Ever since Oasis of the Seas began offering cruises in 2009, these massive ships have sailed weeklong cruises.  But Royal Caribbean is going to change all of that, and it's not sitting well with some cruise fans.

The introduction of Utopia of the Seas to the short cruise market when she debuted was unconventional, but since it was just one ship most people overlooked the decision as simply something different to do with that ship.

Royal Caribbean's idea was to use an impressive new ship to offer the best short cruise option in the market and gobble up the lion share of the new to cruise customers. That gets them hooked on cruising, and subsequently a "loyal to Royal" fan in the same way new moms who are given one brand of diapers tend to only use them.

However, that decision has proven very successful, as it drew many new cruisers while being quite profitable too.

With this formula a proven success, the decision was made to have more Oasis Class ships sail these short routes instead of a 7-night cruises.

That shift in strategy unleashed a torrent of feedback from cruisers that lament the idea of short cruises for their lack of port diversity, higher per-night pricing, and unattractiveness to travel to sail to these cruises.

Quickie cruises on big ships

Joining Utopia of the Seas in the short cruise market will be Wonder of the Seas later this year.

Wonder of the Seas will shift to Miami and offer 3- and 4-night cruises that visit just two places: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

That puts Royal Caribbean's two newest Oasis Class ships offering weekend cruises.

Fast forward to winter 2026-2027, more of these ships make the change.

Harmony of the Seas will move to Port Canaveral to offer 4- and 5-night cruises. The five night voyages combine a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Cozumel, Mexico. The four nighters will visit Nassau, Bahamas and CocoCay.

Oasis of the Seas will be based from Fort Lauderdale, and just like Utopia and Wonder, will offer 3- and 4-night cruises out of Port Everglades to The Bahamas, including Royal Caribbean's private island.

Lastly, Allure of the Seas will be based in Miami in winter 2026-2027 and sail a mix of short and weeklong cruises.  It's not quite a full commitment to short cruises, but you'll find a smattering of them.

That really leaves just Symphony of the Seas as the only Oasis Class ship to offer only weeklong cruises from Galveston, Texas.

So if you're in the market for a 7-night cruise from Florida on one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships, that leaves the Icon Class.

Icon of the Seas is sailing out of Miami, and Star of the Seas will start sailing 7-night itineraries from Port Canaveral this summer. 

The third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, will first sail in Europe before offering 7-night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale.

Why cruise fans aren't happy with the plan

Offering more short cruises on big ships may seem like a good play for the market, but some cruisers hate the idea.

When we shared this shift in cruise offerings on YouTube, it generated a lot of comments with many people explaining why they simply don't like it.

"If I'm on a bigger ship, I want at least 7 nights," wrote BethNeutze.

MikeK02048 posted, "For those of us that live a plane ride away from the ports, it makes no sense to book a 3-4 night cruise.  Airfare is too expensive."

shernik1 added, "Many people, myself included, cannot afford the outrageous prices of the Icon ships. I can't believe that Florida, with the most and biggest cruise ports, will have no 7 or more day cruises on Oasis ships."

"So unless Royal has a 7-9 day cruise that meets our needs, we'll be sailing with another cruise line."

For some, this change is an afront to being loyal to the cruise line. BEYONDYOURIQ wrote, "Never forget who supported you for years. Take care of those who took care of you."

"I hate this trend from RCCL. My loyalty and Crown & Anchor status will only carry you so far, Royal," is what RealBkay45 wrote.

"The shorts market is the on-ramp"

Offering short cruises on impressive ships is about bringing more new customers to the market, and that's behind this strategy shift.

In the lead up to the launch of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President CEO Michael Bayley spoke at a conference about the importance of these sailings.

"Please acknowledge and understand that the shorts market is the on-ramp for customers who are new to cruising. It's a way to secure new customers if they end up loving the product."

Maximizing the ports of call

One thing that will change soon is what you can do at these ports on short cruises.

Royal Caribbean is actively working to open its first beach club experience in Nassau, which directly addresses customer complaints about not liking that port.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will open in December 2025 to offer an exclusive retreat to Royal Caribbean passengers.

The club is located near where the cruise ships dock in Nassau, and will have beaches and pools, three swim-up bars, seven beach bars, and more than 40 cabanas.

It's the coup de gras for weekend Bahamas cruises, given the tremendous success of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The hope is while the sailings are short, they offer highly rated ports to compliment award winning ships.

Royal Caribbean's move to deploy more of its ships to sail shorter 3- and 4-night itineraries has sparked heated debate among its loyal cruisers. 

Royal Caribbean released new short Caribbean cruises this week, but some cruise fans don't love a notable shift in the cruise line's strategy.

Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas will have already made this switch in 2025, but Oasis and Harmony of the Seas will join the trend when they start sailing short cruises in the fall of 2026.

"It's so sad that Royal Caribbean is ruining most of the Oasis class ships with the short cruises," said Søren Hemmingsen on Facebook, and it echoes what hundreds of other die hard Royal Caribbean fans expressed about the new releases.

The big change is in winter 2026-2027, Royal Caribbean will have all but one of its Oasis Class ships sailing short cruises in the Caribbean and they're all less than 7 nights.

The reason so many cruisers are upset is the lack of itinerary variety and high cost for a short trip.

Some long-time cruisers feel a week is necessary to be able to fully enjoy these mega ship’s amenities, entertainment, and dining experiences. With more ships being allocated to short sailings, seasoned cruisers are feeling left out. 

"I can’t seem to find it worth my time to drive 8+ hours or cost beneficial to fly for a 3 or 4 night cruise. This hurts those of us who are just far enough away that have to come in the day before," said Barry Akins.

The only Oasis Class ship that will remain offering week long cruises is Symphony of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas. It's not clear what Allure of the Seas will be doing yet.

A shift toward attracting new cruisers

Why is Royal Caribbean moving more of its ships to sail short cruises? The answer is at the heart of its business.

"Short cruises is really the onramp for new to cruise," Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service for Royal Caribbean, explained to travel agents during a webinar yesterday.

"It's kind of the test drive, people don't have to invest a lot of time, they don't have to invest a lot of money... to see if cruising is the right experience for them."

Traditionally, older cruise ships sailed these short cruises but Royal Caribbean wanted to flip the script and attract new cruisers with the best possible ships.

The idea is offer the very best new cruise ship in the short cruise market to give new cruisers an obvious choice of which ship is best for them to try. Shorter cruises allow passengers to get a taste of the best that Royal Caribbean has to offer without committing to a weeklong cruise. 

From a business standpoint, Royal Caribbean is doubling down on what works.

The cruise line is targeting a younger demographic and those who want a quick escape without taking a full week off work. Shorter cruises often sell out faster and at higher per-night rates, making them a profitable option.

One comment on the new deployment recognized the business reality, "A very short lesson in Cruising 101—Short cruises you can turn that ship twice and flip it and make more money—that only makes sense for the cruise lines! Fresh passengers buying more drinks and gambling more. This is nothing new."

Frustration over lack of variety

The shift away from longer cruises on Oasis Class ships means there aren't many options for a traditional 7-night Caribbean cruise on an Oasis Class ship.   There are sailings on Icon Class vessels, but right now Icon Class ships command the highest average cruise fares in the fleet.

One workaround is to book a back to back sailing, where you sail the same ship twice in a row to get a week on the ship.  However, there isn't a lot difference in where your ship visits.

"I hate this!," wrote Susan Cliatt. "We have to fly and it is not worth the 3,4 or 5 days!

Royal Caribbean executives have repeatedly said the top two reasons people book a cruise ship vacation are for the destinations and the food.  

Short cruises, especially 3-night sailings, usually only go to The Bahamas.

Cruise fans complained, "This caters to those that live close to the ports."

"They are only worth it if you live near the port."

Another frustration is many travelers feel that large, feature-packed ships like those in the Oasis Class are wasted on short itineraries, where there simply isn’t enough time to experience everything onboard. 

Matt Anderson wrote, "Just don’t understand why all the Oasis Class ships are moving to short cruises. You have to take just as many days off work to go on the 4-day cruise since it’s Mon-Fri as a 7-day Sunday-Sunday cruise. Also, there is just way too much happening on these ships to only be on for 3 or 4 days."

Another person echoed this concern:

"Hmmmm can’t say I like this move. We don’t like Icon because it’s crawling with out-of-control kids and was perfectly happy going back to Oasis Class for our 7-night Eastern Caribbean."

Planning the perfect girls' trip requires careful preparation. Whether it is a land or sea vacation, a trip with the girls has to accommodate everyone's preferences.

To prevent disagreements or awkwardness, a girls' cruise should meet everyone's needs, from available activities to the food on board.

I've taken three cruises with my sister, Valentine, and we've discovered that the Oasis Class ships make for the perfect trip together.

These Royal Caribbean mega-ships blend entertainment, dining, and activities into a thrilling cruise experience that appeals to all types.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Oasis-Class ships feature unique adventures on giant ships that have it all, such as water slides, AquaTheater performances, dry slides, surf simulators, specialty dining, themed bars, ice skating, laser tag, and rock climbing.

I've sailed on Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas with Val—here's why these ships make for the best cruise.

Short cruises accommodate everyone's schedule

While some cruisers adamantly stick to sailing for 7-nights or longer, my girls' trips wouldn't be possible without shorter sailings.

Multiple Oasis-Class ships, such as Allure of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, currently offer weekend cruises that last 3 or 4 nights.

It may seem like a shorter cruise on a mega ship is a waste of money: you'll never have enough time to experience everything onboard.

However, shorter cruises make it easier for me to travel with my young friends who have jobs or school.

Many young adults simply can't fit trips a week or longer into their schedule. Shorter cruises are also more affordable—it's easier to pay for three nights than seven!—which eases the pressure on your friendship and prevents money from getting in the middle.

I've been able to take two shorter cruises on Oasis-Class ships with my sibling. We sailed on Allure of the Seas for three nights over a weekend, and on Utopia of the Seas for a 4-night weekday cruise.

Read more: How to get the most out of a short sailing on Utopia of the Seas

These miniature sailings made it easier to take a trip together—and prevented us from going too stir-crazy!

The specialty dining is unbeatable

Food brings everyone together. When cruising with friends, specialty dining is one surefire way to spice up your cruise, promising an elegant and adventurous experience.

I've found that the specialty dining on the Oasis-Class ships is like no other.

On one vessel, you can find 15-20 specialty venues that offer excellent food and unique dining experiences. 

Oasis-Class ships feature incredible restaurants like Wonderland, a dining adventure inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and The Royal Railway, a train-based dining experience set in the Wild West.

On my cruises with Val, we dined at Izumi Hibachi, Izumi Sushi, The Mason Jar, Chops Grille, and Wonderland, and each meal was a marvelous, exciting bonding experience.

I still reminisce about some of the meals I've had on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Izumi Hibachi's fried rice, yuzu citrus at Wonderland, and Chops Grille's fatty bacon appetizer.

Oasis-Class ships attract active cruisers

One of the best aspects of cruising is getting to meet a variety of people. A cruise ship becomes a community for the length of the sailing, so it's quite possible to turn strangers into friends by the end of the cruise.

That being said, I've only ever made those exciting new friendships on Oasis-Class vessels. I left my cruises on Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas with genuine, new connections.

My theory is that the Oasis Class just attracts active, younger cruisers—travelers ready for an exciting vacation full of new connections.

With such a multitude of activities and entertainment onboard, these vessels draw in travelers looking to have a busy and fun time.

With the possibility of making new friends onboard, a girls' trip on board an Oasis-Class ship becomes a thrilling adventure you and your friends can look forward to. Your vacation will be enriched by the company of many other cruisers.

Endless activities to try together or solo

The multitude of activities onboard the Oasis Class vessel are stunning—and they make for a great girls' trip.

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, I've tried activities I never saw myself doing before—much less on a cruise ship! These adventures include:

• escape rooms
• laser tag
• ice skating
• rock climbing
• singing karaoke
• beer pong
• silent discos
• sake-tasting

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

The best part of these ships is that they are so huge, made up of multiple themed neighborhoods. Often, many events will be going on at the same time, allowing you to choose between your favorite activities.

Another reason this makes for a good girls' trip is that you don't have to do everything your friend wants to do. Valentine and I often find ourselves splitting up when the time is right, allowing for a healthy balance of priorities.

If she feels like sleeping in while I head to the gym, it's totally possible to do that! On the other hand, if I want to try dinner at the Windjammer and Val prefers being served in the Main Dining Room, it's easy to meet up later when we've each met our own needs.

The stunning entertainment creates conversation-starters

The only thing worse than not getting a vacation is going on a boring vacation. With Royal Caribbean, the Oasis Class promises the opposite.

The onboard entertainment, from start to finish, will stun you and your travel buddies. 

Valentine and I have seen some jaw-dropping performances on the Oasis Class, and this entertainment has sealed our love of these ships.

Entertainment like live game shows, Broadway performances, AquaTheater shows, and ice skating routines have taken our breath away, and created for new and exciting conversation starters.

How do you think they train to be able to dive from such a high distance? Wasn't the costume design in All-In! so cool? 

Every element invests more excitement into a girls getaway.

How does Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-Class ship compare to other iterations?

The Oasis Class continues to break records in the cruise industry, providing innovative, action-packed cruise vacations around the world.

Its two newest members, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, share more similarities than any other two ships in the fleet. 

However, Royal Caribbean is constantly seeking to improve, so each vessel has a few different innovations as well. Here's a look at what makes these two ships different.

Read more: Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas

Ship overview

When she first debuted in March of 2022, Wonder of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. She weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry 6,988 passengers at double occupancy. 

Utopia of the Seas, however, beat out Wonder when she launched in July of 2024, and she is now the second-largest cruise ship in the world (after Icon of the Seas).

Utopia measures 236,860 gross registered tons, with a capacity of 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean's newest ship also broke records as the first Oasis-Class ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), making her more sustainable even at such a massive size.

Utopia's innovations don't stop there—she was also the first Royal Caribbean mega-ship to debut offering short cruises right out of the gate.

Utopia currently sails 3 and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Wonder of the Seas also homeports in Port Canaveral, Florida. 

She offers 7-night roundtrip sailings, visiting the Western or Eastern Caribbean. Port stops include St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In 2025, Wonder will shift to Miami, Florida, to also begin offering short weekend cruises to the Bahamas.

Here's a look at the two ship's statistics, compared:

*at double occupancy

Neighborhoods

The Royal Caribbean Oasis Class was one of the first types of mega cruise ships to introduce the idea of floating cities.

One innovative way the cruise line makes guests feel like the ship is an entire city to be explored is by dividing the vessel into neighborhoods.

This unique design provides guests with a variety of atmospheres and themes within specific spaces.

Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature eight distinct neighborhoods:

• The Boardwalk, a nostalgic, family-fun area featuring a carousel, Playmakers, and the AquaTheater.
• Pool & Sports Zone, which features a Caribbean-style pool deck and thrilling water slides.
• Central Park, a lush, open-air garden with thousands of live plants.
• The Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare, complete with shops and entertainment venues.
• Entertainment Place, the center of entertainment, featuring the comedy club, casino, Royal Theatre, and Studio B.
• Youth Zone, home to Adventure Ocean programming, an arcade, and a teen club.
• Vitality Spa & Fitness, Royal Caribbean's spa and fitness center.
• Suite Neighborhood, which was introduced for the first time on Wonder of the Seas.

Read more: Boardwalk vs. Surfside: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's family neighborhood

Dining

Both vessels offer guests a wide array of dining options that cater to all tastes, from elegant steak dinners to sports bars to specialty sushi.

Both ships offer room service (free continental breakfast, with other menu items at an extra cost).

However, Wonder and Utopia do have a few notable differences in the restaurants offered.

Utopia of the Seas has some upgrades to venue locations, as well as venues not available anywhere else in the fleet.

While both ships have Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, the venue on Utopia of the Seas has a brand-new outdoor Gio terrace overlooking the Boardwalk.

Utopia also features Izumi in the Park, which first debuted on Icon of the Seas. 

Not only are Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Izumi in the Park available inside Utopia's Central Park, but the venue also features an exclusive dining experience only offered on Utopia: Izumi omakase.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new chef-driven Japanese restaurant, and it was a food journey that surprised me

Utopia of the Seas also introduced the Spare Tire, a complimentary poolside food truck, and the Royal Railway: Utopia Station.

The Royal Railway is a dining experience only found on Utopia of the Seas, combining high-tech with an immersive setting for a dinner experience unlike any other.

Here's a look at what venues are on each ship: 

*suite guests only

Staterooms

Overall, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas have similar cabins, with a wide variety of upgraded, elegant staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Utopia offers just a little fewer, at 2,830 staterooms.

Both Wonder and Utopia feature neighborhood-view balcony cabins, which overlook either Central Park, the Royal Promenade, or the Boardwalk. 

Both ships also have virtual balcony cabins, which include a floor-to-ceiling screen that projects a live view from outside the ship.

Utopia of the Seas, however, introduced three new cabin categories.

The interior cabins onboard are square rather than rectangular, allowing for more unbroken floor space.

Utopia also debuted with new Sky Junior Suites, which are similar to standard Junior Suites but include upgraded Sky Tier benefits.

The Solarium Suites are exclusive to Utopia of the Seas: two staterooms located above the bridge wings, offering guests sweeping panoramic views next to the Solarium pool area.

Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class is great for guests who want more options than they can experience in one day. Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature marvelous, varied entertainment. 

Activities such as mini golf, water slides, dry slides, casino gambling, surfing, laser tag, and rock climbing abound on both vessels.

Both ships have Royal Caribbean comedians, live performances, ice skating shows, and AquaTheater shows. Neither ship, however, has a Broadway musical onboard.

Many bars and lounges feature live music each night. The two ships, however, do vary in entertainment venues. 

Read more: The best bar scene is only on two of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships

Utopia of the Seas, launching with weekend cruises, offers a more action-packed focus in fewer days. 

Marketed as "The World's Biggest Weekend," Utopia features nonstop parties with a unique twist, such as a frat party, a silent toga party, and the SENSES sunset party. 

Because of this, the ship might appeal more to adults and teens.

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

It's been 15 years since Royal Caribbean introduced the megaship to the world, and they remain massively popular for good reason.

What makes these ships so successful? 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, answered this question at a talk on Utopia of the Seas' preview cruise last month.

Ashely Kosciolek from The Points Guy asked, "What about the Oasis Class makes it so popular that you're still rolling out new ships 15 years later?"

"This class of ship for Royal Caribbean has been a true game changer," Bayley replied, "Its level of satisfaction for the customer is epic."

When Oasis of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship, debuted in 2009, it was a really big deal. 

Spanning 1,186 feet long, with a capacity for 6,780 passengers, it was the largest cruise ship in the world.

The Oasis Class remained the largest cruise ships until they were dethroned by Royal Caribbean's next big project: The Icon Class.

Icon of the Seas, launched in 2024, measures a whopping 1,196 feet long and can carry 7,514 guests.

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2024)

Neighborhoods are part of what makes these ships so successful

Royal Caribbean's dominance on huge ships has been extremely profitable for the cruise line.

The sense of breaking a record by sailing the biggest cruise ships draws in passengers, as well as the opportunity for extra onboard amenities.

Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, explained that “Newer, larger ships can break even on cash flow at around 35% capacity, while older, smaller ships are closer to 50%."

After releasing one Icon Class ship and a new Oasis Class ship, Royal Caribbean is experiencing record profits this year. 

Neighborhoods have become Royal Caribbean's formula for creating a successful mega-ship.

According to Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, part of the Oasis Class' success lies in its size separating into different neighborhoods.

"Ironically, the reason why it works so well is neighborhoods," he said.

"Neighborhoods have been able to pull people together into spaces that they really enjoy. And it creates a feeling of spaciousness elsewhere."

Royal Caribbean intends for its neighborhoods to offer something for everyone; a place where like-minded cruisers can congregate.

"The neighborhood concept [is about] creating spaces for family and everyone has something [they] are excited to do during the day."

The huge size of an Oasis Class ship allows it to be separated into different neighborhoods, which then assists cruisers in better navigating the vessel.

Having a cluster of neighborhoods on a cruise ship serves to make it feel even bigger, while also providing separate spaces depending on a cruiser's interests.

On Wonder of the Seas, launched in 2022, eight neighborhoods provide space for every attraction. Utopia of the Seas also has eight neighborhoods.

For those looking for active fun, the Pool and Sports Zone is located on the top decks, providing pools, waterslides, and other sports activities.

Quiet nature lovers will enjoy the open-air Central Park and its dining venues, while the Royal Promenade is an exciting, happening area, filled with shops, bars, and dining.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships by Age

Different neighborhoods allow families and groups to separate during the day, enjoy their preferences, and then come together for an evening meal and a show.

"It's the perfect family vacation because it's great to be with your family... to a degree." Bayley pointed out. "Sometimes you don't want to be with them, you know. So all day, everybody goes off and does their thing."

Royal Caribbean continued this concept into the Icon Class.

Icon of the Seas boasts eight neighborhoods, one of which focuses completely on providing a space for little kids to have fun.

Surfside neighborhood was designed specifically for younger children to enjoy, with quick bites, a colorful Playscape area, and the Splashaway Bay pool area.

"We really focused on bringing the little kids into Surfside," Bayley said.

According to him, hundreds of little kids and their parents went from running all over the ship to spending their days in Surfside neighborhood.

"And they love that space. You can't get those kids out."

Royal Caribbean is dedicated to the Oasis Class

Mr. Bayley spoke to Royal Caribbean's dedication to its Oasis Class.

He recently sailed on Oasis of the Seas for the 2024 President's Cruise.

"I hadn't been on Oasis for a number of years," he said, "And as I looked around that ship, I'm like, wow, what a great ship!"

The Oasis Class has been a game-changing, record-breaking family of ships for the cruise line.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Additionally, Oasis Class ships are aging very well. Royal Caribbean has invested a lot into these ships and plans to continue doing so.

"Just before the pandemic, we put almost a quarter of $1 billion into one of the Oasis class ships just to bring it up to speed."

In 2019, Oasis of the Seas underwent a Royal Amplification that added new amenities and changes.

The ship received guest favorites such as:

• Re-designed, Caribbean-style pool deck
• Lime & Coconut signature bar
• Ultimate Abyss slide (dry slide)
• The Perfect Storm water slides
• Splashaway Bay Aqua Park
• Portside BBQ specialty restaurant
• El Loco Fresh complimentary Mexican restaurant
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Sugar Beach Candy Shop
• Spotlight Karaoke venue
• Music Hall live music venue
• Bionic Bar
• Revamped Adventure Ocean
• Mission Control: Apollo 18 escape room

"We are dedicated to the Oasis Class," Bayley said.

In the past four years, I’ve cruised on all six of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, and I’m ranking them from best to worst.

Oasis Class ships have turned heads ever since the first ship, Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2008. She was anything but a traditional cruise ship. For the first time ever, a Royal Caribbean ship was split into distinct neighborhoods.

Whether the family-friendly, open-air Boardwalk at the ship’s aft or two-story Royal Promenade, the Oasis Class truly redefined what a cruise ship could be.

Throughout the past sixteen years, five more Oasis Class ships have launched: Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. After cruising on every Oasis Class ship, I’ve come to favor some more than others. 

All six Oasis Class vessels are more alike than different, but each ship offers varied entertainment, restaurants, and onboard activities. Other touches, such as decor or differences in layout, change from ship to ship, too. Don’t get me wrong—all of my cruise experiences were excellent—but in the end, the most subtle of differences made me favor one over the other.

Here’s my ranking of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships from best to worst.

Allure of the Seas

Following her $100M amplification, Allure of the Seas has earned the top spot on my list.

In April 2025, the vessel completed a major renovation which added new venues, activities, and entertainment to the ship. After spending four nights onboard, I was impressed by the new features and amenities.

I loved the addition of The Mason Jar, Royal Caribbean's southern-inspired bar and restaurant. The venue is also available on Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, but I preferred the spacious layout on Allure.

Other venues, like Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, and The Lime and Coconut, were also added during her amplification.

There's a range of new activities to try, too, including the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, Splashaway Bay, laser tag, and waterslides.

If all that isn't enough, Allure's entertainment is among the best in Royal Caribbean's entire fleet. The Broadway production of Mama Mia! in the Royal Theater is exceptional, and the all-new Aqua80Too show features mind-blowing acrobatics and high-diving in the ship's AquaTheater.

Although Allure of the Seas is over a decade older than the newer Oasis Class ships, her recent amplification puts her on an even playing field with others in the class.

I thought Allure offered a great value, and her European and Caribbean itineraries are far more interesting than those found on other Oasis Class ships. I'd definitely book another cruise on the vessel.

Wonder of the Seas

The second ship on my list is Wonder of the Seas, which launched in early 2022. The ship’s layout, design features, and restaurants make Wonder one of my favorites in her class.

Wonder of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to have a slightly different layout from her sister ships. A Suite Neighborhood was added to the upper decks, the Windjammer buffet was expanded to decrease crowding, and the adults-only Solarium became fully enclosed for better climate control.

Related: Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

Everything on Wonder of the Seas felt exceptionally modern and well-designed during my week onboard. I loved listening to live country music at The Mason Jar, grabbing a drink from the tropical Lime and Coconut bar on the pool deck, and relaxing in the Solarium without breaking a sweat.

The ship is nearly identical to Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Utopia of the Seas, but it's slightly cheaper, placing it higher on my list.

Of course, not everything on the ship is perfect. I wish Wonder of the Seas featured a Broadway musical, for instance, but in general, I found the cons minimal. If given the chance to sail on an Oasis Class ship today, a cruise on Wonder of the Seas would be one of my top choices.

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, aims to provide the “Biggest Weekend” at sea. The ship, which only sails 3 and 4-night itineraries, markets toward cruisers in search of a quick getaway filled with themed parties and nonstop entertainment.

Related: Utopia of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

From the all-new Royal Kappa Chi college-themed party to the Toga Silent Disco, the three days I spent on Utopia of the Seas were anything but boring. And even though I wouldn’t say the party vibe was entirely my vibe, participating in such activities was not a requirement.

On the whole, the ship’s atmosphere did not feel drastically different to that of other Oasis Class ships. If you didn’t attend the evening parties, sailing on the ship mostly felt like cruising on any other ship in the class.

The layout and amenities were nearly identical to Wonder of the Seas, with a Suite Neighborhood and colorful pool deck. I appreciated the addition of a few venues not found on any other Oasis Class ship, including the Royal Railway immersive train car restaurant.

Newer is usually better when it comes to cruise ships, but the sticker price of the shiny new vessel is steep. I can’t justify paying the same price for a 3-night cruise that I could pay for a 7-night cruise on a slightly older Oasis Class ship.

There’s no question that sailing on Utopia of the Seas is fun and that she provides the best-of-the-best Oasis Class features, but I’d still rather book a longer cruise itinerary.

Oasis of the Seas

Among my favorite Oasis Class ships is Oasis of the Seas. Of all of Royal Caribbean's ships, the first Oasis Class ship was perhaps the most influential. While we might now view a park on a cruise ship with normalcy, this certainly wasn’t the case in 2008!

Over the years, as expected, Oasis of the Seas began to show her age. In 2019, she underwent a $165 million amplification, which added waterslides, new restaurants, and a reimagined pool deck.

Related: Oasis of the Seas ship guide: Cabins, itineraries, what to expect

I sailed on Oasis of the Seas after her amplification, and I loved every minute of my experience onboard. I tried out the escape room, rode the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and sipped on fruity cocktails on the Caribbean-inspired pool deck.

During my cruise, I particularly enjoyed the spacious outdoor sun deck in the Solarium along with Aqua80, the ship’s high-energy AquaTheater show. I also splurged on a pass to the spa’s thermal suite, which surely helped me enjoy my cruise even more.

In short, I didn’t find much at all to complain about on Oasis of the Seas. I prefer the more updated layout of Wonder and Utopia of the Seas, but the amplification of Oasis of the Seas helped the ship feel just as contemporary as newer ships in the class.

Symphony of the Seas

Next on my ranking is Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis Class ship that launched in 2018. After spending a week onboard the ship, I found no major issues with the vessel, and my Western Caribbean vacation was just about perfect.

Related: Top 10 Symphony of the Seas hidden secrets

All things considered, Symphony of the Seas could easily be in my top three favorite Oasis Class ships. I found the ship impeccably clean, and I appreciated the design features throughout, especially the Solarium's Big Wonder art installation that lights up at night.

Additionally, my favorite Italian restaurant on Royal Caribbean, Jamie’s Italian, is found onboard, and I loved watching the ship’s Broadway production of Hairspray.

So why the lower ranking? Ultimately, I prefer the enhanced layout and offerings of Wonder and Utopia, along with the Caribbean pool vibe you can also find on Oasis and Allure of the Seas.

I wouldn’t purposely avoid Symphony of the Seas over the four aforementioned ships, but given the chance, it would probably be my fifth choice for an Oasis Class cruise vacation.

Harmony of the Seas

As if the Oasis Class ships couldn’t be game-changing enough, the launch of Harmony of the Seas in 2016 brought an even bigger wow factor to the Oasis Class.

Compared to the two Oasis Class ships built before her—Oasis and Allure—Harmony of the Seas debuted with upgraded activities. She had the first-ever waterslides on an Oasis Class ship along with the Ultimate Abyss dry slide and an escape room.

Related: Harmony of the Seas cruise ship review

In a way, Harmony paved the way for the next three Oasis Class ships, which all share these features, and also inspired the amenities added during Oasis of the Seas’ and Allure of the Seas' amplifications.

Despite being a cutting-edge ship at the time, Harmony of the Seas ranks last on my list. Truthfully, though, she is so similar to Symphony of the Seas that I had to nitpick in order to rank her lower on the list.

Simply put, I prefer Hairspray over Harmony’s Broadway production of Grease, and I would prefer if the ship had a pool in the Solarium as opposed to just jacuzzis.

Obviously, none of these differences are deal breakers. I would never hesitate to sail on the ship again, but I would probably pick the other ships first.

Cruise ships are engineering marvels, and they can even perform a little-known trick to fit under bridges.

Royal Caribbean recently began offering summer cruises from the New York City area on Symphony of the Seas.  Symphony is an Oasis Class ship, making it one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

Just like sister ship Oasis of the Seas, both have retractable funnels that allow it to pass under shorter bridges.

Symphony of the Seas is indeed massive, coming in at 1,188 feet long, and encompassing 18 decks in height.

Only recently have the giant Oasis Class ships began sailing from the New York area, and a lot of people assumed it wasn't possible because of the Verrazzano Narrows bridge, which blocks access to New York harbor.

The Verrazzano bridge is 228 feet above mean high water at its midpoint, whereas Symphony of the Seas is 238 feet high.

Captain Rob Hempstead spoke to guests on a recently Symphony of the Seas sailing that the ship's funnels do retract and can do so as needed on the Oasis Class ships.

Bridges are common around major ports, and some are just tall enough for cruise ships to fit underneath them.

Captain Rob also confirmed that the funnels are still able to retract, even if a ship has been outfitted with scrubbers on them.  Scrubbers act a lot like a catalytic converter in the sense they filter out a lot of the ship's emissions from making it into the air.

The funnels telescope down to give the ship some the few extra inches it needs to fit under the bridge.

According to Captain Rob, all the Oasis Class ships are equipped with this functionality.

There's a second part to this trick, because the ship can get lower in the water by speeding up. By going faster, they squat lower into the water.

When you increase the speed in relatively confined waters, the ship has a suction effect from the bottom, and that actually makes the ship go a bit deeper into the water.

More ships can retract their funnels

It's not just the Oasis Class ships that can shrink down when necessary.

Royal Caribbean's Icon and Quantum class ships all have retractable funnels.

In fact, the brand new Icon of the Seas had to do the same thing when it departed its shipyard to begin operations.

In late November 2023, the 1,198-foot-long, 250,800 gross-ton vessel had to get from Finland to Spain, but Denmark's 11-mile Great Belt Bridge was in the way.

The cruise ship had to "lower and secure" the Icon of the Seas' funnels, allowing it to clear the Great Belt Bridge with only a few feet to spare. 

Prior to Icon, Allure of the Seas was the last cruise ship to pass underneath the Great Belt Bridge.  The second Oasis Class ship did it in October 2010 and passed with just 20 inches of clearance.

There's simply nothing within the cruise industry that compares to the scale and pizzazz of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

Since Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, these large ships have revolutionized what you can experience on a cruise.

Not only are these ships massive, but they’re also intentionally designed with a large variety of activities, entertainment, and dining.

The Oasis class was the first to introduce the concept of neighborhoods, distinct areas that offer different amenities, separating crowds and making it harder to get lost.

Not only that, but Oasis Class ships also feature amenities like laser tag, zip lines, ice skating rinks, AquaTheaters, Boardwalks with carousels, the Perfect Storm water slide, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and an entire nature-filled neighborhood modeled after Central Park.

However, they aren’t all the same. 

With each new rendition, Royal Caribbean seeks to improve and revitalize its ships.

In order of ships oldest to newest, here are all of the Oasis Class ships and what makes them unique.

Oasis of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: December 2009
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,780
• Gross tonnage: 226,838

Royal Caribbean launched Oasis of the Seas in 2009, starting the Oasis Class off with a bang.

At the time of her launch, Oasis of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship in the world, featuring more amenities and activities than ever before.

She broke ground with seven distinct neighborhoods, becoming a destination in her own right.

In addition, she was amplified in 2019, adding new dining venues and bars, updating the pool deck to a Caribbean resort style, and revamping the kid’s programs and other activities.

Royal Caribbean invested $165 million in the amplification, ensuring that Oasis still feels fresh and luxurious even at 15 years old.

The first Oasis-Class ship mainly sails from Miami and Cape Liberty, offering Caribbean cruises.

In the summer of 2024, she will sail to the Mediterranean and begin 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Allure of the Seas 

• Inaugural sailing: December 2010
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,780
• Gross tonnage: 225,282

Royal Caribbean didn’t hesitate to continue the popularity of its Oasis Class.

Allure of the Seas, the second Oasis-Class ship, was launched in 2010, just one year after her predecessor.

Similar to Oasis, Royal Caribbean updated Allure with features found on newer ships.

In 2025, Allure underwent a $100 million Royal Amplification to add new waterslides, a revamped pool deck, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, new restaurants and more.

These changes greatly enhance the appeal with families to choose Allure.  

In 2025, Allure of the Seas is splitting her time between summer in Europe before heading back to Florida to offer Caribbean cruises in the winter.

The appeal of going on Allure of the Seas is you get updated features, but will probably pay less than the newer ships in the class.

Harmony of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: May 2016
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,687
• Gross tonnage: 226,963

Harmony of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular and well-known cruise ships.

She is the 3rd ship in the Oasis Class but ushered in new expectations with a set of enhancements to the Oasis-Class experience.

Harmony was the largest cruise ship in the world when she was launched in 2016, and was later revitalized in 2021.

She has the updated Oasis-class features like the Ultimate Abyss slide, three multi-story water slides, and an escape room.

Additional activities make for an adrenaline-packed cruise experience: an 82-foot zip line, two rock climbing walls, a mini golf course, a full-sized basketball court, an ice skating rink, and two FlowRider surf simulators.

The 3rd Oasis-class ship currently offers 7-night Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston, Texas.

Symphony of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: April 2018
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,680
• Gross tonnage: 228,081

When she launched as the fourth Oasis-Class ship, Symphony of the Seas replaced Harmony of the Seas as an even larger cruise ship.

Not all ships within the same class are the same, and Symphony does a great job of proving how Royal Caribbean tries to improve each cruise ship.

For example, she was the first Royal Caribbean ship to have Hooked Seafood, an extra-cost restaurant with fresh New England seafood cuisine.

Symphony is one of Royal Caribbean’s most action-packed ships, perfect for guests who love a variety of different activities.

She was recently upgraded in 2023 and currently offers summer cruises from Cape Liberty, New York, sailing to Port Canaveral, Florida, Perfect Day at Cococay, and Nassau, Bahamas over 7-night cruises.

Wonder of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: March 2022
• Maximum passenger capacity: 6,988
• Gross tonnage: 236,857

Much like her sister ships, Wonder of the Seas was the biggest cruise ship in the world at her launch.

In fact, she was only recently de-throned in 2024 by Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean continued to improve and change the Oasis Class with Wonder’s launch, adding unique features like the Mason Jar Southern restaurant, Cantina Fresca bar, and Vue bar.

Instead of the usual seven neighborhoods, she has an eighth addition: a Suites-only neighborhood at the ship's top.

The opportunities are endless. 

Wonder of the Seas also has countless activities and a new underwater-themed playground called the Wonder Playscape.

This massive vessel sails 7-night Caribbean itineraries (both Eastern and Western) out of Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Utopia of the Seas

• Inaugural sailing: July 2024
• Maximum passenger capacity: 5,668
• Gross tonnage: 236,860

Royal Caribbean isn’t done releasing Oasis-Class ships. 

Utopia of the Seas is the newest Oasis Class ship and it's proof Royal Caribbean is still dreaming up new ways to make these ships even more impressive.

The ship operates on a hybrid model, leveraging Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), the cleanest fossil fuel to power ships today.

Use of LNG can reduce carbon emissions by 30%, sulfur emissions by 100%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%.

Utopia of the Seas is different in that it sails 3 and 4-night cruises only.   from Port Canaveral, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

While it's quite similar to other Oasis Class ships, there's more opportunities to party. Royal Caribbean wanted this ship to be the ultimate weekend party, and they expanded its entertainment offerings on Utopia.

Unnamed (expected in 2028)

An order has been placed for a seventh Oasis Class ship, set to be launched in 2028.

Little details have been released, and the public does not yet know the name of the ship.

But Royal Caribbean has found a massive amount of success with its Oasis Class. 

The ships have become a new standard in the cruise industry, a paragon of size and amenities.

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO said that, “From the moment [the first Oasis Class ship] sailed, it has been an absolute huge success.”

“These ships deliver from every dimension. And the most important dimension is customer satisfaction.”

He says that the breadth and depth of these ships, as well as the unique neighborhoods, are partially responsible for this huge success.

Because there’s something for every individual, families can experience fun activities separately, and then come together in the evening for dinner or other events.

families can experience unique activities, there’s something for every individual 

“It really is a winning formula.”

The next time you sail on a Royal Caribbean Oasis Class cruise ship, there's likely one change you may notice on deck 4.

Since the start of the year, Royal Caribbean has quietly begun converting over its Jazz on 4 venues into a non-smoking casino room.

Jazz on 4 was a dedicated room for jazz music, where a band would perform most nights of the cruise. During the day time, Jazz on 4 would mostly remain unused, but it was sometimes used for private events as well.

There's been no formal announcement from the cruise line, but cruise fans were alerted to the change when the jazz club was closed on recent sailings.

On Oasis of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, Jazz on 4 has already been converted over to a casino room similar to the Golden Room first offered on Wonder of the Seas.

In the Royal Caribbean Club Royale Facebook group, Ed Thomas posted photos of the new space that opened on Oasis of the Seas this week.

He counted 40 slot machines, a blackjack table and a three-card poker table.

Over on Harmony of the Seas, the changeover occurred earlier this month. Johnny Travalor shared photos of the new space.

It's not clear yet if the change has or will happen on Allure or Symphony of the Seas, although Symphony of the Seas is in dry dock in Cadiz, Spain currently and the work could be occurring in conjunction with that effort.

When Wonder of the Seas launched in 2022, Royal Caribbean opted not to include Jazz on 4. Instead, it had The Golden Room, which is a non-smoking casino annex.  It was speculated this decision was based on the fact that Wonder of the Seas was originally intended for the Asian cruise market, where gambling is more popular than in North America and Europe.

When Royal Caribbean changed plans to keep Wonder of the Seas in the United States, they decided to keep the VIP room.

Cruise line executives at the launch of Wonder of the Seas admitted they weren't sure whether or not the concept will be a hit with Americans, but it seemed worth a try.

Non-smoking option

One big change guests may notice about this new spot is the lack of smoke.

The room is designated non-smoking, which is a big deal for Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has historically allowed smoking in the main casino.

The debate over allowing smoking in the casino has been contentious over the years, with many cruise ship passengers voicing their opinions on the matter and it's left Royal Caribbean in the middle.

At a question and answer session in June 2022, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the issue of allowing smoking. He 

admitted, "smoking in the casinos is a bit of a conundrum."

"The dilemma is that there are many people who do want to smoke in the casino. I know that's not a popular response, but it's it's the truth."

"I'm not judging anyone or anything, but there's a large group of people who do want to smoke in the casino."

He explained, "Every, I would say every couple of years, we do test this and we take one or two or three ships we ban smoking in the casino. And the result is less people go in the casino and that that's the reality of it."

Not the end of jazz on Royal Caribbean

Jazz music lovers should take solace in the fact the end of the Jazz on 4 venue does not correlate to an end to jazz music onboard Oasis Class ships.

Starting with Wonder of the Seas, the jazz performances were moved from Jazz on 4 to Central Park. On some nights, the jazz band also performs in Music Hall.

There are evening performances near Park Cafe, similar to the sets that would have occurred in the former venue.

A new jazz club on Icon

If their new ship is any indication, Royal Caribbean isn't done with jazz music quite yet.

One of the new nightlife spots recently announced for Icon of the Seas is Lou's Jazz 'n Blues, which will be located in Central Park.

Royal Caribbean thinks this venue will be the perfect place to enjoy live jazz performances at a table, or while strolling in the park.

There are simply no other cruise ships in the world like Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise industry with the introduction of Oasis of the Seas in 2009. It redefined what you could expect to find on a cruise, and other lines had to play catch-up to match what the Oasis Class offered. 

Every new cruise ship that has entered service since has been compared back to the Oasis Class, and it is a testament to how well-designed the ships are from bow to stern.

They are the biggest cruise ships in the world and their massive size is matched by the variety of activities, entertainment, dining options and more.

They offer expansive suites, lots of activities that appeal to families, food to cater all tastes, and more ways to have fun than ships that came before it.

Something you should know about these ships is that they are not all alike. With each ship, Royal Caribbean has differentiated each one with different entertainment, restaurants, pool deck activities and more. Just because you've sailed one, doesn't mean you've sailed them all.

Royal Caribbean isn't done adding new Oasis Class ships. Utopia of the Seas, the newest Oasis Class ship, is the sixth in the class and there's even a seventh one coming in the future.

Ready to try an Oasis Class ship? Or want to know what makes each different? Here's a breakdown of the Oasis Class ships and what you need to know about each one.

What are the 7 Oasis Class Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean has seven Oasis Class cruise ships:

• Oasis of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship, from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean.
• Allure of the Seas is the second Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Miam, offering short cruises to the Bahamas. In 2025 she'll sail from Europe to offer Mediterranean cruises.
• Harmony of the Seas is the third Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Galveston, offering Western Caribbean cruises.
• Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis Class ship, and she primarily sails from Miami, offering 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the summer, she sails from New York, offering cruises to the Bahamas and Canada.
• Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class ship, and she sails primarily from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
• Utopia of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship to start by offering short 3- and 4-night cruises. Utopia of the Seas entered service in July 2024 from her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.
• An order is in place for a yet-to-be-named Oasis Class ship, which will debut sometime in 2028.

Oasis Class neighborhoods

Oasis Class cruise ships are split into distinct neighborhoods onboard, which helps to keep the ship’s layout easy to navigate as well as split up crowds into different areas. There are seven neighborhoods on the Oasis Class ships, with the exception of Wonder of the Seas which has eight neighborhoods.

• The Boardwalk, an outdoor neighborhood built like an old-fashioned boardwalk, with an arcade, carousel, dining, and entertainment venues
• Pool and Sports Zone, the top decks of an Oasis Class ship with four main pools, an adults-only Solarium, waterslides, and a sports area
• Central Park, an outdoor park with over 10,000 plants and flowers surrounding dining and shopping venues
• Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare of an Oasis Class ship with dining, bars, entertainment, and shopping
• Entertainment Place, a hub of entertainment venues including a comedy club, ice-skating rink, and jazz club
• Youth Zone, where Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean programming is located
• Vitality Spa and Fitness, the onboard spa and gym including a thermal suite, beauty salon, fitness classes, and cafe

Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have an eighth neighborhood: the Suite Neighborhood. This is an area of the ship dedicated to suite guests and has a pool, bar, lounge areas, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and Suite Lounge.

Activities and things to do

The Oasis Class ships have no shortage of complimentary activities to choose from while onboard. While they share some activities with other Royal Caribbean ships, there are several unique things to do found only on the Oasis Class cruise ships.

Ultimate Abyss

The Ultimate Abyss is a 10-story slide that transports guests from the sports deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood. It is a dry slide and guests use a racer mat to reach the bottom. The slide incorporates lights, sound effects, and music as guests twist and turn at 9mph to the bottom.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have The Ultimate Abyss, but it will be added to the ship once the Royal Amplified program returns.

Utopia of the Seas will have an even longer slide. In fact, it is the world's longest dry slide at sea!

Zipline

Guests looking for a thrill can try out the zipline, located on the sports deck of Oasis Class ships. The 82-foot long zipline flies nine decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood. The ride only lasts around ten seconds, but will surely give guests an adrenaline rush.

Rock climbing wall

Oasis Class ships have not only one, but two rock climbing walls. At 43 feet tall, these are the tallest rock climbing walls in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. They are located in the Boardwalk neighborhood overlooking the AquaTheater and ship’s aft.

Ice skating

All Oasis Class ships have the Studio B ice skating rink. Beyond ice skating shows, there are open skating sessions available during the cruise. Guests are provided with ice skates and a helmet.

FlowRider

The FlowRider is a surfing simulator where guests can practice boogie boarding and stand up surfing as water rushes from the front to the back of the FlowRider.

Carousel

Located in the Boardwalk neighborhood on each Oasis Class ship is an intricately designed, colorful carousel. The carousels’ designs are colorful and kid-friendly, with not only horses to ride, but cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and more.

The carousel moves quite slowly, so it is a fun activity for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Waterslides

Oasis Class ships have three main waterslides on the pool deck. First is The Perfect Storm, a set of racing slides. The other slide is Supercell, which ends with a “toilet” or “champagne” bowl, where guests loop around a bowl several times before falling into the middle.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have waterslides, but the Cyclone, Typhoon, and Supercell slides will be added to the ship once the Royal Amplified program returns.

Puzzle Break Center

Oasis Class ships offer the Puzzle Break Center, an escape room, onboard. This activity comes at an extra cost (usually around $20 per person). The escape room’s theme and challenge varies per ship, so guests can try the escape room on more than one Oasis Class ship without the storyline repeating.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have a Puzzle Break Center.

Kids activities & Adventure Ocean

Each Oasis Class ship has two arcades onboard: one on the top decks near the sports deck areas and one on the Boardwalk. The boardwalk arcade is either in its own venue or incorporated into Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. The arcade comes at an extra cost.

In addition, all Oasis Class ships have an extensive Adventure Ocean area for kids. Childcare is available for kids aged 6 months to 17 years, and kids are broken into separate rooms by age group.

Teens have their own space onboard Oasis Class ships, with both indoor and outdoor spaces to hang out.

Other activities

On the sports deck of each Oasis Class ship is a mini golf course and sports court. Both are open throughout the day, with select activities such as pickleball and basketball tournaments listed in the Cruise Planner.

Select Oasis Class ships also offer Battle for Planet Z, a laser tag arena, onboard. The arena is glow-in-the-dark and sure to be a fun activity for kids and adults.

Pool deck

Because Oasis Class ships are split in the middle, there are two separate sides of the pool deck, and guests can look from the pool deck down into Central Park below.

There are four pools on the pool deck:

• The Beach Pool, with lines of pool chairs placed into shallow water, meant to create the effect of lounging in a chair near the ocean
• The Sports Pool, where pool games and activities are played, such as the belly flop contest or pool volleyball
• The Main Pool, a regular pool with plenty of seating
• Splashaway Bay, a kids aqua park with waterslides, dump buckets, and water sprayers. Allure of the Seas has an H20 zone instead of Splashaway Bay.

Also located on the pool deck are hot tubs at each of the four pools, two large cantilevered hot tubs, and several pool bars.

Each Oasis Class ship also features an adults-only Solarium for guests 18 and older, with a pool and several hot tubs. 

Harmony of the Seas is the only Oasis Class ship without a pool inside the Solarium.

Entertainment and venues on Oasis Class ships

Oasis Class ships have three main entertainment venues onboard. The most unique venue is the AquaTheater. Found only on Oasis Class ships, the AquaTheater is where Royal Caribbean’s aqua shows are performed, combining diving, slacklining, aerialists, synchronized swimmers, and more.

AquaTheater shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Aqua80 and Splash
• Allure of the Seas: Oceanaria
• Harmony of the Seas: The Fine Line and Hideaway Heist
• Symphony of the Seas: HIRO and Aqua Nation
• Wonder of the Seas: inTENse
• Utopia of the Seas: Aqua80Too

Like on all Royal Caribbean ships, the Royal Theater is home to signature shows and entertainers throughout the cruise. The Oasis Class ships (with the exception of Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas) all perform a full-length Broadway musical in addition to Royal Caribbean’s original productions.

Royal Theater shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Cats (Broadway musical) and One Sky
• Allure of the Seas: Mama Mia (Broadway musical) and Blue Planet
• Harmony of the Seas: Grease (Broadway musical) and Columbus: The Musical
• Symphony of the Seas: Hairspray (Broadway musical) and Flight: Dare to Dream
• Wonder of the Seas: Voices and The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn
• Utopia of the Seas: All In!

Oasis Class ships also have Studio B, the ice skating rink onboard. The ice skating show(s) vary per ship, but they all combine talented figure skaters, intricate technology and lighting effects, and detailed set design to create an immersive story for guests. 

Studio B shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Frozen in Time
• Allure of the Seas: Ice Games
• Harmony of the Seas: iSkate and 1887: A Journey in Time
• Symphony of the Seas: iSkate 2.0 and 1997: Adventure on Ice
• Wonder of the Seas: 365: The Seasons on Ice
• Utopia of the Seas: Youtopia Ice Spectacular

Other than the signature productions onboard Oasis Class ships, there are plenty of other entertainment venues for guests to enjoy. The exact name of these venues may vary by ship:

• The Attic/Blaze Comedy/Comedy Live, a comedy club where the ship’s featured comedians perform throughout the evening
• On Air/Spotlight Karaoke, a karaoke bar where guests can sing solo or with a group of friends
• Music Hall/Dazzles, a multi-level nightclub and lounge with live bands and dancing with views of the Boardwalk neighborhood

Other entertainment can be found throughout the cruise, such as live Latin music and dancing at Boleros, piano entertainment at Schooner Bar, and an acoustic guitarist at the English-style pub onboard.

Food & dining

Oasis Class ships share the following complimentary dining venues:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Solarium Bistro
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Park Cafe
• The Boardwalk Dog House
• Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)
• Cafe Promenade (excluding specialty drinks)
• Vitality Cafe (excluding specialty drinks)
• Soft serve ice cream station on the pool deck

They also share the following specialty dining venues:

• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• 150 Central Park
• Johnny Rockets (complimentary for breakfast)
• Starbucks
• Izumi sushi & hibachi

Oasis Class ships share the following bars and lounges:

• Boleros
• Rising Tide Bar
• Schooner Bar
• Bionic Bar (excluding Allure and Utopia of the Seas)
• English-style pub
• Solarium Bar
• Pool bars
• Wipe Out Bar
• Vintages (excluding Wonder and Utopia of the Seas)
• Trellis Bar

One of the most unique bars on Oasis Class ships is the Rising Tide Bar, which continuously moves up and down from the Royal Promenade on deck 5 to Central Park on deck 8.

Each Oasis Class ship has a complimentary, grab-and-go restaurant located on the pool deck that is open for breakfast and lunch:

• El Loco Fresh, found on Oasis, Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia of the Seas, offers burritos, quesadillas, rice, beans, and a salsa station
• Wipe Out Cafe, found on Allure of the Seas, offers sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and more
• Mini Bites, found on Harmony of the Seas, offers similar items to Wipe Out Cafe and also has an omelet station at breakfast

Each Oasis Class ship also has a specialty Italian restaurant onboard, although the venue changes by ship:

• Giovanni’s Table, found on Allure and Oasis of the Seas, offers traditional Italian cuisine with menu highlights including tagliatelle alla carbonara, Mediterranean branzino, and filet mignon.
• Jamie’s Italian, found on Harmony and Symphony of the Seas, offers a more modern take on Italian cuisine with menu highlights including truffle tagliatelle, pan-roasted salmon, and chianti-braised short rib.
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, found on Wonder and Utopia of the Seas, is Royal Caribbean’s newest Italian restaurant concept, with menu highlights including specialty pizzas, steak muffuletta, and lasagna classica. Next door to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is Giovanni’s Wine Bar, with an extensive selection of Italian wines and small bites.

Differences between the Oasis Class cruise ships

Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship, was recently amplified through Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified Program in 2019. Due to this, she received a number of enhancements and features found on the newest Oasis Class ships such as waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss, and new dining venues.

The pool deck on Oasis of the Seas was transformed into a Caribbean-style pool deck during the amplification, with colorful decor, comfy seating, casita lounge areas, and extra jacuzzis.

The Lime & Coconut bar was also added to the pool deck, which serves a variety of tropical drinks such as the Watermelon Rita, Blue Hawaiian, and signature Lime & Coconut cocktail.

Here are the other new venues added to Oasis of the Seas during her amplification:

• Portside BBQ, a specialty restaurant unique to Oasis of the Seas, which serves a variety of barbecued meat and comfort food, including Texas Beef Brisket and St. Louis-style Spare Ribs
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Royal Caribbean’s signature sports bar with nachos, sliders, burgers, beer, and countless TV screens available to watch your favorite team
• Sugar Beach candy store

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas has a few significant differences from other Oasis Class ships, as her amplification has been indefinitely postponed due to Covid-19.

Allure of the Seas does not have the Ultimate Abyss slide, waterslides, or a Splashaway Bay for kids. She does have the H20 Zone on the pool deck, which features kids splash pads and water sprayers.

Despite not having these signature activities, Allure of the Seas still offers many signature activities onboard like rock climbing, mini golf, ziplining, the FlowRider, etc.

There are a few dining options unique to Allure of the Seas:

• Boardwalk Donuts, where guests can enjoy complimentary donuts and coffee each morning (complimentary)
• Cups & Scoops, a 1940s-style ice cream shop selling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and cupcakes (extra cost)
• Candy Beach candy store (extra cost)
• Samba Grill, a traditional Brazilian rodizio with all-you-can-eat meats as well as a salad and sides bar. Samba Grill is located in the Solarium Bistro in the evenings (specialty restaurant)

Allure of the Seas is one of two Oasis Class ships with Sabor, a Mexican specialty restaurant and tequila bar, which is located in the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Allure of the Seas does not have the Wonderland specialty restaurant onboard. In its place is the Diamond Club. Diamond members may enjoy this venue, as it is a two-story venue with huge windows overlooking the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Allure of the Seas has Blaze, an additional nightclub lounge, on Deck 4. This is where the Diamond Club is found on other Oasis Class ships.

Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to be designed with waterslides in the initial ship build, as well as add new features to Oasis Class ships such as the Ultimate Abyss. Many of the design innovations made on Harmony of the Seas have served as a model for future Oasis Class ships and amplifications.

Harmony of the Seas is the only Oasis Class ship with Royal Caribbean’s original production Columbus: The Musical!, which tells the story of Marvin Columbus, the imaginary, luckless cousin of Christopher Columbus. This show is usually a favorite among cruisers.

The Solarium on Harmony of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships in that she does not have a pool. She still has four jacuzzis, but guests looking to take a swim must head to the main pool deck.

Harmony of the Seas, like Allure of the Seas, has the specialty restaurant Sabor on the Boardwalk. Menu highlights at Sabor include build-your-own tacos, spicy beef empanadas, and cinnamon churros.

Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas was the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer Hooked Seafood, a specialty restaurant specializing in New England-style seafood. Those dining at Hooked Seafood can start their meal with starters such as Fresh-shucked Oysters, Clam & Crab Chowder, and Ceviche. Entree highlights include the Messy Fish Sandwich, Drunken Mussels, and Maine Lobster Roll. 

Like Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas also has a Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Sugar Beach candy store on the Boardwalk.

Symphony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to debut the Ultimate Family Suite, Royal Caribbean’s most expensive suite. The Ultimate Family Suite is designed to be an oasis for kids, with an in-suite slide, air hockey table, LEGO wall, and private gaming area.

Symphony of the Seas has a few unique entertainment additions, as well. On Royal Caribbean’s signature show Flight: Dare to Dream, guests can be amazed by a replica of the original Wright brothers’ airplane, which “flies” through the Royal Theater during the show.

During the ice skating show 1977: Adventure on Ice, a drone show is included in the performance. A total of 48 drones with lighting effects are used in the production, programmed to move up, down, and around the ice rink in sync with the music.

Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class ship.

Originally she was designed for the Chinese market, so Wonder of the Seas has a few design differences compared to other Oasis Class ships.

Suite neighborhood

The biggest difference on Wonder of the Seas is the addition of the Suite Neighborhood. The Suite Neighborhood is the eighth neighborhood onboard and is accessible only for suite guests.

The suite neighborhood follows a similar concept to the suite-exclusive areas found on Quantum Class ship Spectrum of the Seas. Also designed for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas has exclusive dining, pool, and lounge areas just for suite guests.

The Suite neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas wraps around the ship’s funnel on decks 16, 17, and 18. It features Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge, and a private sun deck with views of the sports court and ocean.

The private sundeck includes its own plunge pool, bar, and outdoor lounge areas.

Other key differences

Wonder of the Seas also has The Vue, a cantilevered bar located on the upper pool deck.

The Vue offers panoramic views of the ocean and a colorful, mosaic canopy overhead that lights up at night. The Vue has taken the space of one of the cantilevered hot tubs onboard, so instead of two like on other Oasis Class ships, there is only one.

Another new bar on Wonder of the Seas is Cantina Fresca. Located next to El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca offers Mexican-inspired cocktails, margaritas, and aguas frescas.

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas only has one FlowRider. In its place is the Wonder Playscape, a brand new play area for kids onboard.

The Playscape is an underwater-themed playground with climbing walls, slides, nets, interactive murals, games, and nooks and crannies to explore.

Like Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas has a Caribbean-style pool deck complete with colorful decor, lounge areas, casitas, extra hot tubs, and The Lime & Coconut bar. Wonder of the Seas has more seating options available on the pool deck, including a movie screen theater area.

Speaking of a movie screen, the TV screen on the pool deck on Wonder of the Seas is the largest in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Like Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas also features an Ultimate Family Suite. It is bigger than the suite on Symphony, with three bedrooms and a movie/game room that can be converted into a fourth bedroom.

In place of Jazz on 4, Wonder of the Seas has The Golden Room, an extra casino space. As Wonder of the Seas was designed for the Chinese Market, extra casino spaces were incorporated into the ship. This may be changed in the future to better fit the American and European cruise markets.

Another difference on Wonder of the Seas is the Windjammer. Unlike on other Oasis Class ships where the Windjammer is relatively small, the Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas is the largest in Royal Caribbean's fleet and wraps around the entire Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 15.

Dining

The Mason Jar, a brand new restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, is found on Wonder of the Seas. 

The Mason Jar specializes in Southern staples, including Lobster & Crawfish Gumbo, Blackened Cajun Catfish, and Shrimp N’ Grits. Brunch is also available on sea days, with menu highlights including Meemaw’s Fried Chicken N’ Waffles, Blueberry Johnny Cakes, and Stuffed French Toast.

Adjacent to The Mason Jar is The Mason Jar Bar, serving unique cocktails with a focus on bourbon and moonshine.

Wonder of the Seas also has Hooked Seafood, Playmakers, and Sugar Beach.

Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship, debuting in July 2024.

Cruisers will notice many upgrades on this brand-new ship, including an expanded Park Cafe, a multi-story Lime and Coconut bar, a redesigned Vitality Spa, a two-story Giovanni's, and more.

This cruise ship also has new venues that are not found on other Oasis Class cruise ships, like Royal Railway, Pesky Parrot, Izumi in the Park, Izumi Omakase, and The Spare Tire.

Utopia of the Seas is also the only ship with Solarium Suites. These two Star Class suites are located in the front of the ship near the adults-only Solarium.

Staterooms on Oasis Class ships

Due to the unique architecture found on Oasis Class ships, there are several types of staterooms not available on other Royal Caribbean ships:

• Boardwalk balconies, which offer views of the Boardwalk and a partial, side view of the ocean
• Central Park balconies, which offer views of Central Park
• Central Park and Boardwalk view staterooms, which feature a window looking into the Central Park or Boardwalk neighborhood
• AquaTheater suites, which are located in the ship’s aft with panoramic views of the ocean and AquaTheater

Oasis Class ships have a wide variety of suites available, including Grand Suites, the Owner’s Suite, AquaTheater suites, and loft suites.

There are also interior, interior with virtual balcony, ocean view, balcony, and Royal Promenade view rooms available.

Who is the Oasis Class best for?

The Oasis Class is best for guests who view the cruise ship as the destination, and they offer something for every type of cruiser.

Many guests book a cruise on an Oasis Class ship due to the sheer range of options available. With the amount of entertainment, organized activities, and dining venues onboard, there is a little chance guests will ever get bored on an Oasis Class ship.

Those looking for a quiet experience onboard will find plenty of options, too, whether spending the afternoon reading a book in Central Park or relaxing in the Solarium.

The Oasis Class is an extremely popular choice for families, as the ships can cater to guests of all ages. Kids will have an abundance of activities onboard, from waterslides to rock climbing and the zipline. Teens will love the large hangout spaces and areas to explore with new friends on the ship.

Due to the size of Oasis Class ships, they are not able to fit into a wide variety of ports around the world. Therefore, many of the itineraries on Oasis Class ships are similar to each other. If you plan to visit more unique cruise ports, an Oasis Class ship may not be the best choice for you.

Oasis Class Tips & Secrets

There is no 13th deck on Oasis Class ships, so you will go straight from the 12th deck to the 14th deck!

Allure and Oasis of the Seas have art displays known as “Small Wonders” throughout the ship. These are periscopes or telescopes where you’ll find tiny, 3D pieces of art when you look inside. They are located around the ship, so exploring Allure or Oasis of the Seas to find them can be a fun activity to do onboard.

Likewise, Wonder of the Seas has astronauts scattered throughout the ship. 

The Solarium bridge wings offer a fantastic view for sailaway or sunset.