Oasis of the Seas sets sail for Fort Lauderdale

After nearly six years in the making, Royal Caribbean International last week took delivery of its newest and most revolutionary cruise ship, the 5,400 passenger capacity Oasis of the Seas from STX Europe in Turku, Finland.  

The 220,000grt Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, sailed from Turku on 30 October with Capt. William S. Wright at the helm, en route to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where the ship will make its official debut on 11 November. On the way to the US the giant vessel made a short call in UK waters, The Solent, to offload 300 workers and their gear, before crossing the pond. The transatlantic crossing will be chronicled via daily webisodes broadcast on OasisoftheSeas.com and via Twitter@OasisandAllure.  A new feature on OasisoftheSeas.com will allow visitors to view a Google Maps application and follow the vessel’s journey.  Richard Fain’s ‘Chairman’s Blog’ on OasisoftheSeas.com and ‘Adam’s Blog’ by President and CEO Adam Goldstein on NationofWhyNot.com also will provide personal updates.

RCI has revolutionised the cruise industry in recent years, with onboard attractions including the FlowRider surf simulator, ice skating rinks, cantilevered whirlpools, rock-climbing walls and the Royal Promenade – an entertainment boulevard stretching nearly the length of the ship.

The innovations continue onboard Oasis of the Seas with a range of new attractions and engineering marvels. Industry firsts include a neighbourhood concept – seven themed areas providing passengers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood. Within these seven neighbourhoods – Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pools & Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone – are extraordinary elements such as the first park at sea, a thrilling zip line that races diagonally nine decks above an open-air atrium, an original hand-crafted carousel, 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, an aquatic amphitheatre called the Aqua Theatre that serves as a pool by day and a dazzling oceanfront theatre by night; and an array of epicurean innovations that allow for new culinary experiences each day.

Oasis of the Seas will be welcomed into its homeport of Fort Lauderdale on US breakfast show ‘Good Morning America’.  The hit show will also give viewers an exclusive first glimpse of the ship during a special live broadcast on 20 November.

The official naming ceremony for the vessel will take place on 30 November during a one night inaugural celebration-fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event begin at US $750 per person and passengers who wish to continue their adventure onboard will receive an exclusive discount price, beginning at $650 per person, on a four-night cruise package sailing to the cruise line’s private beach destination, Labadee, departing the morning following the event on 1 December.

Oasis of the Seas inaugural sailing leaves Port Lauderdale on 5 December and space is still available.