Aqua Theater on Oasis of the Seas

Fifteen years ago, a passenger vessel over 100,000 tons was newsworthy. But today, ships twice that size are pleasing cruisers with amenities and activities that would have been unheard of back then. Pretty much everything you enjoy ashore — from bowling to ice skating — is now offered at sea. And the biggest cruise ships can compete with their land-based rivals when it comes to spa services, fitness facilities, dining, and entertainment.

Royal Caribbean has consistently raised the bar with bigger ships and industry-changing innovations. And their new Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are no exceptions. The biggest ships in cruising, these twins will likely hold the title for years to come.

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Largest Cruise Ships:

1) Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas
Launched in 2009, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships weigh in at a mind-boggling 220,900 tons. Carrying 5,400 passengers on seven-night voyages in the Caribbean, these larger-than-life vessels introduced living parks, bars that can raise and lower themselves several decks, synchronized swimming shows, zip lines, Broadway musicals, and more to eager cruisers looking for unique experiences.

2) Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas
Named for Freedom of the Seas, which launched in 2006, Royal Caribbean’s 3,634-passenger Freedom Class vessels have a water park on the top deck with slides, surf simulators, and plenty of ways to get wet. In fact, the pool areas on these ships is 43% bigger than on Voyager Class. They offer seven-night itineraries in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

3) Norwegian Epic
Launched in 2010, Norwegian Epic introduced studio cabins for single travelers, cruising’s first ice bar, and arguably the best entertainment at sea with Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams, Second City, and Legends in Concert. Carrying 4,300 travelers, and weighing 153,000 tons, she offers seven-night voyages from Miami and Barcelona.

4) Queen Mary 2
The only ocean liner purpose -for crossing the Atlantic, the 148,528-ton Queen Mary 2 was the largest ship when she launched in 2004. And at a cost of $780 million, the most expensive too. With a capacity of 2,620, she offers guests some of the glamour of bygone days. Fine dining, a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, and a top-notch enrichment program make time at sea fly by.

5) Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Mariner, and Navigator of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class ships were introduced to much acclaim in 1999. The first to feature rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, and multi-deck promenades filled with shops and restaurants, these 137,308-ton ships carry 3,634 passengers.

6) MSC Fantasia and Splendida
When she launched in 2008, Fantasia was the largest ship ever built for a European cruise line. Constructed of 67 individual blocks, she carries 3,274 passengers and weighs 133,500 tons. The hotel-within-a-hotel concept of The Yacht Club gives guests in suites additional services and facilities. Nearly all of the outside staterooms have balconies, and there are French, Italian, and Tex-Mex restaurants on board. Expect lots of European passengers.

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas

7) Carnival Dream
This long awaited, 3,652-guest vessel has an indoor-outdoor plaza, a waterslide that plunges four decks, and a full promenade. Especially family friendly, Carnival Dream has lots of cabins that sleep five comfortably and a good kids’ program. She offers seven-night programs from Port Canaveral.

8) Celebrity Eclipse, Equinox, and Solstice
When Celebrity Solstice launched in 2008, many travel industry pundits named her Best New Cruise Ship — and with good reason. Real grass lawns, glass-blowing studios, gorgeous dining rooms, and innovative wine programs make these 2,852-passenger vessels elegant and refined.

9) Azura and Ventura
P&O’s twin sisters are the largest ships built specifically for British cruisers. While Ventura, which launched in 2008, is family friendly, Azura was created for couples. Offering longer itineraries, private cabanas, and Indian food from a Michelin-star chef, Azura also has 18 cabins for singles with no surcharge. Both carry 3,092 guests and weigh 116,000 tons.

10) Diamond and Sapphire Princess
The first Princess vessel built in Japan, Diamond Princess was launched a year later than planned due to a fire at the shipyard. These Grand Class ships boasted a pod propulsion system that was innovative in 2003. With four pool areas — one of which is covered by a retractable glass dome — a balcony off the Skywalker lounge, and a club with 42 video screens, the 2,674 cruisers have lots of distractions.

Aqua Theater on Oasis of the Seas Image Flickr: Paul Dickerson
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas Image Flickr: brianholsclaw

RCI’s Crown and Anchor

With 22 cruise ships, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is the second largest cruise line in the world. There are six classes of vessels in their fleet. And all of them introduced exciting new features and amenities that resulted in sleepless nights for their competitors.

Sovereign of the Seas, which launched in 1988, was cruising’s first megaship. And RCI has never looked back. Sovereign’s atrium lobby influenced nearly every cruise ship that followed. And the bragging rights that come with having the biggest ship at sea, more often than not rest with RCI.

It would have been unimaginable then, but the current holder of the title — Oasis of the Seas — can carry twice as many passengers as that original megaship.

Today, RCI ships offer travelers experiences and activities they can’t enjoy at home, or at most land-based resorts, for that matter. They’re a great choice for families, especially those with teenagers. And they sail all over the world.

Oasis class ships.

The revolutionary Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2009 and really broke new ground. The second Oasis Class ship, Allure of the Seas, follows later this year. The designers took a big risk taking the roof off the Royal Promenade to create an open-air space called Central Park. But the result is truly a breath of fresh air. Bringing the outside in makes these ships unlike anything you’ve ever sailed on before. And behind-the-scenes logistical planning makes cruises on these ships hassle free, despite their size.

Also new with this class are Loft Suites, the Rising Tide Bar — which can raise and lower itself three decks – an Aqua Theater where synchronized swimming and diving shows are performed, a zip line, and a carousel. The Broadway hit Hairspray is performed in the three-story theater.

Oasis of the Seas Central Park

Oasis does seven-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Allure will also sail from Fort Lauderdale and will call at different Caribbean ports.

Freedom class ships.

First introduced in 2006 with Freedom of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom class ships feature a top-deck water park where you can swim, sun, soak in a cantilevered whirlpool, or surf. After dark, the whole area becomes an al fresco nightclub. Active travelers can go a few rounds in the boxing ring, scale the rock climbing wall, or go ice skating. Modeled after Main Street, the Promenade is the heart of ships in this class, which includes Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas.

Voyager class ships.

Introduced in 1999, Voyager of the Seas changed everything. With a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, golf simulator, and Promenade filled with shops and restaurants, it was the first true resort at sea – a floating playground with something for everyone. A British pub, wine bar, and Johnny Rockets provide additional dining options. Voyager class ships are Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas.

Radiance class ships.

In response to ever-increasing demand for balcony staterooms and world-wide cruising, RCI launched Radiance of the Seas in 2001. Designed for a more traditional experience with lots of deck space and glass walls, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas have sensational views from just about everywhere. Carrying just 2,500 passengers, they’re smaller than the original Sovereign of the Seas.

Vision class ships.

Casino Royale on Radiance of the Seas

The 1995 launch of Legend of the Seas raised the bar once more. Purpose-built for cruising outside the Caribbean, Legend carried fewer passengers, but gave them bigger cabins, more space, and the Solarium – an indoor/outdoor pool area for adults only. Quickly joined by Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Spendour of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas, Legend of the Seas features a multi-level atrium lobby

Sovereign class ships.

With the 2008 transfer of Sovereign of the Seas to Pullmantur, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas are the last two Sovereign class ships in the fleet. They were launched in 1991 and 1992 and refurbished in 2007 and 2008 with new bedding and flat-screen TVs. Offering three and four-night cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, there are more than enough amenities to keep passengers entertained.

Read more about Royal Caribbean cruise ships here.

RCI’s Crown and Anchor Image Flickr: prayitno
Oasis of the Seas Central Park Image Flickr: Nick Hobgood
Casino Royale on Radiance of the Seas Image Flickr: prayitno

Oasis of the Seas in Labadee

Royal Caribbean has a long history of introducing bigger, shinier cruise ships with amenities and activities that turn out to be game changers in cruising. They’re the ones to thank for rock-climbing walls, skating rinks, FlowRider surfing simulators, and boxing rings.

Maybe that’s why the introduction of their Oasis of the Seas was so eagerly awaited. And why pretty much everyone believes it was worth the wait, and the $1.4 billion price tag.

With a capacity of 5,400 passengers — more than 6,000 if every berth is filled — she’s the largest cruise ship ever built. And truly revolutionary, on several levels. One of the most dramatic changes is opening up the ship so that the inside is also outside. The ship’s designers took the roof off the Royal Promenade on the Vision Class ships and made it the open-air Central Park. Longer than a football field, this space floods Oasis with fresh air and sunlight, and makes “inside” staterooms a lot more appealing.

Other amenities that aren’t necessarily apparent to passengers — choosing ports that don’t require tendering, expanding the Port Everglades cruise terminal so passengers can get from curb to ship in 15 minutes, and a solar-powered promenade — enhance their experience nonetheless.

Oasis is divided into several neighborhoods, each with plenty of diversions. The most appealing is Central Park which is filled with live plants and trees. With a carousel and taffy shop, the Boardwalk recalls Coney Island. And interactive screens throughout the ship show you where you are and tell you how to get wherever you want to go.

Dining aboard Oasis of the Seas

Breakfast and lunch are open seating in the main dining room, and passengers can choose between fixed-seating and My Time Dining for dinner. The Windjammer buffet is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But it can get pretty crowded, so you may want to try some of the alternatives.

Johnny Rocket’s, which charges a modest $4.95 surcharge at lunch and dinner, serves eggs and hash browns free at breakfast. The burgers, fries, and shakes here are very popular with younger cruisers.

150 Central Park, the ship’s fine-dining restaurant, features a tasting menu with wine pairings. And 14 lucky passengers can enjoy the Chef’s Table, where each of the five courses is introduced by one of the chefs. Three alternative restaurants — Chops Grill, Izumi, and Giovanni’s — serve steaks, sushi, and Italian trattoria classics. Vintages Wine Bar is another popular spot for good wine by the glass and Spanish-style tapas.

There’s also a seafood shack, pizzeria, doughnut shop, panini place, Champagne bar, and an ice cream parlor. Don’t miss the Cupcake Cupboard, where several varieties are available each day. But be prepared to pay $2.50 per cupcake.

Accommodations aboard Oasis of the Seas

Oasis has an astonishing 37 cabin categories. So there truly is something for everyone. Cruisers with claustrophobic tendencies can book inside staterooms with windows or even balconies overlooking Central Park. And several of the suites have balconies that overlook the AquaTheater.

All the staterooms have flat-screen, interactive TVs where you can review your bill or book shore excursions. The two-story Loft Suites range in size from 114 to 722 square feet with good-sized balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Entertainment aboard Oasis of the Seas

In another first, Royal Caribbean offers the Tony award-winning Broadway musical Hairspray in the three-tier Opus theater. Another unique entertainment venue is the AquaTheater. During the day, it’s the deepest pool afloat. But at night, it’s transformed into stage where divers, synchronized swimmers, and acrobats put on a show. Divers plunge from heights as great as 58 feet. Reserve your spot early in your cruise because seating is limited.

Shows at Studio B — the ship’s ice rink — are also a must-do. Costumes, lighting, and music make this a really professional production. Comedy Live bills itself as the first dedicated comedy night club at sea. And there’s also a jazz club.

Surfing the FlowRider

Facilities aboard Oasis of the Seas

Like the flight deck on an aircraft carrier, the Rising Tide Bar ascends and descends three decks from the Royal Promenade to Central Park. The Vitality at Sea Spa has suites for couples massages and treatments, And the gym has more than 150 cardio and fitness machines. With 450 slot machines and dozens of gaming tables, Casino Royale is one biggest at sea.

As you’d expect, Oasis offers plenty of activities for everyone — a sports pool, 40-foot rock-climbing walls, FlowRider surfing system, zip line high over the Boardwalk, tatoo parlor, and even a psychic. And there are good programs — and nearly 30,000 square feet of facilities — for kids of all ages.

Royal Caribbean made a big investment and took a big risk in building Oasis of the Seas, so don’t expect the bargains available on competing ships. But if you’re someone who thinks that more is more, you probably won’t be disappointed.

Read our list of the Top Ten New Cruise Ships here.

Oasis of the Seas in Labadee Image Flickr: Nick Hobgood
Surfing the FlowRider Image Flickr: plasmastik

Freedom of the Seas

When Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006, she was the biggest cruise ship in the world. With a capacity of 5,400 passengers, Oasis of the Seas has since overtaken her, but Freedom is still one of the best cruise ships for families, especially those with older kids.

Dining aboard Freedom of the Seas.

The three-story dining room serves continental favorites at two assigned seatings. My Time Dining is a nice feature for families. Instead of being locked into the early or late seating, passengers can choose the time that works best for them.

There are two specialty restaurants on board – an Italian trattoria called Portofino and a Steakhouse called Chops Grille. The dessert sampler at Portofino includes favorites like tiramisu and panna cotta.

Both these restaurants require reservations and have a surcharge. But either is a nice place for an adult date night.

The dining room is open for breakfast, but the buffet at the Windjammer Café is a better choice if you have kids in tow. An omelet station will make whatever you’d like. And at lunch, the Windjammer’s Jade serves Asian dishes and stir fries. In the evenings, it sometimes has sushi night.

You can grab a burger or hot dog from the pool-side grill. And Sorrento’s makes pizzas and panini. But kids will love Johnny Rockets, and the surcharge for a burger, fries, and onion rings is a reasonable $4.95 per person. For dessert, Ben & Jerry’s is also available.

Accommodations aboard Freedom of the Seas.

All cabins have interactive, flat-screen TVs, mini safes, small refrigerators, and WiFi Internet access. There are 172 inside cabins that look out onto the Promenade. And 842 staterooms have private balconies.

Family cabins, with 300 square feet of space, can sleep six. While the Family Royal Suites, which sleep up to eight, have a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a good-sized veranda.

Facilities aboard Freedom of the Seas.

Royal Promenade

The heart of Freedom of the Seas is the 4-story high Royal Promenade, the ship’s lively main street. During the day, you can shop, people-watch, or enjoy a pint of ale or a glass of wine. At night, there’s a carnival atmosphere with jugglers, parades, and more.

There are two pools and three Jacuzzis, a rock-climbing wall, 9-hole mini golf course, ice-skating rink, a boxing ring, and a huge casino. Few cruise ships have as many fun things to do as this one.

The kids have their own H2O Zone – a water park with a pool, waterfall, and plenty of places to splash around. And a cool club for teens keeps them happy too.

The Adventure Ocean divides children into four age groups, and provides supervised activities throughout the cruise. Children under three and those who aren’t potty trained are welcome for 45-minute play dates with their parents. Private babysitting, which is arranged through the Purser’s Office, is also available.

surf rider

There’s a fitness center and a Day Spa, where you can sign up for almost any kind of treatment. But the most popular attraction on board is the FlowRider surf park. Passenger can surf or boogie board in the 32’ x 40’ wave pool. Surf lessons are available for an extra charge.

Adults can enjoy a little peace and quiet at Vintages Wine Bar, the Champagne Bar, or the Latin-flavored lounge called Boleros. The wine tastings in Vintages are low-key and well priced.

The Solarium has hammocks and two cantilevered whirlpools that put you out over the sea. If your nerves are up to it, you’ll enjoy incredible views.

Entertainment is plentiful and generally professional. Big productions are staged in the 1,300-seat Arcadia Theater, and cabaret acts appears in Pharoah’s Palace. Professional ice skating shows are held in Studio B, the ship’s ice rink. Tickets are free but limited so get yours in advance.

Families will find plenty of enjoyable diversions and good value for money with a cruise on Freedom of the Seas.

Read our list of the Top 10 Cruise Ships for families here.

Freedom of the Seas Image Flickr: micah.d
Surf Rider Flickr Image: hmalsch
Royal Promenade Image Flickr: hmalsch