After a 17-month pause, the Oasis of the Seas is back in cruise service for Royal Caribbean International.
Sailing on its first post-pandemic commercial cruise later today, the first Oasis-Class vessel is launching service from Bayonne, in the New York region.
Based in New York the first time, the vessel is now offering a series of seven-night voyages to the Bahamas.
Through the end of October, Oasis is making weekly visits to Nassau, Port Canaveral and Perfect Day at CocoCay – Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.
Home to North America’s tallest waterslides, the popular port of call features unique attractions and saw a $250 million transformation in 2019.
After the New York program, the Oasis is repositioning to Miami for the winter season. Through December, the vessel is sailing alternate itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including stops in Mexico, Honduras, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.
One of the world’s largest cruise ships, the 2009-built Oasis of the Seas has capacity for over 5,400 guests.
Built in Finland, the vessel introduced a groundbreaking design that is highlighted by features such as the Central Park, a park with real plants, surrounded by shops and restaurants.
The vessel also has its public areas divided in seven different zones, known as neighborhoods. Each one of them has a different appeal, with unique attractions. The BoardWalk, for instance, reproduces a seaside pier, with a carousel, carnival games, retail outlets and eateries.
The Oasis of the Seas was also the first ship to feature a dancing-waters theater, a zip-line and a moving bar.
In 2019, the vessel underwent a $165 million refurbishment in Spain as part of the Royal Amplification program.
After a two months period in drydock, the ship emerged with new additions, such as the tallest slide at sea – Ultimate Abyss; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides; a reimagined Caribbean pool deck; and new kids and teens spaces.
The Oasis of the Seas is the 14th Royal Caribbean ship to resume service since the COVID-19 pandemic operational pause.
The ship is also the tenth to return to service for the operator in the United States, after the Freedom of the Seas became the first ship do so in July.
With a 25-ship fleet, Royal Caribbean plans to have 21 vessels in service by the end of the year.
