**LIVE REPORT** Oasis of the Seas, December 3, 2017

Were you able to have the Genie provide bottles of wine for you to partake of in your cabin?

Yes but we still had to buy them.

Frozen in Time has a special guest performance that was amazing!!!

Thanks for the great report. I’ve been enjoying it very much!

I was wondering if you could please comment on your cousin’s wedding? My boyfriend and I are talking about getting married and a shipboard wedding sounds appealing.

Did everything go well? Was she happy with everything? Any insight you can offer would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

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Loved your review. We are boarding tomorrow. Be sure to dress warmly, it's VERY cold here in Cocoa. It's supposed to be in the 30's in the early am. :eek:

Thanks for the great report. I’ve been enjoying it very much!

 

I was wondering if you could please comment on your cousin’s wedding? My boyfriend and I are talking about getting married and a shipboard wedding sounds appealing.

 

Did everything go well? Was she happy with everything? Any insight you can offer would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 

 

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I have longer thoughts I will share when I'm home. Overall she was very happy.

Loved your review. We are boarding tomorrow. Be sure to dress warmly, it's VERY cold here in Cocoa. It's supposed to be in the 30's in the early am. :eek:

Oh thank you for the head's up!

Sadly our cruise has come to its conclusion. We've just finished breakfast at Coastal Kitchen and will be disembarking soon. Once I'm home I'll do post cruise thoughts, highs and lows, and food reviews.

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Frozen in Time has a special guest performance that was amazing!!!

 

He's been onboard for a while. We were on a b2b Oct22-Nov 5 and he was there both weeks. It's a really cool show.

He's been onboard for a while. We were on a b2b Oct22-Nov 5 and he was there both weeks. It's a really cool show.

Definitely very cool, and I hadn't expected it so was a real treat! I've never seen this type of sand art live and was very delighted.

Post Cruise Thoughts Part 1: Genie Service

For us the Genie service really lived up to the hype.

The initial survey is quite crap and I know our genie didn't read it. Which is okay because I hate questions like, if you were stranded on an island what 3 things would you bring? Honestly, the genie service is there to help me NOT have to think about things unnecessarily and this survey takes far too long to complete if you're actually thinking about it. I'm quite busy with a full time job and 3 kids and the last thing I wanted to do was think about these types of questions. Next Star cruise? They're getting "x" for each answer.

Joyce contacted us about 3 weeks before the sailing with a long and detailed email explaining the benefits, PDF menus and a detailed explanation about the cabanas at Barefoot Beach. If I wanted one, I needed to tell her within 5 days because they have a reduced number due to all the hurricane damage.

Our first volley I responded in great depth and within a few days there was a reply with a draft itinerary. My first couple asks were weirdly accepted or denied - I later found out she had someone helping her with the first round of emails. Since Christmas is approaching, they were starting the emails earlier and rather than caring for 3 groups of families at once, they were caring for 4 groups of families. I can pinpoint the exact moment where she took over, because the tone of the emails turned into "Anything for you, Stephanie."

Joyce started with the simple things like making all of our reservations for shows and meals. When I first asked for simple cocktail party, the original response (from the prior person) included all the catering menus, however when I replied that I wanted to keep it simple she said that she could arrange for a "few" plates of canapes. I think I posted a photo of what came earlier up, but it was definitely about 8-10 plates of food and far more than we needed.

When she escorted us to our room on Day 1, she went over our perks and reminded us that laundry was included. She highly recommended that we come home with luggage full of clean laundry and we ABSOLUTELY took advantage of this perk.

On board the ship we had excellent service everywhere (except for room service), even before our cards were presented. However, once the staff saw our black cards they would positively fall all over themselves to assist us.

Basically, once on the ship anything we asked for (within plausible reason) was granted. If you're going to be sailing Star class and have any questions, let me know! I can say that all you have to do is ask - the worst they will say is no - but they really, really don't want to tell you no. Sometimes it's all in how you phrase the question.

Joyce also walked us off the ship and to immigration/customs. Pretty much everyone I talked to was off the ship within 15 minutes, so I don't know that she made it all that much faster, but she did have a porter take all of our luggage off the ship and all the way to our transportation which was awesome. We didn't have to wait in line, but from what I saw, the lines were moving quite quickly.

All in all, the Genie service has been my favorite suite style thus far. Having sailed Norwegian's Haven, I say that I prefer the Star class on Royal.

Next up: the cabin

Actually, first a few more thoughts about the genie service and what we will do differently next time:

1. Asking the Genie if there are any preferred shows/times/venues for dates based on the ship and sailing. We had some limitations about what we could do when, since we were traveling as part of a wedding. This meant we couldn't customize our schedule based on what worked best for the ship.

2. We had a standing order for breakfast delivery and that was the BEST way to handle room service. When we tried to modify it, they just added the changes to the existing order which caused some doubling up. As new to Royal cruisers (mostly) we didn't have the experience to know how we would want our breakfast daily. This is perhaps a downside - needing to have some of this thought out beforehand - but again, Joyce might have been able to make recommendations if we'd talked about it beforehand.

3. Really reviewing the menus before we went. Coastal Kitchen does change daily. I will be asking the Genie if there are better nights for going to the Coastal Kitchen based off feedback from the menus. Also, they delivered cheese plates daily for afternoon snacks but the cheese plate at Giovanni's was far superior. If I'd known that, I would have requested that plate as part of our afternoon snacks. Yes, Giovanni's is largely closed during that time period, but with notice I believe Joyce would have made that happen. Unfortunately, I didn't experience that cheese plate until the last night and hadn't reviewed the menus to be aware of it.

4. I will be asking for variety with our afternoon snack delivery. Each day we received the same 3 plates: cookies, cheese, fruit. We never saw chocolate covered strawberries or sandwhiches or desserts (like we did on Norwegian) and I was tired of the same snacks by day 7. I know, first world problems.

5. I don't know if Anthem's room service is any different, but after our kurfuffle Joyce asked us to run all room service through her. I will probably ask our next genie to monitor our room service orders and avoid unnecessary frustration on the next trip. Until Lady Stormageddon sits through meals better, we will continue to use room service 1-2 times daily. She is MUCH better at dinner when it's her first meal having to sit. She also eats better when she has time to run around and consume the food at her pace.

6. Asking more for what we want, even minor items. I think that if I'd mentioned we were tired of the same snacks, Joyce would have made them change without asking. But I didn't mention it - thinking it too minor. Just spending some time mentioning the small things we are liking or not liking would have given her a chance to anticipate more. She was VERY responsive and I think that next time I will make it a point to bring up even minor items. I hate coming across as fussy but I also know that she seriously wanted to make us happy and the only way we can allow them to do their jobs is to just speak up. About anything.

I’m so glad to get your thoughts about Star Class and our Genie (Joyce). We are also going in a 2 bedroom ATS for the first time and have wondered about what to expect from Genie service. Reading your review and others makes us more excited about our 12/24/17 trip. I really want to thank you for your very good review, it explains so much about the Star Class and Genie service. It is also a very enjoyable read.

I’m so glad to get your thoughts about Star Class and our Genie (Joyce). We are also going in a 2 bedroom ATS for the first time and have wondered about what to expect from Genie service. Reading your review and others makes us more excited about our 12/24/17 trip. I really want to thank you for your very good review, it explains so much about the Star Class and Genie service. It is also a very enjoyable read.

If you have room service delivered I noticed some deposit the food and run while others will actually set up the table for you. Make them set it up for you. :)

Please just ask Joyce for whatever you need. She seriously just wants things to go well for you and the better you communicate with her the easier it is for her to do so.

Stephanie,

Thanks for one of the best reviews in a while for a Star Class suite.

Lou

Stephanie,

 

Thanks for one of the best reviews in a while for a Star Class suite.

 

Lou

You are most welcome!

Post Cruise Thoughts Part 2: The State Room

All in all we loved having the 2 bedroom Aqua Theater Suite. I had heard it was a lot of walking being all the way aft, however we did not find this to be burdensome or really all that far. I had expected Oasis to feel big, but it really wasn't a big deal for us.

This room is all about the balcony and we absolutely loved the balcony. It was, quite honestly, my daughter's favorite place to be on the ship. When Oasis first launched, I was a single mom and I dreamed about one day taking in a show from that very same balcony. It was truly a dream come true for me and I am so thankful that life was lived out in a way that made this possible for us. If you have a chance to watch any of the shows from this balcony, do so! It was fascinating being able to see the scuba diving stage hands and the movement of the stage floors. As I mentioned, we probably watched 4 or 5 shows plus the practice dives from the balcony. Of course, we also had a cocktail party and breakfast out there every day as well. The table is plenty big enough for a meal (unlike the small table inside).

With this balcony, you lose the swanky bathrooms. The 2 bedroom Haven suite on NCL definitely edges out in the bathroom department, with lots of natural light and a tub with a big window - however that cabin had a teeny, tiny balcony. The tub in the master bathroom is raised, which is great for bathing a toddler but not so great for anyone over 6 feet. My husband did not have to duck down to shower, but he did have to duck down to wash his hair and he's just at 6 feet. The second bathroom has a standard shower and if you're in this room, the men may prefer to use the second shower. The L'Occitane bath products were amazing and I preferred them over the Bulgari products on NCL. My hair is a bit of a jerk, and any product my hair likes - well my scalp itches like crazy. If my scalp is happy, may hair is not. This was the first time both were happy and I ordered some of my own on the way home. I wish I'd just taken the containers on the ship, but honestly my bags were overfull and I just didn't want to carry anything else.

The room itself was decorated like much of the standard cabins and did not have that 'luxury' feel that I see from some of the other Star class cabins in decor, etc. That's okay, because again, this state room is all about the balcony.

Because we had the most space and were traveling with a group, our state room was frequently a gathering point for many of the gang. The bride dressed and got ready for her wedding in our room. We also shared the beer from our mini-fridge with guests.

Oh, a note about the mini-fridge. At first it was a bit confusing for us to know who to ask for what. On NCL the butler handled room service, afternoon snacks and the mini-fridge. The mini-fridge was not included there. The cabin steward handled everything else in the room and you used the regular concierge for dining reservations and priority disembarkation. Here there was a separate bar staff that stocked your mini-fridge and if you were there when they came, it was quite easy to make requests for additional beer, etc. However, you had to catch them while they were there. They came most days, twice a day. They would put the beer in the fridge, and sodas on the shelf above. I did not realize until I was packing and checking all the cabinets and drawers, but there is a SECOND fridge in the master bedroom. If you're frequently hosting, I recommend moving some of the drinks to the second fridge to free up space in the one that they check.

One complaint I have about the room is that it is impossible to hear the doorbell or anyone knocking if you're on the balcony. I wish they would add a speaker for the doorbell to the balcony so that you can hear if people are trying to reach you. I could hear the phone however and did have room service call me once because they were knocking and we didn't hear them.

Speaking of phone, NCL had a wireless phone in the room that funcitoned anywhere in the ship. That meant someone in your cabin - or anyone else - could call you anywhere. As parents of toddlers that left family babysitting her, that would have been amazing to have along on this trip and I really missed that convenience. If you aren't traveling with kids, maybe this wouldn't be something you missed like we did.

VOOM was quicky and spiffy and sufficient for my work needs. I was able to navigate my work's cloud based resources, but was not able to use my VPN connection. I don't know if the ship blocks that type of connection and I didn't spend a lot of time trouble-shooting because I had a colleague that helped with the few things that I wasn't able to access. Also, the connection was robust enough for me to use on the balcony and I was able to bang out 2 hours of my work every morning over coffee and breakfast while enjoying life at see. I mean, if you have to work, those are the views to enjoy while working.

Our cabin steward did an excellent job of keeping our room tidy and clean. I am a bit of a tidier, so I made it a point to pick up bottles and trash - part of that is to keep it from the toddler also. He did have to clean up after a couple of gatherings, and as such, we left extra tip on leaving. We actually got to know all the aft cabin stewards as we passed all of them on the way to the elevators and they all doted on 'the Princess' as they called her. Since my husband and I would alternate who left early with her when she was tired of restaurants and shows, they would all give me a report on her awake/sleepy state when I would head back on my turn to be out.

The second bedroom in the suite is pretty small - but larger than the second bedroom in our NCL room had been. There are two twin beds and two pullman beds and could potentially sleep 4. This room is just for sleeping though, without much space beyond that. However, with the large living room and balcony, none of us spent much time in our bedrooms.

All of the in room movies were free. Normally I'm not one to watch television/movies while on a cruise, but the movies were helpful when trying to settle and calm an over-tired, wound up toddler. I did not channel through the regular television and have no comment on the programming available there, but I found there was a very large selection of movies. There was a much larger television in the living area and I didn't realize until Day 6 that you could see all the menus for the ship on the television. I also didn't realize all your reservations were available there as well - but then again I had a Genie to remind me of what I had going on each day, as well as the printed itinerary she provided us.

Questions come up about noise in this suite. You could hear the activity from the Aqua Theater on the balcony and in the living area, but I found that the bedrooms were quite quiet. There were, however, many rattles that were quite apparent when we were chugging along on sea days. It's probable that every cabin had these rattles but I wouldn't know for sure. I'm typically a light sleeper, bothered by noises but nothing really bothered me in this cabin. However, I feel into an exhausted coma every night from being up late and then rising early, plus vacationing hard when not working. Also, I always sleep better at sea.

Storage: There was plenty of storage for all our stuff. There are 3 closets and many cabinets and drawers. There was one outlet in the common area and two in each bedroom - which for us was more than sufficient.

I'm not sure I have many more thoughts on the cabin for now. Please let me know if you have any questions.

I haven't forgotten about this thread and still have all my food photos to post. Work got crazy busy and I'm hoping to carve out some time this weekend to finish up my report/review.

We are in the same room on Harmony and am anxious to see room photos. We are staying with another couple that we met through cruising. Is the second bedroom large enough to get ready in ie hair and makeup? Did your genie coordinate with the moms as well? With 4 adults, I don't want to overburden him or her.

I think your review was very fair.

It has given me lots of things to be upfront about. 1. Starbucks coffee delivered first thing! I too am coffee disabled. 2. Different snacks throughout the day 3. Sushi! 4. Room service through the Genie.

We were just on the Adventure of the Seas in the Royal Suite and I felt the same way. There were a lot of little things that just made me shake my head. I am a fairly easy going cruiser, but by the end of the cruise I had heard the word No or its broke so much. It was one of my worst cruises. The last day the Guest Services manager asked how it was going and I was very constructive about all of the little and few larger issues not meeting the Royal WOW Expectations I have had in the past. They do like to hear this to make sure things are corrected as you found out and in the end.

We are in the same room on Harmony and am anxious to see room photos. We are staying with another couple that we met through cruising. Is the second bedroom large enough to get ready in ie hair and makeup? Did your genie coordinate with the moms as well? With 4 adults, I don't want to overburden him or her.

 

 

I think your review was very fair.

It has given me lots of things to be upfront about. 1. Starbucks coffee delivered first thing! I too am coffee disabled. 2. Different snacks throughout the day 3. Sushi! 4. Room service through the Genie.

 

 

We were just on the Adventure of the Seas in the Royal Suite and I felt the same way. There were a lot of little things that just made me shake my head. I am a fairly easy going cruiser, but by the end of the cruise I had heard the word No or its broke so much. It was one of my worst cruises. The last day the Guest Services manager asked how it was going and I was very constructive about all of the little and few larger issues not meeting the Royal WOW Expectations I have had in the past. They do like to hear this to make sure things are corrected as you found out and in the end.

Starbucks delivery isn't included, but standard coffee room service is....so don't count on Starbucks being delivered.

I didn't take a ton of room photos that are very demonstrative of space. There was a vanity in the second bedroom and 2 people could get ready in front of it but it's definitely tight, but there's a second bathroom as well that could be used.

The genie coordinated mainly with me, but Amanda also worked directly with her for her own preferences. No Genie services though for people not in a Star class suite.

Second bedroom but it doesn't show the vanity. It's a tight fit between the end of the bed and the vanity although not much different than a standard balcony.

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Starbucks delivery isn't included, but standard coffee room service is....so don't count on Starbucks being delivered.

 

I didn't take a ton of room photos that are very demonstrative of space. There was a vanity in the second bedroom and 2 people could get ready in front of it but it's definitely tight, but there's a second bathroom as well that could be used.

 

The genie coordinated mainly with me, but Amanda also worked directly with her for her own preferences. No Genie services though for people not in a Star class suite.

 

Second bedroom but it doesn't show the vanity. It's a tight fit between the end of the bed and the vanity although not much different than a standard balcony.

 

 

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Thanks so much. .

Sorry, I thought that the second bedroom had your mother in law in it which is why I had asked about the genie interacting with her.

I read on another post that Starbucks coffee was included but not the pastries. Yet another inconsistency.

The room service coffee is pretty good so that should suffice.

Thanks so much. .

 

Sorry, I thought that the second bedroom had your mother in law in it which is why I had asked about the genie interacting with her.

 

I read on another post that Starbucks coffee was included but not the pastries. Yet another inconsistency.

 

The room service coffee is pretty good so that should suffice.

So my mother in law was on the trip with is but in a different cabin. Our family friend, Amanda had the second bedroom with us. In general we tried to coordinate our correspondence, but it's okay for each couple to have them make separate and independent plans through the Genie.

Starbucks coffee is included...It's the delivery that isn't included. As I thought about it, it made sense. The Starbucks coffee is at the kiosk and not by the galley which makes room service food. It pretty much always has a line and I could see that coordinating a delivery could leave room for disappointing service as they don't have a runner to bring it around to you.

Any other questions for me?