Cruise Guide: Oasis, Allure poised for debuts

By Michael Coleman

The largest cruise ship ever constructed will debut in just seven months but the company launching Oasis of the Seas is hard at work preparing for the unveiling of an equally mammoth sister-ship.

Royal Caribbean is scheduled to unveil the 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas in November with the debut of Allure of the Seas set now for November, 2010.

Inaugural season itineraries for Allure of the Seas, just announced, feature 42, seven-night sailings to the Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale every Sunday beginning December 12, 2010.

Each itinerary will feature three days at sea. The ship will call at St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), St. Maarten (Philipsburg), and Nassau, Bahamas to the east while port calls in the west include Falmouth, Jamaica; Cozumel, Mexico; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach on the northern coast of Haiti.
           
Oasis of the Seas, meanwhile, will begin her inaugural season with 19 consecutive seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean, with ports of call at Charlotte Amalie, Philipsburg and Nassau. Starting May 1, 2010, the ship will alternate its Eastern Caribbean itinerary with Western Caribbean stops in Labadee, Falmouth and Cozumel.

Architectural marvels, both ships will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons and host 5,400 guests at double occupancy in 2,700 staterooms.
           
Each ship will feature the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept – seven themed areas throughout the ship dubbed Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.


Central Park, a revolutionary design in which the center of the ship opens to the sky, will feature lush, tropical grounds spanning the length of a football field. With its serene pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees, it will evolve from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evenings.

Inspired by seaside entertainment esplanades, Boardwalk will engage the entire family with eateries, retail outlets, carnival games, and an original, handcrafted carousel — a first at sea. Nine decks above, the first zip-line at sea will whisk guests from end to end on a thrilling aerial adventure.

Boardwalk will lead to the AquaTheater at the stern of the ship, where the amphitheater — another first at sea — will offer a guest pool area by day and a performance venue at night, featuring dramatic acrobatics, synchronized swimming, water ballet, professional high-diving, and elaborate fountain shows synchronized to music and lights.
           
Enhancements to the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade, the heart of the ship, will include a mezzanine level that overlooks the main promenade below. Natural light will cascade into the Royal Promenade through the overhead Crystal Canopy sculptured-glass domes, and illuminate the boulevard of boutiques, restaurants, bars and entertainment lounges.  The Rising Tide bar, the first moving bar at sea, will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail as it slowly ascends into Central Park, the neighborhood above.

The Pool and Sports Zone will feature a sloped-entry beach pool and two larger FlowRider surf simulators.

Each ship will debut 37 categories of accommodations, including the introduction of 28 contemporary bi-level loft suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.