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I love reading posts like this. I'm so proud of the wonderful community we have here!

They swap out the kimonos for the bath robes.

Vintages on Oasis

That is a perfect example of what a wonderful learning community this site is. That you can not even have gone on a cruise yet and have learned enough from each other to be comfortable enough to have insight about a ship you aren't even sailing on. Look at @JLMoran, another awesome example! Love it! Kudos to @Matt and all the others who contribute to make this all happen. And it doesn't matter if it is your first cruise or not, there is stil much to appreciate and be excited about every time. ?

I like thought of Oasis in Europe for a while after refit. (Listen to me - talking like I know what I'm on about after finding and chatting on this site - having never cruised before!!) Can't wait for my Ovation in March so I can fully appreciate all the excitement!!

Thank you so much for this blog! I thoroughly enjoyed it and am now even more keen on Halloween on Symphony next year. Your blog has also finally convinced me to get the internet package - I'll be live blogging Symphonys TA so we can see how many decorations made it over the Atlantic

@monctonguy, I'm telling you man, book that Bermuda trip for 5 nights instead and get those perks!

Hey Matt is there anyway to introduce a roll call thread to this forum? I know cruise critic has one that most tend to use but would be cool to have one specific to the blog people. Wife and I will be on Oasis sept 9, 2018. Anyone else??

@rjac , we did the same cruise but on a Princess ship, we did ours in 2001, in Columbia we couldn't even get off the ship unless you were on an excursion (Armed guards), armed military every place. Also bought my wife a very nice emerald and gold ring, I get the same look and basically the same response.

I use these https://www.amazon.com/Cruise-Luggage-Holder-Seal-Steel/dp/B01E4SQNU4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510167697&sr=8-2&keywords=cruise+luggage+tags

Yes...apologies to @Travel Addict Oz for hijacking your first post here...? unfortunate news about the cancellation. At least it was early enough that you haven't booked airfare etc. yet.

We actually went with the larger Carnival tag holders. That way we can use them on any cruise line we choose (and easier to put them in). Also, never happened to me but I've read that you need to take the tag out of the plastic as soon as you can because it could leave ink on the inside of the holder. Just a thought...

Just wish I hadn't hijacked the initial post and gone off on a tangent Hope @Travel Addict Oz forgives me on his/her first ever post!!! Fingers went to work before my head processed the subject...BUT it is a great site/community!!

OK, been promising to finish this off... Friday Today's port of call was Cozumel. Our neighbor for the day was Liberty, other piers had ships from Carnival, MSC, and NCL. Total count in port was 7. Took a cab to the downtown and did some roaming around and do the tourist thing. Had lunch at Palmeras, not bad. Got the chicken fajitas, lime soup, and one liter of bottled water. Total wound up being 346 pesos, after credit card conversion rate total was $18.24 USD. If you let them do the conversion it would have been 17 pesos to the dollar. After lunch, went over to Coz Roasting Company and got a spiced iced coffee. Cost was 60 pesos, conversion rate posted was 16 pesos to the dollar. Gave them a $10 and got $6 back. Did some more window shopping, checked in why my Mexican government tax refund for a purchase back in December hadn't been processed in 45 days, told to wait another 50 days. Finally walked to where MSC and NCL were docked and took a cab back to the ship. Did a last bit of walking around before heading back to the ship. One fun bit if no one noticed it. Oasis was turned the other way. Most pictures you see has her pointed the other way. Did the normal nightly routine before the Quest (did a scope of the entire event). Then continued the nightly routine before calling it an early morning. Saturday Woke up to that bitter moment knowing this was the last day on board. Today was a jammed packed morning (that and it never helps the late wake up). Had the Oasis Thank You and Farewell Celebration on the boardwalk. After snagging a few things to take back headed off to lunch. Lunch was at Johnny Rockets, TA comp. Headed over to the Captain's Corner before heading back to the room for a nap. Two hours later headed for a few beverages at various bars (curse of wanting to give a few crew memebrs a final visit). Met some folks from eary in the cruise and gave them a suite tour. After that, did a quick WJ scout before dinner. Had a final dinner in CK, o e of my favorite menus. Tuna was done just the way I liked it. Also had to get the lamb shank. Back to the room to finish packing before heading off for some final beverages, have some Ben and Jerry's (TA perk), and take some pictures. Got the clue to leave the Champagne Bar when they started to wash everything down. Did notice the hot item at Sorrentos was a vegetarian calzone, not the meat one previously seen during the week. Sunday Woke up, final last bits of packing the small bag (charging cords and such). Had a quick bite for breakfast, stuff grabbed the previous morning. Headed down to the Champagne Bar for 8:30 for the escorted off. Personally, don't think it was needed. The timing was between groups and the lines heading off were very minimal. Only benifit was being able to take the escaltor vs ramp. Once in the luggage hall suite folks have a dedicated lane, plus it didn't look too bad in the normal line. Did a verbal declaration for customs and off to catch a shuttle/cab back to the hotel. Think from ship to hotel was maybe 30-45 minutes. Finally on the road heading home and starting the final countdown for January. Back to Oasis for the same exact route, Jr. Suite unless a last minute upgrade occurs. Any questions, I'll be more than happy to fill in the gaps. Should have the Compasses ready for Matt to post in the next few days. Just need to stop being lazy and scan them.

Shoot, some ships still have chapels...just kill two birds with one ship! Engaged and married within a week ?

My reservations are showing again for me now, too. So I guess the hamsters didn't spin those wheels off their axles this time!

Just hope your other half has not joined this blog!!! Good luck - and I hope she says yes!!! PS May be worth waiting until last night 'just in case'!!! PPS How about getting a waiter involved in the process and ring being 'delivered' under a silver cloche?

I would try to find an excursion on your own instead of the Royal excursion. Might be a better experience. I think I've posted this before, but here's my son holding one the rays.

Buddy who did not have drink package on Liberty said he paid $3.50 plus 18% gratuity.

BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE IN ALL MY TRIPS TO LABADEE!!!

On demand handshake is $5 but no gratuity. If you buy the Captain and Crew handshake package it is subject to 18% gratuity at time of purchase.

Sit up on the top deck and smoke a cigar (no haters please) and watch the stars, not as peaceful as Central park, but relatively quite. Sit at the Schooner Bar or on the Promenade and people watch.

I really understand the feeling about try to get every dollars worth, but in the hustle and bustle to do and see everything, you might miss the pleasure of just being. As someone who has come home from many a vacation, exhausted by the race to do and see everything, take this small piece of advice. Spend at least an hour everyday, doing nothing. Lay by the pool. Take a nap. Read a book. You will be more relaxed and enjoy your trip more. You are in control of your activities and pace, not the other way around. Have a great time!

One of the best things I did a few weeks ago, on our very first cruise, was to relax. It isn't a normal thing for me to do. Try to enjoy just "being."

Hi Jane, on our last cruisewe had the Mystery Dinner and there was a great dinning crowd that made the night very enjoyable. The dinners really got into the night and this then rubbed of on to the crew that were serving, we didn't want to finish and we were all quite happy to party on....not much due to alcohol but everyone just fitted in well.

Since I didn't see anywhere else to put this, I figured I'd post it here. I'm a semi-regular Celebrity cruiser, semi-regular meaning that around 1/3 of my cruises are on Celebrity. I've also looked at Azamara, but haven't pulled the trigger. I'm sure I'm not alone on this. Especially with status reciprocity at Diamond/Elite levels, it makes sense to look at Celebrity when deciding on a cruise. How about a separate Celebrity/Azamara board where we can discuss Celebrity, and occasionally Azamara, stuff? That way it doesn't mix in with the Royal Caribbean stuff. I think it would be interesting for regular Royal cruisers to see the differences. And those that aren't interested can ignore it. I understand about not diluting the brand too much. But if it's only for "us", the board users, then it doesn't have to creep outside that. Thoughts?

My 23-Apr-2019 Sydney to Seattle 23N cruise on Explorer has been cancelled. Looks like the are sending Explorer to Asia instead of the US for the southern winter of 2019 and Ovation will head for North America in its place. Ovation will sail Sydney to Honolulu on 19-Apr-2019 then Honolulu to Vancouver on 4-May-2019. I suspect this will upset a lot of people who, like me, got great deals on the Ovation repositioning cruise to Singapore and Explorer repositioning cruise to Seattle (sold out in several categories) during the birthday sale since they have lost such a great deal. My 23N was discounted from $10500 AUD to $7000 AUD so only $152 per night per person. RCCL are offering a cruise credit of 20% of the booked fare if we take one of the two Ovation sectors or a 10% credit for any other cruise so long as a booking is retained. Apparently the new Ovation sailings will be on sale 12-Dec-2017.

The perks are available for any type of cabin. They're not particular to suites.

Thanks to all for the information. My plan to sneak away for a quick cruise was scuttled by wife's pre MLK holiday work schedule that wasn't as flexible as I had hoped (the downside of being in the education field). Sailing out of Tampa is still on my list, but sadly it will still remain for now.