cruise oasis

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

rgregory2

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 12

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 04, 2016

Ship: Oasis of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8308

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

nice cruise for relaxing. Entertainment was ok, not as good as when traveled on sister ship allure of seas. Also ship did not have same sauna shower for use as does the Adventure of seas class.

I did like the track and used it daily. Late night snacks not as many choices as some other ship.

Also did not like the gratuity that is added to my bill. This needs to be addressed. Gratuity should be rewarded per service and not as a wage.

As a platinum member I still do not see any benefits for the program and now I will be open to other cruise lines and not stay loyal to Royal.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Typical room

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Falmouth, Jamaica

3 out of 5

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

3 out of 5

12 Comments

dellasue 8 years ago

Last year we sailed during valentines we took small gifts and chocolates for our table staff and room attendants and some cash they said they had never received a gift. Was nice to see them be surprised. We always appreciate the staff.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

ghiagal 8 years ago

I work for a casino in marketing, and one day a member of housekeeping was just ecstatic that someone took the time to leave her a little card with a tip. Needless to say after that I took the idea and went with it! Our last Porter on our cruise loved the little magnets we had on our door and kept wanting to know where he could get them- we left them with a tip for him lol

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

littlescraper 8 years ago

Thank you cards. What a thoughtful idea . Extra tips for those who make your cruise special DEFINITELY ! I can't imagine working on the shjps for months straight and stay so pleasant .

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

ghiagal 8 years ago

We've gotten in the habit of taking a small pack of thank you cards and leaving a thank you card and tip for ones we really liked. I know an extra top is great, but I guess I like the personal touch of a thank you card

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

kknorr0320 8 years ago

When we went on our first cruise I read everything, so even being new I knew I'd have the gratuities. Now I prepay them, along with anything else I can, and give cash to our steward and dining staff as they always go out of their way to make sure we're taken care of.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

domm1e 8 years ago

We always pre pay our gratuities, so we don't get any extra charges. We do also tip those crew members that we think deserve a little extra

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

ghiagal 8 years ago

My thoughts exactly, I bartended my way through grad school. I didn't have an option in larger parties when it came to automatic gratuity, you would have tipped more was always an excuse otherwise you would have dropped the "more". When we cruise we always end up tipping additional to the bartenders, MDR staff, room attendant etc. the $12 a auto gratuity is not much for all the staff that helps

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Steven112 8 years ago

Plus, the ones that complain, are the ones that wouldn't have tipped anyways. Besides tips are almost always part of a persons pay in that industry. I've waited tables/bartended for a while now and have learned one thing. The people that say "you shouldn't have added gratuity. I would have tipped more." No you wouldn't have. Because you can still leave more, but didn't.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

ghiagal 8 years ago

I agree Steven, if gratuity was optional and left to many on board (basing that on the comments here and on cruise critic of "I paid for a cruise I should not have to pay gratuity") would not tip a dime. Yes, you paid for a cruise, you also pay for a taxi, massage, dinner etc where the gratuity is additional.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

kknorr0320 8 years ago

As platinum we board early, get discounts on future cruises, discounts on board on drinks, coffee, and gift shop purchases. Also discount on laundry, which we usually use when on longer cruises.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

ghiagal 8 years ago

Every cruise line automatically charges you gratuity, I'm sorry that's not a new thing.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

Steven112 8 years ago

You knew about this ahead of time. You can speak with guest services if you want to adjust your tips. But all cruise lines do the gratuities. Problem is most people won't tip, this is why they add them. Same as adding gratuity in a restaurant for certain party sizes.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Amazing Ship

Cruise Review 2016

7 day cruise