I’ve been reviewing cruise ships since 1993, which puts me at a disadvantage when critiquing Oasis of the Seas, the largest, longest, tallest, widest vessel ever built. The ship floats on the water which makes her technically a cruise ship but there the similarities end.   It was only when I shifted my thinking and saw her as a mega resort that it all made sense.

This Ship Is For You If … You love high energy Las Vegas hotels…endless dining choices, even if they cost more …. on-board activities like zip-line, rock climbing, simulated surfing and ice skating … are a family not on a tight budget … the more people the better … being at sea is irrelevant … reserving shows and restaurants before leaving home … constant walking long distances sounds great

This Ship Isn’t For You If …. impersonal service and walking constantly sound dreadful …. have a fear of heights …. mind paying extra for food …. want to see the ocean and hear the waves …. seek quiet, secluded places to get away from the crowd … to quickly and easily go ashore … you mind making reservations for shows and restaurants before leaving home … want a mega-resort with 6200 fellow passengers

OASIS OF THE SEAS — The Vessel

I sailed on Oasis’ first voyage carrying passengers on a two-night voyage that hugged the Florida coastline.   At 230,000 tons, Oasis of the Seas far exceeds every other ship in terms of size and passenger capacity of 6200 people.  (For the purpose of comparison, the largest vessel in Carnival’s fleet, the Dream, is 130,000 tons and carries 3500 passengers.)   This isn’t a floating city, it’s a floating country.   Rising six floors from the main deck are two towers with interior balcony cabins facing each other.  I was reminded of New York high-rise buildings where shades are pulled when the sun goes down to avoid flashing folks in adjacent rooms.

Neighborhoods

Royal Caribbean created two “neighborhoods” for those who want to stroll outside.   In the center of the two towers is Central Park, an open-air mall-like walkway dotted with tropical trees and plants that is lined with stores, bars and dining spots.  There are four restaurants, three with a surcharge.  A nice spot to have lunch is the Park Cafe with dining alfresco (no extra charge for making grilled sandwiches).  You’ll find a Coach handbag store, art gallery and wine bar plus areas for sitting and people-watching.  At night the foliage is softly lit making it enjoyable to have dinner or a drink outside.

The second neighborhood is “The Boardwalk” which resembles Coney Island.  Here you’ll find Johnny Rockets and Seafood Shack (both with a surcharge), a premium ice cream parlour plus stores selling candy, clothes and toys.   At Seattle’s Best Coffee there’s a charge for the coffee but the donuts are free.  The carousel creates a festive touch and best of all, it doesn’t cost anything extra.

Royal Promenade

The most popular area aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the mall-like Royal Promenade is wider and longer on Oasis of the Seas. In addition to stores, you’ll find the stunning Champagne Bar and Schooners which are mainstays on other Royal Caribbean ships.   Add to that the Globe and Atlas Bar, an English/Irish Pub, and a very active Sports Bar.   Here you can also the Rising Tide Bar, which very slowly moves between two floors as you sip a cocktail.  You’ll find complimentary food at Sorrento’s Pizzeria and, at the Mondo Coffee Bar, free pastries.   The Cupcake Cupboard sells delicious cupcakes for $2.25 each.

Solarium

My favorite area of the ship is the adults-only Solarium on Deck 15, an oasis of tranquility in what is otherwise a pretty noisy ship.  While the foliage and plants are plastic, the area boasts a fresh water pool and two cantilevered whirlpools overlooking the ocean.   There is a breakfast and lunch buffet (complimentary) and an evening bistro ($20 surcharge) specializing in healthy fare.  At night the setting is elegant and low-key, a very romantic spot for having cocktails or dinner.

Sports & Fitness Activities

Children and athletic adults will find extraordinary activities aboard Oasis of the Seas and, best of all, are included in the cruise fare.  The Zipline, which must be reserved in advance, is a nine-second thrilling/terrifying ride between two areas of the ship.   Two rock climbing walls are three decks high overlooking the Boardwalk and Aqua Theater.  And, if you’d like to test your mettle at surfing, try FlowRider, where you step on a board and try to stay upright against a strong current.  Additional activities found in the Sports Zone (Deck 17) are miniature golf course and full-size basketball court.   In the ship’s spa there is an enormous exercise room with the most advanced pushing and pulling machines plus treadmills and exercise bikes.

Keep in mind that with the exception of Zipline, all of these activities are available on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class ship which are significantly smaller (although still large by industry standards).

Entertainment

Entertainment and nightlife aboard Oasis of the Seas are unequaled in the cruise industry and included in the cruise fare.  Be sure to make reservations before leaving home or you probably won’t be able to see them.  Be sure to make reservations for the Aqua Theater , a wonderful show on the aft deck featuring Olympic-class divers and aquatic performers who provide a spectacular show with special lights and music.  Be sure to also reserve a show at Studio B, the enormous ice skating rink where professional skaters do amazing leaps and twirls.   The ship’s main show lounge, Opal, has production shows of Hairspray and the “Come Fly With Me Aerial Show”. Additional entertainment includes a Jazz Bar and Comedy Club plus one of the largest casinos I’ve ever seen.

Cocktail Lounges

Oasis of the Seas boasts some of the most stunning cocktail lounges at sea.  The Champagne Bar serves the best vintages in a cool blue and aqua setting with enormous chandelier.  My favorite watering holes are the nautically-themed Schooner’s, a low-key piano bar and Dazzles, a two-deck high lounge with floor to ceiling glass overlooking Central Park.   For those seeking even greater heights head for the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 17.   You’ll also find a pub and numerous other bars scattered throughout the ship.

DINING:

A week isn’t time enough to dine in all the restaurants aboard Oasis of the Seas and best of all, they vary enormously in terms of cuisine and ambience. In terms of quality of food, the best is found in restaurants with surcharges ranging from $4.50 to $75 per person.

While Royal Caribbean builds astounding ships, the company’s biggest weakness is food, also true aboard Oasis of the Seas. For example, I was surprised at the few choices available during breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Windjammer Cafe, the ship’s Lido buffet restaurant.  There seemed to be lots of pasta and noodles but not much meat, poultry and fish.  The ship’s three-deck-high main dining room is beautiful and romantic even though it holds thousands of passengers.  Here you can choose between assigned seating or dine when and with whom you please.  And, although the food is far from gourmet, it was better than the cafeterias.  For the best breakfast and lunch without a surcharge, head for the Solarium, Sorrento’s Pizzeria in the Royal Promenade or the Park Cafe in the Central Park area.

Those not on a tight budget may want to upgrade their dining choices and eat at a restaurant with an extra charge.  Be sure to book a reservation before you leave home.  The top restaurant aboard Oasis of the Seas is 150 Central Park ($35), a true gourmet experience in an elegant setting.  Another place for exceptional cuisine is the Chef’s Table, $75 including wine.  Seafood Shack, located on the Boardwalk, is a casual seafood restaurant (mainly fried food), $8.95, and Johnny Rockets is $4.95 for burgers and shakes.  In the Central Park area you’ll find Giovanni’s Table, boasting Italian family style, $15, Chops Steak House ($25),  and the more formal Antonio’s Table (……).  As mentioned above, lean and light spa cuisine (no butter or cream) can be found in the romantic Solarium ($20 at night). Izumi Asian Cuisine has a la carte pricing.   After midnight, room service carries a surcharge of $3.95.

Children’s Facilities

Royal Caribbean, already the top cruise line for families with kids, has added even more programs on Oasis of the Seas. Adventure Theater gives kids an immersion into the performing arts and on each sailings teens and kids will be able to learn vocalization and dance techniques in three 45-minute sessions.   This is the first ship which has a nursery for infants aged six months to three years (this may have a surcharge) plus babysitting when parents want a night alone.

Teens have their own private club with discos, computers and video games while tots can splash in a special pool on deck called the H20 Zone.  One of Royal Caribbean’s most innovative features for family is “My Family Time Dining” in the ship’s main dining room.  It expedites dinner for families with children aged three to 11 by arranging for staff to pick children up and take them to Adventure Ocean so that parents can relax over coffee and desert.

Extra Charges

The biggest complaint cruisers have is being nickeled and dimed aboard ship and in some instances, it felt that way aboard Oasis.

While a seven day cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas starts at a reasonable $729 per person, double occupancy, at times I felt nickled and dimed.  For example, like most cruisers I expect to find bottled water in the stateroom when I board, the first one free with subsequent bottles charged to my account.   Water wasn’t available in my cabin so I called room service which told me to purchase water at a bar since cabin service wasn’t operational yet.  Then my steward informed me that they weren’t allowed to provide water to staterooms any longer.  So off I went to a bar and found the least expensive bottle of water priced at $6.95.   Add to that, staterooms no longer come with bathrobes or amenities.

Royal Caribbean makes the point that some food items with a charge are also available for free.  For example, cupcakes cost $2.25 in the Royal Promenade but donuts are free in the Boardwalk area.  This is true, but you have to walk the length of the ship and go to another deck to find them.  Premium ice cream in the Boardwalk area costs $2.75 but you can get soft serve frozen yogurt from a machine — as long as you’re willing to hike to Deck 15.

During each one week cruise the ship stops in Royal Caribbean’s private island, Labadee.  While there’s no charge to go to the beach, parents may encounter some difficulty in saying no when children want to take a three-minute roller coaster ($35 for two) ride or Zipline ($95) over the tropical foliage.

Those accustomed to resorts that aren’t all-inclusive will probably be accustomed to the extra charges that can quickly run up a tab.

Is it Crowded?

Since Oasis of the Seas was half full during my cruise, I can’t say what the ship will be like carrying a full complement of passengers.  Because there are so many places to go it probably won’t feel crowded.  We certainly boarded the ship quickly in Fort Lauderdale in the enormous pier Royal Caribbean had constructed for this ship.  However, because the ship is so big in St. Thomas she must dock a good distance away from Charlotte Amalie, the island’s duty free shopping area.  You’ll have to take taxis and while Royal Caribbean execs assured me there were enough to accommodate everyone, there could lines and delays.

Will I Get Lost?

No.  Oasis of the Seas is one of the easiest ships on earth for finding your way around.  Royal Caribbean goes to great lengths to provide easy-to-read deck plans.

Itineraries: Oasis of the Seas sails year-round from Ft. Lauderdale on seven-day cruises, alternating each week on Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.  The Eastern itinerary is St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau, the Western itinerary is Labadee, Haiti, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico.