Oasis of the Seas Western 2/16/13 w/ cruise compass, and menu pics.

[LAatl]

We are scheduled for the Allure this September and are planning to drive down as well. How long did it take and do you have any suggestions as resting points or driving straight through?

 

Any help will be appreciated.

We drove straight down the day before. Took us about 12 hrs. because of the rain and construction on HW 91 in Ft. Lauderdale. Got a later start than we wanted so we didn't leave till 8:45 am and we got into the hotel at 8:30. We stayed at the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport the night before with the others in the family just because we didn't want to be spent the first day on the cruise. Whatever you do, DO NOT PARK WITH 'PREMIER PARKING.' Search them on the Cruise critic site and read their most recent review! We stopped at Cracker Barrel a few hours out of Atlanta and then at a rest stop on the FL turnpike and got KFC...eat before you hit the turnpike...none of the food is good. We were off the ship and back at our car by 8:15. The trip back (once we finished with the almost 3 hours with the police (again, read our review of Premier Parking, USA) we got on the road at 11:45 and pulled in (we live where Woodstock is against Marietta) around 9 pm and that was in heavy rain for hours. On the way back, we only stopped for snacks at the gas stations and fast food that we ate in the car because of the late stop. All in all, with the radio blasting classic rock and us singing at the top of our lungs, it didn't seem to take that long

[LBumb]

excellent start

[philip_g]

thanks for the pics, brings back fond memories of our cruise.

[Namelocg]

Love your review. We sail on Oasis this Saturday. Seeing the compasses and menus is really helpful. Great pictures also! Yipee.....5 days and counting!

[Wildcatfish]

Great review w/ pics! Looking forward to the next installment!

[ZimmCouple]

May 11 can't get here soon enough!

 

 

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[LAatl]

Just a quick note to end the night...My in-laws had coffee and pastries delivered to their room every morning and the coffee delivered (as well as the coffee in the 24-hr Cafe Promenade (self-serve) and the MDR is VERY STRONG!!!! I ended up taking the mug and filling it half with hot water and half with coffee and it ended up perfectly.

 

Here's the Starbucks menu in case anyone is interested. They do not accept Starbucks gift cards as I've seen posted on CC. Also, the pastries ARE NOT FREE there...

 

 

 

[lucykane]

Love your review. We sail on Oasis this Saturday. Seeing the compasses and menus is really helpful. Great pictures also! Yipee.....5 days and counting!

 

We will also be sailing on Oasis this Saturday, March 2nd....have you sailed the Oasis before?

Are you arrive in FLL the day before sailing? We are flying into FLL on Friday afternoon.

[Familygoboston]

What a lovely family, and it looks like you are all having a superb time! Thanks for the photos and menus, looking forward to the rest!

[KLB57]

Thank You so much for this review. it's going to make "planning" our cruise so much easier.

[Knickfanatik]

We were on this sailing as well and loved it (aside from the weather the first few days). Looking forward to reading the rest of your review and reliving the vacation.

 

I agree with your assessment of the excellent service, especially the bar tenders who did not seem to care that we had the drink package (which was a particularly excellent deal for me). We were at the same aqua show - could not believe how they dive from the those platforms with the high winds and rain!

[LAatl]

You'll notice there's an extra page of daytime activities. We ended up not docking in Labadee because the winds were so strong that the Captain said it wouldn't be safe to dock. The staff immediately printed up and distributed a new Cruise Compass page with updated activities on the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 26, 2013 by LAatl
Added type

[RealDeal]

Thank you so much for doing this...will be doing Oasis Western in May & this is very helpful!

[LAatl]

Take this note...you need your sail pass card to check out pool towels. You get two towels per person and they swipe your card. You can trade them anytime the entire trip for clean, dry ones and if you don't return them by 10 pm Friday night, they charge your room $25. Make sure you get these towels the day before your port and bring a beach bag to carry them in. We were all packed and ready to get off the ship. We met at Johnny Rockets for breakfast. Easily one of the best on the ship. Everything is cooked to order so it's fresh and not made for the masses. The my FIL loved the breakfast potatoes and the French Toast was Yummy!

So, as you saw by my previous post, we weren't able to dock in Labadee. It was very disappointing because we all wanted to be on the beach that day. However, when someone hands you lemons, you add vodka and sugared rim and make a lemondrop! The Cruise Director, Amy, had a new page of activities out to everyone within 30 min of the Captain making his announcement that we weren't docking. You don't have to wait until you get to the beach to get the Labadoozie (which is their signature drink). All of the bartenders know how to make it. They have a peach one and a strawberry one. The alcohol at this port is included in the PI package.

This was our view of Labadee this day...

 

 

 

We hung out at Schooners and waited for the 80's Music Trivia to start. It's a lot of fun. After that we went to the MDR for lunch. This is a great place to eat. The Tutti salad is this...you go up to the salad buffet and point to what you want in the salad and they make it for you, toss it with dressing and give it to you on a plate. They also have a small buffet (this day they put the BBQ and Jerk that they were supposed to serve on the beach that day.

I ordered off the menu because we were eating at Giovanni's that night so I had the Beef Carpaccio (so good) a tutti salad and the Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Tart (OMG! A MUST). Here's the menu...

 

 

 

 

 

Went to the casino for a bit and then we went back to the room and I read a while and then we took a nap. Sorry, my days are kind of boring...I told you at the beginning we lead such hectic lives and we didn't want a lot of scheduled activites. We just wanted to hang out with the 10 other people in the family and get quality time together. I can tell you, they have a karaoke bar (On-Air) in the Promenade Deck 5 and they have several times a day where you can sing (young or old)...but I'm a professional singer and although my DH kept wanting me to sing...I was on my vacation! But, we did see people of all ages singing in there.

We got ready to head out for our nightly meeting at the British Pub...my BIL swears by the Shanghai Smash! That night we were drinking the Bog Fogs. This night was 'smart dress.' It means not the resort casual, they'd like you to wear shirt and tie. We walked around Central Park a few minutes and there was a bride and groom taking pictures.

Just a note...we had the 6 pm seating for dinner and we made sure we told our server on Sunday that we wouldn't be there Monday and Tuesday. If you know you have reservations or you know you won't be in the MDR on certain nights...tell your server. Otherwise, they hold the table thinking you're coming in and it blocks people who are doing the My Time Dining.

We gave the two 16 yr old boys the night to themselves and we went in Giovanni's and I can tell you that this place is a must! The service was outstanding. They had no problem giving us the house wine on the PI package...even though my SIL ordered a bottle of chianti for the table. BTW, the house wine was fine with us (unless your a wine snob it shouldn't be a problem.) The house wines were a chardonnay, white zinfandel and merlot. I don't remember if there was a cab.

The appetizers and pastas are served family style and then each person orders their own entree. Since we had 11 people, the server brought one of each app and was more than willing to bring extras. I'll put the menu up, but I can tell you that my favorites were the Baked Eggplant app and the Ricotta and Spinach Crepes. The Gnocchi is the best I've ever had. My entree was the Beef Tenderloin which was amazing. My BIL had the veal and he loved it (and he doesn't even like mushrooms). Niece had the lamb and said it was great. We ended the night with desserts and espresso (the PI package doesn't pay for these coffees...I believe they were $2.95). I had the Chocolate Gnocche cake, my DH had the cannolli (said it was the best he's had) and my SIL said the tiramisu was the best she's ever had.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our room attendant was absolutely outstanding and we wanted to do something special for him. I had given him a beautiful wooden pen that my dad makes and sells. We had pre-paid gratuities but I wanted to do something else. I can tell you to plan ahead and buy a few pre-paid phone cards as these people work 6 months at a time, 7 days a week before they get home to see their families. We couldn't find any in the two ports we went to...in hindsight, I'd buy them at home before the trip. But, these workers also have to buy their own toiletries, etc. So, I asked Tony what he'd like us to get and his answer was 'candy.' Really? Ok...so we went to the Candy Shoppe on the Boardwalk and bought $18 of bulk candy and gave it to Tony. You would have thought we gave him $100 bill. He thought that was great. My son brought him back a pastry and he loved that as well.

After that, we went to the casino for our nightly deposit. And sat at the casino bar (Litah, the bartender, was great! As well as the gentleman from Bolivia but I can't remember his name) They always have the same bartenders every night so you can get to know them and vice versa. After a few hours, we went back to our rooms and went to bed. The air had started getting humid so we couldn't sleep with the door open, but even on the 11th deck, we could hear the water slapping up against the ship and it was wonderful. For those who think that a ship this big won't feel the waves, you're wrong. The water was very choppy and rocked us to sleep.

I'll post day 4 in a bit.

[slimkat]

Great review!

 

Quick question. If we share the table with another family at dinner and they decide to not eat in the MDR that night, will the staff place a family with us who requested MTD? Does that mean you could potentially have a new family eating with you ever night if they decide to eat elsewhere? I'm confused.

[goouchjac]

Just a quick note to end the night...My in-laws had coffee and pastries delivered to their room every morning and the coffee delivered (as well as the coffee in the 24-hr Cafe Promenade (self-serve) and the MDR is VERY STRONG!!!! I ended up taking the mug and filling it half with hot water and half with coffee and it ended up perfectly.

 

Here's the Starbucks menu in case anyone is interested. They do not accept Starbucks gift cards as I've seen posted on CC. Also, the pastries ARE NOT FREE there...

 

 

 

 

We were on the Lady O the 19thJan./2013 sailing and your photos and remarks are bringing back good memories...Lovely family by the way..

Have to totally agree with you about the coffee all over theship...:eek:We like strong coffee but that was the worst on any one of our cruises...But it won't deter us from going on the great ship again.:cool:

Thanks for your review,,I am enjoying reading it...

[CcCcCcCindy]

Great review!

 

Quick question. If we share the table with another family at dinner and they decide to not eat in the MDR that night, will the staff place a family with us who requested MTD? Does that mean you could potentially have a new family eating with you ever night if they decide to eat elsewhere? I'm confused.

 

Unless things have changed since my last cruise, the answer is NO.

 

The seating areas for regular (1st or 2nd seating) dining and MTD are separate sections of the MDR. You will not have MTD people placed at your table. After 1st seating, then they clear the tables, and reset fro 2nd seating.

[slimkat]

Thanks Cindy. I was getting a little nervous there.

[LAatl]

Great review!

 

Quick question. If we share the table with another family at dinner and they decide to not eat in the MDR that night, will the staff place a family with us who requested MTD? Does that mean you could potentially have a new family eating with you ever night if they decide to eat elsewhere? I'm confused.

I'm not sure. We had 11 in our family and I emailed RC a month before to ask if we could have a big table for all of us. They also have smaller tables for two and four people. I would email RC and ask for a small, private table if that's what you'd prefer

[rpettus]

We drove straight down the day before. Took us about 12 hrs. because of the rain and construction on HW 91 in Ft. Lauderdale. Got a later start than we wanted so we didn't leave till 8:45 am and we got into the hotel at 8:30. We stayed at the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport the night before with the others in the family just because we didn't want to be spent the first day on the cruise. Whatever you do, DO NOT PARK WITH 'PREMIER PARKING.' Search them on the Cruise critic site and read their most recent review! We stopped at Cracker Barrel a few hours out of Atlanta and then at a rest stop on the FL turnpike and got KFC...eat before you hit the turnpike...none of the food is good. We were off the ship and back at our car by 8:15. The trip back (once we finished with the almost 3 hours with the police (again, read our review of Premier Parking, USA) we got on the road at 11:45 and pulled in (we live where Woodstock is against Marietta) around 9 pm and that was in heavy rain for hours. On the way back, we only stopped for snacks at the gas stations and fast food that we ate in the car because of the late stop. All in all, with the radio blasting classic rock and us singing at the top of our lungs, it didn't seem to take that long

 

Thanks for the information. We're renting a car for the trip (one way down and one way back). We're getting a great deal! So we can avoid Premier Parking! My hope is to leave early in the AM - sometime around 3AM and find a Cracker Barrel (your idea for the restaurant seems to be a good idea) near Jacksonville. Hopefully to be in Fort Lauderdale in time for dinner (as long as the wife doesn't send me on a side trip.

 

This way we will arrive on Friday and have Saturday to enjoy the city before boarding on Sunday.

 

Your suggestions were great!!! It sounds like we're almost neighbors (we're near 92 & Sandy Plains):D

[Jan_In_Maine]

Looking forward to the rest of your review - We were on the Oasis in 2011 and will be back again this year ... love reading about others experiences. Jan

[RoeC]

Enjoying this so much. Do they have a separate kids menu? I don't see 1 thing my son would eat :(

[Clarea]

Enjoying this so much. Do they have a separate kids menu? I don't see 1 thing my son would eat :(

Yes, there is a kids menu with things like chicken fingers, mac and cheese, etc.

[akcruz]

You'll notice there's an extra page of daytime activities. We ended up not docking in Labadee because the winds were so strong that the Captain said it wouldn't be safe to dock. The staff immediately printed up and distributed a new Cruise Compass page with updated activities on the ship.

 

 

Wow, never heard of missing Labadee. Hear about it all the time with Coco Cay but Labadee, how disappointing :(.

 

Great review, looking forward to more. We did Allure eastern last year and doing the western this year so interested in what activities you did, especially with the boys. We have 3 "kids", 18 - 24, sailing with us and still trying to figure out what they will be interested in.

[LAatl]

Thanks for the information. We're renting a car for the trip (one way down and one way back). We're getting a great deal! So we can avoid Premier Parking! My hope is to leave early in the AM - sometime around 3AM and find a Cracker Barrel (your idea for the restaurant seems to be a good idea) near Jacksonville. Hopefully to be in Fort Lauderdale in time for dinner (as long as the wife doesn't send me on a side trip.

 

This way we will arrive on Friday and have Saturday to enjoy the city before boarding on Sunday.

 

Your suggestions were great!!! It sounds like we're almost neighbors (we're near 92 & Sandy Plains):D

I'm near 92 and Trickum. I sing professionally under my maiden name Lori Linden if you and your wife ever want to come out and enjoy 8 decades of music! Check out my schedule on my website, Lorilinden.com

 

Renting a car is great since you can save the wear and tear on the car!