GMS4771

Thanks so much for the review and taking time on the saddest day of the cruise to do it :-( Looking forward to sailing her in 2 weeks! [emoji3]

It was such a great week/cruise/ship that it was a pleasure talking about it. I read so many good, yet so many negative things about this ship. And the positives outweighed the negatives by so much I cant even start to describe. This ship really WOW'd me. Loved pulling into port next to NCL and Carnival (like the Conquest) and making her look tiny. 1 week ago today I was just on her and having dinner at Sabor, but will never forget it and my countdown as of now is at 371 days...lol

Thanks for the review and so glad you had a great time.

If you could answer a question. What nights were formal?

Nights 2 and 6 were the formal and unlike the things I read, most people were dressed up, from slacks and shirts to tuxedos (I did a suit). I only saw like 2 guys in jeans...it was very nice to see formal was formal

Home and unpacked and still have cruising on the mind, so here goes my first review for RCCL Oasis of the Seas

This was my first Royal Caribbean cruise so I will try to cover what I remember:

7 Day Eastern Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas, Royal Suite 1701, Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten.

Pre cruise arrangements: Renaissance by Marriott, Pretty normal hotel, 10 minutes from Port Everglades port with a Shuttle for $8/person and you can arrange for a pickup after the cruise also. Ate at the Rustic Inn Crabhouse. Pricey but great crab.

Embarkation: Since it was a suite the waiting area was a little nicer, we got a late entrance on the ship because port authority was holding things up but only by about an hour, so we boarded at around 12. Very easy process and was on quickly once it was open.

Room was amazing, very new decor and used the hot tub on the deck daily. Room stewards were very good almost too attentive if thats possible. Deck 17 was very quiet and nice. Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen on Deck 17 was very nice, we had cocktails in the lounge every night before dinner and had breakfast every morning at the Coastal Kitchen, made to order eggs, etc. Food was very good here for Breakfast.

Now lets change it up to categories:

Specialty Restaurants: Had reservations at all the ones we ate at.

Sabor (Mexican-Boardwalk): A La Carte pricing, but the guacamole was excellent and the other food was good also, had the Tortilla soup and some bacon wrapped chicken and Margaritas. Always seemed to have openings

Chops (Steak House-Central Park): $25 cover when we booked: EXCELLENT Steaks! Even got one as an add on in the MDR. Shrimp appetizer was very good.

Giovannis: (Italian-Central Park): $30 cover when we booked it The Pastas and Beef were very good, a few people in the group said the chicken was relatively dry unfortunately. Desserts were excellent here.

Solarium Bistro (Fresh Food-Deck 15): This one was comped, this was my least favorite of specialty restaurants we ate at. Not that the food wasnt good, just not my type of food. Some had the chicken and it was the same as Giovannnis (dry) and the beef was ok, the scallop appetizer was the best part

Izumi Hibachi (Hibachi Japanese food): This was also comped, but this one I cannot say enough about. The food was excellent and they gave us so much food we couldnt even finish it all and the chef at the table was so entertaining. I highly recommend this one. Only 3 Hibachi tables there so make reservations on cruise planner.

Main Dining Room (American Icon Grill) at there 2 nights (Formal nights): Food was good and service was good also, pretty typical food for a cruise as you would expect, but I did order a Chops steak ($20 add on charge).

I will say this a few times throughout MAKE RESERVATIONS on cruise planner if you can before you go. You will see 2 lines (Reservations and No reservations and obviously the reservation lines is much shorter and they get you in).

Shows:

Oasis of the Dreams: Very entertaining, I would recommend seeing it at a night show as the lights make a big difference

Comedy Club: Very Funny comedians, had us laughing the entire time. Make reservations for this one (Adult only), as the line was huge for non reservations and not everyone got in.

Headliner Show: We has Kennny James (Star Search winner from the 80's) but this does change and he was GREAT!! Brought us all back to motown and I dont even like motown, but that night I did.

Come Fly with Me: Another fun show, some great acts. alot of people hangin from wires and spinning. Kind of like a Cirque du Soleil, the kids loved this one.

Frozen in Time: Nice story line and some good ice skating.

If you have a gold card (Grandsuite of higher) you dont have to wait or need reservations for any of the shows, except the comedy show. You walk right past the lines, DO NOT wait for the lines if you have the gold card.

Other restaurants:

Windjammer cafe (Deck 15): this is where there were some lines for the buffet, pretty typical food for any cruise ship, only went through there once

Sorrentos: (Deck 5): Pizza Bar, no need to say more, pizza was OK

Wipe Out Cafe: (Deck 15): Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Pizza, French Fries, again pretty typical food for a cruise line

The Doghouse: (Deck 5-Boardwalk): They have some good types of dogs/Brats, we tried the German and and the Smokehouse, 2 good brats.

Now the Ship:

This Girl is huge!! Our cruise was sold out and it only felt crowded a couple times during the whole cruise. The elevators at times would be very crowded but it was at expected times, like after a show or dinner and people would take an elevator up to make sure they could get on a down elevator. This and Debarkation was about the only times I felt the ship was crowded, I like that they change the days on the elevator floors so you know what day it is as you can forget..lol....

There were 4 pools (1 of those was the kiddie) and I never felt crowded or had any issues getting chairs. Plenty of towels (Gold Cards, you dont have to check out towels and can have as many as you need--important if you have off ship excursions). I heard people saying drink service was lacking at the pool areas, never once did we have an issue getting a drink there, service was excellent there. We were always at the pool right near the Windjammer Cafe. Kids did get a little out of hand at times (jumping and running) but I am happy to say for the first time EVER that security was all over it. I have never seen this before. Normally I would see security come, say something and it would stop for 10 minutes and the kids would watch security walk away and BOOM back at it, but this time the security guy would leave and go to another spot to watch and come right back, very impressive.

Excursions:

Sea Lion Encounter (Nassau) was a great experience. If youre a dog lover these mammals are dogs of the sea and so much fun to get close to. All the staff here was excellent

St John Champagne Snorkel Tour (St Thomas): Ok wow a long ride to get to the catamaran. Then the boat ride over to honeymoon beach. Staff was great, but the snorkeling was less to be desired. DIdnt see much at all.

SeaTrek (St Maarten): Very cool. 25 feet underwater with fish and sunken artifacts to see. They get fish over by you, hold sea urchins and make fether dusters go in. Then you get to snorkel. Some good fish, Baracudas, Sting Rays and a lot of pelicans, lol Great crew there also.

Casino: Like others said, it was smoky (at least the smell of trying to cover it up), but there are only a few spots to smoke on the ship, so all can live with that. Lots of tables, even some older games like Caribbean Stud and Let It Ride, fun dealers! and I actually one this trip so I may be a little biased lol.

Summary of the ship: Oasis of the Seas definitely WOW'd me. SO much we booked another one already on the same ship. What a great atmosphere, great staff, rarely felt crowded. Drink service was great everywhere. Any issues (and there were only a few small ones) and they corrected it immediately!! I cannot say enough about this ship. Never felt like I was even on a ship. Sitting in Chops looking out at Central Park and I couldnt believe we were on a ship and not in a big city area.

The staff was EXCELLENT on this ship. I have prepaid gratuities and the ultimate drink package and tipped every time additionally they were so good. I spent more on tips this cruise then ever before. Ive heard the compalints of the raised drink prices, but the package was well worth it as the $12 dollar drinks covered that price easily

Debarkation: The only long lines we encountered because we carried off our luggage, you have to take the elevator unless you have 1 free hand to take the escalator. Took us an hour from getting on the elevator to the curb for transport pickup.

Tips:

Make Reservations using Cruise Planner if you can schedule it, you will see that with the lines and be thankful you had them

Gold Cards: You are treated like a VIP!! Especially on Deck 17, but throughout the ship. Dont wait in lines, go right in, except the Comedy Show

Take as many towels as you want, not limited to 2 like the silver card and gold cards dont have to return the towels (they arent checked out).

I know there is more, but time for some laundry

Thnx

Greg

Ok then they just have the wrong descriptions for the A3 Aquatheater suites for May 2016 deck plans. I was wondering how they were going to add a 2nd bedroom and 2nd bathroom and additional square feet without refurbishing the whole thing.

Does anyone know how/when they are going to be changing the new aft grand suites on Oasis? They just created them 11330,730, 12330, 730 and 14330, 730 and they're changing them to Aqua suites, I'm wondering how they're going to make them 2 bedrooms/bathrooms without increasing sq footage?

I had read the announcement was coming in Spring. I would like to see free ultimate drink packages, free speciality dining, premium show seating, butler service, free laundry and premium pool seating lol as they say the worst they can say is no.

Wow this OP has turned into a general conversation and nothing to do with new suite upgrades. It's raining in Chicago.

Can someone please Help!!!!

Sailing on the Oasis in May and have a question concerning Izumi. Could you tell me if it is like Bennihana(?) where you sit at the grill. If so how can I be sure our party of 9 are at the same grill. Any help would be apreciated.

You have to do the Hibachi side and yes its like Benihanas. We have a party of 7 on the May 30th cruise and there is no spots available for 7 on that cruise date. Going to try on the ship. Good Luck

Here is a link to my first YouTube video to show you guys what the new Royal Suite really looks like since pictures are very limited and video non-existent to this point. Sorry the video quality isn't perfect but our GoPro was accidently erased. Thankfully I took video with my phone as well! Not as good but does the job.

 

 

Very nice, Im thankful you took this video...even saw the guy looking in from below...lol...on-lookers may get more then they bargain for when we're there....and if RCCL says anything, Ill tell them their the ones that built it semi-private...lol Definitely modern look/feel...looks like they even gave you a PS 3 or 4 on the entertainment center. Hot tub looks like 4 max and that may be crowded but 2 for sure. Tub looks huge. Thanks again ND for posting. I know the old suite was more private and bigger (could care less about the piano). The only thing I would think would be a "let down" would be the deck size in comparison and the privacy. Upside would be the modernization, looks high tech with the light panel thing...

Was also told Day 2 and 6 for May 30th Cruise this year, but they said they could change that...but those are the norms

Subscribing

Hoping for May new suite perks

Yes, the bathroom is wide open and if you have the blinds open you can wave to all of the people on the deck below:) My wife and I had two of our kids with us and there's no door between the master bedroom and the living room. With only the two of you, no worries there. The hot tub is not private but we still enjoyed it and used it often. There were other issues but even with all of the faults this suite is stunning! You'll find it VERY impressive and it has a much more modern feel to it than the Royal Loft.

LOL Ill be sure to wave!! How big was the hot tub? People wise (2, 3, 4?) we are cruising with others. Does it have an ipod connection in the entertainment center? Like a plug to play music? Did you get alot of people checking the suite out from below that you noticed? I wouldnt want to put on a "show" or anything. Thank you for the information, they are so new there isnt much out there on these new RS which theyre re classifying next year. Looking forward to your pictures and video. What were the other issues? I heard there are alot of outlets for stuff (computer, phone chargers, razor, hair dryer, etc)

Kevin, Thanks it will be nice to see some new pictures/videos of the suite since the only ones are stock photos. No big deal if the concierge escorts or not since there is a group of us in other suites too.

It's too late to consider as were booked and paid In full for May. I know I've heard the bathroom is wide open, but there are only 2 of us so not concerned about that but also heard the jacuzzi is not totally private from deck below. Anything else is greatly appreciated information so I can prepare. We are in 1701 also.

Thanks

Greg

I am escaping ND:D The Royal suite I just booked is for the January 31st sailing on Oasis. I have the August 31st sailing booked but were in an L1 CL since it's only my wife and I. I looked for the SLS but between you and someone else they're gone:)

EscapeND, now that your cruise has completed, were you able to take any videos or new pictures of the new Royal Suite (1701 or 1758), in a year to be Owners Suite Loft w/ Balcony and Grand Suite Loft w/Balcony (may 2016 cruise +). I dont know how they can call it a loft if it doenst have one, but RCCL has been a little weird lately. Ive heard RS and RSL are escorted on by Concierge? Is this accurate?

I see that, but the Harmony doesn't have Royal Suite or what Oasis is listing then as Owners Suite Loft and Grand Suite Loft. Harmony just has Crown Loft, Royal Loft and Sky Loft on deck 17. Different then Oasis

Anyone notice that 1 year from now they are reclassifying a bunch of rooms? The new Aft Grand Suites will then be Aqua Suites (11330, 11730, 12330, 12730, 14330 and 14730). The current Royal Suites will then be 1701-Owners Loft Suite w/Balcony and 1758-Grand Loft Suite w/ Balcony, no more Royal Suites, but will still have Royal Suite Loft and Royal Family Suite. They arent changing the rooms just reclassifying.

Like RefPete stated, they say on RCCL that the ultimate drink package includes virtually everything, Cocktails up to a $12 charge (they add the 18% into the final package price so you dont have to tip separately) unless you feel they deserve more then the 18% as tips are included in all prices (did not know that my first cruise and was known as Mr Overtipper. But here is my question regarding this package. It says it all of the premium package and the royal replenish package, including premium coffee. Is Starbucks considered premium coffee or does RCCL have Starbucks in another category like super premium coffee and you have to pay for it additional to the drink package? Also I heard to use the special Coke refill machines you have to use the Souvenir cup they give you?

Thank you for the updates, I will make sure I follow the lead here and a get a low debarkation number, just out of curiosity, does having a Suite on Deck 17 ensure this without having to get a low number or is that a process everyone has to take?

Thank Again

Greg

Just found out United has changed our flight time for the third time, this time 4 1/2 hours earlier. So now we have an 11:02 am flight out of Fort Lauderdale. I know for transfers, RCCL requires an 11:30 flight or later. I was wondering is this a late enough flight that there shouldnt be any issues? RCCL stated we shouldnt use them for taking the luggage off the night before. We should keep all our luggage with us and walk it off ourselves and then. Can we still use the valet service (leave the luggage out the night before) and have time? Any direction would be great. We normally fly out later, but United keeps changing it

Currently sailing on Oasis, staying in 1758, one of the two Royal Suites which were added during the recent dry dock. Wanted to share some feedback and initial impressions with everyone. It's the same size as 1701, with the exception of a 100 square foot foyer.

 

Decor:

These new suites are gorgeous. Having previously stayed in the Royal Loft, Sky Loft and Crown Loft suites I had pretty high expectations. While this doesn't quite beat the RL, the decor is really quite stunning. While the other suites are also nice, the furnishings all have that "mass produced" feeling. This room, on the other hand, feels like it was decorated by hand with all of the materials produced especially for this room. Nothing feels cheap or just for show. It's all top rate. Feels very much like you are staying at a five star hotel, rather than a great room on a cruise ship (which is what the others felt like to me).

 

Technology:

They've made huge leaps in technology. Tons of outlets everywhere you look (the Royal Loft only had one for the whole upstairs area), there's even two by the bed. There's various lighting "scenes" which can be controlled from one of several touch screens.

 

Bathroom:

Really amazing fixtures. The lighting is the best part. It's so dramatic and really bright. The shower has three different heads and is even a steam room if you want it to be, complete with a bench.

 

Balcony:

The jacuzzi on the balcony is a nice touch. Though, unlike the RL and previous RS rooms, you are in a direct line of sight to the walkways on the ship and the kiddie pool, so you are lacking some privacy. There's a couple lounge chairs too. Overall, while nice, it does feel quite cramped out there. They might not need two lounge chairs.

 

Layout:

My biggest complaint about this room and one families or groups of friends should take note of: There's no doorway between the bedroom and living room. This might not be a big deal in some of the other categories, but for someone who likes that privacy, it's a problem. The lofts don't have it, which is fine, because you're a whole level apart and there is a curtain. However, its even more of an issue here because the bathroom is completely exposed to the bedroom, which in turn is exposed to the living room. Someone who casually walks near the bedroom or onto the balcony in the living room will see you showering or taking a bath. It's a very odd thing for there to at least not be a curtain there. It's fine for couples but not for a room that is sold as sleeping 4.

 

Here's a few photos. Happy to answer any questions about the room or the sailing.

 

 

 

 

 

Great description and the decor looks as you stated, very contemporary and more like a great hotel room. I know its difficult to post alot of pictures here. I have this room booked for just my girlfriend and myself so the open space between the bedroom and living room wont be an issue. Did you happen to do any video on this? I would love to see more...I know it is completely different then their other RS's, like the baby grand, etc

I know it says there is an entertainment center, what exactly do they mean by that? Good to know I dont need to pack plug bars now (thanks!!)

It doesnt look like the tub is a jacuzzi tub like the old RS.

I would be happy to give you my email address for more pics or a video...very interested in seeing more.

I was making my reservations for the may 30th cruise and was anxiously waiting for that one to open as all the others already had. I called RCL and they told me, but I will call again as I see another said they made a res there for the same cruise. I still got an error when I tried tonight

Good evening all. As an update to what I was originally told, the hibachi portion of Izumi is open. It took 4 phone calls and multiple wait times to find out the facts. It was going to close due to Dynamic Dining, but since that is cancelled for now, the hibachi is open. They havent updated the cruise planner to include the pictures of the hibachi portion. RCCL really doesnt inform their customer support folks as they were extremely confused and kept checking with others. I apologize for the incorrect information, I guess taking one of their service reps word takes checking multiple times.

Where did you hear that?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I was making my reservations for the may 30th cruise and was anxiously waiting for that one to open as all the others already had. I called RCL and they told me, but I will call again as I see another said they made a res there for the same cruise. I still got an error when I tried tonight

Anyone eaten there? how is it?

I have not eaten there, but heard it was pretty good, unfortunately we will not be able to ever eat there as by the time we cruise (May 30) this portion of Izumi will be closed (as no more hibachi) according to RCCL.

Do all suites (except Junior suites) on Oasis receive the "gold sea pass card"? Specifically looking at Royal Family Suite.

 

Website says-

 

Royal Suite, Royal Family Suite, Presidential Family Suite, Owner's Suite, Grand Suite

Oasis Class: Royal Loft Suite, Sky Loft Suite, AquaTheater Suite & Crown Loft Suite

 

Just looking for clarification if RFS is included on Oasis

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Yes they are included, the reason that states Oasis like it does is because the Oasis class is the only class that has those types of suite so they want to list them specifically, so it would be all the suites listed there.. Only the Junior Suite is not included in the Suite "Perks"