Oasis Photo Review – All Dining and Drinks Menus - Daily Programs

[crusinpeg]

Still following an awesome review...as I stated previously we will be on the Oasis May 10th (first time on Oasis class) and keep reading all the info on her I can...every tidbit is appreciated!!

[mgarcia10]

Amazing review. Thanks for taking the time to do this! Does anyone know the order of the menus for the Eastern route? Trying to figure out which days we will do the MDR and which we won't. Leaving in 12 days! :)

[megacruiser]

Amazing review. Thanks for taking the time to do this! Does anyone know the order of the menus for the Eastern route? Trying to figure out which days we will do the MDR and which we won't. Leaving in 12 days! :)

 

 

For those of you who haven't digested the written element of my review, can I recommend it, as there is some useful information contained therein... ;)

 

One such nugget is that the order of menus for the Eastern cruise is identical, except the Wednesday and Thursday nights are swapped around to coincide with the sea day and formal night.

 

And thanks for your kind comment mgarcia10...

 

Cheers

megacruiser

[sirisol]

Very well.

 

Following. :D

 

- and - hoping for a Mediterranean cruise 2015 on the Allure

[megacruiser]

For those not familiar with procedures, disembarkation information and luggage tags are left on your bed on Day 7.

 

 

The tag number indicates your position in the disembarkation order. This is normally allocated based on information provided online by the passenger prior to the cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The allotted disembarkation time can be changed by a visit to Guest Relations, but I never felt it necessary.

 

Normally I choose to self-disembark because I want to get on my way home as early as possible. On this occasion, my next destination was going to be the Celebrity Constellation, which departed the same day as we docked. So my disembarkation time of 1015 seemed ideal. In fact I originally thought I would simply be off the ship by 1030 and stroll round to the next pier in time for an 11am check-in.

 

For once I did not need to rise at the crack of dawn. I left my cabin with my hand luggage at 8am believing the main dining room was open until 8.30… Hadn’t checked properly and it actually closed at 8am… Not again, forced into the Windjammer through my own carelessness…

 

On arrival at Deck 16 there were substantial queues outside each entrance to the Windjammer. I thought this was strange; it was certainly the first time I had experienced this. However within 10 minutes I was asked for my seating preference, which was “on my own” and I was escorted to a table that had been cleaned and laid for service. Very impressed by this because normally it is a bit of a scrum to find a seat. Actually the atmosphere over breakfast was more relaxed than normal on the last day, as I think their system of clearing tables first, then seating everyone, took a lot of stress away. The only difference in the food offered was the only eggs were scrambled; the usual trays of fried eggs and pre-prepared omelettes were missing.

 

Disembarking passengers exit through one of two doors on the Starboard side of the Royal Promenade (I think it is unusual to berth on the Port side). Monitor-screens outside the Opal Theatre (forward) and the Opus Dining Room (aft) show a list of numbers corresponding to baggage tags, the estimated time of disembarkation and lists those number already called. I noticed some were out of sequence but it was clear that they were running behind schedule, as numbers were not yet called that were overdue by 45 minutes. Word spread of some staffing issues quayside…

 

I chose to go up to the Viking Crown Lounge to escape the waiting crowds and shared it with only one other person. I checked progress every 15 minutes. All of a sudden lots of tag numbers were all being called around the same time, just before 1045. So there was then a mass exodus. (TIP – if you can, exit by the more forward of the two doors as it is nearer to the baggage hall with a shorter distance to queue)

 

As I got nearer to the baggage hall, the lines moved slower and slower. Still, at this point I didn’t feel unduly concerned. Only after having retrieved my case and searched for the exit did I realise it wasn’t going to be so simple. Eventually I got into the queue and only after some time of moving forward and doubling back again, like you do in a queue at Disney, did I realise I was going nowhere fast. It became clear that the problem was there were only eight Customs and Border Protection officers on duty. Each passenger, or married couple, had to individually present their passport and customs declaration for scrutiny and questioning. Six thousand passengers, and only eight officials? As they say on your side of the pond - “you do the math!”

 

After a slow-moving queue that all told had taken 1 hour and 20 minutes, I emerged into the glorious sunshine that was awaiting me outside the terminal, and a taxi whisked me round to the Constellation in a few short minutes. The minimum charge for a taxi pick-up at the pier is $10 and I know from the end of my Constellation mini-cruise that the cost to the airport, with very light traffic after self-disembarking, was only $15…

 

Most of my enmity over this dreadful ending to a wonderful holiday was reserved for the authorities that had understaffed the border checks. Royal Caribbean, I felt, had exacerbated the problem by “dumping” the remaining passengers ashore more or less en masse because they needed to clear the ship for embarking passengers... But then had they not done so they would have had some grumpy new arrivals to contend with, so they couldn’t win really…

 

Thanks to everyone who has followed this review throughout and to those who have given positive feedback or passed it on to others. It is genuinely appreciated.

 

 

Next time, some of the things and photos I overlooked in my day-by-day review, and my summary of the cruise experience.

[caneguy]

Please share all the bits & pieces like laundry price list, pub price list. What may seem trivial to those that have sailed on Oasis before is invaluable info for 1st timers like myself. Do we have to book shows etc online before boarding?

Thank you for taking the time to do this. I'm following to the end and then will re read probably many times.

 

You should absolutely pre book all your shows before you sail as soon as they come up for reservations.

 

I did not pre book the specialty restaurants before boarding. No problem getting times for dinner. If you want to use OBC (on board credit) you must book on the ship to us OBC as credit for the charge.

ENJOY your cruise

 

Caneguy

[Madison2]

Still following and loving your review.

 

Gayle

[FunCruiser56]

Your review is sure making me look forward to our Oasis cruise! I am happy to see the disembarkment info, we booked a 10:35 flight and seeing the time for self walk off makes me alot more comfortable knowing we will be there in plenty of time for our flight.

Thanks so much for taking all the time to do this review, it is alot of work and very much appreciated.

 

Bev

[megacruiser]

Oh' date=' pretty please put all the misc. stuff and extra pics in this posting!!!

It is so very helpful and extremely entertaining; you review is the absolutely THE BEST :)

 

C/BB[/quote']

 

Thank you Cruisin'BusyBee for the very kind comment. Let's see how many others want the miscellaneous bits and pieces...

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

[susie2461]

great review, has got me very excited for our cruise next year, wish there was one the same for our indy cruise in nov

[vfangue]

Following!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[boatclub1]

Megacruise,

I followed your review from beginning to end, as I will be on the Oasis of the Sea's on April 5th ! This is the most amazing review ever, you just had to follow it to the finish. What a great review, I have taken many notes as to what you have pointed out as the must to see.

Thank again,

L~NY

[CapitalKyle]

Megacruise,

I followed your review from beginning to end, as I will be on the Oasis of the Sea's on April 5th ! This is the most amazing review ever, you just had to follow it to the finish. What a great review, I have taken many notes as to what you have pointed out as the must to see.

Thank again,

L~NY

 

Boatclub, us too! This review has been the perfect prep. And megacruiser: definitely interested in all of the supplemental menus/info you have!

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forums mobile app

[TequilaToo]

Still following, Megacruiser - I've directed my son to check out your review, as he is putting together a slide show of our cruise, complete with music. He might be tempted to borrow one or two of your photos to include! I know he will want to include the menus!

[megacruiser]

Megacruise,

I followed your review from beginning to end, as I will be on the Oasis of the Sea's on April 5th ! This is the most amazing review ever, you just had to follow it to the finish. What a great review, I have taken many notes as to what you have pointed out as the must to see.

Thank again,

L~NY

 

Thanks boatclub1,

 

Your enthusiasm is much appreciated.

 

Kind regards

megacruiser

[megacruiser]

Still following, Megacruiser - I've directed my son to check out your review, as he is putting together a slide show of our cruise, complete with music. He might be tempted to borrow one or two of your photos to include! I know he will want to include the menus!

 

Hello again TequilaToo,

 

Speaking of menus, I have had a change of mind about what will be posted next, partly because of the demand for the Bistro Dinner Menu. So tonight I’ll post the remaining menus I have and I will be quite delighted if your son, or anyone reading, wants to use my photos/scans.

 

Cheers

megacruiser

[niceguy6505]

Outstanding Review, Thanks Best Review Ever.

[jaydc2]

Boatclub, us too! This review has been the perfect prep. And megacruiser: definitely interested in all of the supplemental menus/info you have!

 

 

I'm sailing with CapitalKyle on April 5 and am voraciously soaking in all the content you are posting, any minutiae you post I will appreciate, megacruiser! (p.s. I've read every word you have written as well, :) )

[megacruiser]

Here are the remaining menus I have. I can’t really pass much comment or answer any questions about them because I did not actually dine on these menus.

 

First the Solarium Bistro Diner Menu…

 

 

]

 

 

 

 

This is Giovanni’s Table Lunch Menu, which I believe is $15 and, if so, seems good value if you are hungry enough to do it justice…

 

 

 

 

The missing weight of steak is 8 ounces, sorry...

[megacruiser]

Now for Izumi, and its twelve pages that were difficult to photograph I recall…

 

I like Chinese, Thai and other South-East Asian cuisines, and Indian food. I am not so keen on Japanese food, especially raw fish and sticky rice. The impression I get is that Izumi is primarily Japanese influenced so I wasn’t tempted by it… On this cruise it was well patronised by the large Chinese group on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[megacruiser]

 

 

 

 

 

[megacruiser]

Johnny Rockets, in addition to being a Hamburger joint, also serves breakfast but with no fee...

 

 

 

I don’t really get why people pay to eat here. I seldom eat burgers; usually only where there is little else on offer, like airports and railway stations.

 

 

 

 

Seems to me that Johnny’s burgers are not as good as Burger King and their fries are not as good as McDonalds, so why fill up on this stodge and leave no room for better quality food that is included in the fare? I suppose some folk have a kind of burger addiction and get withdrawal symptoms after a few days on a cruise…

 

Here are the hours of operation on my sailing…

 

 

 

 

 

All the menus that I have are now uploaded ... I think the main omission was Vintages…

 

If you check back you will see the Seafood Shack menu already posted during my Boardwalk Tour…

 

Thanks to all who have been following this review which I started 3 weeks ago today… and for the very positive feedback you have given. Not much more to come now…

 

 

 

Tomorrow will be the Wine and Drinks Lists…

[nmuller328]

thanks Megacruiser- a very thorough review. Appreciate getting the menus up before we left.

[DavidsNana]

Love this review. We are sailing in May and I have learned so much.

 

You said that it took you 1 hour and 20 min. in line for customs. Did you notice if there was any place for someone who has trouble standing for that long to sit while other family members stand in the line? My husband walks with a cane, has had 7 back surgeries and can not stand for long periods of time. We have a wheelchair rented for him onboard the ship in case he needs it for any long distances but it stays on the ship when we disembark. The instructions you posted state that the ships wheelchair assistance only takes you to the luggage area which would be fine if the wait isn't an hour and 20 minutes. Did you see anyone else having trouble standing that long and what they did? Thanks for any information you can provide.

[brookmill18]

Thank you so much!!! I just found this thread today and have spent every free minute reading! We go back on Oasis this summer and I am just finishing making our show reservations.

 

I have one question that will show how involved I have been with making these...we are also on the Western Route, as we were a few years ago, and I am confused about something you said about entertainment on Day 2. We were able to see Oasis of Dreams in the Aquatheater after dinner (I remember changing out of formal clothes before going down to see it!) and it looks like I can also make reservations for our upcoming cruise on Day 2 for the same thing. But I noticed that you commented that you needed to see both Hairspray and Dreams on the first night due to scheduling, so I double checked your Cruise Compass, and sure enough it doesn't look like Dreams was scheduled for the evening of Day 2.

 

Again, I am a little embarrassed to admit how much I have poured over your every word :) but I am wondering if this was just a change for your cruise, or I am missing something for my upcoming cruise.

 

Thank you again---and DH keeps insisting that we do MDR for lunch on sea days and I was reluctant to do so again, but your review reminded me that he was right!