Just Back from Oasis - Ask me anything!

[chodnett]

Hey all!

We are just back from our Spring Break Oasis of the Seas sailing, which sailed away on Easter Sunday. Below are my key takeaways from the cruise, and I'm open to any questions you may have.

 

Notes:

• This was an Easter sailing, which sailed away on Easter Sunday.
• There were over 2,000 kids on this particular cruise.
• Our original itinerary included Labadee, but it got switched out with CocoCay, giving us back-to-back days at Perfect Day.
• We were in an Oceanview stateroom on the 3rd deck.

 

Highlights

• Aqua80 is just the best show at sea. I would sail Oasis just to watch this show.
• One of our Perfect Day stops was shared with Symphony of the Seas. I was worried about crowds, but the island handled it so well!
• This may have been one of the best bar staffs I've ever encountered. All of them were friendly, and the service was fast!
• There were several surprise and delights on this trip, including balloon animals every morning in the Windjammer.

 

Low-lights

• The Supercell Waterslide was broken the entire week.
• There were some unexpected signs of wear and tear across the ship. Hot tubs were in dire need of resurfacing, there was more rust than I'm used to seeing on Royal, and we noticed several dining chairs with rips and tears.
• Our stateroom attendant was unusually rude. On debarkation day at 7:45 am, he knocked on our door and told us to hurry up and check out because he was coming in at 8 am to start cleaning whether we left or not. Yikes.
• I'm still concerned about the quality of the free food around the ships. Since COVID, I've noticed a pattern of decreased food quality.

[Woozisuzi]

Hey! thanks for posting.  I cruise on 18th August on Oasis. 2000 kids 😮

 

How were the ques for things?  Did you manage to get sunbeds on sea days? Did it feel overly cramped?

[little britain]

Were the specialty restaurants busy or were they touting for business offering reduced prices? 

[firefly333]

We did oasis mid march 2023 and had over 2k kids. That's probably typical for spring break. They were noticeable imo, but next time I'll remember its spring break. 

[SquishTheWhale]

Was there lots of photographers around the ship? I've bought a photo package and hoping to get some nice family photos!

[chodnett]

2 hours ago, Woozisuzi said:

Hey! thanks for posting.  I cruise on 18th August on Oasis. 2000 kids 😮

 

How were the ques for things?  Did you manage to get sunbeds on sea days? Did it feel overly cramped?

 

We contributed 3 to the 2,000+! Ha! But seriously, we never had an issue finding chairs on sea days.

 

Queues for the waterslides were consistently long, but other things (Carousel, Abyss, etc.) were fine. 

 

The only times it felt cramped were Embarkation and the Windjammer at breakfast.

[chodnett]

1 hour ago, little britain said:

Were the specialty restaurants busy or were they touting for business offering reduced prices? 

 

We didn't book any specialty dining ahead of time, but ended up walking right up at several. I didn't notice any deals above and beyond what they usually offer.

[chodnett]

21 minutes ago, SquishTheWhale said:

Was there lots of photographers around the ship? I've bought a photo package and hoping to get some nice family photos!

Tons. And very low wait times for the popular spots if you get there right at setup (4:30ish).

[SquishTheWhale]

1 hour ago, chodnett said:

Tons. And very low wait times for the popular spots if you get there right at setup (4:30ish).

Great thanks. We bought the 20 photo package so was hoping we'd be able to get lots to choose from. Persuading the 4yr old to pose in them is another matter.

[Nadey]

After your room attendant got the tips they don't  care anymore. On my last cruise at the dining room, they didn't even come back to the table to get extra tips. They figured they had gotten theirs and ignored us.

[john91498]

1 hour ago, Nadey said:

After your room attendant got the tips they don't  care anymore. On my last cruise at the dining room, they didn't even come back to the table to get extra tips. They figured they had gotten theirs and ignored us.

 

Geez, that sucks...

[fla33023]

Did you try Royal Up? 

[Ocean Boy]

Did Oasis stay tied up at the pier overnight or did the ship float around and then dock for the second day?

 

I've never had a cabin attendant with that type of attitude. How was he the rest of the week?

[chodnett]

1 hour ago, fla33023 said:

Did you try Royal Up? 

We were in a unique situation where we had 4 people on one reservation, and one on another, but all in the same stateroom. Don't ask me why, but it's how my TA handled the booking.

 

With that, we didn't qualify for RoyalUp.

 

However, my parents were originally in an Interior stateroom. They submitted a RoyalUp for $75/person to move to an Oceanview stateroom, and they won!

[chodnett]

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Did Oasis stay tied up at the pier overnight or did the ship float around and then dock for the second day?

 

I've never had a cabin attendant with that type of attitude. How was he the rest of the week?

 

We sailed away at 6 pm, and sailed back by 7 am the next morning. From what we could tell, the ship did some circles, and also tested the propulsion system a bit, picking up some speed in the open water. The reason they won't stay docked overnight anymore is loss of revenue from the casino and shops being closed while docked.

 

As for the cabin attendant, to be honest, he had a negative vibe from the start. We filled out the form in advance asking for a pack-n-play, and for the pullman bed to be setup. It was not ready when we arrived, and I offered a reminder when I first met him. He didn't follow-through on the first night, and he seemed agitated when I reminded him on Day 2. 

 

On a related note, the stateroom service has become my biggest frustration with Royal Caribbean. I understand cost-cutting and the impact of sourcing good labor, but just two years ago, we were all receiving two stateroom services per day. Then a year ago it went down to one, but it was up to me when I would receive it (morning or evening). Now, they've gone to a system where we're told when our service is happening. For this cruise, we were told our service would happen between 8 am and 1 pm. Not ideal for sleeping in or catching an early nap. On the other hand, my parents were told their service time was between 4 pm and 8 pm.

[Ocean Boy]

7 minutes ago, chodnett said:

 

We sailed away at 6 pm, and sailed back by 7 am the next morning. From what we could tell, the ship did some circles, and also tested the propulsion system a bit, picking up some speed in the open water. The reason they won't stay docked overnight anymore is loss of revenue from the casino and shops being closed while docked.

 

As for the cabin attendant, to be honest, he had a negative vibe from the start. We filled out the form in advance asking for a pack-n-play, and for the pullman bed to be setup. It was not ready when we arrived, and I offered a reminder when I first met him. He didn't follow-through on the first night, and he seemed agitated when I reminded him on Day 2. 

 

On a related note, the stateroom service has become my biggest frustration with Royal Caribbean. I understand cost-cutting and the impact of sourcing good labor, but just two years ago, we were all receiving two stateroom services per day. Then a year ago it went down to one, but it was up to me when I would receive it (morning or evening). Now, they've gone to a system where we're told when our service is happening. For this cruise, we were told our service would happen between 8 am and 1 pm. Not ideal for sleeping in or catching an early nap. On the other hand, my parents were told their service time was between 4 pm and 8 pm.

That is interesting. When I was on Odyssey in February my attendant asked me if I wanted AM or PM. I told him AM and the earlier the better. He was happy to have a cabin that he knew he could start with and not have to worry about people sleeping. Honestly, in your case I would have seriously considered adjusting the stewards gratuities.

 

I don't know why the Bahamas enforces the casino and shop rules at CC. It isn't as if it has any impact on local spending like when a ship is in a regular port. Maybe RCI would have to collect and pay taxes from sales to the Bahamas.

[chodnett]

11 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

That is interesting. When I was on Odyssey in February my attendant asked me if I wanted AM or PM. I told him AM and the earlier the better. He was happy to have a cabin that he knew he could start with and not have to worry about people sleeping. Honestly, in your case I would have seriously considered adjusting the stewards gratuities.

 

I don't know why the Bahamas enforces the casino and shop rules at CC. It isn't as if it has any impact on local spending like when a ship is in a regular port. Maybe RCI would have to collect and pay taxes from sales to the Bahamas.

I think you're spot on with your last line.

[Biker19]

56 minutes ago, chodnett said:

Don't ask me why, but it's how my TA handled the booking.

That’s a limitation of the RCI booking system- for bookings for more than 4 in a cabin, it’s two different booking numbers. 

[fla33023]

52 minutes ago, chodnett said:

 

We sailed away at 6 pm, and sailed back by 7 am the next morning. From what we could tell, the ship did some circles, and also tested the propulsion system a bit, picking up some speed in the open water. The reason they won't stay docked overnight anymore is loss of revenue from the casino and shops being closed while docked.

 

As for the cabin attendant, to be honest, he had a negative vibe from the start. We filled out the form in advance asking for a pack-n-play, and for the pullman bed to be setup. It was not ready when we arrived, and I offered a reminder when I first met him. He didn't follow-through on the first night, and he seemed agitated when I reminded him on Day 2. 

 

On a related note, the stateroom service has become my biggest frustration with Royal Caribbean. I understand cost-cutting and the impact of sourcing good labor, but just two years ago, we were all receiving two stateroom services per day. Then a year ago it went down to one, but it was up to me when I would receive it (morning or evening). Now, they've gone to a system where we're told when our service is happening. For this cruise, we were told our service would happen between 8 am and 1 pm. Not ideal for sleeping in or catching an early nap. On the other hand, my parents were told their service time was between 4 pm and 8 pm.

The cabin cleaning must vary per ship. We were on both Indy and Freedom in the last 4 months and always had the option. I always tell them, I don't know! Just go with what fits your schedule and if we're here (usually my teen), we'll clear out. 

[Pratique]

50 minutes ago, chodnett said:

Now, they've gone to a system where we're told when our service is happening. For this cruise, we were told our service would happen between 8 am and 1 pm. Not ideal for sleeping in or catching an early nap. On the other hand, my parents were told their service time was between 4 pm and 8 pm.

This seemed inevitable to me. There were going to be too many instances where everyone wanted an AM service and the attendant needs to have them spread ~50/50 across the shift.

 

We've also noticed the same thing regarding the decreased quality of the free food. I would even say that if I had nothing to compare it to, I would still be disappointed.

[fla33023]

1 hour ago, chodnett said:

We were in a unique situation where we had 4 people on one reservation, and one on another, but all in the same stateroom. Don't ask me why, but it's how my TA handled the booking.

 

With that, we didn't qualify for RoyalUp.

 

However, my parents were originally in an Interior stateroom. They submitted a RoyalUp for $75/person to move to an Oceanview stateroom, and they won!

Yay for them! I'm sailing Oasis for the first time in July and looking forward to Royal Up.

[Scottdalfonso]

4 minutes ago, Pratique said:

This seemed inevitable to me. There were going to be too many instances where everyone wanted an AM service and the attendant needs to have them spread ~50/50 across the shift.

 

We've also noticed the same thing regarding the decreased quality of the free food. I would even say that if I had nothing to compare it to, I would still be disappointed.

We got asked back in October, but we also prefer evening service so we were able to pick that, maybe if too many people ask for the same time they start telling you when they can do it rather than ask.  Also, for people asking about the photos- a great newer feature is that you can look at your pics in the app during the week, We never buy the pics, but we let them take them sometimes at the ports or around the ship, then we can instantly look at them on the app so if we DO see one that we REALLY want, we can go buy it. 

[chodnett]

2 minutes ago, Scottdalfonso said:

We got asked back in October, but we also prefer evening service so we were able to pick that, maybe if too many people ask for the same time they start telling you when they can do it rather than ask.  Also, for people asking about the photos- a great newer feature is that you can look at your pics in the app during the week, We never buy the pics, but we let them take them sometimes at the ports or around the ship, then we can instantly look at them on the app so if we DO see one that we REALLY want, we can go buy it. 

 

Great point about the photos!

 

One thing we really like about the upgrades with the app and Diamond benefits is the free digital photo option. We had gotten tired of brining home 8x10's every time. But now, with the app, we can simply select two photos we love and download them right to the phone for free.

[Loracpin2]

I've posted this on other Oasis related threads but will post again.

 

We sailed the Oasis last July to join our Daughter, Son-in law, two Granddaughters and another couple. Ship was filled to maximum capacity of 6800.

-Cabin stewards were overwhelmed and did the best they could under the conditions.

-Reservations for shows was not an option because everything was booked solid.

-Pool areas were always filled to maximum capacity. Impossible to find a seat.

-Windjammer was a nightmare. Wall to wall crowds. Windows and windowsills filthy with caked   on foods, and food that was mediocre at best.

-Food quality was not much better in the MDR and the $560 we spent for a family dinner to eat in   Chops was a joke.    

 

Our Diamond status is no longer an incentive to book RCI. 

 

 

[chodnett]

41 minutes ago, Loracpin2 said:

I've posted this on other Oasis related threads but will post again.

 

We sailed the Oasis last July to join our Daughter, Son-in law, two Granddaughters and another couple. Ship was filled to maximum capacity of 6800.

-Cabin stewards were overwhelmed and did the best they could under the conditions.

-Reservations for shows was not an option because everything was booked solid.

-Pool areas were always filled to maximum capacity. Impossible to find a seat.

-Windjammer was a nightmare. Wall to wall crowds. Windows and windowsills filthy with caked   on foods, and food that was mediocre at best.

-Food quality was not much better in the MDR and the $560 we spent for a family dinner to eat in   Chops was a joke.    

 

Our Diamond status is no longer an incentive to book RCI. 

 

 

Hate to hear that! We definitely didn’t have that bad of an experience. I genuinely enjoyed the trip and ship overall.

 

I know Royal isn’t immune to inflation and labor shortages, but my overarching issue with Royal right now is the price keeps going up, and the level of service is going down. That’s what has taken us from being a “three cruises per year” family to once per year starting in 2025.