WoWasis of the Seas

Wednesday 15 October 2014 was a great day for Southampton and Royal Caribbean International as the worlds largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, sailed into Southampton for the first time wowing visitors, guests and onlookers.

I was one of the privileged invited to spend the day on board for lunch, a tour, dinner and a show.  And I am delighted to say….. she did not disappoint!!

Yes, she really is a floating town, carrying over 5000 guests and with a gross tonnage of 225000 tonnes she is of colossal size. But with a charm and elegance to match.

Oasis comes with many of Royal Caribbeans wow features such as the Royal Promenade, flowrider, rock climbing wall and ice rink. But also much much more.

With 7 different “neighborhoods” with restaurants, shops and features galore you would be hard pressed to fit everything in.

The Royal Promenade…

boasts cafes, bars, shops, a karaoke bar, pizzeria and an English pub, it is the social hub of the ship, or one of them. It is lively with a real buzz and atmosphere.

Central Park is another neighborhood featuring a’la carte restaurants such as the Italian Giovannis Table and Chops Grille. This is the first open air live park at sea with over 12000 plants and trees. In addition there are boutique shops and designer watch/jewelry shops. A place to take a leisurely stroll in the evening, relax on a park bench with the birds chirping and enjoy a glass of wine in the Italian restaurant.

Then comes the boardwalk, a place to take the children, maybe to the Dog House… a hot dog stand offering all different types of combinations. Then there is the ice cream parlour and the 60’s diner, Johnny Rockets where you will be served your dinner by waitresses on roller skates. There is a candy shop and a carousel for the children. Of course there are bars and cafes too. Toward the end of the boardwalk is one of the signature features, the Aqua theatre where you will be more than entertained by entrancing synchronized swimmers putting on a spectacular show with water and lighting special effects.

And if this isn’t enough there is also the casino, the comedy club, the champagne bar,the Jazz bar, the nightclub, the theatre, the Ice rink which holds shows in the evening. Then there is the Spa and fitness centre, jogging track, the mini pitch and put, the rock climbing walls, the flow rider, oh, and did I mention the ZIP Line. For the kids, there is the H20 Waterpark,  the video arcade complete with air hockey tables, the youth zone with science lab and computor gaming. There are five swimming pools, more jacuzzis than I could count, a sports court with volley ball, basket ball and table tennis. I feel out of breath already!! Better take a rest and take it all in from the rising tides bar, a bar which can be raised or lowered through 3 different decks.

She simply is……amazing. From next year the new Dynamic dining will also come into effect whereby guests can choose a different restaurant of their choice from the Bistro, American Icon grill and Silk to name but a few. There will still be the optional select a’la carte dining which carries the cover fee in addition. I sampled the Bistro and the American Icon grill. The steak was cooked to perfection and deserts simply delectable. Wonderland will also be opening next year, the fairytale Alice in Wonderland style themed A’la carte which will offer inventive and imaginative dishes.

I for sure will be booking Oasis for my family holiday next year!! Cannot wait to sail on her, and lucky them who set sail Wednesday off on her transatlantic…enjoy!!