Rare total eclipse will be a sight to behold at sea
Here’s something you don’t see every day: a total eclipse, viewed from the Caribbean Sea. Royal Caribbean is hosting a week-long Caribbean cruise aboard its massive Oasis of the Seas that will take advantage of the total solar eclipse Aug. 21 — the first such event in 99 years.
Oasis of the Seas will sail from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Fla., on Aug. 20, and will stop at some of the Caribbean’s most popular ports of call. Port stops are scheduled in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Nassau, Bahamas. It’s a great itinerary for a summertime Caribbean getaway, but it’s arguably the total solar eclipse — and the special events being offered on one of the largest cruise ships in the world — that make this particular sailing so exclusive.
“We’re set to take vacationers on an unprecedented experience that is nearly a century in the making,” said Michael Bayley, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean International.
“A total solar eclipse hasn’t crossed the entire U.S. since 1918, and with many of our ships sailing to the Caribbean along the projected path, the stars aligned. Oasis of the Seas will have the vantage point of the century and an unforgettable celebration out at sea that adventurers won’t want to miss.”
This Total Eclipse Cruise will feature a number of eclipserelated amenities, activities and bonus features, including a live concert performed by a not yet revealed “major headliner.” Guests can partake in eclipsethemed dance parties, trivia, enrichment lectures and interactive science fun for kids.
There’s also a certain cachet to sailing aboard Oasis of the Seas. When she first entered service in 2009, she was the largest ship in the world — and, technically, she still is — bested only by her sisters Allure, Harmony and the forthcoming Symphony of the Seas, all of which are larger by only the smallest of margins.
Capable of carrying 6,780 guests if she’s fully booked, Oasis of the Seas offers plenty of fun, spread across her 18 decks. She’s the ideal ship for multigenerational families travelling together, as there is something on board for cruisers of all ages. This isn’t the ship you take for an intimate getaway, but for those who like their ships super-sized, Oasis of the Seas delivers.
She also offers enough “classic” features to make old-school cruisers feel right at home, like Royal Caribbean’s traditional Schooner Bar, with its nautical ambience and old-world decor.
The rest of this ship, though, is a futuristic marvel. In addition to the usual pool-deck fun, Oasis of the Seas boasts two FlowRider surfing simulators; a zip-line positioned nine decks high that speeds riders across the ship’s cavernous open-air atrium; and the iconic, stern-mounted AquaTheater: an outdoor, oceangoing production spectacular with acrobatic performances and high-diving fun. Guests can also take in the Broadway musical Cats or dine on a six-course seasonal menu at 150 Central Park, which is just one of 17 different dining options available aboard Oasis of the Seas. Roughly half of these are included in your cruise fare; others (like 150 Central Park) carry a modest surcharge.
Although they won’t have the same unique features as this Total Eclipse Cruise aboard Oasis of the Seas, seven other Royal Caribbean ships will be sailing to the Caribbean during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21, on itineraries ranging from three to nine nights. Guests sailing aboard Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will be able view this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
Happy cruising.