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Oasis of the Seas, world largest cruise ship

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Oasis class cruise ship

The Oasis class (formerly known as Project Genesis[6]) is a class of Royal Caribbean International cruise ships that are the world's largest passenger ships. Two ships were ordered in February 2006, named Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.[6][7] Oasis of the Seas was completed and delivered on October 28, 2009,[8] while Allure of the Seas was completed in October 2010, and began her maiden voyage from Florida in December 2010.[9]

The Oasis class have surpassed the earlier Freedom class as the world's largest passenger ships. At 360 m (1,181 feet) in length Oasis is 21 metres (69 ft) longer than the prior largest passenger ship, the Independence of the Seas and classmates. Oasis also is 8.5 metres (28 ft) wider, and with a gross tonnage of 225,282, is almost 45% larger.[10][11] Oasis class vessels carry over 5,400 passengers.

Like the Freedom class, the Oasis class ships are built by STX Europe (formerly Aker Yards) in Turku, Finland. The first of the Oasis class, priced at US$1.24 billion (€ 900 million)[12] reportedly is the most expensive commercial ship ever built.[12] The option for a second ship of the class was exercised by Royal Caribbean on April 2, 2007. The second ship is to be delivered by STX Europe in August 2010.[13]

On December 11, 2007, the keel of the first vessel of the class was laid down in Turku.[10] In early 2008, Royal Caribbean ended months of speculation by announcing that their two Oasis class ships would be based year-round at Port Everglades, Florida.[14]

On April 15, 2008, Royal Caribbean held a press conference in New York City to release the first official information and renderings of "Central Park", a 5-deck high area in the middle of the ship, open to the sky and filled with lush tropical gardens, upscale restaurants and shops.[15] The area, one of seven "neighborhoods" onboard the ship, also features the Rising Tide Bar, which moves up and down through three decks. There are 334 staterooms overlooking the Park, 254 with balconies - four of which are wheelchair accessible. Two arched-glass domes in Central Park called the Crystal Canopies provide sunlight into the ship's inner public spaces.[16]

Builders: STX Europe, Turku, Finland
Operators: Royal Caribbean International
Preceded by: Freedom class
Built: 2007-2010 (planned)
In service: 2009
Planned: 2
Completed: 2
Active: 2
General characteristics
Type: Cruise ship
Tonnage: 225,282 GT[1]
Length: 360 m (1,181 ft) overall[2]
Beam: 47 m (154 ft) waterline
60.5 m (198 ft) extreme[2]
Height: 72 m (236 ft) above water line[3]
Draught: 9.3 m (31 ft)[2]
Depth: 22.55 m (74 ft)[2]
Decks: 16 passenger decks[4]
Installed power: 3 × Wärtsilä 12V46D engines (13,860 kW/18,590 hp each)
3 × Wärtsilä 16V46D engines (18,480 kW/24,780 hp each)[3][5]
Propulsion: 3 × 20 MW ABB Azipod, all azimuthing[3]
Speed: 22.6 knots (41.9 km/h; 26.0 mph)[4]
Capacity: 5,400 passengers double occupancy; 6,296 total[4]
 
Titanic times five: Oasis of the Seas aims to leave cruise rivals in huge wake

World's largest cruise liner Oasis of the Seas – with central park, half-mile perimeter and 2,291 staff – set for first public voyage


Titanic times five: Oasis of the Seas aims to leave cruise rivals in huge wake


At dock in its vast custom-made port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Oasis of the Seas gives you little clue that you are looking at an ocean-going vessel. The dozen above-deck storeys of the world's largest cruise liner, with their identical rows of curved glass balconies, make it all but indistinguishable from the high-rise condos and office blocks that line the coast road south from Miami.

On board, the illusion is heightened. This is a ship designed to appear anything but. It has at its heart a central park bigger than a football pitch and recently planted with 12,000 trees and shrubs. Contained on all sides by the steep stacks of cabins, the park is crossed by stone-paved paths and walkways leading to cafes and bars. Sitting outside any of them, it is hard to feel anything other than landlocked.

The ship is sold as an urban experience, a city on the ocean, and on a preview voyage out towards the Caribbean that is what most people seemed to enjoy: getting a cappuccino in one of the ship's seven distinct "neighbourhoods" and indulging in some serious consumption.

How big is big? Five times the tonnage of the Titanic, the Oasis is longer than any aircraft carrier in the US fleet. It is half as big again as the O2 centre. Stand it on its end and it would look down on Canary Wharf's towers.

There is no accessible place on the ship from which you can view both its bow and stern, so once you are aboard you have to find your own ways to understand its scale. You can jog its perimeter, each lap almost half a mile. You can harness yourself into a zipwire and fly nine storeys above the main deck. Or you can attempt the world's most meandering offshore pub crawl: 37 bars and restaurants spread over 16 levels, including an English theme pub, in which smoking is allowed.

The Oasis, which is owned by Royal Caribbean International, makes its maiden public voyage next week. It will typically carry 5,400 passengers (though the capacity is upwards of 6,000), served by 2,291 staff: 40% bigger than any other "megaliner" in the expanding cruise market. Because of its size, there are very few ports at which it can dock; the shipping line has confronted this difficulty by creating its own "resort destination" in Haiti, a purpose-built docking station called Labadee; and the Jamaican government has invested heavily in upgrading the harbour at Falmouth, in Jamiaca, to allow it to discharge passengers there.

Excluding these efforts, at a cost of £800m the Oasis is the most expensive commercial vessel ever constructed. It was built in Finland, and sailed into Florida last month. In order to leave the Baltic, its stumpy funnel had to be retracted and the ship was required to travel extremely slowly, so that it sat low in the water. Even so, it only just scraped underneath the Great Belt Fixed Link bridge, 65 metres (213ft) over the water, by about 50cm.

Crossing the Atlantic, the ship's stability was tested in a near hurricane-force storm. Given its towering superstructure, the Oasis had to be of an unprecedented width to prevent it being top heavy – the park at its centre is there to help with balance, as much as anything. It is by no means a sleek craft.

It is also sailing very much against the economic current. Royal Caribbean has been the prime mover in the ongoing arms race of liner size, mostly played out in the docks of Miami, where the US cruise industry is based. This decade, the company has three times created the world's largest passenger ship. Up to now, this biggest-is-best philosophy has always worked.

The Oasis was planned well before the global economic downturn, however. And that downturn has hit Florida particularly hard. The ship is not yet fully booked for next year's voyages, but Royal Caribbean expects it to carry 40% of the line's British passengers.

After the Titanic, no one is going to claim that the biggest liner in the world is unsinkable. But its owners are no doubt trusting that the Oasis of the Seas is too big to fail.
Ship stats

The Oasis of the Seas can carry a maximum of 6,292 passengers plus crew of up to 2,291.

Its 16 passenger decks contain four pools and 10 whirlpools, a rock-climbing wall, a basketball court, a miniature golf course, an ice skating rink, a shopping promenade, a fairground carousel, a central park with 12,000 live plants and trees, and a 1,380-seat theatre.

It has 37 bars and restaurants, 4,100 toilets, 42 lifts and 4,500 air conditioning units.

Seven-night cruises start at $1,049 (£628) per person for an inside cabin and go to $16,659 per person for the two-storey Royal Loft suite, which includes a baby grand piano and private 843 sq ft balcony.

• In the Observer this Sunday: Tim Adams's verdict on the world's biggest passenger ship

• This article was amended on 26 November 2009. The original said that the liner was expected to carry 40% of Britain's 1 million-plus cruise passengers. This has been corrected. The difference between two passenger-capacity figures has also been clarified.
 
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When she launches in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade.
The neighborhood concept will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal styles, preferences or moods. Boardwalk, will be a breathtaking space for families inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yesteryear; the first amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities and performances for guests; and the urban living concept will take to the high seas with the introduction of industry-first loft suites offering expansive ocean views and luxury amenities. Enhancements to the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade will include a new design allowing guests to have a physical connection with the neighborhood above, Central Park, as natural light cascades down from the sky through the Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes. Other surprises include two rock-climbing walls and the first zip-line at sea suspended nine decks above Boardwalk. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
 
The Oasis of the Seas Central Park is an open air park found mid-ship on deck 8. With no sea view and surrounded on all sides by the ship, you could easily be in any city park. The greenery and shade make it a pleasant place to sit outside and have a drink or dine alfresco.

Central Park is mostly geared towards adults. It has six restaurants and bars, including the ship's most upscale restaurant, 150 Central Park, and Royal Caribbean passenger favorite Chops Grille. Award-winning young chef Keriann Von Raesfeld manages 150 Central Park, which features two, eight-course tasting menus.

Other restaurants at the Oasis Central Park are casual Italian trattoria Giovanni's Table and the indoor/outdoor gourmet marketPark Cafe.

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The Oasis of the Seas Boardwalk feels like a traditional seaside pier and is a fun family neighborhood. Found on deck 6, the Boardwalk is flanked on one end by Dazzles Bar and on the other by theAquaTheater, rock climbing walls, and the sea. Cabins line both sides of the Boardwalk, and those near the stern can see both the seaand the fun on the Boardwalk and in the AquaTheater.

Other than the AquaTheater, the most striking feature of the Boardwalk is the large, handmade carousel. The music and menagerie of animals circling the carousel certainly give the Boardwalk an authentic feel.

The eateries reflect the casual seaside atmosphere--Johnny Rockets, the Seafood Shack, donut shop, Boardwalk Bar, and ice cream parlor.


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The Oasis of the Seas Royal Promenade is an expanded and enhanced version of the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Freedom-class ships. It's the first area passengers see when boarding the ship since it serves as the entry point for embarkation. Located on deck 5 underneath Central Park, the Royal Promenade is three decks high and features large skylights that allow light into the area from Central Park overhead.

Much like a mall, the Royal Promenade is lined with eight retail shops and nine restaurants and bars. The most innovative bar is appropriately called The Rising Tide Bar. It carries 32 and works as as "elevator bar", moving slowly up and down as it links Central Park and the Royal Promenade.

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The Pool and Sports Zone stretches the length of the Oasis of the Seas on decks 15 and 16. It's a terrific outdoor playground.

Four distinctly different pools and several whirlpools provide plenty of space for water fun. The Beach Pool has a sloped entry allowing guests to wade into the pool. The Main Pool is surrounded by sun lounges and is flanked by two whirlpools. The H2O Zone is a signature Royal Caribbean family water park, and the Sports Pool is restricted to lap swimmers in the morning and team water sports in the afternoon.

My favorite part of this neighborhood is the adults-only, two-deckSolarium, a gorgeous, peaceful area forward.

The Pool and Sports Zone has ten restaurants and bars.

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Entertainment Place is the hub for Oasis of the Seas nightlife. Occupying all of deck 4, it is easily accessed from the Royal Promenade. Entertainment Place includes the Casino Royale, the Opal Theater, Studio B, Comedy Place, Jazz on 4, and the Blaze Nightclub. That's quite a list!

The Opal Theater currently features a 90-minute version of the hit Broadway play "Hairspray", an aerial and dancing spectacular called "Come Fly with Me", and special headliners. Studio B is home to the Oasis ice rink and ice show called "Frozen in Time". Cruisers can book free tickets for all the shows in advance of their cruise.

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