BrianB

On the Oasis, it seems dancing is happening all over…including in the middle of the promenade…the house band is great! Velvet ropes and some plastic separates the bands and singers from the guests. This is the Stowaway Piano Player…not only does he have a velvet rope…he hangs a piece of plastic from his hat!

Here on the Oasis, we had the rubber wrist bands for vaccinated guests last month. Much better than this cruise. These fabric bands are indeed uncomfortable when wet…even if just for a short time. And the long tail certainly gets in the way of eating. Even the comedian complained he kept getting marinara sauce on his shirt and he couldn’t figure out why! Most people cut the tails off. Me too. But, it isn’t easy using a fingernail clipper with one hand trying to nab the little wings! But, I got them!

I love cruising solo. What I want, where I want, when I want. And, most importantly, with who I want. Most times I like being alone. I get a table for one at any restaurant and usually read while I eat. When talking with fellow cruisers, I find most are great people, happy to be on vacation, and it’s good sharing stories and tips. Even just talking with members of the crew is a great way to learn about them, their countries and a lot of insider information. I come and go as I please, never having to consider what someone else wants to do. I can go on and on but I suddenly decided I feel like getting a slice of Sorrentos Pizza. I’m on the Oasis now. Ciao!

Received an email regarding the Dec 31st sailing aboard the Anthem.... To maintain your safety and wellbeing, we’ll no longer visit Labadee due to the current political and security situation in Haiti, so instead, we’ll visit Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. As a result of this change, we’ve adjusted the time we’ll spend in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Not unexpected...

That’s most likely the purpose of the survey. But where I am in New Jersey, testing is pretty easy to get. Unless they’re throwing a wide net and surveying passengers from all over.

I received an email from Royal asking me to answer a survey regarding my experiences with pre-cruise Covid testing. Questions included where I received my test (at-home test, pharmacy such as CVS or Walgreens, clinic or doctor); the ease or difficulty in scheduling the test, taking the test, and getting the results of the test; Would I get the test again at the same location or would I go elsewhere…or choose to not cruise again. The last question asked me to add a comment regarding my pre-cruise testing procedure. Anybody else get this survey?

Even that isn’t working here on the Oasis. There is no special line for ‘early access’ for suites or Key. Everyone just waits until the doors open 45 minutes before showtime and they just scan your card to confirm you have a reservation and in you go.

*each onboard benefit is valid for one time use per sailing, per stateroom. It’s on the bottom of the sheet. However, it could be clearer in the original description rather than indicating it could be used at any time throughout your sailing. Even just adding the word ‘once’ would be helpful.

Beware the priority boarding perk. From previous posts, it seems various ports may do things differently. Some are strictly enforcing the arrival times and some are not. Even when they do, unless they have a specific, marked door or area…manned by someone who knows about the Key…it may be useless. Just like the suite perk of arriving an hour before your time…If the port workers are just rushing everyone in without checking boarding passes for assigned times, then the lines get long…no matter your boarding time or perk.

Here on the Oasis; Vaccinated-only venues allow maskless guests. You only need to wear a mask indoors in mixed areas, such as the Promenade and elevators. For instance, the casino is vaccinated-only. No masks. It’s also operating with normal capacity. Every seat at every gaming table and every slot machine is open. Pretty much elbow to elbow. So is sitting at the casino bar. However, the first two rows in the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater and Studio B are still blocked off for ‘Physical Distancing’. Even though the lower level of the theater is for vaccinated-only…and the other venues have different show times for vaccinated-only and for everyone.

I think my record for using…and re-using…and re-re-using an FCC is five times. After the initial cruise was cancelled, I booked the next available, which got cancelled…and so on. It was rough keeping track of that first poor little FCC as each new cancellation resulted in a new FCC being issued with a different certificate number. It felt like the FCC had entered the witness protection program. But then after a while I had quite a few of them and it became easier to track them. Thankfully, they relaxed the rules using FCCs and I was finally able to bundle them and apply them in groups.

I put in a bid for my cruise on Oct 17 (yesterday)…I boarded, unpacked, had dinner and was waiting for the show to start in the theater when I received the email telling me my bid was unsuccessful. Good to know!

Oasis out of Port Liberty seems to be slowly ramping up capacity. On my Sept cruises the count was about 2000 the first cruise, then about 2500 the following cruise. On this cruise (Oct 17) the count is a little over 3100. I did notice a few changes since my last cruise. In Johnny Rockets, they have just received new protocols allowing them to put the napkin dispensers and ketchup bottles back on the tables. They have also added a few more outdoor tables, decreasing the spacing. I haven’t been in other restaurants yet…but I will be! Also…in the Cruise Compass…tonight (day 2) is listed as ‘Formal Night’. No longer is it ‘Wear Your Best’. It reads ‘Make it a night out in your best black-tie look - suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are welcomed.’ Hopefully we keep heading in the right direction as we get closer to being back to normal cruising. Every little bit helps, in my opinion.

Boarded the Oasis yesterday. This cruise there are 3147 passengers. The process at the terminal was a bit busier than last month. Luggage drop off was still wide open. No problem pulling up, dropping off my bag with a porter, and then parking in the garage. I arrived at my assigned time (12:00) and there was a long line snaking towards the parking garage. There was one port worker telling people that the line was only for those with boarding times between 11:00 and 1:00 and everyone else should stand aside. Of course, that didn’t work. I noticed a smaller line up ahead that seemed to be moving into the terminal. It wasn’t Star class as they had a different gathering point. So I headed to that line. We quickly made our way in and to the security points. No one checked our boarding passes to see what time we had…just directed us to the scanners. I wish there was someone who would tell guests to place their metal items (cell phones, keys…etc) in their carry ons before we got to the actual scanner…that would have saved a lot of time. Once past the security scanners, we were directed to a short line where each guest is checked in…documents examined…vaccine card photoed…and then we went from there to the ship. The crowd outside should have been managed better. More workers giving information and directing people where to go were needed, more signage…even lanes with arrival time signs would have helped. Luckily for me, I noticed the other line moving into the terminal and just went to it. I hope they can get a handle on it before capacity increases…but the Oasis is only here another week. Then it’s the Anthem…still a lot of passengers.

Oct 17…Oasis of the Seas…7 night from Port Liberty; 3147.

I boarded the Oasis yesterday afternoon. While at sea, sitting in the theater waiting for the show to start…I received this email. It’s a good thing I had the internet package!

According to Saruj, the manager of the CK on the Oasis, there are no plans to have a special dinner menu in the CK for New Years Eve and the hours will remain the same. As far as Thanksgiving is concerned…when the main dining rooms serve turkey…the CK will also serve turkey. But, as even he says, things can change between now and then…especially during this time of re-start and recovery. Sorry for the delay.

On the Oasis…this is no earlier time available for My Time Dining. Due to physical distancing protocols in the main restaurants, they spread out the traditional time dining so My Time is later. 6:45pm is the earliest that I have seen. That’s late for me as I’m a 5:30 diner. Hopefully the protocols ease and more times open up.

I usually do MyTime, but now…with distancing protocols…the earliest time available is 6:45pm. That’s late for me…I’m usually a 5:30 diner. Hopefully, as time goes on, the protocols begin to relax and we start getting back to normal. Also, when I book my cruises, I usually get to choose my dining preference.

I’m boarding Oasis at noon today…also in a CL. I’ll ask about special dinners in the CK for holidays…especially New Years and Thanksgiving. I’ll post later.

On the Oasis, all of the shows are there. The Broadway show Cats, the Aqua80’s show, the Frozen in Time ice show and the various headliners and comics perform. As @SpeedNoodlesnoted, due to physical distancing rules, you can only reserve them when onboard. And you can only reserve each of them one time…so everyone gets a chance. Some showtimes are for vaccinated only, others may be for everyone. In the theater, the main seating area is for vaccinated only and the balcony is for everyone. When in the vaccinated only section, masks can be removed. In the everyone section, masks must be worn and distancing between groups is recommended.

Disembarkation has been pretty smooth lately…especially with the decreased capacity. I do self walk off with my luggage but it’s just me with a large rolling bag and a carry on that attaches to the top. The walk from the ship, through the gangway, down the escalator and into the customs hall is pretty long. If I had more than one bag, I would probably just put them out at night and pick them up in the customs hall. It’s very easy locating them. Then after getting my face scanned at CPB checkpoint and getting the green check mark…a quick stroll out the side door and to the garage. Make sure you have your parking ticket with you…do NOT leave it in the car. I hear this happens quite often. When you approach the garage, you must insert the ticket and a credit card into the self-service pay machine to get an exit ticket. There’s also a cash only machine. Don’t worry…there are plenty of workers to show you how it’s done. They actually do it for you…makes things go much quicker. You’ll get a receipt and an exit ticket which you need to raise the barrier to get out of the garage. They even have a worker who takes your ticket and inserts it in the machine for you. Up goes the arm and you’re on your way.

That’s what the stick thingy said…

Eureka! Health Questionnaire completed and submission was successful! Ready for tomorrow!

Update; At 12 noon, 24hrs prior to my arrival time…I received a notification from the Royal app advising me to complete the Health Questionnaire. This time I was able to access it and answer all the questions (still not pregnant). When I tried to submit…got this.