mama02girls

I have to agree with EW in that for us, it was one of the highlights of our dining. I don't know what Chinese food others have had, but I've lived in big cities and have experienced all sorts of Asian food. I have eaten in Chinatown, NYC, LA, and San Francisco, as well as Houston, Denver and others, and I must say that the food we had in Silk Harvest rivaled them all. I can't comment as to a certain dish because they treated us so well, I was able to taste EVERYTHING!

The first time we went it was just my husband and me. We started with sushi (outstanding and very fresh) then appetizers, then the main dish which I had at the insistence of the waiter even though I felt too full. He insisted that we just sit and relax at our table and enjoy our time and let our food digest so we could have our dinner. I was really against it, but so glad I took their advice! I had a shrimp and lobster dish which rivaled anything I've ever had. I can't remember exactly which dish, because my husband and I shared everything. We left feeling as though we had been totally pampered and thought it was totally worth the up charge.

A few nights later we went with a large party. The head waiter greeted us and told us to sit back and relax and they would bring us some of everything. If we wanted anything additional, we were to just tell them and they would bring more. Wow, did they! Each small group of four at the table had one of everything. We had every appetizer and main dish, and I was too full to try anything else.

The seafood dishes were perfect. Delicious crunchy, fresh shrimp and lobster, as well as tasty seasoned and perfectly done beef, chicken and pork. I personally prefer a more complex taste, with lots of ingredients, rather than a heavy sauce taste. These dishes all fit the bill. Everything was perfectly seasoned and my taste buds were in heaven!

We enjoyed it so much that we will definitely not miss it on our next cruise in November!

If anyone is debating between a tour of Colombia or a chance to have a truly memorable experience AND a tour of Columbia, a tour with Friends for Columbia is the way to do both. We emailed with Dan and Berit (danbwick@gmail.com) when we saw the recommendation here on cruise critic.

Our ship was scheduled to arrive and depart earlier than the other ship in port and most of those on the tour were on the other ship. But Dan assured me that we could still join the group if we wanted and he would make sure we got back in time for Celebrity Equinox's departure. Dan and Berit were, as promised, right at the end of the pier, waiting for us. The bus was right across the street and we were given the opportunity to go sit on the air conditioned bus and wait for the rest of the group, but we talked to Dan and Berit and got to know them a little bit while waiting for the others. What a delightful couple with hearts for doing great thinks in Columbia.

After a short wait we began our tour. Since it was a holiday in Columbia, we could not do the usual tour of the non-profit places, so Dan and Berit had arranged a visit to the Children's Hospital. It was all very organized and we had a chance to interact with the kids who were all very easy to "talk" to using student interpreters who all did a very good job. We were provided with presents to give the patients, although since I chose to bring a few things, I had my own gifts. We brought a duffel bag full of superballs, teddy bears, coloring books, crayons, candies, toiletries for the parents, etc. The kids were so appreciative and the parents were so grateful, too. They all hugged us and took pictures with us and I feel we just really connected with the folks. Both my husband and I agreed we had the best time in Colombia and that it was the highlight of our entire trip!

We learned lots of behind the scenes, REAL things about Colombia and I feel that we had a much better experience than others who just settled for a regular tour. Many of the people we talked to wished that they had done our tour and loved seeing our pictures because we had all the ones they had and more! We visited areas not usually visited and we got to see the real Columbia. The market and fishing areas and driving bus tour was really enjoyable and I got some great pictures. While we drove, Dan was telling us all about Colombia and what we were seeing.

After the visit to the hospital and the bus tour, we visited the old part of town. Dan and Berit both are so knowledgeable and told us all about the buildings and history of Columbia. We spent a nice amount of time there and felt very safe the entire time.

Because my husband and I had to get back to our ship earlier than the rest of the group, Dan had a policewoman escort us back in a taxi. He paid for the taxi and spoke to them and had us taken straight to the ship. After we got to a certain area where all the other passengers were shopping, we felt we didn't need an escort anymore, but the policewoman insisted on escorting us all the way to the ship. She was so nice and we felt like she just wanted do such a good job. It was obvious we were never in any danger but she just made us feel totally comfortable and taken care of. We hugged her when we said good by. These people are just all so warm and wonderful!

We loved Colombia, felt so safe the entire time, and both agreed we would have loved to have spent more time there. We'll definitely be back and will visit with Friends for Columbia again.

If you are debating on what to do in Columbia, I highly recommend not just settling for a plain old tour of the old town. Friends for Columbia is a way to do something really special which will make you feel great, allow you to make a difference, and give you a truly memorable experience!

Unlike one poster who stated that they had to wait for elevators, we NEVER had to wait for an elevator on the Oasis. I remember seeing people waiting ONCE after a show let out but we were on our way somewhere else so we weren't affected. (And for those who are wondering, we were told by crew that our sailing was the first completely booked sailing.) We couldn't believe how quickly the elevators appeared. They open and close quickly so when you hear "ding" for up or "ding dong" for down, you have to move quickly to get on before the door closes without you!

We had a ocean view balcony on the 8th deck, the Central Park deck. It was wonderful. Many nights we ended at the back of the ship and would ride the back elevators so we could walk home through Central Park. It's lovely. We were actually on the starboard side near the elevators and found it really convenient to get snacks and lunches from Central Park Cafe and eat on our balcony. We also started many nights with a cocktail at the rising tide bar which became our favorite bar. Great, friendly staff there!

The Oasis is designed so well that my husband and I agreed that we did LESS walking with our cabin placement than on other cruises.

Whatever you choose, I know you will really enjoy your experience!

I haven't seen anyone mention the yellow and/or blue beaded lanyard type necklaces sold on the ship. They do sell regular lanyards, but the beaded ones look like necklaces with the plastic pouch on the end, so there's no need to punch a hole in the card.

I'm usually not one for lanyards, but I do enjoy keeping my seapass very handy. I seem to use it at least 30 times a day between door entry, beverage purchases, towels, spa use, ID, and ship entry/exit. (maybe even more now that I'm thinking about it!) I used to stress out thinking I lost it, searching through pockets and bags looking for it. My whole reason for a cruise is to keep stress low, and for me, that means not having to search and fret!

Anyone who has ever dieted will appreciate this one.

I had gained weight but still thought I could fit into a beautiful beaded dress I had worn on my last cruise. I took it along without retrying it on-come on, it was only 10 pounds “or so” I had gained! Anyway, my D’s who were in another room, came in to make sure which dress I was wearing , as we had somewhat tried to color coordinate our outfits for the picture that night.

I was in the bathroom dressing , and had trouble with the zipper. I told my husband to go get in line for the pictures awhile with my two daughters and I’d be right there. (I was embarrassed that I couldn’t get it zipped, but felt sure I could).

So the family leaves and after taking off my underslip to make more room, I finally get the thing zipped. I lean over to gather my purse and hear the dreaded “sound”. Well, I look in the mirror and see that although the stitching has come undone a little, it’s not the actual zipper, and with my hair, you can’t see the place…all is still well.

I can’t find my room key and figure that the hubby took both, so out I go, shutting the door behind me. As I walk down the hall, I hear it again, “the sound”. But now I begin to feel the cool breeze on my back. I reach back an feel that yes, the zipper has now begun to go, and yes, the dress is ripping-but its still a relatively small tear. I decide to proceed and just have the picture taken and have my family stand behind me in the picture line. As I reach the stairs, I take one step and the loudest sound of all, as the hip seam rips. OK so I had no business wearing this thing.

At that very moment I got the giggles, and realized how ridiculous I was being by trying to wear this dress. I started laughing and rested my back against the railing. A couple passed me and smiled, wondering why I was standing there grinning from ear to ear and being “very friendly” to them. I was just trying not to crack up laughing. I continued to stand there in my beautiful dress (which is now backless and minus a hip seam). I knew I didn’t have my room key so I just stood there laughing and not moving! An older gentleman passes and starts up the stairs and turns to ask if I am OK. He thinks I am crying because I am laughing so hard that I AM crying. I literally wave himoff, not daring to move, and as he is leaving he says, “Well, you look absolutely gorgeous.” This sends me into more fits of laughing hysteria. He leaves and I look down, to see beads all over the floor where I have been standing. At this point, I am laughing so hard that I begin to wet myself. I turn and run down the hall back to my room dress ripping with almost every step, only to stand outside with no key. After only a minute or so, a cabin steward (not mine) came by. He didn't want to let me in, but i kept my butt against the wall and turned my upper back and he says, OH OH OH, and let me in. I slithered along the wall dying laughing, and I'm sure he too thought I was crying. I changed EVERYTHING. As I was almost ready for the second time, my husband and daughters came back to checkon me. I opened the door non chalantly and said, “the white dress didn’t fit so well”. Nobody in my family knows to this day what really happened. Maybe I should let the read this. Nah. :rolleyes: