Island Lady's live adventure on Oasis of the Seas

[scsagh]

Our last day at sea, Day seven continues live:

 

Was now plenty

of room for the seven bottles of water I brought in my carry on

and the six complimentary bottles they gave us. Not cold, but cool

enough to drink...nice!

 

 

Any other questions...please fire away. :)

 

Next up....end of the last day report.

 

 

Your review has never been boring, Island Lady!

 

So I can bring some bottles of water onboard? Is there a limit?

 

Last question...at least for now, has the ship stayed on the original Eastern Time the whole cruise, or did they move to local time in St. Thomas and St. Maarten?

 

Thanks again, and enjoy the last few hours of your current cruise!

Sandy

[island lady]

Pat, you are never boring!!

I will go out on a limb here (please no flames please please) ...........

and say I LOVE your writing style!!!:D

You go GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You have me wanting to book Oasis OTS soon!

 

I am out of vacation until June 1st!!!:eek:

 

Tell Bucky "Hi", too!!

 

Oh...you are so sweet! Thanks for the great compliment. :) Sure hope

to sail with you and Kay again soon. I just love her laugh and sense

of humor. You are a lucky man!! :)

[island lady]

Yeah, one way has more sun than the other on balcony during the cruise but I found on FR that at least some of the balcony stays shady for most of the intense sun days. The balcony dividers start providing shade later in the day.

 

Good to know about docking on the Starboard side. The port that I liked to be portside was St. Thomas but as OA has to Dock in Crown Bay, we would not get that view anyway. On Starboard, we get a great view of the pier runners, which should be a hoot on Cozumel day.

 

Yeah, it's a toss up sometime. Good waterfront view docked up in ports on port

side, but do miss the "goings on" on the starboard dock side. ;) We decided to

book OA again, port side again next time. Bucky likes that better.

Edited January 28, 2017 by island lady

[island lady]

Your review has never been boring, Island Lady!

 

So I can bring some bottles of water onboard? Is there a limit?

 

Last question...at least for now, has the ship stayed on the original Eastern Time the whole cruise, or did they move to local time in St. Thomas and St. Maarten?

 

Thanks again, and enjoy the last few hours of your current cruise!

Sandy

 

Thanks! Gives me the courage to perhaps do another one some time. :)

 

Actually bringing water on board is supposed to be against the rules, (though

ironic we can bring on two bottles of wine. ;)), but the water rule is rarely

enforced. You can either carry on some bottles, or put them in a case with

a luggage tag on. Too many pax leave the bottles in one of those shrink

wrap plastic cases and find how much a PITA it is to carry it around before

you can check into your cabin. Porters don't like (and will sometimes refuse)

to handle that bulky case. What works for me is to put 6-7 bottles in a cloth

tote bag, put a tag on it, and it arrives no problem at our cabin.

 

Yes, we stayed on ship's time (EST) for the whole cruise. One hour later

than both ports.

[island lady]

Quick update on day seven:

 

Well, now I don't feel so bad I decided to stay in and watch a movie

last night. Found out "Come Fly with me"...the 10 pm show...was

cancelled last night. Also Cats was cancelled yesterday including

the one we were reserved for at 2:30 today. Both were due to

technical difficulties in the theater. Got lucky and got in line early

to see Frozen in Time, the ice show at 3 pm. Even better...first

row seats! Great show, and happy to see the sand artist again

was performing. Great big hits on on Island Lady's hit and miss score!!

 

I was just handed my glass of Sauvignon Blanc here in the DL, so will

sign off now, and continue the wrap up when I get home tomorrow.

 

Thanks everyone for following along.

 

Next up...end of our last day and disembarkation "adventure". ;)

[BLAMBKY]

No, not that I have noticed, but I don't do the Starbucks thing anyway. Not

much help there I am afraid. I have seen many Starbucks paper coffee cups

that just look like regular Starbucks. They may have them, so I will try to

be more observant today.

 

Thanks, enjoying your review!

[Pacificlander]

Thanks, enjoying your review!

 

Great tips, thanks! :)

 

Thank you very much!

 

 

Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using Forums mobile app

Edited January 29, 2017 by Pacificlander

[Pacificlander]

Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using Forums mobile app

We are boarding the Oasis in 3 weeks. Your review has been great and I can't wait for our turn! Quick question, can the balcony dividers be opened if both parties request it?

 

Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using Forums mobile app

[denamo]

Thank you! And you are most welcome! :)

 

150 CP (where we used our FNDR), is 45.00 per, versus 42.00 at

Chops. So if we were able to go there...don't see a reason you could not

use it for Chops. At least for now right now, until they decide to change

the terminology on the prom.

 

Enjoying your review. We were on the week prior to you, and we ate at Chops for the FNDR promo. When we went in to make a reservation, I specifically asked if there was an extra charge. Chandom had warned me. They immediately said "no". It was an awesome meal.

 

We did feel there was a big push to get cruisers into the specialty restaurants.

[chandom]

...

We did feel there was a big push to get cruisers into the specialty restaurants.

Yeah, it was fun play dodge the guy carrying around the menu no matter where you were.

 

 

Sent from a mobile device

[denamo]

Yeah, it was fun play dodge the guy carrying around the menu no matter where you were.

 

 

Sent from a mobile device

 

:D:D so true!

[lazydayz]

Thanks for the live review. I enjoyed following along and it is getting me ready for our first Oasis cruise in September. Thankfully we have a few Brilliance cruises before that.

[molly361]

Welcome back Pat- How was disembarkation?

 

Last month when we did self assist (early) it took a very long time. It used to be very quick and efficient when the ship was in FLL

[Rosy1013]

Throughly enjoyed your report, but am so disappointed that I didn't get to meet you onboard! I was at the meet and greet, but didn't get to actually do much meeting. Ah well, maybe next time!

 

And to the poster asking about the Starbucks mugs, I'm almost positive there were none associated with Royal. Just the Miami and Florida "you are here" collection. I did get to pick up one in San Juan though:)

[island lady]

Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks all on the compliments! :)

 

This was my first attempt. Sorry no photos, still living in the dinosaur

era...Island Lady worked with pay phones, called in for messages, and

used...OMG!! Paper work...:eek: in my past career. ;) :p

 

Computers and all the cool tricks are still in a learning curve for me.

[island lady]

We are boarding the Oasis in 3 weeks. Your review has been great and I can't wait for our turn! Quick question, can the balcony dividers be opened if both parties request it?

 

Sent from my ASUS MeMO Pad 7 using Forums mobile app

 

Yes, I saw many that were combined. Not very many ships can do this,

especially the older ones, but it looked like a simple tool to pop them open

that can be done by your cabin attendant.

[island lady]

Enjoying your review. We were on the week prior to you, and we ate at Chops for the FNDR promo. When we went in to make a reservation, I specifically asked if there was an extra charge. Chandom had warned me. They immediately said "no". It was an awesome meal.

 

We did feel there was a big push to get cruisers into the specialty restaurants.

 

We are going to do Chop on the first night next time...but not sure if

we will attempt "First Night" promo or not. Program will most likely

have been tweaked by RCI by our next time around. ;)

 

Might just stick to our regular BOGO.

[island lady]

Yeah, it was fun play dodge the guy carrying around the menu no matter where you were.

 

 

Sent from a mobile device

 

Big time!! :eek: And drink packages that first day also.

[island lady]

Thanks for the live review. I enjoyed following along and it is getting me ready for our first Oasis cruise in September. Thankfully we have a few Brilliance cruises before that.

 

Thanks!! Enjoy your cruise on OA! We were quite surprised how much we

liked it, due to being more fond of smaller ships, so we are planning on

booking another OA cruise when we board Serenade in two weeks. :)

[island lady]

Welcome back Pat- How was disembarkation?

 

Last month when we did self assist (early) it took a very long time. It used to be very quick and efficient when the ship was in FLL

 

Terrible. :( I would not want to do self assist from what I saw of the grouchy

people standing in a horrible long line that snaked one way down the promenade,

and back around again. Was more comfortable waiting in our cabin, and then

relaxing in the theater to wait for our number to be called.

Edited January 30, 2017 by island lady

[molly361]

Terrible. :( I would not want to do self assist from what I saw of the grouchy

people standing in a horrible long line that snaked one way down the promenade,

and back around again. Was more comfortable waiting in our cabin, and then

relaxing in the theater to wait for our number to be called.

 

I always say that I am not going to do self assist but when the vacation is over I like to get back home quickly (to see the dogs) Even with it taking an hour to get off the ship we were still back home before 9am. I think our luggage tags were scheduled to be called around 9:30 if we had went that route

[island lady]

Throughly enjoyed your report, but am so disappointed that I didn't get to meet you onboard! I was at the meet and greet, but didn't get to actually do much meeting. Ah well, maybe next time!

 

And to the poster asking about the Starbucks mugs, I'm almost positive there were none associated with Royal. Just the Miami and Florida "you are here" collection. I did get to pick up one in San Juan though:)

 

I am sorry I did not get to meet you also! It was a good turn out, but seemed

rushed. I thought the Activities Director used too much time to just talk about

herself. Nice lady, interesting story...but I would have thought it would have been

more appropriate to talk about CC and get people involvement...to actually "meet

and mingle" Not one of the best run M&M's I have attended.

 

Yes, agree...thanks for bringing the cups up again. I forgot to post that we indeed did

check out all the shops on board, plus Starbucks themselves, and found no related

RCI/Starbucks cups for sale. Guess they are missing out on that income venue.

[island lady]

OK...here we go with the finale of our last day:

 

After our DL cocktails on Day seven, we once again headed up to CK for our

last dinner. I eagerly ordered that great Hamachi appetizer again, and was

again fantastic! Bucky decided to go veggie, and ordered the fried Cauliflower

rice. Interesting dish with two eggs on top. Quite yummy! My entree this time

was another miss. I got the seafood pasta, lots of little bay scallops, but tasted

and smelled of low tide. Oh well, certainly did not go hungry on this cruise

of course. ;) :eek: Shared a decadent chocolate dessert, then off to the

cabin to pack and set the luggage out for collection.

 

Next up: Disembarkation Day.

[island lady]

Dreaded Disembarkation Day:

 

Yikes!! After those last beautiful sunny days in the mid 80's....got up early

to watch us slide into port and found rain, a cold 46 degrees, and clamy.

Noticed we followed in one Carnival ship, the "mouse" (Disney ;)) was already

in, and then another Carnival ship came in after us. Four ships in port. Uh-oh!

Customs agents will be spread thin. Three of the ships are no small fries for sure.

 

Three choices for breakfast: WJ, MDR, and Park Cafe. Since it was raining,

and still quite dark, Park Cafe was a no go for us. MDR typically on last day

is always slow...so WJ it was. Pleasantly surprised to find it running smoothly,

plenty of seats available and both sides open for business. The usual limited

offerings for last day, but more than enough to not starve! ;) Another huge

surprise was to find the coffee machine working in the DL this morning. Most

ships, they get cheap and shut it down...leaving us for that burnt tasting coffee

in the WJ. Island Lady was happy cruiser with her last Latte of the cruise.

 

Our tag was #15, scheduled for 8:20. After returning to the cabin for a bit,

we said goodbye to our great cabin attendant, (who also let us check out one

of the OS cabins...Sweeet Suite!). All levels of C&A (except Pinnacle who go

with the Suites people) were scheduled for down one level on deck four of the

Theater. Most everyone else were on deck five (disembarkation deck) and some

were in the dining room. Being one deck down was not a perk for sure, since

elevators are not possible with the crowds, we had to lug our carry on bags

(now loaded with rum and a "did not use" last bottle of wine) up the two sets

of stairs to get back to deck five when our number was called.

 

On the way to our assigned area, we noticed the "self assist" people in line.

:eek: OMG!! Are you kidding??!! The promenade on OA covers

a lot of landscape from one end to the other. This line was going down one side,

back around the end, back down the other side, and then the line to the door.

Grouchy looking pax were pushing and shoving their way along with all their

gear...glad we did not opt for it.

 

Our number was called 10 minutes late (found Terrance our great LA, that

told me they had a record number of self assist, which pushed the timing

back for regular numbers). Once we were called it was a simple walk to the

door, very organized, but the trouble started when we got off the ship. Long

line backed up just after we left the gangway. We were in that line for over

an hour, but at least this line did not have us lugging all of our suitcases.

 

Once let in to the terminal, found our bags right away, and then

joined the other long line to get to customs. Another 45 minutes. Noticed a

side line (not suites or Pinnacles) that kept forming...then they let that group of

20-30 passengers cut in line in front of us every 20 minutes or so. Not sure

what that was, or why they could not simply get in the regular line at the

end. :confused: Held everyone up even more. :(

 

Finally through, easy pick up of our shuttle, and back to our vehicle at

Park N Cruise. Home to my fur baby by 11:00 am.

 

Thanks for cruising along with us, and all of your compliments! Hope

you enjoyed the ride.

 

If there are any more questions, I will do my best to answer them. :)

Edited January 30, 2017 by island lady

[Bette And Bill]

Dreaded Disembarkation Day:

 

Yikes!! After those last beautiful sunny days in the mid 80's....got up early

to watch us slide into port and found rain, a cold 46 degrees, and clamy.

Noticed we followed in one Carnival ship, the "mouse" (Disney ;)) was already

in, and then another Carnival ship came in after us. Four ships in port. Uh-oh!

Customs agents will be spread thin. Three of the ships are no small fries for sure.

 

Three choices for breakfast: WJ, MDR, and Park Cafe. Since it was raining,

and still quite dark, Park Cafe was a no go for us. MDR typically on last day

is always slow...so WJ it was. Pleasantly surprised to find it running smoothly,

plenty of seats available and both sides open for business. The usual limited

offerings for last day, but more than enough to not starve! ;) Another huge

surprise was to find the coffee machine working in the DL this morning. Most

ships, they get cheap and shut it down...leaving us for that burnt tasting coffee

in the WJ. Island Lady was happy cruiser with her last Latte of the cruise.

 

Our tag was #15, scheduled for 8:20. After returning to the cabin for a bit,

we said goodbye to our great cabin attendant, (who also let us check out one

of the OS cabins...Sweeet Suite!). All levels of C&A (except Pinnacle who go

with the Suites people) were scheduled for down one level on deck four of the

Theater. Most everyone else were on deck five (disembarkation deck) and some

were in the dining room. Being one deck down was not a perk for sure, since

elevators are not possible with the crowds, we had to lug our carry on bags

(now loaded with rum and a "did not use" last bottle of wine) up the two sets

of stairs to get back to deck five when our number was called.

 

On the way to our assigned area, we noticed the "self assist" people in line.

:eek: OMG!! Are you kidding??!! The promenade on OA covers

a lot of landscape from one end to the other. This line was going down one side,

back around the end, back down the other side, and then the line to the door.

Grouchy looking pax were pushing and shoving their way along with all their

gear...glad we did not opt for it.

 

Our number was called 10 minutes late (found Terrance our great LA, that

told me they had a record number of self assist, which pushed the timing

back for regular numbers). Once we were called it was a simple walk to the

door, very organized, but the trouble started when we got off the ship. Long

line backed up just after we left the gangway. We were in that line for over

an hour, but at least this line did not have us lugging all of our suitcases.

 

Once let in to the terminal, found our bags right away, and then

joined the other long line to get to customs. Another 45 minutes. Noticed a

side line (not suites or Pinnacles) that kept forming...then they let that group of

20-30 passengers cut in line in front of us every 20 minutes or so. Not sure

what that was, or why they could not simply get in the regular line at the

end. :confused: Held everyone up even more. :(

 

Finally through, easy pick up of our shuttle, and back to our vehicle at

Park N Cruise. Home to my fur baby by 11:00 am.

 

Thanks for cruising along with us, and all of your compliments! Hope

you enjoyed the ride.

 

If there are any more questions, I will do my best to answer them. :)

 

Pat - did you notice if Port Canaveral has added "Global Entry". They have it in Ft. Lauderdale and I wondered if they would put one in when Oasis moved to Port Canaveral.