Royal Caribbean Newset Ship Oasis of the Seas
UPDATE - NEW VIDEO/PODCAST OF THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN OASIS OF THE SEAS RELEASED – SEE THE SHIP FIRST HAND – Video/Podcast available at www.zanza.com
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Royal Caribbean International has announced some of the new innovations in store for cruisers on the giant Oasis of the Seas. When she launches in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world.
An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms, of which 28 are new loft suites. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Oasis of the Seas Loft Suites
The 28 contemporary two-level loft suites will feature spectacular views of the ocean with floor-to-ceiling, double-height windows to ensure the view will be enjoyed from each and every vantage point. The signature lofts will round out a new portfolio of 37 categories of accommodation options many with views unique to Oasis of the Seas.
Each loft, which will measure 545 square feet (51 square meters) or larger when combined, and will be fitted with a Caribbean influence. The design will include an upper-level bedroom that overlooks the living area below and extended ocean views. Beds will be outfitted with white duvets complemented by tropical blue and green accents that tie in to the loft’s natural surroundings.
The lofts will feature LCD televisions, separate vanity areas, a guest bathroom downstairs and master bathroom upstairs featuring his and her shower heads, fog-free mirrors, and limestone mosaic tile accents.
Oasis of the Seas Central Park
Central Park will be located on Deck 8 of the ship, with dimensions of 62 feet (19 meters) wide and 328 feet (100 meters) long. The sophisticated neighborhood will include 334 staterooms overlooking the Park, 254 with balconies. Central Park will be landscaped with tropical foliage and seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees. Garden spaces throughout the Park will sprout from charming pathways.
Drifts of Calla Lilies among Giant Elephant Ears, Red Ginger, Rabbit Foot Ferns and Zebra Calathea are some of the plant life guests will discover. Trees, some eventually reaching more than two-and-a-half decks tall, include Black Olive, Cuban Laurel, Cherry of the Rio Grande, and Painted and Golden Bamboo.
Central Park will include quiet reading corners; a Chess Garden with large-scale pieces; the Pergola Garden, an interpretive garden featuring vegetation from a host of Caribbean locales; and a Sculpture garden, highlighting work by international artists.
An on-site horticulturist will provide educational classes for guests seeking to learn more about flora. The Crystal Canopies, two impressive arched-glass domes, one with a bar, will be a focal point of Central Park and provide sunlight into the ship’s inner public spaces.
Restaurants and dining options in the Central Park neighborhood will include:
150 Central Park – The most exclusive dining venue on the ship, 150 Central Park will combine leading-edge cuisine with modern design. An observation window into the kitchen of the restaurant will give Central Park passersby the opportunity to observe the executive chef in action. Open for dinner.
Chops Grille – Continuing the tradition, Royal Caribbean’s popular signature steakhouse will offer premium cut, quality meats in an upscale, contemporary setting. Open for dinner.
Antonio’s Table – Influenced by the Tuscan countryside, Antonio’s will be a casual new Italian restaurant concept offering toasted herbal breads, pizzas, salads, pastas, Italian sandwiches, braised meat dishes and stews. Rustic with a contemporary flair, dishes will be served family-style in an indoor and outdoor setting to provide an alfresco experience in Central Park. Open for lunch and dinner.
Central Park Café – A casual dining choice, Central Park Café will be an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. From freshly prepared salads and made-to-order sandwiches to paninis, crepes and hearty soups, guests will order directly from the chefs behind the food stations. European pastries, sublime chocolates and decadent fudge will round out the offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.
Vintages – Always a popular hot spot for Royal Caribbean guests on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the Vintages wine bar will evolve into a larger space on Oasis of the Seas, offering a variety of options for those seeking a tropical white Riesling or a mocha-inflected Merlot. Great for a pre-dinner rendezvous, Vintages also will provide a selection of cheeses and a full tapas menu to accompany a robust selection of fine wines. Open for lunch and dinner.
Central Park will also feature upscale retail boutiques for discerning travelers, including specialty outlets such as The Parkside Gallery, showcasing original artwork for purchase, and Picture this, a portrait studio.
Oasis of the Seas Boardwalk
Boardwalk was inspired by both the seaside piers that dot the coast of England and the nostalgic boardwalks of yesteryear such as Coney Island. Boardwalk will be an area for the entire family to enjoy together, whether young or just young at heart. The elements of the Boardwalk will be a dynamic way to engage families in classic fun with a colorful original carousel as well as eateries, retail outlets and carnival games.
Signature elements of the Boardwalk will include:
AquaTheater, a remarkable outdoor venue at the stern of Oasis of the Seas with a backdrop of the ocean across the horizon. The amphitheater-style space will celebrate water with a full-spectrum of day and night options, including professional diving and theatrical performances.
The first of its kind and the most technologically-advanced area of the ship, AquaTheater will be a complete sensory experience that plays on the element of surprise, as the latest technology and design features amaze audience members.
The AquaTheater Pool will be the largest and deepest freshwater pool at sea at 21.9 feet (6.6 meters) by 51.6 feet wide (15.7 meters), with a depth of 17.9 feet (5.4 meters).
Fitted with three stage machinery devices, the pool’s depth will rise or fall to meet the needs of each performance and for its various functions throughout the day.
Three custom lifts built into the pool will allow for intricate and multilevel performances, and underwater cameras will film performers and project images onto two giant Barco® LED screens that will flank the stage.
Throughout the evenings, the AquaTheater pool will come alive with beautiful choreographed fountain shows, amid hundreds of water nozzles – some with capabilities of shooting water 65 feet (20 meters) high – programmed to music and lights.
A giant trampoline will be centered between two diving towers allowing gymnasts and aerialists to flip and dismount into the pool. The diving tower will include two spring boards and two 10-meter high dive platforms.
A bridge connects the two high dive boards which can support an entire row of divers. On the underbelly of this bridge will be lights and nozzles that allow for water to fall like a curtain down into the pool below. A trapeze will hang behind the high dive boards to give the appearance that trapeze artists are climbing the curtain of water.
A one-of-a-kind and first-ever at sea carousel, the centerpiece of Boardwalk.
Specially hand-crafted for Royal Caribbean from poplar wood, the full-sized, traditional carousel will take six to eight months to complete. It will feature 21 figures suspended from stainless steel poles, showcasing a time-honored menagerie of animals such as zebras, giraffes and lions, alongside a variety of hand-painted horses, including a princess horse and a crowned frog prince.
The lead horse, customarily the fanciest horse of the carousel, will be adorned with Royal Caribbean logos, while a single chariot will serve as a stationary seat for two. The frame of the carousel will have a red and golden yellow facade, turn-of-the-century artwork scenery panels, and LED lights that twinkle during the day and night.
A zip line, a thrilling new feature suspended nine decks above Boardwalk.
Adventurers will take in a birds-eye view of the action below, as the rider speeds diagonally across the open air atrium – a distance of more than 82 feet (25 meters).
Six AquaTheater Suites, 221 Boardwalk-view balcony staterooms, and eight Boardwalk-view window staterooms.
Additional features of Boardwalk:
Five shops:
Madame Zamara’s – Psychic and Tattoo Parlor
Smile – novelty photo shop
Candy Beach – specialty candy store
Star Pier – teen retail
Specialty children’s retail
Five restaurants/bars:
Johnny Rockets
Ice Cream Parlor
Boardwalk Donut Shop
Seafood Shack
The Boardwalk Bar
Oasis of the Seas Royal Promenade
A natural evolution of the signature Royal Promenade featured on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the new design found on Oasis of the Seas will allow guests to have a physical connection with the neighborhood above – Central Park – as natural light cascades down from the sky. Giant glass-arched skylights, the Crystal Canopies, will form a sculptured roof that will look up into Central Park and the sky beyond.
The unique Rising Tide bar the first moving bar at sea will be an engineering feat that span three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly descend from Central Park and arrive into the Royal Promenade. Suspended above the Globe and Atlas Pub, an unfurling bridge on hinged hydraulics will create a spectacular, surprise element for guests.
Incorporated into the pub’s facade, a giant copper globe will “crack open” as part of its unique construction and extend over the Royal Promenade as a bridge platform. A focal point of the Royal Promenade, the bridge will be approximately 10 feet above and adjacent to the entertainment area for performances.
Towards the aft of the Royal Promenade, a mezzanine level will allow for sweeping views of the promenade and feature the cruise line’s Schooner Bar, Adventures with Royal Caribbean International, and the Diamond Club, an exclusive lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members.
Another first for the cruise line, the Royal Promenade will serve as the entry point for all guests embarking on Oasis of the Seas, rather than the traditional lower decks. A vast tree sculpture by international artist Larry Kirkland will serve as an impressive welcoming spot.
Additional features of Royal Promenade:
18 Promenade View Staterooms
Eight retail outlets including:
Focus – photo shop and gallery
Regalia – fine jewelry and gifts
Solera – perfume and cosmetic shop
Prince & Greene – Get Out There store
The Shop – logo and souvenir shop
Port Merchants – liquors and sundries
Willow – accessories shop
A Close Shave – men’s salon
Nine restaurants and bars including:
Sorrento’s Pizzeria
Mondo Coffee Bar
Café Promenade – signature café
Schooner Bar
On Air Club – Karaoke bar
Boleros – Latin dance club
Rising Tide – moving bar
Globe and Atlas Pub
Champagne Bar
In the months ahead, Royal Caribbean will announce more specifics for the Oasis of the Seas. When completed, she will sail to the Caribbean from her homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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