WAAAYTOOO

It's difficult to know, at this point, what kind of security they will have at South Beach but since it is a paid venue, my guess is that "visitors" will not be allowed.  If they are in SB as a paid customer then I don't see any reason why they wouldn't be able to go to the cabana area....but at this point, we just don't know how those things are going to be handled.  It's anyone's guess, at this point.

The only time I can remember seeing a magnifying mirror is on some of the older ships in Grand Suites or higher.  I don't think they put them in at all anymore.  We just spent a week in the Ultimate Panoramic suite on Oasis in Star Class and there wasn't one.  I would definitely say to NOT expect one.

It's true that they will not operate North Star when in port in Bayonne.  I couldn't even get them to take me up when we were Star Class.  So that is definite.

As far as other ports, I never had them restrict NS operation in any other port.  We went up several times when we were at Coco Cay and also in Port Canaveral.  I can't remember if we went up when we were in Nassau so I can't be sure about that one.  I really think it is only in Bayonnne

2 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Does Oasis have the same scenario as Allure regarding poker?

Yes

Liberty Sept. 6, 2020

I think you will love the holiday sailing.  We have been on Christmas + NY cruises the past few years but this year Royal didn't offer any cruises that covered both holidays.  Boo....

Personally, I would NOT pay for the special holiday meal. IMO it is just a price gouge.  I AM a fan of the dining packages, in general, but this option, in particular, is one that I don't feel is worth the extra money.  I think they give you a little champagne and a canape or 2.

Just be aware that if you are on Deck 8 forward hump rooms, they are "behind" restaurant row.  It is quite a long walk to get to either elevator bank.  To me, the very small increase in balcony size isn't worth the extra walking.  They are quiet though...

21 minutes ago, Kathleen said:

We chose the 2BR ATS because it was the least expensive Entry into Star Class

This is exactly where we started, so I completely understand.  The ATS are very exciting and impressive rooms.  It is a great choice.

Have a GREAT cruise.  Rain ?  Who cares about stinkin' rain ??  You'll be on a cruise !!

23 minutes ago, melmar02 said:

How does this work if the cruise is a casino comp? Based on what price 

The FCC is based on the base fare only.  IOW, the taxes, fees, gratuities etc do not count towards the FCC.  I don't think the fact that it is a casino comp factors in at all....from what I understand it it based wholly on the cruise fare that you paid.  Since our cruise fare was $6255.70, I would expect our FCC to be $1251.14 but our TA told us to expect in the neighborhood of $1100 so there must be some factor included (or excluded, in this case) that I am missing.  We all know how Royal uses "fuzzy math" and it looks like this is no exception.  I know from reading others' accounts, most people are consistently disappointed that their FCC is lower than they expected.  I'll join that group, I guess.

Here's a bit of good news though....we found out that we will be able to combine this FCC with ANOTHER casino comp upgrade.  I'm using a free casino comp certificate (which I am upgrading) for a sailing on Liberty next September (Labor Day) and I will be able to apply this FCC to that casino comp upgrade.  So, you can combine a casino comp upgrade with an FCC which is great news.   As Twangster has explained to us a couple of times, the FCC can only be used to pay for base fare.  We cannot use it to cover taxes, fees, gratuities, etc.   Coincidentally, the FCC will almost exactly cover the cost of the upgraded fare, so this one will be almost "FREE".

10 hours ago, jgoodm said:

Star Loft wasn't something you like?  I do think once you have travelled star class you are spoiled forever but a large chunk of your paid for space in a 2br is going to go unused by you.  I think in a star loft you will use all of your space and the balcony is still huge.  Personally I would even go OPS or GPS over the Star Loft (in-fact I have made that choice twice) but the balcony is much smaller (though you do get a jacuzzi).

I completely agree with this.  Having done all of the SC room options except for the Royal Loft and the new UPS on Oasis, I would fully enjoyed the GPS more than any of the others. It is so unfortunate that they did not retain these rooms with Harmony and Symphony (and presumably any of the new O class ships).  It was a wonderful choice.  No long walk (ATS) and no stairs to climb (loft suites).  I thought I would miss the big balcony but I did not.

Good luck.  Watch out for the rake. It’s a killer

Just now, Pipa_pt said:

Hi all, 

I was on symphony of the seas last November and have just booked allure of the seas for next June (from Barcelona). Can anyone who has been on Allure recently confirm if they have poker with live dealers please? 

How is the poker on board? Do they have a cash games everyday? My husband is hoping to have a similar experience as he had on symphony. 

 

Thanks

Yes.  I was on the last Allure cruise to ever have the electronic machines.  At the end of our cruise they offloaded the machines and onloaded regular poker tables.  I believe they have 2 regular dealer poker tables.  There had been 3 of the electronic tables but there was always at least 1 of those down at any one time.  Those things were useless.

Congratulations, Kathleen !  You will not be disappointed. 

I could be wrong, but I do not believe that the Bottomless Galley Lunch is included in any of the dining packages.

1 hour ago, alamode123 said:

How does this work? Do I have to go to whatever specialty dining is open for lunch, and schedule my other meals through them? Do i have to physically go to each restaurant and schedule that way?

Please help. I'm on Oasis of the Seas this Sunday.

Actually, Chops is no longer open on boarding day so going to Chops won't help you.

There will be a specialty dining kiosk set up on the Promenade on boarding day.  Get there EARLY b/c it can generate quite a long line.  You will be able to make all of your specialty dining reservations at one time.  It is best to go ahead and make a reservation for every night, even if you have to make changes down the road.  A reservation somewhere is better than no reservation.

You can go to one of the specialty restaurants that IS open on boarding day to take care of this but that causes a real log jam at the restaurant.  While you CAN do it this way, I recommend that you do NOT do it this way.  Find the kiosk on the Promenade.  That's what it's there for.

As far as lunch on embarkation day, Chops is no longer open at all, as RickinSTL said.  It is due to the fact that they do not have the staff to support the Key lunch in the MDR plus a full service lunch in the Chops restaurant.  Giovanni's will be open as well as Playmakers and maybe even Port Side BBQ (not sure about this one).  Your package is good at all of these venues.

I'm a huge fan of the UDP and I think you will find it to be a good value on Oasis.  There are so MANY places to eat !

I actually think the new Music Hall is waaay better than the old Dazzles.  Granted, it is smaller than the one on Anthem but I really enjoyed it.  I'm so glad that the O classes will now regularly be getting some Cover/Tribute Bands.  I agree with Twangster that the acoustics in this space are better than those in the Q class Music Hall.

21 minutes ago, CruisinUpinLife said:

@Matt  Is this because those ships do not have any venues in the aft that new ships have so your view is only ocean?  I have not been on many ships and wanting to get an understanding of why that would be.

It's not so much about "venues" as it is about the ships' superstructures.  Both the Voyager and Freedom Class ships have steel superstructures that rather obstruct the views from the aft cabins.  I have booked aft cabins on both Voyager and Freedom Class ships and I still enjoy the extra balcony space but the Vision and Radiance class ships do not have such superstructure obstructions.

Wow.  1 ride on North Star. Pretty stingy.

1 hour ago, KimV said:

Thinking of booking the Coco Beach Club full day pass while we are on the island in February.  Just wondering if there is anyone that have booked this and what is included in the cost.  Any comments would be very much appreciated.

The Coco Beach Club hasn’t opened yet. I think it is due to open either this month or next, which means it will probably open in Feb or March !  Nobody really knows what it includes yet since it hasn’t yet opened, but I think it will probably include everything except for alcohol... but if you have the Ultimate Beverage Package then your drinks WOULD be included. We have it booked for early Feb (if it’s open by then !).

I’m guessing there will be a nic(er) restaurant and some loungers. Maybe some water floaties and a kayak or 2.  Not sure what else...  I’m hoping they will have a REAL fire grill since it’s on land.

1 hour ago, USCG Teacher said:

Agree whole-heartedly.  Getting solid info with a dose of funny makes it twice as nice!   

Ahhh...thanks 

Nice job !!

34 minutes ago, JetlaggedAgain said:

We was at the solarium, and she tripped on level difference between two area's We have decided to make the best of the situation. Thanks for caring.

Best wishes.

1 hour ago, DDaley said:

Another thank you for the great blog, @WAAAYTOOO! Your writing style is so, so funny. 

You are too kind.  Thanks for the feedback.

UGH.  Not good at all.  The tour operator should have known about this...