There is nothing small about Oasis of the Seas.
The Oasis of the Seas is a remarkable cruise ship known for its groundbreaking design and an array of onboard experiences. As one of the largest cruise ships in the world, it was launched by Royal Caribbean International in 2009. The ship boasts an impressive length of about 1,186 feet (362 meters) and can accommodate approximately 5,400 passengers at double occupancy. It features seven distinct "neighborhoods," including the lush Central Park with real plants, the Boardwalk with a carousel, and the Royal Promenade with shops and restaurants. The ship is also equipped with state-of-the-art amenities such as multiple swimming pools, surf simulators, a zip line, and an AquaTheater for high-diving performances. With its innovative design and luxurious offerings, Oasis of the Seas offers a unique and vibrant vacation experience on the high seas.
But even knowing all those BIG stats, I was wondering how crowded the public spaces were going to be. This introvert likes her space!
We enjoy cruising and have done so many times. But this article is aimed to give some specific tips and tricks to anyone sailing on Oasis of the Seas for the first time.
What I didn’t realize until after I finished writing is that this article is also great for introverts that are always looking for some space to breathe out and find a little space in cruise ship that’s packed with other humans!
During Embarkation Chose the Solarium for Food
I actually can’t remember where I read this tip before we got on the cruise ourselves but it’s a good one!! When passengers are getting on the ship, for some reason everyone feels the need to flock to the free food. (It’s going to be there the whole trip people…elbows down please!)
The Windjammer Cafe is the largest and most popular option for dining on the ship throughout the day. It’s a complimentary, buffet-style setup that offers a large selection of great food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is where most people head to as soon as they drop their bags in their room. Unless you are there super early and get on-board in the first hour or so, the Windjammer is going to be packed.
So my suggestion for a little more elbow room and, from what I could tell, the exact same food offering, is to head to the front of the ship to the Solarium Cafe. Deck 15. This is also a buffet style service that is complimentary on the cruise.
We ate breakfast at both cafes and even tried the dining room only to find out it’s pretty much the exact same food in all three places so it really comes down to the experience you want to have.
Head to the Sun Deck When Leaving Port
On the first day after the muster, everyone is always looking for a spot against the railing to watch as the ship pulls away from the dock and heads out to sea. If you head to the pool and sun decks, it’s going to be crowded and you may or may not find a spot against the railing.
The Sun Deck is a quieter space that most people eventually find but not until a day or two into the trip. It has two viewing “wings” that you can hang out on and get a great view of the ocean and the ship. This is a perfect place to hang out and watch Oasis sail away from port.
The access is a little hidden and there is only one door to get out to the Sun Deck so I think that’s why it takes some time for word to get out and people to make their way up there to check out the view. Go to Deck 14 on the port (left) side, walk into the stateroom hallway and turn right. Walk to the end of the corridor to find the glass door entrance/exit to the Sun Deck.
Reserve Show Seats Ahead of Time
If you want to save yourself the waste of time standing in lines and the awkward little conversations about where you’re from with everyone around you, just make sure to reserve spots online prior to boarding. These shows are really spectacular and all complimentary. I HIGHLY recommend seeing the ice skating show and the dive show. These performers are not small time. They have some mad skills.
The Quiet Spot on the Jogging Track
This was my favorite find on the ship. Any time we came to this spot there was always an open chair and maybe 4 other people. You’ll access it by going to Deck 5 and walking the jogging track. There are a few spots to pull over out of the way and just enjoy the view out over the ocean but the best spot is all the way at the back.
Now if it’s a cruising day, it will be a little loud as you are all the way at the back of the ship, staring out into the ocean over the roar of the engines but I found it quite peaceful. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, put your feet on the railing and enjoy the view.
Watch Out for the Small Wonders
This is just a fun little thing to keep your eyes open for while exploring the ship. Great for kids and adults. The geocacher in us loves any type of treasure hunt so this was fun 🙂
Hidden all over the ship you will notice periscopes and telescopes tucked into the corners. I believe there is a total of 42 “wonders” to be found. If you look inside, you’ll see a fun piece of three-dimensional art . You don’t get anything by finding them but it’s a fun activity for adults and kids that most people on the ship will miss completely.
And if you need a hint to find them all, check with Guest Services and they can provide you a list. We found the list wasn’t 100% accurate to the current installations but still listed most of all the ones we found.
One Quick Money Saving Tip When Booking a Room
If you are like us and tend to book the interior rooms to save $$, I have a little upgrade for you to use when comparing room costs.
On Oasis, there are exterior rooms with balconies that view the ocean and interior rooms with balconies that overlook Central Park. But we found that interior rooms on Deck 9 have an interior view but are much cheaper because it’s just a window and not a balcony. If you’re like us and really, most cruisers, you aren’t going to spend much time in your room anyway so save the money and spend it on excursions or a longer cruise instead! 🙂
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