Oasis of the Seas ‐ Oct 5, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025 (7 Night Eastern Caribbean) RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com Group Cruise

[AshleyDillo]

I am excited for this one..so many old friends and new friends yet to make! Plus we will have some awesome special entertainment just for us onboard!

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

We just upgraded our cabin from a grand suite to a Crown Loft suite and got a sweet OBC added. Look out Vintages....you have a bottle of wine with my name on it!!

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

@AshleyDillo This will be our first group cruise. What kind of activities would we see on this  adventure?

 

[AshleyDillo]

On 2/13/2025 at 2:18 PM, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

@AshleyDillo This will be our first group cruise. What kind of activities would we see on this  adventure?

They're all different..but in the past we've had dedicated ice skating sessions, sea day lunches, waterslide time, a group excursion.  It really depends on what's available on the ship to us as a group, how many people we have, and what else is going on.  There's always a bar crawl, though.  You don't even have to book with the group to be a part of that.

[CHart]

On 2/11/2025 at 2:30 PM, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

We just upgraded our cabin from a grand suite to a Crown Loft suite and got a sweet OBC added. Look out Vintages....you have a bottle of wine with my name on it!!

Nice! I am in a Crown Loft as well so I will see you Suite Lounge / Costal Kitchen! 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

8 hours ago, CHart said:

Nice! I am in a Crown Loft as well so I will see you Suite Lounge / Costal Kitchen! 

Excellent. We will be in the Coastal Kitchen for dinners. We are looking forward to this cruise. 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

13 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

They're all different..but in the past we've had dedicated ice skating sessions, sea day lunches, waterslide time, a group excursion.  It really depends on what's available on the ship to us as a group, how many people we have, and what else is going on.  There's always a bar crawl, though.  You don't even have to book with the group to be a part of that.

This sounds amazing... bar crawl with you fine folks sounds like fun. I look forward to any additional updates on what activities are planned. This vacation cant get here soon enough. 

 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

@Matt Will your family be joining you for this group cruise?  My 10 year old daughter is looking forward to meeting you since you are "internet famous" but knows you have two daughters and would like to meet them as well. Lol. I am just looking forward to meeting some of the group regulars and have a shot or two of tequila with them during a bar crawl. 

 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

Is there anyone doing the 2 night sailing prior to this group cruise? I am just curious as to who I will meet before the official group cruise. 

[AshleyDillo]

8 hours ago, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

Is there anyone doing the 2 night sailing prior to this group cruise? I am just curious as to who I will meet before the official group cruise. 

Meeeeee! There are quite a few of us that are.

@CHart is working on locking it down.

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

3 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Meeeeee! There are quite a few of us that are.

@CHart is working on locking it down.

Awesome. I cant wait to meet everyone. 

[CHart]

On 3/6/2025 at 8:37 PM, AshleyDillo said:

Meeeeee! There are quite a few of us that are.

@CHart is working on locking it down.

We are LOCKED IN! No drink package, I may mooch off some people and they can have my 5 drinks on the 7 nights! 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

13 hours ago, CHart said:

We are LOCKED IN! No drink package, I may mooch off some people and they can have my 5 drinks on the 7 nights! 

I have been known to buy drinks for deserving fellow passengers... LOL 

[CHart]

5 hours ago, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

I have been known to buy drinks for deserving fellow passengers... LOL 

I should stay sober as the Group Cruise following may put a hurt on my liver let alone, I have the drink package for my Canada cruise the week prior.

[MnDoogles]

I’m booked for the 2 night as well. 

[Bluesmom]

Any word if we will still go to Labadee? 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

3 hours ago, Bluesmom said:

Any word if we will still go to Labadee? 

According to an article by travelandleisure.com, they have stopped visits to Labadee and it is unclear when or if Labadee will be offered as a destination again.

 

While I would be comfortable going there, I am curious where our ship will sail to instead of this port. Time will tell.

[Tink]

On 2/13/2025 at 2:18 PM, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

@AshleyDillo This will be our first group cruise. What kind of activities would we see on this  adventure?

 

This is my first group cruise also.  I literally just signed up after watching this past week's You Tube chat. I wanted to start doing some planning regarding excursions and dining but am hesitant due to the risk of conflicts with group plans.  Like should I forgo signing up for my usual Unlimited Dining Plan? Any guidance from the experienced would be great!  Looking forward to meeting everyone.

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

1 hour ago, Tink said:

This is my first group cruise also.  I literally just signed up after watching this past week's You Tube chat. I wanted to start doing some planning regarding excursions and dining but am hesitant due to the risk of conflicts with group plans.  Like should I forgo signing up for my usual Unlimited Dining Plan? Any guidance from the experienced would be great!  Looking forward to meeting everyone.

This will aslo be my first group cruise. I dont think there is anything planned at this time, but I have been told there may be some group time on the rock climbing wall, flow rider, scavenger hunts. But again, my MEI agent told me nothing as of yet is on paper. There will be a bar crawl at some point during this group cruise for those interested. I would reach out to your agent to see if there are any additional details. 

[AshleyDillo]

On 5/31/2025 at 8:20 AM, Tink said:

This is my first group cruise also.  I literally just signed up after watching this past week's You Tube chat. I wanted to start doing some planning regarding excursions and dining but am hesitant due to the risk of conflicts with group plans.  Like should I forgo signing up for my usual Unlimited Dining Plan? Any guidance from the experienced would be great!  Looking forward to meeting everyone.

They will group everyone together in the MDR based on your dining time selection if you choose a set dining time and decide you don't want to do the Unlimited Dining.

If you're interested in doing the ultimate dining, I wouldn't worry about any conflicts there. Most of the group activities will not be during dinner times. 

If you're interested in any excursions booked through Royal, go ahead and book those to lock in pricing. You can always cancel later if there ends up being a group excursion.

A bar crawl will happen on one of the sea days and usually it starts after lunch.

Unlike a convention, these group cruises aren't heavily scheduled. Activities will be scattered here and there..usually there's at least one activity planned daily whether it be meeting up at a particular beach bar at Labadee or a private ice skating session or a non-private meetup at the pub onboard.  Basically, it will be like any other cruise outside of the special activities except you will bump into a lot more of the same people over and over again that you recognize because you met them at the first group meetup on boarding day.

Once we are past final payment there will be a Facebook group set up and a GroupMe chat so everyone can start getting to know each other better.

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

17 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

They will group everyone together in the MDR based on your dining time selection if you choose a set dining time and decide you don't want to do the Unlimited Dining.

If you're interested in doing the ultimate dining, I wouldn't worry about any conflicts there. Most of the group activities will not be during dinner times. 

If you're interested in any excursions booked through Royal, go ahead and book those to lock in pricing. You can always cancel later if there ends up being a group excursion.

A bar crawl will happen on one of the sea days and usually it starts after lunch.

Unlike a convention, these group cruises aren't heavily scheduled. Activities will be scattered here and there..usually there's at least one activity planned daily whether it be meeting up at a particular beach bar at Labadee or a private ice skating session or a non-private meetup at the pub onboard.  Basically, it will be like any other cruise outside of the special activities except you will bump into a lot more of the same people over and over again that you recognize because you met them at the first group meetup on boarding day.

Once we are past final payment there will be a Facebook group set up and a GroupMe chat so everyone can start getting to know each other better.

I am looking forwad to this cruise...firgive me if I sound to bougie, but we will be dining in coastal kitchen during this cruise, with a special anniversary dinner planned October 10th at 150 Central Park. However, i look forward to meeting new people from this group and have some fun on the cruise as well. 

[AshleyDillo]

4 minutes ago, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

I am looking forwad to this cruise...firgive me if I sound to bougie, but we will be dining in coastal kitchen during this cruise, with a special anniversary dinner planned October 10th at 150 Central Park. However, i look forward to meeting new people from this group and have some fun on the cruise as well. 

Don't apologize for the bougie. I likely will be offering my balcony for aqua show viewings to folks in the group on a nightly basis. 

My mother also will refuse to step into the dining room, so I will not likely be there at all in the evenings.

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

Don't apologize for the bougie. I likely will be offering my balcony for aqua show viewings to folks in the group on a nightly basis. 

My mother also will refuse to step into the dining room, so I will not likely be there at all in the evenings.

Very nice. Do you have an aquatheater suite? Those are great spots for the aquashow. 

[AshleyDillo]

3 hours ago, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

Very nice. Do you have an aquatheater suite? Those are great spots for the aquashow. 

Yes..they are my favorite rooms on the ship!

[Tink]

6 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

They will group everyone together in the MDR based on your dining time selection if you choose a set dining time and decide you don't want to do the Unlimited Dining.

If you're interested in doing the ultimate dining, I wouldn't worry about any conflicts there. Most of the group activities will not be during dinner times. 

If you're interested in any excursions booked through Royal, go ahead and book those to lock in pricing. You can always cancel later if there ends up being a group excursion.

A bar crawl will happen on one of the sea days and usually it starts after lunch.

Unlike a convention, these group cruises aren't heavily scheduled. Activities will be scattered here and there..usually there's at least one activity planned daily whether it be meeting up at a particular beach bar at Labadee or a private ice skating session or a non-private meetup at the pub onboard.  Basically, it will be like any other cruise outside of the special activities except you will bump into a lot more of the same people over and over again that you recognize because you met them at the first group meetup on boarding day.

Once we are past final payment there will be a Facebook group set up and a GroupMe chat so everyone can start getting to know each other better.

Thank you for the information.

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Yes..they are my favorite rooms on the ship!

We are going to do one of these soon. We had to go big for our January 2026 Oasis cruise and booked the Royal Loft Suite. If you do allow guests in, I would love to see the cabin. 

[Tink]

Any thoughts on hotels near the port?

[AshleyDillo]

9 hours ago, Tink said:

Any thoughts on hotels near the port?

Ft. Lauderdale has a ton of options depending on what you are looking for. The port is super close to the airport which has a lot of hotels that offer airport shuttles.

We usually stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street as I'm typically cruising with my mother and that's her preference. Personally I feel like it's overpriced, but it's really close to the port and has a good breakfast. There is also a shopping plaza with a grocery store and restaurants that is walkable so you can easily grab your wine, soda, sunscreen and dinner the night before. 

The Dania Pointe area has some good choices as well. It's a little further to the port but closer to the airport.

Of course there are beach hotels as well, but I'm not a beach person so I wouldn't pay the premium to stay at any of those.

[Marc Van Niekerk]

If you are booked through MEI, there are sometimes group hotels for pre-cruise.  Being the planner I am, I like to book my own as a safety option in case nothing comes up.  For this cruise, since we are on the 2 day sailing prior to the group, we have booked our own at Homewood Suites.

When it comes to other hotels in the area, we have stayed at Staybridge Suites and found the accommodation quite nice.

[Tink]

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Ft. Lauderdale has a ton of options depending on what you are looking for. The port is super close to the airport which has a lot of hotels that offer airport shuttles.

We usually stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale 17th Street as I'm typically cruising with my mother and that's her preference. Personally I feel like it's overpriced, but it's really close to the port and has a good breakfast. There is also a shopping plaza with a grocery store and restaurants that is walkable so you can easily grab your wine, soda, sunscreen and dinner the night before. 

The Dania Pointe area has some good choices as well. It's a little further to the port but closer to the airport.

Of course there are beach hotels as well, but I'm not a beach person so I wouldn't pay the premium to stay at any of those.

Thank you!

[Tink]

1 hour ago, Marc Van Niekerk said:

If you are booked through MEI, there are sometimes group hotels for pre-cruise.  Being the planner I am, I like to book my own as a safety option in case nothing comes up.  For this cruise, since we are on the 2 day sailing prior to the group, we have booked our own at Homewood Suites.

When it comes to other hotels in the area, we have stayed at Staybridge Suites and found the accommodation quite nice.

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

15 hours ago, Tink said:

Any thoughts on hotels near the port?

There are some excellent hotels near the port, I have heard are amazing, like the Homewood Suites. I live about an hour north of the port so I don't really find the need to stay at a hotel prior to our trip. 

However, I am very happy that this cruise is right around the corner. I cant wait to meet everyone....... and to see @AshleyDillo's aquatheather suite.. 

[Tink]

On 3/6/2025 at 12:24 PM, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

Is there anyone doing the 2 night sailing prior to this group cruise? I am just curious as to who I will meet before the official group cruise. 

I just added the 2 night last night. Unfortunately I have to change cabins but luckily only one cabin over. 

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

@AshleyDillo Once we hit the final payment date for this sailing, will there be some updates on the activities planned for this cruise? If you could provide any additional details, that would be AMAZING. Looking each day to see how many days it is until we sail is my way of keeping my mind off all the stress in life.... I am so looking forward to this cruise. 

[AshleyDillo]

19 hours ago, TheoneandonlyMICAH said:

@AshleyDillo Once we hit the final payment date for this sailing, will there be some updates on the activities planned for this cruise? If you could provide any additional details, that would be AMAZING. Looking each day to see how many days it is until we sail is my way of keeping my mind off all the stress in life.... I am so looking forward to this cruise. 

Unfortunately more details will not come until we are closer to the sail date. 

Once we are past final payment, they should set up a GroupMe chat and private Facebook group for the people who booked with the group through MEI and that's always fun to meet your fellow cruisers and get hyped up for the sailing.  The GroupMe chat keeps going through the cruise for those who have internet access.  @Beci will get those set up some time after final payment.  

As far as specifics on activities, they are at the mercy of working with Royal Caribbean to secure locations and times, so not much gets released before they do that.  Even after they get that information, it's subject to change once we are on the ship. 

This cruise is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Royal Caribbean Blog INSIDERS program. If you're not an INSIDER yet, you can join at https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/support.  

Everyone who has been on a group cruise before is really hyped up about this October sailing, so it should be a great time!

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

35 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Unfortunately more details will not come until we are closer to the sail date. 

Once we are past final payment, they should set up a GroupMe chat and private Facebook group for the people who booked with the group through MEI and that's always fun to meet your fellow cruisers and get hyped up for the sailing.  The GroupMe chat keeps going through the cruise for those who have internet access.  @Beci will get those set up some time after final payment.  

As far as specifics on activities, they are at the mercy of working with Royal Caribbean to secure locations and times, so not much gets released before they do that.  Even after they get that information, it's subject to change once we are on the ship. 

This cruise is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Royal Caribbean Blog INSIDERS program. If you're not an INSIDER yet, you can join at https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/support.  

Everyone who has been on a group cruise before is really hyped up about this October sailing, so it should be a great time!

Thanks Ashley. I look forward to any future updates on this. 

[Snotarni]

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

Unfortunately more details will not come until we are closer to the sail date. 

Once we are past final payment, they should set up a GroupMe chat and private Facebook group for the people who booked with the group through MEI and that's always fun to meet your fellow cruisers and get hyped up for the sailing.  The GroupMe chat keeps going through the cruise for those who have internet access.  @Beci will get those set up some time after final payment.  

As far as specifics on activities, they are at the mercy of working with Royal Caribbean to secure locations and times, so not much gets released before they do that.  Even after they get that information, it's subject to change once we are on the ship. 

This cruise is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Royal Caribbean Blog INSIDERS program. If you're not an INSIDER yet, you can join at https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/support.  

Everyone who has been on a group cruise before is really hyped up about this October sailing, so it should be a great time!

We're hyped!!! 

[AshleyDillo]

28 minutes ago, Snotarni said:

We're hyped!!! 

Yay! It will be great to sail with you guys again.

[CHart]

Can it be October 5th already? I am so ready to get back on a group cruise!!!

[TheoneandonlyMICAH]

13 minutes ago, CHart said:

Can it be October 5th already? I am so ready to get back on a group cruise!!!

Lol. We are doing the 2 night sailing before the group cruise...the Oct 3rd sailing is 93 days away... that cant get here quick enough...