THe advent of modern cruising

[PatrickGranier]

The Oasis of the Seas will be the first of the Oasis Class luxury cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet. The Oasis of the Seas is the first of the Oasis Class (formerly the Genesis Class or project Genesis) luxury cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet. The ship was ordered in February 2006 and the keel was laid in December 2007.

The 16-deck ship, which has an estimated build cost of $1.24bn, is the largest cruise ship afloat with a tonnage of 220,000gt (43% more than the Freedom Class ships) and a double occupancy capacity of 5,400 passengers in 2,700 state rooms. The ship was built in the Aker Yards at Turku in Finland and will be followed by her sister vessel the Allure of the Seas, which will enter service in 2010.

The Oasis has the distinction of being the largest commercial ship to be constructed. Aside from the normal range of bars and restaurants the ship has a number of facilities never before seen on a cruise ship.

Features include a full size carousel (27 figures), zip-line cable (nine decks high), Central Park, two rock climbing walls and the AquaTheatre amphitheater (the largest freshwater pool on any cruise ship) as well as the Rising Tide bar which moves up and down three decks in Central Park.

The ship is divided into seven neighbourhoods with different themes, including Central Park, Boardwalk (reminiscent of a seaside pier) and the Royal Promenade.The Oasis has the distinction of being the largest commercial ship to be constructed. Aside from the normal range of bars and restaurants the ship has a number of facilities never before seen on a cruise ship.

Features include a full size carousel (27 figures), zip-line cable (nine decks high), Central Park, two rock climbing walls and the AquaTheatre amphitheater (the largest freshwater pool on any cruise ship) as well as the Rising Tide bar which moves up and down three decks in Central Park.

The ship is divided into seven neighbourhoods with different themes, including Central Park, Boardwalk (reminiscent of a seaside pier) and the Royal Promenade.

The ship has an enormous range of accommodation including suites, family suites, and staterooms. However, a new concept being introduced on Oasis is the loft suite. There are 25 of these two level accommodations (crown lofts) with private balconies and floor space of around 51m² (545ft²).

In the lofts are 52in LCD televisions, two bathrooms, fog free mirrors, and limestone tiles. There are also three other types of loft. The Royal Loft Suite (1,524ft²) will sleep six, have its own baby grand piano, inside and outside dining room, private wet bar, Jacuzzi, library and 843ft² (78.3m²) balcony.

The two corner Sky Loft Suites will be larger than the standard lofts giving up to 770ft² (71m²) of floor space and separate dining room and spacious balcony. There is also two accessible crown lofts which are slightly larger than the standard and with better access for disabled passengers.