LIVE from Oasis of the Seas Transatlantic (with bonus Disney World) April 2024

[laurieal]

2 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

Laurie- I am wishing you a good sea journey as it is a trans Atlantic,not a typical cruise to the Caribbean. My DH and I did one TA on the QEII and we found that sea journey to be quite relaxing. 
I read about your trip on the train from Orlando to Miami and I have a question that I hope you don’t mind answering.

It may be helpful to people who are new to experiencing handicapped travel for themselves.

I was wondering how you managed your luggage in and out of the train terminals and on your way to the hotel. I am thinking that there were porters to assist in the train terminals and you mentioned a checked bag. Just thinking about you maneuvering your way to the hotel.

Take care

MJ👩🏻

Hello and thank you for joining me 😊 

 

I have a luggage that’s pretty awesome. I can attach it to the back of my wheelchair and carry it around easily. 
 

It’s not the exact same, but it looks like this. 
 

 

Since Terminal C is a smooth and even surface, it was easy carrying it from the Mears bus to the train station. Then, I checked it as soon as I arrived at the train station so I didn’t have to worry about it until I arrived in Miami.
 

There, I picked it up from the Guest Service counter. The Metromover station was very close to the train station and it was flat, so it was easy to carry it up to there. And then my hotel was also super close to the other Metromover so it was no problème carrying my suitcase to there. 
 

I think it’s an amazing piece of luggage for people who use a wheelchair and travel alone. It really shines on flat, smooth surfaces like airports or train stations. It’s a bit more difficult on carpet or out on the wild. 

[MJSailors]

Laurie-Thank you for your quick reply. I thought you might have a piece of luggage that hooked onto the wheelchair. I see how that luggage would be extremely helpful for a solo wheelchair traveler. I noted the brand on the luggage in the photo for future reference. 
Wishing you an enjoyable first evening on the ship.

I will be following your posting as your journey proceeds.

MJ👩🏻

[Rogueperson]

I’m being silly here.

 

[laurieal]

I ended up going to the solo meet and greet up on deck 16 at the Wipeout Bar. I am now part of a group chat!

 

 

 

We ended up moving to the Solarium where they were having a private sailaway party for Diamond members and above. It was pretty well attended. 
 

I can’t really remember what I ate and drank, which is an indication of what (how much) I drank. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A big thank you to everyone who recognized me and came to say hello. Hello back! It was so nice to meet you!

 

I think we were originally scheduled to

leave around 16:30, but it was closer to 18:00 by the time the captain blew the horn and we set sail. 
 

 

[laurieal]

5 minutes ago, Rogueperson said:

I’m being silly here.

 

I added some flames, because clearly Team Oasis is going to beat you and we will make it to Barcelona first 💪 

 

[Rogueperson]

1 minute ago, laurieal said:

I added some flames, because clearly Team Oasis is going to beat you and we will make it to Barcelona first 💪 

 

Unfortunately, this won’t keep track once we’re of range of land.  So if i don’t see you in the distance, I think our first stop together is Malaga, so see you there!!!

[laurieal]

Admittedly feeling a bit tipsy, I took myself down to Central Park where the vibe is really chill. I have an 20:00 reservation at Giovanni’s and I’m enjoying the guitar player Igors. 
 

 

 

 

I’m also enjoying a Passion Spritz from

the Treillis bar, but I’m sipping it slowly. 

 

 

[elizabethbp]

I am glad you liked  the  Trellis bar.  I believe there are mostly new drinks  there since last summer, but the bartenders were pretty good at accommodating  requests for  drinks.  

[laurieal]

I am still so, so tired. But my Disney friends are also still exhausted so I’m not too worried. This is why I chose to book a week at Disney before a cruise with 9 sea days. Plenty of time ahead to recuperate. 
 

Dinner tonight was at Giovanni’s.

 

 

 

I had a half portion of the mushroom risotto to start. I thought it was excellent. Definitely more flavourful than the one I remember having in the MDR on the Radiance. 

 

 

I had the garlic prawns for my main. The prawns were good, if a bit chewy, and the potatoes were alright. They were a good vessel to bring all that garlic juice from my plate and into my mouth. 
 

 

By then, I was too exhausted to be hungry anymore, so I had my chocolate and hazelnut cake to go. 
 

 

 

It looks really yummy, even if transportation ruined the presentation a little. I look forward to trying it. 

 

But now is not the time. Now, we slumber! See you tomorrow!

 

[perfect match]

On 4/20/2024 at 8:00 PM, Rogueperson said:

Trip is complete!!!  

Glad you got to ride!

[perfect match]

I’ve been running a bit behind here, so I didn’t get to post my fur kids when requested but I couldn’t let a request for pictures go unanswered! 
 

Meet Oreo, who is a very good boy along with his very favorite toy.

 

And this is Merida, our new little rescue who is a very Brave little princess and who was about to break that toy behind her into three separate pieces and send the balls it contained  flying all over the house! I don’t think she’s ever lived in s house before or had toys to play with before we adopted her three weeks ago but she’s learning fast! 
 

Edited April 22 by perfect match

[Rogueperson]

Thats right, she wanted fur babies.

 

Dobby

 

 

Punk

 

 

[Rogueperson]

So your captain decided to veer north and we kept going east.  So, GO TEAM SCARLET LADY!!!

 

 

My handwriting generally stinks and trying to write with my finger is difficult so sorry for the chicken scratch.

[perfect match]

Laurie, I love your suitcase set up. What a great example of where there’s a will there’s a way! 
 

The solo travelers meet and greet looked like a lot of fun. I’m guessing that you will have a whole group of new friends for life by the end of this cruise. 

[A&L_Ont]

I was reading your review to Lucy this morning.  She was so comfortable this happened. 😀

 

[laurieal]

10 hours ago, Rogueperson said:

So your captain decided to veer north and we kept going east.  So, GO TEAM SCARLET LADY!!!

 

 

My handwriting generally stinks and trying to write with my finger is difficult so sorry for the chicken scratch.

I need to speak with the Captain. This just won’t do. 

[laurieal]

Good morning!

 

I slept very well last night. The bed would for sure be too soft for some, but I felt like I was drifting off while on a cloud. 
 

This morning, the plan was to stick to my usual routine. Go down to the Crown Lounge on deck 4 for a coffee and then up to the Solarium Bistro for a bite to eat. 
 

So I went down to deck 5 to roll across the ship without carpet, and then down to deck 4.

 

 

Except the Crown Lounge wasn’t there. Both my stateroom and the Crown Lounge are at the front of the ship, so that was all for nothing. To punish myself, I rolled on the carpet all the way through the casino and art gallery to the Crown Lounge. 
 

Ugh. I hate it here 😂 

 

The Crown Lounge had a pretty big line for the coffee machine, but there were still seats available. 
 

 

The plan wasn’t to stay, though. It felt a bit stuffy in there, too, so I got my coffee and left. On the way to the elevator, I found a friend. 
 

 

Man, I love the Solarium. There are towels on chairs for sure, but someone coming in right now could find a place to lounge. The outside section of the Solarium Bistro is almost full, but I found a table next to a palm tree that tickles my head when the wind blows. It’s a whole vibe in here. 
 

 

 

I got my usual breakfast of fruit and cheese. The plan is not to overeat if I want to have a small bite for lunch (maybe El Loco Fresh?). The doughnuts were camouflaged between some danishes, so I almost missed them. 
 

 

I’m glad I didn’t. That is one good, fresh, vaguely maple-flavoured doughnut. 

[laurieal]

Day 2 Compass

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Since I had some time to kill, I decided to look for my new favourite spot. To me, a favourite spot is an actual table. One I can roll under and put my elbows on. 
 

There were some outside the Solarium Bistro, but I don’t want to be jogging one of their tables during peak meal times. 
 

I started by going up to deck 16 to check out the Solarium Bar. 
 

 

 

There are a few up there. They’re in the shade, so good for reading my books on my phone. 
 

Then, I did a lap around all of deck 16. The weather is beautiful, so people were already enjoying the pools. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly, no regular table out in the sun. Only bistro tables everywhere and I rarely ever see those being used. 

Edited April 22 by laurieal

[JoieNsk]

Laurie, thank you for the fun reading! You have a great sense of humor!

 

I have no practical use of reading this thread, don't even know how I ended up here :))) I think it was due to Disney part, as I am a Disney fun too.

 

But it is so enjoyable to read what you write, that I keep coming back here 🙂 Thank you! 

[laurieal]

43 minutes ago, JoieNsk said:

I have no practical use of reading this thread, don't even know how I ended up here :))) 

This has happened to me more times than I can count. Pretty sure that’s why the internet was invented 😂 

[laurieal]

The last time I saw you, I was on a quest to find the perfect relaxing spot on the Oasis. I can’t say I have found it yet. 
 

I went to the enrichment lecture about privateers and the role they played in the American War on Independence. I thought it was interesting and I will be keeping an eye out for his next sessions. 
 

 

The two people next to be seemed to love it. They napped the whole time 😂 

 

Feeling very enriched, I went up to the Solarium Bar for a Peach Daiquiri. The previously-spotted tabled were all occupied, so I found a spot where I could read and watch the ocean without bothering anyone. 
 

 

 

Eventually, I moved to the Lime & Coconut for a Lime & Coconut and some more reading. While there are no regular tables, I find the big wooden bench is a good spot to put my drink. 
 

 

 

 

 

[laurieal]

Around 13:00, I went down to deck 15 for some comida mexicana. 

Or, you know, RCI’s version of it. 
 

 

 

My first time spotting the Boardwalk on this trip from the El Loco Fresh area. 
 

Some of the food they offer. 
 

 

 

I grabbed a small plate of chips and added some chili con carne and some frijoles. 

 

I then sprinkled some shredded cheese from

the toppings bar and voilà! A perfect lunch. 
 

 

The chili tastes the same as I remember from the Wonder. Not spicy at all, but very flavourful considering it was made on a cruise ship. I’m ready to bet that this will not be my last plate of chips and chili on this trip. 

[Pratique]

Looks like a beautiful, relaxing day at sea - a "perfect day" as they say!

 

Curious why the captain is taking a more northerly track than Odyssey and Scarlet Lady. He has more time to kill than they do, maybe he wants to swing by Bermuda to wave hello. lol

[laurieal]

10 minutes ago, Pratique said:

Looks like a beautiful, relaxing day at sea - a "perfect day" as they say!

 

Curious why the captain is taking a more northerly track than Odyssey and Scarlet Lady. He has more time to kill than they do, maybe he wants to swing by Bermuda to wave hello. lol

Captain was just out in the pool playing volleyball with other officers. 
 

Perhaps that explains a lot… 👀