CruiserNic

We prepay, but only about a week or so in advance of the cruise -- I forget the # of days, but it's basically the latest we can do it prior to the cruise.  I prefer to prepay, since I don't like seeing the daily charges creeping up, but don't want to give them my money too early either

No, the upgrade will only be good for whoever is originally in the cabin.  You can't officially move the kids in there without repricing at the current rate.

I have a balcony. I figured I'd try the spacious balcony room. I bid the minimum. Hoping I have the luck of the Irish! ? Again, no big deal if they don't accept. I'm hoping with reduced capacity, this may be the time that a minimum bid wins!

Never know, I went from an inside to a balcony for $100/pp on my July 16 sailing

You have to check it all the way to check out. If it’s $196 in the old cruise planner it probably includes gratuity. The new cruise planner format is a lower price but gratuity is added at the end. 

So I was charged $196 for my unlimited on Symphony. Gratuity included 
My Harmony unlimited is $166. Add in gratuity and I’m paying the same as symphony 
So there’s really no difference. Symphony includes gratuity at $196. Harmony adds gratuity at checkout and it’s the same as symphony. The Harmony says taxes/gratuity added in cart. 
 
My symphony is the old cruise planner format and Harmony is the new format. 

Both 8 night cruises. I'm chalking it up to "why look for logic where there clearly isn't any".

Yay! I just save $465 dollars on my next two cruise for next year!

Sorry, but the Black Friday sale hasn't been what it used to be. I would not recommend waiting for any one sale.
The best strategy is to track prices over the long term. Book early, and then cancel/rebook if/when a price drops.

We just booked a cruise (Enchantment out of Baltimore in June) and it has $50 pp deluxe, $23 pp refreshment. Seems like it's unlikely to get better than that.

Just checked it out and for our sailing (August 2022 on Oasis, 9-night Caribbean on Oasis from Cape Liberty) and the DBP is down to 57.99 pp/pd from 69.99. Will be buying this and The Key today!

The new Diamond Club located on deck 4.

The brand new lounge is fresh with modern decor.  It's actually a really nice venue.





The club includes two workstations and a printer.  The new Oasis doesn't currently have an internet lounge or computer area in any public place on the ship.  For Diamond and above members this will be the place to print those boarding passes. 


Water is available throughout the day.

The popular specialty coffee maker is available in the new lounge.

Like Harmony and Symphony, the Diamond Concierge has their desk near the entrance. 

The Music Hall in action...
We were fortunate to have the band Phoenix on one of these cruises.  They played on the 50th birthday cruise. 




Theatrical smoke for dramatic effect.

The Music Hall has two levels.
While generally a smaller Music Hall compared to her Quantum class cousins I find the acoustics better.  




Side alcoves contain some group seating.


The upper rear section has additional seating, a pool table and a bar.



The second level of the Music Hall has its own entrance from the aft elevator lobby on deck 9.

The Music Hall.
First on an Oasis class this concept came over from some of the Quantum class ships.  It occupies the space of the former Dazzles nightclub.





Downstairs bar.

The FlowRiders received some TLC in the amplification.  I know these are a popular attraction so here are some FlowRider pictures.

Playmakers.
Like Symphony this is outdoors on the boardwalk. 
 








The "Owner's Box" within Playmakers is available on a reservation basis.  Cost on this sailing was $100 per hour.













Menu

Expanded draft beer choices.

With additional sports content on ships with a Playmakers they have expanded the NFL football broadcasts.  In the past only two games were shown based on what was available with the standard channel lineup.

El Loco Fresh is new to Oasis of the Seas.  This appears to a closely resemble El Loco Fresh on Symphony.

Handwashing stations.

Like other El Loco Fresh in the fleet there are a selection of premade options.


A tortilla press right in the restaurant.


Toppings.

El Loco Fresh is always a popular spot and it's pretty much impossible to get photos absent of any guests.

A freestyle drink machine is found around the corner convenient for anyone on the sports deck.

Behind the restaurant near the sports area and mini golf is "The Porch" outdoor seating.

My first meal was lunch on boarding day.
Sammie with pulled pork.

It's a lot of food and quite filling.
For dinner another night I had the brisket and ribs.

Very tender. Fall off the bone tender.

It's so much food I couldn't finish the brisket and all the ribs.
Sauces are available at the table.

At dinner they had live music.



Turkey leg lunch on another boarding day.  I feel like Fred Flinstone the Turkey leg is that big.

All three meals at Portside BBQ have been really good.

Portside BBQ.
Where else but deck 15 aft on the port side. 





The inside section is air conditioned.

Orders placed on the left then you slide to the right for sides, desserts and beverages.

For dinner you can choose two or three meats, sides  and a dessert.

For lunch or a smaller snack you can choose some of the favorites.


The full lunch menu:

Dinner menu:

Late night menu:

The food all looks really good.

Oasis received the Ultimate Abyss.  Here are a few pictures taken at various times.

The suite sun deck has been refreshed.






Unfortunately the port side including bar is now a smoking area.














A local Haitian butterfly stopped by.

The solarium pool is always a popular topic and Oasis has retained her solarium pool.

The outdoor forward solarium deck is a first in the fleet.  You won't find this on any other ship, yet.










This area is closed until 9':30am.  It's right above the new cabins on deck 14.  I think they are trying to let people sleep in to avoid the chair scraping noises as guests inevitably rearrange loungers to suit their needs.