Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas ushered in a new era of cruising when she debuted in 2009. In 2019, this game changing vessel was further enhanced with several new features and amenities. Does this original record-breaking cruise ship still deliver the WOW factor? After a recent holiday cruise on Oasis of the Seas, we are ready to share how the ship compares to the competition in our exclusive Amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship scorecard review.
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Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship Scorecard Review
Embarkation/Disembarkation
We were traveling with family for this cruise, which included one unvaccinated minor. Thus, when we arrived to the cruise terminal, we were directed to the family line. This line was much longer than the one for parties of fully vaccinated cruisers.
Still, the process of screening, testing, and checking-in was efficient. Overall, it only took about 75 minutes from the time of arrival to boarding the ship.
For a holiday cruise with close to 70% capacity, we consider that a success. We were onboard by 12:30 pm and were able to book all our shows and explore the ship with ease.
During this cruise, we had three ports of call. Getting on and off the ship at these locations was not an issue. Though, parties with unvaccinated minors are required to take Royal Caribbean sponsored shore excursions.
For disembarkation, we received luggage tag number 17. This had an expected departure time of 8 am. With mid-afternoon flights, this was the perfect time for us.
It did take a few attempts to get an elevator down to the Royal Promenade. Though, it only took about 20 minutes to get from elevator, through customs, and curbside to request our Uber.
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Pool Deck
We first sailed on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship back in 2016. Since that time, Royal Caribbean has updated its pool deck.
Currently, there are three pools and a kids splash pad, along with some new lounge furniture and pops of color. Newly added are three waterslides. The Perfect Storm includes two body slides, Typhoon and Cyclone, and Supercell, which is a “bowl slide”. While we did not use the slides, our 9 year old nephew loved them.
Other pool deck changes included re-branding the outdoor bars to the Lime and Coconut. In fact, all 4 outdoor bars now sport this new name, theming, and décor. They also feature the new bar menu, which showcases the signature Lime and Coconut drink along with other tasty new cocktails.
Overall, these small changes breathed new life into this 12 year old cruise ship.
Given the cruise ship was sailing at 70% capacity, the most it has sailed with since the resumption of cruising, getting deck chairs on a sea day proved to be a bit of a challenge. Still, with some planning, we secured loungers on sea days and after returning from ports of call.
Finally, the Solarium on Oasis of the Seas does feel smaller than the counterparts on its younger sisters. We did not spend much time here, but the few times we walked through the area, it appeared this “adults-only” pool area had available seating.
Sports Deck
All of the outdoor activities that you would expect to find on a new mega-ship are also onboard the amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship. The sports area on decks 15 and 16 host the line’s signature amenities.
The ship has two FlowRider surf simulators. The portside one is dedicated to surfing, and the starboard one is reserved for boogie boarding.
This outdoor area also has a nine-hole miniature golf course and a complimentary zip line where cruisers can zoom over the Boardwalk located 10 decks below.
There is also a large sports court that hosted several different competitions and open games during the week. From volleyball, to basketball, to pickleball, and more, the court was always busy.
Of course, who could forget the newly added Ultimate Abyss. This 10-story dry slide towers 150 feet above sea level, twisting and turning its way from the Sports Deck all the way down to the Boardwalk.
Beyond the sports deck, there are even more activities scattered throughout the ship. From some of the largest rock climbing walls at sea, to the running track on deck 5, and ice skating in Studio B, there is never a lack of ways to stay active on the amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship.
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Service
Overall, the service on the amplified Oasis of the Seas was what we have come to expect from a Royal Caribbean mega-ship.
Our waitstaff of Adil and Carl in the main dining room were real standouts. They did a fantastic job serving our large party each evening. Even during busy formal nights, they made sure to personalize our service in a timely and friendly manner.
Our room attendant, Muhamad, was visible and met all of our requests. While he was not much of a conversationalist, he did always say hi when we saw him throughout the day.
Playmakers was often very busy, especially during a Saturday game day. Still, the servers handled all of the thirty and hungry cruisers with a smile. Likewise, the service was equally friendly and prompt for the most part at all the bars, lounges, and eateries throughout the ship.
Daily Activities
On this trip, we did participate in more activities than we normally do, mainly trivia. From movie posters, to Harry Potter and Star Wars, there were several themed sessions each day that were available to both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests.
There were several other family activities and challenges as well. These included Sudoku, towel animal demonstrations, balloon making, karaoke, and more.
Further, there were also a number of game shows during the day and early evenings like Friendly Feud, Name That Tune, and Who Wants to Feel Like a Caribbeanaire that were open to everyone.
Oasis of the Seas also offered dance classes and open ice skating sessions. Unfortunately though, there was no laser tag offered during our cruise. Further, the popular Crazy Quest and Promenade parties did not occur either due to ongoing health and safety measures.
Casual Eats
Our Amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship scorecard review wouldn’t be complete without diving into the food offerings. There are several casual eats to sample on the ship.
During its amplification, Oasis of the Seas received a number of new dining venues. El Loco Fresh replaced the Wipeout Café. We really enjoy the tacos, burritos, and custom salsa bar at this new poolside Mexican restaurant.
We also enjoy the Park Café. It is another great spot for a quick bite, including the famous Royal Kummelweck sandwich.
Of course, there is also Sorrento’s Pizza on the Royal Promenade. At Café Promenade, you can get small bites 24 hours a day, as well as coffees and lattes.
On Deck 6, there is the Boardwalk Dog House offering complimentary hot dogs and sausages during the day. Health conscious cruisers can find some alternative light bites at the Vitality Café.
Not to mention, there is the Windjammer buffet, which is open most of the day.
For an upcharge, cruisers can dine at Johnny Rockets and Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade on the Boardwalk as well. In our opinion, the chicken wings, nachos, and other snacks at Playmakers are worth the additional costs. While lunch and dinner will cost extra at Johnny Rockets, breakfast is complimentary.
Related Post: Oasis of the Seas Restaurant Guide with Menus
Main Dining Room
During our 7-night cruise, we ate in the main dining room five evenings. The Royal Caribbean main dining room menus were the same that you find fleetwide.
Night 5 of our cruise was Thanksgiving, with the traditional turkey dinner on the menu along with a few holiday specials.
Night 6 was lobster night, and the 3.5 lobsters that I devoured were among some of the best I have had at sea.
Other standouts in the main dining room were the tiger shrimp, the medium-rare prime rib, the Vidalia onion tart, and the Royal Cheesecake.
As mentioned previously, our waitstaff were phenomenal. They were extremely attentive, friendly, and aimed to please.
Overall, the main dining room experience on Oasis of the Seas was above average in terms of both food quality and service.
Specialty Dining
The Amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship includes a number of specialty restaurants that are an up-charge.
Among the cruise line’s classics is the American-style steakhouse, Chops Grille, located in Central Park. Across the way, also on deck 8, is the upscale 150 Central Park. This restaurant features delicacies like lobster thermidor, veal, and venison in a refined setting.
You will also find Izumi Sushi and Hibachi on Deck 4. Although, the restaurant is quite small for a ship of this size.
On the Boardwalk is the casual Johnny Rockets that serves up burgers, fries, and other classics when dining for lunch or dinner (breakfast is complimentary). You can also get snacks from the Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade at a la carte prices, which are well worth the up-charges in our opinion.
During our 7-night cruise, we dined at two specialty restaurants for dinner. On the first formal night, we ate at Giovanni’s Table. This Italian restaurant offered a more upscale atmosphere and menu than its more casual counterpart, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, found on the new Odyssey of the Seas.
Among the items we sampled at this specialty restaurant were the buffalo mozzarella, carbonara, and the ossobuco.
On night 4, we dined at the brand new Portside BBQ. This casual restaurant, debuting on the amplified Oasis of the Seas, was the perfect stop after a long day ashore.
I went to town with a signature combo featuring ribs, sausage, mac and cheese, and cornbread. The Princess also enjoyed her smoked turkey sandwich.
Portside BBQ is the perfect addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet, and it is a great value when compared to other similar venues on competitor cruise lines.
If you are looking for a break from the main dining room or Windjammer buffet, Oasis of the Seas offers plenty of diverse options to please even the pickiest eaters!
Nightlife
The plethora of trivia, game shows, and karaoke sessions offered during the day also continued into the evenings. Not to mention, there was plenty of live music, comedy shows, the 70’s party, a late night DJ, and signature entertainment on our Amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise.
There was a Beatles cover band that performed in the main theater as well as the Music Hall on select evenings. The house band, Midnight Avenue, also played at this venue.
Of course, there was also a guitarist in the Pub, who was a bit lackluster, and a piano player in the Schooner Bar. He too was a pretty average performer.
Other live music spots included country music at Portside BBQ, which we enjoyed, as well as classic guitar in Central Park, Latin music in Boleros, and Jazz music in Jazz on 4.
There were regular karaoke sessions in Spotlight Karaoke and comedy shows in Blaze. In addition, there were adult game shows such as the Perfect Couple, Yes or No, and Majority Rules that were open to vaccinated guests only. These activities are always good for some nighttime laughs!
Signature Entertainment
Given current COVID protocols, we could not make entertainment reservations until onboard the ship. Luckily, we were able to secure reservations for all the shows immediately upon boarding.
We all agreed that the best show on the amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship was the new Aqua Theater show, Aqua80. With a mix of hit music from the 1980s, amazing acrobatics, and impressive high-diving feats, it was one of the best shows we have seen on a cruise ship to date.
The Royal Theater hosted the signature production CATS and additional headliner acts. Admittedly, I still did not enjoy the newly modified 90-minute Broadway show.
Among the headliners was the aforementioned Beatlemaniacs cover band. There was also a ventriloquist, Ronn Lucas, and a tribute to Whitney Houston by Stephani Parker. Of the three acts, we enjoyed Ronn Lucas’ set the most.
As previously mentioned, the Blaze night club doubled as the comedy club featuring Paul Ogata and Dan Gabriel. The opening act was the far funnier of the pair.
The final signature production show was Frozen in Time. This ice skating show, occurring in Studio B, was set to the fairy tales of Hans Christian Anderson. These ice shows are always well-produced and should not be missed.
Though, it seemed that the main theater was missing a second signature production show like its sister ships. We would guess this is due to COVID restrictions.
Overall, the unique entertainment venues and one-of-a-kind shows truly set Royal Caribbean apart from its competitors.
Related Post: Amplified Oasis of the Seas Bar Guide
Bars and Lounges
Royal Caribbean did update some of the bars and lounges during the ship’s amplification process.
The Champagne Bar was replaced by the Bionic Bar. While we are not huge fans of the robot bartenders, it was our nephew’s favorite night spot for a drink. Non alcoholic of course.
The cruise line also rebranded Dazzles to the Music Hall. Unfortunately, this transformed venue does not compare to the versions on Quantum Class ships.
Another new addition to the amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship is the popular pool bar, Lime and Coconut. This ship has not one, not two, not three, but four outdoor Lime and Coconut bars!
Of course, the ship also features all of the favorite Royal Caribbean and Oasis Class bars and lounges. These include the Pub, Schooner Bar, Boleros, and Vintages, in addition to the Oasis Class signatures like the Rising Tide Bar and Trellis Bar.
Our favorite nighttime spot is the Schooner Bar for properly made sidecars and lavender daiquiris. During our cruise, this bar was open to vaccinated cruisers only. We also enjoy the new fan-favorite Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, with a wide selection of beer and tasty game day snacks.
Fleetwide, Royal Caribbean has pared down its drink offerings. With a new, elevated standard menu, some venues like the Rising Tide Bar no longer offer a specialty cocktail menu. However, you are sure to still find plenty of cocktails to quench your thirst that are included in the Deluxe Beverage Package.
Stateroom
During our recent cruise, we stayed in an ocean view cabin with a large balcony, cabin 10598. This category 2C stateroom lived up to our expectations. The balcony was certainly larger than a traditional balcony. The room itself offered all the typical amenities along with newer furnishings and the updated color palette.
For a 7-night cruise, we had enough storage space. The closet had just enough hangers and shelving for us to neatly unpack all of our clothes. There were also adequate shelves and cabinets near the desk. Though, we did miss the over-the-bed storage cubes, like we had on Odyssey of the Seas.
Further, we were surprised that there were no additional USB outlets added to the room. In fact, there were no USB outlets at all, neither near the bed nor the desk. This was one big drawback.
Overall, the room more than met our needs, and we would certainly book this cruise cabin category again on another Royal Caribbean cruise.
Crowd Control
This mega-ship has a maximum capacity of over 6,000 guests. With our sailing having close to 4,200 passengers, or 70% occupancy, the ship certainly felt busier compared to our other cruises in 2021. There were also more children onboard this sailing.
This was not surprising as it was a Thanksgiving cruise.
With several unique spaces, the Oasis Class does a decent job of dispersing the crowds. With all of the children onboard, and the vaccinated vs. everyone designation of venues, certain areas always seemed more crowded than others.
As you would expect, the prime loungers on the pool deck were claimed by early morning. Though, the waterslides only had small lines, and the pools were never overly busy.
We anticipated long lines in the Windjammer, but that was not the case. With the diversity of dining venues, we had no issues getting a table in the buffet during breakfast or lunch.
At most shows, were were able to secure seats by arriving about 30 minutes before showtime. One bottleneck was the “everyone” section of the main theater. Given the small deck 5 area and the number of families onboard this sailing, we did have issues getting seats on the first evening. Subsequently, Royal Caribbean ended up adding more “everyone” seating as the week progressed.
So, even though this was the busiest we have seen a cruise ship in 2021, Oasis of the Seas handled the crowds fairly well.
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Amplified Oasis of the Seas Cruise Ship Scorecard Review Recap
While we love to cruise, there is something special about sailing during the holidays. As you can tell from our review, the Amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship was ideal for our family vacation.
Sailing with a multi-generational group, there were plenty of activities for everyone. During the daytime, we enjoyed the pools and waterslides, the sports deck offerings, and the family-friendly game shows and trivia sessions.
In the evenings, it was a bit more difficult to find activities that our 9 year old nephew could attend. Thus, we ended up spending a lot of time at Playmakers on the Boardwalk and the Bionic Bar, two of the few venues open to unvaccinated guests in the evenings.
When it comes to signature entertainment, we all agreed that the Aqua80 dive show was spectacular. Indeed, it was the entertainment highlight of the trip.
We would rank the dining on Oasis of the Seas as above average when it comes to food quality and service. The main dining room delivered an excellent representation of the traditional dining experience.
In terms of more casual dining options, we frequented El Loco Fresh, and our nephew thoroughly enjoyed the waffles at the Windjammer. We were also big fans of the new Portside BBQ. This casual up-charge venue featured Southern-style barbeque favorites with a side of live country music.
Yes, Oasis of the Seas is a massive vessel. So, you will find some lines and minor crowds, but you shouldn’t let the size of the amplified Oasis of the Seas cruise ship intimidate you. It truly delivers an exceptional family cruise vacation.
After a few days onboard the ship our nephew said, “I see why you cruise so much”. It looks like we have a future junior cruiser in the making, and we are already investigating cruise options for next holiday season!
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