Bigger may not be better
Oasis of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 31, 2015
Ship: Oasis of the Seas
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 3220
Traveled as: Family (young children)
Reviewed: 9 years ago
Review summary
WE WERE EXCITED TO TRY OUT OASIS AFTER DOING A DISNEY CRUISE A FEW YEARS EARLIER. IT WAS AN AMAZING SHIP. HOWEVER, WE WERE TRAVELING WITH YOUNG KIDS AND FELT A FEW ACCOMMODATIONS WERE MADE FOR FAMILIES, BUT THE MAIN TARGET FOR ACTIVITIES AND FEATURES WERE FOR WEALTHY RETIREES. IT HAD A SMALL KIDS CLUB THAT WAS MEAGERLY STAFFED AND ONLY OPEN FOR A FEW HOURS AT A TIME. YOU ACTUALLY HAD TO PAY TO USE IT AFTER 7PM! WHEREAS, ON OUR DISNEY CRUISE, THE COMPLIMENTARY KIDS CLUB WAS HUGE AND OPEN FROM 8AM-MIDNIGHT EVERYDAY WITH A RATIO OF 1 STAFF MEMBER FOR EVERY 2 KIDS.
THE GREAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE ON THE SHIP MADE ITSELF KEENLY KNOWN IN LINES AND STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR MOST ENTERTAINMENT/DINNING VENUES. THE SHOWS AND ENTERTAINMENT WERE TOP NOTCH, BUT IF YOU WEREN'T 30 MINS. EARLY, YOU COULD NOT FIND A SEAT. THE ONLY TIME WE DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WAITING IN A LONG LINE TO EAT FOR "ANYTIME DINNING" WAS RIGHT AT 5PM WHEN THE RESTAURANT OPENED. TABLES WERE ALWAYS STICKY, DUE TO QUICK WIPING TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE CONSTANT STREAMS OF PEOPLE GOING IN AND OUT OF THE BUFFET. WITH SUCH LARGE QUANTITIES, QUALITY TOOK A SECOND SEAT.
IT WAS ALSO DISAPPOINTING TO FIND OUT THE AMOUNT OF RESTAURANTS YOU HAD TO PAY TO EAT AT FAR EXCEEDED THE COMPLIMENTARY ONES.
THE ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE WAS POORLY PLANNED OUT. FOR EXAMPLE: FORMAL NIGHT WAS THE SAME NIGHT AS THE SUPERBOWL, SO WE HAD TO MAKE THE CHOICE OF DRESSING UP TO EAT A NICE MEAL OR DRESS DOWN AND STARVING (OR PAYING $2 FOR A BAG OF POPCORN) TO WATCH THE SUPERBOWL! ALSO, MEET AND GREET THE MADAGASCAR PENGUINS WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE SAME TIME AS WHEN THEIR MOVIE WAS SHOWING!
OVERALL, WE HAD SOME FUN, BUT IF WE CHOOSE TO CRUISE AGAIN WITH OUR FAMILY, IT WILL BE ON A DISNEY CRUISE.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
SHOW UP 30 MINS EARLY TO SHOWS TO GET A SEAT
Ports of call
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)