Jeff L

From my research on trip advisor, here are the options for free cheap beaches and great snorkel

Goodman’s Bay/ Cable Beach

East Cable Beach - 10 min bus(looks like a van)/Walk to McDonalds bus stop Bus #10 West $1.25pp waive to Jitney Bus driver. Exit at Goodman’s Bay Park area - Sea turtles, stingrays, fish, shells, starfish, jetski rentals - 

Melia Cable Beach Exit at Melia resort, enter beach west of the resort through public access - No resort access / $35 day pass

West Cable Beach Exit at Sandals resort, enter beach west of the Sandals resort through public access - 2 chairs+umbrella for $20 through local vendors - No resort access

Saunders Beach - 5 min bus, Clean washrooms and showers, gas station, pizza hut, kfc  and beer store across the street

2 hours ago, Matt said:

It should show your the credit card info below the onboard credit slider

 

It looks like mine is not showing for now, a glitch I suppose. Thank you though!

3 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

Is your credit still showing? It should be able to be used for pretty much anything you are trying to book online through their planner.

 

Could be just a glitch with the system as happens very often with their site and when you log in later it will allow you to.

Thank you! No credit is showing anywhere, I remember being able to view it previously but probably the site is acting up.

I am trying to purchase a Voom internet package with my leftover credit but I am not seeing any option to use my credit. I remember when I purchased a first night dine right I had used about $50CAD of my total credit and had a leftover of about $160CAD.

On 10/9/2017 at 3:50 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

...excluding the web service, of course...

so true, I had horrible issues with the website, but the service appeared to be reasonable when I called in 7 times lol

Anyone know if this the text option is available on Oasis of the Seas for October 28 2018 sailing?

Any idea what kind of transformation Oasis of the seas will be getting. I am sailing on it October 28 for 7 days to Eastern Carribean.

Is there a meet and greet event for the younger kids on the first day of the cruise? I have a mixed range of kids and families going.

Do the security of the ship have guns or rifles in case of pirates trying to board or how do they defend themselves beyond water canons?

Thanks for the tips and the tons of previous posts on the Forum!

On 7/20/2018 at 12:40 PM, twangster said:

Coki Beach on St Thomas is great for snorkeling with kids.

All of the Oasis shows are good for kids except the comedians.  They often will do a family friendly comedian session so watch for that.  I'd make reservation for all of the shows as soon as you can, generally 90 days out but sometimes sooner.  Cats is very personal.  Some love it, some not so much.  It's a Broadway caliber show so ask yourself would you take your kids to see it on Broadway?

The general consensus is that the kids programs are pretty great.  Get them involved on day one so they become part of the kid's crowd and aren't trying to join a group on subsequent days that has already bonded.  

Check out this blog on Adventure Ocean:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/09/25/six-things-know-about-royal-caribbeans-adventure-ocean

and

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/09/cruising-kids-royal-caribbean

Flowriders will have lines at times but sometimes near dinner time towards the end of an open flowrider session lines are smaller.  If you stay on a ship or return early on a port day sometimes lines are smaller.  Rock climbing usually isn't that busy but this can change sailing to sailing.

Loungers in prime spots like front row or close to pools will go first but often loungers one deck up are available depending on group size.  Reserving loungers by placing something on them and leaving is against the rules and should be avoided even if you observe others doing so.

The first two nights can often see cheaper prices on some of the specialty restaurants but I often cruise without going to them.  Food is very personal but I enjoy the MDR food and sometimes do dinner in the Windjammer.

Check out this blog for first timers on Oasis:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/01/31/first-time-cruisers-guide-royal-caribbeans-oasis-of-the-seas

 

On 7/20/2018 at 2:05 PM, Matt said:

Check out this first timer's guide to Oasis of the Seas: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/01/31/first-time-cruisers-guide-royal-caribbeans-oasis-of-the-seas

Thank you Matt!

On 7/20/2018 at 6:39 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Welcome to the boards @Jeff L!!

Thank you!!

19 hours ago, AnnetteJackson said:

Just an update to this string....

If you look you will see there was a new string created with an update

We were able to jump in and work with Royal to get a satisfying resolution for alamode123.

Sometimes these situations take a little longer  - but we always strive to help take some of the stress out of planning a vacation - even if it was caused by the cruise line!

 

1

Glad this could be resolved!!!

Hello, I am new to the site and will be cruising Oct 28 2018 on Oasis of the Seas for a 7 night Eastern Carribean Nassau, St Thomas and St Martin. I have been on one cruise with NCL before but I am very excited to cruise on a bigger ship in a Boardwalk Balcony room. I will be cruising with my 3 kids and 2 other families so a total of 20 of us. We will be dining 5:30 with set time dining at the MDR and would like to catch some shows, pool time with some beach snorkelling. A few questions and recommendations would be much appreciated!

1) What are the best free snorkel beaches in Nassau, St Thomas and St Martin? Preferably would like clear, picturesque waters, keeping costs down and not have to take a 45-60 minute boat ride, but share any experiences you have had.

2) What are the best shows to reserve and watch? Kids ranging from 7-14 will be cruising with us?

3) How are the kids' programs, do your kids spend time in there and do they get bored? 

4) What day and times are good to do Rock Climbing, Flo Rider?

5) What is a good time to grab loungers?

6) If you had to choose one night for a Specialty restaurant, which one would it be and any other tips on the MDR and entree selections?

For anyone looking to use full face snorkels, they are definitely not as good as real snorkels. The main issue I have had with them is that they restrict airflow and its hard to get fresh air as it recycles some of the stale air in the mask. I strongly recommend passing on a full face snorkel as you will not be able to five deep and they are not as good as they seem.

that room must be haunted for sure!

It appears Drones are now allowed with certain restrictions:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-guests-bring-drones-onboard

I am a Chinese Canadian born citizen and I am familiar with certain despicable etiquette which deeply bothers me. I would have been pissed off as well if I was on this cruise. Things like line budding, coughing without covering your mouth, and spitting/horking all bother me to the core. I understand its part of the culture and this is why I really have no interest travelling to China apart from visiting Hong Kong to visit family.