‘Oasis Of The Seas’ Takes The ‘Wow’ Factor To New Heights
She’s bold and big and oh so beautiful, and Royal Caribbean
International’s Oasis of the Seas not only lives up to the years-long hype, but
beats the heck out of it!
The ship is amazing, with a wonderful soothing décor and a
mix of high-tech touches that include digital signage everywhere and stylish
design that makes this 21st century vessel a truly high point in the evolution
of the cruise industry. A crew of 2,161 men and women from 71 different nations
keep Oasis in top-top shape. Ninety-five percent of the crew on board has come
from other Royal Caribbean ships and have served at least four contracts
providing some 8,000 years of experience!
Of course no other cruise ship has required the services of
a cupcake baker or horticulturist, but Oasis does.
The cupcake shop – cupcakes cost about $3 each, donuts
are free, go figure – is a charming way to throw diet and caution to the
winds and the fey little shop is a magnet for those who’ve munched on salads in
Windjammer Marketplace and want that little something sweet. (Or like myself,
I’d heard about the cupcake shop and just had to sample the wares. My chocolate
turtle cupcake was a winner.) The horticulturist takes care of the varied
plants in beautiful Central Park.
Oasis is unique in many ways . . .
At 5,400 passengers – and three football fields long
– the ship is huge, but well-thought-out traffic patterns make it
difficult to get lost. The ship offers a real ease in getting around. Cabins
are also well designed, if on the smallish size, with basic balcony staterooms
checking in at about 182 square feet and indoor cabins about 172. Many cabins
with balconies overlook some of the ship’s unique neighborhoods: my cabin, for example on a weekend pre-inaugural
cruise, overlooked the Boardwalk, an entertainment area anchored at one end by
the exciting water theater where divers shoot into the pool; a Johnny Rocket’s
restaurant, a Seafood Shack, ice cream and donut shops. There’s also a
marvelous handcrafted carousel, which makes everything old new again!
The Boardwalk - like Central Park, Royal Promenade, Pool and
Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness, Entertainment Place and Youth
Zone – incorporate the neighborhood concept and these seven diverse areas
on the big ship offer that proverbial something for everyone. Similarly, Royal
Caribbean has named seven godmothers who will name the ship officially at the
end of December. They are: Gloria Estefan, Michelle Kwan, Jane Seymour, Dare
Torres, Leslie Knight Pulliam, Shawn Johnson and Daisy Fuentes. “It is a
humbling and equally exciting privilege to have these seven exemplary women
take on the responsibility of being godmothers of Oasis of the Seas,” said
Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. “We felt it
only fitting that our most revolutionary ship be named by an outstanding group
of women who embody the same excellence in their respective fields.” The ship’s
naming happens on November 30.
Plenty to do and then some . . .
Oasis offers exciting entertainment options including comedy
and jazz clubs; a sprawling casino; sports galore with basketball, volleyball
and mini-golf options; an amphitheater that serves as a pool by day and an
ocean front theater by night; a Zip-Line that races diagonally nine-decks above
the open-air Boardwalk; the FlowRider; the rock-climbing wall. Food options onboard
amaze. Consider 25 food options from a traditional dining room with outstanding
crystal chandelier, many smaller tables and fine service, to Asian-themed
Izumi, Johnny Rocket’s, the Promenade Café, Sorrento’s Pizza, a new and
improved version of the popular Chops Grille and the new 150 Central Park,
which offers a tasting menu and surcharge of $35 per person. The Chef’s Table,
seating 14 guests for private parties, offers a six-course menu and wine
pairings ($75 per person) that are hosted by the executive chef and a
sommelier.
Four pools and seemingly countless hot tubs – with
lots and lots of lounge chairs – make the pool areas especially inviting.
The spa and fitness area are state-of-the-art and feature yoga, Pilates and
cycling classes, and 158 machines. The spa offers 29 treatment rooms with a
variety of treatment offerings that include Medi-Spa cosmetic treatments.
And for the younger passenger . . .
Youth Zone boasts the largest area for children and teens of
any ship. Twice the size of the Freedom class ship, the children’s program on
Oasis includes a nursery for littlest cruisers six to 36 months and separate
programs for ages 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17. The Teen Center, a deck
above the children’s areas, has everything from Internet access to games, from
a soda bar to dance floor and everything in between. Offerings for the younger set include partners Crayola and
Fisher Price products and educational activities designed to delight whole
families.
New terminal welcomes Oasis guests . . .
Terminal 18 at Port Everglades is Oasis’ homeport and its 90
check-in station and world-class facilities make the embarkation and
disembarkation process truly speedy in a large and airy space unlike any
boarding experience one might have had previously.
The ship will embark on Eastern Caribbean itineraries in
December. Allure of the Seas, a
sister ship to Oasis of the Seas, will debut in December 2010 and will be based
at Port Everglades.
-- Marcia Levin
ShipsandCruises
Contributing Editor
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