Tips and Tricks for Sailing on Oasis of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world (in fact, it used to be the largest ship in the world!). I recently sailed on board, and wanted to detail some of the important tips and tricks I think anyone should know if they’re thinking of sailing or are about to sail on board Oasis of the Seas.
Oasis of The Seas Facts
Oasis of the Seas is an absolute behemoth of a cruise ship, at 1,187 feet long, 226,838 gross tons, and 6,771 guests at max capacity. She sails from a number of different ports around the world, but I sailed her from the Port of Miami, out of Royal Caribbean’s custom terminal A. I absolutely love their terminal, as it makes boarding a massive ship like this incredibly easy, even with over 6,000 people on board!
Tip #1: Get On Board Oasis of the Seas Early
On every Royal Caribbean cruise, I recommend boarding as early as possible on embarkation day. This allows you to enjoy the ship as long as possible- after all, you’ve paid for it! But additionally, there are some very key reasons to board early. First, if you’re interested in reserving shows on board, like the AquaTheater or broadway shows, you can usually do so for a few items pre-cruise. However, shows like comedians can typically only be booked on board, so as soon as you step on the Oasis, jump on the ship’s wifi (there’s no need to activate a paid plan, this is available free), and make a reservation. In my experience, comedy shows go quick, since on my voyage, they were hosting shows in the Blaze nightclub, which is a very small venue.
After that, you’ll probably want lunch- the Windjammer buffet will be incredibly busy on embarkation day, especially after noon as more people board. I would recommend grabbing a quick bite if you’re starving, or head to the Park Café in Central Park, which is also a free option for guests. For me, I like to eat a late lunch after I’ve checked out the waterslides and Flowrider, which are open around noon on embarkation day. Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on (remember, you’ve dropped your larger bags off with porters before beginning the embarkation process), and jump in what’s hopefully a very short line. The lines for the slides and Flowrider will not be shorter for the rest of the cruise, guaranteed!
Tip #2: Restaurants on Oasis of the Seas
The Oasis of the Seas has 9 free restaurants (10 if you have access to Coastal Kitchen), and 9 restaurants with extra cost on board. While I didn’t get a chance to sample each on while on board our 4-night voyage to Labadee, we did get to try Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni’s Table. For me, I really enjoyed the experience at 150 Central Park, with a nice seafood and steak menu that varies a bit more than Chops Grille, which is a nice steakhouse experience, but has the same menu from ship to ship. Giovanni’s Table is also a favorite of mine, with the osso bucco one of my favorite dishes ever! Finally, Playmaker’s has an à la carte menu, like onion rings, burgers, and more. We sampled several items and felt like they were very high quality!
Tip #3: Bars on Oasis of the Seas
There are dozens of bars on board Oasis of the Seas. Some favorites include the very unique Rising Tide bar, which goes between Central Park and the Royal Promenade, and the Trellis Bar in Central Park has a really nice ambiance. One disappointment was the Schooner Bar, which is one of my favorites across the Royal Caribbean fleet. On Oasis, it’s very small and was often hard to find a seat for daily trivia, which is one of my favorite activities. Its open wall to the Royal Promenade made it hard to hear at times in the venue as well.
Tip #4: Pick Your Cabin Wisely
While this blog isn’t meant to debate interior vs. ocean view vs. balcony, the Oasis of the Seas is a gigantic ship. Your “commute” to activities will depend on the location of your cabin. If you’re into the pool deck, consider getting a cabin on a higher deck as well, as elevators can become quite busy during peak times and walking up dozens of decks to the pool (or, let’s be honest, the buffet), is less than ideal.
