For the first time ever, entertainment areas have become neighbourhoods at sea - where kids can be kids and parents can be worry-free. With a total of seven distinct onboard areas, everyone can discover a place for unique experiences onboard Oasis of the Seas. You have to see it to believe it.

Introduction

Oasis of the Seas is one of the world’s biggest cruise ships, some 65,000 tons bigger than the ships that previously held that title, also owned by Royal Caribbean International.
To put that in some sort of perspective, the ship is one and a half times taller than the O2 Arena and longer than four football pitches. If stood on end, it would dwarf One Canada Square in Canary Wharf.
Having such a big ship means there is space for a lot more features, but it also creates major challenges, most notably in making sure the ship does not too feel crowded.
They have done this by creating “neighbourhoods” that have their own look and feel where passengers can find their own favourite space.
Central Park is for those who want a more sophisticated experience, the Boardwalk, a sort of US-style Blackpool at sea, is for families in the mood for a more fairground feel.
Other neighbourhoods contain the swimming pools and activity areas – there are FlowRiders for wannabe surf dudes, rock-climbing walls, even a zip wire - the youth zone, the Royal Promenade and the spa and relaxation quarter.
It’s all very clever but it’s also worth remembering that passengers will have to come together at meal times – the main dining room is on three decks and holds more than 3,056 people – and when embarking and disembarking in ports and at the end of the cruise.
New features on the ship include inside balcony cabins that overlook Central Park or the Boardwalk (both neighbourhoods are within the ship but open to the sky), a bar that moves up and down between decks and an AquaTheatre that is used for high-dive shows in the evening.

Deck area

Oasis of the Seas has 15 public decks numbered three to 18 (there is no deck 13). Decks 17 and 18 are towards the aft end of the ship and house the two-storey Loft suites. The Viking Crown Lounge, a wedding chapel and wedding lounge are on deck 17.
The pool and sports zone is split between decks 16 and 15. The two FlowRider surf simulators and the zip wire are at the very back of the ship. Moving forward, there’s Windjammer, the self-service buffet, and Izumi, a speciality Asian restaurant.

The Solarium Bar at the very front of the ship on deck 16 is directly over the Solarium and Solarium Bistro on deck 15. To the side are two whirlpools that extend over the side of the ship. Deck 15 also houses all the swimming pools. There’s the main pool, a sports pool and a beach pool, the latter with sides that slope into the water, and also a water park with fountains, water jets and a lazy river. The aft end of deck 15 is the teen area of the youth zone, housing The Living Room, the Fuel nightclub, a games arcade, mini-golf course, sports court and the Wipe Out Cafe.

The rest of the Youth Zone – Adventure Ocean for the children and the babes and tots nursery - is at the forward end of deck 14. The rest of deck 14 is taken up with cabins. Decks 12, 11, 10, nine and seven are also devoted to cabins. The concierge lounge is on decks 11 and 12, a library is on deck 11 and the entrance to the rock-climbing walls is on deck six. The inside balcony cabins are on decks eight and six. The ones on deck eight overlook Central Park; those on deck six overlook the Boardwalk.

Central Park is home to more than 12,000 real trees and shrubs. Around the outside of the park are 150 Central Park, Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table, the three speciality restaurants, and also a café, Vintages wine bar, a Coach boutique and al-fresco bar. Dazzles, a dance studio by day and live music nightclub come evening, is on deck eights and nine. The Boardwalk is on deck six and houses the first carousel at sea as well as a couple of fast-food outlets - Johnny Rockets and the Seafood Shack – an ice-cream parlour, sweet shop and donut bar.

The AquaTheatre is at the aft end of the deck, the spa and fitness zone is at the forward end.
The Royal Promenade is on deck five and houses various bars, cafés and shops, and also a pizza parlour and guest services. The Rising Tide Bar moves up and down, like a lift, between the Royal Promenade and Central Park. The top tier of the Opus dining room is at the aft end of the Royal Promenade, the Opal theatre, is at the forward end. Both are three tiers high, so are on decks four and three as well. Deck four houses also houses the casino and comedy and jazz clubs. There’s an ice rink and more cabins on deck three.

Cabins

Oasis of the Seas has 2,706 cabins, of which 496 are inside, 254 are outside with an oceanview and 1,956 have a balcony. Some 550 cabins, both with or without balconies, have views of either Central Park or the Boardwalk. There are 46 wheelchair accessible cabins.

In all, there are 37 accommodation options on Oasis of the Seas, including seven categories of suite. They include 28 two-storey Loft suites that sleep up to six people, one Royal suite for up to four, one Presidential Family suite that sleeps 14, and six AquaTheatre suites that sleep up to eight people and have large balconies overlooking the AquaTheatre.

There are also 10 Owner’s Suites that sleep four people, four Royal Family suites for up to eight and 30 Grand suites that sleep two. Cabins measure from 172 square feet for the inside cabins to 182 square feet for the superior balcony cabins. The Grand suite measures 371 square feet, with a 105 square feet balcony, the Royal Family suites are 580 square feet with a 238 square feet balcony, AquaTheatre suites are 823 square feet with a 772 square feet balcony. Loft suites measure from 545 square feet with a 114 square feet balcony to 1,524 square feet with an 843 square feet balcony.

All cabins are equipped with flat-screen TVs, safes and hairdryers. Bathrooms have a shower and have shampoo and shower gel dispensers. Suites have two or more TVs, bath tubs, additional bedrooms, outdoor dining areas and separate lounges. The Royal suite and Royal Loft suites have a Baby Grand piano and a bar.

Passengers in suites have access to the Concierge Lounge, where a daily continental breakfast is served and there are pre-dinner cocktail receptions. It also has a DVD and CD library and the concierge is on hand to make dining and spa reservations and book shore excursions. Room service is available 24 hours a day. There is a minimal service charge for food orders between midnight and 5am.

Entertainment

Hairspray - The Real Broadway Show

One of the big entertainment coups for Oasis of the Seas is Hairspray, a real Broadway show, which will be performed several times per cruise in the Opal Theatre.
It will be interspersed with two other shows – Come Fly With Me, a singing-cum-dancing-cum-aerial gymnastics production, and Headliner Showtimer, combining singers, musicians, magic and juggling acts.

Aqua Theatre

The other big entertainment venue is the AquaTheatre, a regular pool by day and a theatre by night where there will be high dive shows and synchronised swimming performances.

Frozen in Time - The New Ice Show

Frozen in Time, the new ice show, is being performed seven times per cruise in Studio B ice-skating rink, there are stand-up comedians nightly in the Comedy Live lounge and regular ’70s disco-themed party in the Royal Promenade.

Live Bands - Day and Night

Live bands will be playing at various venues around the ship during the day and in the evenings, including in Dazzles. The casino is open whenever the ship is at sea.

Dining

The Opus Dining Room

The Opus dining room on Oasis of the Seas covers three decks and seats a massive 3,056 diners. One section is open for waiter-service breakfast and lunch. Details are in the Cruise Compass delivered daily to each cabin.
In the evening, there is a choice of traditional fixed dining, when passengers are allocated a table and time to dine for the duration of the cruise, or the more flexible My Time Dining, which allows guests to dine when they wish.
Passengers on the fixed plan have two dining times to choose from – usually 6.15pm or 8.30pm but they do vary. They should state their preference when booking. Those on My Time Dining can eat anytime from 6pm to 9.30pm.
A My Family Time Dining option is available for families with children aged three to 11 who request the first dinner sitting. The children are served fast so they can be escorted back to the kids’ club, allowing mum and dad to finish their meal at their own pace. Passengers must sign up online or on board.

The Windjammer Self-Service

The Windjammer self-service is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A more limited self-service breakfast and lunch is also served in the Solarium bistro. The Park Café and Wipe Out Café are open from 8am until early evening. Sorrento’s, for pizzas, is open through the day.

Three Speciality Restaurants

There are three speciality restaurants – Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille and 150 Central Park, which each charges a per person supplement ranging from moderate to medium – and Izumi, an Asian speciality restaurant that charges per menu item ordered.
A five-course Chef’s Table private dining option is available in the Concierge Lounge for 14 people. There’s a substantial extra charge for the experience but each course is introduced by the chef and is served with a different wine.

Johnny Rockets, 50's-style US Diner

Johnny Rockets, a 50s-style US diner, serves hot dogs and burgers for a low cover charge; the Seafood Shack serves fishy snacks, but for a higher charge.

Ice-Cream and Cup-Cake Parlour on the Boardwalk

Ice-cream from the ice-cream parlour in the Boardwalk and cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard in the Royal Promenade cost extra. Donuts from the Boardwalk are free.

Suitability

With more than 6,000 other passengers on any one cruise, this is definitely a ship for people who like people.
It is also a good choice for those who like to keep active and are not too bothered about the ports they will be visiting as they have been chosen as much for the fact that Oasis can dock at them as for their attractions.
That said, St Thomas, St Maarten and Cozumel are on the list and all favourites with first-time Caribbean cruisers for their beaches and shopping.
The ship will be based in Fort Lauderdale, so the majority of the passengers will be North Americans, with young and middle-aged couples and families making up the passenger mix. Older people who like a lively cruise will enjoy it but should bear in mind they will have to do a lot of walking.
Children are catered for in Adventure Ocean, which has three kids clubs for youngsters aged from three to 11. The Living Room is a teen hang-out for the 12-17s, where they can learn to be a DJ or surf the internet. Next door Fuel is a teen nightclub.
A new Royal Babies and Tots nursery caters for babes and toddlers aged from six months to two years old.

Hints & Tips

Pre-book speciality restaurants online to be sure of getting a table. Cover charges apply in all speciality restaurants.
Each seven-night cruise has two formal nights. On Oasis that means suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women.
Royal Caribbean prefers passengers to pre-pay gratuities. Passengers who do not want to do this must say so at the time of booking. In this case, gratuities can be added to onboard accounts or paid in cash.
A 15% gratuity is added to all bar bills.
Passengers must pre-pay their gratuities if they want the My Time Dining option.

Ship Info

• Year Entered Service: 2009
• Onboard Currency: USD
• Nationality of Crew: International
• No. of Crew: 2165
• No. of Passengers: 5400
• Tonnage: 225282
• Passenger/crew ratio: 2.5
• Passenger/space ratio: 41.7

Interested?

For more information on this cruise line, call us today on (028) 3832 3618, arrange a callback or email us.

Alternatively, if you would prefer we are very happy to see you in person at our new Travel Lounge, Lurgan. Visitors are advised to make an appointment with one of our specialist consultants.

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