Oasis of the Seas, world's largest cruise ship, takes to the water

mercedes · November 24, 2008

The largest cruise ship ever constructed has gotten its first taste of water today at a shipyard in Turku, Finland.

Executives from Royal Caribbean tuned a wheel at Turku's STX Europe shipyard that sent water rushing into the dry dock where the line's much-ballyhooed Oasis of the Seas is under construction.

The event, known as a "float out," is a major milestone in the building of the 5,400-passenger vessel. Work on the ship is about 65% complete, says a spokeswoman, and Oasis now will move to a "wet dock" where interior work will be finished.

Present at the ceremony were Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's chairman and CEO; Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean's executive vice president, Maritime; Martin Landtman, president, STX Finland Cruise Oy; and Toivo Ilvonen, project director, Oasis-class. Together they turned a valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the dry dock area.

“This is a historic day for our company," Fain said at the event. "After more than three years of intense planning and collaboration . . . it’s exciting to see Oasis entering its final stages.”

At 220,000 tons, Oasis is nearly 40% larger than the largest cruise ships now at sea and is expected to launch a new era in cruising.

Joanandjoe · November 24, 2008

This ship is definitely in the "love it or leave it" category. Some Crazies are already booked. For this small ship fan, you'd have to pay me to try it.

zebra · November 25, 2008

I would love to "give it a try". We are very open to cruising on small and large vessels. The Mariner was the largest ship we have been on, and the way it has been construction and laid out we never felt at any time like there were so many people onboard. I can't imagine cruising on a 220,000 ton ship, but would love to find out.