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Oasis of the Seas, LIVEish: January 15, 2017


CGTLH

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Greetings all! I know I'm a new comer to the Royal Caribbean Blog's Message Board. But trust me this isn't my first message board rodeo.

Some of the content here is cross posted on another message board (If they won't let someone mention this site, I'm not going to mention their site!), but if asked I'll be more than happy to provide exclusive content. Trust me, I've provided this site a bit of content already!

 

First off, I want to give Matt a shout out for the hard work he does. Trust me, I know how much of a pain in the rear it can be running a site devoted to a Cruise Line. Many many moons ago I operated one my self with a different format.

 

Because I'm a new comer here I just wanted to give a little info about my self.

My name is Michael, live in Tallahassee Florida, and under the age of 35. At the time of this posting I have 30 cruise under my belt and Diamond Plus with Royal. I'm also a "legacy" Platinum with Carnival, 10 cruises. I've also sailed once with Holland America, NCL, and Princess.

 

With all that out of the way let me get started with you guys came reading for. But really that stuff won't start until Sunday, so I'll give some expectations and background information on the next post.

 

 

 

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First off, disclaimer and information slab of text.

 

I'm not much in the way of a writer/reviewer. My options are just that, mine. I try to stick with factual information and avoid confrontational topics. So don't expect to hear such items of discussion such as the estimated percentage of number of people wearing shorts in the MDR on Formal night.

 

I'll do my best to report back things like cost of the drink packages and if any discounts are being offered.

 

More than happy to provide pictures upon request. Just don't be upset if I'm unable to get something I'm comfortable with. Being a single male with no kids, I'm not all that comfortable with photographing an area like Adventure Ocean.

Another thing, I really enjoy it when content is partly driven by you guys. So please, give me your requests!

 

Also, keep an eye on Twitter/Periscope for any material not posted here. I will try my best to do a few broadcasts, just give me some ideas PLEASE!


 

Going to also provide some sailing details

 


I'm on the January 15th 2017 sailing (7n) Western: Port Canaveral, Sea Day, Labadee, Falmouth, Sea Day, Cozumel, Sea Day

 

I’ll be in a Central Park Balcony room on deck 12.

Pre-purchased the Deluxe Drink Package and Voom, think it was called Sip and Stream ($392.39 [$49 a day, plus 14.5% service charge]). This was a Black Friday/Cyber Monday Special. 

Pre-purchased First Night Done Right. When I was on Oasis back in December for a 12 day back to back I had purchased it for both segments. On the second segment this package should have had a completely different name. In a nutshell, at Central Park 150 I was being told that the package was really just $15 OBC and 50% off the fee. Not the expected $15 upfront and nothing more out of pocket. So hopefully things are as expected now, guess I'll find out in about 40 hours.

 

That is it for now, unless you want to know my tech toys, need to do a few more final packing things and get ready to get out later this morning.

 

Once again, I am more than happy to scout any thing out on board. As long as it is with in reason and not a violation of Guest policy.

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Thanks for sharing with us, Michael. I cannot wait to follow along on your adventure!

 

You asked for Periscope ideas, and I'd suggest some basics of "showing people around" type scopes. These can include

  • Stateroom tour
  • Tour of pool deck
  • Tour of Royal Promenade
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Thanks Matt for the advice.

 

Just a basic summary of the day...

Woke up at 6:30am

Hit the road around 7:45am

Had a 3 hour stop for lunch and to visit with some folks

Stopped along the Turnpike, very bad coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts (both brewed and cold brew)

Arrived at Homewood Suites Cape Canaveral around 4pm.

Went out for dinner around 6pm.

 

Back at hotel next to the fire pit typing this up.

 

Plan for tomorrow...

Breakfast at hotel

Take 9:45 shuttle to the port

Get on ship

???

Type up new post!

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Here are the package prices. They are offering the 20/30/40 discount for Diamonds and above.

5462653511539e9f8808abb4e0ab1c0c.jpg

 

Also, the prices at the Champagne Bar for their cocktails haven't changed since I was on in December

Can't get the darn image from my site in here. So here is the link for it: https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/picture.php?/267/category/49

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Will do on trying to get "written" information. So far the only stuff has been verbal.

Hopefully the can get a print out of offers for the Diamond folks we are traveling with. The sheet in the room is lacking of such information.

 

On a side note: That study on mice, alchohol, and munchies. I do feel it has some merrit.

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Good morning folks! It is after 12 am here on board.

 

First off, yes I do think I got the drink package's worth... prior to the muster drill...

 

Just a quick recap of the day.

Breakfast at the hotel (no extra charge, included for all guests).

Nothing special, "Windjammer" style eggs, potatoes, sausage, make your own waffles, oatmeal, cereal, cold bar, and breakfast pastry case.

9ffef476807ff2a77e3d7f7908ba9dee.jpg

72f04592030d428f2f39ec56e83739cc.jpg

 

The shuttle service to the port is handled by 888 Taxi. To their dispatch's logic they thought 6 people with associated luggage could fit inside a minivan. To their credit, yes everything fit. Just not comfortably, at least the ride was less than 10 minutes. Also, due to the vehicle being a minivan, we did not have to wait in the shuttle/bus drop off line.

For those that are wondering, Star class has a personal vehicle drop off area right next to the terminal entrance.

 

Once dropped off, we entered the security line at 10:08 past security and checked in by 10:20.

Once boarding started at 11:15-11:20 it was a quick and painless process. One thing I did notice was the Sea Class sign was still covered up for the Suite/Pinnacle waiting area.

562036cf5fa43389ffb12323ad7651e6.jpg

 

Once on board headed up to the Solarium Bistro, they opened at 11:15. After that did some roaming and "drink package studies". At 2:30 we had a group meet-up with a nice turn out. The meet-up dispersed at the time the preparation for the muster drill started.

After the drill, headed up the Diamond lounge. Then when quickly back to the room where I realized right after the door closed I left my card on the desk. Extra key printed after tailgating back in to the lounge, original card obtained.

 

For dinner it was the First Night Done Right at Central Park 150. This time around it was done right, no extra charge other than the difference for the Central Park Martini ($2.36, $15 was the price back in December as well). Side note: Trellis Bar was more than willing to hand over three canned Coke Zeros in exchange for the Diamond vouchers.

After dinner, skipped the booked Aqua show. Talked with our traveling folks in Cafe Promenade. Drank some more, visited the Casino.

 

Finally, I started pecking out this post on my phone.

 

Plans for tomorrow:

Top Tier Party at 10:45

Cabin Crawl

Chops for dinner

 

Sure somewhere I'll enjoy a few adult beverages!

 

With that, this wraps up Day 1. Any questions or requests, post away.

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You can have any bartender print off a list of your D or D+ perks.  The drinks package discount will be listed there.

Oddly, written proof of drink package discounts has proven to be quite elusive.  I have yet to find the exact discount in written form.  

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Oddly, written proof of drink package discounts has proven to be quite elusive.  I have yet to find the exact discount in written form.  

Got connected with my "tablet".

So here is the attachment of the receipt showing a 30% discount. This was from my December 11, 2016 sailing on Oasis. 

post-6322-0-94059100-1484587228_thumb.jpg

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So far today I really haven't done much. Woke up around 8:30a, around 9a headed over to Windjammer for breakfast, wasn't going to happen there. The line to enter Windjammer was out the door.

So as a backup plan went over to Wipeout Cafe, empty. Very few folks inside nor sitting around there. So I a quick bite to eat and captured a video of the buffet. https://youtu.be/kPTjRCGw6Zk

 

After that went to an event for the site I don't wish to mention. Then prepared for the cabin crawl and uploaded some photos. That took about an hour and got to see a good mix of rooms two being the Owner's and Crown Loft Suite.

 

For the last hour or so, been relaxing at the Trellis Bar. Still hard to believe you're on a ship from here.

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FYI inbound, at https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/43 in the process of uploading the Schooner Bar and New Bar Menus. Also will have the Cafe Promenade  menu. So far the only price increases I've seen has been the implementation of the new bar menu and at the Pub.

 

Old menus from the December 11/18, 2016 cruises can be found at: https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/49

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FYI inbound, at https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/43 in the process of uploading the Schooner Bar and New Bar Menus. Also will have the Cafe Promenade  menu. So far the only price increases I've seen has been the implementation of the new bar menu and at the Pub.

 

Old menus from the December 11/18, 2016 cruises can be found at: https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/49

As always Matt, if you want photos that haven't been watermarked. Just ask me, I'll be more than happy to upload them to an alternative source.

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Good morning followers!!!

 

First answer I'm sure that is one everyone's mind. Yes, I do feel got the package's value for the day. For the record, I'm not pushing or forcing my self to drink, just for the sake of "getting my money's worth".

 

Few observational changes I haven't mentioned yet when it comes to beverages. First off, the sparkling water has changed brands. I forgot to keep/take a picture of the new bottle. All I real is it is Italian, in a 500ml plastic bottle. Also saw Ginger Beer being offered at the bar, this is non alcoholic.

 

Next, the Luggage Valet service is still being offered on board.

 

Finally, the daily recap...

Attempted breakfast in Windjammer at 9am, line was out the door and getting ready to go down the middle stairwell.

After breakfast headed down to a group event. After the group event was the Top Tier Event, left when the future cruise sales pitch started.


Top Tier Event

Platinum: 531

Emerald: 252

Diamond: 459

Diamond Plus: 165

Pinnacle Club: 48

 

Top Cruiser: 2398 points

 


Headed back to the room to upload all the wonderful menu pictures taken and get some stuff together for the cabin crawl.

Crawled a good selection cabins, thank you again to all that "donated" their cabin for the crawl.

After the crawl, relaxed in Central Park and eventually relocated to the Champagne Bar. Headed to dinner in Chops at 5:30, stopped in the Diamond Lounge around 5:15, busy but had a few seats available on the low level.

Dinner at Chops, they were busy the entire time. Then went on a quest for Coke Zero. For the record, I've been lucky so far to get unopened cans using the Diamond vouchers. Also, when a bar has had the cans they were more than willing to pour a glass. So far, it also seems when asked I've gotten the remainder of the can. One of my go to drinks with Coke Zero had been that with Vanilla flavored vodka. Still on the subject of soda, at the Trellis bar they were checking for stickers when refilling soda cups.

Humorously after the Coke Zero quest, went up to Windjammer to scope out the action station. Tonight's station was crepes with select you own fillings/toppings. After that meet up with some of the folks we were traveling with then browsed the stop. Had some more entertainment the headed back over to the Champagne Bar.

 

Tomorrows plans...

Go to Labadee and take the boat over to the Columbus Cove area.

Relax, maybe have lunch on land

Dinner I think is going to be in the MDR

 

So all in all, that is the recap of my day.

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Know I've been quiet today... Cause that was what kind of day it has been.

 

Made it to Wipeout Cafe right around 9:30, closed up a few minutes later. Didn't bother checking out Windjammer.

 

Finally got motivated and got off the ship right around 10:45-11 range. Found out the boat that runs to Columbus Cove stops service right around that time and last one had already left.

Took the tram over, they need to some how mark them so you know where the end of the line is for them. Best bet is to get on one of the single car trams.

 

Right when I made it over, lunch had opened up. Usual fare for the proteins (turkey burger, beef burger, hot dogs, beans and rice, jerk chicken, and ribs). For sweets, oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies, spice cake, pound cake, brownies, and a nice fruit setup.

 

After lunch, got a Labadoozie. No offense to the lovers, not my kind of drink (way too sweet for me). Drank about a quarter of it and tossed the rest.

 

Just an offering I saw on the beach. Fresh local coconut, with ($12) or without ($8) rum add 18% gratuity. I'm sure this falls outside the package, maybe they charge just the souvenir cup fee. The pour on tge rum was a solid 4 or 5 count. Options Malibu, Myers, Captain Morgan.

 

Left the Columbus Cove walking the "difficult" terrain to Nellie's beach avoiding the "gauntlet".

Then just explored some of the trails. Eventually ending up at the "Labadee" sign.

Showered, relaxed, did a Central Park "surveillance camera" scope. Finally ending up the Champagne Bar watching the Matt's Facebook Live session. Funny, it seems I always end up here at some point before 5pm.

 

No idea of dinner plans, know I have a My Time Reservation sometime tonight.

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Hello followers once again!

 

Not much more to the prior post that covered up to about 5p. I'm going to admit, while the consumption hasn't been as much. The cost per consumed drink has been the saver.

Key place I've been drinking has been at the Champagne Bar. The two drinks I enjoy the most (Moscow Mule and Espresso Martini) are $13 a pop. Simply put just 4 drinks total put it at the $46 mark (I paided $49 a day and it covered Voom Stream as well, that alone would have been $63 due to getting during the 50% on board price promotion). Another topic of discussion, in the event you need to return your Voom package. It has to be done by the guy that is setup on the Promenade providing Voom assistance. Guest Services is unable to issue refunds.

 

Getting back to rest of the day.

Rode the Rising Tide bar. Went to the Headliner (Tony Tillman). Saw the Love and Marriage show. TooMuchInformation, audience got a lesson in Canadian bra sizing.

 

Did have a conversation and agreement with our tavel companions. Food options after Windjammer closes are just depressing. Sorryento's and Cafe Promenade. After 9:30 Sorryento's had pulled the Make Your Own Pizza line and Cafe Promenade just has the same things everyday.

 

Gotten to the point where I grab a few slices of meat and cheese for Windjammer just before they close and leave it in the room.

 

Just recalled also, noticed auto shufflers entered use either Monday or Tuesday. I know they weren't there the first night.

Yes, I did recall seeing one at Blackjack. But I did see a table still using a large shoe. Min bet on Blackjack has been $10.

 

Nothing else I can think of right now, hope ya'll have a good Wednesday morning.

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Key place I've been drinking has been at the Champagne Bar. The two drinks I enjoy the most (Moscow Mule and Espresso Martini) are $13 a pop. Simply put just 4 drinks total put it at the $46 mark (I paided $49 a day and it covered Voom Stream as well, that alone would have been $63 due to getting during the 50% on board price promotion). 

That kind of math is why I became a fan of the drink package.  4 drinks and you're even.

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Been looking at my pictures, just noticed that Schooner Bar had a $1 across the board price increase on Cocktails.

 

Old: https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/59

New: https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/index.php?/category/61

Which ship is the old photos from? Oasis class ship prices are about a $1 higher than rest of the fleet.

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This morning's entry will be somewhat short.

 

Breakfast, where else Wipeout Cafe. Eggs in the pan still show signs of being fresh eggs. I have yet to head in to Windjammer or Solarium Bistro for breakfast.

In Falmouth, just wondered around the "Historical" District. Never ventured beyond the gates.

Came back to the ship for lunch in Windjammer.

Not sure if it is in the right order: Took a nap then Scoped the Flowrider. At the Flowride, surf, no more than four people were in line for the quick time I was there. I did happen to notice signage for Star Class for the Zipline.

Enjoyed a cocktail or two at the Champagne Bar then headed over the Diamond Lounge around 5 for some nibbles. Do want to add, on this sailing the Champagne Bar has become very crowded around 5pm.

Headed over to the Trellis Bar to meet up with our travel companions then headed to Windjammer around 6p for dinner. The action station tonight was something dealing with Indian food. Think it might have been vegetable corma? Also had where the hotdog and hamburgers normally are as a Jamaican Station. It had some breads that were very good, fried fish, Oxtail, fried plantains, chicken (wasn't jerk, that was at the carving station), cornbread, and rum cake.

After that walked the open decks some and people watched at Cafe Promenade until the 9p comedy show.

For the show, first guy was good. Second guy, ummm, no. I don't recall names, I'll have to double check the Compasses (don't worry, Matt will be getting a scanned set hopefully on Sunday or Monday once I'm back).

After the comedy show, Cafe Promenade, casino, Champagne Bar. Some of those locations might have been visited multiple times prior to this post.

 

Finally, back to the room for the wrap up of the day.

 

Also saw the infamous 10 drink cards up for sale today (Day 4/Jan 18). They were $79 and I'm sure gratuity would still have to be added to the cost of the card. (Attachment added: Jan 19@10:33a

 

Tomorrows plans are Giovanni's for lunch (free as part of the room offer, will give better details later today) and MDR (finally) for dinner. Other than that, things are an open book.

With the final few days coming up, just wanted to know of any information this community would like or requests I've overlooked.

 

That is it for now.

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Not at all impressed with the complimentary lunch for being in a Central Park Balcony room that was offered at Giovanni's.

 

bce37cc59c99b113a5ef47724dded0f9.jpg

 

On Oasis the offer is:

Lunch off the menu shown above for Giovanni's

Sabor us appetizer, entree, and dessert.

Johnny Rockets I'm going to assume the standard menu.

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Another day down and very few to go. At the time of writing this today is essentially the last “relaxing†day of the cruise. Tomorrow, Saturday, starts the fun filled process of wrapping up the week and trying to stuff you vacation back in to your suitcase.

But I still get to look forward to today in Cozumel. 

 

At the time of this writing still not sure what my plans are. I’m not much in the way of a beach person, so going to the resorts for the day is somewhat of a waste to me. I have only one shopping request, and that can be done at/near the pier if needed. The other possible plan is to mooch a free ride downtown compliments of the port shopper then figure out a plan once there.

 

For a recap of Day 5…

Woke up, the reservation I got for the Diamond Plus bridge tour was at 8:45. Once the tour was over around 9:30, just headed back to the room. I didn’t want to mess up my appetite for the complimentary lunch at Giovanni’s as part of the Eat-Drink-Play promotion for booking a Central Park Balcony room. What isn’t mentioned is the menu (see post 38, http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php/topic/3066-oasis-of-the-seas-liveish-january-15-2017/page-2#entry28692 ) isn’t the standard lunch menu. Rather is an abbreviated version of it with a handful of choices.

 

I’m not a picky person when it comes to food, come on I find the food in Windjammer good at times, but what was offered and came out was somewhat disappointing. Between everyone we were traveling with, we covered just about every menu option. 

 

Staring with the Salami E Formaggi, personally nothing wrong with this. Very hard to mess up a plate with cheese, sliced meat, and a jar with some veggies. Biggest con, just about everything on “plank†could have been obtained from Windjammer at dinner and even possibly lunch. Only exception might have been the blue cheese. Next up Insalata Di Rucola, was very light on the lemon vinaigrette and when the balsamic vinegar was added, the small touch just over powered it. I know, should have ask for more of the vinaigrette. Finally, Zuppa Del Giorno this soup was still a mystery to our waiter until about 5 minutes or so after being asked what it was. From what I recall it was still being brought up from the galley. Just in case anyone is wondering, it was some type of cauliflower soup. I think the only complaint might have been it was on the thin side. 

 

Time for the “Piatti Principaliâ€! No one ordered the Gnocchi. First entrée, Lasagna Tradizionale Al Sugo Di Carne. The running joke, we thought it was leftovers from the previous night in the main dining room. It looked just like what they offered, a lasagna covered with a béchamel sauce. No melted cheese on top other than a few bits of shaved parmesan. Adding to the other “not use too†thing, it was served in a bowl versus a small dish that could have been thrown under a broiler to melt any cheese. Plus, for safe measures it was also a touch on the mushy side. Next up was the Taglierini Ai Pomodorini, Calamari, Capesante E Pesto. This pasta dish was extremely dry and clumped together. When asked for more sauce the waiter brought out more of the pesto paste. Can’t really what happened when olive oil was asked for, thing the comment might have been they didn’t have any at that time. Just not sure about that. Once again, for safe measues was also told the pasta was overcooked and mushy. Finally, the Filetto Di Polo Pipieno Di Ricotta E Funchi, Salsa Alla Salvia E Chardonnay. Personally, other than it could have been hotter temperature wise nothing really to complain about. The chicken I had was not dry and the prosciutto on the outside was crisp. Also, the cut for the chicken was in the form of an airline breast. So, it still had the drumette attached. 

 

Finally, time for Dolci Della Casa! First off, the Tiramisu Classico. This was pulled out of the rolling dessert card. Yes, pulled out. Wait, we weren’t given the entire tray… Oh, sorry for the confusion, the tiramisu was made inside of large shot style glasses. Layer of mousse, soaked biscotto, and another layer of mousse. No more large portion scooped from a pan. Finally, was the Torta All’olio. Was very odd, when served it looked and tasted like a chocolate cake. Even odder was the lack of caramelized pecans. Extremely odd, other people were getting something that eerily looked like an olive oil cake. When pressed, the waiter really didn’t give much in the way of an answer.

So overall, if this happened to be the first time I every stepped in to Giovanni’s, it might have been my last. Then again, it might be my last ever after a less than stellar experience on Freedom back in October. I will note, we did bump in the Restaurant Operations Manager/Officer on the way out next to the Trellis Bar. He remembered me from December and asked how everything was going, told him the truth. He did extend the offer to let us give Giovanni’s another try for lunch on Saturday, we declined it. But did make a claim he would follow up with the chef about the entrée issues.

 

 

After lunch, relaxation and preparation for dinner.

 

Tonight, was the first venture in the main dining room. No wait showing up at 5:30, was able to request the same server we had in December. Only issue that came up was a tough piece of prime rib. The reorder came out just fine. Just for information, lobster tails were cut in half down the middle. We happened to be served two tails/four halves to a plate. Our server jumped, before we had the opportunity, to remove the meat from the tails. Overall amount on meat per half I would say an ounce to ounce and a half. Second plate of tails was dropped even before the first one was finished. Had planned on seeing Come Fly with Me at 7:30, but was too stuffed and wanted to relax.

 

Did, however, swing by Windjammer. Action station was a pasta bar, should have given it a try to see it was better than Giovanni’s. Word of warning, the smell of garlic was strong in the air. It did linger a bit on my clothes after leaving. Headed back to the room, discovered my crystal block for 210 cruise night points. Passed out until about 15 minutes before the 70’s party started. Did a Periscope of the entire event, boy were my arms tired from holding the phone. Finally, by midnight I was back in the room doing a wrap up of the day.

 

So all of you folks, thanks again for reading and have a great rest of you day.

 

Oasis of the Seas Crystal Block

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