LIVE - Oasis Eastern 11/28/15 with Chris and Family

[silentbob007]

Hold the phone - you need reservations at Sabor? Why was I under the impression they weren't necessary or even offered? Uh oh.

 

I thought so too but I guess they offer bookings online as part of the dinner package? It might also have been tighter on this particular night because there were several large groups and the outer ring of seating couldn't be used.

[silentbob007]

So evidently the "hard to do" event on this cruise is going to be Oasis of Dreams. One show was at least started (the one we missed) but the others that night were cancelled due to weather. The next day, all shows were cancelled due to a technical problem. I haven't heard an update if that issue has been fixed yet.

 

Random thought: I appreciate when RCI can pull off these amazing events, but the flip side of that is that they make a lot of guests unhappy when the technology gets finicky. I never got a chance to go on NorthStar when I was on Quantum because it was often broken and then they had no idea how to do a reservation system at that time. Our 270 show on Quantum was also terrible because they could not get the window screens to work and simply ran the entire show without any backgrounds or acknowledging that they were having issues because they did not want to reschedule the show.

 

I'm conflicted on how much scheduling has to be done on these new ships. I like the variety, but when something goes wrong, it makes changing things a huge pain. This show is cancelled, so it's been moved. Unfortunately it was moved to your dining time which you could show up late for but then you'd be late for the show you scheduled for that night. We booked this cruise decently late (about 2 months out) and there were not a lot of choices left for show times. When this has happened to me in the past, we just scheduled right when we got onboard. This time I didn't pay much attention times and just make sure I had appointments to everything ... which was stupid because there have been conflicts due to MTD. For those wanting to do standby, the lines have been huge. The first night of ABBAcadabra, the standby line for the headliner show started an hour early. Those lines start to make things get very cramped on deck 4, especially when there are also lines for Studio B and Comedy Live. I can see how some people would be in (or see) those lines and think that this was standard for the whole vacation. If you are good at planning (or are able to somewhat plan), the lines are not too bad. Otherwise, for things like seeing the main shows or eating in the MDR, you will pay a line penalty for not having things scheduled. I see the necessity of it for a ship with so many people (you don't want 4,000 people to decide they all want to see the same ice show and be disappointed), but sometimes it feels like I'm being driven by times on my vacation instead of how the mood strikes me.

You know you are on a a cruise when .... by cmong, on Flickr

Edited December 2, 2015 by silentbob007

[CanadaRob]

Good point about having to plan and also valid that it might seem too structured when you're trying to vacation.

 

Also you should totally do the cruising on a budget so the rest of us lowlies can get to Pinnacle(on a budget) :)

[silentbob007]

Cruise Compass Day 5: St. Martin

 



CC5-1 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC5-2 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC5-3 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC5-4 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC5-5 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC5-6 by cmong, on Flickr

 

[silentbob007]

Well I just won the idiot lottery. Yay! Went to the Schooner Bar for trivia and left my IPad in the seat. Didn't think of it until about 30 minutes later. There's a sinking feeling. Went back to the Schooner and one of the waiters (Kevin) had taken it to Guest Services. Went down and they brought it out of the back room. I used my finger to unlock it (fingerprint ID is sometimes useful) and then I had to sign a few things saying it was my device. A big DUH for me tonight.

[rqd]

Haven't seen or heard a thing about it.

 

She was found, just "missed the boat."

 

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/dec/01/search-missing-canadian-cruise-ship-passenger-nass/?news

 

"A CANADIAN cruise ship passenger who was reported missing by police was found in “good health”, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said Tuesday.

 

In a press release issued on Tuesday morning, the RBPF said Canadian Samantha Loveridge, 27, was missing.

 

Ms Loveridge was a passenger onboard the Oasis of the Seas that arrived in New Providence on Sunday and was last seen when she disembarked the cruise ship at Prince George Dock, police said.

 

However, police later reported yesterday evening that Ms Loveridge was no longer considered a missing person but had simply “missed the boat” on its departure.

 

Police also said she was found in “safe company” with a Bahamian man at a home on East Bay Street."

[silentbob007]

Mark Come Fly with Me as the scone show "lost" this cruise due to technical problems. It was stopped about 10 minutes in and they gave us the "just a few more minutes" routine for about 35 minutes until we finally bailed. I guess they finally did restart it but there's an hour of my cruise gone forever. Obviously I want them to err on the side of caution and safety for the performers, but it seems that a) this is just an unlucky sailing, b) the shows are too complex to be dependable, and/or c) they are not maintaining equipment very well from week to week and year to year. I would be very disappointed so far if I had not already seen these shows.

[KeywestK]

Hi Chris, great review. Thanks for taking the time to share your vacation with us. Give my regards to your folks. Have fun!

[Betsynh]

Have you seen the Schooner Bar performer yet? We are hoping that he sings with JUST the piano, and not a lot of fake techno music in the background. Had a bad experience a couple of cruises ago, and we're now paranoid since we love a great sing-a-long pianist.

[birdlord]

but sometimes it feels like I'm being driven by times on my vacation instead of how the mood strikes me.

You know you are on a a cruise when .... by cmong, on Flickr

 

I totally agree, except I'm so Type A, I would wind up planning everything anyway.

[silentbob007]

Hi Chris, great review. Thanks for taking the time to share your vacation with us. Give my regards to your folks. Have fun!

 

Thanks Karen! With unpacking are you ready for another cruise? ;)

[silentbob007]

Have you seen the Schooner Bar performer yet? We are hoping that he sings with JUST the piano, and not a lot of fake techno music in the background. Had a bad experience a couple of cruises ago, and we're now paranoid since we love a great sing-a-long pianist.

 

I haven't yet but I'll see if I can cruise by and check it out tonight.

[silentbob007]

Day 5- St Martin

 

So by now I'm sure you must know that we might be the most boring people on the ship ... but that's OK ... because it's cruising and you can do what you want to.

 

St. Martin by cmong, on Flickr

 

 

After eating to much at Sabor the night before I did not sleep well. We were already docked before we were up and ready for the day. We ate breakfast in Park Cafe which was a first for us. They had an interesting selection of bagels and spreads as well a pressed breakfast sandwiches, muffins, yogurt, and fruit. I opted for a bagel and a breakfast sandwich.

 

St Martin panoramic by cmong, on Flickr

 

 

We then headed in for morning trivia then off the ship. A Thomson ship was docked next to us (looked tiny) as well as the Celebrity Constellation and the Celebrity Reflection. It was fairly busy in port. My parents just walked around the shopping area. I walked into town (about 15-20 minutes) and strolled around Front street a bit. The taxi drivers and tour vendors were more aggressive than I remember, with some even parking their vehicles over the sidewalk when there was a gated driveway so that you had to go around them while they tried to convince you to take a tour. I was looking for an interesting liquor purchase. I checked the prices at the pier and compared in town ... every place was pretty much the same though selection varied by store. I walked back to the pier, made my purchase, and returned to the ship.

 

It's not the size of the logo by cmong, on Flickr

 

 

Random irk: They have two different stations for boarding Oasis on the pier ... one for the aft and one for the bow. The ship was pulled into the dock aft-first. I figured I'd board in the aft, head up to Park Cafe for a quick sandwich and water, then head to the cabin. No. The shore-side security would not allow be to board the aft of the ship because I did not have the correct lifeboat station letter. I understand why they have two spots and I would even understand why they would want to separate flow when traffic is very congested. When hardly anyone is returning, though, I have trouble understanding why I can't make an informed choice based on my desires. Though, to be fair, I did have to check my booze and that may have been messed up if confiscated items were stored places based on zone.

 

Bunkering by cmong, on Flickr

 

Lunch consisted of a roast beef sandwich at Park Cafe along with about 6 glasses of water. Evidently you shouldn't go out and walk to town without bringing your own water or cash to buy water. Whoops on my part.

 

The afternoon consisted of triva and, as reported before, losing my iPad. My parents went to MTD for dinner while I chose the WJ. The WJ was very crowded (I sat at one of the bars with stools) but had a decent choice of food including some nice prime rib.

 

Come Fly with Me, as reported earlier, was a no-go (until it went about 45 minutes late). The evening was spent strolling the ship, losing money in the casino, and watching part of the Big 10-ACC challenge in either the bars or in my room.

Beach and boat by cmong, on Flickr

[silentbob007]

CC6-1 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC6-2 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC6-3 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC6-4 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC6-5 by cmong, on Flickr

 



CC6-6 by cmong, on Flickr

 

 

[canadian-nurse]

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your vacation to share with us! I have enjoyed living vicariously through you!!!

[MommaNeedsACruise]

Cruise Compass Day 6: 2 Day Drink special listed. Ultimate Beverage Package $90. WooHoo!

[PCWalton1]

Thank you so much for taking time out of your cruise to post your wonderful pictures and experiences. You are making this cold wet week here in Seattle more tolerable.

[Ourusualbeach]

Thanks for all this great information. Did you by chance happen to notice if they were offering any specialty dining packages like the 3,4 or 5 restaurant deals?

[silentbob007]

Thanks for all this great information. Did you by chance happen to notice if they were offering any specialty dining packages like the 3,4 or 5 restaurant deals?

 

I didn't notice anything different than what is offered online which is a % off after 3.

[silentbob007]

Sorry for the lapse in posting yesterday ... busy day. We are off the ship now. We lined up at about 6 AM on the Promenade. Debarkation started about 6:15. We were out at the curb by about 6:35. Taxi to the airport. Dropped bags. Through TSA precheck screening by 7:00. Sitting at gate waiting for 9:45 flight.

 

With that being said: customs was starting to back up (though more agents seemed to be about to come on) and TSA precheck probably saved us 10 minutes or so. I still wouldn't book an 8:30 flight. :)

[Ourusualbeach]

I didn't notice anything different than what is offered online which is a % off after 3.

 

That's great, thanks. I just wanted to make sure that they were offering it on board as well.

[TreeCity]

Chris

How was the wifi? I am teaching an on line class and "get" to grade while on vacation in February? Any major glitches?(or minor)

thanks

[silentbob007]

Chris

How was the wifi? I am teaching an on line class and "get" to grade while on vacation in February? Any major glitches?(or minor)

thanks

 

No problems at all. Very fast and consistent.

[birdlord]

I can vouch WiFi working this week without issue too! :-)

[silentbob007]

Last Sea Day

 

Aqua Theater in the Morning by cmong, on Flickr

 

To say we took it easy on the last sea day is probably a bit of an understatement. We woke up and made it to Johnny Rocket's for breakfast about 8:20 or so (they opened at 8:30). There was already a line, so my dad got in it while my mom and I wondered about (and I took the picture above). Yesterday when early people arrived they just parked at the outside tables (which inhibited the prep a little bit). Today they left the chairs stacked while they prepped the tables. We ended up with the last inside table (our first time inside all week). Breakfast was very good again for simple stuff ... fried eggs (not the powdered scoop scrambled ones), french toast, and breakfast sandwiches.

 

After that it was off to the Diamond Lounge for coffee then the Schooner Bar for trivia. There were lots of activities and sales around the ship ... more chances to part with your money on the last day. Lunch was in the MDR and we opted to sit with a couple of people as we arrived well after opening and all small tables were already occupied.

 

CATS stage by cmong, on Flickr

 



CATS stage close up by cmong, on Flickr

 

The last matinee of CATS started at 2:30 and we arrived a little after 2:00 and took seats in the second row in the right section of the theater. I had heard that the experience was best as close as you can get and I think that's probably true. Not only can you really see the stage decorations, the cast interacts a lot with the audience and, sitting on the aisle, I was pawed at quite a bit. I'll say this ... I really like more-modern musicals. My favorites include Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q, and The Book of Mormon. I'm not a huge fan of Mama Mia (story is a skimpy excuse just to sing ABBA songs) but the production on Quantum was great. I felt the same about Hairspray. In fact, about the only show on RCI I have actively disliked has been Saturday Night Fever. I thought that CATS was ... fine. I certainly would have been in trouble if I had not read a summary and kind of knew what was going on. It has even less of a story than Mama Mia and instead plays more like poems set to ballet. The staging was impressive and the cast was very good ... but in my opinion, all of the talent involved was inhibited by the material they were presented. The CD implored people to stay for the second half in his introduction and, from what I saw, many did (at least those on the floor). They also had a photo opportunity during intermission. In the end, I'm glad I saw it, I liked a few of the songs and the staging, but I really never need to see it again.

CATS finale by cmong, on Flickr

 



Chris with Old Deuteronomy by cmong, on Flickr