OASIS of the Seas Review – Christi Rogers – TRAVEL BUG, LLC   (April 9, 2011)

WOW!!! That is what one says when they board the magnificent and mammoth Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s fairly new ship (the Allure of the Seas, its sister ship is one year newer).  She is 220,000 tons, and accommodates 6200 guests and 2000 crew.  On this ship you enter the gangway right into the center of the awesome indoor Promenade complete with shops, an Irish Pub, Champagne bar, Pizzeria , a cupcake shop where you can either purchase scrumptious cupcakes or decorate them yourself , plus the very first floating bar that rises from the Promenade area up 3 stories to the lovely Central Park on deck 8.  As you step off into Central Park, you are taken back with the lovely trees, scrubs and flowering plants that make up this oasis of relaxation and peaceful atmosphere.  In the Central Park there are three specialty restaurants, a café that serves the best roast beef sandwiches and made to order salads, as well as a Coach Purse shop and plenty of seating in beautiful lawn chairs.  You can even hear the birds singing during the day and the crickets at night (a little RCCL magic).  Down on deck six you walk out onto the Boardwalk area that is reminiscent of a seaside boardwalk complete with a beautiful carousal of hand carved horses, a donut shop, Johnny Rockets burger shop, a seafood shack, candy store and ice cream parlor. At the end of the Boardwalk area you arrive at the first at sea Aqua Theatre where you can see an Aqua show complete with high divers and synchronized swimmers.  If you look up you can see the adventuresome guests as they zip line across high above the Boardwalk area.  There are also two huge rock climbing walls that tower up along the back of the ship.

When you tire from exploring these great cruise ship firsts, head up to deck 15 and enjoy numerous pool options to relax and cool off in.  There is a sports pool, a beach pool complete with beach umbrellas and chairs that are set in the water.  There is an adorable Aqua park for kids on this deck with water spritzers, kiddie pools and splash pools.  There are 2 Flow Rider surf simulators to practice your surfing and bogie boarding skills.  If all of this is not enough, you can play mini golf or head down to Studio B and skate on the ice skating rink. Shows…. The shows on this ship are truly awesome and of high quality.  Hairspray, the Broadway musical, the Beatle mania show, the Aqua High Dive show, comedy show and the Cirque du sol inspired show are fabulous and of quality that you would pay high dollar for elsewhere.  These were all included as part of the cruise fare.

And then there was the food…. It was exceptionally good and the service in the dining room was outstanding whether we visited for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Currently, the Oasis of the Seas is departing from Fort Lauderdale (a 2 ½ hr nonstop from BWI).  The pier is only 10 minutes from the airport.  The ship is sailing 7 night Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries.

As I write this review, I am sitting in the Ft. Lauderdale airport awaiting my flight home.  From the window in my gate area, I can see the pier area and the lovely and magnificent Oasis of the Seas that is now full of new guests that are walking on and saying “WOW” as they enter her amazing doors and begin their fun filled vacation with all the options and activities that she has to offer anyone, no matter what age.

Contact me for more information on this and other exciting cruise vacations.  (410) 798-4116