Sue’s Oasis of the Seas Eastern Caribbean Cruise in a Loft Suite (August 2013)

Thanks to our client Sue from Florida for sharing her family’s experience on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas in a two story Loft Suite. – Tim

Stateroom was FANTASTIC!  It was absolutely perfect for us.  The sleeping accommodations for the extra 2 aren’t that comfortable though.  The couch folds down into a bed but it is VERY firm.  Took me a bit to get used to it.  My daughter slept on a rollaway bed and it was quite lumpy and soft.  So, I’d recommend only kids sleep “downstairs”.  We had an ocean view so the room is very private.  No one can see into your balcony at all, except perhaps some silhouettes on the neighboring balconies if the lighting is just right.

Shore excursions – for Nassau we stayed on the ship which was very nice.  St. Thomas we went to St. John (I had never been) on our own.  We took a cab to Red Hook (painful), the ferry (easy).  We then took a cab for a tour and stayed in Trunk Bay for about an hour.  We were one of the last to leave, but we still made the return ferry with 5 minutes to spare.  Cab back to port was easy cheesy – and he avoided most of the traffic.  It was a good day.  For St. Maartin, Joyce arranged a tour for us with one of her friends (note from Tim: I had suggested Joyce Prince’s private tour to Sue, on short notice Joyce was booked so she helped with an alternate tour).  We had a nice leisurely day.  Christina and I went to Friar’s Bay Beach while my mom and aunt went to Marigot.  We tried to see the jets land at Malo Beach but a pouring rain storm got in the way.  The tour was nice though and it was good to have a dedicated driver/guide!

Before the cruise I was a bit worried about reservations for shows and specialty dinners.  We ended up just fine with doing most of this on the cruise.

Concierge was lovely – it really made a big difference in the cruise.  I found many of the common areas to be really packed and loud.  The suite lounge was much quieter and nicer.  I don’t like the main dining room on the Oasis.  We usually eat quite a bit in the main dining room but here it was just too loud for my mom and Aunt.  On 3 of the nights, I just took my daughter and then ate again later with them.

Thanks for making the arrangements!