Joe12 on Oasis OTS~ Best Ship in the World~ Western Caribbean July 5th

[Joe12]

Hello all,

I am Joe from Glasgow, Scotland,

Welcome to my first review, Sorry about the delay

I love cruising and this time I wanted to give Oasis a try, By all means she is a great ship and I will certainly sail her again. Lets go!

We started our Journey on June 28th at Edinburgh Airport,

We got the Servisair Lounge for a really good deal, We lounged there and then got some food, The lounge was not really much more expensive than the regular restaurant at the airport. Here is the bacon roll I had.

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Yuck! If you fly United in Coach, bring your own food.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Joe12

[Joe12]

Yey!

We made it to NYC 7 hours later, Ready for 2 weeks of vacation!

In New York we stayed at Hilton New York Midtown, We have been to NY 3 times before and have stayed here each time, The hotel is very nice but we had service issues in the Lobby where we were kicked out for getting internet as they were serving drinks, But it wasn't busy. :(

[Joe12]

By the time we got into NYC, We were tired as we had been up since 12:30am NY time so we relaxed and then took a wander before dinner.

 

The next day we decided to do the High Line, It was fun but it felt like more of a park than a derelict railway line, but we enjoyed it.

However it was HOT

Coming from Scotland it was a tad uncomfortable to have 90oF for a full two weeks, Better than Rain though.

Here is some shots of the High Line

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[WrittenOnYourHeart]

Have a great trip!!

 

BTW, the HighLine IS a park. They took derelict railway lines and transformed them. :)

[Deptacon]

how old is that camera? Eastman Kodak? :eek:

[Joe12]

The camera is pretty old.

By my next cruise I should have a new one

Thanks for stopping by everybody

Edited August 8, 2014 by Joe12

[Joe12]

On Day 3 we went to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum,

I found it extremely sad that 19 people could cause over 3,000 deaths,

I was especially touched by UA93 as they saved Washington DC from more deaths.

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Edited August 8, 2014 by Joe12

[Joe12]

Next up on Day 3 we walked from the WTC to South Ferry to catch the Staten Island Ferry, I highly recommend this while in NYC,

Grabbed a Hot Dog and then boarded the Ferry, We like to do this while Explorer is in Bayonne but she was in Bayonne on the Saturday we arrived in NY and the Thursday we flew to Miami :( After Oasis, Explorer was my favourite ship.

Statue of Liberty, WARNING, The photo is quite blurry, I need a new camera!

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[Joe12]

Hello all,

Today was Central Park Day, Now while in New York if you don't set foot in Central Park then you can't count that as a trip to New York. What else can I say about this glamorous park in NYC, I wish Glasgow had something similar.

We went canoeing:

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The Jackie Onassis-Kennedy Reservoir, My favourite part of the full park.

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Do visit Central Park while in NYC, Highly recommended. ;)

[retiredgram]

Great start. Thanks for taking you time to post your trip.

[Joe12]

Next up on Day 4 was the Rooselvelt Island Cable Car. I had never been on a Cable Car before so it was a new and fun experience.

Not too much to tell about this, But here is a couple of Pics.

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[Joe12]

Great start. Thanks for taking you time to post your trip.

 

Thanks for your compliment,

Lots more to come.

I enjoy it too, Helps me get over Post Cruise Depression

Glad you are enjoying it.

Joe

[Joe12]

Today we didn't do much, We were so beaten out from the heavy sightseeing the last few days that today I just the Apple Store in SoHo, Also the girls got an opportunity to go to American Girl Store, So we had a low key day.

Time for food porn:

On Day 2 and Day 5 we went to a place called John's Pizzeria near Times Square, It is the best eatery I have ever been to in NYC. The portions are huge though.

Pizza Rolls for Starter:

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It can be quite dark in here but it is a nice atmosphere, I highly recommend this.

For breakfast most days we went to a place called Digby's on 52nd Street and I got Pancakes! On the last day we got Pain Au Chocolat's at Starbucks and on Day 4 we got a breakfast at an Irish place on 54th Street. Here is my breakfast.

For Dinner: On Day 1 we went to an Irish restaurant called Connolly's near the hotel, Day 3 TGI Friday's Grand Central and Day 4 Bill's Bar and Burger 51st Street.

Everywhere is recommended except the Deli's.

[Carolynne67]

Thank you for making time to do your trip report, I would really love to go to NYC, hopefully in the not too distant future:)

[Joe12]

We enjoyed our time in New York, It was the tiring part of the holiday full of walking but the City that never sleeps never fails to impress.

We have came to NY every year since 2011, But this time I felt like I had seen it all before and we probably won't come again for another few years as I want to see somewhere else but we will be back.

Where should we go in the United States next? Suggestions welcome below.

Before we leave for Florida, Here is the picture of our room at the Hilton.

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and to finish here is a pic of Times Square.

Goodnight NY, We hope to see you soon.

[Joe12]

Thank you for making time to do your trip report, I would really love to go to NYC, hopefully in the not too distant future:)

 

Thanks for your compliment.

Yes, NYC is worth spending a couple of days in.

Hope you can go there soon.

Joe

[Joe12]

Next up: Miami, To all who is planning a trip to NY, I hope you found this helpful. Those planning a trip to Miami, Coming Up later this evening and those going on Oasis soon, She is an awesome ship and I will be onto the cruise tomorrow.

Going to have dinner just now, It is 5:30pm in Glasgow. I will be back at about 8:30pm this evening.

Thank you everyone for your compliments, Very much appreciated

[Alsgal12]

Thanks for the review joe! Looking forward to the rest.

[baytree97]

Joe12 if u are looking for suggestions of places to visit along the Eastern seaboard, my would be Washington D.C. Charleston South Carolina or Savannah Georgia. A lot of history in all three places, if you are interested in that type of vacation.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Joe12]

Joe12 if u are looking for suggestions of places to visit along the Eastern seaboard, my would be Washington D.C. Charleston South Carolina or Savannah Georgia. A lot of history in all three places, if you are interested in that type of vacation.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Hi,

Thanks for your suggestions,

I will take these into consideration.

I have been to Washington D.C before, Lovely city and I hope to go back.

Thanks again

Joe

[Joe12]

We flew from Newark to Miami on United on Thursday 3rd. We had a quick Pain au Chocolat at Starbucks and then got an NYC taxi to Newark Liberty International Airport. Our flight was at 1:30pm, United are notorious for delaying flights, So guess what happened. Delayed 1 hour. They also wanted those with flexible travel plans to wait for the flight at 7am the next morning.

Now at the Jeff Smisek Show pre-takeoff he says UA have a new seat reservation system where you can pick seats and see how many are taken. Surely this would prevent overbooking?

EPIC FAIL, Smisek! There was no way that we would do that.

The plane was an A320-232. I love A320's so this flight was comfortable and whizzed by. We arrived about 5:30pm into Miami, LATE!

I must be the only person who likes Miami Airport, But I haven't seen it all yet.

Maybe there is more that I haven't seen.

Our first impressions of Miami were great, Palm Trees, Nice people, Overall relaxed atmosphere.

Now to our hotel in Miami Beach. We spent 2 nights at the Ritz-Carlton Miami Beach.

We walked down Ocean Drive and eventually found a nice place for dinner. But I accidentally put Tabasco's Sauce on my Steak and I had to run to the shop for Ice Cream.

WARNING,

Miami does tend to be quite crazy in the evenings with people partying and loud music, It didn't bother me too much but I wouldn't do it for a full week. We then took a walk before heading back to the hotel for bed.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Joe12

[Joe12]

There isn't much to tell about today.

We were so worn out from all that walking in NYC and wanted to relax, So Miami suited us fine.

We walked up the Street to get some breakfast and we popped into some shops before going to the hotel and relaxing at the pool. Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Then we had some lunch and headed out to the Beach.

We saw some ships heading out today:

Now the photo has the ships in the distance as I forgot to take the camera to the beach and had to run to the hotel to get the camera and by then they were further away.

Majesty of the Seas:

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Norwegian Sky:

We then had some dinner and tuned in, I was so excited to finally board Oasis!

I will start the cruise tomorrow,

Goodnight CC!

[Grandma Dazzles]

When we arrived we were greeted by someone who gave introduced himself to us and thanked us for choosing the Ritz-Carlton and escorted us to Check in. Check in was a breeze and the guy who checked us in was very nice. Then we were personally escorted to our room and the guy who escorted us took our luggage and then ran through all the stuff about the hotel.

I was an idiot and didn't take a photo of the room. :mad:. But to show you how nice it was, I took a photo of the sparkling clean bathroom.

 

Very interesting review - glad that you posted.

 

A couple of comments, particularly for any of your fellow countrymen or overseas visitors, who may not be aware of cruising out of FLL.

 

I think everyone would agree that the Ritz Carlton is a beautiful hotel (most of them are), however, they come at a steep price.. Last time I checked they were in the $500 a night category - that's pretty expensive for a lot of people - could be the price of a cruise! Stayed at a couple and they were very good. You definitely are treated well, but I would be interested to know what you thought of the cost. Even the Hilton in New York is an expensive hotel.

 

Many people fly into Fort Lauderdale because of the close proximity to the cruise terminal. Nothing against Miami, but FLL is much easier, and you don't have to worry about transportation from MIA to FLL. It pays to consider that when arranging/pricing flights. MIA is definitely a bigger, busier, airport, but not always the best choice for everyone. Compare before booking.

 

Please keep up the review - not meaning to sound critical - but your trip sure sounds wonderful, but very much an expensive, high-end one! Please let us know some of the pricing involved with the hotels, restaurants, etc. Good to know if they are "out of the ballpark." Thanks!

[Joe12]

Very interesting review - glad that you posted.

 

A couple of comments, particularly for any of your fellow countrymen or overseas visitors, who may not be aware of cruising out of FLL.

 

I think everyone would agree that the Ritz Carlton is a beautiful hotel (most of them are), however, they come at a steep price.. Last time I checked they were in the $500 a night category - that's pretty expensive for a lot of people - could be the price of a cruise! Stayed at a couple and they were very good. You definitely are treated well, but I would be interested to know what you thought of the cost. Even the Hilton in New York is an expensive hotel.

 

Many people fly into Fort Lauderdale because of the close proximity to the cruise terminal. Nothing against Miami, but FLL is much easier, and you don't have to worry about transportation from MIA to FLL. It pays to consider that when arranging/pricing flights. MIA is definitely a bigger, busier, airport, but not always the best choice for everyone. Compare before booking.

 

Please keep up the review - not meaning to sound critical - but your trip sure sounds wonderful, but very much an expensive, high-end one! Please let us know some of the pricing involved with the hotels, restaurants, etc. Good to know if they are "out of the ballpark." Thanks!

 

Hi,

Thanks for your note.

They were slightly expensive but we only have one big vacation each year so we could afford it this time. We didn't use any of the pay venues on the cruise.

About MIA/FLL airports. I like that FLL Airport is near the cruise terminal especially as we had a baggage problem and had to go back to the cruise terminal which we couldn't have done at Miami.

But I absolutely hated FLL Airport, It was so understaffed and the security line was about half an hour and there was no space to sit at the gate even though we were there 1 1/2 hours pre-flight, More on that later.

Thanks for stopping by. Next year we probably will do the Med which is cheaper.

Also the Servisair Lounge at the Airport cost barely anything, Not even any more expensive than eating at a restaurant in the airport

Edited August 8, 2014 by Joe12

[Joe12]

Also,

We don't smoke and rarely drink so that frees up money as well.

Apart from that we are just fortunate,

I am quite frugal and don't want much.