Oasis of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

MS Oasis of the Seas at front of Saaronniemi,Ruissalo, Turku, Finland.
Photograph by Ereine. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on its maiden voyage.
Photograph by Monica R.. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

As tall as an apartment block. Oasis of the Seas maiden voyage, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale
Photograph by Monica R.. Some rights reserved. (view image details)

OASIS OF THE SEAS FACTS

Description
MS Oasis of the Seas is a cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International. It is the largest passenger ship in the world, taking over from the MS Independence of the Seas as the world's largest passenger ship. Oasis of the Seas features Royal Caribbean’s new neighborhood concept of seven separate themed areas. The Central Park area located in the center of the ship is open to the sky and more than the length of a football field, lined with boutiques and specialty restaurants and overlooked by the new balcony staterooms rising five decks above the storefronts on each side. The Royal Promenade which has been a feature of Royal Caribbean cruise ships is bigger and better with a boulevard of boutiques, restaurants, bars and lounges, and a new mezzanine level. Natural light streams through two Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes into Central Park and the Royal Promenade.

Destinations
Oasis of the Seas is based at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The maiden voyage was in November, 2009. Oasis of the Seas started service with sailings to the Eastern Caribbean, with ports of call at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau in the Bahamas. From May 2010, Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Eastern Caribbean itinerary with the Western Caribbean itinerary, with ports of call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination in Haiti, Falmouth in Jamaica and Cozumel in Mexico.

History
Oasis of the Seas was ordered in February 2006. Her keel was laid down on December 2007. She was named Oasis of the Seas in May 2008. She was completed in late 2009.

Entertainment
The Oasis of the Seas introduces a new concept in cruise ship design with seven neighborhoods on board, each with distinct theme and attractions - an idea similar to theme park design.

Boardwalk: features the new AquaTheater, the carousel, the nine deck high zip line (flying fox). The Boardwalk also features various games, amusements, restaurants and shops.
The Royal Promenade is the heart of the ship and now has a mezzanine level overlooking the area below. The Royal Promenade inherits many of the features found on the Voyager and Freedom Class ships, but also has some new amenities including the skylight dome that lets in natural light from the sky; the Rising Tide bar which rises and falls between three decks of the ship. The shopping mall has numerous shops and eating places.
Central Park is open to the sky and features a variety of shops and restaurants
The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center is even larger than those on the Voyager and Freedom Class Ships. The Spa offers massages, saunas , steam rooms, a Beauty Salon, and cafe.
The Pool and Sports Zone features 4 pools and 10 whirlpools. The Beach Pool has a beach theme with sloping entry. There is also a traditional main pool with 3 bars in the pool area.
Sports activities include full sized basketball court, two flowriders, two rock walls, mini-golf, and a zip-line (flying fox) that glides across the boardwalk.
Entertainment Place hosts venues casino, the Opal Theater, an ice skating rink, other smaller theaters
Youth Zone is home of the Adventure Ocean youth program with space dedicated to youth and children's activities.

Operator:	Royal Caribbean International
Built by:	STX Europe, Turku, Finland
Date Completed:	2009
Gross Tonnage:	225282
Length:	360 m
Width:	47 m
Decks:	16 passenger
Passengers:	5400