Big Oasis of the Seas Review with Photos, Tips & What to Avoid

[iuki]

I really enjoyed your review. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Missus Makkem]

I thought Brits were fond of the Indy. It has kettles

 

But only when sailing out of the UK

[sc1349]

Some of you people are so petty, small minded, and rude. We all have our own opinions of what makes a good

holiday and these are the poster's.

 

I thought it was a well thought out and structured post, with some interesting points and nice photos.

 

Goodness me, has no one ever taught you that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all.

 

Spot on!

[Ciardasully]

Thank you for sharing. We just booked a three day Oasis cruise so I don't know if the passenger mix will be different but thank you for taking the time and sharing your experience!

[John&LaLa]

Thank you for sharing. We just booked a three day Oasis cruise so I don't know if the passenger mix will be different but thank you for taking the time and sharing your experience!

 

Probably depends when you go. We were on in April and the ratio was probably 90% North America

[kearney]

Enjoyed your review. This will be our first cruise on Oasis. I can appreciate the comments about Ocean views. The Radiance class, which is a smaller ship, always impressed me with the ocean views all around the ship including the elevator areas, various restaurants, bars etc. I noticed the lack of views .... at least from the deck plans. It will be interesting to see if I notice this once on board. My husband injured his leg and has trouble walking, so we sprung for a balcony cabin, should he feel he needs to take a break from walking. One reason I like the speciallty restaurants is the view of the ocean, we are going to try the Solarium bistro... I am going to miss the Viking Lounge... one of our favorite places to sit an look out at the ocean.... How was the solarium area during cocktail hour? I am hoping it will be a nice alternative t the Viking lounge... which on the Oasis is now where the suites have their special dining/bar area. Thank you for the information.

[bettty45]

We are looking at the Oasis for a December cruise. What do you know about the drink charges or purchasing the drink cards? Does the ship offer free coffee, tea and lemonade? Was it easy to find a seat at the shows? Did you have a quiet room? Do you prefer Eastern to Western Caribbean? Is it non smoking for the most part? Do you know if there are hotels that offer free parking if you stay there the night before you cruise?
Thanks
Betty

[Clarea]

[quote name='bettty45']... Does the ship offer free coffee, tea and lemonade? ...[/quote]
Free drinks: coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, milk, juice drinks at breakfast.

[Ustayhungry]

Damn great review. My wife and I head out on the Oasis on Oct 10. BTW great response to that troll. I loved that more than the review.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[cvskult]

do you have any of the cruise compasses?

[Clarea]

[quote name='cvskult']do you have any of the cruise compasses?[/quote]
You can find compasses in this excellent live review here:

[url]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2254389[/url]

[cvskult]

[quote name='clarea']You can find compasses in this excellent live review here:

[url]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2254389[/url][/QUOTE]

thank you However I was looking for the other itinerary since I know events can very when the sea days are. Edited October 5, 2015 by cvskult

[TBone2K]

Many of your questions apply to all ships and not just Oasis class. Answering the questions inline...

> What do you know about the drink charges or purchasing the drink cards?
Some examples: A can of soda is $2.50, a mojito cost $10, a martini was $12. Drink packages vary depending on what you want to drink (soda, beer, wine, etc.) and can be purchased via your cruise planner online.

> Does the ship offer free coffee, tea and lemonade?
Yes, and also iced tea and a few premixed (not fresh) juices.

> Was it easy to find a seat at the shows?
Most of the shows require online reservations which you make in your cruise planner. Never had a problem getting a seat at reserved shows as long as you show up before the let in the people on stand-by. There are two shows (I think) that are not reserved, but again, no problem getting a seat.

> Did you have a quiet room?
The OP might be able to answer to their room specifically, but the general opinion around here is the noise is never that bad. If you are sensitive to noise avoid the rooms directly under the pool deck or dining rooms. Some have also had issues being near the elevators.

> Is it non smoking for the most part?
Yes, all ships only allow smoking on one area of the pool deck and in the casinos. Smoking is not allowed on balconies.

> Do you know if there are hotels that offer free parking if you stay there the night before you cruise?
There are many. Check the Home Port area of Cruise Critic for more information.

[dorisis]

[quote name='rance']Nice review thanks for writing.

I think the dining room staff are simply overworked. They do breakfast, work the buffets and then do 2 dining room services per day, everyday for 6 months.
It's ridiculous that it is even legal. The cruise industry has to come up with a way to work their employees less. If it cost more to cruise so be it, but the service would improve. How many of us could actually be fast and friendly under these conditions everyday?[/QUOTE]

I agree. I wish they would eliminate the gratuity policy and just pay the crew a decent wage. Of course, it would cost more per cruise but they should be treated better. the current policy is only a few steps away from having to beg.

[legaljen1969]

[quote name='SeaUs']Was thinking the same. Geez[/QUOTE]

I do think T Bone could have been a little kinder in his counter arguments. That said, someone sent me a link to the OP's blog review on the cruise. After reading her review, I would likely have cancelled my cruise at any cost. If her review was all I had ever read or knew about the Oasis, I would say that Royal could probably have given the cruise for free and I would not have been interested. Thankfully, there are other reviews to read as well.

It's interesting how we all find different things terribly important. There were things that the OP put in her blog that I might not have even noticed, but that's fine. There are probably things that matter to me that she would consider unimportant.

We have a family cruise planned for that week, and I truthfully cannot wait for our experience on the Oasis.

[legaljen1969]

[quote name='LegallyBlondeCruiseLVR'].....a floating UN with all corners of the world pretty evenly represented.

I'd much rather move this discussion to the ship's design and all of the great food we and past Oasis cruisers ate on board rather than a cultural debate.[/QUOTE]

I have found that most cruises we have taken have been well represented by many cultures. I hear many languages spoken, many cuisines enjoyed, many traditions observed. It is sort of like a floating UN with all corners of the world.

There are rude folks and also extremely nice folks anywhere in life. I just ignore the rude ones and move along. Now sometimes it is hard to ignore them when they are continuously rude. I don't acknowledge them though.

I have been thinking about the premise that all of these other cultures are "not American." I don't know that I would necessarily draw that conclusions based on appearance or the language that people speak. There are a lot of American citizens with very diverse backgrounds. I don't so much concern myself with where they are from, but rather with their actions.

LegallyBlonde, your review really was quite comprehensive but I did almost reconsider cruising on the Oasis. I found your review to be more negative than positive in terms of your experience. Could it be misinterpretation? Perhaps. I will have to re-read.

For goodness sakes people, we all have the right to our own opinion.

[CCC3]

You should try cruising out of Galveston! We did the Navigator last June with hundreds of Texans, and they are the nicest people ever. I particularly remember a lunch in the MDR with a sweet 70s couple who were so friendly and engaging I thought we were having lunch at their ranch! Loved them! In the Windjammer at lunch one day, a nice boy w/a southern (Texan?) accent, standing by the hamburgers, asked me, "Ma'am, my mom is helping my little sister, could you please use the tongs and put a burger and bun on my plate, please? And a slice of cheese, if you don't mind?" How sweet was that? Definitely a child with manners! Of course I did, and he immediately said, "Thank you, ma'am." We're cruising out of Galveston next summer & can't wait! Love the people!

[WineDown17]

[quote name='Ustayhungry']Damn great review. My wife and I head out on the Oasis on Oct 10. BTW great response to that troll. I loved that more than the review.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

There are trolls on these boards?!?:eek:

[UpcountryTravelers]

We're sailing on Oasis soon. Thanks for your review and, with the crowding, the adults only - Solarium - sounds inviting. What is the fee? And is it daily or hourly?

[garnetpalmetto]

There's no fee to use the Solarium. The only thing to keep in mind is that the Solarium pool is fairly small - definitely not large enough to swim laps and only about 4' deep at its deepest end. You can definitely swim around in it, but it's not as well suited as the Beach Pool, Main Pool, or Sports Pool for that. Edited October 27, 2015 by garnetpalmetto