X Cruiser trying RC: Oceanside balcony advice?

[SugarLover]

We are experienced Celebrity cruisers, booking a RC Oasis cruise in Nov for a business conference. I've spent considerable time researching both the internet and this forum, trying to make sense of all our stateroom options! It's a bit overwhelming! I know we prefer Oceanview balcony, not interior CP or Bdwlk. I can't quite figure out how to book the "neighborhoods" or do the cabins not follow this?

 

We'd like a balcony midship, oceanside, higher up. Can anyone give me advice or recs where to stay? Are there any threads you can direct me to with this discussion? Is there a 'sweet sixteen' like on X? or a list of coveted cabins? bigger balconies? We are looking for a quieter experience, lol, if that's possible on Oasis :D

 

Thanks so much.

[KiwiGal117]

I don't profess to be an expert by any means, but when I was booking Harmony I looked at these options. I just checked the deck maps on the website and chose a Superior Oceanview with Balcony (or you could choose a Deluxe Ocean View with Balcony). We just made sure that it wasn't right by the elevators and stairs and was - relatively speaking - mid-ship. In terms of the neighbourhoods, I don't think it matters for Oceanview. If you want the inside balcony, Central Park is apparently quieter than Boardwalk. If you can get a cabin on the hump, I believe they have bigger balconies.

[Clarea]

We are experienced Celebrity cruisers, booking a RC Oasis cruise in Nov for a business conference. I've spent considerable time researching both the internet and this forum, trying to make sense of all our stateroom options! It's a bit overwhelming! I know we prefer Oceanview balcony, not interior CP or Bdwlk. I can't quite figure out how to book the "neighborhoods" or do the cabins not follow this?

 

We'd like a balcony midship, oceanside, higher up. Can anyone give me advice or recs where to stay? Are there any threads you can direct me to with this discussion? Is there a 'sweet sixteen' like on X? or a list of coveted cabins? bigger balconies? We are looking for a quieter experience, lol, if that's possible on Oasis :D

 

Thanks so much.

I would go for "hump" balconies if possible, and my personal preference would be on deck 8 so I'm at the same level as Central Park.

 

By the way, the hump is the area of the ship that extends outward from the side. There is a more dramatic view from the balcony and some of the balconies are larger.

[TheTruthCanHurt]

The neighberhoods do NOT follow the oceanview balcony rooms in any way..

the neighberhood designations are strictly for the interior rooms whether they have balcony or not.

 

One thing to consider and you can easily search the thread for this.

There are two different bed configurations in this class of ship. 1 has the bed by the door, the other has the bed by the balcony ...

 

I prefer (as I think most do but not all) the bed by the balcony , it makes the room seem bigger.

 

there are many posts that talk about how to figure out which room is which.

[DonnaK]

We prefer cabins that are near the stairs/elevator, and it's especially important on Oasis class ships because it makes getting around such a large ship more efficient and easier. (It can be exhausting if you are not in good physical condition)

 

We were in 10584 and thought the location was great. It would have been even better to be a bit lower (like deck 6,, 7 or 8) and closer to the aft stair lobby as opposed to the forward one.

 

D2-D8 cabins are basically the same. D1's have larger balconies.

Edited July 22, 2015 by DonnaK

[Cindy]

I would get a cabin on or near a "hump" on Deck 8. The proximity to Central Park is nice, and cutting through Central Park to go from forward to aft seems a lot shorter than walking down one of the endless cabin corridors! On Oasis, I think the closer to the elevators/stairs you can be, the better. The lobbies are well insulated from the cabins, and there's no noise from the public space.

[Tagsalong]

Just in case you didn't know, if this is going to be your first cruise with RCI, make sure you have gotten your Crown and Anchor number/membership before you book, in order to get the balcony discount. I assume you are at the Select tier or higher on X.

Edited July 22, 2015 by Tagsalong

[SugarLover]

Thanks, all! This is the kind of info I needed. I think I'm limited in the cabin offerings, as it's with a group, so probably not all cabins available to pick from.

 

Just in case you didn't know, if this is going to be your first cruise with RCI, make sure you have gotten your Crown and Anchor number/membership before you book, in order to get the balcony discount. I assume you are at the Select tier or higher on X.

thanks, Tagsalong, just did that, and the rep did confirm I get a discount when booking, or else an upgrade. Not sure how that would work, as I'm traveling with a group, and I'm sure not all the cabin levels are available.. but we'll see.

 

I prefer (as I think most do but not all) the bed by the balcony , it makes the room seem bigger.

Us too! Def prefer the bed near the window, so we can lie in bed and see the ocean. Having to go around the bed everytime from the bathroom to the dressing area is such a bottleneck too when trying to get dressed in the evening!

[SugarLover]

We prefer cabins that are near the stairs/elevator, and it's especially important on Oasis class ships because it makes getting around such a large ship more efficient and easier. (It can be exhausting if you are not in good physical condition)

 

I would get a cabin on or near a "hump" on Deck 8. The proximity to Central Park is nice, and cutting through Central Park to go from forward to aft seems a lot shorter than walking down one of the endless cabin corridors! On Oasis, I think the closer to the elevators/stairs you can be, the better.

 

My instincts then were correct... I figured mid ship would be easier on such a large ship. And, I like the idea of cutting thru CP to get around is smart too.

 

I think the best balcony option is a D2 cabin... so I'm off to the deck plans next!

 

Thanks!

[NorCalJL]

I think the best balcony option is a D2 cabin... so I'm off to the deck plans next!

 

What are the differences in the balcony options, between D1, D2, and D3?

 

Thanks,

Jeremy

[awhfy]

We're normally Celebrity cruisers. D1 compares to a C1 on Celebrity. Of course there's not an Aqua Class on Royal. If you normally do Sky Suites you'll be pleased with a Junior Suite (but no butler or Suites restaurant). A D2 would equate to a veranda cabin on Celebrity. Major difference for us is that Royal allows smoking in the Casino. & the diamond Lounge (Elite equivalent) is open all day & very nice. Enjoy your cruise

Edited July 23, 2015 by awhfy

[SugarLover]

D1 compares to a C1 on Celebrity. Of course there's not an Aqua Class on Royal. If you normally do Sky Suites you'll be pleased with a Junior Suite (but no butler or Suites restaurant). A D2 would equate to a veranda cabin on Celebrity.

 

awhfy: Thank you, this is very helpful! I am only given option to book Jr. Suite, D2 or others below. The jump between D2 to JS is double the price, so since this will be a quickie cruise, we'll prob just book the D2

 

Just thinking out loud: A chart with this kind of comparison info would be such a great idea... I'm going to search the forum and google that now...

 

Thanks, all!