It’s Cruise Ship Monday!
Today brings us Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis-Class–Oasis of the Seas (2009), Allure of the Seas (2010), Harmony of the Seas (2016), Symphony of the Seas (2018), Wonder of the Seas (2022), and Utopia of the Seas (2024).
Upon their debut, the Oasis-class ships were the world’s largest passenger ships carrying nearly 7,000 passengers at double occupancy. However, each Oasis-class ship features seven themed neighborhoods including Entertainment Place, Central Park, Boardwalk and the Royal Promenade meaning the ship does not feel as crowded as one might think. Each ship offers surfing simulators, a zip line, multiple pools and whirlpools, miniature golf and a kiddie splash zone. Each ship also features an indoor skating rink, and the AquaTheater where guests can enjoy phenomenal diving shows.
While the Oasis-class ships share many features, they also differ in many ways. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are almost identical with their Broadway productions being “Cats” and “Mamma Mia!” respectively. Harmony of the Seas debuted with mutli-deck water slides, the tallest dry slide at sea and the popular Escape Room. The Harmony of the Seas Broadway show is “Grease.” Symphony of the Seas debuted with a Playmakers Sports Bar and a laser tag area. Her Broadway show is “Hairspray.”
Wonder of the Seas debuted with the Suite Neighborhood, and an expanded Solarium. Utopia of the Seas became Royal Caribbean’s first Oasis-class ship powered by liquified natural gas. She also became the first mega ship designed to sail weekend-only itineraries. These two ships are about 4% bigger than the other Oasis-class ships, but neither offer a Broadway show. Instead, they feature their own original productions.
Oasis of the Seas is currently sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and offering itineraries throughout the Caribbean with most visiting Perfect Day of CocoCay. Allure of the Seas is currently sailing 7-day Western Mediterranean itineraries from Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy. Harmony of the Seas is sailing from Galveston, Texas and offering Western Caribbean itineraries. Symphony of the Seas is currently offering Perfect Day sailings from Cape Liberty Bayonne, New Jersey. Wonder of the Seas is sailing 7-day Western and Eastern Perfect Day itineraries as well as 3- or 4-day Bahamas Perfect Day itineraries out of Port Canaveral. Lastly, Utopia of the Seas sails exclusively from Port Canaveral and offers 3- or 4-day Bahamas Perfect Day itineraries.
Royal Caribbean announced in 2024 a seventh Oasis-class ship is under construction at the Chantiers de I’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France. The ship is expected to debut in 2028.