az_2_nc2013

I am anxious to see pictures of your Falmouth excursion and to read details. I have been to many Caribbean islands but never Jamaica. I keep hearing such mixed reviews and I would appreciate your take. Have a wonderful time!

 

 

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We decided to just go for it despite the mixed reviews, I'll definitely share our take!

We'll also be on this one - Abbacadabra is scheduled to be the headline act on Wednesday.

Looking forward to it!

We will also be on board with you as well. Are you on our Facebook page for our sailing?

Joined last night! Thanks!

We will be onboard with you, see you Sunday!

Fantastic! (y)

Hello all!

I was going to wait another day or two before posting this, but I am just too anxious and excited!

My husband and I will be leaving Saturday for our Western Caribbean cruise on Oasis (May 14-21), and because Cruise Critic has been so helpful to me in the preparation and planning of the trip, I want to try to do the same for others!

With that being said, we did not purchase an internet package, so I will not be doing a live review- maybe on a future cruise, but since this is our first cruise and vacation of this length in quite some time, we are looking forward to being disconnected while we experience the ship, the ports, and everything else.

However, I wanted to put out there that I am planning on doing a recap/review when we get back, so feel free to follow along now and I will update more later! For the time being, does anyone have any advance requests about pictures they would like me to take, or anything else I can answer when I come back?

From now until Saturday, I will keep track of what people want to see/questions I can try to answer, and I will do my absolute best to get to as many as possible so I can hopefully be a help to other cruisers!

A little more information that may be helpful to know before giving me ideas/asking questions...

- We have not booked any specialty dining, and as of right now we are planning on sticking with our dinner reservations in the MDR each evening (My Time Dining), and taking advantage of the other complimentary dining options for breakfasts and lunches on the ship.

- We have not purchased a drink package (neither of us drink enough soda or alcohol to justify the cost).

- In Labadee, we've booked an over-the-water cabana at Nellie's Beach.

- In Falmouth, we've booked the Bamboo Beach Club VIP Package excursion.

- In Cozumel, we've booked an independent snorkeling excursion with Cozumel H2O. (http://www.cozumelh2o.com/tours/cozumel-snorkeling-tours/)

- Our stateroom is a Superior Ocean View with Balcony on Deck 11.

- For entertainment, we've booked Oasis of Dreams, Cats (for husband), and the comedy show. Looking forward to additional options once on board!

If there's any other information that may be helpful, let me know, otherwise comment away and I will start making my list! *Depending on how many responses I get, I may not be able to get to every one, but I will sure try!*

Thank you so much everyone! This is perfect, and very helpful!

We like Columbus Cove at Labadee.

Thanks, Bob! I'll check that one out!

Hello all,

I've searched through various boards and forums but couldn't really find what I was looking for regarding my question.

What are the best/your favorite beaches in Labadee and Falmouth? We are considering the Bamboo Beach Club VIP day in Falmouth; I've seen mixed reviews here, but positive reviews on TripAdvisor (not many recent reviews on here, either). Are there better options for a beach day? We're looking to be able to relax and eat on the beach the majority of either/both of those days, and I'd like to be comfortable and know that the service will be decent (and, if it's an excursion we're paying for, that it'll be worth the money)!

Hoping to hear from anyone who has done the VIP Bamboo Beach Club excursion- and whether or not you recommend it- and anyone who has recommendations for other beach excursions or other beaches in walking distance!

Thanks!

Her husband was standing off to the side trying to act like he didn't know her. It was ridiculous.

It amazes me when spouses just stand by, letting this behavior happen, and do not say or do anything about it. I would never, ever, act like this, but if I even started to act or speak in a disrespectful way, my husband would NOT let it continue even in that moment. Not because he is controlling, but he understands that everyone, especially service employees, deserves basic respect and I have no right to treat anyone with less than that.

Side note, thanks to the OP for standing up for the employee. As someone who worked in the retail/service industry for almost 10 years (not any longer, though), and has received plenty of vents/tirades/disrespect/etc., it means a lot when someone has your back.

I will be on the lookout for this kind of behavior on my upcoming cruise, and will try to stick up for the employees if the situation arises!

30 days until Oasis for my husband and me! It'll be our first cruise ever! :D

Sorry all, just realized I posted to the wrong thread, and I can't figure out how to delete my post on my phone.

My husband and I will be on Oasis in 32 days! It'll be our first cruise ever! :D

Wow, thanks for the great advice, everyone! I'm going to try to do individual replies when I have time!

It looks like we are going to book a private beach day in Falmouth (spelling error in my original post, whoops!) and the Chichen Itza tour excursions in advance, and just take the rest of it by ear!

Thanks to the suggestions, I found the "First Time Cruisers" board and the Roll Call for our cruise! I've also added things like hanging door organizers and magnetic hooks to my shopping list. I can tend to be more of an overpacker but I will definitely try to pack differently for this trip! I can't believe how much this site has to offer and I look forward to doing a lot of research in the weeks leading up to the cruise!

Again, I really appreciate everyone's tips and recommendations so far!

I'll give you my"Three Warnings" for newbies:

 

1) Expect to spend the rest of your lives planning and looking forward to yournext cruise.:cool:

 

2) Hope your children get scholarships because you will be spending theirCollege Funds on cruises.;p

 

3) If you don't gain at least 5 pounds, you didn't have enough fun. :D

1. We anticipate it!

2. Good thing we don't have kids yet ;)

3. We are already being mindful of what we eat and taking it easy on food now, so we can really enjoy ourselves there!

Thanks for the advice! :)

Hello all!

My husband and I are taking our first-ever cruise May 14-21, 2017, and since I found this website and the discussion boards, I thought it would be a great place to ask for some tips, suggestions, secrets, any anything else you'd like to share with some cruising newbies!

We're doing the Western Caribbean (Labadee, Foulmouth, Cozumel) on Oasis, in a Superior Ocean View Stateroom with balcony on Deck 11.

I/we would appreciate any advice or insight as it relates to packing/preparation, embarkation, the room, navigating the ship, dining, excursions (we haven't booked any yet, debating waiting until we are on the ship or get to each port), debarkation, or anything else you wish you would have known for your first cruise!

Thanks in advance! :D