Oasis of the Seas Review

4.5 / 5.0
3,761 reviews

Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival Experience

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Oasis of the Seas
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lilmisstruthful
2-5 Cruises • Age 30s

Rating by category

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Value for Money
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Additional details

Sail Date: May 2017
Cabin: Family Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
Traveled with children

We chose to cruise with Royal Caribbean for the first time to experience what the massive Oasis of the Seas had to offer.

We have only ever cruised with Carnival Cruise line prior to sailing with Royal Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas. So my review and rating is given in comparison to the competing cruise line.

In our experience (family of 4), the prices for drinks, specialty restaurants, activities, and photo purchases were outrageously more expensive when compared to Carnival's pricing. Drink and picture purchases were almost double that of Carnival's prices. Not to mention an 18% gratuity fee added to all drinks or drink packages. I'm all about tipping wonderful servers and bartenders (which Royal Caribbean had) however, I don't like the tip amount being decided for me. At most restaurants gratuities are only added when there is a large group that requires much work to be done by the server. Not when purchasing one drink. One drink that was already a whopping $14 (like a margarita) and then add the $2.52 making your drink total for one drink $16.52! Because of the pricing on foods and drinks and other purchases it almost seemed like the cruise line is more interested in making money than anything else. Not to mention how much money the cruise itself costs upfront which is significantly more expensive than Carnival cruise lines. But we paid the extra money for the experience...and then paid much more once on board to experience the experience. To say we felt overcharged is a huge understatement.

Cabin Review

Family Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

The rooms appeared to be much smaller than Carnival's. Not saying that it was smaller (as I did not compare square footage) but it felt that way. It may have just been the setup.

The bathroom was very tiny. Shower was a tube that I (5'5") lady could barely wash my hair with out banging my elbows on something.

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