Royal Caribbean's "Oasis of the Seas" - Just not my cup of tea...

[CruiserMom]

I just got off Oasis...I felt the same way before I sailed her, even on day 1. But once I got the 'lay of the land' I thought she was amazing!!!!
She's really quite beautiful...

Yep, get busy on the review! I'm sailing on her in Sept 2010, and can't wait! We got bored (after 6 cruises) on DCL, and sailed the Freedom this past September and LOVED IT! In that case, bigger was definitely better. I'm hoping we have the same experience with the Oasis, but if not, we still have 3 Freedom class ships to choose from!

 

[LoraJ]

The Dec 1 one is a 5 day sailing...I have someone on it right now that emailed me and said they were LOVING it! So I guess things aren't too much of an issue...shows are available to be pre-reserved so I am sure that is helping with one aspect.

I think that is definitely a plus.

Also, with the photo system, is it kind of like photo pass? I have been saying for years that ships should have a photo pass type system. So many photos that I would have bought as a 5x7, but they printed as 8x10's. Such a waste!

 

[MM27]

The Dec 1 one is a 5 day sailing...I have someone on it right now that emailed me and said they were LOVING it! So I guess things aren't too much of an issue...shows are available to be pre-reserved so I am sure that is helping with one aspect.

The thing that I would be worried about is how long it takes to get off at each port. With that many people are they giving out times that you can leave like some other ships do?

I'm very happy on the Voyager class ships. If someone offered to put me on one of the newer ships, I would gladly start packing though

 

[Rora]

OP- I feel the EXACT SAME WAY. It's just too much. I want to relax and not feel overwhelmed.

I don't really like the RCL (too much gambling, drinking for my taste-- not a prude, just not a fan) so we now only sail on the Disney Cruise Line. After sailing there 3 times, I will never sail with another cruise line. It's perfect there.

 

[minnie56]

Yes, it is like a photo pass system. Very easy...no more searching the walls for your shot! Also, the muster. No more schepping in your life vest to your spot on the deck. You are told where your meeting place is and you watch a safety video. THe life jackets are in a huge closet and 'should' they be required, that is where they would be found. Very civilized.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

We just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Liberty. Our 5th RCCL and the Oasis was the topic on the ship as it had just sailed into FtL before we sailed. People seem to have very mixed opinions about the size. I myself am not sure.

I think the kids would love all the extras. But a ship that size full of summer families could be a real nightmare. I know the difference in the feel of this trip in Nov on the Liberty and our trip last July on the Freedom were real. DH and I walked around all week commenting on how quiet the ship was. I love kids - I have 2 of my own that we take on cruises - I teach 7th and 8th grade. BUT it can be really busy and noisy and crazy in the summer on the Freedom. How much worse will that be on Oasis? For now the price is too high for us to consider but I would wait anyway and hear what others think after the summer season.

Also I will try not to book a ship that is in port with the Oasis either. The last thing I want on asmall Island s 5000 people on another ship!

 

[minnie56]

The max passenger load is 5,400 'ish'. You can get almost 6,400 with all berths used which really seldom happens. Not that many crew get off in ports at any one time so they really wouldn't factor much.

Not sure how it will be as far as disembarking in the ports. I am sure they will use many exits and if tendering..well that is a group by group process anyways. One thing they 'were' working on and by now might be sorted out.
The embarkation ramp at Fort Lauderdale was STEEP! WOW...it killed us getting up! They told us it was 'a work in progress'!

 

[CruiserMom]

Yes, it is like a photo pass system. Very easy...no more searching the walls for your shot! Also, the muster. No more schepping in your life vest to your spot on the deck. You are told where your meeting place is and you watch a safety video. THe life jackets are in a huge closet and 'should' they be required, that is where they would be found. Very civilized.

You just made me so happy! I HATE having to crowd into the photo store (whether it was Magic or the Freedom) and be packed in there with all those people trying to find my photos! I get claustrophobic when packed around that many bodies, and dreaded that part of the cruise. I am very happy the Oasis found a better way to do this.

When we sailed the Freedom in Sept, we loved that we didn't have to drag the life jackets to the muster station. Made things so much easier.

 

[CruiserMom]

Not sure how it will be as far as disembarking in the ports. I am sure they will use many exits and if tendering..!

My understanding is that the Oasis will NEVER tender at a port, because of the number of people. They will only travel to ports where they can dock.

 

[minnie56]

That is the intent. I am sure they are paying some big $$ to secure spots in the islands! Usually-it is 1st come--1st get.

 

[puffkin]

Sorry, slightly OT, but thought I would ask since a lot of RCCL experts are posting here....where is the best place to book a RCCL cruise. Looking to take a short cruise out of Port Canaveral next October.

The Oasis looks amazing to me...hopefully when DS is older we can swing it!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I like to book directly through RCCL just go to the web site and you can price out cabin categories then call the 800 #.

If you book directly with them and see a price drop it is easy to get either a refund (before final payment) or an on board credit (after final payment). A travel agent can also get the discounts but you have to be able to call them when you see the drop. Because sometimes the price only drops on say a weekend I like to have control of my reservation.

 

[minnie56]

A good TA will watch the fare drops for you...

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am interested in the Oasis but I see no reason to pay double the price of the other ships
yes double for some of the sailings I have looked at. so I am content with our next choice.....
Liberty of the Seas....next Sept.

 

[MELISAZACK]

are there sites or links where folks are posting their trip rpts and pics.
I haven't booked yet but really want to go on the 8/21/10 cruise.
I would like to read some rpts and see some pics though pirior to picking a state room and location.

 

[Acklander]

Sorry, slightly OT, but thought I would ask since a lot of RCCL experts are posting here....where is the best place to book a RCCL cruise. Looking to take a short cruise out of Port Canaveral next October.

The Oasis looks amazing to me...hopefully when DS is older we can swing it!

We usually book thru www.cruisecompete.com It's where you put in what you want, and a bunch of cruise specialists compete to give you the lowest price. It's not like priceline, where you have to commit to anything before hand so you can play with the site.
Usually the closer you get to the cruise the cheaper it gets.

 

[minnie56]

If you pick a peak sailing..often it is much higher. It's a brand new toy--it will drop in price. Once Allure comes out some of the focus will shift. Freedom and Liberty were much higher than the other ships as well when they first debuted.

I am sure you can go onto Cruise Critic and see some reviews already...the first revenue passengers will be getting off soon as well!