With Allure of the Seas sailing from Barcelona for the first time this summer, Hollie-Rae Merrick checked out sister-ship Oasis to see what’s in store
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In just four months’ time, Allure of the Seas will sail from Europe for the first time. In fact, when it arrives in its new home port of Barcelona in May, it will be the first time this mammoth ship has sailed anywhere outside the Caribbean.
So to prepare UK agents for Allure’s grand arrival, Royal Caribbean International sent sister ship Oasis of the Seas for a brief visit to Southampton to show agents what the world’s biggest class of cruise ship has to offer.
Oasis of the Seas spent just two weeks in drydock in October receiving a makeover, which focused mainly on the dining propositions on board.
The world’s second-largest ship returned to service with additional restaurants, faster internet provision, new shops, and additional suites. Its sister ship Allure will undergo the same makeover this spring ahead of its season out of Barcelona.
It was my first time on Oasis and I was eager to explore the additions, as well as to find out more about some of the existing features that sets this vessel apart from others. I joined the ship with a handful of agents, and spent a day exploring every corner.
It is impossible to see all of Oasis in just 24 hours – there is enough to keep passengers busy for weeks – but we made a valiant attempt to fit in as much as possible.
The ship is divided into seven distinct neighbourhoods, each with unique features and experiences: Central Park, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.
My favourite was the Boardwalk with its colourful carousel and amphitheatre-style AquaTheater, where acrobatic shows and water displays attract crowds of people most evenings.
Dining
There will be 20 dining options on board by the end of the year, which will give passengers plenty of food for thought. The ship’s main dining room has been remodelled to fit the line’s new Dynamic Dining concept, which will be rolled out across as much of the fleet as possible.
On Oasis, the main dining room, Opus, will remain in place until late 2015, when the redesigned space will begin running as three high-class restaurants: The American Icon Grill, Silk and The Grande.
The ship will gain Izumi, a sushi and teppanyaki restaurant, and Coastal Kitchen, a dining area for passengers staying in suites. Also new will be the Alice in Wonderland-inspired venue Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. The whimsical venue will stimulate all of diners’ senses with a theatrical and imaginative Menu.
Facilities
This ship is extremely infant friendly, but there is also enough to keep even the most active older kids and teens occupied. Adrenaline-fuelled options include the FlowRider surf simulator, high-diving platforms, rock climbing and zip-lining 80ft above the ship’s Boardwalk.
There are children’s clubs for three to five-year-olds, six to eight-year-olds and nine to 11-year-olds, plus the Royal Tots and Royal Babies services provide childcare for children between the ages of six months and three. There is also a carousel for youngsters.
Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Dreamworks means that as they wander around the ship, children will meet the likes of Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar’s Alex the Lion, which gives the ship the flavour of a floating theme park.
There is also plenty for adults looking for a little peace and quiet. The adults-only Solarium, at the front of the ship, is perfect for a spot of sunbathing or a healthy lunch in The Bistro. The Vitality spa is Royal Caribbean’s biggest, offering almost 30 treatment rooms and an extensive range of treatments.
Cabins
There are some unique cabins on Oasis. There are standard balcony cabins, but you also have inside cabins, also with balconies, offering a view over the ship’s bustling Central Park.
Shops, restaurants and bars including Royal Caribbean’s popular wine venue Vintages, line Central Park’s real garden, or passengers can even enjoy a picnic under the real trees.
During the drydock revamp, 10 suites were added to the ship, all of which overlook the AquaTheater and Boardwalk at the back of the ship.
Oasis also underwent a technology upgrade, and now offers super-fast broadband by way of Royal Caribbean’s partnership with 03b.
Adam Goldstein, president of Royal’s parent company, recently said the internet speed would be “as good as anything on land” and that it would be the best available at sea for some time.
The upgraded internet service is also available on Quantum of the Seas, which entered service in November and sails out of New York, and Anthem of the Seas, which is set to launch in April.
Book it: Royal Caribbean International offers a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale on board Oasis of the Seas from £689, staying in an interior stateroom, departing February 28. A seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise on board Allure of the Seas, sailing from Barcelona or Rome, starts at £949 in an interior cabin, departing October 8.
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Allure: The facts
- When Allure of the Seas arrives in Europe in May, it will sail on seven-night cruises from Barcelona.
- The ship will visit Palma, Marseille, La Spezia and Civitavecchia, where new passengers will also be ableto board.
- Allure will join Southampton-based Anthem of the Seas in Europe, which is also offering Mediterranean sailings.
- Allure launched in December 2010.
- At 362 metres, Allure is the same length as Oasis of the Seas – but is one metre wider, making it the largest passenger ship in the world.
Ask the Agents
“Even though Oasis of the Seas is a big ship with a lot of passengers, check-in was super-quick – we were in our cabin within 10 minutes. The ship is extremely well designed and flows well, so it never felt crowded and there was no queuing. There are distinct neighbourhoods on board – we particularly enjoyed the Boardwalk area, which is great for kids, especially the spectacular diving shows. We dined mainly in the speciality restaurants around Central Park, which were particularly child-friendly. We also enjoyed the huge H2O kids’ pool area.”
Simone Clarke, Iglu.com
“Oasis of the Seas is an absolutely amazing ship, and probably my favourite of those that I have seen. The layout and the idea of the seven neighbourhoods is great. There is something for everyone onboard and I think families and younger cruisers would have the holiday of a lifetime onboard. The interior, the staff, the facilities and the cabins are all fantastic. I couldn’t fault anything.”
Katie Walsh, Cruise.co.uk
“Oasis is like a floating resort. You just do not know that you are on a cruise ship. The various neighbourhoods offer something completely different; as you walk around the ship, you are just wowed. The ship is perfect for multi-generational families travelling together who all want to do something a little different and get together as a wider group. As travel agents and cruise specialists, we need to tell more customers that such amazing products exist. While we in the business may be in the know, many consumers still need to be educated as to just how exciting and innovative ships such as Oasis of the Seas are.”
Karen Doyle, Tui
