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Comments (7)
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Save/ShareThe world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, sets sail on its maiden voyage this weekend. The seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale on Saturday and stops in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas before heading back to Florida.
I recently explored the 6,296-passenger ship on a two-night preview sailing. As long as the Empire State Building is tall, Oasis has seven distinct neighborhoods, and the ship actually feels smaller than it is. From Central Park to the Boardwalk, each area is self-contained, so you don't feel overwhelmed. Even so, Oasis of the Seas is a bit like Las Vegas at sea—everything competes for your attention. In addition to the usual bells and whistles found on other ships, Oasis has a Cirque du Soleil-like aquatics show with synchronized swimmers and divers, a 90-minute version of the musical "Hairspray," and an ice-dancing show complete with skaters doing back flips. Did I mention the zipline and two FlowRider surf simulators on the 15th deck?
To help you navigate the big boat, Royal Caribbean has also joined the digital age. Every floor has touch-screen displays that can map your route on board. Other digital screens show the occupancy levels of the buffet and specialty restaurants. No more guessing how crowded the lines will be.
While in port, the ship towered over the other cruise liners, and when it was time to fly home, all the planes at the airport seemed awfully dinky by comparison. Though other people may prefer more intimate cruise experiences, I appreciated the massive ship's stability—unlike my experience on other ships, I never felt seasick. Now that's what I call an oasis.
December sailings still have availability; inside cabins start at $1,529. In 2010, cabins start at $1,100. oasisoftheseas.com.
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Thanks for the update. We've taken a couple of RC cruises (Inland Passage..Mexican Riviera) and while I like some aspects of them, my wife doesn't care for sea cruises at all because of all the people. I think we will stick to the little bitty river boats.
Posted By Tom B. on December 4, 2009, 4:27 PM
What an amazing feat of human engineering. Can't wait to check it out for ourselves!
Posted By Travel Herald on December 5, 2009, 11:17 AM
Iam A time share owner looking foward to see this
ship when we are in St. Maarten in Feb. With that meany people on board this Ship Iam sure the merchants on Front Street are going to do very well.As a mater of fact we will stay away from Fromt street when it arives at St. Maarten, but will take a peak just to see it.
Posted By Augie Oliva on December 6, 2009, 10:13 AM
I agree, and amazing feat of engineering and would love to see her sail. But how relaxing is it going to be sailing with that many people on one boat ?
I'm not sure if it's for me
Posted By dskey on December 7, 2009, 10:49 AM
What a shame this behemouth docks at the tiny island ports at all. Clearly the people on the boat are there for the incredible number and variety of built-in attractions. An island port like St Maarten will host a total of 20,000 cruisers on a day when the Oasis is there, completely overwhelming the town of Phillipsburg. It means a swarm of humanity flooding the town to visit ever more t-shirt,souvenir & jewellry shops, just like all the other ports visited. I would like to see the islands protected from this influx, so true travellers can continue to enjoy the local culture, cuisine and island atmosphere that is so rapidly vanishing.
Posted By Joan on December 7, 2009, 1:59 PM
I totally agree with Joan's comment. I actually will not go to an island where cruise ships dock.
In fact I wish Budget Travel would publish an article on places that have no cruise ships.
Posted By william taylor on December 7, 2009, 2:20 PM
I was on the ship as well and I agree that it does offer a lot. However, be prepared. Shows have a very limited capacity and the probability is that they will all be sold out. Same goes for the zip line, flow rider and the alternative restaurants. Cabins are very small( smallest I have seen) and the food in the main dining rooms was terrible. Johhny rockets was the best meal I had. Not a good thing.
Posted By Ken on December 8, 2009, 12:36 PM