tmh

Thank you for the link!  Very helpful indeed!

I suppose the real problem is that there are three adults and one of them is non-English speaking.  This would make things a bit difficult in terms of communication. The other passengers would be children. Personally, I have never used a taxi. By any chance have people seen or used mini-van "taxi's" ?

For a group of 9, what is the best way to get to the airport from the ship?  We've made transportation plans to the ship but have not quite thought about how to get to the airport after the cruise.  Suggestions?  I do seem to recall someone mentioning there are vans/taxi's etc from the ship.  But for a group of 9, what is out there on the day of debarkation?  Or, can transportation be arranged upon boarding the ship? We will be leaving from Ft. Lauderdale January 3rd.

Just thinking proactive.  I suppose Ebola is just a little closer to home than I'd prefer even though we're up from that there North, yer know. ;)

While I hate to make mention of Ebola and RCC together, I don't think it is too far fetched to think about. My family is going on the January Oasis trip and I hope to God Ebola will not be such an issue come then. 

In the meantime, does anyone know if RCC has precautions or has addressed the likelyhood of some sort of response team if Ebola is suspected?  Better yet, will they implement specific screening requirements before boarding such as what I hear airports are doing now?  While I know it might be a hassel, I would just feel safer if there was some sort of screening prior to boarding as being on a ship with 5,000+ people is quite a small place to be when it comes to contagious viruses.  If this is not being addressed, may I suggest as many of us as possible request or inquire on this? 

Comments, thoughts??

I noticed the changes on the Oasis posted on Facebook.  Just wondering if anyone knew if the shops that have been replaced will be relocated to another part of the ship?  I was actually hoping to take my kiddos to the cupcake shop and the donut shop.  And, when are these renovations taking place--before January 2015, I hope?  Any info would be much appreciated!  Thanks much!

This is the first time my family and I will sail with RCC.  I have family who have traveled with RCC several times.  They've always seem to have good luck and upon arrival have been given free upgrades with their rooms--going from inside rooms to ocean view rooms.  Have any of you seen/experienced this and how likely is this to happen?  Has anyone experienced other pleasant surprises when checking in?

You may find this review of the cabanas on Labadee helpful: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/13/excursion-focus-barefoot-beach-cabanas-labadee

The prices have obviously changed in 4 years.  :)  Going from $150 to now $225.75.  The information on this page was much helpful! Thanks.

I see.  That information is very helpful.  Thank you!

Hello,

Has anyone reserved a beach cabana at Labadee?  I looked at the price and it just seems extremely pricey as it is priced per person and not per day.  I'm seeing $225.75 USD Adult, $225.75 USD Child.  Does anyone know if there are less expensive cabana's for rent upon arrival? 

And....if you have reserved one of these cabanas before,....what if, you only reserved it for one person but you are with a group and they all join in at your cabana?? Is there some sort of "check" system RCC uses to check use of the cabanas?

If cabanas are not an option, I'm assuming there are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas???

Thank you!

Transportation is always usually charged per person. There will be large vans too. You can always arrange in advance transportation for a larger group. Lots of limo type transportation companies will pick you up at the port. Many have small buses, vans, limos, etc.

 

The Hyatt House transportation was a small bus. If your group all plans on staying at the same hotel, I would recommend the Hyatt House. It offers 1 and 2 bedroom suites. Each bedroom has their own bathroom. It was very convenient for my group of 10 and was cheaper since I only needed 3 suites verses 5 separate rooms for 10 people.

 

Hyatt House Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port - 2 Bedroom Suite

 

Wonderful and, again, thanks much for this information!  Will definitely look into Hyatt House! :)

Typically round trip transfer to and from pier is scheduled through Royal Caribbean to and from the airport which you are flying into. I have used this service twice, for a cruise leaving from Cape Liberty, NJ and for a cruise leaving from Port Canaveral. Both instances I had to go back to the airport to catch the Royal Caribbean transfer bus. It was not cheap, $37 per person each way, but it is convenient if you don't want to rent a car or hail a taxi. The price depends on which airport you are flying into and how far away the port is.

 

Your travel agent can book this transfer for you, or you may do it yourself by calling Royal Caribbean directly. I will tell you that most people do not use this service as it costs more generally than finding your own way to the pier. Some hotels offer transportation to the pier (some free, some you pay extra for), but most don't offer pick up after the cruise to the airport. However, there will be plenty of taxi's and buses available to take you to the airport for a price once you return from the cruise.

 

Look for hotels near the cruise port to find ones that offer transportation to the pier. If leaving from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale I would recommend:

 

Hyatt House Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port http://fortlauderdaleairportsouth.house.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Hyatt Place Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port http://fortlauderdaleairportsouth.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

They both offer transportation to the pier for $10 a person and are across the street from each other.

 

Hyatt Pier Sixty-Six http://pier66.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

This hotel offers a view of the port, you'll see all the ships on boarding day. Transportation can be arranged for

Thank you for this helpful information, Tylor!  We'll be traveling with a larger group so I was concerned with how we'd be getting 9 people to and from one place before and after the cruise.  I'm glad you mentioned "buses" when returning from the cruise.  Also, any idea on whether these buses charge per person or family etc. and, if so how much? 

RCL says ground transportation to its pier can be purchased.  Has anyone used this service before? If so, how much did this cost?  And, if not, how have you gotten to your hotel to the pier?  Did your hotel automatically offer transportation services to the pier on the day of embarkation?  How about debarkation?  How did you go about scheduling that?  Any information would be much appreciated!  This would be in Fort Lauderdale, FL.  Thank you much!

Thank you both!  Sounds like I have many options to relaxation! :)

If you don't feel like leaving the ship when its at port, are there activities you can do on the ship?  Just curious...

Thanks much to both replies!

From what I gather Allure and Oasis are, for the most part, the same ships (design, build, capacity, etc.) with different shows and possibly a few different eateries/restaurants.  Any suggestions on why one would choose one over the other?  And, how about the children's program--the same, different or better on one or the other?  Would love to hear comments from those who've been on these ships please.  Thanks much in advance!

Thank you much.  This has been helpful and now I CAN'T WAIT!!! :) Dreaming, sleeping, eating, everything cruise! hahahaa.

Sorry for the delay in my reply.  The information provided so far is very helpful.  Thank you.  Yes,we'll be heading the Western Carribean way--Cozumel, Labadee, Falmouth.  We won't walk if its too far.  :)  Just wanted to get an idea of where beaches are and if its necessary to take taxies and all to get there.  Thank you for the response. 

Hello,

My family and I will be going on our first cruise in December 2014 on the Oasis--Western Carribbean.  Does anyone know if there is the option of walking to a nearby beach by the ports/piers one can walk to relax at instead of taking part in other shore excursions for the day?  Everything else seems to cost money--even getting to other beaches around the area.  Any information would be much appreciated. 

Thank you,

TMH