I've been pretty loyal to RCCL for some time now, but this was my first time on Oasis. I was impressed, even by the standards I've come to have for them.
We tend to drive down and stay in a hotel the night before (Raddison). Our hotel stay includes parking and a transfer to and from the ship, which is nice. I definitely recommend flying or driving down the night prior to your cruise so that you can be well-rested and at the port as early as possible to start your vacation. (I have been that person who flies in the day of, and I can tell you from experience that it can be nerve-wracking.) Check-in is a breeze, particularly if you've already completed online check-in and especially for Crown & Anchor members, but the line does get longer as the day progresses.
Day 1 was getting to know the ship. As always, rooms are not ready until around 1pm, but that's okay if you want to grab some lunch or a cocktail or even beat the crowd to the pools. I definitely recommend packing a swimsuit in your carry-on for this purpose. The Windjammer, while always good, is going to be crowded at most times, though staff will actually seat you during those times, so there's no struggling to find a table. Since we typically will avoid the Windjammer, we opted to try out the Park Cafe, which became a staple of our cruise. There was rarely a line, and it was a wonderful stop for grab and go options. Being on the go a lot during my cruises, this was perfect for me while the crowds swarmed the buffet and pizza.
Great cabin with a wonderful view of Central Park and Tiffany's across the way. The balcony is covered a bit, so you can even sit out there and enjoy the rain with some coffee. The bed pulls out if needed, and there is a mini fridge. Space is a little more limited around the bed and when the couch is pulled out. It'd certainly not the space you'd get from a suite, but for two adults and a preteen who spent little actual time in their stateroom, it was adequate. There was plenty of space underneath the bed for stashing 2-3 pieces of luggage, and we had plenty of other space for clothes and toiletries.
Quick and easy to get checked in and onto the ship. RCCL has embarkation day down to a science!
Beautiful beach not too far a walk from the pier. Not too hard to find a chair and umbrella. Be sure to get a Labadoozie, but also make sure to use some hand sanitizer or a wipe, first. Your first step in enjoying this "drink" is to eat the fresh pineapple they hand you, so be prepared to go a little "caveman" in front of bartenders.