First time cruiser on a huge ship--Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

firstcruise01

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 41

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 13, 2016

Ship: Oasis of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7166

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Being first time cruisers, my husband and I did not know what to expect. Everyone kept telling us "you'll love it!" When we walked onto the ship, it looked like a huge mall with 17 stories. It was unbelievable!

Everything you need is right there on the ship. If you love to shop, it's there. If you love nonstop activities, it's there. This ship seems to meet everyone's needs -- except ours. It wasn't very relaxing nor private; there were just too many people (over 6000 people not including the staff & crew). Also, the stops in the ports felt rushed.

We sailed for three days before getting to the first port, St. Maarten, then onto Puerto Rico and Labadee, Haiti. We spent less that 24 hours in all three ports. So basically, it was a vacation on a moving hotel.

We're used to traveling to all-inclusive resorts on the same day and enjoying the sites/excursions without feeling rushed. Needless to say, this was a different experience.

Maybe a smaller ship may make for a different experience.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

So much to do, especially for kids and teens.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Make your reservations early.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Great! We had Superior Stateroom with a balcony.

Ship tip

If you expect to drink a lot, get a drink package. When you book your trip, you will get offers to purchase drink packages, picture packages. The earlier you purchase the cheaper the price. My husband got the premium drink package and it was well worth it!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

1 out of 5

We were in port for a short time--8:00 to 2:00 and had to be back by 1:30--felt rushed after doing a 2 hour tour. Beware! The Baccardi tour offered by the ship does not include a taste test. It's just a tour with a free glass and drink at the end. If you want a taste test, it's a separate tour.

Thumbs Up 4

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

1 out of 5

GET THERE EARLY FOR CHAIRS! Of course we spent the most time on the Cruise line's private island. We were in port from 8:30am until 5:00pm. We decided to sleep in and arrive around 10am. Big mistake! All of the chairs were taken. There were chairs stacked in the $250 bungalow area, but they were off limits because we didn't rent. Never mind that all the other chairs were accounted for by the bungalow occupants. I tried getting the chairs, but the attendant told me they were for bungalow renters. Then I saw him taking two chairs at time (4 in all) down the beach to others. I guess the price was right.

Thumbs Up 0

13 Comments

Anne12 8 years ago

I meant future..

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Anne12 8 years ago

I really did not care for that many people myself, but I love the Oasis! Even caught a bad cold, which I hardly ever get sick. I am looking forward to sailing on the Allure, Anthem, and the Harmony of the seas in the future.

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ghiagal 8 years ago

The ports are just added fun. I would have loved more time at a few pots but many we've been back on well before its time because we just weren't impressed with the port, if we wanted to stay longer we'd book an inclusive on the island. It's funny even with 6000 people we found ourselves alone at dinner, alone at the champagne bar, alone in the infinity hot tubs and often alone in Central Park.

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ghiagal 8 years ago

Each port, shouldn't have been a surprise. We spend time researching each ship, there's plenty of pictures and videos of any ship out there to have an idea of what you are getting into. Honestly the layout wasn't a surprise for us on our first Oasis trip, we loved Central Park and the different neighborhoods- but the mega ships are ones you go on with the expectation that THAT is the destination

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ghiagal 8 years ago

We've loved our trips on Oasis, but again large ships aren't for everyone. Yes you have to reserve shows in advance , honestly that's the only way they can offer so many options with that many people. Ten cruises and we've been on one that stayed over night, wasn't all that impressed. Cruising is pretty much a resort that stops at ports and it's in the itinerant be fire you book how long you are

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ahowell54 8 years ago

Sorry you didn't like it but none of these issues should have been a surprise. Most Caribbean cruises do not stay in Port overnight. The itinerary should have shown you this. Give cruising another try-doing research ahead of time will help keep the surprises and disappointments down

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kkruiser 8 years ago

We did celebrity earlier this year and loved it! The most relaxing cruise we've ever been on. Hubby wants to try the "big ship" so we are doing Oasis in November. I'm thinking he might like it but I'm not so sure it will be my cup of tea.

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jdstoughton25 8 years ago

Cruises to Bermuda stay one to two nights. You get the cruise experience and longer at the port. AND, Bermuda is amazing!!!

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newtraveler 8 years ago

That huge ship is definitely not for me..

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travelgal13 8 years ago

Celebrity is awesome

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annepu 8 years ago

You might enjoy a cruise that does an over-night in a port. Check out Celebrity cruise line. We did an Overnight in Curaçao on Celebrity. Some people left the ship and stayed Overnight at a resort. They enjoyed the best of both worlds!!

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travelgal13 8 years ago

The big ships are not for everyone. Definitely try a smaller ship next time and perhaps an itinerary that has more sea time than port time. Most ships are in port less than 10 hours, some a lot less.

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DolphinLover21 8 years ago

For a lower class, we have always enjoyed Liberty of the Seas. Not too small and not too big....just right. We have done Allure and are doing Oasis next week.

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