sailing into an oasis for diamonds | 12.10.23-12.17.23 ~ oasis of the seas

[asquared17]

good morning from the pool deck!!

it is windy, but the weather appears far more promising than it has been in the past two days.

we were out of the cabin by 7:45, and. headed up to deck 15 to confirm that el topo chieco was not, in fact, serving breakfast. alas. 

we got our beloved seats (best in the house, in my opinion) — they are to the side of a casita by the power cell/toilet bowl water slide, and J diverted to the windjammer for breakfast. for chairhog and seat purposes, we often split our meals this way; also because we don’t want our territory infringed upon

amy and phil (boarding friends) just strolled by and they are great last night they told us they had a 5pm dinner reso and they also go to bed super early!! we felt SEEN

i do like the oasis pool deck setup better than any ship so far, including maybe symphony because we had a crowding issue there. i attribute this to the fact that the other ships had to build the deck around the slides but oasis had to build the slides around the deck with her amplification.

all this to say: the power cell see through window is higher than the actual pool deck — so you don’t have spectators crowding at the rail while you sit there to see their family because they can see them over your head. the casitas break up the rows of seating so you’re not in one long conga line of loungers. and the hot tubs near the middle wings are perfect to break up the crowds a little more.

yes, oasis is the oldest in her class.

and yes, our mini fridge doesn’t actually keep things cold. 

but this ship does have a lot of niche charm that i still prefer to to most of the others among her siblings and this is a big one for me, as it impacts the time we spend mostly relaxing.

in other good news, the lavazza machine was replaced with a brand new unit and J uses it happily every morning. it makes the cabin smell so good.

meanwhile, i sit here on the pool deck, sipping my cold brew happily and pondering my breakfast options. 

enjoy your morning, friends

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, asquared17 said:

pondering my breakfast options

When in doubt, I like to choose all of them.

1 hour ago, asquared17 said:

last night they told us they had a 5pm dinner reso and they also go to bed super early!! we felt SEEN

FWIW, we are decades away from being vintages and we do early dinners and don't stay up super late most nights. I'm not saying we go to bed pre-9:00, mind you, but we don't generally stay up super late.

1 hour ago, asquared17 said:

i think if we stayed in one place long enough to observe, we would see this kind of behavior more. but we so often operate in our own little bubble that we are oblivious

Can 100% relate to this.

11 hours ago, asquared17 said:

we made a pit stop at sorrentos and each got a fresh slice of plain pizza!! YUM.

They changed the ovens or how long they cook it or both. That pic makes it look nice and crispy and it was the same way on both Wonder and Allure for me over the past 6 months. I never had a problem grabbing a couple slices just b/c it's after 9 or I happen to be walking by on the way to trivia or something... but I really enjoyed it on my last 2 cruises.

 

Just popping in with very random thoughts, lol. Been busier than usual lately so I'm catching up in larger chunks.

[AshleyDillo]

2 hours ago, asquared17 said:

i do like the oasis pool deck setup better than any ship so far, including maybe symphony

You will be happy to know that Symphony just got their casitas added to the pool deck. They definitely weren't there when we sailed in February.

[jbrinkm]

3 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

They changed the ovens or how long they cook it or both. That pic makes it look nice and crispy and it was the same way on both Wonder and Allure for me over the past 6 months. I never had a problem grabbing a couple slices just b/c it's after 9 or I happen to be walking by on the way to trivia or something... but I really enjoyed it on my last 2 cruises.

YES - I noted this too when I did my live blog in April. Really enjoyed the pizza from Sorrentos much more than before. 

[asquared17]

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

When in doubt, I like to choose all of them.

you will be pleased to know i started my quest in the solarium. however it was like the jammer at high noon, only much smaller space with what felt like hundreds of people, so i fled, and QUICKLY, to the safety of the (can’t believe i’m SAYING THIS) windjammer. 

it might have also had something to do with the fact that:

a) i could not find any grapefruit and 

b) the woman at the entrance who SCREECHED for her husband so loud, all activity ceased for a solid five seconds. 

 

thankfully the jammer had grapefruit in abundance and it was not super packed (comparatively speaking). 

this is a lazy morning crowd; it took until about 10am to see any signs of real life. 

 

i agree with you and @jbrinkm about sorrentos — it has definitely been improved in the past year or so. sorrentos was always a solid choice in the past, but the flavor and crunch factor has really been stepped up lately and it is quite delicious. 

3 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

You will be happy to know that Symphony just got their casitas added to the pool deck. They definitely weren't there when we sailed in February.

aw yissssssss this makes me happy. also symphony is neck and neck with oasis as my favorite so this is just delightful.

 

i’ve just gone BACK to the jammer for lunch (i’m sorry, @Lovetocruise2002, i feel like i’ve let us both down — who CLAIMS this woman???!!!) because tonite is dinner in CK at 5pm for — drumroll please — TRUFFLE PASTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED. 

anyway, lunch was a repeat from day two but i don’t care

 

 

sadly i did not have my airpods in and they’re doing the world’s sexist man contest… if i have to suffer through the pickup lines, so do you all

 

“hey baby wanna go to the gym, i can hip thrust your body weight”

”hey ladies does anybody want a STIFF cocktail??”

”i just wanna be your best friend.”

 

we’re all in this together.

[jbrinkm]

38 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

i agree with you and @jbrinkm about sorrentos — it has definitely been improved in the past year or so. sorrentos was always a solid choice in the past, but the flavor and crunch factor has really been stepped up lately and it is quite delicious. 

I wonder if they improved it when they thought they might start charging for it 

[asquared17]

49 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

when they thought they might start charging for it 

oh god that was one crazy time to be alive!!!!!

everyone taking the quiz, to the point where they had to tweet about it

almost as wild as premier pass shenanigans!!!

[Ampurp85]

I haven't had Sorrento's since that crazy survey time occurred. But I think my brother had a couple of slices on Allure in Oct and he said it was crispy but still as bland. 

I know you said you can't get a good gauge on the demographics of this cruise, and I think that might be the case going forwards. A coworker just got off of an NCL cruise and he was shocked by the number of children and youthful shenanigans he encountered. It's his favorite line and he said last year around this time he could count the number of people under 40. 

Cruising might have gone up to us but to the average person, the prices can't be beat. 

[asquared17]

it’s 6:57pm and i am snuggled in to read for the next few hours. 

you guys…. i am turning into a vintage!!!!!

but let me back track a bit.

today was the nicest weather day we have had so far; but given how lackluster the weather has been so far, that isn’t saying much. i stayed until about 3pm and then headed back to the cabin to start getting ready for dinner / our 5pm reservation at CK.

i knew it would take something of a small miracle to try and resurrect my hair after it had been in a bun all day because of the insane 25 mph winds

we got ready for dinner and then stopped by vintages to grab a champagne. (i just realized i’ve only used one of my four vouchers today. augh.) 

(thankfully, my hair was somewhat revived.)

after last night in the MDR, we decided we’d rather have a 5pm in CK than an anything else anywhere else. so we planned to throw ourselves on the mercy of the host, whom we had already said we didn’t need a weekly reservation with. (oh, foolish past me.)

thankfully he was able to accommodate us so we can go back tomorrow instead of MTD in the MDR. 

as an aside — the MDR was fine, just really loud and frenetic. it could have just been the night or our section? — our server was a sweetheart and she and her assistant were HUSTLING. but if we’re going to spend more than 40 mins dining (our speediest record), then we’d rather do it where it’s slightly calmer atmosphere. 

but back to CK tonite — you know what night it was

TRUFFLE PASTA NIGHT!!!!!!

and it did not disappoint!!!!

for dessert, i had my favorite — the vacherin. 

it was sooo delicious.

and we had mint tea, which was the perfect ending to the evening.

our boarding buddies were back, and sat down to dinner as we were leaving. it was so nice to see them again

but now, i am about to finish another book for today. 

tomorrow is labadee and we are pretty sure we are skipping getting off in the morning, but might go ashore late afternoon to grab a ship picture or two. 

i hope to be awake early enough to see the sunrise and us pulling in, since its usually so beautiful there.

[OCSC Mike]

19 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

after last night in the MDR, we decided we’d rather have a 5pm in CK than an anything else anywhere else. so we planned to throw ourselves on the mercy of the host, whom we had already said we didn’t need a weekly reservation with. (oh, foolish past me.)

thankfully he was able to accommodate us so we can go back tomorrow instead of MTD in the MDR.

Glad it worked out. I've only freeloaded into CK on 2 cruises but I wouldn't go near the MDR if I had access. Of course, I'd even choose the WJ over the MDR (although the MDR was actually fine on Allure in October). We all have our preferences.

[SweetPea]

I've yet to try the truffle pasta ... are those carrots nestled in there?

[Ampurp85]

44 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

I've yet to try the truffle pasta ... are those carrots nestled in there?

Lol I had to look again. I think its orange bell peppers, squash or......carrots???

[SweetPea]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

Lol I had to look again. I think its orange bell peppers, squash or......carrots???

Anything other than peppers or tomatoes and I'm out

 

Squash or carrots

[Sweety]

Love the dress 

[asquared17]

9 hours ago, SweetPea said:

I've yet to try the truffle pasta

dear god what a sin

9 hours ago, SweetPea said:

are those carrots nestled in there?

8 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I think its orange bell peppers, squash or......carrots???

7 hours ago, SweetPea said:

Anything other than peppers or tomatoes and I'm out

it was butternut squash but i’m sure you could get it held off i picked the tomatoes OUT. 

1 hour ago, Sweety said:

Love the dress 

thank you!!!!

[asquared17]

good morning from (finally!!!) sunny labadee!!!

we are set up in our seats for the day J has made a run to the park cafe for breakfast; i will likely split off to the jammer for grapefruit and such when she returns. 

beautiful rainbow this morning when i was up and about for my morning exercise — pictures do not do it justice!!

i also saw the chefs and kitchen crew all off boarding to get ready and taking the food ashore. multiple crewmembers have mentioned how they love labadee; even if you are preparing food, it must be nice to have a change of scenery from being on the ship all the time. 

it’s really quite beautiful here, limited winds compared to yesterday and the non stop battle

random observations:

- the casitas remain largely un rented for this sailing. i think i have only seen two parties using them in the entire trip. 

- the AC definitely goes off between 2-4 am (at least) because it wakes me from a sound sleep every night

- seeing banners in central park with snowflakes on them and talking about winter is very disconcerting

- there are a lot of people with wet hacking coughs (to which i furtively whisper to J, each time, “consumption!!”)

- the biscuits in the jammer are delicious and INSANE. they have like a honey glaze??? i can’t explain it. they’re like part scone, part biscuit and FULL DELIGHT. 

this made me laugh so hard, i had to share. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

WOW.  I've never seen those biscuits before.  The only ones I ever see are like hockey pucks only even more tasteless !

[asquared17]

13 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

WOW.  I've never seen those biscuits before.  The only ones I ever see are like hockey pucks only even more tasteless !

12/10 would recommend the biscuits!!! 

[asquared17]

you guys. a MONSOON just swept through. 

we felt the winds pick up and then saw the black clouds moving quick from the side of the ship. 

but i would be DAMNED if i gave up these seats!!!!

so we took with us what we didn’t want to get totally soaked and legit DIVED under a casita and NOT A SECOND TOO SOON!!!!!!

it downpoured rain and the winds were like nothing i’ve ever seen or felt before. felt like hurricane winds. 

but ten minutes later, it moved through and now the sun is out like it never even happened. 

WILD. our only safety. pina colada way.

another woman passing by who couldn’t make it to the door in time huddled under a towel with J under here. 

i was folded like a pretzel on the bed under a towel. 

in hindsight, we probably should have just gone inside, because the casita was as effective as an open ended structure in a typhoon… but it seemed like a good idea at the time

regretting my life choices but laughing at the same time

 

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

legit DIVED under a casita

I can't be the only one wishing there was video of this.

[asquared17]

18 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I can't be the only one wishing there was video of this.

the way we cleared the rope barricading the casita was majestic

[Ampurp85]

OMG you do not have the luck with normal, dry weather this time of year. 

I tried biscuits once and they were as @WAAAYTOOO described hockey pucks. So, to see them looking so delicious and lite on your plate has me jelly 

Also, as a lover of purple things, tell me more about J's bag 

[asquared17]

OSCAR OSCAR OSCAR STARBOARD SIDE 

[asquared17]

they rescued him!!!!!!!!! 

it was a older man, i think he fell out of his wheelchair on the pier and then someone dove in after him. 

as soon as i heard the call, i ran over to the side and saw the jet ski rescues diving under to help 

and then saw the man they rescued in the back of the jetski board and they towed him to safety!!!!

everyone on the pier cheered!!!!

i think there may have been another civilian who went in after him because there was another assist as well but he seems to have been retrieved too. 

 

[asquared17]

9 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Also, as a lover of purple things, tell me more about J's bag 

J and i actually have the same bag!!! mine is striped, they are both from target!

about $10 i think. 

https://www.target.com/p/striped-mesh-tote-handbag-shade-38-shore-8482/-/A-86750165

[asquared17]

gosh this day has been so much and it’s not even lunchtime yet

[WAAAYTOOO]

Holy cow !  Too much excitement for me !  Just glad the overboard (and rescuers) are ok.  
 

Still on Freedom (home tomorrow) and our seas are pretty crappy too.  Lots of wind and swells…boat’s a-rockin.  Seems like they’re quieting down JUST a bit.  Good news.  Hope you guys have a smoother ride home.

[asquared17]

9 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

our seas are pretty crappy too.  Lots of wind and swells…boat’s a-rockin.  Seems like they’re quieting down JUST a bit.  Good news.  Hope you guys have a smoother ride home.

yes we noted this too!

they had the sea sickness bags out in the stairwells yesterday and that was my first clue that things were Not Quite Right. 

it’s weird; hurricane season is over (i think?) so we typically find this time of year to be okay but this is probably the most (sustained) motion we’ve felt in a while. the wind is no joke!!

hope you and dan have a peaceful disembarkation tomorrow

[asquared17]

also @OCSC Mike, good call on the chipotle tabasco sauce!!

i took the recommendation in blind faith and went for it when i grabbed lunch. 

between that and the 7 limes, i’ve revived the guac and quesadilla!

[Ampurp85]

I am so glad everyone is okay; I wonder if the wind was a factor in the vintage going overboard. 

But needing 7 limes to help guac, means I don't need to eat that guac 

[asquared17]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

But needing 7 limes to help guac, means I don't need to eat that guac 

yeah it was no sabor guac, that’s for sure i tend to like my guac super limey and am partial to the way i make it, but desperate times and all

[asquared17]

dinner in CK tonite

this jumpsuit has finally seen the light of day!! i have had it for some time now, but needed to get the pockets removed so that the pant legs would lay flat in the front. it was comfortable and breezy, a great choice for the evening.

i had the tomato mozzarella appetizer (gave my tomatoes to J), shrimp cocktail and caesar salad. also a small portion of spaghetti marinara.

J had the tomato mozzarella app and caesar, and also the duck, which she said was not only excellent, but her favorite meal so far!!

i was intrigued by the blueberry element in her duck dish — i love blueberry.  

for dessert, i chose the black currant sorbet which was like a pale blue color, and J had the ricotta cheesecake — she’s never met a cheesecake she didn’t like; tonite was her favorite, although she mentioned that the red velvet cake “crust”/bottom was a bit of a strange choice.

our server’s name is mark; he is great very kind and friendly (i may have mentioned before but it bears repeating) and he saw my ducks lined up on the table and wanted to know if we’d found them. when i mentioned we were hiding them, or re-homing ones we’ve found, he said he would track it down later i told him he could just have it and he was so touched and didn’t want to take it, but we promised it was okay. he was thrilled!! and now i wish i had had a different one to give him but i can always bring another tomorrow night.

after dinner, we strolled the promenade for a little bit and saw some couples dancing the the live music. i love the live music and the dancers — mostly because i can’t read music, and i don’t dance so whenever i can take in actual folks with talent, it is a treat for me. 

we are currently sailing at a speed of 20.5 knots for reasons i do not know. the wind is not as bad as it has been, although it is raining again. i don’t mind if it rains as much at night. 

ps: i’ve potentially recruited our boarding buddies (amy + phil) along to the forums, so y’all behave yourselves now!!

goodbye labadee

[Ampurp85]

Was there a shawl or sweater with the jumpsuit? I love a good fan to sleep, but I can't go sleeveless for dinners, its usually too cool for that.

[jbrinkm]

1 hour ago, asquared17 said:

this jumpsuit has finally seen the light of day!! i have had it for some time now, but needed to get the pockets removed so that the pant legs would lay flat in the front. it was comfortable and breezy, a great choice for the evening.

Very cute jumpsuit!! I don't know why I have NEVER thought about having pockets taken out - I definitely have an outfit or two with pockets that don't behave. 

[ScottD]

10 hours ago, asquared17 said:

had the tomato mozzarella appetizer (gave my tomatoes to J)

"I'll have the tomato mozzarella...hold the tomato" lol.    

I just caught up, had jury duty yesterday so didn't get to pop in as often as usual... it took me a minute to realize this was all the same day, eventful one, for sure! Glad the rescue went well and everyone was ok.  

It's crazy, we usually sail DURING Hurricane season and have been lucky, but these past few weeks seem to be really bad, seeing so many posts on FB, Reddit and here about cancelled or re-scheduled port stops. I hope the rest of the way goes a little drier and smoother for ya! 

[asquared17]

10 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Was there a shawl or sweater with the jumpsuit?

my lion’s mane of hair was my shawl

i am always so hot, i never wear tights or stockings in the winter, i am always bare-legged

i used to bring shawls but they would just hang in the closet and not get worn. so now i just use that space for other things. spending the day in the sun usually results in some color that keeps me warm too.

9 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

Very cute jumpsuit!! I don't know why I have NEVER thought about having pockets taken out

pocket removal is a GAME changer!!!!

i have so many cute dresses and skirts where i will take out the pockets. i know a lot of women prefer to keep them in, or wish they had them in their garments, but to me they are just a hassle and something i have to get rid of

46 minutes ago, ScottD said:

I'll have the tomato mozzarella...hold the tomato" lol.    

ALWAYS.

hope JD went okay!!! 

i couldn’t believe everything had happened yesterday either!! but it WAS thursday. and i feel like i’ve told you all about the thursday curse by this point.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, ScottD said:

It's crazy, we usually sail DURING Hurricane season and have been lucky, but these past few weeks seem to be really bad

It was an extremely tame summer here in central FL... and now we have a storm coming this weekend that is being described as the winter version of a tropical storm. Nothing to worry about at home (1-3" of rain and maybe 30-40mph wind gusts) but it could certainly affect some sailings and sea conditions. Weather just gets crazier and crazier.

[asquared17]

well i was up at 4:30 again and then finally jumped out of bed around 5:45 to get ready for morning walk/exercise. 

didn’t get to see the full sunrise but got a good workout in. the air is noticeably thicker/more humid here; but i feel like that is typical of falmouth. 

if you guessed that we are not getting off here and will be staying on board on the sundeck, you guessed right!!!

my breakfast consisted of two of the most amazing biscuits, grapefruit halves and the cheese omelet that i watched come right out of the pan. it was good timing

also something i noticed — the fountains for the rising tide bar were up and running. when were on…. symphony, i think it was, there was no fountain waterworks. ever. 

so i am wondering if this is yet another special oasis moment if it is, i am not complaining. 

we don’t clear the gangway until about 10 this morning; its 8:45 now and we’re still doing turnabouts to pull into falmouth.

[ScottD]

The fountains were running both times we were on Oasis this year, but the 2nd time they were more of a show, dancing and lights- the first time they just shot straight up in the air- enough of a change that my kid noticed as soon as we boarded this time around. 

[Jax]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

and now we have a storm coming this weekend that is being described as the winter version of a tropical storm. Nothing to worry about at home (1-3" of rain and maybe 30-40mph wind gusts)

Well this makes my kinda happy I’m flying into Houston this weekend.