Walmart and Oasis - BIg with Lots to Offer but Quality of Service Not There

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 59

Overall rating:

2 out of 5
Verified Review
Oasis of the Seas

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 28, 2015

Ship: Oasis of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 11442

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Took my parents on their first cruise for their 50th anniversary.  We had cruised before several times RCI with good experiences.  The ship is absolutely beautiful with lots to offer, but the overcrowding and over-stressed staff leads to poor customer service and an unfriendly experience.  The boat is handicap accessible but far from handicap friendly.  If you are in a wheelchair forget getting through the Promenade deck, which you must do to get anywhere.  Selling of goods, parades, Zumba, line dancing etc all take place here.  Every little thing that can be charged for extra is done.  Long lines for customer service.  Long lines for eating or any activities. Long lines for elevators that close on you before you are even completely in the elevator is the norm.  The buffet is a disaster with crowds and no tables.  The staff seemed stressed and spread thin and were unfriendly. Our last day at 7:15 a.m. someone walked in our room after a brief knock to count the mini bar before we were dressed.  On Prohibition Party night a staff member was more interested in how fast he could get everyone in and took it upon himself to press the button to make my mom's electric scooter go faster that he rammed her into the wall, catching her toes.  By the next morning they were severely black and blue and swollen. When reporting the incident it seemed to be more my mom's fault as to why she let him touch the button, as if she had give him permission, than concern over her injury.  The injury was severe enough for the ship doctor to order her to bed rest for the remaining 4 days of the cruise.  No apology was given, no offer of compensation other than a specialty restaurant dinner for someone ordered to stay in bed.  Very disappointing and felt the trip was stressful and a waste of money.  Keep in mind when booking that it does have a zip line, rock climbing, carousel etc, but these things are only open a few hours a day and you will wait in long lines to do any of them.  We felt the dinner food was good, our dinner service was good by Nicholas, and one specialty restaurant first night in Chops was fabulous.  However, the dinner for 5 did cost $268 dollars with tip, which would have bought  an extremely nice dinner for 5 most anywhere on mainland without going on a cruise.  We will try a different cruise line in the future.  It's a shame!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Always kept clean, our steward was lovely.

Ship tip

If you are handicapped would recommend a smaller ship.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5

Nassau, Bahamas

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5
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5 Comments

SimsSquaredTV    8 years ago

LClarke0723 sorry you had that bad experience! I have been hearing a lot about Oasis being crowded, which I want to book my trip with extended family on. I was on Freedom of the Seas a few weeks ago, which is large ship, but smaller than Oasis. Don't give up on RCI, just try their smaller cruise ships!!

littlescraper    8 years ago

to Rmahar8 We were on the Oasis in January. 1 time in 7 days I felt a sway. Smoothest sailing ship I've ever been in

Rmahar8    8 years ago

Any advice @pennyderrick going next week with family ? I was told u cannt even feel the ship move its so big? Do we need motion sickness medicine?

als777jo    8 years ago

thanks Penny. looking forward to going next November

pennyderrick    8 years ago

I was on Oasis over the Thanksgiving Holiday and in a wheelchair, I had no problems on the Promenade deck getting around...had to have my Starbucks. We did my time dining with reservations which I did before boarding and no long lines and food was delicious. Also did many meals in the buffet and they were very accommodating to my wheelchair, yes it was a little crowded but it was the buffet !!! Staff was very friendly, shows were great especially the Aquatheater show Oasis of Dreams....I have nothing but compliments for my time on Oasis

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