Review for Cruising Oasis OTS with a child for the first time

[PTAngel]

I have 14 cruises under my belt including 4 (now) on the Oasis OTS.  This was my first time with my GD (10) & DS.  This was totally different than with an adult!  I'll try to hit the highlights.

 

First of all, she was fully vaccinated.  Very easy to get on board.

 

Day 1

Our window to get aboard was 12 - 12:30.  We dropped our luggage off, parked in the handicapped garage & were walking into the terminal about 12:05.  We went straight up into the ship.  It was very easy & quick.  Our first stop was Shore Excursions to try to straighten out an issue.  Then to Boleras to make reservations for Frozen in Time, Aqua 80, & CATS.  Next stop was Adventure Ocean to register GD.  She loved it & could hardly wait to go back.  We took the elevator to deck 8 & walked through Central Park & took the elevator to deck 15.   Lunch was in Solarium Bistro.  I know how hectic it can be in WJ.  Also, we are at the stern of the ship where our cabins were.  Cabins were open after we ate so went there to drop off our carry-ons & take our luggage in.  GD couldn't wait to put her bathing suit.

 

We walked around on deck 15 & 16 then back to 15 so GD could go in the pool.  She loved it.  Back to cabin at 3:30 to unpack & change for early seating in MDR.

We went up to deck 16 to watch sailaway.  She was excited to see the Statue of Liberty & the NY skyline.  Everyone cheered as we went under the bridge.

  

We were seated with another family of 3 & the son was the same age as GD. I told Ahmed we had reservation at 7:00 for Frozen in Time & we were done in plenty of time to see the show.  

 

The show was excellent.  We especially enjoyed the girl with all the hula hoops.  There were so many firsts for GD this trip & she enjoyed every one of them.  

 

We explored Boardwalk & Promonade decks then back to cabin for bed.  I was traveling solo so GD decided to split her nights between me & her father.  My turn the first night.

 

Day 2 - Sea Day

 

GD didn't wake up until 8:30 so we got a late start.  We went to WJ for breakfast but the line was too long so went back to Solarium Bistro.  Went back to cabin so GD could put her bathing suit on & we spent most of the day in the water.  They went to El Loco Fresh for lunch.  I went to WJ.  Went to the $10 sale, then picked up DS & GD at 3:30.  DS & GD went to AO but they were closed to capacity.  Dinner at MDR at 5:15.

 

We went to the Headliner Show with Jason Bishop, illusionist.  Very good.  I showed GD the Small Wonders so she was watching for them.  Had a picture taken on the stairs.  Then we separated.  DS dropped GD off at AO for a couple of hours.  I went in the hot tub.  We met up at cabins then walked around, stopped at Promonade Cafe for snacks, reserved Escape Room then back to cabin for bed.  

 

Day 3 - Fathers Day Port Canaveral

 

Got up earlier this morning so went to WJ for breakfast.  Dropped GD at AO, separated then I went to library for Sudoku puzzle.  I went to the casino & used $20 from sea pass card to play a penny slot.  After playing for an hour, I left with $20.  Pretty good.  Back to cabin to relax.  Lunch in WJ.

 

Met in Royal Theater at 1 PM for excursion Kennedy Space Center Shuttle.   After a 20 min bus ride, we did a guided bus tour to Vehicle Assembly Bldg & Apollo/Saturn V Center.  Then back to visitor center.  Did a little shopping then caught bus at 5 pm to return to ship.  We missed our seating time at MDR so went to Portside BBQ for dinner.  It was well worth the $13 specialty dining fee.  We played a little golf.  GD was the last ride on The Ultimate Abyss.  Back to cabin then separated.  DS took GD to AO.  I relaxed on deck 16 to watch sailaway & called DH.  Good news!  DS turn to spend night with GD.

 

Day 4 - Nassau

 

Up at 7:30.   Went to Diamond lounge for coffee & snacks.  All 3 of us went to WJ for breakfast.  Back in pool, El Loco Fresh for lunch.  Back to cabin to change for excursion.  1:30 went ashore to meet for Seaworld Explorer at 2 pm.  The bus drove over the Sidney Poitier Bridge, got off & walked under bridge to get to our catamaran for ride to semi sub.  We saw some coral & fish & returned at 4 pm.  We did a little shopping in Nassau & got our passports stamped then back to ship.  Dinner at 6 in WJ.  Separated after dinner then met up for Aqua80 show at 10 pm.  Back to cabin for bed.

 

Day 5 - Coco Cay

 

WJ for breakfast.  Got off at 8.  Went to Water Thrill Park.  GD spent most of day in Wave Pool.  She did do 1 slide & tried the water obstacle course but back to wave pool.  DS & GS did 1 slide together.  Lunch at Snack Shack.  Skipper's Grill better with more variety.  Up, Up & Away didn't go up today due to wind.  We had reservations but i don't know when we will get credit.  Left park at 2 & walked around.  Back on ship at 2:30. They do have carts for those that have difficulty walking but the lines are long so I walked.  Back to cabin to shower, relax & wait till dinner.  MDF for early seating.  GD was invited to play Laser Tag with our dinner mates & they would drop her at AO.  We have reservations for the Escape Room at 8:30.  We won Escape Room with 23 seconds to go!  Group pictures were taken.  We picked GD up at 9:15 then separated.  I went to Jazz for a while then cabin.

 

Day 6 - Sea Day

 

Ordered continental breakfast from Room Service for me.  Very prompt & good.  Up to pool to sit & read.  Went to Promanade for sale (nothing interesting) & Central Park for beef sandwiches & chips for me & DS.  Back to cabin at 2 pm to shower & dress for CATS at 3 pm. Show seemed a little shorter with no intermission.  MDR for early seating.  8 pm saw Frozen in Time again.  Dropped GD at AO & separated.  I went to casino & lost of my $20.  Back to cabin.  I got lucky & have GD tonight.

 

Day 7 - Sea Day

 

MDR at 8:15 for breakfast.  9:15 Studio B to sign up for open skating.  We got the 10 - 10:20 slot.  GD went around the wall once & I video taped it.  I thought she did good for her first time on ice skates.  She only fell once.  10:30 went to Promonade for Salute to Heroes.  DS & GS did zip line & Ultimate Abyss.  Lunch on Boardwalk, a hot dog.  GD rode carousel again.  They were having a Boardwalk Celebration with popcorn ($) & candy candy ($) & some kind of souvenir cup ($).  Went back to room a 2 pm then separated.  I went to casino & spent the last of my $20, then went to hot tub.  Back to cabin at 3:45 to shower & change & start packing.  MDR early seating.  Said goodbye to seatmates.  Watched movie "Encantato" in the Aqua Theater.  GD rode carousel AGAIN.  Went to Promonade & GD did silent dancing.  She loved that & didn't like me when I made her come with me to pick out her shirt & something else.  Back to cabin to finish packing & put cases out.  GD watched TV until 11 then I turned it off & bed.

 

Day 8 - Bayonne

 

Up at 6:30.  Breakfast at WJ at 7.   Our disembarkation window was 8 - 8:15 but we were on the wrong elevator & we were sent right off the ship.  Our luggage was there so we grabbed them & started out.  Customs stopped us & DS had to pull out GS birth certificate to show.  We lost the parking ticket but had no problem getting another one.  We left the garage at 8:08. 

 

We ran into traffic before the Delaware Memorial Bridge so didn't get to DS house until 10:50.  By the time I transferred my luggage to my car & DS gave me my case that he used, I was still home before 12.

 

I am sorry this is so long.  I didn't know I could write this much.  If any questions, please feel free to ask.  I'll try to answer.

 

We all enjoyed the cruise. 

[Happy New Cruiser]

Thanks for your review. I’m looking forward to being on Oasis in August with my wife and two sons. 
 

I was wondering if you could answer a question about AO. This question was posted by a few people in another thread but I never saw an answer.  Do you currently need to reserve times for AO? I see in your review that there was a time that they reached capacity but after that it seems like there was no problem.  Any info you have about the process would be greatly appreciated. 

[kitkat343]

And could you also let us know if you are aware were there specific times AO was full (dinner shift, morning, or lunch?)  Did that happen a lot to the families that want to use AO extensively?

[PTAngel]

There was no reservation required.  The capacity was 100 kids.  The hours were 9 am to noon, 2 pm to 5 pm, 7 pm to 10 pm, Late night party zone ($7 ph) 10 pm to midnight.   These hours were the same for port & sea days.  Port days did have an early bird available upon request only for those parents going on a Royal Caribbean Shore Excursion.  On day of departure the hours were program registration noon to 5 pm, 8 pm to 10 pm, late night part zone was the same.

 

The capacity reached only happened once.  I think it was in the afternoon.  My GD loved it.   

[kitkat343]

Thank you so much for letting me know - the kids clubs are the most important reason why we cruise, and if it's only closed rarely we will have a very different experience than if it is closed all the time or if we have to stand on line forever trying to get our kid in.

[Happy New Cruiser]

2 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

Thank you so much for letting me know - the kids clubs are the most important reason why we cruise, and if it's only closed rarely we will have a very different experience than if it is closed all the time or if we have to stand on line forever trying to get our kid in.

Ditto.  I’m so happy to hear we don’t need reservations.  I prefer to have flexibility and I was nervous I was going to have to plan the whole week around when we could get spots in AO.  Thanks so much for the answer. With this info I am so much more excited about our trip. 

[PTAngel]

Glad to have been of help.  It was my first experience with AO so wasn't sure how it was going to go.  I had heard stories of closure or lines but none of this happened.  My only issue was I had scheduled the Escape Room at 6:30 one night & AO doesn't open until 7 pm so had to reschedule.  Between afternoon schedule & evening schedule is their dinner break so no one to watch GD.  I just rescheduled to 8:30 & it was fine.

[smokeybandit]

There haven't been AO reservations since March

[lh1971]

On 6/25/2022 at 4:35 PM, PTAngel said:

I have 14 cruises under my belt including 4 (now) on the Oasis OTS.  This was my first time with my GD (10) & DS.  This was totally different than with an adult!  I'll try to hit the highlights.

 

First of all, she was fully vaccinated.  Very easy to get on board.

 

Day 1

Our window to get aboard was 12 - 12:30.  We dropped our luggage off, parked in the handicapped garage & were walking into the terminal about 12:05.  We went straight up into the ship.  It was very easy & quick.  Our first stop was Shore Excursions to try to straighten out an issue.  Then to Boleras to make reservations for Frozen in Time, Aqua 80, & CATS.  Next stop was Adventure Ocean to register GD.  She loved it & could hardly wait to go back.  We took the elevator to deck 8 & walked through Central Park & took the elevator to deck 15.   Lunch was in Solarium Bistro.  I know how hectic it can be in WJ.  Also, we are at the stern of the ship where our cabins were.  Cabins were open after we ate so went there to drop off our carry-ons & take our luggage in.  GD couldn't wait to put her bathing suit.

 

We walked around on deck 15 & 16 then back to 15 so GD could go in the pool.  She loved it.  Back to cabin at 3:30 to unpack & change for early seating in MDR.

We went up to deck 16 to watch sailaway.  She was excited to see the Statue of Liberty & the NY skyline.  Everyone cheered as we went under the bridge.

  

We were seated with another family of 3 & the son was the same age as GD. I told Ahmed we had reservation at 7:00 for Frozen in Time & we were done in plenty of time to see the show.  

 

The show was excellent.  We especially enjoyed the girl with all the hula hoops.  There were so many firsts for GD this trip & she enjoyed every one of them.  

 

We explored Boardwalk & Promonade decks then back to cabin for bed.  I was traveling solo so GD decided to split her nights between me & her father.  My turn the first night.

 

Day 2 - Sea Day

 

GD didn't wake up until 8:30 so we got a late start.  We went to WJ for breakfast but the line was too long so went back to Solarium Bistro.  Went back to cabin so GD could put her bathing suit on & we spent most of the day in the water.  They went to El Loco Fresh for lunch.  I went to WJ.  Went to the $10 sale, then picked up DS & GD at 3:30.  DS & GD went to AO but they were closed to capacity.  Dinner at MDR at 5:15.

 

We went to the Headliner Show with Jason Bishop, illusionist.  Very good.  I showed GD the Small Wonders so she was watching for them.  Had a picture taken on the stairs.  Then we separated.  DS dropped GD off at AO for a couple of hours.  I went in the hot tub.  We met up at cabins then walked around, stopped at Promonade Cafe for snacks, reserved Escape Room then back to cabin for bed.  

 

Day 3 - Fathers Day Port Canaveral

 

Got up earlier this morning so went to WJ for breakfast.  Dropped GD at AO, separated then I went to library for Sudoku puzzle.  I went to the casino & used $20 from sea pass card to play a penny slot.  After playing for an hour, I left with $20.  Pretty good.  Back to cabin to relax.  Lunch in WJ.

 

Met in Royal Theater at 1 PM for excursion Kennedy Space Center Shuttle.   After a 20 min bus ride, we did a guided bus tour to Vehicle Assembly Bldg & Apollo/Saturn V Center.  Then back to visitor center.  Did a little shopping then caught bus at 5 pm to return to ship.  We missed our seating time at MDR so went to Portside BBQ for dinner.  It was well worth the $13 specialty dining fee.  We played a little golf.  GD was the last ride on The Ultimate Abyss.  Back to cabin then separated.  DS took GD to AO.  I relaxed on deck 16 to watch sailaway & called DH.  Good news!  DS turn to spend night with GD.

 

Day 4 - Nassau

 

Up at 7:30.   Went to Diamond lounge for coffee & snacks.  All 3 of us went to WJ for breakfast.  Back in pool, El Loco Fresh for lunch.  Back to cabin to change for excursion.  1:30 went ashore to meet for Seaworld Explorer at 2 pm.  The bus drove over the Sidney Poitier Bridge, got off & walked under bridge to get to our catamaran for ride to semi sub.  We saw some coral & fish & returned at 4 pm.  We did a little shopping in Nassau & got our passports stamped then back to ship.  Dinner at 6 in WJ.  Separated after dinner then met up for Aqua80 show at 10 pm.  Back to cabin for bed.

 

Day 5 - Coco Cay

 

WJ for breakfast.  Got off at 8.  Went to Water Thrill Park.  GD spent most of day in Wave Pool.  She did do 1 slide & tried the water obstacle course but back to wave pool.  DS & GS did 1 slide together.  Lunch at Snack Shack.  Skipper's Grill better with more variety.  Up, Up & Away didn't go up today due to wind.  We had reservations but i don't know when we will get credit.  Left park at 2 & walked around.  Back on ship at 2:30. They do have carts for those that have difficulty walking but the lines are long so I walked.  Back to cabin to shower, relax & wait till dinner.  MDF for early seating.  GD was invited to play Laser Tag with our dinner mates & they would drop her at AO.  We have reservations for the Escape Room at 8:30.  We won Escape Room with 23 seconds to go!  Group pictures were taken.  We picked GD up at 9:15 then separated.  I went to Jazz for a while then cabin.

 

Day 6 - Sea Day

 

Ordered continental breakfast from Room Service for me.  Very prompt & good.  Up to pool to sit & read.  Went to Promanade for sale (nothing interesting) & Central Park for beef sandwiches & chips for me & DS.  Back to cabin at 2 pm to shower & dress for CATS at 3 pm. Show seemed a little shorter with no intermission.  MDR for early seating.  8 pm saw Frozen in Time again.  Dropped GD at AO & separated.  I went to casino & lost of my $20.  Back to cabin.  I got lucky & have GD tonight.

 

Day 7 - Sea Day

 

MDR at 8:15 for breakfast.  9:15 Studio B to sign up for open skating.  We got the 10 - 10:20 slot.  GD went around the wall once & I video taped it.  I thought she did good for her first time on ice skates.  She only fell once.  10:30 went to Promonade for Salute to Heroes.  DS & GS did zip line & Ultimate Abyss.  Lunch on Boardwalk, a hot dog.  GD rode carousel again.  They were having a Boardwalk Celebration with popcorn ($) & candy candy ($) & some kind of souvenir cup ($).  Went back to room a 2 pm then separated.  I went to casino & spent the last of my $20, then went to hot tub.  Back to cabin at 3:45 to shower & change & start packing.  MDR early seating.  Said goodbye to seatmates.  Watched movie "Encantato" in the Aqua Theater.  GD rode carousel AGAIN.  Went to Promonade & GD did silent dancing.  She loved that & didn't like me when I made her come with me to pick out her shirt & something else.  Back to cabin to finish packing & put cases out.  GD watched TV until 11 then I turned it off & bed.

 

Day 8 - Bayonne

 

Up at 6:30.  Breakfast at WJ at 7.   Our disembarkation window was 8 - 8:15 but we were on the wrong elevator & we were sent right off the ship.  Our luggage was there so we grabbed them & started out.  Customs stopped us & DS had to pull out GS birth certificate to show.  We lost the parking ticket but had no problem getting another one.  We left the garage at 8:08. 

 

We ran into traffic before the Delaware Memorial Bridge so didn't get to DS house until 10:50.  By the time I transferred my luggage to my car & DS gave me my case that he used, I was still home before 12.

 

I am sorry this is so long.  I didn't know I could write this much.  If any questions, please feel free to ask.  I'll try to answer.

 

We all enjoyed the cruise. 

Thanks for the review!Great information. Quick question, where did you reserve the Escape Room? Did you do that on the first day at Boleros? Thanks so much!!

[PTAngel]

You can reserve it on your app or we were at Customer Service anyway so reserved it there.  I guess you can do it at Boleros also.  I did it in October with a friend & this time with my son.  Neither one of them seemed enthusiastic about it but really enjoyed it.