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Not the answer you want but this is partly why all the machines have verbiage like "malfunctions voids all plays and pays". unless it is recorded in the hard log of the machine, the outcome never actually happened. If it were a slot machine, theoretically it could appear as if the reels stop on a 777 or some other jackpot but the RNGs and logs that were recorded indicated it should have displayed a different result. Unfortunately the VP machines in the casinos on Royal Caribbean including the Oasis class (can't speak for wonder, icon or utopia) are the very old IGT game king cabinets running very old software with very old hardware. I am surprised they have lasted even as long as they have. I haven't seen an updated cabinet yet on a ship. It was pretty generous to even give you $200. At the end of the day they would have to account for the missing $1600 in hand pay if it doesn't line up with the central reporting and audting that Miami will eventually get around to reviewing. If this happened in a land casino they would have done the same thing even if they could pull up video and see what was on the screen, unfortunately what is on the screen is not what casinos go by for payouts, its what's inside in the log. One last comment about video poker, with all of the casino updates and advertising of new slots across the oasis class ships, they actually took out at least 1/2 of the video poker machines. Video Poker doesn't make casinos money or not nearly as much as slot machines do even with the horrible pay tables you typically see on ships. They want to maximize profits and don't really want VP players sitting in casino all week. Again, not trying to rub it in or defend Roya, I truly am empathetic.

Was in a GS a few weeks ago and I was not able to stream from iPhone or iPad to the TV, there is an option on the tv menu that suggests you can but I couldn't get the phone to recognize the TV. Instead, I just plugged in the HDMI cable (and left it plugged in all week, just coiled up when not in use) and then the remote input button can be used to change to the HDMI 1 input. The only issue is the TVs are pretty close to the wall so reaching behind to plug in the HDMI cable is a little hard if you have a big hand, also helps having someone hold a light close by so you can see what you are doing. In Sept I was in Crown Loft on Oasis and their TV setup is slightly different but did the same thing using an HDMI cable. I don't think the Oasis remotes have an input selector like the ones on Symphony but the Oasis TVs have buttons along the bottom edge that can be used to change the input.

I have done multiple 10 am flights out of MIA but have also had a suite and would be in the first escorted suite group off at 7:30 which helps bypass the walkoff lines. If you do the easy walkoff which starts around 7 am it should be easy to do too if you bring your bags with you. If you jump in a cab, you can be at the airport by 8 am. Uber takes longer unless the driver is already in the port area, it takes a while for them to arrive. That said, it is always a risk. I also have Mosaic status on Jetblue which makes it easy to do same day changes in case we are delayed getting off.

I was there last week, the day after the big prison break. The "island" was full looking with a steady stream of people leaving and coming back to the ship. It didn't stop people from getting off and enjoying the beach day. The only ones doing the robbing in Labadee is Royal Caribbean, overwater cabanas the day before the port stop were listed for like $3,000 per person. There were only 4 left. I am sure some got them on sale in cruise planner before the sailing for like $1000 per person. All kidding aside, I do respect people's opinions, but my cruise visited three ports all on the US Travel Advisory list. Nassau, Labadee, and Falmouth. While I would agree that there is an infinitely small chance of Haitians overtaking the private beaches of Labadee, I wouldn't go as far as saying it is dangerous to even be docked there.

No wonder there is no more half and half, they churned it all into real butter. (had to go there and keep the puns going)

I was a little surprised to read about Oasis 7. They will have 10 ships by 2028 with more total capacity than 20 ships on some of the other lines. All the other lines are adding ships at a rapid pace too, at what point is there just too many ships sailing from the same ports competing for the same dollars? I never would have expected to see an Oasis ship doing 3/4 night runs, especially not a new one (Utopia). 2024 has Icon and Utopia 2025 has Star (Icon 2) 2026 has Icon 3 2027 nothing on books 2028 Oasis 7 That is a lot of capacity being added. It's unusual that they are not doing any new ships in 2027. Would be great if they left an Oasis (or Icon) ship in NY in winter, but I do understand why they keep bringing back Quantum class for the winter for the enclosed pool and the Sea Plex to keep the kids busy on the first sea day til it is far enough south to warm up. I could see them developing something private over in the western gulf like NCL's other private island so they could add more ships out of TX as well.

Personally, I am super bored with the Costal Kitchen menu and there has been little to no change in many years now. I still prefer it to the main dining room as it is much quieter and less chaotic than the MDR. They are also accommodating if you want to tweak a dish. Until recently they would even get you items from MDR if you ask ahead of time but after the recent changes of 1 entree at a time and one lobster tail in MDR, the CK host on my last Oasis sailing in Oct said they are not allowed to bring in food from other restaurants anymore "due to too many complaints about it not being hot." I didn't push it. Ironically two nights later we had asked for more pretzel rolls and it took forever because the waiter went downstairs to Chops and got the "long ones", CK has the round ones. He also had them heated up for us. So much for not getting food from other restaurants. And before you ask, Oasis had half and half for coffee in CK with no issue. I'm curious to know if Symphony does too as I will be on her in March.

I was just on a Florida and Bahamas cruise on Oasis and was able to download from Paramount+ and it didn't ask for country, I assume it thought I was in the US.

Correct, $500 is max in one transaction but as long as you play it through you can still get another 9 withdrawals in the same day... and even within minutes if the machines are not being friendly. They definitely monitor who does a lot of room charges and if they think you are hoarding money (especially before a stop at Nassau where some people try to get as much cash out of onboard charging to go play over at Atlantis) they will cut you off. In general if you do multiple room charges and there are losses or a large number of points due to play on your account they don't cut you off, but they certainly look for multiple withdrawals with little to no play associated with it.

I think 1977 is the main ice show on Symphony. HiRO is main Aqua Show, Flight is the secondary main theater show, same cast as hairspray doing an original production. I know Harmony has a second aqua show, but I forget if Symphony does.

The short answer is yes. The physical power button on the TV (located on the bottom bezel on the lower right side) is also the input selector, just plug in HDMI and use the button to switch inputs. When done just remove HDMI, if it doesn't go back to ship TV just turn off tv and back on again. I still generally bring a universal remote with me but lately have just been using the power button as input selector on the TV itself on Oasis, Harmony, Allure and Symphony.

I made 10 am flights with plenty of time to spare in April and June, self walk-off with all luggage and get right in taxi line.

It is hit or miss. Oasis in March, MDR it was very hard to get half and half at breakfast and dinner time, but they would eventually track it down. Same with Johnny Rockets in the morning. In May on Harmony, no issues anywhere. On Oasis there is half and half out in promenade café as well as Starbucks (and probably windjammer), but whatever reason they don't stock it in the MDR regularly.

For the past 2 cruises I just did one of those "pick later" next cruise offer and you can do it right from the app and not even go to the next cruise desk and talk to anyone. Your credit card is charged $200 and you get the email from cruise next with the empty booking number within about 12-24 hours of signing up on the app onboard. All Casino Royal needs is that next cruise open booking number and you can call or email Casino Royal when you get home and use whatever certificate you earned and do your upgrade all at once. You will get the OBC from next cruise applied and free play if that is part of the certificate you earn. I also have a landside casino host assigned to me and he does it all by email and is super efficient and gave multiple upgrade options to compare.

On my Oasis sailing in March, there was a used bar of soap left in the shower when we entered room for first time. It was thin and the soap rack was above eye level, just shows they don't don't scrub every inch. I do think they clean better than most hotel rooms get cleaned. It's also same sailing that a small gecko was a stowaway on luggage when it was delivered to room and had to chase it around the bed. Gave to room steward, not sure what he did with it.

I didn't imply I gave less money because I left drinks, it was in addition to what I would normally tip. Reason I say as part of their tip is because I typically leave it with the envelope, hence they get it when they get their tip. Maybe I should have said "in addition to?" Regardless, the point I was trying to make is that is there are options to share the wealth if you don't want the freebies. I also get wine from the casino and unless I am sailing out of NY, it always gets left for the steward.

On Harmony 2 weeks ago, both of us were Diamond and there were 6 water bottles. On day 2 or 3 a larger 1 liter "fancy" water bottle was delivered. I think Oasis a month before was also 6 bottles of water. Harmony was a GS and Oasis was JS, not sure if that makes a difference in number of waters. We hit Diamond Plus on last day of the Harmony cruise.

You can always give your free wine/sparkling wine/extra water etc to your room steward as part of their tip if you don't really want it. I have have had mixed luck with this though so worth asking your first - Oasis in March the steward said no he can't accept it but a month later on Harmony the steward said yes as long as we leave a note that it is for him so it doesn't look like he is stealing it from the room.

Maybe they will remove the tortilla machine which is just a decoration and a new station with another option? Would love it if they add churros!

Ship looks great considering she is the oldest but she did get Amplified so all of the public spaces are fresh. She might be my favorite and I have sailed multiple times. I like that it has Playmakers and the BBQ place and El Loco Fresh. The aqua show also has more diving than some of the newer shows and a good 80s soundtrack. The staterooms could use a refresh but its not like paint is chipping and stains on carpets, just the older cabin decor vs Harmony/Symphony/Wonder. Overall a great ship, and I have another sailing booked for Oct on her.

Cumulative. They are installing secret scales under the hand wash stations and you now have to make a second stop on way out to get final weight. Of course I am completely kidding, but wouldn't be surprised if in the future they plate everything in buffet on small plates and you have to take a small portion of everything and put on a tray with some items requiring a swipe to limit repeat people. Completely hijacked the thread. I didn't have the energy to read 9 pages of speculating if you can remove a sauce or add an extra piece of broccoli. I think what people are angry the most about is how they staff are enforcing it by serving one plate at a time. You still get what you want but now you have waiters that are just doing what they are told and it comes across to customers as being "cheap". Especially for the case of surf and turf, just allow people to order the steak that night and add a lobster tail to the plate. they could save the extra sides and customers would be happier. My biggest pet peeve from the recent oasis sailing was never being offered coffee and then when we asked for it, it came after we finished our deserts. Maybe it was just our waiters but never heard him ask other tables either or if this is part of their "service optimizations".

Charge per lb of food over 3 lbs free limit? 🙂

You get both with Royal as well. If sailing on Oasis class they rarely ever do a port with tenders due to size but the Concierge will generally leave a room message each night letting you know the details and where to meet for each port if you want to be escorted off ahead of crowds. Embarkation you get priority boarding and separate security/check-in space. Disembarkation they generally have 3 meeting times and the concierge will block an elevator and then bring you to the door of the ship. NCL you then merge with the rest of the line leaving after you leave ship but I found that the land side people direct the suite passengers to a different set of elevators so it is less chaotic.

I used to sail NCL more and used to sail in Haven. Some of the biggest differences are: Costal Kitchen changes menu every lunch (I think this is true, never eat lunch except boarding day) and dinner vs Haven is the same all week. Like NCL, Costal Kitchen breakfast menu is same every day. For breakfast both have self serve express options with pastries, meats, yogurt, etc. but on RCL, those items are on the suite lounge side vs directly in the dining room (it is really one large shared area for lounge and restaurant). As for food quality it is all subjective. I like some things from both menus but I do like having the dinner menu change each night. NCL I think you can get surf and turf every day if you want though so that is a pro there. Costal Kitchen you get happy hour from 4 to 8 with mixed drinks, and beer wine soda from 11 to 11 daily so you don't really need a drink package. NCL doesn't give any free drinks in Haven without paying the taxes on the drink package which is still several hundred dollars. Haven is ringed by staterooms so the only views outside are from the sun deck or the dining room. Costal Kitchen and Suite Lounge have large 2 story windows overlooking the pool deck and ocean views so it is very bight and airy. Overall I think the suites on RCL are larger than NCL, the GS is roomier than the standard Haven suite and there are no lofts on NCL. NCL has the Haven complex with a private pool which makes it a little more secluded. Newer RCL ships are moving this direction (Wonder and Icon, though I don't think they actually have a pool, maybe hot tubs). The concierge on RCL and NCL do similar things and are about equal. NCL has butlers to bring you snacks. The only thing similar to that is Star Class with the Genie but they are more like private concierges that arrange anything you want and give personal attention. I have not sailed in Star class so can't comment further. Overall, Oasis class has far more entertainment options and much better flow in public areas than any NCL ship. With boardwalk, promenade, central park, pool deck, they spread out passenger congestion. They don't do many activities in central park though and is usually quiet and there is music at night.

No, this was Miami port to MIA. That included the tip which I forgot to mention so the far was $38 or $39 maybe (I didn't pay, just know my partner asked for $4 back from 50). Also he didn't take highway all the way to the airport, at some point it felt like we were on local roads. The guy was very old and could barely speak English and asked us 4 times what airline and drove the wrong way down the road to exit the port so wouldn't be surprised if he was running the meter. We had a 10:30 am flight so we were glad to get there so early even if we got ripped off. Would have done Uber instead, and probably will the next time.