momzcruzing

On Oasis week of 4/5 we arrived at a variety of times, always without reservation, and never requested but were given a table for two. All but one time the same table.

Very impressive system.

I have lots of cruises on both RCL & Princess and I love them both!

Princess does have a bit of a different vibe, but it is relaxing and very pleasant. The food is subjective but all in all I think they are close to equal.

Last week on Oasis we ate in all of the specialty restaurants and I felt like my meal at Sabatini's on Princess was the best ever! Tho 150 Central Park & Chops are awesome.

Princess does not make the nightly show as much of the centerpiece of you evening as RCL does.

I was on Oasis April 5-12 and CL congierges were Charmaine and Allan Fajardo.

We did Buenos Aires to Valparaiso on Radiance, Easter of 2009. Not a ripple, smooth as glass. Was prepared with all sorts of sea sickness meds (up to injectables) and not needed. Imagine my surprise when sailing the Tazman Sea later that same year. Needed them all!! :eek:

Hi, We had a wonderful week on Oasis. Due to work committments, no time to write a full review but I'll share a few reactions. I'm not tech savvy enough to upload pictures, sorry.

Me:

I am the veteran of many cruises on all lines, mostly Princess, Celebrity & Royal Caribbean. I have been Diamond Plus for many year, but doubt Pinnacle is in my future, as next cruises are Princess and Celebrity. I guess I'm just not the loyal type. :p

Ship:

The ship is still amazing and does not look her age, they have done a wonderful job on the upkeep! As everyone says, it is almost impossible to experience all that she offers in just 7 days.

Cabin:

We booked an ocean view balcony guarantee (sigh, we had a GS last time.... sniff, sniff) but guess what? We got a standard balcony room right by the secret balcony at the aft of Deck 11 and it was great! Also nice being on the same floor as the CL tho we did not use it much. Our GS was mid ship last year on Allure, and very noisy, lots of kids running by, but the aft location was quite and very nice.

Entertainment:

I was blown away by the shows and entertainment on board. As I mentioned, we were on Allure last year and I loved & attended all of the shows. But I enjoyed the shows on Oasis much more! So much that we saw them all twice! Hairspray was amazing, all cast members such strong singers & dancers. The Ice Show was an easier theme to follow than the Monopoly theme on Allure. The Sand Art done in the middle of the ice show was incredible! The Aqua Show was about the same and wonderful to behold! Comedy show on both ships were hilarious, bring tissue, because you will laugh until you cry. The piano bar entertainer a very good performer and a very kind person, really tried to talk to guests as well as perform.

Dining:

We did the Central Park dining package which includes Chops, Giovanni's Table and 150 Central Park. In addition, we used my Diamond Plus coupon to get the "buy one get one free dinner" at 150 Central Park so that we could experience both menus. Far and away we preferred 150 Central Park for the food and dining experience. Chops was wonderful as usual, tho neither the mud pie or red velvet cake appear to be as lavish as in past years. Giovanni's is a delight and hard to resist eating way too much. The salads in Park Cafe are a real treat. We also enjoyed several lunches in the Solarium bistro. The vegetable crepe is very flavorful. The Character breakfast was fun, they do a great job of it.

Ports:

In Nassau we independently booked with "Segway of Nassau" and had such fun! I had never ridden a Segway and it is a fun way to ride around the island. We spent about 2 hours on the machines and only 4 of us in the group for $75.

In St. Thomas we did the "Sunset Catamaran Champagne Cruise" (thru RCCL) Two hours on a beautiful catamaran with all the rum and champagne you could consume. We were allowed to go out and sit right on the front of the boat with our feet dangling over the side! Amazing.

In St. Martin we did Bernard's Tours and he does an amazing job. Highly recommend.

Oops:

The only glitch in the week was the drink coupons loaded on the sea pass cards for Diamond & Diamond Plus Members. There is a printed list of all the basic drinks that have always been available in the CL. Also printed was the wines available which include Chardonay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvingion Blanc, Shariz, Cabernet, and a few others. Almost every bartender on board when learning that I was using the coupon stated "I'll only pour you Chardonay" A few were pretty grumpy about it! Only one nice lady bartender in Boleros would pour anything but Chardonay. So that is were we trekked anytime we wanted to use a coupon. We of course tipped her well AND gave her a WOW card. Even the grumpy "chardonay pouring" bartenders got a smile and a tip-- after all, I'm on a cruise! The coupons are great and will be even better when the staff figures out how to supply what the promotion says it will.

In December I was on Celebrity and the drink vouchers were paper coupons but every bar on the ship honored them effortlessly without differences in availability, so hopefully soon Royal will follow suit.

I'm happy to try to answer any questions. What a cruise experience these big ships offer. Of course I am one of those who said it is too big, not for me, now eating humble pie. I'll take a cruise on any ship, any time! People ask which cruise is my favorite. That would be akin to picking which child is my favorite... All Of Them!!

Great review Caneguy, hoping you hurry as we will be on Oasis on Sat (4/5) doing the same ports.

Would you recommend Bernards tour in St. Martin? I think he has three, which one to choose.

Congrats on your upgrade. When we were on Allure last year we reserved a Jr. Suite and were upgraded to a Grand Suite, it was Wonderful! You'd like it! It will be tough going to a regular Ocean View Balcony this cruise, but the upside is that we are at the end of the hall on deck 11, so right next to the secret balcony!

Thanks for the replys, we booked Oasis in part due to the reviews of the sand art in the ice show and I'd be heartbroken to find I'd missed it by a week or two.

Caneguy: I just read the first installment of your review. I am planning on booking with Bernard too, which tour do you recommend, looks like he has 3. Please hurry with more hints.

We loved Allure last year and know we'll love every minute on Oasis. Thanks for any helpful hints.

We will be on Oasis next week. Two questions.

Is the Sand Art still part of the "Frozen in Time" Show?

We booked only a month ago so the reservations for shows were pretty limited. We have all shows reserved but most at times we do not prefer. We are Diamond plus so can I ask (please) can Concierge maybe get us improved show times. Same for "my time" dining reservations, most only available very early or late.

Oh, and third question, if we just arrive early and stand in line for our prefered shows is there a chance of getting in?

Thanks for any ideas you may contribute. We were on Allure last year, so eager to experience Oasis.

I have been elite for many cruises and usually travel with a roommate who is not elite. Together we have been to Elite events at Michaels Club or the Sky Lounge or have received vouchers.

This past December I shared a cabin with two friends, both non-elite and every day 9 drink coupons appeared. Wow, what a wonderful perk for Celebrity to offer. I really never dreamed that they would extend the perk that far.

Thanks Celebrity!

I just love the RCL "soft serve" whatever it is. In general I don't care much for it at the salad bar places or anywhere else.

Really want to pack that machine and take it home with me. ;)

Also Bath & Bodyworks sells sample sized really nice items that I love almost as much as the soft serve "ice cream"

Enjoy your cruise! There is a lot to love!

When we were on Alllure, one couple in our group of 10 switched to the drinks package. When we went to Rita's for the fiesta we explained and they were immediately credited the $10. each, back to the seapass. They were served drinks right along with the rest of us. Worked great!

We were on Allure in May, in a Grand Suite :) Fabulous vacation and I loved every minute, especially the entertainment.

Last month, three of of did the Celebrity Sillhouette transatlantic in a regular balcony cabin (squish) and we I enjoyed the cruise, every bit as much. Think it is the fact that all the people on board are on vacation and so happy. Great people, great vacation!

We sailed with an 11 month old. Food was no problem and the Pack N Play was great.

Things I couldn't do without:

1. Clips to hold linen napkins on as bibs, so I didn't have to wash bibs.

2. Stroller, umbrella type.

3. Baby Monitor. I sat just outside door during naps. Had visual on door and could hear baby.

4. Diapers, more diapers.

Having experienced the Celebrity Elite lounge on four previous cruises, ranging from 20 to 700 elites on board. We recently experienced the vouchers for the first time and loved them.

We found a favorite bar and bartender and got all sorts of frozen and mixed drinks that we had never experienced in the lounge. He was happy to let the 5-7pm time frame slide a bit to one side or another and of course we could carry our drinks anywhere on the ship to enjoy with other non-elite friend which is a drawback of the elite event.

The wine selection was more extensive than in the elite lounge and two evenings he even delivered glasses of our favorite wines to the dining room for 8:30 pm seating.

He spoiled us terribly and we tipped him well. This will probably never happen again but it sure was nice while it lasted!

Last year on St. Kitts we did the zip-line excursion thru the ship. I am mid 60's lady who loves to sit and knit & read. And as a nurse of course I have back & neck issues, but the excursion was a blast. So glad I went! Really fun, safe AND I was NOT the oldest one.

I can do a beach anytime!;)

Wow, I'd forgotten! Second cruise paid in full (obviously) prior to cruise for family of 5. Imagine my surprise when I got home and my credit card was charged AGAIN for the entire cruise fare for 5 persons.

Seems travel agent came up short that month and "remembered" he'd forgotten to charge my cruise, so ran it again. These are days prior to email. He became pale when I said I'd dispute it with credit card company and I got a prompt refund and a new travel agent!

Hope yours turns out as well, but it is a real heart stopper!

Good Luck!

Your entire cabin is metal!! You can stick magnets to the walls, etc to hold daily planner, receipts, pictures of the kids you are missing (ok, not the kids, the dog). Put a small white board inside, for notes to roommate or cabin attendant.

A few months ago when I flew into Istanbul, I purchased the Visa in the Istanbul airport $20 US cash. Easy as can be!

I did a B2B and went from a suite to a balcony room on a different floor and the transition couldn't have been easier.

The first cabin attendant notified the second who made up my new cabin first on turn around day. At 9am I dressed, packed incidentals and my cabin steward took all clothes on hangers and in 10 min I was settled in my new cabin.

Tip: Get breakfast first, no food service till noon when WJ opens! :p

Welcome to the club of spoiled cruisers, of which I am a proud member. I book 1/2 & 1/2 balcony rooms & Jr. Suites. but twice was upgraded to a GS, most recently on Allure last May. Sigh... It was Wonderful!

My roommate was a first time cruiser and she loved the CL which she called the "fancy pants lounge" Also reserved seating at the all shows, and a special beach area in Labadee. She is ready to go back and actually PAY for a GS. I loved it but my budget only stretches to a Jr. Suite.

I really appreciate your comparison of RCL & Holland. I have more than 30 cruises, mostly with RCL and about 6 each with Celebrity & Princess. I love all the cruise lines and love being on a ship!

I have found that I am hesitant to book Holland (not sure why) and after your review, I just might give them a try, thanks!

I carry lots of very strong meds as husband is cardiac patient, known to go into congestive heart failure on cruises due to eating stuff he shouldn't.

They are in labeled ziplocks (snack size) so as not to take up much space, since we are trying to travel very light.

In 30+ cruises we've never had a problem and fly to all ports, as none are local. We did not even have a problem flying into Dubai which is known to be very strict.

Maybe we have just been lucky, but so far so good!

After 30+ cruises, I have always said I'd never share a cabin with more than another person. Normally I book Jr. Suites and last May on Allure I had a GS, so I confess to being extremely spoiled.

Just returned from a 14 night Transatlantic in a standard cabin with TWO other friends, making 3 in our cabin for the first time ever.

It was great. No problems, had lots of fun, we laughed like crazy persons. But we did follow the rule that everyone must put their stuff away in their portion of the closet and drawers at all times. Nothing was to be left out, so the cabin alway seemed spacious enough.

I brought those folding fabric cubes for storage, and they worked great!

Wow, you sound just like me! Coffee and a pastry and watching the sea go by while I devour a new book that I can't get to on land.

Love those Transatlantic cruises too, just got back!

And looks like we are neighbors that thing alike! ;)

I have lots of cruises on both Celebrity and RCL and I really enjoy both. Celebrity has an elegance to it, while RCL has the "WOW" factor.

The stricter smoking policy is a major plus for Celebrity and fewer announcements.

Food may be a bit better on Celebrity but the in-cabin storage on RCL is really nice.

For me a major point is the on-board music. Celebrity often has a guitarist in the ensemble lounge which is very spread out and dark. While all of the RCL ships have the Schooner Bar which is a dedicated piano bar in the evenings-- Love That!