Royal Caribbean - Oasis of the Seas event day feedback thread: find out how the non cruisers got on onboard! NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the MNers and MN bloggers who attended the MN event onboard Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas in Southampton on October 15.

The event was specifically for folks who had considered a cruise with their family but never been on one as Royal Caribbean wanted to showcase what they can offer for a family holiday.

Royal Caribbean say: "Thank you so much for coming along to join us on one of the world's biggest and most innovative ships for this one off event. We know there are lots preconceived ideas about cruise holidays and we aimed to show you what a holiday with Royal Caribbean is really like by inviting 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."

So attendees - please share generally with other MNers your experiences of the day and also answer the following questions.

Please also post your photos to the thread!

• What experience or facility did you find onboard that you didn't expect?

• What were your highlights of the day?

• You chatted to lots of people onboard. Now imagine you and your family are going on holiday on a Royal Caribbean cruise - what facility / experience would your children be most excited about and what would you be looking forward to most?

• What did you think of the facilities onboard for families: please think about food, drink, relaxation, kids etc?

• After your experience on Oasis of the Seas, would you consider going on a cruise for a family holiday? If so, why? If not, why not?

• Overall, if it came up in conversation, would you recommend going on a cruise to your friends and family? If so, why? If not, why not?

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.

Thanks,
MNHQ

I can't get videos to transfer either. Have been trying for 3 days without success.

It goes to 100% complete then back to about 71% and then drops from the website completely. And to get to that stage it has taken hours -god knows what my internet usage will be.

I wasn't on the trip as I've already sailed on the Oasis, but I do have a question for RC please!
both dh and I said that a cruise would be perfect with our baby, especially sailing from Southampton, but I've been advised there are no child prices, only 3rd person reductions and therefore in effect, my 6 month old son would pay the same as my 55 year old DF. Please can you confirm whether this is correct and let me know why this is? It's not like the baby will eat the same as an adult etc! Gutted to be honest as on principle I won't be paying it but am desperate to sail again! :(

I think to upload video the secret is to only send one or two brief clips at a time, it does seem to crash a lot.

oh dear - sorry SushiQueen and teamedward - do maybe send one or 2 files at a time....does seem to work better like that. Ideally I'd like them in next week sometime.

I blogged about the day - here are my impressions: pigeonpairandme.com/2014/10/royal-caribbean-oasis-seas-review.html I'll be back later to answer the questions but in hte meantime, it was lovely to meet everyone, and thanks to Royal Caribbean and Mumsnet for such an awe-inspiring day!

What experience or facility did you find onboard that you didn't expect?
A climbing wall! And, even though we were told about it before the day, I'd never have expected to see a zip wire on a cruise ship. That was a nice touch, helping to move the experience away from a 'safe' holiday to something more adventurous.

- What were your highlights of the day?
The zip wire (even though I'm terrified of heights), which was a real thrill. And the food was out of this world. Top marks to the chefs and waiting staff!

- You chatted to lots of people onboard. Now imagine you and your family are going on holiday on a Royal Caribbean cruise - what facility / experience would your children be most excited about and what would you be looking forward to most?
My son would love the science lab. In fact, he was most put out when I told him about it - he demanded that we go back so he could try it out! My daughter would love the art sessions, and both of them would have a blast in the outdoor play pools. On our recent Mark Warner holiday they spent 70 % of their time just splashing in the pools. A safe, fun pool can really make a holiday for little ones (ours are 5 and 2).

- What did you think of the facilities onboard for families: please think about food, drink, relaxation, kids etc?
Probably best if you see my blog post for the answer to this: pigeonpairandme.com/2014/10/royal-caribbean-oasis-seas-review.html

- After your experience on Oasis of the Seas, would you consider going on a cruise for a family holiday? If so, why? If not, why not?
Yes, I would definitely consider a cruise, but I do have some reservations. My answer below gives more details!

- Overall, if it came up in conversation, would you recommend going on a cruise to your friends and family? If so, why? If not, why not?
I'm still in two minds about this. I was very impressed by the onboard facilities, both for adults and children. We would definitely enjoy them, and find plenty to do. However, with only one day's experience, it's difficult to say. Part of the fun for us would be going from place to place, and exploring new countries/ports/cities. If we were just on the ship, it might feel a bit claustrophobic, despite all the space....but on a real cruise, where we could escape onto land sometimes, I suspect the feeling of being 'contained' somewhere would go away. We'd need to experience it to find out!

Thank you to the Royal Caribbean team, I had a lovely day and felt very well looked after!

• What experience or facility did you find onboard that you didn't expect?

I was surprised that the kids clubs had specific science and art rooms which is great that kids aren't trying to do everything in one room which I expected.

I would have liked to have seen some more of the ship, for some reason I missed out on seeing the stateroom and the climbing wall/carousel etc that some saw.

• What were your highlights of the day?

I think it would have to be the food! It was amazing

It was good to see the kids area's as I know mine would love spending most of their time away from us but I was disappointed not to have seen what the teenagers can get up to as by the time we could think about a cruise my dc will both be teenagers.

• You chatted to lots of people onboard. Now imagine you and your family are going on holiday on a Royal Caribbean cruise - what facility / experience would your children be most excited about and what would you be looking forward to most?

My kids would love the swimming pools and kids clubs, dd would probably want to go to the ice rink lots too. I would look forward to just relaxing knowing that I wouldn't need to be driving everywhere.

• What did you think of the facilities onboard for families: please think about food, drink, relaxation, kids etc?

I think all inclusive should mean that with no extra's but we didn't get to see the sort of food that would be offered if we were just sticking to inclusive. The facilities available look like there is something to keep everyone entertained for the whole holiday and knowing what my family is like we would still miss something!

• After your experience on Oasis of the Seas, would you consider going on a cruise for a family holiday? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would consider a cruise amd i think the kids would love it but I would want a short one to start with. Also after the week I've had with ds in hospital I don't think I am going to plan anything or pay so much for a holiday when it can potentially have to be cancelled at last minute I'm not sure how keen dh would be either.

• Overall, if it came up in conversation, would you recommend going on a cruise to your friends and family? If so, why? If not, why not?

I have a few friends that have been on cruises and my parents also cruise regularly so I would probably recommend one but I think it would be difficult to highly recommend after having such a small taste of what it might be like.

We had such a great day! Thanks Mumsnet for inviting us. Here's a link to my blog post about the day redheadbabyled.com/2014/10/19/first-cruise-ship-experience-royal-caribbean-royaloasis/ and a few photos :)

A bit disappointed not to have the opportunity to see this new Royal Carribean ship ourselves, as we are considering going on a family cruise holiday next year. I have been reading (and will continue to read) all the comments here with interest as the ship sounds fantastic and lots onboard for adults and children. I would be particularly interested in what is onboard for older teenagers as we would like to take our 18 year old DS and his financee with us.

@BackToTheFuschia

I wasn't on the trip as I've already sailed on the Oasis, but I do have a question for RC please! both dh and I said that a cruise would be perfect with our baby, especially sailing from Southampton, but I've been advised there are no child prices, only 3rd person reductions and therefore in effect, my 6 month old son would pay the same as my 55 year old DF. Please can you confirm whether this is correct and let me know why this is? It's not like the baby will eat the same as an adult etc! Gutted to be honest as on principle I won't be paying it but am desperate to sail again! :(

hi - response for you from Royal Caribbean "We appreciate that an infant child will not partake of the food and entertainment on board. However, cruise passage is sold by the guest, not the stateroom. We must adhere to strict safety limits in the number of guests onboard each cruise, regardless of their age. Our youngest cruisers are no less a guest and require the same safety precautions as everyone else onboard. These strict safety limits often mean staterooms that can accommodate three or more guests must be sold as singles or doubles. Our current guideline does not provide reduced fares for infants.

For specific sailings, we do offer 3rd and 4th guest rates at a reduced cost in triple and quad occupancy staterooms. These rates are designed to offer the same fare to all 3rd and 4th guests, regardless of age."

Thank you for going to the effort to answer my question AnnMumsnet still looks like I won't be cruising for a few hundred years!

I can't upload videos! I've used the link and selected my videos (tried doing 1 or 2 at a time) but it won't let me upload at all. I've tried, honestly!

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's reviews. Thanks for posting them.

The ship looks fab. As a family of 5, though, the cost would be prohibitive for us, I suspect. I don't spend thousands on the family holiday, and if I did have that money to spend I'm not sure I would choose to do a weeks cruising. There are so many other things I would prefer. If it was just dh and me, maybe...

Attempting to post some pics! This is one of the treadmill, with a view out to sea!

Dinner at the grill was HUGE and soooo yummy! Couldn't fault the good or service at all.

Sorry, I have uploaded video clips but have just had an email from WeTransfer to say they haven't been downloaded and will expire shortly.

janney3 - will give Adela a nudge.
peaz - you could try free.mailbigfile.com/ (not used them myself but may work)

Hi, I also got an e-mail saying mine are due to expire soon.

Right, better late than never! Work and personal life have been rather fraught...

• What experience or facility did you find onboard that you didn't expect?

The facilities were a lot better than I expected to be honest. Well designed and very clean and tidy. Everything seems to look classy and nothing seemed tacky which I realised afterwards I had been half expecting. Two things stood out to me. The gym/vitality spa area was excellent. The area was larger than I expected and nicely designed. Although treatments were expensive I think some of the offers looked good and I generally expect to pay more on holiday/at a larger spa than I do in my local salon. The gym area (apart from the smokey smell) was excellent and being able to run on a treadmill with a view out to see must be brilliant. The classes seemed good and varied and yoga on a helipad would be an experience worth trying. The arm and hand massage was good and the staff friendly and experienced. I imagine the treatments are lovely.
Secondly, and I admit a bit odd, was that I was very impressed by the information available about what was happening and available was excellent. The friendship board with people able to post little cards inviting people to play bridge/meet up was a brilliant idea. My gran travels alone a lot and this would be a real bonus for her. But also I imagine my kids could use it to set up their own tournaments and activities and I might be able to find a gym buddy or similar. The interactive boards by the lifts were useful and seemed to work well and the compass magazine was a flipping brilliant idea. I loath the posters put up in some of the resorts I've been to. No idea why I hate them so much other than that they generally look tacky and uninviting to me. This magazine is professional, daily,thorough and informative. I would seek one out as soon as I was up in the morning and would feel better informed and not regretful that I missed things I might have liked to have done/seen. It also covered kids activities and restaurants etc. Very impressed.

• What were your highlights of the day?

The initial first impression of the ship. It is bloody huge! Breathtakingly so. It must be brilliant to get up to it and see the children's awed faces. I thoroughly enjoyed all of our faces!
The food was good and the service excellent. I was impressed by the attentiveness of the staff throughout our time on board and their willingness to smile and engage with guests quickly and genuinely.

• You chatted to lots of people onboard. Now imagine you and your family are going on holiday on a Royal Caribbean cruise - what facility / experience would your children be most excited about and what would you be looking forward to most?

My son would be on the zip wire and wave thing like a shot! For my daughter it's a hard one. The kids area was a little young but the zip wire etc a little old. Without putting her in the kids club I'm not really sure, possibly the carousel.

• What did you think of the facilities onboard for families: please think about food, drink, relaxation, kids etc?

I would have liked to have seen the main dining room to fully answer this re food. The dining we experienced was fine but not as good as some places I have been to that are claiming same level. The additional money for each of those meals would be a little galling too for the four of us when the kids wouldn't really get their monies worth. I think one meal included in a higher level eaterie would be a nice touch.They would love the diner though.
Drink would be fine for them as we tend to relax on holiday so they would be at Starbucks for hot choc and then milk shakes and god knows what else too. For dp and I the drink would be fine if my experience was anything to go by!
Relaxation is also hard to judge on a rainy day in Southampton. There are a lot of sunbeds but equally at full capacity there are a lot of people. On holiday we have never had to fight for a lounger and I would be cross to start now! Generally the loungers being in a tight row puts me off a bit too. I don't want to be in a close line up would rather have a little more space and not be right up next to another family. Dazzles was a nice more grown up area though and I could imagine relaxing in there with a book and a glass of wine when it was quieter. I'm glad to he ere is a library/quiet room and the spa would be great I'm sure if I was really needing a break. Dp would not find that many people and the close proximity relaxing at all.
Kids were well catered for. I was very impressed by the art and science facilities. I didn't love how the art room was set up but I like the idea. My reservation would be with the ratios. Yes I know they are the legal requirement, but that is a minimum not a set in stone law. Reduce the ratios and I would be seriously impressed and think RC were a cut above. If one child has a problem that requires adult supervision that leaves 49 kids with one adult. Not good enough. As a general rule in the resorts we have been to the ratio has been closer to 1:7 yes way above the requirement but it's the children's holiday too and therefore they don't need to be treated like cattle. Some of the teen activities need a major rethink too. RC is trying hard and I can see that but they are missing the mark. RC get a group of average teens together and do a brainstorm with them, preferably non cruiser ones too! you will get some better ideas ds rolled his eyes at the list and I refuse to spend that amount on a holiday for him to be playing FIFA!

• After your experience on Oasis of the Seas, would you consider going on a cruise for a family holiday? If so, why? If not, why not?

Unfortunately not. We were seriously considering it but it isn't for us I now realise. For all the reasons I've said plus the size of the stateroom. We would need two and for that cost there are lots of places I would rather go. Having said that the new configurable rooms may change that and I would be willing to see to swayed on that point. All 4 of us in a room that size with one bathroom would send family relations into melt down! Also what is an adult/child cut off? I was told 3 different things on board and still don't know! The reputation of cruises being for older people is there for a reason and I do think a lot is geared up for high net worth 60+'s. I would definitely consider it then though!
The pricing has also still been an issue to me. It isn't transparent enough and needs some work. Even after the day I still don't really know what I need to pay extra for other than the meal supplement. How much would the zipwire/climbing wall cost and easy are they to actually get on? Do you need to book days in advance or is it open and manned a lot?

• Overall, if it came up in conversation, would you recommend going on a cruise to your friends and family? If so, why? If not, why not?

Here's the interesting one....YES I would! It isn't for us but I have already sang the ships praises to two friends with younger children. For them I can totally see the advantages and the stateroom would be far more manageable. They are also far happier in large groups and busier resorts than we are and the ship would provide a lot for them and also satisfy both couples desire for some time together. The idea of a fixed bedroom so to speak but lots of different places to visit and lots of new things to see would be very appealing to them (as it is majorly to me in principle).

Er that wasn't so epic as I was writing it!

Massive thanks to adele, David, and Karen. They were fab and really bent over backwards to make sure we were having a great day.

Ive just used Mailbigfile to send a video clip over to Ann. The other site didn't work. Hopefully this time it will.

and another picture of some of us enjoying the wine lunch.

Did anyone's videos get viewed? I finally managed to send mine over but as far as I can tell they all expired before they were viewed.