This is the first time ever taken an Oasis class ship. I was scheduled to go to Paris when there was a travel advisory for Americans to stay home. So this was a last-minute decision cancel that and to get on this ship. Turns out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for a vacation. I have now done the Oasis and the Harmony. And will be traveling on the symphony soon. I love these megaships. I just wish they would offer a 10 day or 14 day cruise because there is so much to do on the ships that you cannot do them in seven days as I’ve mentioned several times in my comments. But not to downplay the small ships as I do love those two I prefer these larger ships every time. Oh by the way, these big ships don’t get pushed around by the waves Like those smaller ships do, so if your prone to seasickness, you’re better off here.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Hearing all myths about the large number of people, this was smoother than most. RCL has really mastered how to move 6,000+ cruisers. As you enter the city, I mean ship, your breath is taken back, but only for a moment as you can’t wait to start explore.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Here is where I really go spoiled. If you’re a foodie, then you will not be disappointed. The have several specialty dining options to choose from, yes there is a fee. So I did the multi dinning package. Making a fine dinning experiace to be about $22 a meal. But you don’t have to spend anything and still enjoy sever other venues for free. There are 18 venues to choose from.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
I not did a 7 day cruise and I tell you, 7 days is not long enough to catch all the activities. No, I didn’t do the rock climbing but there are 2 massive wall to climb. Even a Zip-line across to top of the boat over the Boardwalk. And a merry-go-round. And if you like dancing, (like my wife and I do) you can do this every night. From the techno, to salsa, and modern day live bands, to DJ’s to dance the night away! There was even a guy pushing a piano around the ship playing all over the place. And don’t be surprised if you in the promenade and Catch the crew turning the shopping area in to dance arena.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Broadway plays and musicals are a must! Ma Ma Mea! In the big showroom. Then a couple night later was was anothe major production show. The aquatic Show during the day was great for kids (I’m a big kid) but at knight, you definitely don’t want to miss the show one of the stars. There is an ice cream break. Then you can skate on during the day, but at night they have an ice-skating show. They have jazz the lounges and comedy acts every day. Again, a 7 night cruise and it’s just not enough to catch them all.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
You would think we were the only people on this boat with the special attention they gave each one of us. Every time we went to our cabin we were greeted by name by our Stewart. The bartender always treat us as if we were longtime friend although it was the first time we’ve ever met. Their servers in all the restaurants inside that greeted you with the smiles as if it was her first day on the job. It is outstanding how they can keep up that positive and exciting level of entertainment to make sure we had the best vacation. The staff is absolutely awesome.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship is large. I know going on there was a fear of getting lost. But RCL has taking everything into consideration when it comes to finding your way around. There’s interactive maps on every floor by every elevator. It was easy to follow and easy to find things. Yes I got lost a couple times but all I had to do was go to one of those interactive monitors and was instantly able to find my way around. The jogging track is enormous. It surrounds the entire boat. The map says 2 1/2 laps is 1 mile. I love all the swimming pools, there’s one for the little ones, there’s one for the fun and games, and there is even a solarium adult pool area.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We had an ocean view cabin on the 14th floor. It was the top floor of the balconies that overlooked the oceans other than those mega sweets. The cabin was a traditional style cabin but if you would like to be close to the food venues in the pool, those upper floors are the best. Although we did not have an inside cabin, I’ve been told that if you have one of those cabins facing in the Central Park, they include one specialty dining.
Ship tip
Although the shows are free. You do need to make the reservations to ensure you were going to get to see the shows. It doesn’t mean you get to see any if you don’t. It just means you’ll have to stand in line, why those who did make the reservations soup up all the good seats, and then 10 minutes before the show starts they let those in who didn’t make reservations. If you’re doing specialty dining, make sure you do your homework and find out what time the shows are playing and book your specialty dining on that first day of your cruise. Otherwise you may have some conflict with some wonderful dinners and great shows going off at the same time.
Hundreds and hundreds of cars pulling in to unload luggage thousands of people checking in at the same time but everything ran so smoothly that it just blows you away on how easy it is.
I don’t normally do excursions. I like to do my own thing. This was no exception, we found a cab and went into town and had a blast doing some more things that the locals do. But if you go here, make sure you go to the beach where those planes fly really really low overhead over the beach, you’ll never forget that experience. That is a must do.
Another poor we did not take any excursions on. We did jump on a 15 passenger tour van which took us around the city. It was educational but I wasn’t a big fan how they just dropped us off at the end. Checking out the castles and overlooking the ocean and the cemeteries was absolutely beautiful. This was a low-key slow interactive type activity at this point but we loved it .
This is their private island, remove the offer the buffet during this day they have water on both sides of this little island. Lots of little tiny shop to buy souvenirs. I do have to say they are very very pushy I’m trying to get you to come in and buy their goods. To a point of it being almost rude or like you have to run to get past them. But they do have some good souvenirs to buy, so it’s not all that bad.
I really hated that it was overs. Like I said seven days is not long enough on a ship this size. I did book my next cruise while on the ship for the oasis of the sea‘s. But even though they had to arrange for over 6000+ passengers to disembark, it ran just as smoothly as it did when I was on one of those 2000 passengers ships. There is still the long lines in the customs you had to go through nothing different the giant warehouse where you pick up your luggage, and like any cruise I’ve taken before going home is the worst part of any cruise.
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