Oasis getting $165M makeover
It’s hard to believe, but Royal Caribbean’s (cruise.center/royalcaribbean) trendsetting Oasis of the Seas launched a decade ago this year. The ship, the largest in the world when it first set sail in 2009, is notable not only for its size, but also for the sheer number of amenities that are available on board.
Now, Royal Caribbean has announced it intends to put Oasis of the Seas through a comprehensive dry dock this fall to the tune of US$165 million. Lasting some 63 days, Oasis of the Seas will emerge on Nov. 24 as a totally transformed ship, sailing to the Caribbean out of Royal Caribbean’s new Terminal A in Miami. In May 2020, Oasis will begin sailing from Bayonne, N.J., on weeklong trips to the Bahamas.
“When Oasis of the Seas debuted as the world’s largest and most groundbreaking cruise ship a decade ago, the typical cruise vacation as the world knew it was forever changed. Today, our Oasis Class ships continue to lead the industry and attract vacationers new to cruising,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Now with the opportunity to disrupt the industry once again, we’ve gone all-in with our biggest and boldest amplification yet. Oasis will turn heads when she arrives to Miami this November and the northeast in May 2020.”
So what changes are in store for this iconic vessel? As it turns out, quite a few.
Royal Caribbean is giving Oasis of the Seas an entirely new pool deck concept; something the line is calling a “Caribbean-inspired” deck. In addition to the already present nine-deck-high zip line, dual flowrider surfing simulators and dual rock climbing walls, Oasis will be given The Ultimate Abyss, Royal Caribbean’s heart-pounding 10-storey slide; the tallest at sea. It will also get three separate waterslides, collectively known as The Perfect Storm, and a new Splashaway Bay waterpark for the little ones.
Royal Caribbean is also tweaking the dining options available aboard Oasis of the Seas, starting with the new Portside BBQ offering up such classic American barbecue as smoked marbled brisket, pulled pork and chicken, and beef ribs.
Mexican grab-and-go fare will be offered at El Loco Fresh, which serves up made-to-order tacos, burritos and more. A new sports bar, the Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, will be the place to go for sports nuts, with 80 big-screen TVS, tabletop games, tournaments and even a VIP Owner’s Box.
You’ll want to keep the kids far, far away from Sugar Beach, which Royal Caribbean says will have 220 types of candy. I’ll keep myself away, too: I have a wicked sweet tooth!
Royal Caribbean will introduce its fantastic Music Hall venue aboard an Oasis-class ship for the first time. This great venue, which debuted in 2014 aboard Quantum of the Seas, features live performances in a casual environment packed with table games and other diversions.
Of course, Oasis of the Seas will also be getting Royal Caribbean’s robotic bartender. Punch in a few ingredients on an ipad-style device and The Bionic Bar will whip you up a high-tech libation. If, like me, you prefer real bartenders to the ones that make a Toyota Camry, fear not: Oasis still has plenty of more traditional watering holes, including Boleros and the always fabulous Schooner Bar.
Finally, for families, Oasis of the Seas will offer up its very own escape room; a new laser tag venue; and reimagined Adventure Ocean kids club spaces.
With this sweeping refit coming this fall, now is the time to check out Oasis of the Seas, refreshed for the next decade to come.
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