Oasis Of The Seas | Cheap Cruises

Oasis of the Seas Arrives

The Oasis of the Seas has finally arrived in her new home port of Fort Everglades to start her initial season of cruises. Many of Oasis of the Seas cruises in 2010 have already been sold and don’t expect to get any cheap cruises on her just yet.

Oasis of the Seas is so popular, Royal Caribbean have been able to keep her prices higher than you would normally expect for one of their cruises, however just think what you are getting for your money, a life changing experience or maybe just a unique experience.

Oasis of the Seas Delivered

Yesterday was momentous day in the world of cruising as Royal Caribbean had Oasis of the Seas delivered into their hands to start 12 days of pre cruise festivities involving dignitaries from the travel world.

Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever made and at 220,000 she is about 5 times the size of Titanic (in terms of weight). Oasis of the Seas will start her real cruising life with a series of Caribbean cruises from her new home port in Fort Lauderdale.

Oasis of the Seas Show Times

Have you ever been on a cruise and been disappointed by missing out on a show? Well with the Oasis of the Seas this will be a thing of the past with the introduction of an online scheduling and booking feature on the Royal Caribbean website.

All the shows on Oasis of the Seas will be bookable up to 3 months in advance; the venues included in this are the Opal Theatre, Studio B ice-skating rink, Comedy Live and the AquaTheater.

Oasis of the Seas will begin her cruising life in December 2009.

Oasis of the Seas Sunk into Doubt

Oasis of the Seas is set to cost Royal Caribbean a cool $1.2 billion, however in Royal Caribbean’s annual 10-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission they stated “Although we believe that we will be able to, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so (finance the ship) or that we will be able to do so on acceptable terms.”

Even though Royal Caribbean says Oasis is three quarters built, there are doubts if she will ever set sail, so does this mean that Oasis of the Seas is sunk? If so what effect will that have on Royal Caribbean?

Well recently Royal Caribbean’s credit rating was lowered as they struggle with cash flow due mainly to people spending less on board. Added to this the current financial markets will make it difficult for Royal Caribbean to gain monies from elsewhere. They do have however government financing guarantees from Finnvera, the export credit agency of Finland. This is for 80% of the financed amount for both Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas which is also currently being constructed. Though the guarantees are in place Royal Caribbean has yet to line up actual financing for the vessels.

So is Oasis of the Seas sunk before she even sets sail, probably not, this ship will create so much expectancy that she will fill her cruises for a couple of years at least and after all Royal Caribbean will need to get some of their money back.

That all said I think very few cruise lines will be announcing new builds in the next couple of years, after all the order books are already full, yet the ships are not!

Let’s hope Royal Caribbean get to bottom of this, let’s hope Oasis of the Seas is not sunk before she even sets sail.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Classes

With a Royal Caribbean Cruise, your cruise experience not only depends on your itinerary or destination, it also has as much to do with the choice of ship you are on.

Royal Caribbean has five ship classes of cruise ship, this will expand to 6 when the first of the Oasis class ships, Oasis of the Seas appears later in 2009.

Oasis Class
Freedom Class
Voyager Class
Radiance Class
Vision Class
Sovereign Class

Oasis Class

The Oasis class ships will be the largest cruise ships afloat and are part of what Royal Caribbean once named the Genesis Project.

Freedom Class

Freedom class ships are currently the largest ships Royal Caribbean has. Being innovative Royal Caribbean introduced Freedom of the Seas and it’s unique surf rider on board the Freedom ships. Also you will find a water park, whirlpools, an Everlast boxing ring, and the now usual Royal Caribbean rock-climbing wall. Independence of the Seas, the third and final Freedom class ship cruises from Southampton each summer.

Voyager Class

The Voyager class ships appear to be a smaller version of the Freedom class ships and are perfect for the sports enthusiasts with mini-golf courses, rock-climbing walls, and ice skating rinks.

Radiance Class

Many peoples favorite, the Radiance class ships are known for their unique design with open space balconies and glass walls making you feel closer to the sea than virtually any other cruise ship.

Vision Class

There are two versions of the Vision class ships, the difference being the internal layout of some of the decks, however with a monumental amount of glass canopy these ships are for those who want a great time on the sea.

Sovereign Class

The oldest and smallest class is the Sovereign class ships, they also offer great family fun with programs for the kids and the usual casinos and bars for the adults.

Whatever class of ship you choose and wherever you go, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships will give you more than just a cruise!

2009 Debut for Oasis

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is scheduled to make her debut in December 2009. She is currently under construction in Finland and has just reached an important maritime milestone. Oasis of the Seas was floated out in mid November ready to begin the final stages of interior work.

The cruise ship will feature a unique concept whereby the ship will be divided into seven areas which will enable guests to find an area that best suits their personal style, preference and mood. Guests will also find a wide array of accommodation options to suit all needs and tastes.

Oasis of the Seas will weigh in at 220,000 gross tons and will cater for 5,400 guests in 2,700 staterooms. Facilities onboard will include a sports zone, fitness centre, youth zone and entertainment place on a total of 16 decks.

For the full press release see The Cruise News.

Youth Zone For Oasis

Royal Caribbean has announced details of the final stage to be added to the deck plans of Oasis of the Seas. A youth zone is to be added that will cater for children and teens onboard the ship when it is launched in November 2008.

The youth zone will include various themed play areas, a nursery for infants and toddlers, a central boulevard and much more. Many activities will take place in the youth zone including arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and talent shows that will be designed for the different age groups.

Oasis of the Seas will also see the addition of a kids arcade, science lab, a play area for a variety of sports activities and a theatre.

The teen area will see the addition of two FlowRider surf simulators, a golf course and sports courts.

For the full press release see The Cruise News.

Oasis of the Seas For Sale

On Wednesday 3rd September 2008 Oasis of the Seas goes on sale to the general public. The time of the event is 1pm UK time or 8am EST which give a distinct advantage to UK based customers over potential clients from the west coast of America.

There are 37 categories of accommodation on the ship and prices for a 7 night cruise start from £1,299. Royal Caribbean has stated they are not offering the usual £100 per person launch discount for this cruise.

Oasis of the Seas will start her first Caribbean Cruise in December 2009 from Fort Lauderdale.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas Itinerary Announced

Royal Caribbean has today announced what you will expect to enjoy onboard Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has announced that there will be seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries on offer onboard Oasis of the Seas.

To start her 2009 Caribbean Cruises season Oasis of the Seas will begin with 19 consecutive seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean. Then in May 2010 she will alternate her Eastern Caribbean itinerary with Western Caribbean itinerary offering the best of the Caribbean in a mixture of itineraries.

“Royal Caribbean is fortunate to have taken millions of satisfied guests over 40 years to these highly regarded destinations,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We thank the government of Haiti, Port Authority of Jamaica, State Government of Quintana Roo, Island of Cozumel, SSA Mexico, Ministry of Public Works and Port Authority of the Bahamas, Virgin Islands Port Authority, West Indian Company, and Port of St. Maarten for their support and cooperation in working with us to provide such compelling itineraries for our guests.”

Royal Caribbean Reveals Project Genesis

Royal Caribbean has today announced a new class of ships to be launched. Previously referred to as ‘Project Genesis’, the new class of cruise ship has now been announced as the Oasis-class.

Royal Caribbean held a ‘Name that Ship’ contest where entrants entered names for the two new cruise ships. The winning names were selected from more than 91,000 entries with the winning names being Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas which will both be a part of the Oasis-class of ships.

“Our customers are remarkably passionate about Royal Caribbean,” said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “This naming contest has been a fantastic expression of their interest and commitment. We are thrilled to announce these two names and grateful to USA Today for partnering with us.”

“Taking into account the remarkable sea-going destination Oasis of the Seas will be, the name selection evokes an appropriate feeling of verdant comfort and luxury,” said John Maxtone-Graham, maritime historian. “I was very pleased with the final selection and for being invited to take part in the contest.”

Oasis of the Seas will be launched in late 2009 and will be the largest cruise ship in the world weighing in at 220,000 gross tons over 16 decks. The cruise ship will feature 2,700 staterooms allowing a maximum passenger capacity of 5,400. Allure of the Seas her sister ship will join her in 2010.