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
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