Jeff L Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Hello, I am new to the site and will be cruising Oct 28 2018 on Oasis of the Seas for a 7 night Eastern Carribean Nassau, St Thomas and St Martin. I have been on one cruise with NCL before but I am very excited to cruise on a bigger ship in a Boardwalk Balcony room. I will be cruising with my 3 kids and 2 other families so a total of 20 of us. We will be dining 5:30 with set time dining at the MDR and would like to catch some shows, pool time with some beach snorkelling. A few questions and recommendations would be much appreciated! 1) What are the best free snorkel beaches in Nassau, St Thomas and St Martin? Preferably would like clear, picturesque waters, keeping costs down and not have to take a 45-60 minute boat ride, but share any experiences you have had. 2) What are the best shows to reserve and watch? Kids ranging from 7-14 will be cruising with us? 3) How are the kids' programs, do your kids spend time in there and do they get bored? 4) What day and times are good to do Rock Climbing, Flo Rider? 5) What is a good time to grab loungers? 6) If you had to choose one night for a Specialty restaurant, which one would it be and any other tips on the MDR and entree selections? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Coki Beach on St Thomas is great for snorkeling with kids. All of the Oasis shows are good for kids except the comedians. They often will do a family friendly comedian session so watch for that. I'd make reservation for all of the shows as soon as you can, generally 90 days out but sometimes sooner. Cats is very personal. Some love it, some not so much. It's a Broadway caliber show so ask yourself would you take your kids to see it on Broadway? The general consensus is that the kids programs are pretty great. Get them involved on day one so they become part of the kid's crowd and aren't trying to join a group on subsequent days that has already bonded. Check out this blog on Adventure Ocean: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/09/25/six-things-know-about-royal-caribbeans-adventure-ocean and https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/09/cruising-kids-royal-caribbean Flowriders will have lines at times but sometimes near dinner time towards the end of an open flowrider session lines are smaller. If you stay on a ship or return early on a port day sometimes lines are smaller. Rock climbing usually isn't that busy but this can change sailing to sailing. Loungers in prime spots like front row or close to pools will go first but often loungers one deck up are available depending on group size. Reserving loungers by placing something on them and leaving is against the rules and should be avoided even if you observe others doing so. The first two nights can often see cheaper prices on some of the specialty restaurants but I often cruise without going to them. Food is very personal but I enjoy the MDR food and sometimes do dinner in the Windjammer. Check out this blog for first timers on Oasis: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/01/31/first-time-cruisers-guide-royal-caribbeans-oasis-of-the-seas Jeff L 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Check out this first timer's guide to Oasis of the Seas: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/01/31/first-time-cruisers-guide-royal-caribbeans-oasis-of-the-seas Jeff L 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Welcome to the boards @Jeff L!! Jeff L 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff L Posted July 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Thanks for the tips and the tons of previous posts on the Forum! On 7/20/2018 at 12:40 PM, twangster said: Coki Beach on St Thomas is great for snorkeling with kids. All of the Oasis shows are good for kids except the comedians. They often will do a family friendly comedian session so watch for that. I'd make reservation for all of the shows as soon as you can, generally 90 days out but sometimes sooner. Cats is very personal. Some love it, some not so much. It's a Broadway caliber show so ask yourself would you take your kids to see it on Broadway? The general consensus is that the kids programs are pretty great. Get them involved on day one so they become part of the kid's crowd and aren't trying to join a group on subsequent days that has already bonded. Check out this blog on Adventure Ocean: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/09/25/six-things-know-about-royal-caribbeans-adventure-ocean and https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/09/cruising-kids-royal-caribbean Flowriders will have lines at times but sometimes near dinner time towards the end of an open flowrider session lines are smaller. If you stay on a ship or return early on a port day sometimes lines are smaller. Rock climbing usually isn't that busy but this can change sailing to sailing. Loungers in prime spots like front row or close to pools will go first but often loungers one deck up are available depending on group size. Reserving loungers by placing something on them and leaving is against the rules and should be avoided even if you observe others doing so. The first two nights can often see cheaper prices on some of the specialty restaurants but I often cruise without going to them. Food is very personal but I enjoy the MDR food and sometimes do dinner in the Windjammer. Check out this blog for first timers on Oasis: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/01/31/first-time-cruisers-guide-royal-caribbeans-oasis-of-the-seas On 7/20/2018 at 2:05 PM, Matt said: Check out this first timer's guide to Oasis of the Seas: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/01/31/first-time-cruisers-guide-royal-caribbeans-oasis-of-the-seas Thank you Matt! On 7/20/2018 at 6:39 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said: Welcome to the boards @Jeff L!! Thank you!! twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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