Kim’s 4-Night Mediterranean Escape
I was fortunate to be invited onboard Oasis of the Seas, courtesy of Royal Caribbean. I’ve cruised a lot over the years, but this was my 1st trip with Royal Caribbean and 1st time sailing on such a big ship.
Here is everything you need to know if you’re thinking about visiting.
Seamless Travel Experience
Overnight Stay at Ibis Budget Hotel
With an early morning flight from Manchester, I booked to spend the night before in the Ibis Budget. The hotel was clean and comfortable, but the main benefit was its location – a quick 10-minute walk the next morning and I was in the terminal ready to check-in.
Smooth Check-in and Comfortable Flights
I flew to Barcelona with Vueling and came home from Rome with EasyJet. The flights with both Vueling & EasyJet were comfortable and on time. The security queues at Manchester Airport were quite busy, but with a security fast pass, you can make your departure much smoother. I highly recommend getting one for a stress-free experience.
Seamless Boarding at Barcelona Port
The Royal Caribbean team met us in Barcelona – everything was incredibly well organised and led to a seamless check-in at Barcelona Port. Within a matter of minutes of arriving at the port, we were onboard the incredible Oasis of the Seas and ready to enjoy everything the ship had to offer.
Unmatched Onboard Experience
Activities
What can I say? Royal Caribbean know how to make a holiday! Oasis of the Seas is bursting at the seams with activities to keep the whole family happy. For the adrenaline junkies in the family, they can enjoy zip lining over Central Park whilst 9 decks high, perfect their surf skills on the iconic Flow Rider or take a plunge down the tallest slide at sea – The Ultimate Abyss. If that’s not enough there is a rock climbing wall, ice rink, water slides, pools and even a carousel. Not forgetting the usual daily quizzes, gameshows, kids clubs, sporting activities, guest lectures, art exhibitions and dance classes. And best of all… it’s all included in the cost.
Entertainment
With an average of 210 entertainment staff on board Oasis of the Seas, it shows just how seriously Royal Caribbean take its entertainment offerings. Every evening there are West End standard productions to enjoy. I was lucky enough to enjoy ‘Frozen in Time’ which tells the story of Hans Christian Anderson performed on ice. It was nothing short of breathtaking and performed by world champions or ex-Olympic ice skaters. Every single person I spoke to raved about this show. A little tip – if you’ve got small children with you – try and arrive in good time to bag a front-row seat as they do pick someone to participate in the show! The absolute highlight of entertainment for me was Aqua80 – it’s truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Performed in the Aqua Theatre, you take a spin back to the 80’s for this spectacular show. With the 80’s tunes pumping, you will watch in awe as divers drop incredible heights into the waters below, perform group dances and endless leaps, twists and turns – all whilst the ship is sailing. It is something that has to be seen to be believed. It is a show I would gladly pay good money to watch again, but sail with Royal Caribbean and it won’t cost you anything as again, it’s included in the cost of your cruise. Another tip – don’t sit at the front, unless you want to get wet!! And wrap up warm, late at night even in sunnier climates, it can get chilly on deck.
Dining
With 12 different dining venues included in the cruise fare, you will be spoilt for choice! These range from the Windjammer Market place buffet to the amazing El Loco Fresh Mexican café serving some of the most fantastic tacos and fajitas, Café Promenade serving a wide range of sandwiches & cakes along with self-serve tea/coffee/hot chocolate, Sorrento’s pizza for a quick bite after a busy day to the Park Café serving the legendary Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich – one not to miss! All of the food offerings were fabulous, and you’d never tire of the food with so many options. Each night the menu in the main restaurant will change, and the teams are so accommodating to any dietary requirements meaning you can really relax and enjoy your time onboard. The Windjammer Market Place Buffet was one of the best buffets I have experienced, and split into zones making it really easy to navigate and something to appeal to every taste. Even at peak times, we had no issue finding a table. If that’s not enough, Oasis of the Seas has a range of speciality dining venues – these all carry a cover charge, but they are much smaller dining venues which do prove popular for special occasions, or when you want to push the boat off for a treat. I was very fortunate to be invited to Chops Grille for an evening – this is a typical American Steak House – the atmosphere was lovely, very relaxed yet refined, and the service was 2nd to none. The meal was exceptional and I’d highly recommend a visit.
Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
I was in a balcony cabin on deck 10. The cabin could be set up with either twin or double beds and had a nice sofa area with a decent-sized balcony and a clear view. The cabins are spacious with plenty of storage, making for a very comfortable stay. The cabin also had a good-sized fridge for keeping drinks cool. There were no tea and coffee-making facilities in the cabins, but you could order room service or get complimentary tea/coffee from one of the self-service stations around the ship. The cabins didn’t have many power sockets, so if you have lots of devices to charge, you’ll need to be organized to manage this. Royal Caribbean offers a wide range of cabin options, from the most affordable inside cabins to some of the most spectacular suites at sea, and everything in between.
Final Thoughts: Your Journey Awaits
Final Thoughts: Your Journey Awaits
Royal Caribbean blew me away on this trip. I approached the experience with an open mind, and to my surprise, I absolutely loved sailing on such a large ship. Despite its capacity of around 5,400 guests, the service was impeccable from start to finish, and it felt incredibly personal. The ship was full, yet seemed so quiet – Central Park in particular was a haven of calm in the middle of the ship, providing the perfect place to enjoy a quiet lunch or curl up with a good book. Even on the deck, there was always a sunbed available, and we never had to queue for any of the activities. Additionally, we were able to secure seats for the shows every night. With an abundance of activities, entertainment and dining options available, I would sail with Royal Caribbean again in a heartbeat.
If you would like to sail the Royal Caribbean and immerse yourself in any of these experiences, please contact your local Kyle Travel branch and either myself or a member of our expert team can help you plan the perfect trip.
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