgxCL0nPjQKK8j4/edit?pli=1#gid=0

Thanks!

Final thoughts

We had always said we wouldn't do Oasis - too big, too many people - the usual comments naysayers say about Oasis.

But our friends wanted to try her, we got a really good rate so we made the leap. As I planned, I got excited about trying something new. Not that I was tired of the Freedom/Voyager classes, but it was fun to know we had the security of a trusted brand along with a different type of cruise.

The first day or so, Mr Wolf kept saying "We're only going on Oasis from now on." So I think that tells you how happy we were that we did it. Now...he settled down a bit after that. As I've said, there are some things we like better on F/V. Will we do Oasis class again? Absolutely - if the price is right. Our friends want to go back with their daughter for her 30th birthday in a year or two. I'm sure we can be persuaded. :) The only caveat is that we would have to do a Grand Suite to consider it - THAT experience completely made the cruise.

Pros for Oasis class- Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen, suite sundeck, Izumi hibachi, Aquashow

Pros for Freedom/Voyager class- Pool deck and bar with access to band/dance floor, passenger interaction, intimacy and friendliness of concierge lounge, Royal Promenade feels more like the "heartbeat" of the ship rather than a shopping mall, casino layout

Happy sails to all! If you have any questions, holler!

Final thoughts

 

We had always said we wouldn't do Oasis - too big, too many people - the usual comments naysayers say about Oasis.

 

The first day or so, Mr Wolf kept saying "We're only going on Oasis from now on." So I think that tells you how happy we were that we did it.

Well Done! Guess we're all becoming converts...

So glad you liked it. :cool:

Happy sails to all! If you have any questions, holler!

LOVED your review! Thanks for sharing.

Do you know the name of the piano player in the Schooner Bar on the Oasis? DH and I are sailing on our first Oasis Class ship on January 9th and we rate our enjoyment based on whether the pianist is decent. Any clue?

Do you know the name of the piano player in the Schooner Bar on the Oasis? DH and I are sailing on our first Oasis Class ship on January 9th and we rate our enjoyment based on whether the pianist is decent. Any clue?

We'll be on the Jan. 9th sailing as well. I'm starting to get excited!:D Have you signed up for the meet and mingle?

:)Great review WolfgangHowell!! I wish we could have worked our schedules to cruise with you two again. I'll let you know when we book again. ;)

Nice !!

Do you know the name of the piano player in the Schooner Bar on the Oasis? DH and I are sailing on our first Oasis Class ship on January 9th and we rate our enjoyment based on whether the pianist is decent. Any clue?

It was Peter Ritz on the November 7 sailing.

If you contact web_reservations@rccl.com, they should be able to let you know for your sailing.

We didn't make it to Schooner but we did see/hear him when we did Rising Tide. He had an almost full room and seemed pretty good and they looked like they were having fun. This reminds me that we didn't really like the Schooner Bar venue - prefer the F/V room. We sat in Schooner for about 5 minutes one night - he wasn't playing, they were about to have the 70s party on the promenade. Just didn't have the right vibe for us.

laura! I know - we missed you guys. We're doing Liberty out of Galveston May 29th! That may be too soon since you are doing Oasis in January!

We'll be on the Jan. 9th sailing as well. I'm starting to get excited!:D Have you signed up for the meet and mingle?

Yes Laura! We did sign up for the M&M. Just filled out all my cruise docs... 39 days and counting.

Thanks, too, for the November Schooner Bar guy's name. Will have to check him out.

Then I would like my "everything" please. :D

 

It's just silly to me that people get that worked up over a piece of temporary property. Anyone who has cruised in a suite knows that you pay for those perks. I'm grateful for what we get. Heck, I'm just thrilled not to share a sink with Mr Wolf and to have a bathroom that a 6'5 giant can shower in while I can still get ready. As I mentioned, I am convinced the concierge held the OTW cabanas for the better suites. Did it bother me? NOPE. The larger suites paid over $10K or more for the week - if I paid that, I'd want a few more "things" than the GS. It's just never ending.

At least the concierge got back to you. I'm still waiting. I don't think that having a "larger" suite helps, since we have one. And, FWIW, H-1 is our favorite cabana. I've heard that the price is now $495, so we may never see the inside of it again.:(

Critter, I think the cabanas on Barefoot Beach are still the same prices. I've heard the prices went crazy though on Nellie's. And yep, like you - we'll never have one again if they go past the $250-275 price point. If the prices changed on Barefoot, it just happened after our sailing.

Critter, I think the cabanas on Barefoot Beach are still the same prices. I've heard the prices went crazy though on Nellie's. And yep, like you - we'll never have one again if they go past the $250-275 price point. If the prices changed on Barefoot, it just happened after our sailing.

I'd say you are right. We had B2 at barefoot this October and it was the same price as always.