markinct

@KJ1231 We're doing the same cruise in June of 2020, and we're on the east coast of US as well. Not to hi jack the thread, but what are your plans for getting to Vancouver?  I'm considering Cathay Pacific from JFK.

We're planning on getting to Vancouver with a couple of days of pre-cruise activity. I want to see that steam powered clock. We haven't even thought about post-cruise activity yet...

Anybody have wisdom to share on packing for an Alaska cruise? We're just under a year away, and I'm already dreading packing for 2 climates...

Good lord, I really hope this works out for you! 

The peace of mind of having the passport is worth far more than the effort to getting it.

Embrace the power of "AND".... join my wife and me on Radiance for a northbound cruise  - June 12, 2020 - we'd love the company!

On 2/3/2019 at 10:38 PM, JasonL said:

oh... well that's a bummer

We're cruising on Radiance in 2020... I love the churrascaria experience and will definitely try it, assuming it's still an option in 486 days, 23 hours, and 44 minutes   

Thanks for the pics! I recently booked an Alaska cruise, but I'm ready to think about sailing from FLL again - especially with a snow storm tomorrow....

3 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Twangbot, I am with you on this one.  I wish that they would charge me just a little bit more and include a few things but....in this very competitive market it's all about getting to the lowest possible fare.  Too bad, really.

Bingo. I believe it's that perceived need to get as low as possible for that "Starting at price".  I wonder if MSC has partially figured this out with their "Experience" pricing? 

@michelle, I can see this post saving a lot of first time /occasional travelers a LOT of heart ache and frustration. Thank you for taking the time to post it!

@Matt  this might be good grist for a full blog post or the podcast... 

Well, I'm not on that sailing, but I truly wish I were! I hope you have an awesomely awesome trip!

If you're going to get to Tampa a day or two in advance, head to Ybor City for some great restaurants and night life. 

@twangster - that is an awesome picture! We're working with @michelle from MEI ... my wife and I had almost decided on a midship cabin, but now.... 

@Brobbins246 - off topic, but if your cruise on Allure is anything like my experience on Oasis a few years ago, you are going to absolutely love it.

We're considering an Alaska cruise on Radiance - would an aft balcony be a good choice for the views, or a mid ship cabin? 

I certainly get that Cuba is a sovereign nation that can impose whatever laws and restrictions it desires. The question is should the cruise industry enable it? How many cruises went to South Africa during apartheid?  

I'm late to the  discussion, but based solely on my one experience with Chops aboard Oasis I'd say it's well worth the price.

So while I don't really have a lot of experience with Chops I can say that as a strict beefatarian the steaks at Chops were excellent and the sauces awesome. 

Well, this is disturbing: 

As it stands now, if you were born in Cuba you can't book on Carnival. And Carnival is citing Cuban law as the reason.

From the Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/fabiola-santiago/article70622582.html

Key portion:

 

 

After the agent said that my deposit was due in 24 hours, I asked the usual consumer questions: What happens if there’s a hurricane? I’ll get my money back or be rebooked. Finally, we get around to the passport. When I tell her it says I was born in Cuba, she asked me to hold. She returned to read me a statement from the legal department: “Current Cuban law prohibits Cuban-born individuals from entering Cuba via ship or other sea vessel, regardless of U.S. citizenship status. For that reason, at the present time, Fathom cannot accommodate Cuban-born individuals.â€

This is ridiculous and repugnant. Cuba isn't denying an individual a visa based on that individual's actions, history, etc., they are banning an entire class of people.

US Gov and Carnival should be ashamed for letting this happen. 

I'd love to visit Cuba, but I won't go as long as they are allowed to do this.

Well....I was excited but not so much anymore.

 

In all of our past RCI cruises we have bought the specialty dining packages then made our reservations.

 

Now when you buy the package they won't let you make any of the reservations until you get there.

 

So, essentially you get punished for buying the package. If you pay the full price charge for each specialty restaurant you can go ahead and book your dining time. If you buy the package you have to wait.

 

 

 

I don't know if it's this way on all of RCI's ships now or just the Oasis.

That's just not right. Have you tried calling RC?

Good evening,

 

Any recommendations for a clean, decent hotel for night before cruise.. Would prefer to have a shuttle from Airport and possibly to the Cruise terminal.

 

Thank you very much,

 

Jill 

We had very good luck staying at the Crowne Plaza.; excellent staff, a decent restaurant in the hotel and good service all the way around.  As a bonus I could see Oasis of the Seas from the hotel when we went to breakfast....  free shuttle from air port and they arranged a shuttle to the port for (I think) about $8 per person. I used the shuttle (All Stars) to get from port to airport when we returned.

http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/fort-lauderdale/fllhi/hoteldetail

Windjammer!

Winner, winner!!

Well, I'd use that name for a dog. 

serenity

Bonus for Firefly reference!!

Maybe if not a direct RCL reference, perhaps something from one of your favorite ports of call?

Maybe.... just schmaybe a 5 or 6 night cruise if the itinerary was just right, .... but I've only cruised once (can't wait to do it again), but I think a 7 night cruise is the lower threshold for me.

WOW Thanks Mark

 

That is very useful informations for anyone cruising on Allure and/or Oasis, not only for Matt future blog.

Thanks for the kind words. Oasis was my first cruise, so I'm sure I missed many things. 

One thing I should have added - even though the ship was full, I never felt crowded except at the Windjammer at peak times, and when there was a sale on cheap t-shirts towards the end of the cruise. I was kind of amazed that people who had just spent thousands on a vacation would go crazy to save a few dollars on a t-shirt. (OK, I admit to buying a couple myself, but....)

If you find yourself shopping in Cozumel around lunch time, do your self a favor and stop in at Poncho's Backyard. The food was excellent.

TripAdvisor reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150809-d1032770-Reviews-Pancho_s_Backyard-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

1) There are two Coke Freestyle machines in the Royal Promenade near the pizza parlor

2) Make your Next Cruise appointment as early in your cruise as possible. 6000 of your newest friends are waiting until day 6 or 7 

3) Johnny Rockets for breakfast - yes, really!

4) Don't worry about getting caught in the rain in Central Park, there are umbrellas at the entrances for you to use.

5) For a smallish upcharge, you can order a steak from Chops when eating in any of the main dining rooms (at least until Dynamic Dining comes on line) 

6) probably not specific to Oasis, but the cold soups are The Best Thing in the main dining rooms.

7) Ordering room service with the manual card gives you more delivery time options than using the smart TV application.

8) Book a Back to Back cruise; you'll never do everything you want to do on Oasis in just 7 days. 

9) Book your dining and entertainment reservations as early as possible. 

10) The fitness center is never crowded (go figure....)  (also probably not specific to Oasis)

11) The wifi really is fast enough to stream video and make wi-fi voice calls.

An Alaskan cruise is on my "someday...." list. One of the things that keeps it away from me is the airfare. Is an Alaskan cruise an instance when booking air fare through Royal Caribbean is better than striking out on your own?