Yesterday Royal Caribbean unveiled more details about Oasis of the Seas,  the 220,000-ton behemoth scheduled to debut Dec. 12, 2009.  The ship, the latest largest ship in the world, will have amazing features such as a zip line from one side of the ship to another, “neighborhoods” such as Central Park and Coney Island and an enormous pool area with evening shows under the stars.

New Features

Here are the latest details: the ship will have six pools, two FlowRiders and ten whirlpools.  A two-deck high adults-only solarium will have adjacent dining areas and sun beds, all covered by a glass ceiling.  On the Pool Deck you’ll find a pool for lap swimming and there will be a “beach pool” with no sand but sloping sides leading to the water.  Of course, the popular H2O Zone for kids will be an enormous area that will keep children enchanted all day.

Starting September 3, 2008, booking will open for Oasis of the Seas and I guarantee there will be a rush of people eagerly reserving a cabin on this ship.

High Suite Prices

But what surprised me the most is that Royal Caribbean will be charging luxury ship rates for its top-category suites.  According to the industry newsletter Cruise Week, Crown Loft suite staterooms will be $4,200 and $5,600 per person, double occupancy for one week cruises in 2010 after the first three voyages are over when they’re priced even higher. 

That’s in the neighborhood of $800 per person, per day.  And, unlike Queen Mary 2, which has private deck space and separate dining for suite passengers, Oasis of the Seas suite guests will dine in the same restaurants everyone else does.

According to Cruise Week editor Mike Driscoll, “Royal Caribbean is trying to redefine Caribbean cruise pricing for the mass market.  And, anytime you carry 6,000 passengers per week on a ship, that’s mass market.” 

The Caribbean has long been touted as the cheapest cruising region, where pricing is low, especially among the mass market cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line.  And thanks to a soft economy and high airfares, I’ve seen Caribbean fares starting below $600 per per person, per week on Princess, Holland America and Celebrity vessels during peak season. 

Of course Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas’ unique features have generated a great deal of excitement and cruisers will pay more for a while.   However,  Mike Driscoll questions, “once the novelty wears off, will there be enough passengers willing to pay $800 a day on the same ship as those who may pay less than $800 for the entire cruise?”

When Royal Caribbean ordered this ship, the U.S. economy was strong.  And, Royal Caribbean executives have said they believe passengers will pay a higher price to cruise on such a unique ship.   “But it remains to be seen if cruisers will pay premium rates for a mass market ship. ” Driscoll says.

Inside, Outside and Balcony Cabin Fares

During the first half of 2010, cruise fairs are standard for a brand new ship with all the bells and whistles.  The per person, double occupancy rates begin at $879 (inside); $1079 (outside); $1,219 (balcony) and $2,000 for junior suites.    

New Oasis Video

To get a real idea of what Royal Caribbean’s next ship will be, I suggest visiting Oasis of the Seas web site and watching a video about the ship.