The 1.4 billion dollar Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, begins its maiden voyage on December 5th, 2009. The largest cruise ship in the world carries 6,296 passengers, and is taller than the Chrysler Building in New York City. The Oasis of the Seas also carries 2,165 crew, for a total of 8,461 people, which is a larger population than most towns or small cities.
Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. The massive ship has 16 decks, weighs 225,282 tons, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first of its kind to use Royal Caribbean's new neighborhood concept. With seven distinct themed areas – Central Park, The Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Youth Zone and Entertainment Place – there's no lack of things to amuse guests of ay age. The ship features a zip-line, a casino, a mini-golf course, four swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts and theme parks. Oasis of the Seas will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
All day or night – 24/7 – you can find something great to eat. With 24 dining options throughout the ship, there should be no complaints of, "What is there to eat around here?" Nearly 1,100 cooks, waiters, assistant waiters, bartenders, bar servers and cleaners work in the food and beverage operations on board Oasis of the Seas.
Telegraph.co.uk reports, the Oasis of the Seas is "so big that $75 million has been spent on tripling the size of the Port Everglades terminal at Fort Lauderdale from where it sails, and new docks have been built around the Caribbean to berth it."
Unfortunately, with a vessel this size, comes its own set of problems. According to usatoday.com, "Local news outlets reported massive traffic jams around Fort Lauderdale's port over the weekend as locals and tourists alike flocked to the waterfront to catch a glimpse of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas – the world's largest cruise ship. The news outlets say the large crowds of people and vehicles coming to see Oasis are making it difficult for cruise passengers arriving to board other ships to enter and exit the port."
How Much Does an Oasis of the Se Cruise Cost?
There are many departure choices and sailing destinations to pick from. This is just a sampling of cruises available. Government taxes and fees are additional. Other charges may apply.
Oasis Of The Seas 7 Day Cruise
Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Ports of Call: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Nassau, Bahamas; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Interior: $729.00
Outside: $879.00
Balcony: $979.00
Deluxe/Suites: $1,799.00
Oasis of the Seas Facts and Specifications
- Registry: Bahamas
- Built at STX Europe, Turku Finland
- Maiden Voyage: December 5, 2009
- 225,282 GRT
- 1,187 feet (360 meters) long
- 208 feet (64meters) wide
- 213 feet (65 meters) high from the water line
- 30 feet (9.1 meters) draft
- 22.6 knots cruising speed
- 16 passenger decks
- 24 passenger elevators
- 4 bow thrusters with 7,500 horse power each
- 5,400 guests (double occupancy)
- 6,296 guests total
- 2,165 crew (From over 71 countries)
Oasis of the Seas Staterooms
- Total: 2,706
- Balcony: 1,956
- Outside: 254
- Interior: 496
- Staterooms with additional berths: 683
- Wheelchair accessible staterooms: 46
For more information: Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
Sources and photo credit: Zache (Wikipedia); usatoday.com; wikipedia.com
Written by Donna Diegel
HULIQ.com
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