Oasis of the Seas - a first look

Driving towards Port everglades Oasis of the Seas dominated the landscape, a Princess ship was moored behind and looked small in comparison. The new terminal was very organised, well laid out with ample check in areas, from kerb to ship they aim for 15 minutes we did it in ten!

Boarded ship on deck five taking you straight into Royal Promenade. WOW. This really highlights how much larger this ship is, promenade is twice the width as Freedom class. Before we started t explore this amazing ship we went to cabins, once in a cabin you could be on any Royal Caribbean ship, but once outside the cabin it is a different story.

The Boardwalk was the first area I came across. As you walk into the area you immediately get the effect of the Seaside, the old fashioned seaside pier with the small quaint shops and eateries and taking centre stage a working Carousel and all leading down to impressive amphitheatre at back of ship. The background music was fun, quite loud but worked well with atmosphere. - I was not entirely sure how much noise could be heard in Boardwalk balconies that overlooked the area, this would be a concern if booking one of these cabins. The Boardwalk was a family area and was quieter in evenings. The two main featured restaurants were Johnny Rockets and then new addition to Royal Caribbean, Seafood Shack, both of these restaurants do carry a small surcharge. I will be back to experience more in this neighbourhood.
 
Have been on ship for three hours and although had really quick check in, we were still missing cases. When we arrived in Miami, we had to put our cases in one area and get on the coach so we therefore did not travel with them. There had been a problem with the transfer of cases, once the ship did receive them our cabin steward had retrieved our cases and had them with us quite quickly. I was still in same clothes we had travelled I was desperate for a shower and get changed. It was a quick change but made it for a quick drink in Schooner bar before Dinner.
 
The Opus dining room was beautiful three tier, however seemed to be divided into smaller sections, seemed more intimate, there was a good mixture of large and smaller tables, even many tables for two. The food did not disappoint, a good menu choice and excellent quality, service was first class, staff very friendly. Although Royal Caribbean are catering for such big numbers, they certainly have the right formula.


Then we come to the Windjammer, this is definitely in my opinion best buffet restaurant at sea, the choice, the setting, service, organised and of course yummy.

Johnny Rockets a fifties diner, on many other Royal ships, this one is in a better position located in Boardwalk, the casual restaurant is a fun place, with good burgers, shakes and there famous onion rings, however a few teething problems, which they are trying hard to overcome, they have no juke box at moment, and as that is a key part of the restaurant it was disappointing, staff particip(e in dance routine every half hour, and we missed out on that. I think that's enough about food at moment.

After all that talk about food the Sports zone is the next spot to go, very buzzing, lots of activities including zip line which has attracted a large queue, I am not of them in line however. There is a golf course including a kids version, full size basketball court, two flow-riders, new table tennis pods, this area really seems to be popular, the area has been cleverly decorated in surf theme, and there is still plenty of seating for spectators.


In addition you have 4 main pools, one is for sport, one for kids with lots of fun water spouts and a mini lazy river, you then have a beach pool and a main pool, the sun deck has plenty of sun chairs and numerous hot tubs. There seems to be plenty of deck space, in centre of four pools there is a connecting walkway/bridge where the steel band are situated, I do love a good steel band, sunshine and a book.

All in all a magnificent ship that must be seen to be believed.

A view of Oasis of the Seas by Amanda Carder, Ideal Cruising

Oasis of the Seas docks in Florida

Although its Friday the 13th, there is no bad luck surrounding the Oasis of the Seas arrival in Fort Lauderdale today.

What I wouldnt give to be watching that magnificent example of ship engineering sailing in to harbour. The sight of the massive $1.5 billion vessel would have been awe inspiring. After all, the Oasis of the Seas is nearly 40 percent larger than the industry's next-biggest ship and five times larger than the Titanic. The ship will accommodate a whopping 6,300 passengers.

Royal Caribbean, you sure have exceeded yourselves this time - which cruise line dare challenge them for the crown of cruise innovators?

More information on Oasis of the Seas

Those clever people at Royal Caribbean have created a fab microsite all about Oasis of the Seas. You can view artist impressions, building progress and promo videos.


















See for yourself at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/

Oasis of the Seas bookings start in September

The long awaited, Royal Caribbean mega-ship, Oasis of the Seas, will go on sale from 3rd September this year.Oasis of the Seas will have the first outdoor theatre at sea boast dual-level loft suites as well as seven themed areas on board, including the ‘boardwalk’ for families with restaurants, shops, games, and the first carousel at sea.

Off the boardwalk will be the amphitheatre Aqua Theater, with the largest fresh water pool to date on a ship. There will also be two 43-foot rock-climbing walls framing either side of the outdoor theatre.
The ship will offer 37 categories of cabins. Park View and Boardwalk View balcony staterooms will offer inward facing cabins over-looking the open air areas of the ship.
The 28 two-level loft suites will be the highest cabins at sea, featuring floor-to-ceiling double-height windows.

Oasis of the Seas will sail from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, starting its inaugural season of Eastern Caribbean itineraries on December 12 2009.