Dinkachu

We've been aboard Oasis for 3 days now, and have so far everything has been nothing short of SPECTACULAR!

This is our 9th cruise with RCCL, our 12th together, and our first on Oasis of the Seas. We have sailed on her sister, Allure of the Seas, two times.

I'm making notes and taking photos so I can post a full review upon our return to land, but thought I'd get started with a few notes now! I can also answer questions while we are still onboard.

We were a bit trepidatious about this cruise, having read some recent reviews where folks found the ship lacking. That has not been the case for us, DH, Kurt or myself, Lindy. The couple traveling with us has also found many things to be delighted with on this cruise.

We traveled from just south of Tampa to Port Canaveral. We spent both Friday and Saturday nights in Titusville at Hampton Inn, so we could visit our son, who lives in Cocoa.

On Sunday, March 11, we made the short drive to Port Canaveral and parked in the parking garage to board Oasis of the Seas. Boarding took all of 22 minutes from the parking garage to having lunch with friends at the Solarium. Couldn't ask for a better boarding experience!

More about lunch in the Solarium on boarding day later, but let it suffice to say that there were no crowds, plenty of tables, a smiling staff, and mini-buffet filled with delicious food.

Oops, I've barely gotten started and DH just reminded me I need to start getting dressed for dinner at 150 Central Park! I'll be back with more later. I'll do my best to answer any questions.

Our son was on that cruise. The passenger was recovered alive and apparently fairly unhurt. Epic was late getting back to port. That is one lucky passenger!

Quality over quantity would be my choice.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I've been cruising since the 1970's and have cruised RCCL many times and I too have noted a decline in quality of MDR food and cleanliness and service on the RCCL ships. It is kind of sad that my family has, up until now, just lowered our expectations with each cruise. There is still plenty of acceptable food, decent entertainment, etc. We are however, thinking that it may be time to explore other lines and perhaps even land cruising! We leave on Oasis this month and are going back on Disney this summer.

We leave for our first Oasis trip in 6 days. I am in a wheelchair and really appreciate your detailed review and all of the insights you have shared. We did get an accessible room on the boardwalk, as I need the roll in shower.

When we sailed on Allure at Christmas one year, we too had issues with security at Port Canaveral. They made my dear mother-in-law do a stip search when she forgot her medical card that indicated she had a metal hip replacement. She was 85. Embarrassing and scary for her. I was in my wheelchair and insisted on staying with her. They did not make me leave. The did make the rest of the family meet us later. We told them to meet us by the Christmas tree and not leave without us. They made me take out my portable oxygen generator, and I told them they could not turn it off as I needed it to breath - they still disconnected the battery to 'inspect' it - so I had had no air for about 5 minutes - which was not big deal, but frustrating. This did not happen on our previous cruises out of Canaveral, and never out of Tampa or Lauderdale. I'm all for keeping the ships safe, but keeping us safe from little old ladies with wheelchairs and oxygen and nebulizers and replacement hips may be going overboard.

Thank you - we leave in 10 days for Eastern Caribbean on Oasis and greatly appreciate the compasses.!

We've sailed on Allure twice, both were Christmas cruises. We booked Boardwalk Balcony cabins 14301 to 14311 for a party of 12. Noise was not an issue at all. In fact, others complained of the noise from the boardwalk, and once our doors were shut, we couldn't even hear the noisy Rita's Cantina (since closed down).

There was absolutely no noise at all from the deck above us (I believe we were under the mini putt-putt golf).

We liked deck 14 so much - we've booked the same rooms for our March 2018 trip on Oasis and our Harmony May 2019 trip.

Room Service 7.95 charge is fleet wide on RCCL. I wonder if it is per person? Would a family of 4 pay 31.80 for a snack from Room Service? That would not include any tip given to the room service delivery person.

This change affects me as I am disabled, on oxygen, in a wheelchair and seldom eat more than 1 meal out of my room. So, I will have to pay an extra 15.00 a day plus additional tipping.

Friends with a son who is fed with a feeding tube have at least one parent stay and eat with him each meal, so they would be paying an extra 60.00 a day, plus tips for the room service delivery, to their cruise for room service.

When I first started cursing RCCL, I could get any meal off of the regular dining room menu delivered to my stateroom. Then, we had the abbreviated menu. Now, I am to pay for an abbreviated menu though I won't be eating the food I've paid for elsewhere on the ship.

Guess the hubby will be schlepping sandwiches and pizza back to the room for me. SAD.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean confirmed the report to Cruise Critic: "This is just a pilot that applies to a small group of sailings, and at this time we do not have plans to roll it out to any other ships or beyond the select sailings on Oasis."

We'll be on Oasis in 10 days. I will check it out when we are there and let everyone know. I am Not sure if our sailing will be one of the 'pilot' sailings.

We've been on Allure twice, but this will be our first Oasis trip. On Allure, you could actually add reservations for entertainment, meals and excursions right on your television the minute you entered your cabin.

Other than the tiny comedy club, we saw that most people in the wait line with no tickets got into the shows. We've hear that CATS is so unpopular you should be able to get a good seat, even without a ticket.

On large ships, like Oasis and Allure, they actually have a separate kitchen for room service. You an order off of the children's menu in the dining room, but I don't think you can get the actual room service items.

So interestingly enough I am on Majesty Nov 2018. I have not yet received my email but I can see on RCI website that Majesty no longer has a sailing Nov 2018. I am assuming they will just move me right on over to Enhancement at my current booking rate - but we shall see.

 

I like all ships - so I am fine regardless. In fact, I would not even mind driving to Tampa to stay on Majesty if she has a sailing on the same dates I currently have booked.

We were booked on Empress to Cuba out of Tampa in Oct. 2018. Got a message that we'll be sailing on Majesty instead. We were sad because the crew and size of Empress was one reason we booked that cruise. Not sure what is going on with Empress, but it looks like Majesty will now be doing the Cuba run instead of the trip you have booked.

EMPRESS REPLACED with MAJESTY on our October RCCL cruise to Cuba. I believe they are still using Empress to shuttle relief supplies to Puerto Rico and the other islands affected by the hurricanes this past summer. I am not sure it matters to you, but I would expect your cruise might be on Majesty too.

I am both disabled and quite fat. Disney calls their fluffy passengers 'Pooh sized' - as in Winnie the Pooh. I have cruised on several lines in both regular and accessible rooms and have had a good time on most of them.

There are problems with some of the bathrooms. Especially the very small shower doors on some cruise ships - and I have found those with split bathrooms to be uncomfortably tight. In both cases, we purchased the spa package and showered there. Obviously, when I had accessible rooms, there were no issues.

Also being honest, the seats in some of the theaters were too tight to be comfortable and I would have crowded anyone around me. Since my degenerative hips and arthritis has gotten worse, we now travel with a wheelchair, which has eliminated that problem.

In the dining room, if you ask for a seat with no arms, it will be provided, and if you have assigned dining time, it will be waiting for you after the first night.

I was often the fattest person on the ship. The staff was always accommodating and kind.

Enjoy your cruise!

I cruise with both a full size and portable concentrator. Never had any issues. You many need an extension cord in some cabins, but the cruise lines will provide that for you if you request it from a room steward.

ROOM SERVICE was truly free in the GOOD OLD DAYS when we began cruising RCCL, back in the early 2000's. Anyone, in any cabin, could order anything from the dining room menu and have it delivered to the cabin. We once had lamb shanks and carrot cake in the room. Soon, only suites had a full menu, and our balconies had a limited 'free' menu.

AFTER MIDNIGHT charges of 4.95 to 5.95 were in place by our 2015 cruise. We didn't mind that, since the people in our party who NEEDED room service were asleep by 10 p.m.

NOW, MANDATORY CHARGES for ALL ROOM SERVICE are in place. As of March 2017, RCCL has begun charging 7.95 for each Room Service order. This charge will become fleet wide by the end of May 2017. A continental, cold breakfast, of pastries and the like, is still free. A hot breakfast of any kind, such as eggs, meats, etc., will require payment.

NEW "UPSCALE" ROOM SERVICE MENUS are the catalyst for this charge, according to the RCCL website. We compared the new menu to menus we saved from our 2015 and 2016 cruises, and this new menu is not much different that the last one. In fact, some favorites, such as the honey-stung chicken, are gone. It is still mostly a 'snacking' menu, with only one or two true entrees.

DISABLED TRAVELERS, such as the two in our party, limited by mobility and stamina, usually eat 2 of the 3 meals in the room. With tips, we estimate this will add an additional 250.00 to the price of cruising on RCCL for a week. That may not sound like much, but one of the attractions of cruising is that food is included. Family members can 'fetch' sandwiches and pizza on days we are not off the ship at a port, but when they are on the boat alone, their only option will be room service.

NO GOOD ALTERNATIVES to this latest policy seem clear at this time. And I guess I am not really asking a question, just sharing information so that you won't be surprised and can prepare for the extra cost if you plan to use Room Service. :(

On our last 2 cruises - Dec. 2015 Allure and March 2016 Vision - there were NO coupon books. Crown and Anchor discounts were added to our Seapass - which worked most of the time. Each person who was a C&A member got their perks on their own card.

We cruised on Allure Dec. 2015 and Vision March 2016. Wheelchair help upon boarding: Once we cleared security we were assisted by RCI staff - who pushed my wheelchair onto the ship.

On both ships: We were instructed to go meet at a special location for wheelchair assistance disembarking.

Wheelchairs were provided along with assistance to get off the ship and on Allure they took me to baggage claim. On Vision, I was taken all the way out to my van.

In both cases, my family members and traveling companions carried my luggage. No problems at all.

They had lots of stuffies such as sharks and bears and things with RCI logo. Our niece is happy with her stuffed mermaid. The boys did less well - neat looking plastic ship play sets were cheaply made and did not hold up well. We opt for bringing souvenirs and toys from home and buying them t-shirts on the ship. They always have a t-shirt sale during the cruise.

At embarkation, request a wheelchair immediately upon arrival at the port. You may have a small wait, but they will take you all the way to the ship.

In Dec. 2015 on Allure and March 2016 on Vision, they had those of us needing wheelchair assistance meet in a specific location and we were taken off board and to baggage. On Vision, the RCI employee actually wheeled me all the way to the van.

*NOTE: one of the hardest times standing for me is muster drill. You can now check in at your muster station and they will send you to a special needs muster station. Inside - with seating and air conditioning. On Allure we were in a dining room - on Vision special needs muster was in the casino. You MUST check in at your assigned station first.

After a disastrous experience with MTD on Allure, we tried to book traditional dining for our next 3 cruises: Dec 2016, March 2017 and Nov 2017, only to find that we could not get any set dining and were forced to sign up for MTD for all 3 cruises.

We booked onboard through the loyalty desk and were told there was no other choice.

Our friends are diamond plus and book a full suite and they too were assigned to MTD for 2 of these cruises, all booked Dec. 2015.

We are seriously considering switching cruise lines just to get away from MTD.

Just got off Vision and I am in a wheelchair.

When you arrive at the port, PORT EMPLOYEES helped us push the wheelchair and they had a few available for people to use.

Royal employees did not assist us until AFTER we got through security, then, they provided the wheelchair to get on the ship.

When we got off of the ship - Royal Employees took us off of the ship and to the baggage claim area. From there, we tipped a porter to push me out to the our van.

Royal has a limited number of wheelchairs and they are not for the entire trip.

Our travel agent arranged to have the wheelchair available for embarkation and debarkation.

I would strongly recommend renting a wheelchair if you need it for the entire cruise. At Christmas, we rented a scooter from Special Needs at Sea for our cruise on Allure.

I just read a disturbing comment on Ship Mate that there was a dispute going on about this service. Luckily, I can walk, but only for short distances and definitely not up steep ramps. My TA requested this when he made the reservation, but I am afraid this isn't going to help. Also, I wrote Special Services over a month ago about assistance on the pier at Cozumel, but they never responded then. So, don't know if another email about this will get any attention either. I, honestly, don't know what to do - I refuse to cancel my cruise!!! Any on else have this problem?

We just returned from our cruise on Saturday. Sailed on Vision of the Seas out of Tampa and we embarked at pier 2. Unlike our last trip, we had NO HELP with my wheelchair from anyone at the actual port. Not until after we got through check in. My husband had to push me every step of the way.

Once we got to actually boarding the ship - the Royal Caribbean staff stepped right up and helped me up the ramps - hubby just followed along behind. They got me safely aboard in no time.

We also had help getting off and on the ship at every port. Cozumel was an easy ride off of the ship - and the RCI staff pushed the wheelchair up and down all ramps.

Upon return, anyone needing wheelchair assistance waits in the main dining room , where the RCI staff got my wheelchair and helped me get off of the ship and took me to the baggage claim area, where hubby was on his own again.

Hope this helps. Have a great cruise.

The March 12 2017 Oasis cruise claims that the traditional dining is not available.

Just MTD

Hard to believe that the traditional dining has all been reserved, this early.

Is Royal trying to force everyone in to MTD

We just booked March 2017 on Freedom and Oasis Nov. 2017 and were not permitted to book first seating either - only MTD. The 'manager' of the loyalty desk said they are only permitted to book first seating for diamond, diamond plus, pinnacle or suites. Once they choose, then the rest of us can try to get first or second seating. Not enough people were booking MTD.

We had MTD on Allure in December 2015 and it was awful. The first night we walked out to make it to our show when we did not have entrees after 2 hours. We ended up eating 5 of 7 nights in specialty dining - once free on them.

Obviously, if so many people cannot get first or second seating and want it - they need to lower the tables for MTD.

We left Tampa about 5 pm on Saturday, March 12, to Celebrate our 25th anniversary on pretty little Vision of the Seas. This is my 13th cruise, our 9th with RCI and our first time on Vision of the Seas. We are traveling with a total group of 16 people in 8 cabins - 1 Grande Suite, 6 Balcony Cabins, 1 Accessible Balcony Cabin.

Having just sailed on Allure for Christmas 2015, we found departure from Tampa a nightmare compared to departure at Ft Lauderdale. It took 4 times as long to get aboard and we found dock #2 small, understaffed and a bit disorganized. I travel in a wheelchair, and at Lauderdale, we had help from the minute we got out of our van. We struggled with no help until we actually got on the ship this time. Obviously, the are not RCI issues, but problems with the Port at Tampa.

We only live 15 minutes from the Tampa Port, but have booked Christmas 2016 on Serenade out of Lauderdale.

Once onboard, we were pleasantly surprised with both the beautifully decorated and charming Vision of the Seas. The staff has been outstanding so far.

Windjammer is located at the FRONT of the boat on Vision; plenty of windows provide for a beautiful view. We had no issues finding a table where we met our friends for lunch. The selection in Windjammer was quite varied. If you go hungry in Windjammer, it is your own fault!

Our rooms were ready by 1 pm. Gus, our room attendant was attentive and eager to make our trip a success. The cabin (an accessible balcony on floor 7) was HUGE. It is the largest cabin we have ever sailed in. Our friends had the room decorated for our anniversary through RCI and we were impressed!

Muster drill was painless, well organized and short. One thing I really appreciated on Vision, was that they had cruise staff keeping one elevator open for those of us with mobility issues. It made getting to muster easy instead of stressful.

Our departure was delayed and the bad weather had begun to move in as we sailed. It was gloomy when we went under the Sunshine Skyway bridge between 5:30 and 6 pm, so we didn't have the best view passing under the bridge. We could see it from the windows of the dining room, and even the shadow of the bridge so close to our mast was impressive.

Our evening meal was traditional first seating in the MDR. We had a nice table in the center of the room. Jorge, our waiter was wonderful. Our servers were pleasant, professional and went out of their way to make our meal pleasant. The menu is the exact menu we had on Allure, but our food arrived HOT and seemed more skillfully prepared than the same dishes on Allure. Granted, Allure is feeding 6,500 cruisers, and Vision only a fraction of that - but we noticed an improvement in our first evening meal.

We finished our first night at sea with trivia in Schooner bar. I tried out our internet. While we are pleased they have pervasive internet on Vision, so I can access from my room instead of a common area, it is much slower than Voom on Allure - so a bit of patience is required.

The boat is rocking in strong winds and choppy seas, and we have opted to spend time inside!

Overall, we are enchanted with our first trip on the charming Vision of the Seas. We have found the staff friendlier and happier than the group on Allure at Christmas.

We'll be glad to answer any questions if we are able to do so!