Comments on: Oasis of the Seas? Kuki is ALL WET!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:58 +0000

Comparing apples to oranges does not an argument make. I agree with Paul M., the old style of cruising isn’t going anywhere and those who prefer the smaller ships will have lost nothing with the Oasis coming on line. She fills a wonderful need for many … that being newer, bigger, better with more entertainment and dining choices than ever before.

As to being worried about her size, if you’ve read any of the sea trials info., she handles like a dream so there is no reason to be fearful of her size.

I happen to think the most beautiful ships are the Princess ships but I can’t wait for Oasis. She will be a completely different experience.

By: Paul Motter

Paul Motter — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:42:53 +0000

Oh, and by the way – smaller ships are not going anywhere. That is beauty of all this, cruising is becoming much more segmented with different offerings for all kinds of people. Most of the small ships of Holland America and Princess are currently getting upgrades abd being beautifully maintained. The old style of cruising will always be there, it isn’t going to be replaced by behemoths.

By: Paul Motter

Paul Motter — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:40:48 +0000

I personally enjoy destination oriented cruising on smaller ships, also, but I do know from experience a LOT of people cruise for the experience of the ship itself.

For all the critics of Oasis, I wonder how many of you have really studied the floor-plans and renderings. This is not just another cruise ship scaled up in size – not by a long shot. The ship is a radically new design that will WOW everyone who comes on board, I guarantee it.

The Freedom-class vessels remain the most popular ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet and I’ll bet you they feel more crowded than Oasis will. at 160,000-tons they hold about 4200 people.

Oasis is 222,000-tons and will hold about 5400 people – more space per passenger. It will feel far less crowded than a Carnival mega-ship at 110,000-tons holding 3400 people.

The inside promenade is almost twice as large as the one on Freedom, plus you have the outdoor Central Park and the Boardwalk areas. The AquaTheater is going to be another stunning entertainment venue, more impressive than the ice shows they do on the Voyager and Freedom class ships.

The solarium, pool, sports and waterpark facilities are extensive and full of goodies. There is a beach-like pool, two flowriders, a big waterslide with lots of water fun for the kids, swim against the current pool, and more.

The spa and fitness centers are the biggest ever on a cruise ship.

The shopping will be extensive and they will have new entertainment venues they have never dome before; like a nightly stand-up comedy club, and a jazz club.

This is in addition to the discos and a beautiful two story ballroom.

I just think that people are going to be dazzled by the layout and amenities of the ship. It isn’t just about size. It is like comparing the Atlantis Hotel in Nassau to a normal hotel – its two completely different animals.

I really urge you to go Oasisoftheseas.com and to look especially at the videos and graphics of the ship. I am thoroughly impressed and when the reviews come out I am sure I will be proven right.

By: Mike Lawson

Mike Lawson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:23:59 +0000

Paul, the way you defended Oasis it made wonder what RCCL was paying you. I agree with Kuki on this one I think the cruise lines will wish they had smaller ships to try and fill. I for one like the Princess Sun class and Radiance class best. Large but not over the top. Will people go for larger ships yes. Will they stay with them? That remains to be seen. I think only deep discounting will allow them to keep these full, and that will bring additional cuts in food and entertainment. Just my opinion. Mike

By: John

John — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:05:15 +0000

About 70,000-100,000 tons, with a passenger capacity of about 2200, is just right.

Give me QE2 any day. Such a shame to see her go.

By: AF1

AF1 — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:59:29 +0000

My feeling about the large and larger cruise ships; referring mostly to Voyager, Freedom, and now Oasis. RCI in my opinion is trying to make ships more comfortable and user friendly for their passengers. They are making more things available to do on their ships, thus by doing so the ports of call are becoming a thing of the past. I bet if you took a poll about people who are booked on the Oasis of the Seas; most would say they could care less where the ship went and what the itinerary was; but more about what can I do and what new things onboard are going to “WoW” me. I believe this started with the Voyager class ships. It is beginning to rival theme park vacations. Ask youself would you rather go to a theme park or a cruise. More people will say let’s take a cruise.

By: Paul Motter

Paul Motter — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:16:41 +0000

Honestly – I really don’t agree with people who say Carnival Dream (4000 passangers at 130,000-tons) is a better environment that Oasis (6000 passengers at 220,000-tons) – when you think about it, Oasis has far more soace and activities per passneger than the other ship.

But that is OK, I am confident that when the ship rolls out it will bedazzle the skeptics, and most people will be more than happy with the onboard aura and not even thinking about how many people are on the ship at any given time.

Oasis will be going to jamaican port that no other ships goes to – so if you can tolerate St Thomas with 6 mega-ships in port (20,000 people) you can tolerate Oasis alone in port.

By: d

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:01:57 +0000

Variety is the spice of life. we’re looking forward to trying this ship.

By: Teri

Teri — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:32:07 +0000

Oasis is just too big for me. I can’t even imagine a port handling all the passengers from this ship plus other ships. Islands will start to rebel no matter how much money we spend. We’re ruining their sanctuaries. My opinion of Oasis is that this is a ship on which RC does NOT want their passengers to get off of. They want their passengers to totally enjoy their seatime and have no reason to disembark which means more money for RC. Sorry but I don’t even stay at hotels that have 16 floors. Not only that but the with the exception of I believe one port, the ports are the same that we’ve seen before. I live in NJ and love a relaxing week at the beach without all the extras such as a boardwalk, central park, people coming and going at all hours. I’ll take the smaller ships any time. By smaller I mean Liberty, Destiny, hopefully Dream some day and yes some day RC’s Liberty of the Seas. I don’t cruise to shop. I cruise to relax. My gf is pushing for me for Oasis but I’ve passed. The size of this ship also makes me very nervous to even consider being one of its first passengers.

By: Kuki

Kuki — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:45:16 +0000

I think it’s very possible that the current financial environment my be the next thing to dramatically impact the cruise industrie’s new build program.

When they need just under a billion dollars to bring out the new HUGE SUCKERS, I think we’ll see more situations like NCL’s recent problems and stop construction order for their new F3 series of ships.

We’re likley to see many others put on the back burners. Perhaps it will force the cruise lines to build ships they can afford to build…. which would no doubt be smaller.

Regards,
Kuki