THE CRUISE GUY
yard, they can be hidden until completion. Unfortunately for Royal Caribbean,
Genesis was taking shape quickly and the bare structure was within view of stalkers equipped with cameras with high-powered zoom lenses. Photos were quickly flying around the internet, followed by crazy rumours and speculation. Royal Caribbean was forced to hasten their schedule of ‘reveals’ to control the information flow. Fast forward to 2009. The ‘reveals’ were done and the names of both ships had been finalised as Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The delivery ceremony was available via webcast for all to follow. The technology used to simulate every part of the ship was groundbreaking and surprisingly accurate. However, nothing could prepare anyone for what the ship was like in real life. No-one had ever seen a cruise ship like Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean kept the world up- dated with daily video blogs, showcasing a different part of the ship each day of Oasis’ transatlantic crossing. Without doubt, the most exciting video was filmed as the ship did the “limbo” under the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark, a 72-metre tall ship passing under a 65-meter high bridge, clearing by little more than half a metre. A true Halloween engineering feat or a
magic trick? You have to see the video and decide for yourself:
http://bit.ly/oasislimbo There hadn’t been so much excitement and anticipation surrounding a cruise ship debut since Queen Mary 2 in 2004. ABC’s Good Morning America made sure it locked in the broadcasting rights from the ship.
But, after the water from the fire boats was turned off upon Oasis’ arrival at Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, there was still a great deal of work to be done. The ship still needed 15,000 plants and trees to be in- stalled, which were carefully and meticu- lously stored at the port. When all was said and done, after sev-
eral days of installations, Oasis of the Seas was ready to take her vaunted position as world’s largest, widest, tallest, heaviest, longest and way coolest cruise ship in the world ever built!
U
pon boarding for the first time, one couldn’t help but be mes- merised at every turn. No matter
how many ships people had, there was nothing like this newcomer. There were, of course, many concerns.
Was this ship too big? Would passengers be stuck in endless lines? Would passen- gers experience delays getting on and off the ship? Would people want to sail on a ship like a mall of the Americas? As to the mall question, there’s a reason
why there are so many big malls around the world. People enjoy shopping and especially like big malls, with lots of op- tions, providing so many choices. As for queues, they never materialised because every effort to prevent them was planned and delivered into the design. In fact, on the first full sailing I was on, the only line I waited in was for towels. The problem was solved shortly thereafter! The two ships are truly awe inspiring. If
you’re looking for a true floating resort with something for everyone, Oasis and Allure have something for everyone. If you’re active, there are two surf pools, full-court basketball, two rock-climbing walls, ice skating, a two storey gym/spa and even a
zip-line (an idea I can claim to have put forward in 1999). For entertainment, there’s always something going on, from a Broad- way show to comedy, jazz, Latin and disco music. There is just no shortage of anything. If you’re into food, there are fully 26 dining options, from fantastic speciality restaurants to cafes and even a British pub. With Oasis a smash hit, how could they top themselves with her sister? With a few tweaks, tucks and pulls, Royal Caribbean made a few adjustments – and both ships are now commanding premium pricing. Many ask if prices may head down and the answer right now is no. There are simply no other similar experiences anywhere in the world. Three years later, Royal Caribbean
now has two confirmed new orders, with options for two more, called Project Sunshine. Still, you ask, what could be better than two Oasis-class ships? Three, of course! After denying initial reports, the com-
pany confirmed during a recent earnings call with investors that they were, indeed, in advanced negotiations to order a third Oasis vessel, hopefully by the end of 2012. The Finnish government recently declined the first financing proposal, telling the shipyard to resubmit, but a deal is likely to be completed soon as the $1.4billion order would mean thousands of needed jobs. If you’re interested in sailing to the Caribbean, Oasis and Allure of the Seas are sure to be one of the greatest cruises you’ve ever experienced. As I frequently say on TV, from some-
where out on the seven seas, I’m Stewart Chiron, The Cruise Guy®, and I approve your vacation!
Winter 2012-13 I WORLD OF CRUISING 99
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