kag19

We did our first Celebrity cruise last year because we got such a good deal and loved it.  With all the perks included the overall price was less than what one would have been on Royal with the comparable perks.  We are going to pay for drinks, tips and wifi regardless so the package worked for us.  Fast forward to the trip we took this year, we priced out the same cruise we did on Celebrity the year before and the price had gone up a ridiculous amount.  We ended up going on Oasis, which we love, because the price was better.  The cruises were comparable as far as food and service but with everything the Oasis has to offer there really is no comparison to the ship.  We would do Celebrity again if the price was right or there was an itinerary we wanted but the two products really are not that different to be paying that much more over the other.

No issue with the font size here either.  Great review though!  Makes me wish we were back on Oasis!

Great review so far!  We are on Allure next February so I am devouring all things Allure than I can!  Also, your kids are adorable!  Our kids are 4 and 8 and we are contemplating taking them in the next couple years so it is great to read a review from others with kids this age.

Fantastic review!  We will be on Allure next February and can't wait.  And thank you for the Michigander shout out!  We are just happy to be anywhere but Michigan in the winter. :) Seeing the sunshine for the first time in months always makes us happy.

We did Cosol many, many years ago and it has been the most memorable excursions we have done to date.  They really pack a lot into your tour.  We would definitely book again the next time we are on a cruise that stops in St. Lucia!

Looking forward to your next installment!

Definitely cheaper before.  They really increase the pricing for the package once onboard.

We like to do the a la carte for lunch for our sushi fix.  Then we don't miss dinner in the MDR and we are only paying for what we eat.  Other than that we don't do any specialty dining.  We thoroughly enjoy our dinners in the MDR and would hate to miss any.

13 minutes ago, cruisegirl1976 said:

I notice that you are going on the Allure next Feb... what sailing are you on?.. I'm on the Feb 2nd sailing.. we were originally booked on the Oasis Feb 2nd cruise.. but they chartered it..so we got bumped.. and decided to sail on the Allure.

We are on the February 16th sailing. Can’t wait!

Glad to hear you enjoyed Allure!  We have been on Oasis twice and loved it!  Have Allure booked for next year and can't wait!

We are lowly gold in a balcony room and we booked our Chill Island cabana for $499 for next February.  Friends going with us are Diamond in a balcony and they see it in their Cruise Planner for the same price.  I honestly think there is no rhyme or reason to any of the pricing.  LOL!  They are just throwing numbers out for each sailing and hoping people will pay it.  To answer the OP's question, for us it is definitely worth it.  We have 10 people going so we booked 2 cabanas and are splitting the cost between us.  We have rented cabanas before (Labadee) and like having a place where everyone can relax together and come and go as they want.

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

No set time, keep checking.

Thank you!

4 minutes ago, alishac said:

Are they flexible on the number? can you pull up more chairs to add more people. we have more than the allowed amount, but I don't expect that we'll all be in the cabana at the same time for most of the day.

From what I have been told by others that have rented cabanas before in Cococay or Labadee is that they are not flexible on the numbers.  If you have 10 in your party and you have a cabana for 8 then you will have to rent 2 cabanas.  From there you can hang out together in either cabana but they won't allow a party of more than what was booked.  We have 10 going on our next trip so we rented two cabanas just to be safe.

34 minutes ago, TBone2K said:

Be sure you do, just not in your carry on for your flight (if applicable). If not a bartender will give you a freebie corkscrew, but they are difficult to use.

 

I'll also repeat the experience that we've never been charged a corkage fee and if we are, I'll just go open the bottle myself and bring glasses of wine to the meal with me.

We have always the done the same as well...just bring your own opener, ask for two glasses and open the bottle ourselves in the room.  Either enjoy it on the balcony or take the filled glasses to dinner with us.

Or for a really large pour just use the refillable coke glass if you have the drink package!  LOL!

When do items start showing up in the Cruise Planner?  Nothing except shore excursions for Cococay is showing up in the Cruise Planner for our February 2020 cruise.

8 minutes ago, alishac said:

Are you allowed to bring more than 6 people to the cabana?

Depends on the cabana type you book.  Some are 6 and some are 8.

1 hour ago, barbeyg said:

They are currently on sale, for $374.99, with up to 6 people including the full day park passes.  this is for our May Adventure cruise.

 

The funny thing is that the Chill Island cabanas are selling for $1049 (not on sale), same cruise.  

 

 

Yikes!!  We paid $499 for the Chill Island cabana for next February and I am going to keep stalking the price to see if the price dops... $1049 is crazy expensive!  Even if you have 8 people and split the cost!

I would agree with the posters above.  Our first cruise was on Carnival and is what really got us hooked on cruising in general.  Our second cruise was on Royal and it was really just a step above.  We really enjoyed that first cruise on Carnival but I doubt we will be back (never say never) as we just enjoy the ones we have taken on Royal and the one on Celebrity even more.  And we really love the Oasis class ships.  Nothing like them!

I always pack a sweater or cardigan to wear at night.  The outdoor temperatures are usually fine but it is inside the restaurants where I usually get cold.

25 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I have never seen where you can book it in advance of the cruise, but do look for it in the cruise planner during the week.  All the ships I have been on offer it on sea days, and usually an hour or so before Izumi opens for lunch.  

 

Once on board I have gone to the podium at Izumi and asked if there was a sushi class scheduled...they will have that information and can sign you up that way.  I think I remember Izumi being on deck 4 on Oasis.  Though IMHO this last sushi class on Oasis was not the same, and we won't be back to it.  Not run very well as in the past, or as on other ships.  

Thanks for the tip! I will look in the cruise planner and if it isn’t there I will go to Izumi and ask when we get on board. 

43 minutes ago, The Fun Researcher said:

 

It was in my cruise planner for our cruise on the Navigator a few weeks ago.  I'm guessing it depends on the ship though.

Dan

Thanks!  I will keep an eye out for it on our upcoming sailing on Allure!

5 minutes ago, vacationlover_mn said:

I was able to get a free specialty coffee the last day, but no booze (on Symphony)

Same here but on Oasis.

My husband and I would love to do this on our next cruise!  Is this something available to book ahead in the Cruise Planner?  I don't recall seeing it for our sailing last month on Oasis.

Definitely a yes to the specialty coffees as I got one on our last morning but no bars are open the final morning to get an alcoholic drink at to my knowledge.

2 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

Yes just screen shot it if you need to before the last morning - on the last morning that App has already moved on 🙂

Thanks for the tip!