OASIS OF THE SEAS UNVEILED
By Anders Johannessen
Royal Caribbean has historically been very innovative when it comes to cruise ship design. On the company’s first vessel, the 18,400-gross ton ms Song of Norway of 1970, there was a unique observation lounge situated high up in the funnel – the first Viking Crown lounge. In 1987, the 73,200-ton ms Sovereign of the Seas became the first cruise ship to boast a huge multi-deck atrium, and in 1999 the 137,300-ton ms Voyager of the Seas introduced such features as the Royal Promenade – an indoor boulevard – an ice skating rink, and a rock climbing wall.
Almost a decade has passed since then and Oasis of the Seas – the latest Royal Caribbean prototype – is set to continue the evolution. Like several Royal Caribbean fleet mates before her, she will also become the largest cruise ship ever built once she is delivered in November 2009. Even when compared to Royal Caribbean’s three Freedom-class vessels – which are currently the largest cruise ships in the world – Oasis of the Seas will be immense. The gross tonnage will increase by 43%, from 154,400 to 220,000, and the passenger capacity from 3,634 to 5,400 (based on double occupancy).
With a unique split superstructure arrangement and wide-bodied hull, the vessel which is currently taking shape in Aker Yards’ building dock in Turku, Finland, does perhaps bear some resemblance to the futuristic concept designs showcased in advertisements from Kvaerner Masa-Yards (Aker Yards’ predecessor) several years ago. Project Genesis – as Oasis of the Seas was initially known – had been under development for about two years before the formal building contract was signed in February 2006. The option for a sister ship – to be delivered as Allure of the Seas in the fall of 2010 – was made into a firm order in April 2007. The Genesis vessels have a price tag of EUR 900 million each.
The neighborhood concept
Again Royal Caribbean has decided to go for the “wow” factor in cruise ship design, this time by redefining the entire shipboard experience. The unprecedented size of Oasis of the Seas has allowed an array of new concepts and facilities, the likes of which have never before been seen at sea, to be created. On board there will not merely be different public rooms, but rather seven so-called “neighborhoods” to choose from. Continuing to focus on guests’ individual preferences, Royal Caribbean has aimed to create environments that will appeal to the personal style and mood of all on board.
Oasis of the Seas will have a total of 18 decks, 16 of which will be devoted to passenger facilities and accommodation. The first passenger deck – Deck 3 – will be devoted to staterooms, a conference center, and the lowest level of the main Opus Dining Room. (It is interesting to note that, while there are several dining options on board, Royal Caribbean has chosen to retain this traditional formal dining arrangement.) The Opus will extend upwards through three decks in the aft part of the vessel.
Located fully forward on Decks 5 and 6, the Vitality At Sea Spa will be the largest of its kind at sea. (This is an interesting change of location for a facility which occupies prime top deck space forward above the bridge on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager-, Radiance- and Freedom-class vessels.) It will include a Thermal Suite, featuring heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms; three couples massage suites and seven individual treatment rooms. The Fitness Center will feature the latest in cardio and resistance equipment, and offer classes such as spinning, kickboxing, Pilates and yoga. Nearby the Vitality Café will serve healthy snacks, light meals and juices.
The Royal Promenade on Oasis of the Seas has been scaled down somewhat from its four-deck height on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class vessels. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed to impress with giant glass-arched skylights – the Crystal Canopies – forming a sculptured roof that will provide the space with lots of natural light (something which is missing on the Voyager- and Freedom-class). Occupying much of Decks 5 and 6, the Royal Promenade will serve as the entry point for all guests embarking on Oasis of the Seas, and a vast tree sculpture by Larry Kirkland will serve as a focal visual piece. There will be a lot of exciting new features in the Royal Promenade, as well as some venues that will be familiar to past Royal Caribbean guests. In total there will be nine restaurants and bars, such as Boleros, the Café Promenade, Champagne Bar, Mondo Coffee Bar, On Air Club, Schooner Bar and Sorrento’s Pizzeria. There will also be eight retail outlets.
One of the biggest attractions in the promenade will be the Rising Tide bar – the first moving bar at sea. Spanning three decks, it will move slowly between the Royal Promenade and up into the open-air Central Park (more about this below). Another unique feature will be an unfurling bridge incorporated into the façade of the Globe and Atlas Pub. Operating on hinged hydraulics, a giant copper globe will “crack open” as part of its unique construction and extend over the Royal Promenade as a bridge platform at a height of approximately three meters.
Central Park and Boardwalk – unique attractions
The most revolutionary aspect of the design of Oasis of the Seas is arguably Central Park on Deck 8. Measuring 100 meters in length and 19 meters in width, it in effect symbols the very culmination of the development of the cruise ship atrium in that it is open to the sky and aft over the stern. Central Park will be landscaped with real tropical foliage and seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees, and irrigation and drainage systems will be incorporated, along with micro-climate control techniques. Several small gardens will be found in Central Park; there will a Chess Garden with large-scale pieces, the Pergola Garden featuring vegetation from the Caribbean, and a Sculpture Garden. However, a focal point in Central Park will be the large Crystal Canopies, offering views down into the Royal Promenade three decks below.
Central Park will feature six restaurants and bars. The Vintages wine bar and the Chops Grille steakhouse will be familiar from previous Royal Caribbean ships, but there will be several new venues as well. 150 Central Park will be the most exclusive dining option on board, featuring leading-edge cuisine and modern design. A special feature will be the window into the kitchen, enabling diners to watch the executive chef in his work. Antonio’s Table, inspired by the Tuscan countryside, will be a casual new Italian restaurant concept with both indoor and outdoor seating. Then there will be Central Park Café, an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. While 150 Central Park will be open for dinner only and Antonio’s Table for lunch and dinner, Central Park Café will be open from early morning until late night. Finally, Central Park will feature upscale retail boutiques, including The Parkside Gallery, showcasing original artwork for purchase, and Picture This, a portrait studio.
Another “neighborhood” on board Oasis of the Seas will be Boardwalk, located aft on Deck 6 and open to the elements like Central Park. Inspired by both the seaside piers on the coast of England and classic boardwalks such as Coney Island, Boardwalk will offer a multitude of attractions and entertainment options for all ages. The AquaTheater, located at the very stern, is an outdoor amphitheater that will celebrate water. Described by Royal Caribbean as the most technologically advanced area on the ship, it will feature the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea, measuring 6.6 meters by 15.7 meters wide and with a depth of 5.4 meters. During the day guests will be able to swim in the theater’s kidney-shaped pool, relax on sun loungers located on tiered platforms surrounding the pool, and participate in SCUBA lessons. At night, there will be spectacular performances featuring dramatic acrobatics, synchronized swimming, water ballet, and high-diving performances, as well as fountain shows synchronized to music and lights.
The centerpiece of Boardwalk will be a custom-made, full-size carousel. Made of poplar wood and featuring 21 figures suspended from stainless steel poles, it will showcase a menagerie of animals such as zebras, giraffes and lions, as well as hand-painted horses. For those not put off by heights, a zip line will be suspended nine decks above Boardwalk, giving guests the opportunity to survey the scene from 25 meters up as the rider speeds diagonally across the open air atrium.
Boardwalk will offer five restaurants and bars, namely Johnny Rockets (already well-established on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager- and Freedom-class vessels), Seafood Shack, The Boardwalk Bar, Boardwalk Donut Shop, and an Ice Cream Parlor. Additional features include five shops, such as a psychic and tattoo parlor, a novelty photo shop, a specialty candy store, a teen retail store and a children’s retail store.
Spectacular top deck facilities
The vast top deck areas on Oasis of the Seas will offer all the facilities of Royal Caribbean’s previous ships and more. Fully forward on Deck 15 above the wheelhouse, the expansive Solarium will be located. In this adults-only retreat, guests will have the sensation of floating on air from the two-deck high, glass-paneled enclave designed with seating on various “islands” surrounded by water. The open-air Solarium will feature a swimming pool, two whirlpools and four cantilevered whirlpools suspended over the ship’s sides 41 meters above sea level. At the Solarium’s mezzanine level there will be additional chaise lounges and seating overlooking the pool deck below.
In a unique arrangement, the port and starboard sides of Decks 15 and 16 – dubbed the Pool and Sports Zone – will be separated by Central Park six decks below. Several distinctly different pool areas will be found on each side of the ship. In addition to the traditional Main Pool, there will be a Beach Pool with a sloped entry where guests will be able to wade into the water or relax in colorful beach chairs under an umbrella as the water rolls gently by. There will also be a H2O Zone, a water park featuring sculptures and fountains in a similar manner to Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class vessels. Here separate wading and current pools, as well as a dedicated infant and toddler pool, will be found. Finally there will a Sports Pool, where water team sports will include basketball, badminton and water polo will be featured.
Aft on Deck 15 another Royal Caribbean mainstay, a nine-hole miniature golf course (first introduced on ms Legend of the Seas back in 1995), will be found. A sports court will also be located nearby. One deck above there will be two FlowRider surf simulators, as opposed to one the Freedom-class vessels.
Wide choice of staterooms
Oasis of the Seas will have a total of 2,700 staterooms spread over Decks 3, 6 to 14 and 17 to 18, belonging to 37 different categories of accommodation options. There will be several revolutionary cabin categories on board, including the first Loft Suites in the cruise industry. Numbering 28 in total, each two-level unit will measure from 51 to 71 square meters (or larger when combined) and offer spectacular views of the ocean with floor to ceiling double-height windows. They will each have an upper-level bedroom that overlooks the living area below and be decorated in a contemporary Caribbean influenced style complemented by abstract, modern art pieces. The Royal Loft Suite will be the largest on board at 141 square meters, capable of accommodating up to six guests. It will feature its own Baby Grand piano, indoor and outdoor dining rooms, a private wet bar, a library and a 78 square meter balcony with its own LCD television, entertainment area and Jacuzzi.
What is interesting is that Loft Suites on board Oasis of the Seas are located in an area usually occupied solely by Royal Caribbean’s signature Viking Crown observation lounge. The Viking Crown Lounge now occupies the forward part of the entire structure on Deck 17. To port the Pinnacle Chapel will be located, and to starboard the Loft Lounge, which we presume will be reserved for Loft Suite residents only.
Among the several other suite categories to be found on board Oasis of the Seas is the AquaTheater suite, of which there will be six units. Located fully aft on each side of the superstructure on Decks 8 to 10, they will overlook the AquaTheater and the Boardwalk, featuring wrap-around balconies, outdoor ocean-front dining areas and an outdoor bar.
Belonging to other stateroom categories new to the Royal Caribbean fleet are the 221 Boardwalk-view balcony staterooms and eight Boardwalk-view window staterooms, as well as the 254 Park-view balcony staterooms and 80 Park-view window staterooms. The number of interior window staterooms overlooking the Royal Promenade is just 18, a significant reduction compared to the Voyager- and Freedom-class vessels.
What’s next?
With another 14 months to go until delivery, there undoubtedly will be more exciting news coming from Royal Caribbean regarding what Oasis of the Seas will have to offer. For instance, as of mid-September 2008, details of two more “neighborhoods” remain to be revealed. We are eagerly waiting for blank spots on the preliminary deck plans – particularly on Deck 4 – to be filled in. At the same time we are wondering if popular Royal Caribbean features such as the rock climbing wall and the ice skating rink has been included in the design of Oasis of the Seas.
To be continued… 
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