Oasis of the Seas
One of the largest cruise ships in the world
Me standing in front of the Oasis after having a fun day in the sun and sea
In the year 2013, I was fortunate enough to take a weeklong vacation on the grandiose Oasis of the Seas, which was at the time, the largest cruise ship in the world (now the fourth largest). This had been my second experience going on a cruise. The first time, I had embarked on a smaller ship from the Carnival cruise line, which was decent upon first impression, but puny in comparison to the Oasis.
What is the Oasis of the Seas?
At the time, the Oasis was the crown jewel of Royal Caribbean’s fleet of ships, offering a game-changing experience at sea that had been previously unimaginable. Aside from its ability to accommodate a record-breaking 6,000 passengers, it also offered a plethora of exciting attractions. First debuting in 2009, the Oasis consists of 18 total decks, with a height of 236 feet and a length of 1,186 feet, and is filled with amenities such as cozy guest rooms, entertainment for all ages, not to mention huge theaters and fine-dining restaurants opened by star chefs. Although the Oasis was built in 2006 and is now considered an older ship, she has just undergone a $165 million renovation and is ready to make a splash!
What can you expect when you go on a cruise and what awaits you on Oasis of the Seas?
Happy Tiffany with a cute set of drums she bought from a local vendor
The most common trips on the Oasis depart from the port at Fort Lauderdale, Florida and are 2-7 days long, making stops every other day or so at a variety of different Caribbean islands (which may include: Cozumel Mexico, Nassau Bahamas, Saint Thomas, Saint Maarten, Jamaica, and Labadee).
Me after snorkeling in the beautifully clear and turquoise water of the Caribbean
At each of the stops, travelers are encouraged to make the rounds and enjoy the stunning scenery or sign up for some of the dozens of excursions offered by the cruise line.
Swimming with dolphins!
Popular excursions include swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, bobsledding, bike rides, nature hikes, wine tastings, and more!
On the days where the ship is at sea, passengers can experience the countless activities available on deck. (Personally, my favorite days on the cruise were always the sea days, when I could explore the ship!)
For young kids:
With everything that they do, parents often like to seek some time for themselves so they can unwind and have fun, but what about their kids? No worries, because most cruise ships have dedicated programs/clubs to kids. At first, it may seem kind of lame, but rest assured, these clubs are incredibly well-organized and engaging. Each day is filled to the brim with exciting activities such as scavenger hunts (my absolute favorite!) and gaming competitions. These camps also do a commendable job on including educational events such as science labs and spelling bees.
Personal anecdote: On one of the cruises I went on, we had to go around the ship in teams to find answers to questions/riddles that the camp counselors would give us and then call them for the next question. We also did a fun competition where we had to collect materials throughout the ship to design our own boats and there was another game where we made up requests for other teams in their scavenger hunt (one of our tasks was for the opposing team to bring us samples of gelato from one of the shops). We were never allowed to use the elevators, so you’d find us getting our cardio in as we raced up and down the stairs (or near the end, dragging ourselves everywhere). For a quick snack, we would sometimes stop by the buffet and grab a cone of ice cream and continue on our way. These still remain as some of my all-time favorite vacation memories.
For teenagers:
In addition to the kids club (formally called Adventure Ocean), there is a teen’s club, which has its own private space on Deck 15. Cruises are a great way for teens to socialize and create meaningful friendships whether through friendly competition on the basketball court, jamming to their favorite songs on karaoke night, or watching a movie together. Teens are free to roam the ship by themselves, as long as they are back in their rooms by the 1 am curfew.
For adults:
While the kids are having fun, adults can enjoy their time on the ship by getting a relaxing massage at the spa, trying their luck by gambling at the casino, or by dancing the night away at the nightclub. There are also plenty of bars scattered throughout the ship for when they want to hang out with friends and have a drink. If they want to take a quick swim, or simply lounge near the pool without the shrill shrieks of children, they can just go to the adults-only pool, otherwise known as the Solarium. Or maybe, the adults just want some peace and quiet while being surrounded by nature. If that’s true, then Central Park is the place for them.
For everyone:
The mini golf course on the top deck
Of course, vacation time is also family bonding time, so here are some activities that the whole family can do together (or separately). The Oasis of the Seas is arguably most well known for their water activities. With an H2O zone that has colorful play structures for the younger kids, waterslides for the ones who want something more thrilling , and water sports like badminton, there really is something for everyone. Furthermore, there is the acclaimed FlowRider, which mimics the waves in the ocean, allowing people to boogie board or surf while still being on land (well–I guess technically on the ocean). But wait, there’s more! Aside from just pools, there is an ice rink. Yes, that’s right–an ice rink on a cruise ship. During free skate hours, people can borrow some skates and slip and slide away on the ice (Isn’t that so cool? Ice skating when you’re in the middle of the ocean?).
Me trying not to fall off my boogie board on the FlowRider
For the adrenaline junkies, there are a variety of action-based activities. These include a zip-line (that makes the rider feel as though they are flying above the boardwalk), a 43-foot tall rock wall (I hope you’re not scared of heights!), not to mention the glow-in-the-dark laser tag and Apollo 18 themed escape room.
Moreover, the Oasis is known for its extravagant productions. In the past, they showcased the Broadway production, Hairspray, however in 2014, they switched to performing the world-renowned musical: Cats. Other selling points of Royal Carribean are the aquatic and ice shows. Oasis of Dreams is a night show featuring fantastical lights, stunning choreography, and world-class performers (professional divers, acrobats, trapeze artists, etc.). It is a display that will be sure to leave you with your mouth gaping in awe. The other most beloved show is the Frozen in Time ice show. This performance consisted of elegant figure skaters depicting artistic adaptations of childhood stories. If none of these shows sound interesting, there are also smaller performances, including those of jazz bands, stand-up comedy, or classical music.
In conclusion:
Taking a stroll through the ship’s Central Park
A vacation on a ship such as Oasis of the Seas is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that is well worth saving up for. Not only will you have had an exhilirating adventure, you would also have developed new relationships and memories for a lifetime. Bon voyage!
