Since 2009, RCL’s quartet Oasis-class ships, Oasis-, Allure-, Symphony- and Harmony of the Seas hold the title of being the largest cruise ships ever constructed and with a building price of around $ 1.4 billion each, being a most valuable export article to leave Finland and France (the Oasis and Allure were built at STX Finland now Meyer Turku, the others by STX France). Around the 1980’s – 1990’s there was a time that 20,000GRT vessels were considered to be the most efficient to run, but effectively GRT-size kept on doubling every decade. Now the Oasis class measures 225,000GRT and carry 5500 passengers double occpuancy/ 6700 passengers maximum in 2700 cabins. Their dimensions are also incredible, 362m length and 66m wide (48m at the waterline). They tower over 70m above the waterline. As usual in RCL’s ships, the well known Royal Promenade taking up two-thirds of the length of their ships is the focal point. In effect they are large (long) atriums.
The ships are divided in seven so-called neighborhoods to make these gigantic ships easier to navigate for passengers. The three main “streets” Central Park, the Boardwalk and the Royal Promenade are 20 metres wide, the Royal Promenade being the only enclosed area, being located beneath the Central Park, and known for the theme-parades like on all other ships of Royal Caribbean having a promenade. On Royal Promenade, one can take a seat in the Rising Tide Bar, which rises through the ceiling to the above situated Central Park neighborhood.
In the case of ships like these, the ship itself clearly is the destination, it’s itinerary is less important. This means that there is a great variety in entertainment onboard: spectacular shows like the musicals Chicago, Grease, Cats and other production shows, an ice rink with Holiday-on-Ice shows but also available for passengers to do some skating themselves , the Splash and Aqua80-shows daily and the 3D-cinema. Regular art auctions hosted by Park West Gallery, of course the art gallery itself and 7000 pieces of art onboard on permanent display will attract art aficionados.
In 2014 I embarked on a 6 day cruise on Oasis of the Seas and participated in a tour through Central Park led by the gardener. He explained that all plants, bushes and trees are grown in pots and containers , so in reality it is a series of containers having been placed on the deck. Change of weather when the ship repositions poses a bit of a problem because when sailing in Western European waters, the weather is totally different from that of say the Caribbean in terms of temperature and humidity. So expert gardening is required. It was great fun when he showed is his shed with gardening tools…… on a ship!
These ships are packed with a variety of features, like a wedding chapel with panorama windows, the first guest boutique at sea, and below decks, adjacent to the ships’ TV-station where onboard programs are taped, a large ice-rink is situated where passengers can skate or view magnificent shows. For all shows, also those in the main Royal Theatre on decks 3 to 5 which seats 1380 passengers, the Aqua-shows in the Aqua-theatre, the fantasy shows in the ice-rink etc. reservations must be made in advance via the in cabin interactive TV-set. During my 6 day cruise on Oasis, all shows could be booked three times, which is is to spread out 5500 passengers over the shows to avoid congestion. Better still is to make reservations for shows as well as (specialty) restaurants before the cruise via the RCL website, as there are just too many passengers on the ship to accommodate them for every show.
A show at the Aquatheatre is very impressive, often (Olympic) swimming or diving champions perform, diving from the two “masts” at the ships’ stern in the tiny pool…never to surface again. They leave the pool via an underwater exit. The signal, giving them clearance to dive is given by a traffic light behind the passengers, placed next to the directors booth. Parts of the Boardwalk, situated between the Royal Promenade and the Aquatheatre have been changed from the original lay-out on Oasis on later vessels of this class as some of its venues were underused. Now, apart from the caroussel, with diner Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, the Boardwalk Dog House and Sugar Beach eateries together with the Beach Shop boutique the entire area has been restyled.
Most cabins are outside having balconies facing the sea, but of course also the “inside cabins” looking down on Central Park, the Royal Promenade or the Boardwalk offer spectacular views. But, if you book one of these, the ones at the Boardwalk or Royal Promenade to be exact, be prepared for continuously high noise levels.
The robot-bartenders mixing your drinks after you have selected your favourite drink on a screen are great fun to watch, robot-arms grab the bottles needed hanging upside down on the ceiling, mix the drinks, shake and stir and it is handed to you.
On the technical side, Oasis-class ships are powered by three 12,600KW Wartsila engines and an additional three 16,800 KW engines, total output being around 100,000KW giving them a cruising speed of 22.6 knots. Each diesel engine consumes 1033 resp. 1377 gallons of fuel per hour. Three Azipod thrusters with 6m diameter propellors drag the ships through the water. Four 7380 KW bow thrusters assist in manoeuvring these giants in port. Actual manoeuvring is done by the use of joy-sticks on the bridge. Already on Oasis of the Seas, part of the electrical energy needed was generated from solar panels. On Deck 19, almost 2000 square metres of these were installed. They provide the current for lighting in the Royal Promenade and Central Park neighborhoods. This has been repeated on the other units of this class, just as the fitting of retractable funnels to enable these massive ships to pass under bridges like the Danish Storebaelt bridge. Starting with Harmony of the Seas, a clever system has been installed which generates air bubbles from the keel, reducing drag and thus fuel consumption by 8 %.
At the time, four ships are in service, Oasis of the Seas (2009), Allure of the Seas (2010), Harmony of the Seas (2016) and Symphony of the Seas (2018). Of these, Harmony is the longest and Symphony the largest cruise ship in the world. Two additional units are on order, Wonder of the Seas, the third Oasis-plus vessel (being slightly larger than Oasis and Allure of the Seas) will come online in 2021 and an yet unnamed vessel has recently been ordered for delivery in 2023. She will then be the largest cruiseship afloat measuring 231,000GRT
The first ship in this series, Oasis of the Seas has been in service for over decade now and she is being overhauled autumn 2019 to be “Amplified” as Royal Caribbean calls it to make your stay on board this vessel even more spectacular. Its a fleetwide upgrade program, as Royal Caribbean explains: “It’s time to turn up the adventure. This is not another cruise ship renovation. This is game changing Royal Amplified transformation: From adrenaline-soaked thrills on The Perfect Storm waterslides to our most drenchworthy Splashaway Bay aquapark yet. Plus a cool new glow-in-the-dark laser tag faceoff where you’ll battle for control of a mystical frozen city. A space-age puzzler in the latest Royal Escape Room. The tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss.” Also, the dining and nightlife experince have been upgraded, making these ships unrivalled when it comes to spectacular activities during sea days.
The popularity of the Oasis-class ships has led to firm orders for a fifth and sixth vessel coming in 2021 and 2023. If you are looking for adventure at sea, these ships are the place to be as no other (class of) ships offer such an endless array of activities.
