I just disembarked off of the Oasis of the Seas yesterday morning after an incredible 2 day pre-inaugural sailing.  And, I finally got to see the other areas of the ship that I didn’t see by the time I wrote Part 1 of this review.

Here’s an update of what I didn’t see on the first day:

Vitality Spa – I didn’t have time to actually enjoy any of the treatments, but I did a quick tour of the facility. It’s absolutely stunning. It’s by far the largest spa I’ve ever seen on a ship, rivaling that of several spas at 5 and 6 star hotels/resorts.

Vitality at Sea Fitness Center – I went ahead and looked in the fitness center to see if it was any bigger than the ones on the Freedom of the Sea and Liberty at Sea. It didn’t look bigger since it’s configured a bit differently. It still has tons of equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, weight machines, free weights, and stationary bikes for spin classes. One thing it’s missing from its predecessor is the boxing ring. Otherwise, everything anyone needs to continue their workout routine is there. I must admit, though, that I didn’t actually work out while onboard since I did the equivalent of 8-10 laps around the entire ship when touring the different room types and facilities onboard.

Kid’s area – Unlike the previous Voyager and Freedom Class of ships, the Oasis has split out the location of the Teen Zone and Adventure Ocean. Now, I must say that when I first saw the Freedom and Liberty, I was truly impressed with the kid’s areas. Oasis takes it to another level. The Teen Zone will surely have teens not wanting to leave (still splitting out an area for the 12-14 year olds and the 15-17 year olds).  At the other end of the ship, the younger kids have it made in Adventure Ocean by grouping the kids is 3 different groups (3-5, 6.8, and 9-11). There’s even an area for the Royal Babies (6-18 months) and toddlers (18months-2 years

Opal Theater – This is the main show lounge on the ship. It’s the same place that I went to see the group Mosaic on Friday. Unlike many other ships, there’s not a bad seat in the place. On Saturday night, the headliner show was Jonathan Kane who is the only tribute act endorsed by Elton John World. He literally looked and sounded exactly like Elton John! It was amazing!

Other entertainment for the night included adult karaoke, Motown Hour in Dazzles, and the Disco Street Party on the Promenade. And, let’s not forget the ice skating show, jazz club, or the live salsa band in Boleros.  

If you’ve ever been on a Royal Caribbean mega ship and participated in the disco party, then you know how fun it can be. Just imagine a party twice the size (the promenade on the Oasis is double the width of its predecessors). The dancers ended the party by exiting via the Rising Tide Bar – elevating up two decks. It was a great way to end the weekend.

Another important thing to mention is that this ship is decorated beautifully. The ambiance, the art, and the general vibe are more upscale than other RCI ships and definitely better than other contemporary cruise lines.

As for the staterooms, the standard rooms (inside, ocean view, and balconies) are about the same as other RCI ships. The new accommodations including the Central Park balconies and Boardwalk balconies (both open to the interior portion of the ship) are the same size as the outside balconies and are surprisingly soundproof. I can see why both room types are high in demand.  The suites are extremely spacious including the new loft suites. I didn’t even get a chance to see the lofts in person (I got tired after about 8 laps of the ship viewing other accommodations – talk about a workout!), but I saw pictures and they are a fabulous option with the feel of an urban loft/apartment at sea.

Overall, I’m beyond impressed with the ship. To say it’s magnificent is an understatement.   And, honestly, I can’t see putting the Oasis in the same category as other cruise ships because, to me, it really wasn’t a ship at all. Royal Caribbean now markets itself as the ‘Nation of Why Not’ which is fitting since this ship feels more like a resort city than any other ship in the cruise industry. The distinct ‘neighborhoods’ definitely made me feel like I was walking through various sections of a small city like any other urban city in America:

• The Central Park area felt like Hyde Park in Chicago with the park, shops, and upscale bistros.
• The Boardwalk felt like any boardwalk/beach city such as Santa Monica pier or an updated version of Atlantic City boardwalk.
• Entertainment Place reminded me of Downtown Disney (Disney World) which is an adult haven for all thing entertainment. 
• The Vitality Spa is reminiscent of any upscale hotel spa while the Solarium is a little piece of heaven on water.
• The Sports Zone will have even the most thrill-seeking passengers busy for days.

The Oasis of the Seas has definitely catapulted the cruise industry to another level. It makes me wondering what’s next on the horizon.

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