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Never cruised? Want to find out more? Join Royal Caribbean International for a day on board Oasis of the Seas in Southampton: MNers needed for day on Wednesday 15 Oct NOW CLOSED

176 replies

AnnMumsnet · 15/09/2014 10:39

We have been asked by the team at Royal Caribbean to find 20 MNers to join them onboard their ship – Oasis of the Seas - in dock in Southampton on Wednesday 15th October. Goody bag to be had!

Royal Caribbean say: "We are delighted to welcome one of the world's biggest and most innovative ships to Southampton in October for a one off event. We know there are lots preconceived ideas about cruise holidays and we would like to show you what a holiday with Royal Caribbean is really like by inviting 20 Mumsnetters who have never been on a cruise before to come onboard to see for themselves and discover the seven incredible neighbourhoods, each home to countless unique activities and experiences. From this we ask you to capture and share your experiences and feedback to us at the end of the day."

This is a day for adults only, with regret no children are allowed on this occasion. We are looking for folks who have thought about but never been on a cruise before. Maybe there's something small stopping you from booking a cruise for you and your family or maybe you have a perception of what a cruise would be like?

If selected you will...

~ Join the ship in Southampton dock at 11am (along with some MN bloggers)
~ Receive vouchers to cover all food and beverage
~ Have the opportunity to experience various activities on board including child and adult focused activities, vitality and dining.
~ You will be asked to review the whole ship and part of the day will be organised - part of it will be free time for you to explore - with another MNer or in small groups.
~ You'll need to join a round-table discussion at the end of the day with the Royal Caribbean team to share your experiences and thoughts.
~ At the end of the day there will be dinner and drinks for all.
~ You will depart the ship at around 8.30pm and as an extra special treat for those who need/ want it you can have a night in a hotel in Southampton to sober up in order to be refreshed and ready to face the next day!
~ Receive a goody bag (contents to be confirmed) to say thanks from Royal Caribbean

Note: with regret, Royal Caribbean are unable to pay travel costs to get to and from Southampton. However, there is free parking available (with short coach transfer to the ship) and as a token of thanks and in lieu of travel costs every MNer who attends will be sent a £50 Amazon voucher once they have added feedback as required.

In return we need all attending MNers to:

~ Make a video diary of the day on your own smartphone and email the footage back to MN after the event - these videos will be edited and used on MN and by Royal Caribbean. It will be hosted on YouTube and used on social media, MN and possibly elsewhere. Please only sign up if you're willing to do video on board.

~ Attend the end of day debrief with Royal Caribbean.

~ Add feedback (with photos you've taken on the day) to a thread on MN.

Please note quotes from the thread as well as from the day, along with your photos and video may be used by Royal Caribbean on their website, on their blog, on social media and possibly elsewhere: please only apply if you're happy with this.

If you'd like to apply to attend and can make that date (Wednesday 15 Oct) and stay for the required time (11am – 8.30pm) please add your details on this form and we will be in touch with selected MNers asap. We will also run a reserve list.

Thanks and bon voyage Smile
MNHQ

Never cruised? Want to find out more? Join Royal Caribbean International for a day on board Oasis of the Seas in Southampton: MNers needed for day on Wednesday 15 Oct NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
Sirzy · 03/10/2014 16:07

I managed to wear stilleto heels whilst onboard with no more trouble than on dry land so I wouldn't worry too much

peaz · 06/10/2014 12:23

Thank you Mumsnet! I managed to jump on board! Ok, that will be my first and last pun!

I'm coming from Kent, and staying over. If anyone wants to share petrol costs then I am happy to drive.

Any idea if we should take swim clothes/gym clothes? Might just do, just in case as it mentioned 'vitality' in the original blurb.

See you all there!

kissmyheathenass · 07/10/2014 12:45

Peaz, I was thinking the same. Hopefulkly they will tell us in advance if we need to bring any swimwear/gym stuff not going near the gym.

whoops · 07/10/2014 22:21

Very excited to get the email this evening with the itinerary!

kissmyheathenass · 08/10/2014 11:38

Me too. Hotel looks fab. Don't know about the zip wire - 9 decks Shock Shock. But dcs would be so impressed!

peaz · 08/10/2014 13:25

I'm really undecided about the zip wire...I hate heights and the idea of zooming along at speed makes me a bit queasy. Actually, no, not undecided! I'll hold your bags!

CecyHall · 08/10/2014 14:02

zip wire is definitely not my cup of tea!

The itinery sounds great but quite vague about what kind of things we might be doing in the afternoon (and if we need to bring other things like swimwear etc not that I'm keen on showing you all my fat body in swimwear!)

I also hadn't considered the thought of the other passengers- I'm assuming a lot will get off and do excursions in the day?

I'm so excited!

peaz · 08/10/2014 14:44

I pm'd them, about swimming and they said no to bringing anything like that.

whoops · 08/10/2014 16:21

The zip wire sounds fun but sadly I'll have to pass this time Sad

kissmyheathenass · 08/10/2014 16:49

If they give us wine with lunch I will do the zipwire.

Who is staying overnight in the hotel?

Still trying to find an outfit that passes as smart casual. I have scruffy mother clothes and a few mutton dressed as lamb rock chic oufits. Nothing naice for a cruise ship though. Will definitely have to make a trip to the shops this weekend.

CecyHall · 08/10/2014 16:56

None of my shoes pass the 'good for walking yet smart casual' mark, I have no idea what to wear on my feet.

whoops · 08/10/2014 17:06

I live in Southampton so not opted for the hotel although I will be staying in hospital with ds that night as he is having a sleep study done so maybe could have got away with the hotel Wink

Which hotel are you staying in?

ChippyMinton · 08/10/2014 17:09

Just me on the zipwire then?!

kissmyheathenass · 08/10/2014 17:22

Whoops, we are in the Grand Harbour Hotel.Are you due back at the hospital that evening?

Chippy, I am trying hard to summon up the courage to do the zipwire. It looks amazing and I will be very proud if I do it. I am petrified of height though and might cry Blush

Wickeddevil · 08/10/2014 17:44

Chippy I might try the zip wire. Shame about the swimming though. Though agree with kiss some Wine --encouragement- could help

ChippyMinton · 08/10/2014 17:45

I have NO idea what I have let myself in for - six stories high

Itinerary sounds fab, doesn't it? I'm just worried about battery life on my phone if I do lots of videoing.

whoops · 08/10/2014 17:48

I would jump at the chance of the zip wire if they could extend the weight limit Blush

Even though DS is 13 I still like to stay at the hospital with him as I believe that nurses are there to nurse not do all the parenting stuff I would normally do at home, he would have needed to have been there 1st thing Thursday for clinic anyway so wouldn't have been able to make the most of a hotel anyway Hmm

Onethirdamidwife · 08/10/2014 18:33

Eeeeek I can't wait - especially after the shite week I've had!!! Had the most hideous sickness bug which made its way through the kids and last Tuesday when I was stressed out with my LO and hubby sat there and did nothing I told him to f@@k off - and he did!!

If there's alcohol please someone watch me lol it's been a loooong time since I've had a day out with out kids/hubby so it might just make me giddy!!!

Looking forward to the night before my birthday in a nice hotel!!! What else is there to do in Southampton???

Sushiqueen · 08/10/2014 18:39

I am staying in the hotel as well so there will be a couple of us Smile. Have volunteered for the zip wire as well. Probably a good job I am staying over so I can recover !!

Will jeans do for smart casual (no holes or anything)? Otherwise I could end up coming in work trousers.

peaz · 08/10/2014 19:26

I'm staying in the hotel too! Will probably try my hardest to go for an early morning swim but the appeal of a much needed lie in really appeals! I'm going to have to work from my laptop Thursday morning too- it's either that or get an early train home.

Clothes-wise, I'm thinking of either wearing a fine-knitted dress or skinny jeans, smartish top and cardi, and a pair of ankle boots which are super comfy.

Onethird-we are staying quite close to the shipping centre, and there is an ikea there! Or you could go to Portsmouth ans go to Gun Wharf...I am pretty sure that's an outlet!

whoops · 08/10/2014 20:40

Close to the hotel you have ikea & west quay shopping centre. Gunwharf is a shopping outlet and you can get the train there if you aren't driving

Wickeddevil · 08/10/2014 22:02

I've said I'll do the zip wire....

kissmyheathenass · 09/10/2014 16:58

I volunteered for the zip wire but I think I missed the deadline phew

I'm staying at the hotel so I can avoid the school run on Thursday morning with a sore head.

Clothes wise I am wearing super skinny black jeans. Don't know what with yet though.

Twitterqueen · 10/10/2014 09:56

I'm staying too! I chickened out of the zip wire though I would secretly like to do it.
I'm going to wear black leggings, green thigh-length top and a long black velour cardi, and low-heel black boots because they're really comfy.

I wish I could stay on Thursday and do some shopping but have to get back to Berkshire for a six-monthly career review at 10.30 am..

So looking forward to meeting fellow MNers - and seeing the ship too of course!

Neena28 · 10/10/2014 14:27

I'd lost the thread!! Back now and very excited! No way to zip wire...Altho ds rather disappointed in me! I'm in the hotel too.

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