| The Oasis of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, | | | | eight restaurants and bars. |
| had more media coverage than any other new ship to | | | | Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Center: Visit the |
| date, but now that the hype is over, is the cruise ship | | | | Thermal suites, enjoy a relaxing spa treatment or work |
| going to live up to expectations? We were lucky | | | | out on more than 100 cardio and resistance machines. |
| enough to be on the first sailing of the Oasis of the | | | | Take a yoga, spinning or kickboxing class. There's |
| Seas and would like to share our thoughts and | | | | even a list of spa treatments for kids and teens. |
| impressions with you. | | | | Entertainment Place: This is the entertainment district |
| The Oasis is like an urban community at sea, where | | | | on the Oasis. Watch the Broadway musical Hairspray, |
| guests can seek out neighborhoods that fit their | | | | enjoy amazing ice skating shows, see live jazz |
| personalities and interests: you can stroll through | | | | performances or stand up comedy. You can also |
| entertainment districts, eat in sidewalk cafes, relax in a | | | | dance the night away at the nightclub or try your luck |
| tree filled park or indulge in over 10,000 square feet of | | | | at the casino. |
| shops. There are a total of 7 distinct neighborhoods. | | | | Youth Zone: Over 28,000 square feet are dedicated |
| Central Park: Spanning more than a football field in | | | | to children of all ages. Not only are there individual |
| length, and open to the sky, pleasant surprises include | | | | programs for various age groups each with their own |
| quiet reading areas, a Chess Gardens with large scale | | | | counselors, computers and activities, but they also |
| pieces, the Pergola Garden, an interpretive garden | | | | include time to participate in experiments in the first |
| featuring vegetation from various caribbean locales, | | | | ever Science Lab at sea, as well as art and crafts |
| and a sculpture garden highlighting work by international | | | | time in the Imagination Studio with great Crayola |
| artists. 254 balcony cabins overlook Central Park. A | | | | products. There is a 100 seat Adventure Ocean |
| horticulturist will offer tours throughout the cruise. During | | | | theater which lets kids learn about theater arts and |
| the day you can lounge around, stroll along the winding | | | | performing. Teens have their own area one deck up |
| paths or enjoy lunch at the Park Cafe. In the evenings, | | | | with a nightclub, outdoor area and lounge. First ever at |
| Central Park comes alive with a wine bar and three | | | | sea, is a program designed for children 6 months to 3 |
| specialty restaurants to choose from. One of the most | | | | years of age (called Royal Tots). |
| surprising things for me was that there was a lovely | | | | The ship offers a number of other cruise industry firsts. |
| breeze in Central Park even when the ship was not | | | | There is an 18 foot pool, where those interested can |
| moving. | | | | take scuba diving lessons during the day. The pool is |
| The Boardwalk: The first thing you see when you | | | | located in the Aqua Theatre, which also offers |
| enter this area is a beautiful hand-carved wooden | | | | elaborate water shows by night with divers and |
| carousel. There is no charge for the two minute ride, | | | | fountains synchronized with music. There is an Auburn |
| and plenty of adults were enjoying themselves | | | | Speedster in the Promenade. Perhaps the boldest |
| throughout the day. Walk through and you will feel like | | | | move was the number of tropical plants that need to |
| you are in Coney Island, where you can enjoy shops, | | | | be maintained in the Central Park neighborhood. There |
| various restaurants and carnival games. At the end of | | | | are over 12,000 trees plants, vines and flowers. |
| the Boardwalk is the 600 seat AquaTheatre. Two | | | | The ship is very easy to get around, and if you are |
| rock climbing walls are cleverly included in this area. | | | | unsure how to get somewhere, there are electronic |
| Royal Promenade: This area is considered the heart of | | | | signs near every elevator. All you have to do is punch |
| the Oasis of the Seas. You can watch street | | | | in your cabin number and it will show you the way. |
| performers and parades, enjoy nine restaurants and | | | | You can also see the daily cruise activities and |
| trendy bars or shop at more than half a dozen shops. | | | | restaurant menus from this screen. |
| Don't forget to stop at the first ever cupcake shop at | | | | Is the ship perfect, no. We found the counter space in |
| sea, the Cupcake Cupboard where you can choose | | | | the cabins to be too small. For much of the |
| from different flavors daily. The Rising Tide Bar takes | | | | entertainment, you need to get tickets in advance as |
| you from the Promenade deck up to Central Park | | | | performances sell out, which means people may have |
| while you enjoy a drink and amazing views. | | | | to be on more of a schedule than they would like to |
| Pool & Sports Zone: Adventurous guests will love | | | | see some of these attractions. We are concerned |
| this area. Try your hand at surfing on one of two | | | | with parking when the ship is full, as there is no shuttle |
| FlowRider surf simulators. Join a game of basketball or | | | | service once the two nearby parking lots are full. We |
| ride a zipline nine stories up. While on the zipline, look | | | | have heard some complaints that the ports of call are |
| down for a amazing views of the Boardwalk, | | | | not exciting. True, but the ship is a destination in itself. |
| especially at night. For the less adventurous, you can | | | | We realize that the Oasis is not for everyone, which is |
| play mini-golf or relax in the Solarium, which is an adult | | | | why it's so wonderful that there are so many amazing |
| only area with its own pool and four whirlpools. Kids | | | | cruise options these days. We can all agree on one |
| can enjoy the H2O zone with playful spray jets, a slide | | | | thing, that the Oasis of the Seas is a beautiful and |
| and wading pools. This neighborhood has a total of | | | | innovative ship. |