Oasis Review w/tons of pics 3/24-3/31-closest thing ever to a perfect cruise!!

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

 

DH's typical WJ breakfast, complete with hash (yuck!).

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

 

The world-famous Park Cafe roast beef sandwiches and make-your-own salad. On the balcony, delish!

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

 

Cupcakes, why yes thank you.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

 

The JR chili-cheese dog, the favorite of DH and DS #1.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

 

On The Oasis, even the condiments are happy!:D

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

So that about covers the food, let me know if you have any questions. That's all for tonight, tomorrow I will cover the zip line, rock wall, and anything else I can think of.

 

And if you have specific questions, just let me know.:)

[Familygoboston]

Loved your fish photos! Wow! That barracuda is scary looking, but I still can't bear to fish:D

I have some Atlantis questions for you...

We are debating between Blue Lagoon dolphin encounter or the Atlantis one that includes the aquarium ( but not the slides...my teen girls are not coaster queens:eek:)

Does everyone go over on one bus for the various excursions to Atlantis? It looks like quite a crowd!

How do they determine who is doing what nice you are here? Do they give you bracelets, how long does all this sorting out take?

Can you come back when you are ready? Or does the bus leave just once?

I agree with you, the whole port of call is so short and its such big bucks to do these excursions. But can't do Atlantis on your own and BL you CAN do on your own but with such a short time and a ferry it's risky!

Any thoughts about it would be appreciated! TIA ...looking forward to the rest!:D

[Beth C]

Great review!

 

Corn dogs.... Snow cones?!?!? Why did I not find either of these when I was on Oasis or Allure before.... Guess I'll have to check it out in 11 days!!... Sounds like the perfect snack while waiting for a show at the aqua theatre!

 

Hmmm will they make an 'adult' snow cone??? lol ;)

 

 

Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk

[Mollypuss]

Loving your review! We were getting off Oasis the day you were boarding. Your comment about the evening Cafe Promenade attendant was right on. I stopped by mid afternoon to get my daughter a sandwich. Later in the evening my husband and I stopped in for a sandwich and the same girl was working both times. I said to her she was working a long day and she told me to fill out the comment card and let her boss know that she is working far too many hours. Wow....never had anyone say that before!

 

I too am not a show kind of girl but I loved both Aqua theater shows and also the ice show. We missed our reserved late night comedy show so we went down about an hour early one night to wait in line....we got in! It was a great show.

 

I loved the make your own salad in the Park Cafe. I would get tomatoes, mozzarella, croutons and balsamic....delish. DH loved the breakfast sandwiches.

 

My DD, 8 loved the kids club. The 2nd day at sea she wanted to go so we checked her in at 1:30. Kept going back and checking on her and she didn't want to leave. We finally dragged her out at 11pm! Nice little day for hubby and I.

 

Looking forward to more...enjoying it!

[Mollypuss]

Great review!

 

Corn dogs.... Snow cones?!?!? Why did I not find either of these when I was on Oasis or Allure before.... Guess I'll have to check it out in 11 days!!... Sounds like the perfect snack while waiting for a show at the aqua theatre!

 

Hmmm will they make an 'adult' snow cone??? lol ;)

 

 

Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk

 

Corn dogs and chicken nuggets available at the boardwalk bar. There is a little grill area as you are approaching the aqua theater. Snow cones were not out all of the time, but we grabbed some one evening before we went to watch Jack and Jill on the big screen.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

[cruisingbooboo]

Great pics/review.....

Was Embassy Suites on Seabreeze Blvd? I think my inlaws are staying there.... Aka Bahia Mar??????

Looks nice! I hope so for them ;)

[Phillies14]

Hello all, Tracey here, just back from the closest thing I have ever had to a perfect cruise. For those of you that read my Freedom review last year, this one will be pretty much in the same format. If you didn't read it and want to take a look, it's in my signature.

 

My brain is pretty logical, so I tend to do my reviews in several blocks, usually in a day-by-day order, with lots of pictures. I also like to grade things, that comes from being a teacher for many years.

 

I will start by introducing us, I am Tracey, and every year we sail at Spring Break with my DH Elvis, DSs Noah 15 and Elijah 7, and my DM Shelly, a VERY YOUNG late-60ish powerhouse.

 

We usually get two side-by-side Aft JSs, me, DH and DS #2 in one cabin, DM and DS #1 in the other. However, since pricing on Oasis and Allure is still a bit high for my taste, and since there is no such thing as an Aft JS on Oasis anyway, we decided on 2 D1s on the forward hump.

 

We were in Port side 11200 and 11196, with one cabin in between us, which was a non-issue. For thse of you who really seem to care about this issue, the bed was near the closet and the bathroom, and the sofa was near the balcony. I still don't get why many people seem to be concerned about that, but it seems to be a hot button issue round here. It didn't bother me at all.

 

The cabins were fine, I have no real complaints, but I did miss my ginormous balcony and my lounge chairs! My DM missed the tub. Other than that, it was fine.

 

We all live in Los Angeles, so we flew into FLL the night before and stayed at Embassy Suites, which was great. We ate dinner at Duffy's which is a very short walk from the hotel.

 

The next mornng, we took a cab at around 12:30 to the port, and were in our cabins promptly at 1:10pm.

 

A few more details about the sailing before I start the actual review: it was an eastern route, 7 nights, stopping in Nassau, Bahamas on Day 2, St.Thomas on Day 4, and St. Maarten (which I had never been to before) on Day 5.

 

I don't usually do ship-sold excursions because they are overpriced and packed full of people, but on this trip, due to the impossibility of assuring entrance into Atlantis any other way, we booked the Atlantis Adventurer package because we love it there and my kids adore the waterpark. But $750 bucks for 5 people for only a few hours did bother me a tiny bit. I coulda got an Inside cabin for that price. Oh well.

 

On the other 2 days, we had privately booked activities, fishing on St. Thomas and a day at La Samana Resort on St. Maarten (the French side).

 

On our way home, we had a late flight to LA (it's almost impossible to get a non-stop before 5pm for some reason), so we had booked a day rate at Hyatt Place (that will be gone into IN DEPTH at the end of this review);). Let's just say this, NOT A FAN!!!!:mad:

 

Ok, I think we have all the paperwork out of the way, now, on to the pics and let's get this review started.

 

It will be coming in spurts, as I do work for a living. So tune in early and often, and I will work as fast as I can!!:)

Have sailed Oasis three times and next june will be my fifth time on Allure and love both of these ships and the crew! Looking forward to your review...K.O. outside of Philly

:)

[melisazack]

do you have info on the private boat you rented? a web link or anything?

thanks.

[BillOh]

FYI- we're not the stuffy type either but love St. Maarten. Never saw the resort you guys were at. If you go again, check out Orient Beach (Music everywhere and fun beach stuff to do) or Maho Beach (planes land over it!!:eek:).

 

 

I could see flying back and staying at that resort a few days, but I could see where a day with the kids it would be less than ideal.

 

Enjoying the review, I have no plans on going to Atlantis, but I feel like I got a good view through the pictures. The same with the fishing, I have no interest, but enjoyed the photos. I might have to make a stop at that mountain top and get a banana daiquiri though. Is that over near the Havenshead port? How did you get there?

[kag19]

 

This is what a triple D1 looks like with both beds out. While there isn't the same amount of space that I am used to in a JS, it was fine. And the beds were really comfortable!!

 

REVIEW OF DAY 1:

 

One of the smoothest embarkations ever is quite a feat on such a huge ship filled with so many people. We had all 9 of our bags by 2:30pm, unpacked, did the Muster (which was the best ever), ate at Windjammer, and spent the evening on The Boardwalk.

 

While on the Boardwalk we watched the show, had an ice cream, and DS #2 made a Pet at Sea. I have pics of all of this if anyone wants to see them.

 

Reminder, use your coupon book, I saved $15.00 at Pets at Sea with a coupon.

 

GRADES FOR DAY 1:

 

Embarkation: A

Muster: A

Boardwalk: A+

 

Where do you get the coupon book you mention above? I know my DD will loooooooooove a Pet at Sea.

[AF-1]

Thanks for the great review. Your pictures really tell the story. Isn't it nice to take a family vacation every year; and have memories for a lifetime. I have been on Allure; I am waiting to try Oasis when they get rid of the Seafood Shack. Also, took my family of ten on Freedom in Dec. Your review gave me a lot of insight of what to expect. Again, thanks.

[lucky2289]

Great review. We'll be on the Oasis in September...our FIRST cruise :D I also learned some things from this review so thank-you!!

 

I didn't know you couldn't just go look around the Atlanis on your own...that was our plan lol - If we wanted to just look around, can we not do that?

 

My hubby LOVES fishing and I would love to suprise him with this. Please message me details (I couldn't figure out how to message you) -

 

You said you just drove around. Did you rent a car? If so, can you point me in the right direction?

 

We aren't into the touristy stuff (tours, shopping, etc...) and like to go off on our own. We like wildlife, exploring, scenery...that kind of stuff. Do you have any suggestions?

 

Thanks a bunch! Looking forward to more :)

[zzmaxwell]

Goodmorning!

 

What a Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post it! :) We are just off the Freedom a month ago and I'm looking into our next cruise and was on the fence about these bigger ships after the awesome time we had on the Freedom but now I think we'll try this one out. I was looking to go out of Ft. Lauderdale and your review has sold me on this cruise.

 

We, too, love the fishing and do it out of Key West every time we vacation there and had to laugh at your bird photo as we did the same thing. They are pesky creatures, aren't they! LOL!

 

We did St. Martaan this time around and we loved it there but we went off on our own and found a little seafood shack that the locals had right on the water and purchased jerk chicken wings and a 3 pound lobster he caught that day and drank some good drinks and found it was by far our favorite place we ever visited. We like to have a good time too and I don't think we'd venture to the place you went to either but I do think if you did it different you'd love it there!!!!!

 

As for the food, your pictures alone show that the food on her is much different then what we had on the Freedom. Thanks for sharing those pictures as it really tells the story of the differences.

 

I'll be heading over to Facebook now to look for an invite so I can look at more of your amazing pictures.

 

Happy Sails!

Robin :)

[shonandsuzie]

I didn't know you couldn't just go look around the Atlanis on your own...that was our plan lol - If we wanted to just look around, can we not do that?

Thanks a bunch! Looking forward to more :)

You can go into Atlantis on your own for free and look around, eat and use the casino but you need a pass to go out and see the pools, aquariums and grounds.

[jennmaybe]

Day Five: St. Maarten Review:

 

My feelings about St. Maarten are pretty simple, it's like a museum, really pretty, but you are afraid to touch anything. At least where we were.

 

I'm sure there are tons of fun places on the island, I just got a very European feeling from this island and it just won't be one of my favorites. I feel the same way about Grand Cayman by the way, nothing wrong with it, I've been there a dozen times, just not my favorite.

 

I love Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Thomas, Mexico, and I really adore Labadee. St. Maarten is very beautiful, but it won't be making my top ten. But don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with it, just not my personal thing.

 

Grades for St. Maarten:

 

Beauty: A

Fun Factor: B-

 

Now that we have covered all the ports, we can move on to the ship itself. But you might have to wait until tomorrow...stay tuned.:D

 

Your review is bringing back awesome memories of our Oasis cruise last fall! It was the best!

 

I have to respectfully disagree with you on St. Marten. Sounds like because you guys really didn't do anything FUN.....we rented ATV's and toured the whole island and had several hours at a beautiful beach! St. Marten is one of our favorites and it was because we had so much fun. I think the islands are what you decide to do and can have a huge impact on what kind of impression you will leave with. We are actually booking a Celebrity cruise for next Spring and going back to St. Marten.

 

Maybe if you go back, you can book an excursion. (Our ATV was $48 a person and it lasted 6 hours)

 

Glad to hear you had a great cruise!

[BillOh]

Maybe if you go back, you can book an excursion. (Our ATV was $48 a person and it lasted 6 hours)

 

Glad to hear you had a great cruise!

 

Wow, that's a lot of excursion for the price.

[lucky2289]

You can go into Atlantis on your own for free and look around, eat and use the casino but you need a pass to go out and see the pools, aquariums and grounds.

 

Thanks ;)

[alphouston]

Thanks so much for sharing your review and pictures! Your kids are super cute! We have taken our DD (16) on the Freedom and she loved it. My DS (8) wants to go on a ship with the flowrider and we are considering the Oasis or Allure and will probably do the eastern itinerary.

 

We also love the Atlantis. Been there several times on land based vacations. Wow - it is expensive.

[MzOhioLady]

I am really enjoying your Review. The Pics are Awesome. I really want to go on this ship so hopefully I do this next year.

 

I agree with BillOH, I really got a good view of Atlantis through your photos. I agree with your DH, those Banana Daiquiri's are strong but they Taste Great! I could go for one right about now. :D