By P Chong                            Tues. 13 April 2010

Some years back in 2001 we took a cruise on the “Virgo” from Singapore to Phuket & Langkawi in what was considered the largest of the cruise ships from the fleet of Star Cruises Company. It was great. Then in 2008, we had another cruise from Sydney to New Zealand on Dawn Princess, and it was even greater & larger.

Competition is ripe in the world of popular cruising and there seems to be no end to competitors coming up with the largest of their cruise ships.

Those days it was a dream to go on a QE2 cruise, which dream was then surpassed by the introduction of Queen Mary2 – apparently the world’s largest & most prestigious of the cruise ships. Now, that supremacy didn’t last long either with the coming of the “Oasis of the Seas”.

This is Royal Caribbean International’s newest, largest & most revolutionary cruise ship – the highly anticipated “Oasis of the Seas”. She made her global debut only in December 2009, arriving into her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. following a 14-day transatlantic crossing from Turku, Finland. Hundreds of eager onlookers – ranging from Royal Caribbean top executives to local government officials, residents and media – came out to welcome “Oasis of the Seas” to the United States for the first time and to be among the first to catch a glimpse of the world’s most revolutionary cruise ship.

Just when you think Royal Caribbean International has enough cruise ships in the world, another big one is under way by the name of “Allure of the Seas”. Already they have a fleet of others known invariably as “Freedom of the Seas”among others “ . . . of the Seas” like “Independence of the Seas” & “Liberty of the Seas”.

Their megacruises are also catering for in a variety of other cruise ships distinctly categorised under Voyager Family, Radiance family, Vision family & Sovereign Family – each with a fleet of ships with creative names . . . Adventure, Brilliance, Enchantment, grandeur, Legend, Rhapsody, Majesty, Monarch . . . It’s so numerous reflecting the booming cruising business.

Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships are the most innovative and exciting in the travel industry. Here are the reasons why:

• Plunging into the 21st century, each ship in the current fleet carries more passengers than the entire Royal Caribbean fleet of the 1970s and has features—such as new surfing pools—that were unheard of in the past.

• Their lofty perches allow passengers to contemplate the passing seascape by day and dance away the night in a heavenly space high above the water.

• A variety of lounges and high-energy stage shows draw passengers of all ages out to mingle and dance the night away. Production extravaganzas showcase singers and dancers in lavish costumes. Comedians, acrobats, magicians, jugglers, and solo entertainers fill show lounges on nights when the ships’ companies aren’t performing.

• Professional ice shows are a highlight of cruises on Voyager- and Ultra Voyager-class ships—the only ships at sea with ice-skating rinks.

• The action is non-stop in casinos and dance clubs after dark, while daytime hours are filled with poolside games and traditional cruise activities. Port talks tend to lean heavily on shopping recommendations and the sale of shore excursions.

  Broadwalk

  Central Park

  Aqua Theatre

  Pools

This is strictly in a megacruise category of its own – with none to compare. Experience their most innovative and imaginative ship yet, “Oasis of the Seas”. This new class of naval-engineering genius features the first-ever neighbourhood concept where everyone can find their unique experiences in one of their seven distinct onboard districts, including:

1. Central Park – a public space combining nature and nautical;
2. Boardwalk – dedicated to family, fun and featuring the new and entertaining Aqua Theatre; & the
3. Royal Promenade – the heart of many Royal Caribbean ships, that’s now bigger and better than ever.
4. With 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 spacious staterooms, this 16-deck marvel proves that the impossible, is possible. You have to see it to believe it.

Exterior View

From rock-climbing walls on every ship, to elegant dining rooms and relaxing spas, your experience onboard is nothing short of incredible. And the service you get will be just as amazing, with their signature Gold Anchor Service on every ship.