AtlFolks

Ahh, how could I leave out Cafe Promenade - great place for an afternoon or late night snack. Also coffee, tea, and cocoa available anytime.

I feel Sorrentos pizza is just okay. Don't waste your vacation calories unless you just have a pizza craving.

Why eat Johnny Rockets on the Oasis? You can get a hamburger at home.

Nothing is free. You will have already paid for venues like Windjammer, MDR, Wipeout Cafe, Solarium Bistro (breakfast and lunch only), and my favorite for lunch Park Cafe.

Paid venues are Izumi, Sabor, Giovanni's, Chops (love this one), 150, and Johnny Rockets.

Access to the fitness center on Deck 6 forward is for all guests. Most classes are complimentary. A few classes have extra fees such as personal training, Yoga, and some others. I did the daily stretch class at 7am every day and did some cardio on the machines - set me up great for the day. After stretch is core training, which others really loved, and I'll try it on Freedom in a couple weeks if they offer it.

Read the poems first to understand the personalities of the cats, you'll appreciate the show more that way; I did not and I was a bit bored. I don't recommend bringing fidgety youngsters, but my 12 and 15 year old boys seemed to enjoy it. If you like Broadway, you'll like the show. For me, been there, done that. Have fun!

I believe yes to all. Just Google a teen compass and you'll probably find one. Enjoy your cruise.

Diamond Lounge and Suite Guest Lounge seems to have taken over the beautiful Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 17. Nice benefit for top tier guests, but the rest of us don't get to enjoy those fabulous views anymore. Yes, I'm a bit envious, but its still a nice ship. Enjoy.

We were just on Deck 7, which was a bit inconvenient because you need to go to either Deck 6 or 8 to cross from port to starboard. We'be been twice on Oasis and I think anything between decks 8 and 10 would be ideal. If you are sensitive to cigarette smoke avoid dining on Deck 4 as the casino is right across from the MDR - yuk!

I'm a Platinum RCCL cruiser and will be Emerald on my next cruise, so I've lots of RCCL experience. I skimmed this review and feel it's a very good picture through the lens of a new cruiser on the largest ship in the world. A few thoughts for this reviewer and others:

Oasis has the best entertainment in the industry - try catching the shows and music venues next time, it's really part of the Oasis experience.

The Main Dining Room is where you make friends both on the ship and for life. My wife and I met a great couple from England at our table 8 years ago who we did some tours with and we email each other occasionally. Your server will also be a great resource and can make dinners special for the kids.

People are people and everywhere there are both special folks and jerks - the bigger the ship the more types you meet.

Tipping - the Caribbean thrives on tourism and tipping is a necessary part of how people in the tourism industry survive. I think all the cruise lines need to do a better job explaining how tipping works and why it's important off the ship to take extra dollars for tipping. On the ship your daily gratuities are just fine and no crew person really expects more. I have tipped a really friendly bar service guy a few times for taking good care of me by the pool, but that's just me.

Specially restaurants are a way for the lines to generate extra revenue. When you book with certain travel agents, you can get a dinner comped by them as an extra. The serifs in those venues are truly exceptional but the food quality does vary.

Decks - the best time to secure a chair is before 9:00 am. Explain to deck staff where you are and they can keep an eye on your things for you; they are really nice. I've seen while families hog several chairs for the whole day, which is selfish but I'd think no one would have a problem with you reserving a chair for the day, but just be sure to use it for the day and not catch the ice show with your towel still on the chair. :). Best places for a single would be on an end near a whirlpool.

With the kids - there is more for families to do on Oasis than even Disney. Play mini-golf, boogie board, do family crafts, ice skate, go to the movies, ride the carousel, play ping-pong...don't cheat yourself by hanging in the room.

I'll stop here but y'all get the point. Obviously I'm a fan of RCCL and love the experience. You have booked with Royal, but your deposit is refundable. Seek out travel agents like. Cru Con or Wagonlit for extras like prepaid gratuities, specially restaurant visits, and some onboard credit. Also consider Princess, which has a bit of a more laid back vibe, but still a good kids program. Happy cruising.

I enjoy establishing a rapport with those who are serving me for a week, and in most of my 8+ years of cruising I have enjoyed getting to know my waiters and my cabin steward. I like the rotational dining concept and would welcome that. I don't care for dining at sea like I don't home.

I'm RCI Platinum and will be Emerald this June, and I'll tell ya, don't be loyal just to achieve C&A levels. Take the best cruise for what you want to do. It's really about the experience and doing the things you like to do.

We use the hotel cruise packages with Hilton Garden Inn last several times and it's been great. Check it out.

The homepage is new, but logging-in to your account gets you back to the old account page you are used to. Although I've seen some updates, clearly IT and user interface is not where RCI is putting its money. They system is better than it was a few years ago, but really needs a top to bottom overhaul. Just be patient and you'll be able to do what you need.

One of the great things about cruising is "unplugging" for a week. Ahhhh.

Okay CZ, look forward to your review. I was looking at that one too.

Dunn's River, been there and done that, thrice. River tubing, check! What are some other RCI excursions that are worth it (will use OBC). Family of four (two teen boys).

Thanks RCI brethren!

They want for you to feel special maybe? I've seen lots of gripes about D and D+ not feeling the love from the company. We hit Emerald this summer and I'm really not sure what that really means anyway.

Royal has a great industry-leading entertainment company, great performers and musicians on Oasis class, but they've cheaped-out a bit on Freedom class (no more live music shows except by the pool). I cruise RCI because it is a great vacation despite some "opportunities for improvement". It's important they listen to their good customers so we keep coming back. I do expect superior food and entertainment, but that's just me. For others, it might be sun, pool, and lots of drinks. You go with what make you happy. Sometimes I just like to sit by the shuffleboard courts (because nobody is typically playing) and watch the waves go by.

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Yes to deep-sixing the schlock tables. No on MDR attire - let slobs cruise Carnival, or make the entire MDR like the Windjammer.

I'm Platinum and quickly approaching Emerald - I'm not feeling the love. Maybe let good customers be trusted with pool towels; maybe give good customers a chance at guaranteed pool chairs, maybe give us something more to say thanks. Don't care to be too greedy with OBC or liquor, but just something that recognizes my loyalty.

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Anyone know if there's is a standard time reservations can be made? E.g., 45 days, 60 days, etc.

Also appears RCI moved early seating up to 5:30 - seems really early for supper.

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Lots of good and constructive comments. Let's just be cognizant that in the Oasis incident over the weekend, the little boy wandered away from his mother and she was frantically looking for him when he was found in the water. Unless this has happened to you (my son and I became separated in a crowd after a show at Disney World several years back and I was terrified for over 30 minutes), keep judgements on this poor family neutral until more information surfaces.

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I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but legally speaking, having lifeguards by the pools "may" both give parents and others false sense of security and assume a defacto responsibility for guest safety by the line.

On Crown Princess, I noticed pool "monitors" who seemed to be casually watching but never seemed to intervene; this may be an option for RCI.

My kids are teens and we have had a "no swim without mom or dad" rule since our first cruise on Mariner when they were grade school age.

I would offer that any of the large ships, especially with H2O Zones, should have guards or at least monitors. Smaller ships like Radiance can probably do without. I'm sure this will be on the executive meeting agenda in the morning.

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1 - Drink labadoozie

 

2 - Relax and get hot

 

3 - Cool off in the water

 

4 - Go back to step 1 and repeat :)

This truly is the best advice. Don't forget the BBQ buffet (that would be Step 5), but be cognizant that the serving lines close at 2pm. Bring a water bottle too.

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It's too bad divers missed part of a good dive. I've always seen DM's carry extra weights and I've heard of Don Foster's, so I find that interesting. As an instructor you know more weight = more air, and more chance for less experienced divers to stir up sand unless it's a deep dive or a drift dive. Not challenging your expertise, just chatting - it's what divers like to do. Cheers! SSI Master Diver and DM Candidate. 😉

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We usually have our specialty dining comped by our TA. Chops on FOS was awesome on our Sept 2014 cruise. Wonderful filet with salads, sides, and desserts. Why order two entrees - can you eat that much? It was all delicious and we walked out of there stuffed. Our server was a doll and really knew the wine list well.

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