Oasis of the Seas Cruise Trip Report

[swwake]

i would be interested in knowing what they have for 12 yr olds since we will have 2 on our tirp. (boys)

They have Adventure Ocean program, and the boys would fall into the 12-14 age group. I know that one night the Blaze Nightclub was open only to teens, in two different time periods (12-14 earlier, and 15-17 a little later).

More information is here: Adventure Ocean 12-14 Website

Also, there is an arcade they should enjoy, and the teen area (with the Living Room, Fuel Teen Disco, and the Back Deck) are off-limits to adults and a refuge that the teens seem to enjoy.

There's also ping-pong and basketball. Of course, I recommend Flow Rider. They have certain times for teens on boogie board and I think they had teen karaoke. I will try to pull out my Cruise Compasses when I get home tonight and look up the activities. If I forget, don't hesitate to remind me!

Oh, and they would also enjoy the Oasis of Dreams show and venues like Johnny Rockets and the Wipe Out Cafe. There's Oasis of Dunes mini-golf and ice skating if they are into those.

I have twin nephews age 13 and I have to say I doubt they would enjoy the Ice Show (based on fairy tales).

All in all, I think the 12-year-old boys would find plenty to keep them occupied on the ship!

 

[vettechick99]

My ILs are taking the Oasis in October this year - they are very excited! Looks like a great ship.

 

[minniebeth]

Thanks so much for your detailed trip report! I've been interested in the Oasis and love to read the experiences and see the photos! Your time is appreciated!~

Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

 

[Irin997]

AWESOME - we embark on November 13th and can't wait!

Anxiously awaiting the rest of your report (and pics)!

 

[swwake]

My ILs are taking the Oasis in October this year - they are very excited! Looks like a great ship.

They will love it!

Thanks so much for your detailed trip report! I've been interested in the Oasis and love to read the experiences and see the photos! Your time is appreciated!~

Sounds like you had a wonderful time!

You're quite welcome. It's a lot of fun to relive the cruise!

AWESOME - we embark on November 13th and can't wait!

Anxiously awaiting the rest of your report (and pics)!

Oh you will have a blast. I wish I could go back already!

 

[swwake]

i would be interested in knowing what they have for 12 yr olds since we will have 2 on our tirp. (boys)

Got my Cruise Compasses. Some special activities for the 12-year-olds:
8pm on Day 1 - Meet & Greet for Ages 12-14
9pm Day 1 - Teen dodge ball 12-14
10pm Day 1 - Teen 411 information session 12-14

Day 2 -
3pm - Scratch DJ Academy Class for Teens 12-14
4pm - Teen pool volleyball 12-17

Day 3 -
Noon - teen soccer 12-14
3pm - Scratch DJ Academy Class for Teens 12-14
8pm - teen dodge ball 12-14

Day 4 -
10am - teen boogie boarding 12-17
5pm - teen table tennis tournament 12-17

Day 5 -
5pm - teen dodgeball 12-17
10pm - teen boogie boarding 12-17
11pm - teen only Aqua, pool party 12-17

Day 6 -
Noon - teen basketball 12-14
3:30pm 0 Scratch DJ Graduation for teens 12-17
5pm - teen speed climb on rock wall 12-17
9pm - teen ice skating 12-17
10:30 - 11:45pm - Blaze Nightclub reserved for teens 12-14

Day 7 -
Noon - teen soccer 12-14

There is also Wii Guitar Hero, daily sudoku, crosswords and trivia for all ages throughout the week.

 

[swwake]

Before continuing, let me make a comment about our staterooms. After this cruise, we decided that we definitely LOVE the ocean view balcony room and would choose one again.

The Central Park View Balcony was nice, but CP is so quiet that there isn't much to see. Most activity is people walking from one place to another. Don't get me wrong - the view is beautiful, but it just doesn't change much. For our group, since the girls were rarely in their stateroom, we would just go with an inside room for them if we had it to do over.

We looked at the Boardwalk View Balcony rooms from the outside. These look like they would be very cool, with a view of the sports deck above, Boardwalk below, Aquatheater and all of its nearly-continuous activity, and the ocean beyond. So there would be lots to see and changing scenery and activity. This one, we might consider for a second cabin, but wouldn't be our primary cabin.

My husband and I both prefer the ocean view balcony. The main thing is that you can tell when you're in port. On two port days, my daughter called and asked me if we had arrived yet. From the CP room, she had no way of knowing. We also liked the ocean breeze at night, when we (illegally?) left our sliding door open. We could also hear some of the splash from the wash of the boat moving through the ocean. Just so peaceful and calming. We were never in our room or awake for sunrises and sunsets, but they would have likely been amazing from the balcony.

So, there's my 2 cents on the choice of staterooms.

 

[swwake]

I guess it was before lunch that Kellye and I broke off to go run a couple of errands. When we received our Seapass cards back in the terminal, we noticed that our cards had a different letter/number combination after "Table No:" than the girls' and Kellye's cards. Being the good veteran cruisers that we are, we knew that we needed to head right to the Maitre d' station for any table change requests as soon as possible. We had My Time Dining so we didn't understand the table assignment, but our reservations were supposedly linked, so we just wanted to make sure we weren't separated at dinner. (One of our family's cruise traditions is that, no matter where everyone goes and what they do during the day each day, we spend EVERY dinner together so we can have time together and discuss our days.)

So, Kellye and I proceeded immediately to Opus 5 Dining Room. Here's how the conversation went:
Kellye and Susan: We're supposed to have linked reservations, dining at the same table.
Hostess: Right, you have My Time Dining, Miss.
K & S: Yes, but we want to sit at the same table, not different ones.
Hostess (looking at our Sea passes): Right, you will be at the same table.
K & S: But one card says C1 and the other says C3. Those are certainly different tables.
Hostess: No, ma'am, those are your muster stations.

We looked at our cards, and, after all, there was no number next to "Table No:" on the cards. Boy did we feel stupid. But we knew what number our muster stations would be!

While we were there, we purchased a wine package to share. I think we ordered the Platinum Package of 10 bottles, since it had our favorite wine on the list. By the end of the cruise, we had only drunk 7 bottles, so Kellye, being local, took the other three home.

From there, we explored the Boardwalk a little. On the Boardwalk, they had a table set up to purchase Evian water bottle packages and the soft drink package. Kellye bought a water package for herself.

I didn't get photos, but there were very cool art statues on the Boardwalk representing the various stages of production of the hand-carved carousel horses. Very neat and I wish I had taken a photo.

Here are some photos:

Next, Kellye and I made our way back to the Park Cafe, where the others had already settled into a table.

It was not crowded at all, and service was swift.

After lunch, we went to the girls' room to see if the luggage had arrived. It hadn't, but we checked out the room:

and the view of Central Park:

We checked the Cruise Compass and determined that the Flow rider was already open, so of course we wanted to go. Chris and I changed to our swimsuits and we headed out to the Sky Bar, where we were to meet several people from our Cruise Critic Roll Call and from our Facebook group. The teen girls went off on their own to explore the ship.

We met at the Sky Bar and couldn't find anyone! Eventually, our friends Beth and Wil and their families showed up. They were from the Roll Call, but we had met them twice before in Austin. We were glad to spend some time with them. We took a couple of pictures on the ship, then bee-lined it for the Flow rider.

The Flow rider was open until 4:15, when it closed in preparation for the "muster drill". Here we are in line:

The lines were very short that day, as I don't think many passengers had found the Flow rider yet, or maybe it just wasn't a priority for them. We met people there that day who would become our friends for the week, as we would see them every single day at the Flow rider.

Next up: "Muster drill"? What's that?

 

[swwake]

When we left off, we were in line for the Flow Rider. (I am never sure if that is one or two words, capitalized or not, so I just spell it differently each time. Let's just make that our deal.) Here are a couple of additional pictures along the way:

Now, a little explanation is necessary for the next couple of photos. A close friend of mine is a marketing director for a large retail golf chain. He sent me a special golf ball to accompany me on my travels. You can see Foo Ball's blog here: http://foogolf.blogspot.com/
The blog hasn't been updated for Foo's Oasis cruise yet, but I will share a couple of his photos.

Foo's trip to Oasis Dunes:

He was so excited, he couldn't wait to get to the fairways.

Back to our story. The Flow Riders closed at 4:15 in preparation for the "Guest Assembly Drill". Now, I must say, this was the first time I remember being on a ship where this was not referred to by any staff as a "muster drill". I wonder if this is because people were constantly looking for the mustard.

The girls' station was in Blaze, the nightclub in the Entertainment Neighborhood on Deck 4. Our station was in Studio B, also on Deck 4 (and also the ice skating rink and home of bingo, Quest, and various other events).

This "boat drill" was different from all the others we have done. First, our muster station was not out on deck, not near the lifeboats or life rafts as on previous cruises. Second, and most important, we did not have to find life vests in our stateroom and parade all over the ship wearing them. We were told that in the case of an actual emergency, someone would be there to hand out vests at our drill station.

We watched a video with a bunch of faceless avatars going through the emergency motions, spent about 15 minutes in Studio B, then moved on with our day.

After our boat drill, we met upstairs on Deck 15 to purchase the Drink of the Day, the "Nation of Why Not", for sail-away. Drinks in hand, we headed to the super secret area accessible on the port side of Deck 14. Not so super secret anymore.

For us, sail-away was not very spectacular. Sorry to say, Port Everglades in not as pretty to leave as Miami is. But all that aside, WE WERE ON VACATION!!!

After sail-away, we were all hungry, and we wanted to tour the gym, so we decided to check out what Vitality Cafe had to offer. Don King (ok, seriously, this guy was a dead ringer for Don King. Maybe he was Don King, but trying to be in cognito. We asked him if he was Don King with new hair and he replied something like "I've gotten Kanye West before, but never Don King." I think it was Don King. Let's just pretend.) and his wife were the only other patrons at Vitality Cafe. It is a very quiet place with some nice, healthy snack offerings. I think they also have made-to-order smoothies (for an extra price) there too.

Being midway through our Drink of the Day, I believe we might have been a tad loud and obnoxious for the Vitality Cafe. Pictures don't lie.

The nice hostess there was probably happy to see us leave.

Next, in our tipsy state, we decided it was time to tour the gym. Yeah, great idea.

The spa lobby is beautiful, as I remember it also being on Liberty of the Seas. They gym is super nice. Equipment is state-of-the-art. There is lots of cardio equipment, several weight machines, and a free weights/cable area. Cardio all faces large portholes (a little disappointing compared to Freedom Class's high-deck floor-to-ceiling windows), and they have towels, a water fountain, an enclosed area for stretching and classes, and an open area for the same. There were lots of spin bikes lined up against the wall as well.

I think I'll stop here before our group gets in trouble with the RCI police.

Next up: More ship exploring and a little up-and-down action

 

[GJM]

I was just reading your trip report on cruise critic. We were on the June 5th. sailing and had a wonderful time.

 

[Irin997]

Got my Cruise Compasses. Some special activities for the 12-year-olds:
8pm on Day 1 - Meet & Greet for Ages 12-14
9pm Day 1 - Teen dodge ball 12-14
10pm Day 1 - Teen 411 information session 12-14

Day 2 -
3pm - Scratch DJ Academy Class for Teens 12-14
4pm - Teen pool volleyball 12-17

Day 3 -
Noon - teen soccer 12-14
3pm - Scratch DJ Academy Class for Teens 12-14
8pm - teen dodge ball 12-14

Day 4 -
10am - teen boogie boarding 12-17
5pm - teen table tennis tournament 12-17

Day 5 -
5pm - teen dodgeball 12-17
10pm - teen boogie boarding 12-17
11pm - teen only Aqua, pool party 12-17

Day 6 -
Noon - teen basketball 12-14
3:30pm 0 Scratch DJ Graduation for teens 12-17
5pm - teen speed climb on rock wall 12-17
9pm - teen ice skating 12-17
10:30 - 11:45pm - Blaze Nightclub reserved for teens 12-14

Day 7 -
Noon - teen soccer 12-14

There is also Wii Guitar Hero, daily sudoku, crosswords and trivia for all ages throughout the week.

Are you able to scan your Compass's? I'd love to see what they have for the 9-11 age bracket as well as all of the activities.

LOVE your pics too - I haven't seen the Oasis this up close and personal yet!

 

[GJM]

Irin997 - if you send me your email I can email them to you. My DS was in that 9 - 11 group and I just emailed them to some poster's on cruise critic.

 

[GJM]

Just sent - let me know if there was a problem and I will send again.

 

[Irin997]

Just sent - let me know if there was a problem and I will send again.

Got it thanks so much!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Op, your pictures are great! Keep them coming.

 

[OhMari]

Our claim to seeing a celebrity on our cruise was some NBA guy traveling with his family. I saw a few times, people ask for his autograph. I had no idea who he was. I just knew he was very young.

I don't know if I would like the inside balcony rooms. When I go to RCCL website and plug in a few dates, they sure push those rooms. I prefer the ocean side rooms too.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Got my Cruise Compasses. Some special activities for the 12-year-olds:
8pm on Day 1 - Meet & Greet for Ages 12-14
9pm Day 1 - Teen dodge ball 12-14
10pm Day 1 - Teen 411 information session 12-14

Day 2 -
3pm - Scratch DJ Academy Class for Teens 12-14
4pm - Teen pool volleyball 12-17

Day 3 -
Noon - teen soccer 12-14
3pm - Scratch DJ Academy Class for Teens 12-14
8pm - teen dodge ball 12-14

Day 4 -
10am - teen boogie boarding 12-17
5pm - teen table tennis tournament 12-17

Day 5 -
5pm - teen dodgeball 12-17
10pm - teen boogie boarding 12-17
11pm - teen only Aqua, pool party 12-17

Day 6 -
Noon - teen basketball 12-14
3:30pm 0 Scratch DJ Graduation for teens 12-17
5pm - teen speed climb on rock wall 12-17
9pm - teen ice skating 12-17
10:30 - 11:45pm - Blaze Nightclub reserved for teens 12-14

Day 7 -
Noon - teen soccer 12-14

There is also Wii Guitar Hero, daily sudoku, crosswords and trivia for all ages throughout the week.

Thank You!!! that was helpful... so maybe I will bring his ice skates he plays ice hockey and might enjoy skating alittle.

 

[DMMarla07860]

love the pictures, seems like you had a great time

 

[swwake]

I was just reading your trip report on cruise critic. We were on the June 5th. sailing and had a wonderful time.

Isn't she a wonderful ship?! I hope you had fun. Were you Eastern itinerary too? Oh, didn't you have the late departure from FLL? How did that affect things?

Are you able to scan your Compass's? I'd love to see what they have for the 9-11 age bracket as well as all of the activities.

LOVE your pics too - I haven't seen the Oasis this up close and personal yet!

Looks like GJM already took care of that for you (thanks!). Thanks for the compliments. I had 750 pics but I wish I had taken more. My daughter gets upset with me taking pics of food, so I had to sneak what I could there.

Op, your pictures are great! Keep them coming.

Thanks so much!

Our claim to seeing a celebrity on our cruise was some NBA guy traveling with his family. I saw a few times, people ask for his autograph. I had no idea who he was. I just knew he was very young.

I don't know if I would like the inside balcony rooms. When I go to RCCL website and plug in a few dates, they sure push those rooms. I prefer the ocean side rooms too.

That's funny about the basketball guy - was he ever on the ship's courts? I think the Boardwalk rooms would be cool, but I don't think I'd spend the extra money again for another CP view. I love ocean view balconies!

Thank You!!! that was helpful... so maybe I will bring his ice skates he plays ice hockey and might enjoy skating alittle.

That sounds like a good idea!

love the pictures, seems like you had a great time

Oh we had a wonderful time.

 

[GJM]

We sailed away on time and yes the ship is amazing and we had a wonderful time. There were a couple of people doing a back to back cruise and I would have loved that.

We went to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Marten - the trip went way so fast!

I feel like I didn't take enough pictures, but everytime I go the camera out my DH kept saying "what is with you and the camera'! I did take a picture of the roast beef sandwich.