Just back from Oasis of the Seas!

[starvenger]

Good when you've been drinking and want a quick snack, because it's fast and easy to get.

No coincidence it's across the way from the pub and within stumbling distance of the karaoke bar, I'm sure...

 

[mevelandry]

Interesting thread ... Would love to know what is upcharge on RCCL?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Disbug]

Interesting thread ... Would love to know what is upcharge on RCCL?

Thanks in advance.

All of the specialty dining venues; all of the drink packages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic); specialty cupcakes; wine or liquor mixology/tastings; specialty classes like cupcake decorating; babysitting (in room or after hours child care); gaming (casino and bingo)....

 

[nkereina]

Interesting thread ... Would love to know what is upcharge on RCCL?

Thanks in advance.

All of the specialty dining venues; all of the drink packages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic); specialty cupcakes; wine or liquor mixology/tastings; specialty classes like cupcake decorating; babysitting (in room or after hours child care); gaming (casino and bingo)....

Disbug has it all covered. Ben & Jerry's was also an upcharge. Room service had a charge, except for coffee & continental breakfast. Places like Johnny Rockets were an upcharge at lunch and dinner, not breakfast. Also some places had a flat rate upcharge and you could order whatever you wanted, while others charged per item a la carte style. All of it is optional, you could certainly get by without paying for extras, but some of them are worth the cost to us.

 

[starvenger]

Agreed with above. It does feel like there are a lot of upcharges, but then there is a lot to do on the ship, and there is a lot that is free. I see you're going on Carnival Vista and I'm sure you'll find similar upcharges there as well. Nothing to feel concerned about, IMO, but forewarned is forearmed.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Been to Cozumel a few times via cruise and the best thing we have ever done is -

http://cozumelbarhop.com/

Takes you to the other side of island, rustic, no power, beautiful! Fun local bars, good drinks .... and some excellent coconut shrimp.

We've done the beach thing, the shopping thing and this was the best.

Cozumel H2O off shore snorkel tour with Luz was fantastic...maybe the best shore excursion ever...

Floating 30 feet above a reef with barracudas eyeballing us, a hawksbill, a green sea turtle, nurse shark and blacktip reef shark in the mask frame
At the same time...unbelievable...

Dolphins buzzed the boat back...after flying fish flew into it...and we jumped in with the pod...who came around for another pass and where within arms length...
Best 3 hours ever.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Deciding between freedom out of lauderdale or oasis out of canaveral for later this year....

Probably oasis...

Here's the real deal for the fan of the rodent:

Last 2 cruise ships I was on were the celebrity Constellation and the dream...

I was extremely happy with the Connie and thought DCL was the biggest ripoff in travel I've ever experienced...

We cancelled all disney in favor of this for awhile...as in my kids don't want to go to wdw...my wife and I find it burdensome...I don't feel like renewing my annual pass...which had been a no brainer from 2003 to 2012...

There's an indictment there...still trying to figure out exaclty what it is.

Looking forward to RCCL...it's been 12 years and I've missed it.

 

[mevelandry]

I was extremely happy with the Connie and thought DCL was the biggest ripoff in travel I've ever experienced...

I get that feeling. Loved our two first cruises with DCL. Then, had an extremely good cruise with Carnival last october. Then went on the DCL Wonder two weeks ago.

We had an excellent cruise (they offer a good product)... But paying that much more money (3 times the price of a Carnival cruise in our case) for a few people dressed-up in costumes???

Currently booked on the Carnival Vista, waiting for a possibility to book a last minute deal with Norwegian, and then RCCL next year.

 

[starvenger]

We had an excellent cruise (they offer a good product)... But paying that much more money (3 times the price of a Carnival cruise in our case) for a few people dressed-up in costumes???

I agree with your general sentiment here.

Can't say I've had a bad cruise save for my first one (way back in the early 90's, when I was still a teen, which might as well have been a different lifetime as far as both myself and cruise ships go), but I wasn't feeling the "magic" that others do on DCL. No regrets about trying it though.

 

[mevelandry]

I agree with your general sentiment here.

Can't say I've had a bad cruise save for my first one (way back in the early 90's, when I was still a teen, which might as well have been a different lifetime as far as both myself and cruise ships go), but I wasn't feeling the "magic" that others do on DCL. No regrets about trying it though.

Personally, I do feel the magic... but the hole in my wallet doesn't feel magical.

 

[DPRincess81]

Loved this review, thank you! We've been on a weekend-getaway with Carnival (which feels like a lifetime ago) and 3 Disney Dream cruises with kids. Our first Oasis of the Seas 7-day cruise is coming this fall for our anniversary (NO KIDS) and I so appreciate your reviews. I'll be sharing with my husband later.

 

[tee11]

All of the specialty dining venues; all of the drink packages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic); specialty cupcakes; wine or liquor mixology/tastings; specialty classes like cupcake decorating; babysitting (in room or after hours child care); gaming (casino and bingo)....

Question: what do you drink without a drink package? Which drinks are included?!? (Complimentary)

 

[Denise W]

Question: what do you drink without a drink package? Which drinks are included?!? (Complimentary)

Filtered water, usually two different flavored waters, iced tea, and coffee are all free. You can buy a soda, wine or mixed drink by the glass.
Denise

 

[tee11]

Filtered water, usually two different flavored waters, iced tea, and coffee are all free. You can buy a soda, wine or mixed drink by the glass.
Denise

What about hot teas, milk, chocolate milk, orange juice? Thanks!

 

[Denise W]

What about hot teas, milk, chocolate milk, orange juice? Thanks!

I didn't drink any of that, but I know I saw hot water for tea, and dispensers for milk and orange juice. Not sure about chocolate milk.
Denise

 

[Pinkos]

I am not a fan of dunns river in Jamaica. Blue mountain zip lining was great and the blue hole is incredible - although when we did it it was off the beaten road and not a tourist attraction. I think that has changed recently.

 

[cleophus12]

We have loved each of our cruises on DCL, but this year we went back to Royal Caribbean after leaving them for several years in favor of Disney. I was so afraid I would miss the Disney "thing" on our Oasis cruise, but I really didn't. Now if we had pulled into any port that had a Disney ship alongside us, I might have felt differently. However, there were no DCL ships in sight even in Port Canaveral. Our Oasis cruise was fabulous. Beautiful ship, lots to do, and much less expensive than DCL for the same ports. I'm not saying I won't cruise DCL again because I would in a heartbeat, but if I can get such a terrific product for less than half the price, I'll cruise with Royal again in a heartbeat too.

 

[Disbug]

Question: what do you drink without a drink package? Which drinks are included?!? (Complimentary)

What about hot teas, milk, chocolate milk, orange juice? Thanks!

What Royal Caribbean includes
Royal Caribbean provides all its guests on all its cruise ships a few different drinks throughout the day that are included in your cruise fare. These drinks include

• tap water
• milk
• tea
• coffee (regular and decaf)
• lemonade
• iced tea
• flavored waters
• juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed)
• Hot chocolate (via instant packets)

These drinks are available throughout your cruise at a number of locations, so there will always be somewhere to get something to drink for free.

 

[Disbug]

What costs extra

Alternatively, guests may purchase other beverages for an additional cost during the cruise.

This list is essentially anything else available onboard, including

• soda
• beer
• wine
• liquor
• cocktails
• premium coffee and tea, such as Starbucks
• bottled water (still or sparkling)
• fresh squeezed juice

For all of these drinks, you may purchase each drink individually or purchase a beverage package that will give you either a set allotment of beverages or unlimited access onboard to them.

 

[Disbug]

Where to get premium beverages for free

During your cruise, there are opportunities to get drinks that would otherwise cost extra for free. If you keep an eye on your Cruise Compass, you should see many, if not all, of these opportunities on your next cruise.

Crown and Anchor members with level Diamond or above
Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members will get free alcoholic drinks before dinner. Since this post is aimed at first time cruisers, that is probably not you, but it is something to keep in mind for the future.

Welcome Back Parties
If you are at least a Gold member or above in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, there are welcome back parties held, where wine and cocktails are served for free.

Art Auctions
There will be regularly held art auctions onboard your cruise and as a means of enticing guests to attend, there is complimentary champagne available.

Suite Guests ( excluding Junior Suites)
Guests that are staying in a suite will have access to free drinks in the Concierge Lounge.